Bonded Spirits: Book Three

  Bonded Spirits

  Book Three

  Jake Daniel

  Copyright © 2021 by Jake Daniel

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This work is intended for adults only. It contains several sexually explicit scenes, as well as, adult language, which could be offensive to some readers.

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  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Before You Go

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  Chapter One

  A week ago, I thought I’d lost three of my bonded and survived an attempt on my life by the King of a magical country. That about summed it up. Definitely a little more excitement than I was used to.

  It was still dark as I helped a few of the others with the move to the Mystic Vale. I tossed another bag of supplies into the back of one of our new carts and secured it with the others. We’d been putting in extremely long hours each day to expand the manor.

  I turned to Brazz, who was securing the load inside the cart. “This load is ready to go. I’ll be heading up that way shortly.”

  Brazz nodded and grabbed the reins of the black horse. “This should be enough to finish up the newest living quarters. We’ll have enough shelter for everyone by tomorrow.” The constant stream of monsters and humans that had arrived since I’d killed the King was dizzying.

  “That’s great to hear. Has the barrier held?” I was still a little weary of the magical barrier that now surrounded not only my manor, but the Mystic Vale, which was now mine as well. I had to meet all new arrivals at the outskirts of the Mystic Vale and lead each one to the Heart.

  From an outsider’s view, dense fog surrounded the entire Vale, preventing anyone from exploring very far. The fog had been there ever since the Corlinius family took it over. Although, once I brought them across the barrier, the rest of Vale was visible to them. The area would need a lot of reclamation, but I could see its potential.

  The King had been mining the Vale of all of its precious minerals, and nearly wiped out all the wild game from its entirety. The first time I set foot inside, it was apparent that the King thought the Mystic Vale was no longer of use, so it probably wasn’t hard for him to offer it as the tournament prize.

  “Yes, we haven’t had a single issue,” Brazz said as he pulled the cart in a wide arc around me. “Be sure to let me know the next time you plan to make it back up to the Heart of the Vale. There’s a few things I need to show you. I don’t think the Vale is in nearly as poor shape as we initially thought.”

  I nodded. “I’ll be heading up there after I cultivate with Teng. I’ll look forward to it.”

  Brazz nodded and snapped the reins attached to the large black horse pulling his cart. It pulled forward and rumbled down the path and around the lake.

  Since I’d combined the deed of my manor with the magical decree of King Corlinius relinquishing control of the Mystic Vale, I’d been waiting for the barrier to falter. Ever since Striker found and destroyed the manor a few weeks ago, I’d been pessimistic on the strength of magical barriers, or lack thereof.

  Trying to coordinate over one hundred humans and monsters had been stressful. However, today I woke up next to four of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, including the three that I helped revive a week earlier. Those same four girls nursed me back to health, repairing the damage to my shoulder, not to mention so much sex that I felt as if I were eighteen again.

  If this was how my thirties were going to be? Sign me the fuck up. Now, if I could manage the fallout from committing regicide, I’d be good to go.

  I’d been antsy over the past few days. My women basically had to tie me down to keep me from helping around the manor. Between my injured shoulder and the tainted spirit I’d cultivated at the arena, I could not shake off the constant fatigue.

  They were probably right to keep me limited. The wound in my shoulder almost cost me my arm. I had to keep reminding myself of that. Although, this morning was the first time since we arrived it wasn’t sore.

  I was more concerned about each of their well-being. Especially the three girls that had been dead only about a week ago. Instead of fighting me inside the labyrinth, they had developed a plan.

  With the cooperation of the griffon girl, Alysain, they figured out a way that they could survive. Alysain had access to resurrection stones, which were kept in the castle’s keep. Using her access to the castle, she tricked the guards into thinking that the King had requested them. When the guards found out she lied, they immediately captured her, although it didn’t take long for her sisters to free her so she could escape and eventually lift me out of the arena.

  Alysain had known all along that the girls were going to kill themselves, or rather make it appear they were dead. They’d each taken a poison that Dahlia created upon entering the labyrinth and the poison’s effects took hold before they could tell me what they had done.

  According to Amos, upon seeing their deaths, Striker placed a huge wager on me to win the entire tournament. Although, now with Augustus Corlinius out of the way, and Aether taking over, Striker was sinking his claws deeper into the Capitol in pursuit of whatever was driving the unhinged man.

  Alysain knew she couldn’t tell me the exact plan, as the resurrection stones require great emotional trauma to work. She had told me, ‘All hope is not lost.’ I just hadn’t realized I’d need that glimmer of hope to bring my bonded back to me and for the magic to work.

  When my bonded poisoned themselves, it put their cores in a state of hibernation. When I used the resurrection stones in the arena, the spirit that flowed out of me had flowed back into their cores, reviving them instantly. They assured me that dying itself was completely painless. Instead, they compared it to being stuck in a dreamless sleep.

  Their quick thinking only made me love them more. I was a fortunate man to have them by my side. I still couldn’t believe everything was real that had happened to me since arriving. I just needed my old English Bulldog DeVito and I’d be set.

  I walked back to the manor and snuck quietly inside, careful not to wake anyone else.

  I gave Shah and Cress a smile as I reached the door to my room. The lizard-sisters were amazing guards and worked with my bonded often on fighting techniques. They were both incredibly skilled warrio
rs, and were only becoming stronger each day. They’d probably be better used to protect the perimeter of the manor and newly acquired Vale, but they begged me not to give them other guard positions.

  Although, I always tried to make sure they knew how much I appreciated it. I’d seen brief flashes of what they were capable of while training, and honestly, they scared the shit out of me. They were the most aggressive of the women at the manor, by a long shot. Even more so than Chloe. “Good morning, you two. Thank you for another night of safety.”

  Shah nodded and stood her long spear upright on the wooden floor. “Yes. Of course,” she responded with a slight hiss. “Thank you for trusting us with such an important job.”

  “Well, I’m lucky to have you both.” I shifted my eyes between the sisters. “Do either of you have anything exciting planned today?”

  Cress nodded and pulled out a large curved scimitar. “Oh yes, we’re going to train with these today. Can’t wait.” She swung the blade in a wide arc, stopping an inch from my neck.

  I grabbed her wrist and spun, bringing the blade up to Shah’s throat before releasing my grip. Cress lowered her sword and smiled. “Maybe you can be the one to train us later.” Shah nodded her head in agreement with a wide grin on her face.

  “As long as Teng doesn’t have me doing something crazy today, you’re on.”

  The two lizard-women exchanged excited glances as I opened the door and entered my room.

  I leaned over the bed and gave Gwen a kiss on the cheek.

  She smiled and turned to face me. “Good morning. I trust you slept well?” She nibbled on my ear, and her warm breath washed over me in intoxicating waves.

  “Always,” I responded, and kissed the top of her head.

  Dahlia laid next to the satyress. Soft snores rose from her as she remained in a deep sleep. I stood and smiled as I watched Isobel curl up closer to Dahlia, nestling amongst her flowing petals. The wolf-girl had adjusted well, although I found I had to talk her out of her crusade against the Capitol at least once a day. After she watched Striker kill her father, I couldn’t say I blamed her.

  I shifted my gaze behind Gwen and almost laughed. Chloe had a leg draped over Gwen’s body. The holstaur’s arms were spread out wide as she laid naked and basically spread eagle on her side of the bed. Gwen never said she minded, but I’d discovered Isobel couldn’t stand being touched for too long at night since she would get too hot.

  I grabbed a clean shirt from a solid pine dresser across from the bed. Glancing up at the large mirror attached to the top of it, I glimpsed my shoulder. It wasn’t pretty, but it was better than the chewed up meat pocket it had been a few days earlier. From the condition that it was in when we made it back to the manor, it was a wonder that it healed as much as it had.

  Gwen propped herself up on an elbow, and her silver, soft hair fell forward over her shoulder. “You wake up so early. How about you climb back into bed and sleep in for once?”

  I threw my shirt on and carefully guided it over my shoulder. “I’d get nothing done that way.” I grinned at her as she rolled her eyes.

  She flopped back down into the pillows and shook her head. A few seconds later she raised up, her hair tousled and crazy. “You’ll work yourself to death, my love. Promise me you’ll save a little time for a break later.” She ran a hand through her hair, making it even wilder, and bit her finger seductively.

  I chuckled as I gazed upon her wild mop of hair. “Deal.” She was constantly doing things like that to make me laugh. I knew Gwen fed off of my emotions, and if I was happy, that meant that she was happy.

  Each day I learned a little more about each of the girls, and I had really come to appreciate how different they were. Gwen’s sense of humor had me rolling most days.

  I walked to the door and Gwen blew me a kiss and then promptly dropped back to the bed with a long, exaggerated sigh.

  I let the girls all sleep in today. They’d earned it… in more ways than just helping around the manor. I wanted them to be refreshed and ready for another full day.

  I walked down the stairs, and the smell of fresh coffee hit my nostrils as I neared the bottom.

  Wofferd had already taken up his spot by the fire and was drinking his coffee. It was apparent Wofferd had no intentions of leaving soon. Not that I could say I blamed him. Also, I’d officially lost him two different carts now, a fact he felt like reminding me of every morning, and of course he was too particular to accept any of the carts we’d constructed over the past few days.

  He gave me a lazy nod as I entered the room. “Morning. What’s the good word?”

  “Hey Wofferd, what are you up to this morning?”

  “Well, if I had a cart, I’d be out taking advantage of the chaos. But, seeing as I do not... I suppose I’m going to enjoy my coffee and maybe take a little dip in the lake later.” He took a sip and chuckled lightly as he shook his head. “I still can’t believe you killed the King. That took adamantine balls.”

  “Yeah, I’m still surprised we made it out of the Capitol as easily as we did. If it hadn’t been for the griffon women, I don’t think we would’ve been as fortunate.” I paused and rubbed my chin as I thought about the beautiful griffon-girl Alysain. “Anyway, we could really use another suitable set of hands out there. We’ve finished the main road leading from the lake up to the Mystic Vale, and the other one leading back down to the sea. Once we have a dock, we’ll be able to start up a few sea trade routes so you will get a little better variety of goods.”

  Wofferd walked to the front window and peered out. He pressed his rotund gut against the windowsill. “I’d help, but I really should save my energy. You know, in case we’re attacked.”

  “Oh right, I forgot. Well, I’m glad you’re here and ready to spring to action should we need you. You’re right, save that energy.” I chuckled under my breath as I walked across the room and grabbed my cup and filled it with fresh coffee.

  Wofferd nodded and took a swig from his mug. “I suppose you’re heading up to train this morning.”

  “Yes sir, every morning.”

  He furrowed his brow and looked me up and down. “I’m still not sure how you, of all the humans in Aurilon, just happened to have a pure core.”

  “Fate, I suppose. Don’t worry, it’s not like I can fly or anything... yet.”

  Wofferd shook his head and returned to his chair by the fire. “Well, good luck today. I’ll be keeping a lookout.” He plopped into his chair with a groan and scratched his stomach under his robe as he settled back into his normal routine.

  “Thanks Wofferd.” I left the man to his incredibly busy schedule and opened the door. It was a brisk morning, much cooler than it had been since I arrived. A thin veil of fog had rolled in and covered the grounds, sending an eerie ambiance across the entire area. I let out a long breath and stepped outside, ready for a new day.

  Chapter Two

  I walked through the fog and checked the guards at the front gate to ensure everything was in order. Same as at the Vale. The only way newcomers could enter now was if I brought them myself. I didn’t mind since I liked to know who was staying, and I could usually tell who was going to be a problem. I left those bastards on the outside. Most visitors couldn’t even come within a mile of the front gate without setting up camp and waiting for me to escort them inside.

  I glanced around and looked for Master Teng. I’d spent much of my time since I returned with him working on my cultivation. He and I were usually the first to rise at the manor. He pushed me harder than anyone else in this world, even my girls. He was direct and held nothing back, which I appreciated. If I messed something up, he was there to ensure I did it over again, and again, and again.

  I reached the lake and a chilly breeze washed down over me from atop the falls. According to Gwen, it was officially autumn in Aurilon, which coincidentally was her favorite season. She said it was because of the pumpkin spice ale, which I knew she didn’t really mean, because she really didn’t discrimina
te when it came to alcohol.

  I stopped outside the new row of shops that had been completed over the past week. Each shop was relatively small and made of a combination of wood and stone. It reminded me of the Renaissance festival they held in Larkspur each year back home. I peered into the window of the closest shop. A young rabbit woman stepped out from the door and swept leaves away from the front entrance. “Good morning,” she said with a smile.

  “Good morning, Mopsy,” I replied with a small smirk.

  “It’s Peaches, but don’t worry about it. People get my sister mixed up with me all the time,” she replied with a small giggle.

  I’d tried my best to get to know everyone that had arrived, but I was still horrible with names. Someone could tell me their name and it would be gone a second later. Fortunately, I’d ranked up enough in my Charisma that no one seemed to mind. “Sorry, Peaches. I’ll get better at names, eventually.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “No, you won’t, silly. But that’s okay, we love you anyway.”

  I gave her a smile, and she quickly blushed and turned away. “Is it okay if I look around your shop before I head up to train?”

  She nodded. “Of course, please help yourself to anything you find to be useful.”

  “Thank you, I will. Keep up the great work.” I opened the door and stood in the entrance. They packed the walls with potions, herbs, and other tools needed for alchemy. Peaches was a member of a coven of rabbit witches, the good ones and not the evil ones, according to Isobel.