Kat forced her stupid smile into a cocky grin, before her limbs finally ran out of jubilation, and went limp. “Well, two broken arms, and the angriest I’ve ever been probably helped in kicking him to the curb.”
Diane placed her hands onto Kat’s arms, and hung her head low. “Damnit. I… I was supposed to lead on this one. Be the one to win it all.”
Kat’s brow furrowed, and she snuggled into Diane’s modest bosom. “Why does it matter? We made it, kicked butt, and, if it helps, you were on my mind as I did it.”
Diane sighed. “That’s the problem though. I’m always on your mind. That’s why you were the first to say I love you, the first to kiss me, and… and everything. I wanted asking you to marry me to be my victory.”
Kat began to roll her eyes, but stopped at the last line as her heart felt like it skipped a beat. “Wh-what did you just say?”
Diane blinked for a moment, before her head turned as red as a cherry. ‘N-no, wait! This isn’t how I wanted to do this! I need the artifact first, and then I can get on one knee, lift it up to you, and-” She stopped as she felt dry lips against her own. She blinked as realized how close Kat had gotten, and hummed as her knight deepened the embrace.
Another long moment passed as the two enjoyed the sweetness of the others tongue. Just like every other time, this felt better than any sort of magic or spell she had ever channeled before, and Diane hummed against Kat’s lips. Kat smiled as she leaned back, before she shook her head. “You can be really stupid sometimes, you know that, right?”
Diane’s cheeks flared up again, and she stammered out, “Wh-what do you mean?”
Kat laid her head against Diane’s shoulder. “We’ve been together for five years now, and they have been the best years of my life, something I thought you knew. We even said our practical vows just last night, so what in the world makes you think that I would ever say no, or need some stupid ceremony to get engaged to you?”
Diane smiled as she ran her hands through Kat’s short hair, and watched as her betrothed began to shut her eyes. “I suppose you’re right. Now, get some sleep. When you wake up, we’ll head on out.”
Carnick watched as the sorceress shut her eyes, and smiled. “If you were still here, Salasune, I know you would be happy to see who was to take our treasure next.” He then shut his eyes, and waited for the repairs to begin.
Epilogue
A knock came to the door as Abigail was finishing up with the wash, and she shouted, “One moment!” A little more scrubbing finally got the last of the sauce off of the plate she was cleaning, before she placed it onto the drying rack besides her, and walked to the door. As she opened the door, she said, “Welcome to The Guardian’s Resting Place, a home for all adventurers seeking…”
Kat smiled as Abigail’s jaw kind of just hung there. The barbarian’s arms were currently wrapped up in dual slings that made sure they weren’t mobile, as when she had woken up, the event had also come with a decent bit of screaming. Diane, on the other hand, simply had a large bandage on her head, and weakly waved to the innkeeper.
Abigail looked between the two before an excited squeal escaped her. “Please, please come in! I’m so happy to see you two!”
Kat chuckled as she walked in behind her. “What, you thought we were going to go out and get ourselves killed? We’re professionals, unlike you.” She stuck her tongue out at the dirty look she got, and Diane shook her head.
“I think what my companion means is that she is happy to see you too, and had agreed full heartedly to tell you about the tomb before we left. Didn’t you, Kat ?” She turned to the barbarian, before placing a hand on one of Kat’s shoulders.
Abigail came out of the back with some water for the three of them, spilling some of it as she bounced on the balls of her feet. “Oh, I would love to hear about it! Maybe that way we could avoid anymore unnecessary adventurers, right?”
Diane sighed as she took the glass of water and drank from it greedily. “Unfortunately, there will always be adventurers who make mistakes, and want to challenge this place for ‘fun’. It’s just like whenever Kat here picks a bar fight while still sober.”
“It’s called training!”
Abigail giggled slightly, though it was obvious she was distracted. Diane watched the younger girl’s gaze as she patted Kat’s head, and smiled. She extended her hand, a ring now where one used to not be. “Do you like it?”
A squeal left the teenager as she grabbed Diane’s hand and stared at the silver band around the sorceress’s finger. “I-is this really the artifact? The one Carnick used?”
Kat smiled as she looked at her slings. She had refused to let Diane attempt to bandage her before getting the stupid thing around one of her fingers, though she was almost sure it wasn’t the ‘right’ one. “Don’t forget about the fact that Salasune used it too.”
Abigail opened her mouth, only to become very quiet. It was obvious that this was a breakthrough for at least her, and Diane giggled, before placing a hand on the poor girl’s arm. “How about something easier to process, like the fact that these are also our engagement rings?”
A small, high pitched whine first came, before Abigail simply screamed as she grabbed Diane’s hands and stood up. “R-really?” Diane nodded, and the girl squealed even louder. “Oh, please, please let me cater your wedding! It is the least I could do after all of… this.”
Kat barked out a short laugh. “Diane, does that mean I have to start showing her some real respect?”
Diane tapped the side of her chin, before standing and walking to position herself behind Kat. “I don’t know, but,” she leaned down, resting her weight onto Kat’s head, “I doubt we’ll worry about that for a while. If we wanted to do a ceremony that would need a caterer, we first need to find a Kesral church that won’t just throw me out on sight.”
Kat sighed and slumped forward a little bit. “Oh yeah, because Hekam churches don’t really do ceremonies, do they? Also, Diane, please, don’t lean on me.”
“Ah, but I know you love it when I use your height to my advantage.”
Kat’s eye twitched as she forced a smile on. “Why are you trying to make me angry?”
Diane held a hand to her mouth. “What, me? Ah, I wouldn’t think of it. Though, if you did get mad, we could finally try out these rings and show our friend what she was guarding.”
Kat rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, you’re gonna have to try harder than tha-”
Zap!
Diane began sprinting immediately after she did it, and watched as fainter, red markings showed up on her body. She could feel herself getting stronger, faster, more tolerant to pain, everything. It was a wonder to her how barbarians didn’t just decide to always stay like this when it could make one feel so… alive!
Unfortunately for Diane, Kat was still much faster than she was, especially while boosted. The barbarian tackled her to the ground, before trying to hit her with her arms, and screaming from trying to use them.
As Kat grumbled on the ground, Diane laid back, smiling at the clear sky above them, and squeezing Kat’s thigh. “Sorry.”
Kat glanced over, and let out a content sigh as she nuzzled into Diane’s shoulder. “Just remember that now you’re obligated to be stuck with me, so the madder I am, the more you have to put up with, got it?”
Diane leaned back, enjoying the sun as she whispered, “I look forward to it, promise,” and nuzzled her companion, and betrothed, back.
Acknowledgements
First, I must thank my artist, Fenrox, for the beautiful cover he made for me. He can be found on deviant art, does beautiful work, of which you can see more of in two of my other covers, and I readily recommend him for all of your art needs.
Next, to those who never gave up on me. To the friends who listened to me talk about my crazy ideas for this universe, and have seen how far this rabbit hole goes. To my family, who gave me the chance to follow my passion, and see where it may lead. And especially to my friend Maddison, who w
ithout, I don’t know where I would be at the moment.
And finally, I of course, must thank you. For your time, which I pray you enjoyed, for your criticism, if you may have it, for that is the only way I can learn, and simply for your attention. It means the world to me that you would stop and take a look at this piece of mine, instead of any other piece out there. Thank you.
Now, I must add one last thing. A somber request, but one I need to continue. If you enjoyed this, and hope to see more of these two, I implore you to please look me up, Michael Hudson, on patreon. Currently, writing is how I make my living, but to do so, I must take commissions, and that takes away from my ability to work on the original works I wish to make. To that end, supporting me there, supports the continuation of not only this world, but the few others that have formed in my head, that I would love to share with you.
No matter what though, remember that I am simply happy for this time we have had together, and wish you a good day, whether or not you enjoyed this, or not.
* * *
[2] I can totally relate.
[3] no sarcasm, we really do have dicks for mayors around here
[4] XD
[5] D'awww, handhearts <3
[6] bless you :P
[7] IF RED for short
Diane and Kat- the Bound Bands Page 8
