The Sacred Ceremony (Phenom & ScarlettFever)

[ScarlettFever]

Ishtar leaned against the cool, marble pillars of the temple, breathing in the floral fragrance of the salt cedar shrub nearby. She reached out, running her fingers through its red stems and plucked a pale pink flower, bringing it to her face and inhaling. The aroma soothed the girl's unquiet spirit, calming her as she sat on the steps of Aphrodite's temple. She had every reason to be restless, for today was day 14 of her time at the temple.

The neigh of a horse drew Ishtar's attention, and her heart leapt to her throat as a man climbed from the steed. He was significantly older than her, perhaps even older than her mother, she decided. He tied the horse to a nearby tree and then glanced around the temple steps, looking at the young women assembled there. His face was grimy, his hair oily, and a shiver ran through the girl's body. She watched his rheumatic eyes glide over the maidens, and she drew her veil tighter, lowering her head so that she could just see him from beneath lowered lashes. She watched as his eyes stopped on a girl who had first come to the temple yesterday, and the man opened his lips and smiled, showing several missing teeth and a couple of rotten ones. Deftly, he dug into a purse slung over his chest and drew out two bronze coins, tossing them into the other maiden's lap.

"I invite you in the name of Mylitta," he cackled, his voice worn and abrasive.

The young woman took the coins and put them into her own purse before turning to lead the man into the temple. Ishtar breathed a sigh of relief as a temple priest led the duo to a door and closed it behind them. Within a few minutes, Ishtar heard the woman cry out in pain, and then she heard the unmistakable sounds of flesh against flesh. Shivering, Ishtar wrapped her arms around her knees and drew them closer to her chest, turning her attention to a young, beautiful woman who stood beside a fountain by the temple steps. That girl had arrived only hours ago, and already, a handsome young man was placing gold coins into her hands. The girl giggled and grasped the man's hand, moving eagerly toward the temple and into another small room.

Ishtar smiled softly, knowing that the second duo's tryst had been planned. Young lovers, perhaps. She prayed that Aphrodite would bless them.

The girl sighed, thinking about the first couple. Ishtar had shrunk from the man, trying her best to be unnoticed when he scanned the women for the one he wished as his partner in the sacred ceremony. If her father or mother had seen that, they would have beaten her. After all, it was her duty as a proper maiden of Babylon to worship at Aphrodite's temple when she was of age, and her village's custom required her to return daily until a man chose her for the ceremony.

What a strange custom, Ishtar thought, her fingers trailing to the small pile of pink petals she had accumulated. Soft fingertips caressed soft petals as she considered the ceremony. It was her duty to give her virginity to a stranger at Aphrodite's temple so that she would be considered marriage material to the men in her village. As it was, 14 days at the temple without participating in the ceremony was practically unheard of. She could just hear her sister's taunts when she returned to the village. Bau had been selected the day she arrived at the temple, which wasn't surprising. Ishtar's older sister was the most beautiful girl in the village, and she had many suitors, even before the ceremony. When their father had tired of the local boys coming to their home and asking if Bau was available yet, he had sent the young woman to the temple. She'd returned the next day, finished with her duty, and informed their father that she was ready for him to arrange a marriage. A few days later, their father had found a husband for her sister, but since he was a soldier and great warrior for their country, they had to postpone the betrothal and wedding until he returned from battle.

Ishtar sighed softly, watching two more couples ascend the stairs into the temple, and then she saw the first duo's door open, and the old man walked out, adjusting his clothing as he smiled. He returned to his horse, untied it, climbed up, and rode off. Curious, she glanced back at the door and saw slight movement in the small room. A temple priest went to the room with a basin and ewer and then left, closing the door behind him. A few minutes later, the door opened again, and the girl stepped out, head bent and robes pulled tightly around her body. She hurried down the steps and began making her way into the village.

Unease settled over Ishtar. She'd heard whispers that the sacred ceremony was not pleasant, but when she'd asked her mother about it, the woman had shushed her and said it was irreverant to discuss the ceremony with others. When she'd asked Bau, her sister had laughed and said it depended on the man, she supposed.

"Don't worry, little sister," Bau replied gleefully, her beautiful face a mask, "you're so ugly that you won't have to go through with it. You'll die an old maid on those steps!"

Tears welled in Ishtar's eyes at the memory, but she dashed them away with the back of her hand only to feel more burn her eyes. Her sister's prophecy was proving true thus far. Ishtar had returned to the temple every day for 14 days, and no man had cast her a second glance. Most didn't even notice her, and the few who did eventually turned away when they saw some of the prettier maidens nearby. Each day when she returned to her uncle's home, she felt defeated and worthless. Since her village was a full day's journey from the temple, her parents had sent her to stay with her aunt and uncle who lived near the temple. Her father had told her not to return home until the ceremony was completed.

Her father's decree felt ominous somehow. At this point, if a man did ask her to perform the ceremony with him, then she still might never marry because no one wanted a girl whom no one else wanted. The longest Ishtar had ever heard of a girl waiting on the temple steps was three days, but that was the year that the military had been besieged and few men were home to even visit the temple.

The door to the young lovers' room opened, and the pair exited, hands clasped, smiling at one another. They walked down the steps, and the man pulled the girl into his arms and kissed her deeply. Ishtar blushed, unaccustomed to witnessing such blatant affection.

"My father will visit yours this evening, beloved, and we will be married as soon as the betrothal agreement is struck," the young man promised the girl. She smiled in return, nodding and whispering something in his ear, and with another swift kiss, they parted ways and left the temple.

Just as they left, another man arrived, and Ishtar started in surprise. It was the clay jar seller, Nerghal, from her uncle's village. The man's oversized belly pushed against his robes as he reached out and pinched the face of a girl sitting on the bottom step. The girl squeaked in surprise, and the rotund man laughed boisterously as he threw one coin into her lap.

"I invite you in the name of Mylitta," he bellowed, and Ishtar's eyes widened, a blush covering her cheeks as he grabbed the other girl's wrist and pulled her up the temple steps and into a ceremonial chamber.

Ishtar covered her cheeks in embarrassment, her hands cool against her flaming skin. Nerghal was a married man with four children, and he was at the temple for the sacred ceremony! Dawning horror crept over her, and a surge of dread swept her tender heart. She had not known that married men could take part in the ceremony! She wondered if her father had done so since he'd married her mother, but she grimaced and pushed the thought from her mind. It was too awful to fathom.

Ishtar adjusted her veil around her dark, wavy hair. Just that morning, she had plaited the long locks into two braids and wound them together with a flower garland, as was the custom at the temple. She'd prayed that Aphrodite would supply a partner for her to complete the ceremony today, but now, the girl was not certain she wished to participate.

From a distance, a cloud of dust blew and the tell-tale rumble of horse hooves hitting the ground could be heard. When the dust cleared, four young men on beautiful steeds had arrived at the temple, and Ishtar sighed, lowering her head, resigned that once again, she would not be chosen.

 

[Phenom]

The sun hung like ripe fruit in the late afternoon sky, casting the world in angry reds and oranges. The grass rustled in the breeze around the lone warrior standing upon the hill, his sword dripping blood and gore upon the earth. There had been a monumental battle here, where great armies of men had clashed the ground had been painted red with their blood. Broken spear shafts stood like angry trees from the tall grass, battle pennants fluttering in the soft breeze. They say that men are made and men are broken upon the fields of battle, the lone warrior felt he was one of the prior. He had joined the army a penniless orphan, tired of feeding on the scraps of others or stealing to survive. He had trained with near relentless devotion as his body began to fill out with muscle and skill quickly surpassed those of his peers. He did not take joy in the art of killing; but, he did enjoy the thrill of being alive that a fight to the death could evoke. It was on this high that he flitted about the battlefield, challenging those of similar martial prowess, pressing them to give their all until one of them remained. It had been one of such opponents that lay before him, his blood pooling into the soft earth. The warrior had fought admirably and left a new addition to his badges of honor, a scar that crossed above his left nipple.

He flicked the blood from his blade and returned it to the scabbard on his hip as one of the other warriors approached, the man calling out in jest. "Sibi, you shame us with your prowess! If you would allow some of us the same chance to find our glory, perhaps we too would find ourselves being wed to the most beautiful of women in the village."

"Do not jest so Bashaa," Sibi growled as Bashaa wrapped an arm around the large warrior's shoulders, glancing down at the body of the warrior before him. "You drag his honor through the sand with such words, the gods will not be pleased."

Bashaa made a show of shrugging and kicking the man's downed body, though his sandal-clad foot was intercepted by the thrust out leg of his friend. "I was only jesting Sibi, you do not need to worry, I would not cast dark clouds upon our well-earned victory today. Have you heard, they are going to roast an ox in your honor!"

Sibi did not reply, his mind lost in his own thoughts, reflecting on the match with the warrior below. He replayed every move he made, every counter the warrior used and realized that even now, nearing the pinnacle of his human ability, he was still not at the top. He would need further training, further meditation to refine his technique. He had been born on the battlefield and he would not allow himself to be undone by a mistake born of overconfidence in his own abilities. He turned from the warrior, dipping his head to show his final respects before follow Bashaa back to where the rest of the surviving warriors had made camp. The men rose in cheer upon seeing their bloody champion and clapped him on his back. The promised feast was delivered, the ox cooked in spices imported from the east. The meat was succulent and easily peeled from the bone. When the ox had been devoured, a large cask of seasoned ale was opened and cups were filled and passed around.

"Say Sibi," Bashaa slurred, his voice carrying over the crackling of the flame. "How come you get to marry the most beautiful girl? You're as ugly as men come."

Sibi roared with laughter and slapped his friend on the back with enough force to dislodge him and cause him to fall face-first into the dirt. "At least I do not resemble a camel's ass."

Bashaa muttered, spitting out the dirt and leaf litter he had ingested and wandered off to refill his cup and find company more receptive of his good humor, leaving Sibi to stare up at the stars in the night sky. He could remember back to his first night of battle, how scared he had been, how consumed with adrenaline at having survived when he watched many he knew slain around him. It had been that gruesome image that he carried with him and reminded him that no matter how strong he was, how much he practiced with blade and shield, there would always be someone eventually who would surpass him. It was an unavoidable premonition in the life of a warrior. He made a bed out of his saddle pouch and drifted to sleep, his fingers curled tight around the pommel of his sword against his chest. The early rays of dawn crept over the hill and Sibi yawned, stretching tired muscles before stumbling over to where the rest of the men were in various states of drunken stupor. He kicked their captain, a rough man of near thirty years, who growled and swung a fist as he came awake, a blow that the younger warrior swatted away with practiced ease.

"Wake the men, we should be heading home."

The captain growled and grabbed for his blanket again, which the young warrior kicked out of his reach, earning a reproachful glare. "Fine."

The men were awakened in whatever method worked, some of the men taking joy in the task and using methods that would have been considered indecent under any other circumstances and more than likely would have earned them a reproach from a more disciplinary-minded leader. Most of the men were eager to be home and were quick to pack up camp, the final warrior, Sibi, swinging into his mount and casting a final glance at the remains of the battle before turning and urging his horse to a quick gallop. They were nearly half a day's ride from the city and the men pushed their mounts till near collapse, their cloud of dust visible for several miles. The army rode into the gates of the city and four men, including Sibi, split from the main group and rode at a more relaxed pace towards the temple of Aphrodite. They had won a great battle and the young men were eager to sate themselves with one of the virgins upon the temple steps. The men slowed their horses to a halt and dismounted, the youngest being handed the reins of the others' mounts. He grumbled and disappeared to take the mounts to a nearby hitching post where he tied them before returning.

"Look at all of these beauties!" Bashaa cackled, grabbing his crotch and making lewd gestures at the young women, some of who showed interest. "Don't be too picky, you'll be a married man before long!"

He called over his shoulder as he made for the most receptive and soon they disappeared inside the temple, the young woman leading him. The other men followed suit, leaving Sibi alone with the remaining virgins. He walked up and down the line, pausing here and there to observe the women on display. There was a motion out of the corner of his eye and he slowly turned, drawn to it. He found himself confronted by a woman shielding her face with a veil. He closed the distance and grasped her hand, slipping the two gold coins into her hands and turned to state the ancient words. "I invite you in the name of Mylitta."

"Come," He urged, fingers curling gently around the young woman's own and guiding her after him. "Let us make you a woman."

 

[ScarlettFever]

Fire licked Ishtar's skin where the warrior held her wrist, guiding her toward one of the temple ceremonial chambers. His invitation seemed unreal after such a long time of waiting, and it was only the feel of the cold gold coins in her hand that kept her grounded. The warrior had chosen her for the sacred ceremony, and she followed after his quick pace as fast as her shorter legs could carry her. The priest gave them entry to the chamber, and the thud of the door echoed in her ears, reverberating until she knew it came from the beat of her heart. The stranger's words--"Let us make you a woman"--burned in her ears, and the girl trembled, gripping the coins tighter.

When the warrior released her wrist, Ishtar felt as though a flame had been extinguished, and she raised shy eyes to study his visage. He was a handsome man with a strong jaw, lean and strong, with dark black hair that fell to his shoulders. He was much taller than her, and she had to raise her head to look at his face, but when his glanced at her, she quickly dropped her eyes, fearful that he would punish her for staring. It was not maiden's place to be bold, her mother had told her. She was to follow the man's lead during the ceremony, and she must not argue or protest anything, for doing so would dishonor the goddess Aphrodite.

Uncertain what came next, Ishtar opened the leather satchel she wore slung over her chest and slipped the two gold coins into it. Briefly she wondered why he'd given her so much. Her sister had even told her that if she didn't die an old maid, no man would give an offering of more than one bronze coin for so plain and boring a girl as Ishtar. The smallest trace of a smile teased her lips as she placed the satchel on the marble floor. When her sister heard of the two gold coins that were to be added to Ishtar's dowry, she would be furious. But now was no time to think of Bau; she was to take part in the sacred ceremony, and her duty was to please the goddess by pleasing this stranger.

Since the man made no move or indication of what he wanted her to do, Ishtar reached up and pulled the heavy veil from her head, revealing her long dark hair bestrewn with flowers. She placed the veil with her satchel and clasped her trembling hands together, looking up at the man once again, her mossy green eyes soft and gentle, but revealing her fear in their honest depths.

"Thank you for inviting me, sir," Ishtar spoke softly, her voice clear and sweet. "May the goddess be glorified in this sacred ceremony."

She reached up and untied cloth bands, opening her robes to reveal a plain cotton shift beneath. It was worn and old, but clean and neat as she removed the outer garment and folded it beside her veil. The shift hugged her slender body, revealing the gentle slopes of her curves beneath. Nervousness bubbled up within the girl, and she looked up at the man's face again, her voice lower than before, shyer, "Do you wish me to remove the shift as well, sir?"

 

[Phenom]

None would understand what made him choose that veiled woman over every other virgin present, vying to be made a woman. If asked later, he would claim it a matter of the gods and not something to question. The fates willed it and he obeyed. They were bade entry into the temple and he released his grip upon her wrist. He could sense the nervous energy coming off the young woman in waves. He feared it was due to his large frame that easily dwarfed her own. He watched in passive silence as she removed the veil, removing plain features with dark hair the color of raven feathers adorned with flowers. He reached for one of the flowers, lifting it gently from where it nestled among her dark locks and lifted it to his nose, inhaling deeply.

"May the goddess be glorified in this sacred ceremony," he repeated, his gaze watching as she untied the cloth bands and slowly removed her robes to reveal the shift underneath. "A girl not yet woman, yet with the class and bearing of one, Aphrodite would be pleased."

He reached out a hand to slowly trace the outline of her form through her cotton shift, memorizing each gentle slope and curve to mental memory. "No." He realized his words came out harsher than intended and was quick to rephrase his statement. "No, I wish to admire you for a moment longer."

He slowly circles the young woman, his virgin. His gaze is smoldering, burning away the cotton shift to reveal the curves below as he slowly steps forward to close the distance between them, leaning down to gently kiss along her throat. "You may remove the cotton shift now, my virgin."

He steps back from her and begins to remove his own layers of clothing, beginning with his chest-plate. He unbuckles the latches and slides it up and over his head before adding it to the growing pile of clothing. Next he removed the skirt of armor covering his groin, leaving him standing in his tunic and sandals. These two he discarded until he stood naked before her. The naked man was an impressive male specimen with clearly defined muscle definition, powerful arms and legs though his body bore numerous scars including his most recent wound, still angry and healing upon his breast. He closes the distance between them once more, sliding a hand around her naked middle before slowly trailing his fingers up her stomach to cup a breast, gently cupping and squeezing the soft orb of flesh while he slowly brushed away the dark locks covering her neck and gently nibbling along the exposed flesh. His fingers slowly slid down between her legs to brush against her core, his callused thumb teasing the small nub he found there.

"You may touch me," He urged, taking one of her hands and guiding it to his chest. "I will not bite."

 

[ScarlettFever]

"No," the stranger's answer to her question sounded harsh, and she jumped, insecurities threatening to overtake her tender heart, but then his next words pushed them back, the warrior again the victor, but this time against the girl's internal enemies. "No, I wish to admire you for a moment longer."

The man circled her, and her breath caught in her throat when she saw the intensity of his gaze. Her nipples pebbled, hardening as though an invisible cord were tied from his gaze to them. Foreign sensations swirled within her, anther muscles tensed. When he came closer and pressed his lips on her throat, her pulse quivered, and her eyes fluttered closed as she tried to make sense of her feelings.

"You may remove the cotton shift now, my virgin."

He stepped back from her as she obeyed his command, pulling the one-piece shift over her head and revealing perfect breasts that bounced free from restraint, a trim waist, and generous hips. Part of her yearned to hold the shift to her body, to hide her form from his view, but she quickly was distracted by the soldier's smooth movements as he undressed. When he was naked, he stood proud, sure of himself, tall and muscular, and her heart began to pour as he returned to her, sliding a hand around her waist and trailing his fingers over her stomach to cup one breast. Her breath caught as he squeezed and massaged her flesh, and a soft whimper of delight escaped her when he brushed her hair away and nibbled along her neck. Her breath came out in short bursts when he slid his hand between her thighs, caressing her womanhood, his touch igniting a spark within her that she had never known.

"You may touch me," He urged, taking one of her hands and guiding it to his chest. "I will not bite."

Her soft hand slid over his muscular chest, enjoying the feel of skin over hard, lean muscle. She'd never touched a man this way before, had never seen one naked, and curiosity was getting the better of her. She bit her bottom lip as he continued to touch between her legs, and she felt a tremor shoot through her body. Her breasts moved with each breath she took, but she slid her other hand to his chest, both roving over his torso, tracing the lines of white scars until her gentle fingers stilled above an angry red slash, scabbed and healing but obviously new.

Ishtar raised her eyes to his, sensitive to his feelings in that moment. "You are a soldier," she said quietly, not questioning, just stating. Without a hint of hesitation, she leaned forward and pressed her soft lips against the scar, praying that the goddess would petition Irra, the god of war, to give this man victory and safety.

 

[Phenom]

Sibi grinned when she quickly jumped to obey his command, some of her timid shyness evaporating under the heat of his gaze. His gaze continued to smolder as inch after inch of her naked skin was revealed before the shift too was tossed to the pile of clothing. He watched her breasts bounce before maintaining their firm, perky posts on her chest. His gaze trailed down her narrow waist to the flare of her generous hips. His fingers dug into the soft skin of her breast as he felt himself begin to stir below, his manhood slowly thickening to rest between the cheeks of her ass. His other hand continued to tease the sensitive nub of between her legs, one of the fingers of the same hand sliding down to trace her lips. He felt her soft hand begin to slide across his flesh, tracing the muscles of his chest before she spun and lifted her second hand to join the second in exploring the skin of his chest, observing each scar he bore.

"I am," he replied, the two words conveying more than any sentence or long diatribe could.

He felt her lips against the angry scar, still raw and healing and he shivered, his manhood bobbing below. He took the opportunity of her close proximity to slide his callused hands along the soft planes of her back to her backside, cupping a cheek and pulling her closer while his other hand slid down her front to tease along the inside of her thigh. He sought her womanhood once more, coating his finger in her juices before lifting it to her lips and smearing them with her juices. Having sufficiently coated them, he raised her chin and lowered his head, his lips claiming hers in a passionate kiss, seeking to suck the very oxygen from her lungs. His tongue teased along her lips, probing for weakness to slip inside. The hand grasping her ass pulled her tighter, body becoming flush against his, his manhood pressing against her lower belly.

"You will become a woman this day," He intoned, his teeth nibbling along her jawline and down her throat, holding her chin in place as he bit at the soft skin of her throat and then grazed his teeth along her shoulder before kissing at the junction between her throat and shoulders. "Are you ready?"

He spun her slowly around, lifting her arms to rest around his neck as he slowly ran his hands up and down her belly, dragging his fingers along the soft, taut skin before his wandering fingers found her nipples, rubbing his thumb along the sensitive nubs, his fingers gripping and applying just enough pressure to be pleasurable. "On this day, Aphrodite, I shall make this girl a woman."

 

[ScarlettFever]

Ishtar whimpered as the warrior caressed her womanhood, moisture pooling there, his fingers capturing it and lifting it to her lips, coating them. Confused and unsure, she lifted her eyes to his, just as he lowered his head and claimed her mouth with his, and the world began to spin around her, She gripped his shoulders for support, clinging to the muscled man as she felt his tongue tease her lips. He gripped her bottom, pulling her flush against his naked form, and she let out an audible gasp when she felt something hard against her belly.

"You will become a woman this day," He intoned, his teeth nibbling along her jawline and down her throat, holding her chin in place as he bit at the soft skin of her throat and then grazed his teeth along her shoulder before kissing at the junction between her throat and shoulders. "Are you ready?"

The girl could hardly think, let alone respond to his words, but she felt liquid fire pool in her belly and her pussy began to throb. Her skin felt flushed and feverish as he nibbled and nipped her soft skin, lift her arms to circe his neck and teasing her nipples.

"On this day, Aphrodite, I shall make this girl a woman."

Heart thudding violently in her chest, Ishtar felt her inhibitions slipping, and she began to explore his body with her own, rubbing her soft, naked skin against his, and one of her soft hands slid down his torso and lightly touched his hard shaft. She felt it quiver, and she glanced up at him, pausing her hand above his member as she silently asked the man if h she could touch him there?

Oh, so gently, she used the tips of her fingers to caress the tip of his length, her fingers feeling for texture, marveling at the softness of his skin in contrast to the hardness of him. She wrapped soft fingers around his girth, her fingertips not quite reaching, and her heart stuttered. He was a very big man. Would he fit inside of her?

She swallowed her nervousness and again marveled at how hard his length was, looking up into his face once again, curious. "Does it hurt?" she asked softly, "to be in this state? Is it painful for you?"

 

[Phenom]

He smiled against her neck when he felt her begin to react to his ministrations, her soft skin rubbing against his own evoking a moan from between his lips as her fingers lightly brushed against his shaft. His cock, excited by her touch, quivered and bounced against his lower belly before returning to its original position.

"You may touch me."

The words had hardly left his lips when he felt her, emboldened, begin to explore him. He felt her warm hands tease the length of him and chuckldd when she tried to wrap her fingers around his girth. He felt her swallow, his teeth nibbling along the sensitive skin, pausing at her question.

He grasped her chin and tilted her face to look up at him, trailing the back of his fingers along her throat and upper chest as he thought on how best to answer such a question. "Sometimes."

"It can be painful when I have not lain with a woman in a time or have not sought the pleasure of my own hand." He leaned down to take a nipple between his teeth, flitting his tongue slowly up and down and around the pebbled nub, his other arm wrapping around her waist, holding her tight to him in a strong embrace. "I am not in pain now though. Your touch, tender and timid, evokes feelings of pleasure. Do not worry, it is not so fragile that you cannot grip me and truly feel."

He trailed kisses back up her chest and throat before trapping her lips against his once more and then whispered honeyed words against her ear. "If you tease me too much, I will have to return the favor in kind, my virgin." He took her earlobe between his teeth as he thrust his length in her grip, panting softly. "Are you nervous about your first time?"

 

[ScarlettFever]

When he pulled her chin up to look at him, his fingers smoothing over her throat and chest, her heart sped up. She watched him consider his words, smiling softly when she realized he was not going to mock her question but answer it truthfully.

"Sometimes," he began, his hands never leaving her. "It can be painful when I have not lain with a woman in a time or have not sought the pleasure of my own hand."

She nodded considering his words as she flexed her grip on him, light and gentle against his flesh, and then she gasped when she felt his mouth on her breast, her body responding to the tug of his teeth on her nipple. She changed her stance, parting her legs slightly to firmly plant her feet on the ground as her body trembled with his touches, and she noted him wrapping his other arm around her, pulling her tighter, naked forms touching, her hand trapped around his length between their bodies.

"I am not in pain now though. Your touch, tender and timid, evokes feelings of pleasure. Do not worry, it is not so fragile that you cannot grip me and truly feel."

Emboldened by his encouraging words, the girl gently stroked his length from base to tip, wondering what he meant when he spoke of seeking the pleasure of his own hand. Did he also wrap his hand around himself as she did now? She tightened her hold on him, imagining how he would hold himself. If that gave him relief or pleasure, then surely she could as well.

He trailed kisses back up her chest and throat before trapping her lips against his once more and then whispered honeyed words against her ear. "If you tease me too much, I will have to return the favor in kind, my virgin."

A full blush bloomed on Ishtar's cheek at his words, but before she could ask how he would tease her, he took her earlobe between his teeth as he thrust his length in her grip, panting softly. "Are you nervous about your first time?"

Responding to his movements, her hand instinctively flexed and gripped after his movement, and she looked up into his face again, her eyes clear and honest. She nodded, and replied, "Yes, but not the crippling fear that I felt overtaking me before you arrived. You are, I believe, the answer to my petition to Aphrodite. She has blessed me with a ceremonial partner who is kind."

She released her grip on his length and slid both hands over his chest and shoulders, tiptoeing to lift her body as much as possible, her face coming up only slightly closer to his. She linked her arms behind his neck, but she knew he had to lean down for her to reach, and a fully bloomed smile lit her face as though a thousand candles had burst into life. Her eyes twinkled and her pale, pink lips lifted as a soft, breathless giggle escaped her. A dimple formed on her left cheek, and she stared into his eyes, her soft hand stroking the back of his neck. "I want to give my virginity to you," she whispered, her voice husky and low, "not only because it pleases the goddess that I should do so, but ...," her voice trailed off, and she lost the boldness in her eyes, her eyelids lowering shyly, but she continued, her lips pressed against his jawline, "...but because I trust you and want this memory with you."

 

[Phenom]

The naked warrior felt her grip shift, assuming one more akin to how he would touch himself and stroke his shaft. He smiled against her ear, warm breath teasing and tickling her skin. He felt each subtle squirm as she responded to his touch, his teasing nibbles. This virgin was a true gift from Aphrodite and he could not squander it away.

"I do not know about being kind," Sibi countered, fingers tracing her jawline. "I am a warrior of our people, rarely have we been called kind; but, I believe in mutual satisfaction."

He felt her stretch on the tips of her toes, her height still falling far short of his upper body and head and felt her arms snake around his neck. His own arms coiled tightly around her and squatting slightly to adjust his position, he slowly lifted her in his arms to where her head rested just above his, allowing him easy access to her lips, which he happily embraced in another bout of furious, lust-filled lip-locking, until he was forced to separate to draw oxygen into his lungs to breathe.

He gazed up at her, lust warring with passion as he kissed her once more at her words. "That is a gift not easily given and one I shall cherish as I will cherish this memory for many days to come."

He carried her in his embrace to the bed in the chamber and slowly lowered her back against the sheets, his hands trailing up her thigh from her knee and down again, admiring the softness of her skin. His eyes were liquid pools of lust-filled fire as he trailed passionate nips and nibbles along her jawline, trailing them slowly down her neck until he could taste a nipple, his tongue circling the bud as his other hand slid up her belly to cup and squeeze her free breast, his palm brushing her other nipple. He took his time gifting attention with his mouth and tongue before switching to the other. He repeated this until he felt her begin to squirm and slowly he trailed kisses further down until he slid his hands just above her hips and rising to a sitting position, lifted her womanly petals to his mouth, his tongue darting out to taste and tease the sweet nectar of his virgin.

 

[ScarlettFever]

The girl was breathless from his kisses as he carried her to the bed, laying her back against the sheets. She shivered in anticipation as he touched her soft skin, trailing his hands over her body as though he couldn't get enough of her. She dove into the liquid pools of lust in his eye, drank deeply, and swam with him as they kissed and he trailed passionate nips and nibbles on her face and neck before teasing her nipple. As he touched her, she responded in kind, her own soft hands gliding over his shoulders and chest, her fingers grazing his nipple. Her body squirmed with an unknown desire, and she was soon breathless from his touches, her hips moving beneath him in anticipation. Her smooth legs stroked his, sliding along his in delicate caresses until he slid lower down her body and sat up, holding her hips.

She gazed at him, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright with desire. Her full, pink lips were parted, and ragged breaths escaped her. She watched him with frank curiosity and excitement, and then he gripped her hips and lifted her to his mouth. A silent O formed on her lips as he darted his tongue out to taste her, and her body melted under his ministrations. Sweet nector wept from her womanhood, and Ishtar gripped the sheets beneath her, her body trembling from the onslaught of sensations that assailed her. Her mind swam, her eyes seeing nothing but swirls of color as his tongue teased and tasted her, and her inner muscles quivered in delight.

And then she felt it. At first, it was a gentle tug, pulling at her. Again it drew her and again, pulling her to some unseen something, like the tide drawing its captive into its depths. Panting now, she choked out, "What...what is happening?" before she gasped, her muscles taught, her body trembling as he drew her deeper and deeper into an unknown oblivion. She knew that if she just let go, she would crash, but into what, she had no knowledge.

 

[Phenom]

The warrior didn't reply, he'd felt the beginnings of her first orgasm and he quickened the pace of his tongue, swirling it small, quick circles as he slid a thumb down to brush over her sensitive nub. He lapped up every drop of her sweet nectar, letting none escape. He was almost animalistic in his desire to bring her to passionate release, he freed his tongue from her silken walls to trail kisses up her lower belly to her right breast where he trapped a nipple between his teeth as he continued to rub the sensitive nub in quick, small circles and thrust one of his fingers repeatedly deep inside of her, curling it when he would pull it out before slowly thrusting it back inside. He wanted to watch her cum so he gave one last pull on her nipple with his teeth and then licked the pain away before raising on to his elbow, his hand never stopping to tease her womanhood while his now free hand replaced his teeth on her breast, palming the nipple and kneading the soft flesh.

"I want to watch you succumb to pleasure," He growled, leaning to run his teeth along her earlobe. "I want to watch you unravel and fall apart as the pleasure consumes you. Show Aphrodite the pleasure I bring you, show her how I honor her in her temple."

His manhood throbbed and ached for a release of its own; but, he quieted the thought. He needed her to cum, needed it more than any other thing before that particular moment in time. Nothing else mattered save to watch this minx, squirming in his touch, cum. Aphrodite has truly blessed me with a lover of her own image, he mused as he bit at the soft skin of her exposed throat, licking away the pain before crushing his lips against hers once more, drawing out the kiss, seeking to suck every last breath of air from her lungs until he left them both panting for breath. He knew she had to be close; but, he could sense her apprehension, her trepidation to truly let go, to succumb.

He positioned himself over top of her writhing body, his hands working relentless to bring her to release as his mouth hovered inches from her ear. "Don't fight it, I can see you hesitate. Just let go, give into the sensation. You will enjoy this."

This turned out to be the insert of a second callused finger within her silken walls.

 

[ScarlettFever]

"I want to watch you succumb to pleasure," He growled, leaning to run his teeth along her earlobe. "I want to watch you unravel and fall apart as the pleasure consumes you. Show Aphrodite the pleasure I bring you, show her how I honor her in her temple."

Her soft gasps of pleasure quickened, every nerve ending in her body pulsing, and she felt as though she were about to burst into flames. Ishtar let loose a low moan when the warrior bit her throat then quieted the pain with his tongue before capturing her mouth with his, kissing her deeply and fully until she felt all breath leave her body.

"Don't fight it, I can see you hesitate," he rasped in her ear. "Just let go, give into the sensation. You will enjoy this."

She felt another flinger inch into her silken chamber, and her body jerked, arching, and time seemed to still, as though on the edge of a precipice, she floating, waiting...until she fell, the ocean waves crashing one over the other, tossing and throwing her into the sea of oblivion, her nerve endings exploding and ricocheting through her body, and a scream primal and exquisite left her, bouncing around the chamber until, a distant echo met her own ears and she trembled, spent...exhausted...and sated beneath the stranger.

The room seemed eerily quiet after such a loud, earth shattering experience, and Ishtar opened her eyes to gaze at the man who had given her such pleasure. Her cheeks pinked as she looked at him, and she offered a shy, sated smile to him.

"That was...," she took a deep breath and released it, "...amazing." She chuckled at her inability to better describe what she had experienced. All she knew was that she wanted to thank this man. Without second-guessing herself, she threw both of her arms around his neck and hugged him, pressing sweet kisses on his cheek. "Thank you, for whatever that was," she murmured, kissing him swiftly on his lips. Smiling, she leaned back against the bedclothes again, and her eyes slid down his form, resting on his hard, erect length.

"Oh!" her eyes widened, and she looked into his face. "You didn't find your pleasure yet." Biting her lip in consternation, she reached out and wrapped her hand around his member, gently sliding her fingers up and down the length. "How can I please you?"

 

[Phenom]

"That was your first of many this eve." He assured her, his fingers trailing through her hair as he watched her facial expressions flit from one to the next as her body slowly returned to earth and he returned her kiss. "Do not thank me for simply granting you something that all lovers should experience, regardless of whether the coupling was desired or not. Aphrodite has seen fit to gift me with a virgin lover who makes the best sounds in her fits of passion, I would consider myself to be the one the gods have smiled down upon."

He watched her gaze slowly trail down his body to where his erect cock bobbed against his lower belly. "I have not. I wished to see you to your peak of pleasure first before I concerned myself with my own release."

"You wish to please me?" He teased, teeth grazing her earlobe again. "Continue as you are doing now, stroke me slowly and with a firm grip. You will know when you are doing it right, my body and I will let you know through my reactions and moans of pleasure. Then when you have gotten me to a point where you feel I am truly hard and ready, then you can use your mouth. I want to save my own release for when we can climb to the tops of the peaks of pleasure together and come crashing back down to earth together."

He realized that perhaps he was saying too much and spun, lifting her to rest across his chest, his fingers playing in her hair. "Just do what you think will bring me pleasure and I will let you know if you do something that does not."

 

[ScarlettFever]

Ishtar giggled as the man spun them and she was suddenly lying across his chest rather than below him. His words of encouragement emboldened her, and she reached back and loosened the bands that held her hair in braids. The ebony locks fell in waves about her naked shoulders, and she smiled softly. She'd noticed he'd touched her hair several times, and even her sister had told her once that it was her best feature.

She licked her lips, studying the man's handsome face, deciding where to start. He had given her free reign, something her mother had insinuated was not something men did during the sacred ceremony. She grinned and then leaned down to kiss his lips, bold and sure, nibbling his bottom lip as he had done to hers, and lightly flicking her tongue against his. Her hands caressed his torso as they kissed, her soft hair brushing against his flesh, and her pert breasts clinging to his chest. When she was breathless from the kiss, she trailed soft kisses along his jawline, nipping periodically until she bit his earlobe then pulled it between her lips and suckled. She felt his muscles tighten, and she continued her exploration, kissing down his neck and along his collarbone, licking his nipples and then blowing cool air against them.

Her hands roved lower, gliding over his hips and abdomen, searching and memorizing each muscle and scar. Slowly, she dropped hot kisses down his torso and his stomach, and then she wrapped her hand around the girth of his cock. Mesmerized, she watched his thick member as she stroked him, her hand gliding up and down and alternating pressure as she did so. Her other hand caressed his thighs and then grazed upward, lightly touching the balls hanging there, full and taut. She cupped them with one had as the other tightened around his length. She massaged them, caressing and teasing them, and she felt his cock grow even harder in her hand.

She raised her eyes to look into his face, and she saw that he was straining, but his eyes burned with a fire she'd seen earlier as he pleasured her. Mesmerized, she continued gazing into his eyes as she lowered her lips as he'd suggested and licked the tip of his cock just as he had licked her sacred place. He tasted salty and tangy, and she smiled as she felt him quiver in her hand. Again, she darted out her tongue and licked, this time swirling her tongue around the tips. On impulse, she lightly scraped his skin with her teeth and then laved the area with her tongue, soothing him.

"Stop me if you don't like it," she murmured, and then licked his cock from base to tip.

 

[Phenom]

He watched as she reached up and undid her hair from the braids, freeing it to fall around them. His fingers reached up without him having to think about it and ran through them. He settled back against the sheets, allowing his virgin to explore and touch as she wished. He smiled as her lips found his, his arms curling around her waist to trap her against him for several long moments as he deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entry and then wrestling with hers, attempting to pin her tongue to the roof of her mouth.

His body reacted to each kiss, nip, lick and tug, his cock throbbing and aching for release. It was nearly too much when she finally touched him where he craved it, his cock throbbing in her hands and his hips reflexively thrusting against her touch. He nearly climaxed as her hands cupped and massaged his balls. This woman, he mused, her timid nature is gone and in its place, a woman blooms. Aphrodite be praised indeed!

He had to curl his fingers into the sheets, his gaze determined as her tongued teased the tip of aching manhood. He bounced his head against the sheets, fighting the mounting orgasm. He could not have his release until he was buried inside of her.

"I love it," he gasped in pleasure. "Do not stop. I may not last until I am inside of you before I have my release; but, that is okay. I have more than one round in me this evening. With such a skilled lover astride me, I feel I may last well till morning."

 

[ScarlettFever]

The man's words of praise and encouragement warmed Ishtar's heart and sent it fluttering in her chest. She wanted to argue that she was not skilled but merely mimicking what he'd done to her--licks, kisses, nibbles, bites--but instead she began to press hot little kisses and nibbles down the length of his cock before wrapping her hand around it once again. She stroked him slowly, rhythmically, timing her movements with the thrusts of his hips. He was a powerful man, she could tell, from the controlled energy he expended in his movements.

Her mouth continued its journey as she stroked him, kissing his balls and nibbling at them, as her other hand gentle squeezed him. She heard his gasps and gentled her touch, unsure how to proceed. She closed her eyes and sent a silent prayer to the goddess, asking for help in pleasing this man. She she opened her eyes again, she gazed at his hard cock, and she saw liquid leaking from the tip. Curious if it was like her own that he had tasted, she flicked her tongue out to taste him, marveling at the flavor.

Instinctively, Ishtar wrapped her mouth around the head of his cock, her tongue swirling. She glanced under lowered eyelids at the warrior's face, and felt her stomach tighten. More than anything, she wanted to give this man every pleasure she could, and as though the goddess herself had whispered in her ear, Ishtar gently began to suck.

 

[Phenom]

The young woman was going to bring him to climax. The thought alone was surprising. He could not remember the last time a virgin of the temple had brought him to climax without the guide of his hands and words to prompt her to do certain things. He could feel the beginning stirrings of a protective, nay possessive urge growing within him.

He nearly came right then on the spot when she enveloped his cock in her mouth and began to suck, his fingers curled into her hair and held her there for a minute or so while he recovered from the surprise sensation. Recovered to a point where he could continue, his fingers relaxed their grip and he encouraged her to continue. He could feel the climax climbing again as she eagerly touched, licked, nipped and sucked. He quit trying to fight the coming tsunami and allowed himself to crest, his cock throbbing before it began shooting out several thick wads of creamy cum. He groaned as his cock twitched until it was spent; but, it still stood hard and proud above his pelvis.

"Are you ready to become a woman?" Sibi teased, pulling her back up to straddle him, his hand gripping his cock and slowly rubbing it up and down the soft velvet of her womanly folds while his other hand cupped her ass. "Are you ready to gift Aphrodite your virginity?"

 

[ScarlettFever]

The girl gasped in surprise when creamy strands shot from his length into her mouth. Her eyes widened, uncertain what to do, but when the first drops hit the back of her throat, she swallowed, letting his hot essence slide into her. She drank deeply, but she had to wipe her mouth when he was finished. Heart thundering, she licked her lips of the sticky substance, hoping she had done right to drink.

"Are you ready to become a woman?" he asked, his voice lighthearted. Ishtar felt the warrior grasp her and pull her up his body, and she smiled at the warmth in his eyes. He held her hips and guided her to straddle his, and she felt something hard poke against her slit. She glanced down and saw his cock, still hard and pulsing, sliding up and down her lower lips. She felt him grasp her bottom with one hand as she watched his other guide his length along her seam.

"Are you ready to gift Aphrodite you're virginity?" he asked.

"No, I gift my virginity to you and ask the goddess to receive my pleasure as my offering," she replied softly. She looked into his eyes and reached out to sweetly caress his cheek and jaw with one hand. "In the name of Aphrodite, take my virgin head and seek your pleasure with my body. I give the goddess my pleasure for my body is but her vessel today."

 

[Phenom]

"I gladly accept this gift you have given me." He moaned, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss that left them breathless once more. "I shall repay this gift by giving you as much pleasure as is humanly possible with this mortal vessel."

He prayed to Aphrodite to grant him virility to rival Zeus himself and slowly lowered her down on top of him. He felt the virgin barrier for a moment and then he was through, burying himself deep inside of her. He held himself there, ignoring the temptation to thrust, allowing her body to adjust to his size and girth before he began to gently thrust, holding her hips still with powerful arms.

He slipped out, urging her on to her back before he pressed his palms against the inside of her thighs, slowly lowering himself inside of her once more. This new position allowed him to reach deeper depths and he took advantage, pulling out and driving back into her in a slow, controlled rhythm. He slowly increased the pace until the loud slaps of his balls on her ass could be heard across the room.

He slowed to a steady in and out rhythm. "How does it feel, my virgin?"

 

[ScarlettFever]

Ishtar sighed into his kiss, heart pounding and arousal surging through her. "I shall repay this gift by giving you as much pleasure as is humanly possible with this mortal vessel." She shivered at his promise, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as she felt him slowly lower her body onto his cock. At first, she felt only the tip parting her channel, and her breath came out in a short burst, the sensation strange but exciting. She felt his hips move below her, and he pushed further into her until she felt him hit a barrier and pause. Swallowing, she closed her eyes, and then he pushed, breaking the barrier and filling her tight change. A whimper escaped her lips as pain lanced through her body, making her tremble. Part of her wanted to fight the invasion, to push against him and force retreat. But another part waited, helped her racing heart calm and listened to his ragged breaths, feeling his heart pounding against her breast.

The girl began to relax, her muscles shifting to accommodate her warrior's cock, and instead of fighting him began to wrap him in a tight hug. As though he understood, he began to thrust gently into her, holding her still as he retreated and pushed deeper with each thrust. Her body bounced slightly, held close by his muscular arms, and she pressed hot kisses on his neck as she held onto him. Her pussy quivered as he thrust into her, rippling and tingling, but when he pulled from her, she whimpered in protest, feeling empty and bereft. Her warrior did not make her wait long, gently lying her on the sheets and spreading her leg, slowly entering her heated cavern again, and Ishtar moaned in approval.

Her body moved with each thrust, breasts bouncing and hips arching as he drove into her body, and she felt as though she were climbing that cliff again. She slid her hands up and down his back, encouraging him onward, and his pace increased so that she was certain that the only sounds in the universe were the fleshy slaps of his body against hers and the moans that came from them as they mated.

"How does it feel, my virgin?" came his husky voice in her ear.

She moaned in delight, a rush of sensations traipsing through her body as he thrust in deep. "So...so good, my Warrior. Don't stop...please, don't stop," she begged, her voice catching as he hit the right spot, and a startled "Ooooh..." pushed from her lungs.

She held on tighter, her arms grasping him, holding him close, her thighs gripping his hips, and her pussy rippled, tightening its glove-like hold on his cock.

 

[Phenom]

"Never, he assured her." His thrusts continuing to push her toward that space that few could reach and moaned as she climaxed, her walls clinging, glove-like to his cock. "That was one time, now we begin round two."

He gripped her hip and slowly spun her around so that her back was against his chest, his hand grabbing his cock and sliding it back inside of her. He began to slowly move his hips, thrusting back up inside of her, one hand sliding down to tease the sensitive nub of her clit and the other sliding up to cup a breast, brushing his palm over her nipple.

He nibbled on her ear before nuzzling against the soft skin of her neck and shoulder. "My woman, for I can no longer call you a virgin as my manhold drives home inside you. Your pleasure cries reach Aphrodite herself. The goddess be pleased. Let us climb to reach this second peak together."

He began to slowly pick up the pace, his hand cupping her breast sliding down to raise a thigh for easier access whilst the other continued to furiously rub at her clit. He was bound and determined to make her cum. He wanted to feel her legs become lifeless, her body left sated and unable to move when they were done. He continued to pick up the pace until the sound of flesh colliding echoed through the temple.

He felt his orgasm fast approaching and digging his fingers into her flesh, moaning against her ear. "My woman!"

 

[ScarlettFever]

Ishtar had not yet come down from the high of her orgasm when her warrior was murmuring in her ear that round two was beginning. She felt him grip her tightly and turn her so that her back was against his chest, and she moaned, complete when he slid back inside of her. He moved slowly, cupping and palming her breast as his other hand teased her womanhood, finding the nub of pleasure and teasing it.

Her heated channel rippled around his cock, flexing and gripping, tugging him deeper into her hidden recesses. She shivered when he nuzzled her neck and shoulder, and she pressed back against his chest, her bottom against him, wanting more than anything this closeness, to be consumed by this man.

"My woman, for I can no longer call you a virgin as my manhold drives home inside you. Your pleasure cries reach Aphrodite herself. The goddess be pleased. Let us climb to reach this second peak together."

"Yes...oh, yes," she gasped out as he began to pick up the pace as he maneuvered her body, lifting her thigh to plunge in deeper. Deep, luxurious moans escaped her as he partook of her body, rubbing her sensitive nub until waves of pleasure began to pull her, and she gasped, her body jerking violently, and she cried out in ecstatic release, cumming around his cock as he came inside her, his fingers digging into her flesh, and he moaned, "My woman!"

The world spun around them, and she felt limp, lifeless and exhausted. She would have fallen except for his strong grip on her body. Her heart thudded, and she leaned against him, replete and satisfied. She felt, in that moment, that all was well in the world.

When she felt his hands loosen, she dropped to the bed and rolled to her back, her breath still coming out in shallow gasps. She reached for him, pulling him close and snuggling into his embrace, pressing soft, sweet kisses on his chest and shoulder as he caught his breath.

 

[Phenom]

He wrapped an arm around the young virgin, nay, woman, he corrected himself. She had given him her maidenhead in the name of the goddess. They had performed all of the rites necessary for her to become a woman. She would be able to be presented as a marriageable woman the start of the next day. The thought evoked emotions he didn't want to think about, emotions he would rather avoid. His arm curled tighter around the small woman, pulling her tight against his chest as if to declare to the heavens that she was his and he would not share. Though his thoughts protested, reminding him of his impending match with another woman. That thought led him down the rabbit hole of what-ifs. He contemplated how he would find this woman, how he would know of her. Women came from many villages to sit upon the steps of the temple, all seeking to give their maidenhead to whomever could pay the religious tithe. He felt her soft, sweet kisses against his chest though he observed as if floating above his body, his mind miles away.

There was the sound of a door creaking open and a priest peeked into the room. The elderly man approached the couple basking post-coitus and bowed. "You have pleased Aphrodite with this coupling, the goddess herself came to us and spoke of her pleasure."

Sibi raised an eyebrow when he noted the priest's ruffled clothing, the sweat staining his brow and the smell of sex emanating from him. "Have you sated your hunger, young warrior?"

"Nay."

"I shall arrange fruits and beverages to be brought to you." He bowed again and backed away, tucking his robes tight around himself. "Continue to praise Aphrodite young lovers."

The priest exited through the door and it slowly closed once more. There was the sound of voices spoken in soft whispers and then several minutes later the clatter of sandal-clad feet could be heard before the door swung open to reveal several other young women entering carrying various trays of fruit and the two at the end bore a large cup of wine between them. They set the trays within reach of the young couple and exited. He chuckled at the curious glances from the women at his flaccid manhood and the woman basking in her last orgasm. He reached for one of the trays of fruit, this particular one containing grapes, plucked one and deposited it into his mouth. He lifted another and slowly lowered it to hold it over his lover. He squeezed the grape, squirting juices over her lips before leaning down to lick them from her lips, biting her lower one.

He lifted a third grape and held this one against her lips. "Eat, my lover. You need the energy."

 

[ScarlettFever]

Her warrior was a with her physically, but his mind was far away, so Ishtar stilled her kisses and lay against him, letting her thoughts drift. The sacred ceremony had been beyond what she could have comprehended only yesterday, and she was intelligent enough to know that the goddess had blessed her with a special partner. She had watched enough couples enter the temple only to leave scant minutes later, and many of the the women left with bleak or resigned expressions on their faces. The girl closed her eyes, drawing faint lines with the tips of her fingers on his scars, letting her imagination run free. What if the warrior wished to marry her when she was presented as a marriageable woman? A small smile teased her lips as she imagined her surprise at opening the door one day to find this handsome man standing there, asking to meet with her father and striking a betrothal contract. Butterflies filled her stomach as she imagined the prospect of spending her life with this man, but her reverie was interrupted by an elderly priest peeking into the room. The girl quickly grabbed a blanket and pulled it over her naked body, hiding her face in the warrior's side. She wanted no other to see her like this.

"You have pleased Aphrodite with this coupling, the goddess herself came to us and spoke of her pleasure," said the priest. The man appeared rumpled and had a distinct, musty odor, and Ishtar wrinkled her nose. "Have you sated your hunger, young warrior?" he asked.

"Nay," was his reply, and the girl blushed, smiling to herself. She was not certain if this behavior was acceptable or not, but since the priest merely nodded, she sighed in relief. She had feared that once the ceremony had been performed, she would be sent on her way.

"I shall arrange fruits and beverages to be brought to you," the priest said, bowing as he left the chamber. "Continue to praise Aphrodite young lovers."

Within moments, serving girls entered carrying trays of fruit and a large cup of wine. She saw them cast curious glances at her and the warrior before they left, and then she felt the warrior move, grasp a grape, and squeeze its juices on her lips. Before she could speak, he leaned down and licked her lips, biting her full lower lip. Her heart skipped, and then he held another grape against her lips and said, "Eat, my lover. You need the energy."

Ishtar obeyed, wrapping her lips around the grape and capturing his thumb with it. She suckled his thumb, her eyes locked on his, and then released him, chewing and then swallowing the delectable morsel. Smiling, she placed her hands on his chest and gently pressed until he leaned back against the bed. She reached out and grasped a small cluster of grapes and leaned on one elbow beside him, holding them aloft.

"I once saw a painting of an Arabian prince and his harem," she began, her eyes twinkling with mischief. One of the women leaned beside him like this and held a bunch of grapes above his lips, feeding him. Shall I feed you grapes, oh mighty warrior?" she asked, an impish grin on her lips and for the first time, her natural dimple winked at him.