Aine's Athenaeum: Knights of Vallor, #6

By Ash Gray

When Moirin is kidnapped by Aine, Salia and the knights scramble to save her -- alongside the strange barbarian woman who got their daughter with child. In their quest to save Moirin from the ancient witch, Salia, Kamryn, and Fara slowly learn to trust and even like Aereth. Meanwhile, Moirin remains pregnant, alone, and trapped in Aine's tower, where she stumbles across an ancient library, a collection of books that contain the memories of Aine's prey, including the Broin sisters. Unbeknownst to Moirin, she is being spied upon by Queen Rhian, who has decided to take Moirin's child as heir to Cawic and all of Vallor. Don't miss the sixth installment of this lesbian harem romance series!

--

"The Aelwith is a marsh in my dimension," returned Aereth and calmly released her grip on her sword and folded her arms, as if in preparation for a long tale. "Though calling it home were only a technicality," she went on. "I was raised by fae creatures who stole me from my mother when I was but a babe. My mother is a mighty sorceress, but even she could not break my curse, and I lived in Elwenhal for two hundred years, traveling through the dimensions as I pleased." 

There was silence when Aereth had finished speaking, and Salia and the knights simply stood there, staring up at her. Kamryn's mouth was hanging open. 

". . . Are you jesting?" Kamryn said at last. "Or perhaps you are drunk. Or maybe I am. Gods alive, what a load of shite!" 

Aereth gazed down at them all with a completely straight face and did not answer, her bulging arms folded almost dourly across her chest. She did not like her honesty being questioned. 

"I do believe she is telling the truth," said Fara weakly. She turned away. "I need a drink."

--

Aereth was walking so fast that Salia and the twins had to jog to catch up to her. The twins' armor was jingling with their quick step, and Salia's green dress kept getting in her way. She hated it and wished she had bought trousers back in Dolesea. With her golden hair streaming behind her, she hitched up her green skirts in both hands to keep up with Aereth's quick pace. Her face was twisted irritably as she said, "Mortals? I'll have you know I am the descendant of a goddess! House Ceallaigh is quite the powerful line, full of mighty warriors of great renown, and my mother is the warrior queen of--!"  

"But mortal still," said Aereth, marching onward, staring straight ahead. 

"And the Broin sisters," went on Salia stubbornly, "they are the descendants of a mighty line of witches! And the best fighters in Vallor!"  

"But mortal still," Aereth indifferently repeated, and Salia made a scoffing noise. 

 

--

Moirin smiled, feeling her heart fluttering in her chest. Aereth was big and strong and deadly and everything, everything she wanted! If she couldn't have her, she didn't know what she would do. She looked up at Aereth with round, admiring eyes as she said, "And you came here alone to save me?"  

"Yes," said Aereth softly, taking Moirin's smaller hands into her own. She kissed the fingers tenderly. "For I love thee, Moirin. And now you are the mother of my child. I could not abandon you." 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ash Gray
• Release date: Jun 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215672969

Ash Gray

Ash Gray is a lesbian living in California. She writes lesfic (aka fiction for lesbians) in science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal settings.

Book preview

Aine's Athenaeum

Knights of Vallor, Volume 6

Ash Gray

Published by Ash Gray, 2023.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

AINE'S ATHENAEUM

First edition. June 2, 2023.

Copyright © 2023 Ash Gray.

ISBN: 979-8215672969

Written by Ash Gray.

Also by Ash Gray

A Time of Darkness

Time's Arrow

The Infinite Athenaeum

Clan of the Cave Bear

Taken by the Chieftess

Passed Around

Keeping Warm

Her Pretty Pet

Dominated

Seduced

Caught

Clan of the Cave Bear: The Complete Series

Cyber Mech

Good With Her Hands

Fallen Stars

Fragile Hearts

Broken Minds

Digital Heartbeats

Electric Souls

Metal Bones

Her First Knight

The Knight of the Wild

Sparrow Song

Rowan's Hammer

The Dragon of Almara

Sanctuary

The Flower of Adwean

The Halls of Erinyel

The Daughter of Light

The Tomb of Azmon

Queen Liadan

Knight of Fire

The Queen of Swords

The Three of Goblets

The Queen of Wands

The Queen of Goblets

The Star (Coming Soon)

The World (Coming Soon)

Knights of Passion

The Queen's Lust

Handfasting the Warrior Queen

The Revenge of Raven's Cross

The Light of Lythara

Taming the Wolf Knight

The Mermaids of Menosea

The Fairy Queen of Elwenhal

The Dragon of Edhen

Essential Selene

Hearth and Home

Aereth’s Return

The Fairy Ring

The Main Course

Knights of Passion: The Complete Series

Knights of Vallor

Saving Salia

Raven Spirit

Eryet's Fountain

The Daughter of Idet

The Mirror of Iovar

Aine's Athenaeum

Bone and Fire

Princess Eydis

Ona of Ozmora

The Amulet of Tizra

The Bandit Queen of Crystal Falls

The Council of Eldor

The Sword of Avara

Wicked Things in the Wilds

Pirates of Artusa

Stolen Booty

Taking Her Sword

Marooned

Wil's Way

Tales of the Blood Moon Coven

Bloodlust

The Hidden Memory

Whispered Names

Morbid Fascination

Bending to Her Will

Blood Rage

Prey

Hunted

Voyeuristic Intentions

Interludes and Ecstasy

The Assassin's Kiss

Crossed Daggers

Swordplay

Running Hot

The Chronicles of Omicron

The Thieves of Nottica

The Watchtower of Rustoria

The Dragon Riders of Valheera

Birthday Surprises

The Dreamscape

Out of Mind

Recalling Color

The Last Queen of Qorlec

Project Mothership

The Harvest

The Suns of Anarchy

The Light-year Lion

Moon Fire

Exiled Stars

Zora's Stone

The Legend of Kiva

The Starlight Stair

The Pussycat Chronicles

The Heist

Broken Hearts and Brain Damage

Candy, Sweat, and Regret

Lip Gloss and Loose Women

The Vampire's Seduction

First Taste (Coming Soon)

Bound (Coming Soon)

Turned (Coming Soon)

Witch Xim

Rezzora's Workshop

Standalone

Qorth

Fall Apart World

Unicorn Blood

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Also By Ash Gray

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

More From Ash Gray

Sign up for Ash Gray's Mailing List

Further Reading: Bone and Fire

Also By Ash Gray

About the Author

Chapter 1

Salia paced back and forth before Ledadora’s mirror, wringing her hands, pausing often to push her hands back through her golden hair, so that it was tousled and flying. She was in the study of Iovar, the great tower that stood over the bright blue sea, and Kamryn and Fara had disappeared inside the mirror an hour before in search of Moirin. What the devil was taking so long? She thought often of entering the mirror herself, but she had no idea what she would come up against on the other side, as Ledadora had cautioned her many times.

The ancient sorceress was in the study with Salia. She sat on a cushioned chair between a high arched window and a bookshelf, looking so beautiful in the sunlight that she was otherworldly in her golden gown and golden bonnet. Her long dark hair trailed in silky tresses over her shoulders, and her head was tilted as her delicate, slender hands cradled an open book. She was so calm and unbothered, Salia wanted to strangle her. Moirin was in danger! Moirin was in danger! And Salia was helpless, helpless—

Something to drink, your grace? asked a meek voice.

Salia stopped pacing and looked around. Ledadora’s servant was there, head down, as she offered Salia a goblet from a tray. She was Ered, with long red hair and great breasts pouring from her peasant’s gown. She was the same little woman who had bedded Fara! Salia saw red. No, I don’t want a drink! she hissed, and her hand flew out, cutting the meek servant so hard across the face that her head snapped to the side. To Salia’s great satisfaction, the girl shrieked in pain, tears welled up in her eyes, and she dropped the tray, turning and fleeing with her hair streaming behind her. Her sobs and sniffles filled the room as she fled.

That was cruel, said Ledadora, who nonetheless sounded amused. She waved her slender hand with a delicate gesture, and the dropped tray floated up from the floor, setting itself on a low table that was already weighed down with many books. The goblets floated up as well, righted themselves, and stood on the tray. The spilled wine simply vanished from the wooden floorboards.

Salia watched all of it happen and hated magick. With a passion, she was beginning to hate it! But then again, magick was the reason she was still alive. If not for Eryet’s fountain . . . She felt conflicted, and she hated that as well.

So what if it was cruel? Salia snapped at Ledadora. If I see that simpering girlchild again, I shall pull the hair from her scalp and scratch out those pretty eyes, for she used them to seduce Fara.

Fara acted of her own freewill, said Ledadora, still amused, "whether thou would admit it