The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly as we trudged along the muddy forest path. Our latest skirmish with ash drakes had left boots caked, robes stained, and spirits flagging. Even Chimera's boundless energy seemed dampened by the grime.
"I can't feel my toes," I muttered, wiping sweat and mud from my brow.
Behemoth snorted. "Hardly the worst thing you'll feel today, cutie."
Leviathan, ever practical, pointed to a glinting stretch of water up ahead. "The River of Spirits," she said softly, breathless. "Locals say it's blessed by water familiars. Cleanses both body and magic."
Ziz's eyes flashed. "Time for a naked power bath!"
Bahamut merely raised an eyebrow. "Let's not get carried away."
But as soon as we reached the riverbank—smooth stones glistening, clear water rippling with arcane light—my excuses dissolved. I stripped off my travel cloak and tunic, leaving boots and breeches behind, then dipped a toe into the cool current.
Heaven.
I slipped in quietly, submerging up to my shoulders, closing my eyes as healing currents washed through my limbs. Mud and sweat flowed away, replaced by tingling freshness.
"Master?"
I opened one eye to see Leviathan standing at the river's edge, dripping with shyness—and gauging whether my body was visible. She clutched her makeshift towel of leaves to her chest. "I… I just wanted to—"
Before she finished, she slipped on a mossy rock. There was a soft whoosh—and suddenly, her slender form tumbled into the water directly onto my lap.
"Ah—!" I yelped as her thighs trapped me under the river's surface, her body pressing flush against mine. The water rose around us, enveloping us in misty warmth.
Her face was electric pink as she scrambled upright, arms hugging her chest. Her wet hair clung to her horns, dripped water into the river. "S-Sorry! I didn't see the rock—"
"You're fine," I managed, trying to keep cool. My face burned hotter than the smoldering treeline behind us. She clung close, trembling. "Are you okay?"
"I—I'm… okay!" she stammered, but didn't move away. She pressed against me, thighs around my waist, and the warmth of her blush turned the water around us into a radiating pool of heat.
My heart thundered. "Leviathan…"
Leviathan's voice was a whisper. "I… like being close to you."
My cheeks burned. Before I could respond, a ripple in the shallows caught my attention—Bahamut stepping into the river, robes vanishing into thin air, revealing a flowing white-and-gold bathing ensemble that hugged every curve of her divine form. She paused, gave us a calm, appraising smile.
"Oh?" she murmured. "I see someone's already enjoying the cleansing magic."
I splashed back instinctively, breaking the spell. "Bahamut!" I said, embarrassed. "I—I didn't—"
"But you're bathing," she pointed out, wading closer. "We should all share in this blessing."
Before I could protest, Chimera came leaping down the bank, hair and robes swirling, and cannonballed into the water with an eruption of spray. She surfaced beside us giggling. "It's so soft!" she squealed, bobbing like a cheerful otter. "Come on in, Master!"
Leviathan squeaked and scrambled to keep her balance, her thigh still pressed against mine. Bahamut glided forward, graceful, stepping into the water until we formed a loose circle. My heart pounded as their bodies brushed mine—each contact sending a shiver of warmth through me.
Suddenly, a voice echoed across the clearing. Ziz stalked down to the shore, yukata pushed up around her waist to avoid water, her golden eyes glittering.
"Having fun without me?" she demanded, then yanked off the rest of her clothes in one swift motion and dove in—breasts splashing over the surface in a wave.
She surfaced in front of me with a mischievous grin, then thrust her chest toward my face. The river currents swirled around us, carrying her forward against me.
"Splash!" she laughed, and my face was suddenly buried against her ample bosom, drenching my hair.
"Z-Ziz!" I sputtered, but she held me there, giggling as I tried to catch my breath. "You could at least warn me!"
"Where's the fun in that?" Ziz teased, pressing tighter.
I felt the rest of the group tittering behind her. Behemoth strolled over last, brushing mud from her bare feet, and sighed.
"Idiots," she muttered… then shrugged and knelt beside me, stepping into the water. Her massive form loomed, and she sat so that her thighs pressed on either side of mine. My back hit her warm chest, and I was sandwiched under Ziz on my front and Behemoth behind.
My senses went haywire. Water eddied around us, ripples of moonlight dancing on the surface, the breathy giggles of my spirit companions blending with the river's song.
After a few heartbeats, Leviathan slipped free, cheeks still pink, and sank beside me to my right. Chimera paddled to my left, eyes bright with mischief.
I stayed silent, unable to form coherent protest.
Finally, Behemoth stood and offered me a hand. "Come on," she said, voice surprisingly gentle. "Let's rinse off properly." She led me to a shallow cascade where water spilled over smooth stones, inviting a gentle rinse.
One by one, the girls joined us there, bathing peacefully under the mossy falls, robes clinging to thighs and waists, hair plastered to shoulders in seductive dampness. We took turns cupping clear water and pouring it over our heads, laughing as it ran down our faces.
Afterward, we lounged on sun-warmed stones to dry off. The air carried that crisp evening chill, and our skin tingled from the river's magic. Each of us shared a quiet glow—physical refreshment and the charged closeness of shared vulnerability.
---
That night, as I lay in my tent exhausted, a soft knock came on the canvas wall.
"Saphielle," I yawned, sitting up. "Is something wrong?"
The flap opened to reveal her smirk and that always-seductive twinkle in her pale blue eyes.
"I trust you all got… thoroughly cleansed," she purred, stepping inside. "But river residue can linger in places water alone cannot reach."
I gulped. "You… you're going to help me wash?"
She held out her staff, its tip glowing with a pale, silver light. "A special cleansing. With my mouth."
My eyes nearly popped from their sockets. "Y-You mean…?"
She nodded, slowly unfastening her robe. "Spell requires direct contact, cutie. Allow me to ensure your purification is… complete."
My heart pounded as she knelt beside me on the cot, robes slipping until she was nearly bare. Her pale skin shone in the moonlight, hair cascading over her shoulders. She smiled and beckoned me forward.
Swallowing hard, I leaned in—and Saphielle pressed her lips to my neck, trailing kisses downward, whispering, "For your ultimate cleansing."
And that was how the Spirit Harem ensured their master left the river revitalized… in more ways than one.