by Randi Darren
Before Leah could interject, as Alex watched her attempt to do, Rike continued.
“But you! You… Alex… you who turned redemption into a personal philosophy—you’re worthy of me. And I’m worthy of you,” Rike said, her voice becoming breathy.
“I suddenly wonder if this is how my sisters think of me with Lovey,” Leah muttered.
“They do. Can guarantee that,” Alex said with a laugh. “But that’s fine. You’re both who you are. So, to what do I owe the pleasure?
“It couldn’t be just to tell me I spent all my luck and I need to lie low for a time.”
“Yes and no,” Leah said. “I have an early wedding gift for you from a friend of Rike’s. If you’re willing to accept it.”
“A wedding gift from someone I don’t know for a marriage I haven’t had,” Alex said, raising his eyebrows.
“That’s right. As for not knowing him, you will eventually. I can guarantee that. He’s a nice man by the name of Ryker,” Leah said. “My husband is working against a rival that has him… stymied. Ryker is assisting him. You’ll be helping them in your own way, of course. But that’s a conversation for another time.”
Chuckling, Alex shook his head. He wasn’t surprised by that, nor was he upset about it. He’d already bound himself so deep into Leah’s personal affairs that it didn’t matter. To the point that he’d end up her brother-in-law.
“Uh huh,” Alex said. “Sure, I’ll take the gift. Should I offer him something in return?”
“Maybe later,” Rike said dismissively with a hand wave. “He’s… in an angry place right now. He’s one of my worshipers. He recently underwent a very deep and thorough religious conversion. A full one.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Leah said. “There’s a very bad… bad thing… going on up north. With the emperor and beyond. Eventually it might head this way, but there’s no guarantee on that. Though I think it will.”
“And why’s that?” Alex asked, all levity and good humor gone in a flash.
“Well… the truth is, this world is actually not my home world,” Leah said. “I’m here working to further Lovey’s goals. This is actually a planet completely controlled by the enemy of my husband. To the point that… to the point that realistically, Rike and I are here only because he doesn’t know we’re here.
“I made a hole into the world and snuck in. It’s why Lovey had no idea about this.”
Blinking several times, Alex finally nodded once.
“And the power I give you in my deals empowers you to advance your war,” Alex said. “I’m… essentially a piece on a chess board, and I’m deep in the enemy ranks.”
“Very deep,” Leah said. “You’re the strongest piece I have. One of the only pieces on the board right now.”
“Ryker counts,” Rike said.
“Yes, but he’s also… Ryker,” Leah said, looking at Rike.
“I… well, yes. He is,” Rike said with a sigh. “At least he gets along with Runner. I’m pretty sure my own Lovey won’t get along with him.”
Rike said the last part while pointing at Alex.
“They’ll be fine,” Leah said soothingly.
“Anyways, thing in the north?” Alex asked.
“Oh, yes. It’s a war. It isn’t exactly a religious war, but it’s more of a war for power. Whoever wins up there will be able to dictate terms to everyone else. The emperor was dragged in without wishing to be,” Leah said. “I think it’s likely that he’ll call you up to assist him at some point. If only to leverage every tool at his disposal.”
“Grand,” Alex muttered, closing his eyes. “How long do I have before that happens?”
“A year or two,” Leah said. “It’s a very slow build-up and is likely to last at least two decades. This is a war between multiple countries. Even two different empires.”
“Lovely,” Alex said with a sigh. “Alright. I’ll start planning for that. Any suggestions?”
“Expect to be outnumbered, but technology should probably be on your side,” Rike offered with a brilliant smile.
“That was all I had,” Leah said. “Though I’ll be stopping back in when you get home. I want to bring Inara by.”
“That’s fine,” Alex said. “Always happy to see her.”
“Alright,” Leah said. “That’s our cue to leave. Oh, and here’s that gift.”
Leah reached out and touched Alex’s brow with a hand.
Then she vanished.
Rike stared at him for several seconds before she launched herself across the aisle at him and kissed him hungrily. Then she vanished as well.
Sitting there, out of breath, and wondering what the burning sensation on his forehead traveling down his face was, Alex was annoyed.
Things were getting worse all the time, it seemed.
The fiery feeling that was mostly around his head shot down to his feet in in an instant and then encompassed him in a world of fire.
It scrambled his thoughts and left his head ringing. As if he’d been struck by a hammer.
Shaking his head, Alex lifted his hands and pressed them to each side of his head.
“What the hell?” he mumbled.
Letting his hands go to his knees, he slowly got a hold of himself.
As he came back together, his thoughts stabilized, and it felt like he could think clearly again.
Opening his eyes, he looked to his hands.
Sitting in his palms were small fires.
Immediately, he wanted them gone, thinking he was on fire.
And the fires went out as soon as he closed his hands.
Huh?
Opening his hands again, Alex stared at them. They were unblemished, whole, healthy.
Concentrating, Alex focused on his hands. Not a thing was wrong with them.
Then… maybe…?
Alex tried to will fire into his hands. To create it from nothing.
Two small flames leapt to life inside of his hands.
“Ryker, was it?” Alex asked in a hushed voice. “Looks like I’ll have to think up a gift for you after all.”
Closing his hands, Count Inferno snuffed out the flames, a smirk curling his lips.
Thank you, dear reader!
I’m hopeful you enjoyed reading Fostering Faust 3. Please consider leaving a review, commentary, or messages. Feedback is imperative to an author’s growth. That and positive reviews never hurt.
Feel free to drop me a line at: [email protected] or [email protected]
Keep up to date—
Main Page: https://www.williamdarand.com (Yes, I really am)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandiDarren
Blog: http://williamdarand.blogspot.com/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/WilliamDArand
Harem Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/haremlit/
Blaise Corvin- A close and dear friend of mine. He’s been there for me since I was nothing but a rookie with a single book to my name. He told me from the start that it was clear I had talent and had to keep writing. His background in European martial arts creates accurate and detail driven action segments as well as his world building.
https://www.amazon.com/Blaise-Corvin/e/B01LYK8VG5
John Van Stry- John was an author I read, and re-read, and re-read again, before I was an author. In a world of books written for everything except harems, I found that not only did I truly enjoy his writing, but his concepts as well.
In discovering he was an indie author, I realized that there was nothing separating me from being just like him. I attribute him as an influence in my own work.
He now has two pen names, and both are great.
https://www.amazon.com/John-Van-Stry/e/B004U7JY8I
Jan Stryvant-
https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Stryvant/e/B06ZY7L62L
Daniel Schinhofen- Daniel was another one of those early adopters of my work who encouraged and pushed me along. He’s almost as introverted as I am, so we get along famously. He recently released a new
book, and by all accounts including mine, is a well written author with interesting storylines.
https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Schinhofen/e/B01LXQWPZA
