Churchill. The first two books were amazing." He sighed. "Then the poor bastard had a stroke and couldn't finish the Last book. He had to farm out the work to a literary executor.

“So I'm never going to miss a chance to create art, Althea. Especially when I have such a superb model to inspire me."

His words made her blush happily.

“I don't suppose anyone is actually going to answer my question?”

Rachel asked. Her voice sounded a Little snappish.

Althea held still, but answered the question. "The answer, Rachel, is that it's too early to tell. Once the metal is poured into the mold, all you can do is wait until it cools. By tomorrow we should be able to take it out." She gave a very tiny shrug, ignoring Josh's warning growl.

“I don't anticipate any problems. We built a good mold, and sword blades aren't too difficult. And this sword is a one-shot. Once we take care of Kincaid, I'm going to bring Atashe’ back here, so I will have it if needed."

“Atashe'?" Sarah asked, from where she and Jeremy were lying in a drowsy, snuggled heap.

“My sword. And yes, Rachel," she said, anticipating the next question,

“I did name my sword. It means-"

“The Fire of My Heart," said Yasna. She smiled at Althea as the words flowed off her Lips Like Liquid honey. "Of course, the full name would be ‘Atashe’ Delam.*"

Althea smiled back. Slowly. You have to draw her in slowly. "Indeed.

It's Persian. I do have a Liking for ancient Languages. English is a mere child by comparison."

“Atashe' Delam. That's a great name," Alex said from the chair where he and Maria were sitting. Her bare back was leaned back against his chest, and his hands cupped her breasts, slowly stroking. It made

Althea's breath catch in her throat, so beautiful the two of them were together.

And Sarah and Jeremy are just as lovely in their own way, she thought.

More restrained. But not less passionate. Indeed, even as she watched,

Jeremy gave Sarah a hug, his lips brushing her cheek. In return, she squeezed his hand, Laying it on her flat stomach, her fingers entwined with his.

She opened her mind, letting the pleasure the couples shared flow into her. Power gathered in her mind. Despite the protective spells she had woven earlier in the day, she was gaining strength, practically on an hourly basis. Never had she been exposed to so much sexual desire at once, so much love. Seven sexually mature adults, six of whom were in at least one relationship, often more. At times she felt as if she were drinking from a fire hose. At others, she felt almost ashamed of the glut of power which was available to her.

As if in response to her thoughts, she could feel the Lips of her pussy growing flushed with blood, thickening, engorged, and turning outward.

The noose of desire tightened around her neck, making her breath grow short in her chest.

A man. I need a man. It has been too long. Weeks.

Who?

But in reality, there was only one choice. Rachel had worn Alex down to a nub earlier in the afternoon, even if he was looking satisfactorily recovered. And Sarah would not thank her for tempting Jeremy away from her. Although she was growing more comfortable with her, especially after their time together in the shop today, there was still a small undercurrent of tension. She sighed to herself. Jeremy was a lovely young man, and she knew from her sojourn in Rachel's body that he was a good lover. It seemed to her to be patently unfair that she should have to deny herself only because Sarah was resolute in her heterosexuality and saw no need to share her boyfriend.

Time, Althea. All it will take is time. Time for her to grow confident in her own beauty. Time for her to see what I shared with Rachel and