Aether’s Blessing (Aether’s Revival Book 1)

Gregory’s pain had eased by the time there was a soft knock on his door. He answered, “Can I help you?”

A woman with fox ears wearing a maid outfit stood just outside. “I’m Jess, sir. I’m here to bathe you. Are you ready?”

“Umm, not sure what I need,” Gregory admitted, staring at her in shock.

“A change of clothing is all,” Jess replied. “If you want, we can have your boots and clothes cleaned and returned in the morning, as well.”

“Oh, yes, please,” Gregory said, turning to open the armoire. He rummaged through his clothes, trying to find a set that was not road stained.

“We can clean all of those if you wish, sir.”

“Oh, that would be nice. Thank you.”

Jess smiled, “It is our pleasure, sir. Just leave them next to the door, and I’ll have them collected.”

Finding a single change of clothes that were not dirty, he breathed a sigh of relief. He dropped his dirty clothing by the door and slung his clean tunic and pants over his shoulder, smiling at her.

“Follow me, sir,” Jess said, walking ahead of him down the hallway.

Gregory was mesmerized by the red-furred tail that came out of a slit in her uniform. It gently swayed side to side, in counterpoint to her hips. “Miss… are you an eurtik?” he asked, unable to stop himself.

“My grandmother was, and as you can see, the blood runs strong in my family. Did you wish another to care for you instead?” Jess asked, pausing just in front of a door.

“Umm… no. I just… I’ve never seen anyone with eurtik blood before.”

“You will see more like me, and even some purebloods, I’m sure,” Jess replied softly. She opened the door and led him into the room beyond.

The room was tiled, dominated by a large bronze tub that was easily big enough for two people. Steam was drifting up from it and an assortment of soaps and oils were laid out beside it. Three fluffy cloths lay on a waist-high padded table that was across the room.

“Please strip and get into the tub,” Jess instructed him.

Gregory stood there in shock, not quite sure he believed what he was hearing. “But, umm?”

“I know. You are a fringer and might not understand, but it is fine. This is one of my tasks.”

Do not fight the maid. Do what she tells you, Bishop’s voice echoed in his mind. Taking a deep breath, Gregory stripped and gingerly stepped into the tub. The water was right on the edge of being too warm, but he was grateful to not be on display. Sighing as he settled into the tub, he glanced back at Jess. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened.

Jess had stripped, leaving herself completely exposed to him. Her smile widened as she moved across the room to him, her hips swaying slightly as she walked. Eyes twinkling, she slowed her pace, taking her time getting to him. “Is this your first time seeing a woman naked, too?”

“Umm… uhhh… yes,” Gregory stammered. His cheeks turned a bright red that had nothing to do with the heat of the bath. “You’re beautiful.”

Her laugh was light as she came to a stop beside the bath. “Thank you, sir, but there is no need for flattery. Would you prefer the orange, vanilla, or jasmine soap?” Taking each bar, she held them up for his examination as she knelt beside the tub.

Having trouble keeping his eyes off her body, he took each bar and sniffed it before handing them back. “Vanilla, please.”

“My favorite,” Jess purred and returned the other two to the small table they had been resting on. “Please slide forward some. I will be cleaning your back first.”

Gregory did so, which removed her from his line of sight and allowed him the chance to calm down. Or it would have, if she had not stepped into the tub behind him. Her long legs slid to either side of him as she eased herself into the tub.

His mind going blank, Gregory did not say anything as her soft hands worked to lather soap across his back. Jess was silent, her touch soft, but firm enough to work the soap into his skin.

She leaned forward, and Gregory became aware of her small firm breasts pressing into his back. “Raise your arms, sir, please.”

Gregory did so at once. Jess let out a pleased giggle as she reached out, working on his right arm first. When she had soaped that arm, she took his left arm and her fingers faltered for a moment.

“What happened to your arm, sir?”

“Bane wolf,” Gregory replied. “I had to drag it off my friend.”

“Barely an adult and a novice, and you fought a bane wolf barehanded?” Jess asked, her voice curiously intent.

“It was that or death,” Gregory replied.

“Your friend lived?”

“Proctor Bishop killed it once I dragged it off Gunnar.”

“Still, it was very brave to grapple with one of them.”

“I just did what was needed,” Gregory said truthfully.

“As a hero would say,” Jess whispered in his ear while she finished soaping his arm. “I will have to treat you extra special now.” More of her body pressed against him as her arms went around his chest. “Please enjoy your bath, sir.” Soft lips brushed his ear, and Gregory shuddered.

Jess kept up with the same soft, gentle, and firm touch as she cleaned him. Gregory was having difficulty keeping his hands to himself. When she had him stand to wash his legs, he tried not to think of his erect cock pointing straight at her.

Her hands began at his calves and worked up his legs, but it was her tongue licking at his shaft that made him gasp. Gregory startled and looked down to see her peering back up at him through her eyelashes. She pulled back slightly, smiling, and took the head of his rigid shaft into her mouth as she continued to wash his legs.

“Oh, Aether,” Gregory moaned, his legs trembling.

She giggled, clearly pleased by his reaction. Her head bobbed, slowly at first while she kept eye contact with him. After a few seconds, Gregory got an idea. Unable to resist, he grabbed Jess firmly by the head and began to rock his hips, forcing his cock in and out of her mouth. She moaned, the sound vibrating along his shaft. Her hands moved up his legs to fondle his balls.

The aether inside him settled down as he picked up the pace with his hips. After a few minutes, Gregory shuddered and pulled Jess tightly to him as he emptied his seed into her mouth.

Letting go of her, Gregory grabbed the edge of the tub and eased himself back into the water, his breathing ragged. Jess coughed for a moment before she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Well done, Novice. I hadn’t thought you’d be that aggressive, but it is something I do enjoy. I am done cleaning you, so just relax while I get the next part ready.”

Gregory laid back, letting the warm water cover him. He felt his aether subside, returning to the calm flame he was becoming more familiar with. While he lounged, he wondered about the flashes of insight he had started having. I wonder if it’s connected to you, Aether? I’ll just need to ask when I speak with you again.

Another thought occurred to him. If this is a bath, I find myself liking them… but does that mean that Bishop…? Gregory shut the train of thought down, not ready to consider that possibility.

“When you are ready, sir, we can continue,” Jess said from beside the padded table.

“Huh?”

“The oil massage comes next. I just need you to come lie down over here for me.” She patted the table. “Once the oil is done, we have a couple of other options which you might find appealing.” A slow wink and smile made Gregory shudder as his blood again headed south.

Climbing out of the tub, he moved to the table and did as she requested. “I’d like to hear more about the options.”

Warm breath tickled his ear as Jess leaned down to whisper to him, “This is just for tonight, but please, consider it my gift to a hero who risked his life for his friend. I’ll be anything you want me to be, and I’ll do everything you want.”