by M. Gregg Roe
After letting her browse for a while, Saxloc said, “Audrey, I know that you don’t usually wear jewelry, but I think we should get you a nice necklace. Maybe one that goes with your new dress. I’ll buy it for you as an apology for my earlier behavior.”
“Okay. I think the things they have here look just as good as the expensive jewelry they sell back home. But just one necklace.”
Audrey shopped for quite a while before finally settling on a fairly simple silver necklace with a row of five amber “gems”. Saxloc paid for it, and the clerk wrapped it up in cloth and handed it to her.
She smiled sweetly and said, “Thank you, Saxloc. It’s perfect. I really like the jewelry here. I think I’ll mention to Hankin that Celebern might want to start importing some of these to the Witch’s City. I think they would sell well there.”
The two of them strolled around for a while longer and eventually encountered Gabriel. Audrey noticed that he was carrying a cloth sack. “Good afternoon, Gabriel,” she greeted him. “What did you buy?”
He nodded politely at them. “Good afternoon. I purchased some items of jewelry for my mother and sister. I hope that they will like them.”
“I’m sure that they will. Just don’t tell Marryn that they’re made of glass.” They both laughed at her joke.
The three of them walked around together for a while. Gabriel told them that the two mercenaries had already accepted their payment and departed. He had gone along with Isadora, Aliva, and Siljan to witness the destruction of Morton’s body that morning. They told him about seeing Isadora and he was surprised. Late in the afternoon, they encountered Aliva, now sporting her plain look. She had also been shopping, and she showed them the jewelry that she had purchased. The four of them ended up going back to the Crystal Inn for dinner.
After they had ordered, Aliva asked, “Did you like the dress, Audrey?”
Audrey nodded. “Yes. Very much.” She pointed at Saxloc. “But not as much as him.”
Aliva laughed. “I’m glad. It was designed to show off your assets.”
“It definitely does that,” quipped Saxloc.
“I have a question,” said Audrey. “I noticed how quickly you healed after you pulled out that piece of glass. And that was before you cast Recovery on yourself. Was that due to a regeneration potion?”
Aliva shook her head. “No. I gave away all of the potions that my father had given me. I heal like that because I’m part demon. That’s one of the advantages.”
“I see.” Audrey thought for a moment. “I also noticed that when you vanished you didn’t cast a spell first. Was that also a demon power?”
“Yes. That’s right. It’s an innate ability of mine, although I can only use it a couple of times a day. There is a spell that does much the same thing.” Audrey noticed Saxloc nodding in agreement.
“I see. Uh. I was wondering about one other thing. How was it with Morton?”
Gabriel’s face started turning red as he looked away, but Saxloc leaned forward looking interested.
Aliva looked somewhat sad as she told them, “I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t great. I don’t think it’s ever going to be great when the person I’m having sex with is actually dying in the process. I don’t think that Morton was very experienced, but I’m not either. That was only my second time.”
She looked almost guilty as she continued. “The other time was with a teenage boy not long after I first came to Rohoville. He died too, but Asria lied to me and told me that he had survived. I was so upset that they were afraid to tell me the truth. But I figured it out eventually. So that’s it. If I have sex with someone, they die. I don’t know how to control it. That’s one of the really bad things about what I am.”
Aliva looked depressed now, and Audrey was surprised when Gabriel suddenly spoke up. “I am certain that you will learn to control it in time,” he said seriously. “Perhaps you may find others like Morton who deserve to die.”
Aliva’s smile was radiant as she reached over and squeezed Gabriel’s left hand with her right. “Thank you, Gabriel. I am certainly not going to have sex with someone I care about until I learn to control it.”
They had just finished eating when Hankin, Siljan, Grasapa, and Ariel walked in together. Siljan came over to their table as the other three were seated nearby. “Did you see Isadora?” she asked with a wide-eyed look.
“Yes,” replied Audrey, noting the smiles on both Saxloc and Aliva’s faces. “It’s quite a change.”
Siljan looked almost frantic. “I have never seen her like that! Ever! Maybe she’s been replaced by a changeling.”
Saxloc laughed. “Then it’s a very amorous changeling. I think Isadora is just relieved that Morton is dead.”
“Maybe. I wish I’d found someone here like that man she was with. He is seriously cute.”
“Well you certainly haven’t been replaced by a changeling,” commented Saxloc. “You still have the exact same standards for choosing men.”
Siljan put her hands on her hips and scowled. “Yes, I do. I’d better go sit down now. I see the waiter coming.”
“The fish stew is excellent,” called out Aliva as Siljan walked away.
♦ ♦ ♦
“Do you hear that?”
Saxloc’s face was red, and she knew hers was too. They were standing outside the door to her room listening to the sounds coming from the room next door. Audrey listened for a moment before saying, “His name is Sigmund, and it sounds like he and Isadora are having a very good time.”
“They certainly are,” he agreed. “Do you want to stay in my room? It’s on the other side near the end of the hall.”
She knew exactly what he would be expecting if she went to his room. She wanted it too—Isadora’s moans and cries of ecstasy were rapidly arousing her—but everyone with a room anywhere near Saxloc’s would be able to hear the two of them. She definitely didn’t want that.
Suddenly, Audrey had an idea. “No. Let’s go for a walk. Go down and buy us a bottle of wine. I need to get something from my room. I’ll meet you out front.”
He looked confused, but he said, “All right. I’ll see you shortly.”
Audrey went into her room. She removed a small paper bag from her backpack, and then put the package containing her new necklace inside. She quickly washed her face, brushed her hair, and then went downstairs and outside. Saxloc was holding a bottle of wine in his left hand, and she was amused to see that it was from Alessandra’s temple.
She walked up to him with a secretive smile and said, “Let’s go.” He followed beside her as she began to walk north.
“Where are we going? Why do we need wine?” He sounded bewildered.
Audrey pulled the paper bag from her belt pouch and shook it. “We will be needing this too.”
“Is that AP powder?” he asked, looking hopeful.
“Yes! I will take it once we arrive. Then we need to wait at least an hour. I’m sure we can find something to fill the time.”
“I can think of several things,” he said casually. “But where are we going?”
“To a house that should still be unoccupied.” If it wasn’t, then she was seriously thinking about just evicting whoever was there.
Understanding dawned on his face. “That is very clever, Audrey. I’m sure that Isadora had to rent it for a month. So our experiment is on.”
She smiled lasciviously at him. “It is indeed. I am expecting your best performance.”
“I promise that I will do my best.”
♦ ♦ ♦
“Good morning, Isadora.”
“Good morning, Audrey.”
Audrey put down her plate on the small table and sat down opposite Isadora. Saxloc, Gabriel, Siljan, and Hankin were sitting at another table on the other side of the room. They had already eaten and were now just sitting and talking.
Isadora tried to smile, but she looked tired. Audrey wasn’t at all surprised. She and Saxloc had returned at dawn, and Isadora and Sigmund had been at
it again.
“Do you know how to cast a silence spell, Isadora?” she asked with an innocent look.
“Yes. Why do you—” Isadora’s eyes went wide and she began to blush.
“This place is very nice, but the walls are kind of thin,” explained Audrey. “My room is next to yours. It sounded like you and Sigmund were having a fabulous time.” She maintained her innocent expression as she ate a piece of melon.
Isadora definitely looked embarrassed as she apologized. “I am sorry, Audrey. I did not realize. We could not go back to his house because he lives in a religious order.”
“A religious order? Is that like studying to be a cleric?”
“No, not this one. They pray to all three primary deities and spend hours each day meditating. It is quite interesting.”
Audrey nodded and ate a piece of cheese.
“Were you able to get much sleep?” asked Isadora with a look of concern.
Audrey was starting to feel guilty for leading her on. “Yes, because I didn’t sleep in my room last night.”
“Where did you sleep?”
“Saxloc and I made use of that house that you rented for the mission.”
Isadora smiled slyly. “Made use of. I see. I wish I had thought of that. Siljan told me that you two were having issues. Does this mean that you have resolved them?”
“Not entirely.” She still had concerns.
“I see. Would you like to discuss it privately? We have some time before we leave.”
More advice couldn’t hurt. “How are we getting back?” she asked. “Please tell me that we aren’t walking.”
Isadora wrinkled her nose and laughed. “No. Mayor Henrik has arranged for a boat to take us to Fisherton, and then upriver to the temple. I plan to sleep all the way back.”
Audrey wasn’t surprised; she wondered if Isadora had gotten any sleep last night. She and Saxloc certainly hadn’t gotten enough sleep, not that she minded.
She thought about Isadora’s offer as the two of them finished eating and decided that it couldn’t hurt. The two of them ended up speaking in Audrey’s room while she packed. Isadora began asking her questions about her relationship with Saxloc, and she answered them truthfully. Too truthfully—Isadora was clearly using magic on her. But she didn’t really mind because she trusted Isadora now.
Her biggest concern was that things would start going wrong again once the two of them returned home. They were getting along well at the moment, and their experiment had been a success. Taking things slowly had made a huge difference as far as her enjoyment, although it still hadn’t been as good as it was with Erwin. Saxloc claimed that he liked it better that way too, but she wasn’t sure if she really believed him. He had still been impatient at times.
Isadora sat and thought for several minutes after she finished with her questions. Audrey had finished cleaning up and packing her things, so she just sat quietly and did one of her breathing exercises.
“Audrey, you made progress by being honest with Saxloc. Keep doing that, and tell him to do the same. Dishonesty poisons relationships.”
“Okay. I’ll do my best.” But she hadn’t forgotten the trouble that being too honest with him had caused.
“Audrey, do you see yourself eventually marrying Saxloc?”
“I really don’t know. The main issue is that we aren’t the same race. He’ll probably live thirty years longer than I do. I think he would be better off marrying a half-elf.”
“And you a human?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Have you discussed this with him.”
Audrey lowered her head. “No.”
“That is fine if the two of you are simply pursuing a casual relationship, but if it becomes more, then the two of you need to discuss the issue. At the very least, you need to discover his views on the matter.”
“Okay. I’ll discuss it with him. But I’m not planning to get married for some time.”
Isadora nodded her approval. “I think that is wise. Take your time. I also think that seeing other people, as the two of you have begun, is a good idea. It will help both of you to develop.”
Audrey chewed her lower lip as she thought. “So I should keep dating Erwin?” She had told Isadora all about him.
“Yes, and others as well. Be certain that the one you end up with is the correct choice. You have a history with Saxloc, but that does not mean the two of you are right for each other.”
It was much the same advice as Medea had given her. She was open to the idea, but she didn’t think that Saxloc really was. He had gone on one date basically out of spite, and his pursuit of Rosalind didn’t seem serious at all. There was no question in her mind that he was jealous of her relationship with Erwin. He didn’t want to share her with another man.
“Thank you for the advice, Isadora. I’ll give it some thought and talk with Saxloc.”
“Good. To be honest, I think the two of you may well end up together. Your willingness to work on your problems and discuss them is an excellent sign. Keep talking with one another and be truthful.”
Hearing that gave her mixed feelings. “Okay. Should we head downstairs now?”
Isadora stood up, yawned, and then smiled. “Yes. I’ll get my things. I’m looking forward to our boat ride. I really do need some sleep.”
43
‡ Celebration ‡
As they walked up the hill to the temple in the late afternoon sunshine, Alessandra and Dulls came out to greet them. Audrey laughed when she saw that Ariel was trying to hide behind her mother. Isadora really had slept for almost the entire trip, but now she looked alert as she led them along.
Isadora brought them to a halt and said, “Morton is dead, Alessandra. Forever.”
“Wonderful!” exclaimed Alessandra, holding up both arms. “I will break out our new wine and start cooking. We are having a huge party tonight!”
“Isadora is back,” said Saxloc from beside her as the two of them stood together. “So I will be staying in the guard barracks.”
Audrey narrowed her eyes while giving him a sidelong stare. “Aren’t some of the guards female?” she asked.
“Yes, but I’m not the one in danger now.”
She laughed as she realized what he meant. “That’s true. I’m now sharing a room with a succubus. I hope I survive the night.”
“Don’t worry. Alessandra can raise you from the dead if Aliva kills you.” He gave her a kiss. “I’ll see you at the party tonight.”
“Okay,” she replied as he walked off.
She went into the temple through the rear entrance and found Aliva standing in the hallway looking into her room with a puzzled expression. “I’ve been staying in your room,” Audrey explained as she walked up. “I put all of your fabric away in the wardrobe so that I could use the other bed.”
“That’s fine. I guess we’re roommates now.” Aliva moved closer to her with an intent look. “You had sex recently,” she stated.
“You can tell that?” asked Audrey as she began to blush.
“Yes. I am part sex demon, after all.”
Audrey smiled sheepishly. “I need to confess something. I didn’t actually know what a succubus was when I first met you. It’s probably just as well because I would have been scared to death then if I had known you were part demon.”
“That’s funny,” laughed Aliva.
The two of them went inside and Audrey put her backpack on the bed and began to unpack it. Aliva had both a backpack and a large sack, probably because of all her dresses. Aliva left for a few minutes, and when she returned Audrey saw that she had washed off her makeup. She again marveled at how incredibly beautiful Aliva was.
“Aliva, can you teach me some of your sewing techniques while I’m here? I want to talk to you about the dress you made me. I have questions.”
“Of course. I may even be traveling back with you. I’m seriously thinking about it.”
“That would be great. Then we could talk even more.”
>
After she washed up and groomed herself in the washroom, Audrey went to the kitchen to see if she could help. Alessandra and Isadora were both there, and Isadora was telling her about what had happened in Glasston. They asked her to slice up some vegetables for soup, and then to make up a cheese platter. As Audrey worked, she couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the two of them.
Alessandra was very surprised that Morton was able to come back to life. “Could it have been his gauntlet?” she asked.
“No,” replied Isadora. “According to Aliva, he was not wearing it or anything else at the time he died. I think it was just an ability that he possessed as a priest of Yalk.”
“You are probably right. We still have no idea where he obtained that gauntlet. Morton was always a little unstable, but he did not turn downright evil until just after he showed up with it. I want to examine it, but we do not dare let anyone else use it. It is really too bad because it would be perfect for that pretty brunette over there who is pretending that she is not listening to us.”
Audrey looked over at Alessandra, who was looking at her and grinning. Isadora was also amused. Audrey narrowed her eyes and stared at the two of them. “The pretty brunette can hear everything that the beautiful blond and lovely redhead are saying because she’s only a few yards away and they are talking loudly. The pretty brunette is having enough trouble as an adventurer as it is, and she does not want to be known as the stupid brunette who put on an evil gauntlet and then killed all of her companions.”
They both began to laugh and she soon joined them.
After she finished helping in the kitchen, she went back to the room. She opened the door and saw Aliva standing completely naked and frowning into her open wardrobe. She had unbound her lustrous black hair and it now hung freely halfway down her back. Audrey quickly walked in and closed the door behind her.
Aliva looked over and said, “I can’t decide which dress to wear. What do you think?”
Audrey walked up to her. Aliva really was inhumanly sexy and voluptuous, and she found herself wanting to take her in her arms and start kissing her. She knew the urge was due to what Aliva was, but it was still disquieting.
