Ash lay in bed on the Ambition, gritting his teeth as darkness warped and folded around him. If the light shifting beneath the door with each creak was any indication, it was sometime after noon. It touched almost everything, save that thing standing at the foot of his bed, glaring from impossible shadows. Its form matched Miyoko’s, but it wasn’t her, merely another phantom tormentor like the last. With Khukri’s phantom, he struggled with the ever-increasing desire to harvest more light... even from those who didn’t want it. This one was different, with less desire to feed, but far more guilt for wanting it. He didn’t know which was worse.

Any other day, Ash would’ve left the bed. Despite his aching muscles and pounding heart, some part of him still wanted to, but the light from the door felt worse than the unflinching glare of the phantom rabbit. Tendrils of green light curled under the door, searching for him, trying to stick to his skin and drag him down. Even the thought of leaving bed was tiring, so he lay watching the phantom inch closer with each blink. It didn’t take long until she stood over his bed, staring down from empty sockets where eyes should’ve been.

If he’d just rejected the goddess’s offer he’d be at home helping his family. Instead, he’d stolen from them, killed two women, and enslaved two more to satisfy his carnal desires. Even knowing the result he didn’t regret making the deal, and the thing beside his bed knew why.

Ash tore his attention from the spectre to loud bangs and twin shadows rolling across the floor as someone attempted to breach his door. He was cornered. With heaving breaths, Ash gripped his sabre, stumbling from bed through the howling light toward the noise.

The shadow was trying to keep him here, to make him accept whatever punishment was coming, but he wouldn’t let it win. All he had to do was stay alive and wait. Eventually, it would vanish along with the dark thoughts it brought, just like before. He was sure it would fade if he harvested one of his girls too... but he didn’t want the shadow quiet; he wanted it out! With grit teeth he threw the door aside and raised his weapon with a defiant roar.

Ahead of him, the naked wolf-girl’s eyes swelled in terror. Almost instantly, she fell to the deck, curling into a ball and covering her head with her arms. Horrified whimpers rippled through Ash’s heart, dissipating the fog from his mind.

“I’m sorry!” she wailed, eyes clenching as she shuddered.

The blade clattered from Ash’s fingers as he sank to his knees. “Khukri! Nononono! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m not going to hurt you!”

The reassurances did little to stem the girl’s shaking. “I don’t mean to be bad, Master! I’m trying!”

“No! You’re a good girl, Khukri!” Ash insisted. She flinched as his arms folded around her. “I just had a bad dream, like when we first met, remember? I didn’t mean it. Shh, good girl… good girl...”

Khukri’s whimpering faded as her head pressed into Ash’s chest. “I’m sorry… I wasn’t trying to escape punishment. You can hurt me.”

Fucking hell, I need this out, now. Her light burned against his flesh, flooding his mind with terrible desire. “I don’t want to hurt you,” Ash assured, lifting her.

As Ash carried the frightened wolf below deck he calmed her with sweet whispers and gentle pets. When they arrived, he forced a smile and set her in the straw-filled cage. “Shhhh… It’s okay, Khukri, the cage is safe, right? Just stay here where it’s safe.”

When the gate clicked shut, she finally opened her eyes. How terrible was Deianira’s magic to reduce a woman who fearlessly charged velkammers to a quivering mess, desperately seeking approval. “Master? Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong? You can. I’ll do literally anything for you.”

“I’m okay, Khukri,” Ash insisted, wrapping his fingers around the bars. “You’re a good girl and I’m never going to abandon you, understand? No matter what happens, I’ll take care of you.”

A doubtful whine left her lips as she crawled to the bars and let Ash stroke her head. He didn’t want her hurt… but some part of him wanted to rip the light from the girl and leave her a twitching, mindless mess with two shades of white fur. That it even crossed his mind meant he really shouldn’t be this close to her. “Wait here, okay? Rest for today. Tomorrow, at sunrise, I’ll show you why it’s called the Firebloom Ocean.”

When Ash turned to leave, the spectre glared from atop the stairs, its presence not casting a shadow. One more night. One more night and he’d be okay. Ash ascended the stairs, passing through the shadow into the sun’s warmth, the gentle breeze, and the spray of seawater from waves crashing against the hull.

Miyoko, the real one, sat against the bulwark with a raised eyebrow. Ever since he’d harvested her light, she’d acted more like Khukri. Miyoko seemed happy and helpful, just... not like Miyoko. Initially, he’d wanted to help, but whatever was wrong, he’d been the cause.

While infused with light, Ash was certain he wouldn’t hurt her, certain about potential risks, but he was wrong. Physically she’d recovered, but mentally he’d... broken her, and he had no idea how he was supposed to fix that. “Master?” Miyoko jerked her thumb over the bulwark. “Did she mention we’re on a collision course with Inisheer?”

Ash squinted, shielding his eyes from the harsh green haze slowly drowning out the world to see a massive, sandy island coastline. Beaches dotted with weathered docks and piers were filled with curious islanders in cotton wraps, watching as their ship barreled toward them without slowing. Behind them, the landscape rose into rolling fields of thick, broad-leaved bushes before climbing up a massive central mountain.

With a panicked breath, Ash rushed to the helm, spinning the wheel and veering down the coast, searching for a big enough dock to accommodate The Ambition.

As they sidled up to the pier, Miyoko threw ropes down to a dozen deer-boys who hurried to secure them. Despite the pier’s worn wood, it easily held the gangplank, letting Ash disembark into a crowd of a dozen curious men in island wraps. Each islander’s light called for harvest like Miyoko’s or Khukri’s, a call that grew louder over time. It seemed any of them would do.

Any of them would do? Are you hearing yourself? They’re people, Ashling! Look them in the eyes, shake their hands, and convince them you’re not an absolute lunatic.

A cursory glance revealed several women with staves back on shore, tension receding once they saw their visitor was a man clad in only a hastily tied blanket.

“Hey there!” An older man with a pleasant smile stepped forward. “Welcome to Inisheer. Are you a trader from the mainland? It’ll take a few hours to gather the traders.”

“No, I’m actually from Eriskay.” Ash said, gaze sweeping over the wide swathe of rolling hills dotted with tents. “I’m just looking for some dry land to rest my feet for a day or two.”

Unlike Eriskay, which had a trade route close enough to draw ships, Inisheer was far more remote. Most likely, it only used boats to get from point to point on Inisheer, along with a few for trading with neighboring islands. So, why would anything here be valuable enough to help him steal the book? If he was lucky, maybe he’d understand after finding out what emeralds were and wouldn’t have to embarrass himself again. “I’ve got a bunch of ale in the hold I wouldn’t mind parting with if you let us stay for a bit.”

“Nicer than the last offer,” one of the younger boys chimed in, earning a chorus of chuckles and nods of agreement from his friends.

“Chief Clara revoked the Crown’s right to dock until we get a formal apology.” The old man shot a look at the boy who’d spoken. “Sorry, the Crown hasn’t paid us a visit since that boy became governor way back, and suddenly some new girl comes barging in here demanding to know if we’re supplying some Direwood company... everyone’s gone crazy with gossip.”

“No worries…” Ash said, glancing back at the shadowy figure watching from the boat. “Why don’t you go tell your women and I’ll start unloading barrels. I could use a drink myself…”

* * *

Dozens of bonfires crackled along the beach, casting bits of burning wood into the night sky. The islanders closest to them ran about theirs, singing and laughing as they drained Master’s kegs. Miyoko sat with Master on the sand by the treeline, inching closer to him while they watched the party. “We should rest, Master. The emeralds will be available for a few hours just after sunrise.”

Master pulled away, swigging from his bottle and wiping his chin. “There’s something... I need to be alone tonight.”

“You’ve been alone every night since we left Eden, Master,” Miyoko reminded him. “Khukri and I are obedient. We’ll stay in our cages.”

“No... this is...” The sand shifted beneath Master as he sighed and rose. “I don’t know what this is. But I need to be alone.”

“Master...” Miyoko hopped to her feet, giving him her best wide-eyed stare. “Are you okay?”

The deer froze, eyes focused on an empty patch of beach. “I’m... no, I’m not okay, but I will be. There’s something...” He sighed again, walking towards the mountains. “I’ll be fine. There’s no dangerous beasts on this island. I’ll be back in the morning.”

As it stood, Master would steal her emeralds tomorrow, but with Khukri locked up, and the idiot so deep in his cups he was wandering into the forest for the night? It’s like he was asking to be stabbed in the back!

“Oh, I actually know this island, Master.” Miyoko hurried to his side. “I know where there’s a little cave you can rest in.”

He turned, lip quirking up as he patted her shoulder. “Thanks Miyoko.”

Despite his drinking, Master didn’t have much difficulty climbing the slope to one of the little caves she used to hide in to avoid the sun. It wasn’t a big cave, and there wasn’t much here, just a shoddy pile of cushions she’d woven out of grass to pass the time.

“Thanks, Miyoko...” Master repeated, heading right for the pile. “Go back to-”

Miyoko put her foot on Master’s back and shoved, scattering the cushions as he plowed through. A moment later she grabbed his shoulder, turning him over so he could see the shank she held. “Not a word.”

He took a deep breath, lifting his hands slightly in surrender.

“Good.” Miyoko’s eyes narrowed as she put the point of the blade on his chest. “I know this is a difficult concept for you deer-boys, but I ask questions, you answer them. You say anything else, I stab you. Get it?”

“Yeah,” Master agreed, eyes moving from the weapon to Miyoko. “That seems pretty straightforward...”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Miyoko grabbed his shirt to steady herself as she sat on his stomach. “Now, what did you do to me last week?”

“...we had sex?”

“The magic!” Miyoko insisted, putting pressure on her uneven wooden spike. “Did you use magic on me? Mess with my inner light?”

When he breathed in, Miyoko rose slightly, then he closed his eyes and exhaled. “Yeah, I used magic to make you feel as good as I safely could.”

“Why?” Miyoko demanded through grit teeth. “To break me? Being able to fuck me whenever you wanted wasn’t good enough? You needed some mindless obedient doll?”

“I don’t know! B-because I’m supposed to, I guess?” The man stared at her, mouth hanging open. “Khukri does all the girl stuff, and you do all the shopping, I know a man’s the least I can be... but I can at least be that, right?”

Miyoko stared.

“Like, I can’t make the house better since it’s not ours.” Master kept going, the drink causing him to talk so fast he tripped over his words. “Neither of you ever make a mess, and you don’t want anything I cook for you. Like... if I can’t satisfy you, what else is there?”

“Tsu guide me...” Miyoko said breathlessly. “You expect me to believe I was supposed to enjoy that? It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt! You tortured me all night!”

“You didn’t-” Master swallowed and his eyes went wide. “I was connected to your light! I felt your emotions! I felt you enjoy it! I even checked the next day!”

“I did enjoy it, asshole!” Miyoko yelled, relieving some pressure on her shank. “I’ve never wanted anything as much as I wanted you to hurt me! Do you have any idea how that feels?”

“Yes.” Master insisted. “I don’t know why, but that night I felt everything. I couldn’t... the spell I used doesn’t work unless we’re both satisfied, and every time you came, I felt you want more.”

Miyoko wavered. That night was different? If this wasn’t some deliberate attack on his part, then perhaps it was Hotaru’s drug? She didn’t even know what that stuff was, so how could she know how it would interact with magic? “That’s never happened before?” Miyoko demanded. “In all the time you spent learning magic? Not once?”

“Learn...right...” Master mumbled. “It’s not something I learned. The first time I was with Khukri I just... Look, Miyoko. I’m sorry. When I had all that light it was difficult to remember what was normal. I just felt what you wanted and tried to give it to you.”

The weapon trembled in Miyoko’s hands as her doubts multiplied. It sounded like a lie... but how was she supposed to tell the difference when everything sounded made up! “Well... If you really are just some idiot with a magic dick, what the hell did you come out here to do?”

“I usually just make Khukri enjoy it more.” Master admitted. “Until I know what happened, I can’t risk taking someone else’s light, but when I stop casting Dusk, there’s this craving... It’ll pass soon, but I know Khukri would insist on taking the risk, and it’s already so hard just to wait.”

“...You’re going into withdrawal?” Miyoko hesitantly moved the weapon aside, waiting to see if he’d betray her, but the seconds stretched on. He doesn’t know he can control me! Miyoko raised an eyebrow, grinding against him. “Sooo... having my light right up against yours isn’t helping?”

A groan left Master’s lips “Stoooop.”

Miyoko gave a pout and tossed the weapon aside. “Fine...” she dismounted, then watched him warily from the ground. “Push those cushions onto that rock there. Then sit down and take your pants off.”

Master scrambled to his feet, pressing his back to the wall. “What? Why?”

“Because addiction is just a supply problem.” Miyoko pointed to the rock. “I’ll take care of it. Don’t make it weird.”

It took a minute for him to catch on. “You... you just threatened to kill me!”

“I’ve seen your girlfriend.” Miyoko rolled her eyes. “Don’t pretend I’m too crazy for you.”

“It was specifically because you were pissed off the last time I did this! What changed?” Master insisted.

Miyoko sighed and hopped to her feet. “I realized you’re not evil. You’re just an idiot.” Somehow, it took her this long to figure out he wasn’t a rich person who happened to be stupid, he was a stupid person who happened to be rich! She probably could’ve just cut a deal with him from the start and made off with half the emeralds. That ship had literally sailed, but if Miyoko could get on his good side, she could find a way to work this. “There’s a difference between torturing me for fun and because you have absolutely no idea how to please a woman.”

Master scoffed, throwing up his hands. “The only other woman I’ve ever slept with pretends she doesn’t want anything! How the hell am I supposed to know?”

Her shirt pulled over her head, letting her tits bounce as Miyoko strutted to the stone and knelt before it like some sacred altar. “You could try sitting...” her tongue flicked out, “right about there?”

A moment passed, where Miyoko knelt, head lowered to the rock while her eyes followed Master. He took a few steps past her, then a few back, standing beside her. When he opened his mouth, she cut him off. “Yes, it’s really okay, and the bigger deal you make this, the more uncomfortable it’s gonna get.”

Master nodded, then slipped his pants off and cast them aside before awkwardly setting the cushions on the rock.

When he sat, Miyoko put a hand on either of his bare thighs, settling between them on her knees. “So... can you gather the light from aaah...?” Her mouth opened, letting him peer down her throat.

His eyes closed as he looked away. “I, um, don’t know.”

A needy, nauseous feeling spread over Miyoko as his eyes closed, like raw eggs running through her fur. She squeezed his thighs, drawing his attention back. “I’m doing this for you. I deserve your attention.” Miyoko looked up sharply. “Don’t apologize.”

Master shut his idiot mouth.

Miyoko leaned forward, looking into his eyes as she ran her hands up his thighs, taking the time to gently cup his balls. She could feel her mouth salivating even now, Tsu be damned. The gentlest flick of her tongue encouraged him and it wasn’t long before his cock slipped from its sheath. Master’s hips rose, cock chasing her tantalizing tongue as it grew, pulsing and twitching eagerly as it hardened.

It was Miyoko’s first time seeing it since that night, and even being so close made her shiver. She’d seen plenty of dicks before, and she’d never seen the appeal, but Master’s cock... Miyoko swallowed, but saliva quickly pooled below her tongue. Painful memories made her muscles clench and left a rising heat between her legs.

A small, wet tongue parted Miyoko’s lips as her body leaned in, breathing in Master’s musk. A thick earthy scent that stuck to the insides of her head and made her dizzy. When she breathed out, her lips drew so close she could practically feel it throb back in return. This obelisk to her owner needed to be prepared by her tongue until she knew every inch, so when Master used her throat as his warm fuckhole... What the hell? Stop that!

Miyoko slapped it.

Oh! Thank Deianira. It’s just a giant dick. I know how to deal with those.

“Ah!” Master yelled. “What did I do?”

“Sorry, that one was for me.” Miyoko admitted, steadying his cock with both hands. Drool slipped from her lips, dribbling onto the head and making his cock slick and shiny in the moonlight. Whether or not he’d made her feel it, this was the first time she’d seen one of these the way Fleur did, the first time she’d had a sexual urge the State wouldn’t classify as ‘demonically influenced.’ Given what Master was getting from her, the least he owed was to let her explore that.

Master’s cock pulsed as it slipped past her lips, and his grateful, surprised moan sent pleased twitches through her insides. Reminders to submit. To be a good girl. That he was her master, and this was her place.

Miyoko’s head pressed down, and Master moaned louder as he snugly slid into the back of her throat. Before she could assess if she liked it, Miyoko pulled back, breathing heavily and stroking Master with both hands. “Well? Can you feel the light? Is it back to normal?”

Wide eyes stared down at her, blinking several times while Master regained his composure. “Yeah....”

He’s still watching me. Miyoko shivered. “Okay. That seems easy enough.” Instead of attacking again, Miyoko took the head in her mouth for a moment, exploring it with her tongue in small circles, starting from the base until it drifted to the top.

Master gasped as her tongue wriggled at the tip of his head, making precum leak onto her tongue. The warm, salty liquid mixed with her drool, dampening the fur where her fingers held Master’s cock.

Everything about it felt perfect as it filled her mouth, stretching her jaw as she pushed herself down on it. Muffled moans filled the room as her fingers slipped beneath her waistband, spreading the wetness from her hole to her clit. Master set a hand on her head, pressing lightly against her as a flicker of pleasure made her legs quiver.

Miyoko yanked her head back, gasping as she slapped his hand aside. “What the hell?” she demanded. “I’m already into it, stop messing with my head!”

“I can make it better!” Master insisted, holding his hands up defensively. “Why wouldn’t you want that?”

Her hands glided up his cock, both cupping around the slick head and pulling back down, making him grunt and buck lightly in the air. “Because it’s not about you! You’re not ‘more of a man’ by making me cum hard enough to forget my name!”

Master swallowed, lowering his hands. “So what do you want me to do?”

“Nothing.” Miyoko pulled her hands to the top of his cock, positioning her mouth over the head. “I want you to watch me milk you dry, pat me on the head, tell me I’m a good girl, then never mention this to anyone. Especially my friends.”

Without waiting for a reply she pushed down, letting his warm cock fill her mouth and press against the back of her throat. Her head bobbed a few times, fingers slipping on her drool as she stroked him, feeling the blood rush to the tip and pulse deep inside her. It could be deeper though.

Miyoko’s wet pussy ached as she opened up her throat and pressed her face against his groin, swallowing the engorged shaft whole. Her hands slid down, one rubbing her excess saliva between his legs, the other between hers, excitedly teasing herself as Master’s cock finally returned to her again.

The bulge in her throat stopped only briefly as it strained against her slave collar, constricting around his cock and cutting off Miyoko’s air. Master’s rapturous groans came faster as she eagerly moved her head, massaging his entire cock with her tight throat. The thought of cum, Master’s cum, flooding and filling her made her burn. Her groans of pleasure reverberated around his cock, adding to the sound of her slick fingers as she drove herself closer.

It felt right, to be filled, to please Master, to give him her light. Tears rolled down her cheeks to where her lips touched fur as his cock stretched her throat, only pulling back long enough to breathe before filling herself again.

Master let out a wild cry of ecstasy and bucked into her as they came, her collar squeezing his bulging cock tighter as her throat accepted his load. Miyoko groaned happily, pussy seizing beneath her fingers as Master watched her drink his cum, one pump down her willing throat at a time. When the world started to go dark she finally pulled back, gasping for breath as drool and Master’s fluids flowed from her lips and spattered onto her tits.

Miyoko panted as she leaned over his cock, dripping cum back onto him as she looked up, deliriously seeking Master’s approval. Unfortunately, he lay on the rock, cock twitching and spasming as it oozed cum.

“Master?” Miyoko asked, hesitating when there was no response.

Well... if he doesn’t know...

Miyoko placed her lips on his cock, licking and suckling his warm cum as it flowed out of him. She was a good girl for satisfying Master, she deserved to have all his warm cum inside her. As her tongue ran up the underside of his cock, savoring the salty, sweet mixture, a stick snapped outside the cave, making Miyoko sink to the ground and turn.

The wolf stared at her from outside, issuing a growl.

“Oh... Hi, Khukri...” Miyoko said, letting Master’s cock go as she tried to maintain some sort of dignity. “What’re you doing out here? Didn’t Master put you in your cage for the night?”

“He did.” Khukri said, gripping one of her knives as she approached, sending a wave of light around the room as moonlight caught her scaled armour. “I was worried. Master’s usually a light drinker.”

“Oh yeah,” Miyoko agreed. “Me too-”

Khukri grabbed Miyoko’s collar and hauled her away from Master, pressing her up against the wall with a harsh glare. “What did you do to him?” The wolf demanded, spinning her knife to a reverse grip and letting it hover overhead. “Was it ether?”

“Are you serious?” Miyoko demanded, covering her breasts and squirming uncomfortably as her juices began sliding down her pant leg. “Look at me! I’m actually doing the thing I was bought to do for once! Why are you threatening me now?”

Master shuddered as he rolled off the stone. “Khukri, stop, she’s a good girl.” He rose, took two awkward steps, then collapsed.

Miyoko hit the ground as Khukri rushed to Master’s side. Her head swam as she stumbled away, flinching as a gust of wind left her damp chest chilled. “Oh... oh, ew. Why did I want this?” Miyoko grabbed his pants off the ground, soiling them as she scrubbed Master’s seed from her fur. The buck might’ve been an idiot, but that magic of his was something else. She turned, cloth tumbling from her fingers as she finally understood why Master fell. “...Tsu guide me... What happened to Master’s feet?”