“I hope my kiss wasn’t that bad,” Alkao said as they entered the Grove. Others moved about, from people running to those finishing up picnics. There was a party happening in one of the larger gazebos; couples walked along the paths.
“No, it wasn’t that. It’s just that I know what is going to come and I do like you, but I don’t want to get close to someone and lose them. I know that it is really hard to kill the others, but they’re not as visible as you. People are going to come after you and I don’t want to have things to distract me when I’m fighting,” Anna said.
“I think the same thing.” Alkao sighed. “But that is life. If we don’t take a risk on this, whatever it is and whatever it might become, well, I feel like we’re going to regret it when we get older. As for the being weaker stuff, well, then count me as a willing student. I have my own things I want to defend and I can see that you’re one of the best swordswomen I have ever seen. The Air seems to react to you as if it is a part of you. I don’t know how you’re so in tune with an Affinity.”
Alkao’s words weren’t from jealousy or anger in his own inability, but the sound of a man who saw a dream and wanted to chase it.
“Okay, if you become as strong as Suzy, then I’ll think about it,” Anna said.
“As strong as Suzy? She commands nearly a company of creations!” Alkao sputtered.
“And?” Anna asked.
Alkao opened and closed his mouth a few times before he sighed. “Okay, very well, but I want your help.”
“You’re going to need it. Can’t have you getting all worn out away from prying eyes,” Anna said. The look she gave Alkao made his brain short-circuit for a short while.
***
Fire had a confused look on her face as she looked in the direction of the teleport pad that had just activated. The look wasn’t for the teleport pad, but for the person who walked off it. She activated her monitoring system, moving to a mage light to watch the teleport pad.
“Something the matter?” Mal said in her room.
“Our son-in-law has arrived. He’s been getting stronger,” Fire said with approval, leaving the mage lights and pulling up her interface to send Dave a quick message.
“Both he and Deia are pretty driven,” Mal said.
“Someone sounds like a proud father.” Fire looked to where Mal was reading a book as blue orbs of Fire circled above him.
Mal simply smiled.
“Do you think they’re going to have children soon?” Fire asked.
“You’re about to become a mother for the second time and you want to know if you’re going to be a grandmother as well?” Mal went back to reading.
“I’m already a grandmother!”
“Not of Elves and Humans,” Mal countered.
“Well, the Dragons are kind of Humans, just with really big changes in their biology,” Fire countered.
Mal looked over the top of his book with a quirked eyebrow.
“Fine! But, what do you think?” Fire looked back to Dave as he grabbed some flowers before he headed for the library where Deia was cooped up.
“I think the hormones from being pregnant are playing with your head,” Mal said.
Fire threw a fireball at him.
He made it dissolve without looking up from his book. “And I’m the hothead,” Mal muttered under his breath, but Fire still heard it and threw another, which he defeated again.
“I think that they are doing things at their own pace. We don’t need to worry about them; they’ve got everything sorted,” Mal said.
Fire sighed, releasing control of the mage lights, and frowned as she turned in her chair.
“What’s the matter?” Mal lowered his book.
“I think they’d look so cute with kids.” Fire pouted.
Mal rose up, smiling as he made his way behind Fire and hugged her from behind. “Don’t worry; you’ll have a litter of children to worry about sooner than you think. Aren’t Fornau and Quindar’s children just getting into their rambunctious phase?” Mal kissed her head.
“We should organize a visit!” Fire said defiantly.
“Okay.” Mal hugged her tight.
“You going to let me go?” Fire pouted, moving her hands around, making a T. Rex impression.
“Nope.” He grinned and kissed her cheek, laughing slightly from her antics.
***
Deia rubbed her eyes again, adjusting the Mana light on her reading desk by pressing in a Magical Circuit switch.
A sudden aura surged out behind her. She turned to find the focus of the powerful aura moving through the library toward her.
Her tired expression evaporated in seconds as she saw Dave approach with a large bouquet of flowers and a massive smile on his face. She ran from her chair, jumped up in the air, wrapped her legs around Dave and kissed him.
He stumbled, but held his footing. The two of them smiled as they kissed.
“Hey, babe. Thought I’d take you away from all this...flowers?” Dave asked, turning and walking back the way he’d come as if it were the most natural thing to have a female Elf attached to his chest.
“But I have research to do!” Deia said in a rising panic.
“Nope, we have a date night to do!” Dave said defiantly, proudly marching toward the doors.
“Let me down, you dolt! Everyone is looking!”
“I didn’t notice.” Dave smiled as he waved to a few of the bewildered library patrons.
Deia laughed at the people’s expressions, hiding her face in Dave’s shoulder. The weight and pressure of her training seemed to ease off her shoulders with Dave around.
Outside, he let her get off him before he passed her the flowers. “So, have you seen any of the sights yet?” Dave asked.
“Well, the first time, we just saw my family, really. Since then, I’ve been just researching something for my next training session,” Deia said.
“As a fellow book nerd, I am proud of you! As your boyfriend, I think we should start going out more often. We’re starting to sound like a pair of hermits! Off to the enchanted falls we go!” Dave declared, pointing his finger into the air and walking forward.
Deia giggled like a little girl. Dave’s smile widened as she wrapped her hand around his arm and buried her face in it to muffle the giggles.
“First! Shower! Then, clothes! Time we got you out of that traveling gear and into a nice dress. I do love time changes and not needing sleep,” Dave said.
“Shopping?” Deia did enjoy nice clothes, but she hated how much work went into trying to look good. And there were so many types of clothes! How could she even start to try to understand them!
“Don’t worry. I learned a few things being a CEO. How to dress and evaluate people on their clothes were a few of them!” Dave smiled. “And I can’t think of anyone I would rather put my skills at their disposal—though you look good in anything.” He moved closer so only she could hear him. “However, I like it best when you don’t have anything on.” He gave her a devilish wink.
If he keeps up, my cheeks are going to melt! She shook herself. Her eyes darted to his wide smile as he led her on. Unable to really express how happy she was, she held onto him, never wanting to let go again.
***
“How does this look?” Deia asked.
Dave looked up from his interface. Even with his higher Intelligence, it took his mind a few minutes to restart and then pick his jaw up off the ground.
He let out a whistle as he looked at Deia. She wore a vibrant red dress that seemed to bring out her smoldering eyes and her hair that draped over her left shoulder. The dress had a plunging neckline that stopped at her sternum. The material looked as though it had been molded to her, accentuating her bust before slightly pinching in to the waist, and finally coming down in a long skirt. Down her right leg, the dress split at mid-thigh, showing off her toned and tanned legs.
Deia looked upward. Her makeup highlighted her high cheekbones and her eye color. She turned to the side, check
ing the fit of the dress.
Dave’s brain gave out again as he watched the way the dress clung to her while accentuating her beauty without being too revealing or skin tight. The leg cut was to the back and side to allow freedom of movement and make sure that there wasn’t a wardrobe malfunction.
“Babe?” Deia looked to Dave.
He stood up, looking her over, and walked closer.
“You okay?” Her mouth rose in a smile.
He dropped to his knee. “Can I propose to you again?” Dave asked from on his knee.
Deia let out a satisfied giggle. The fitting ladies tittered at Dave’s antics.
“You look like the goddess you are.” Dave rose up as she put her arms around his neck. He gripped her side and their lips joined.
“You charmer.” Deia looked into his eyes.
He gave her a wink, his boyish grin firmly in place. “I’ll take the dress and her—thank you, ladies and gentlemen.” Dave picked Deia up in a princess carry before she could react.
“Put me down!” Deia squealed, her arms still around Dave’s neck.
“Have a good night!” the head saleslady said. The others smiled at the two’s clear happiness.
Delilah’s Dresses
Do you wish to purchase:
1x Custom dress
Cost: 62 Gold
1x Clutch of holding
Cost: 54 Gold
Y/N
“Hell yeah!” Dave said, making for the door. The dress cost more than a full suit of iron armor and the clutch was as much as a high-quality enchanted steel sword.
Dave couldn’t give a damn, seeing the smile on Deia’s face. Some things were worth it.
“Put me down,” Deia said. “Pleeeease.”
“Okay.” Dave sighed and lowered her to her feet.
“Thank you.” She kissed Dave. Holding his hand, she adjusted her black clutch on her wrist, which held all of her gear and pouches of holding she used. “Now where do you want to go?”
“Somewhere expensive and tasty!” Dave led her out of the store.
“Aren’t you going to dress up?” Deia asked. Her clothes radiated heat to fight the breezes of the city.
“But I have.” Dave pressed one of his hotkeys. He changed into a simple suit—decorative black shoes, a light-blue blazer and pants with darker blue lapel and a crisp white shirt opened up at the collar. His Dwarven Master Smith necklace hung there. On his wrist, he wore his spear-bracelet.
He pulled out a comb, pulling his hair to the side, and fixed his beard scruff into something a bit more presentable with a few strokes. He put the comb into his blazer pocket, which was actually a pouch of holding.
“Well?” Dave said, striking a pose.
Deia bit her lip and looked over Dave, whose lips curled into an amused smirk.
She moved forward, just inches away from him, pressing her body against his as she traced his lapel with a finger. “I feel like we won’t be sleeping much tonight.” Her eyes slowly came to meet his before she gave him a slow, seductive kiss.
It took all of Dave’s control to not throw her over his shoulder and run to the nearest hotel. “You are a bad demi-god.” Dave’s hands moved to her ample rear. “And we aren’t going to make it to dinner if you keep that up!”
He kissed her, nice and slowly, taking his time to make up for the time apart.
Deia’s stomach rumbled as she looked up at Dave with a guilty expression.
“See, food first. Going to need it with staying up all night.” Dave winked.
“Fine.” Deia captured his hand in hers as they started to move. “So where are we going?”
“You forgot already? The Enchanted Falls,” Dave said. “Now, what have you been up to while away from your doting fiancé?”
Deia and Dave shared all that they’d done apart as they walked through the floating islands, the two of them catching more than one person’s eyes as they walked and chatted.
Deia talked about her attempts to make a volcano erupt, as well as her greater control over Fire, and the Dragons she’d come to know, as well as her mother and father.
Dave talked of the progress he’d made.
They used private chat; it was ingrained in the Stone Raiders now, not wanting to let others know about their plans.
They finally arrived at a restaurant. They had to cross a small brook that glowed from magical stones underneath; rare and interesting fish moved through the water and artfully placed plants.
“Hello. Dave Grahslagg. Table for two, please,” Dave said to the person waiting at a lectern.
“This way, please.” The server smiled and gestured for them to follow.
Dave and Deia looked through the restaurant. It was large, with three different levels, but it was open and airy, with people spread out so that they wouldn’t disturb one another. Magical Circuits kept the noise from traveling beyond tables, allowing for a relaxed and relatively quiet dining experience.
A pool linked to the lake outside the restaurant went under the diners’ feet before coming out into an opening that spread out of the other side of the restaurant and into a large lake dotted with tiny islands, illuminated with magical stones and gems.
They were led to the third floor, where the server waved them into a private room.
“Thanks,” Dave said.
“My pleasure. Please press the activation rune on the table when you are ready to order.” The server smiled to them both before closing the door behind them.
Deia let out a breath, moving past the cushions that made up the seating around the low table. Beyond, there wasn’t a wall, but open air looking out over the lake that they had seen when entering. A waterfall rained down from an island above, splashing into the lake.
It was a soothing sound, only amplifying the tranquility of the lake and the quiet of the room.
“It’s beautiful,” Deia said, looking at it all.
Dave walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, feeling the light spray of the waterfall.
“Merely a background to your own stunning self,” Dave said.
“You charmer.” Deia smiled and leaned back into him, with her hands resting on his arms. For some time, they just looked at the sight before them, drinking it in.
Deia kissed Dave on the cheek.
“You want food?” Dave looked to her with a knowing smile.
Deia pouted in a cute manner, making Dave laugh.
“Fine, fine!”
They took their seats on opposite sides of the low table, reclining on the cushions. They didn’t take long to figure out what they wanted before they pressed the activation rune. They were greeted in mere seconds. The new server took their orders and left quickly before coming back with both of their drinks.
Dave drank some wine similar to rice wine back on Earth while Deia drank some Elven wine.
They continued to talk about what the other had missed, as well as joke around and poke fun at each other and enjoy each other’s company.
Once the food came around, speaking was at a minimum. The food was served in an Asian fashion; there were small pieces of food with chopsticks. They fed each other delicacies they knew the other would like and sipped their wine.
The meal was cleared away and dessert came. Deia moved over to Dave’s side, getting him to feed her as she nestled up beside him and they looked over the falls and lake.
With all of it done, they were both feeling slightly tipsy and tired.
Dave sighed, looking over the perfect scene.
They sat like that for a while before Dave kissed Deia on the head. “To the hotel?”
“Mmm, though we’ll need some Xer.” Deia hit the activation rune. “Feel like I should reimburse my fiancé, someway.” She grinned and gave Dave a slow and meaningful kiss.
They separated just as the server returned.
“Do you want anything else?” The server smiled to them both.
“No, thank you. Just the bill, please,” Dave said, his arm arou
nd Deia.
“Certainly. I hope you have a good night,” the server said.
Enchanted Waterfall’s Refuge
You owe this establishment 75 Gold.
Do you wish to pay?
Y/N
“Yes,” Dave said, rising to his feet and helping Deia to hers.
“Thank you for your service tonight. The meal was wonderful,” Dave said.
“Our pleasure. We hope you come back again.” The server smiled. “Have a good night!”
They wandered from the restaurant, touring around the park that the water from the waterfall traced through and over small wooden bridges that took them above the streams.
They went to a café to grab some Xer.
“Hey there, little miss. You want to hang out with a real mage?” A late teens/early twenties Human sidled up to them as they waited for their coffee.
“No thanks. My fiancé is all the mage I need.” She looked to Dave with a smile.
“Pssht, slut.” The Human rolled his eyes.
Dave’s shoulders tensed. His eyes glowed silver as the mage spluttered and collapsed to the ground under the full brunt of Dave’s aura.
Dave growled, a bestial noise as he started to move forward on the college student.
“Babe.” Deia pushed her forefinger against Dave’s chest.
Dave took a breath, calming himself as he noticed the other patrons were all quivering as they looked at Dave with wide eyes.
“Sorry, but didn’t like what he said.” Dave sighed and once again suppressed his aura. “Ah, are those our Xer?”
He looked to the hostess holding two cups, still stunned.
“Y-yes, sir.” She held them forward with shaking hands, even without the aura pushing on her.
“Thanks.” Dave smiled and Deia gave her a beaming smile as they grabbed their coffees.
Dave spotted a Dwarf among the college student’s friends. “You should have said something to him,” Dave growled, fingering his necklace. The Dwarf looked as if he wanted to do nothing more than dissolve into his seat.
“After you.” Dave opened the door for Deia. He’d originally wanted to sit down, but now the night air and the beautiful streets of Per’ush looked much more appealing.
“Why, thank you.” She smiled, once again putting her arm in Dave’s as they walked the island’s roads.
Emerilia Series Box Set 3 Page 6
