by Shawn Keys
The Dame herself was waiting by one of the sofa-chairs. A tea service had appeared on the low table between the seats surrounding the fire. “Come in. Milk or sugar?”
Zahn was beyond impressed by the quiet dignity of how the Dame folded herself into the seat, crossing her legs and then beginning to pour hot water into their cups.
Angelica perched on the seat to her right. “Only milk, please.” She took the offered cup, showing deference to the respected actress-host. She looked a little stunned to be served by the Dame’s own hand.
Kaylee sank smoothly into the seat to Heather’s left. “Two sugar.” She was no less respectful.
Zahn was still standing at the side of the last chair, right across the table from the elder actress.
Her gaze found his, questioning his next move.
Zahn’s mouth quirked with subtle humor. Might as well put our chips on the table. Remaining on his feet, he said, “We’re not carrying anything dangerous, Heather. Between the three of us, we have six magical artifacts commonly referred to as relics. These people who are after us either want one of them, or they think I have information about another one they want.”
Angelica and Kaylee’s mouth both dropped open as he gave the secret away outright.
Heather raised her cup and took a small sip. Replacing the cup on its saucer, she answered carefully, “I see.”
Kaylee began to say, “Which sounds impossible, I know –”
Zahn blended in to gently subvert her sentence, “– But there’s no need to convince you , is there Heather?”
Shock blossomed on the faces of his two lovers.
Heather was eyeing him much more carefully now. “And why would you say that?”
But Zahn wasn’t guessing. As soon as he had entered the room, his Eye of Ra had told him all he needed to know. He still treaded carefully. He knew the feeling when one of his relics were uncovered by a rival. It left him feeling exposed. Vulnerable. How much more with Heather, whose survival very literally depended on her magic. “Because you have one already. The crystal tucked against the base of your skull. My companions were right. You are excellent at hiding things in plain sight. Clever of you to make the relic a part of your neck covering. People would dismiss it as an idiosyncrasy of yours, and the crystal itself almost vanishes under your hair. Why not wear it as part of something less elaborate? Like a hair clasp?”
Zahn asked the question to take away the sting: to transform the awkward tension into something friendly and casual and normal . Heather caught on. A touch of relieved thanks bloomed in her eyes. “There needs to be pressure. The structure of the collar isn’t totally loose. The stiffness of it keeps the crystal pressed in firm enough to work continuously. Just so happens to help my posture as well. A pain to sleep with, but it’s a small price to pay for life.”
Only then did Zahn step around the corner of the last sofa-chair and take his seat. Her revelation was the true invitation he wanted to hear.
Flabbergasted at the stunning revelation, Kaylee blurted out, “What does it do?”
Angelica wasn’t far behind, asking, “Who gave it to you?”
Heather couldn’t help a fond smile at their excited outbursts. “You can probably guess what it does. You both know what happened to me. I nearly died from a degenerative nerve disorder. Rare, unlike anything any doctor I consulted had ever seen. Aggressive. The rate of decay gave me months to live instead of the years someone might have with MS or Parkinson’s.”
She took another sip of tea before continuing, “I consulted with every doctor and specialist I could. When normal medicine didn’t have the answer, I wasn’t shy about talking to acupuncturists and homeopathic practitioners. Their promises all fell flat. When the pain started to grow unbearable, I was ready to be free of it. I retained a few terminal-care nurses and retreated into my house to die.” Her face went grey as she remembered that low point.
Then, a small glow appeared on her face as memories led her to what came next. “One of those nurses was a shaman from the First Nations. He admitted I was beyond his skill in the old medicines, but he said he couldn’t let me fade away.”
Moving to the edge of her seat, Heather dipped her right shoulder and turned her neck as much as the brace would allow. She brushed her tousled grey-red hair away from the back of her neck. A delicate shimmer of red danced in the heart of a crystal the size of a peach pit. It was wedged against the base of her skull. Zahn could see a tiny strap threaded up into her hair and around the crown of her head to ensure the magic relic never lost contact with her skin.
Giving them a chance to see the glittering crystal, Heather then let her hair fall back into place. “The nurse-shaman called it the pansalve.”
Zahn had heard of it before. The ‘universal healer’. Such powerful magic needed to keep her alive. What terrible thing could it be ravaging her inside to need such a thing? It was her story to tell, so Zahn didn’t interrupt.
Heather went on, “The healing magic came on instantly, and the pain faded to nearly nothing. The relief in that moment was indescribable. I thought I was cured.” She sighed. “I wasn’t that fortunate. The pansalve is apparently a powerful healing relic. It is constantly fighting off the ravages of the disease as it tries to destroy my nervous system. But this isn’t a virus or bacteria or an infection. The source of it is a genetic disorder. The time bomb in my DNA has gone off. The crystal is repairing the damage as fast as it can, but it can’t change the fact that my body is trying to destroy itself.”
She tried to be at peace with that. “Every so often, I’ll feel a twinge of pain or flash of fire along my nerve endings. One day, the severity of the degeneration defined by my genes might overwhelm the power of the crystal to fight it off. Or, maybe I’ll live for a few more decades. I’m grateful for every day I wake up. Wearing this is a small price to pay.”
Zahn said in quiet sympathy, “Diseases can be vicious things. Always ready to exact a terrible cost if you relax your guard.”
Heather nodded. “It’s another reason I kept away from the public eye. I was given this gift of magic. But there are those who won’t care. Evil types who would come to steal it. Or desperate types who would snatch away to heal their own loved ones. Maybe I‘m being selfish, knowing what this could do in other hands. But it’s my gift, and I guess I’m not ready to make that sacrifice.” There was clearly pain in her heart.
Zahn was sure she had wrestled with the morality of it all. Since he had started his quest for the Fountain, he had been thinking the same thing. Who was he to live forever? There could be Nobel laureates and geniuses that could take mankind into a shining new golden era, right? He knew that, but it didn’t matter. He had found it. He had earned it. Aloud, he said, “I’m the last one to judge you for your choices, Heather. But you’re right. This was a gift. The shaman thought you deserved to live. Listen to that, if you listen to anything. Besides, if anyone has given enough for the charity of others, it’s you.”
Kaylee smiled at Zahn as if seeing him in a whole new light. “There’s a poet in there somewhere. I didn’t know that.” The heat behind her eyes rose, and she moistened her lips as wicked thoughts involving him raced through her mind.
His throat went a little dry as she looked at him like a meal. Somehow, Zahn managed to say to Heather, “You don’t have to worry about being in any more danger because of the relics we carry. You’ve lived this long with a relic that would be sought after by many. The pansalve is not the only healing relic, but it is among the most powerful for how broad a spectrum of hurts it can heal.”
Angelica admitted, “The only difference is that we are being actively sought. Almost no-one knows that Heather has the pansalve.”
Zahn admitted that with a nod.
Heather tapped her chin thoughtfully. “You need to change the nature of the game you’re playing. For that, you need time when you’re not running. Correct?”
Angelica nodded, then asked, “You have one of the relics, Heather. Bu
t did the shaman tell you how numerous these magical relics are? Or did he tell you that was the only one?”
Heather shook her head. “He wouldn’t have lied to me like that. And I suspected right away. How could I not? It only makes sense. If the pansalve could have survived in the world from whenever it was created, it’s almost logical that other artifacts would exist as well. I’ve never felt the need to seek any others. This was my small piece of magic, and I was happy with that.”
Zahn said, “They are not everywhere, but there are many. And people want them. Some are desperate to collect them.” He smirked at himself. “I’d like to think a more honorable sort. Many are not.”
Angelica tacked on, “There are other places we could go that might be secure. But this was the only place I could think of where I would feel totally safe. The best part is that my connection to you is invisible to anyone else. When they look at our list of contacts and who would be willing to hide us away, you won’t show up at all.”
Kaylee came in last, “We don’t want to trouble you forever. Nor expose you in a way that will cost you your own safety.”
Heather returned a kind smile, putting a calming hand on Kaylee’s knee. “The risk is already taken. I’m sure you all realize that. By coming here, if you were somehow being followed, the people who are after you wouldn’t stop until they peeled back every secret to this place. Even if you left now and never returned.”
Angelica answered sheepishly, “You were our best hope. I’m sorry for the position I’ve placed you in.”
Heather met her eyes. “Why did you come?”
“Because I knew you would want to help.”
Zahn affirmed, “She told us you’d be insulted if we doubted you. Even if we waited until morning.”
Heather’s face might be showing a little age, but it was as emotionally expressive as her first days on screen. Her satisfaction at the description was clear. She flashed an appreciative grin toward Angelica. “I didn’t think you knew me that well.” She shifted back to Zahn. “Miss Laviolette is right. She’s a lovely soul, and I enjoy helping people like her in need. If you are her friends, then I’ll trust her judgement with you.”
All three of them murmured their thanks.
Heather waved that away. “We can talk more tomorrow about the next steps. You look like you’re at the end of a long drive, so why don’t I show you some rooms for the night?”
A little amusement mingled with embarrassment as the three guests traded small, furtive looks at each other. Each of them dared the other to say anything.
Inspired by the coy smiles of his two lovers, Zahn spoke for all of them. “Ahhh, to save you a little trouble, we can make do with… ahh, just one room.”
For the first time, the Dame’s composure fractured just a little. A warm flush rose up her neck. Zahn swore her nipples stood out under her silk robe at the implied intimacy of such an unorthodox sleeping arrangement. Heather’s eyes narrowed a little as she inspected Zahn again, perhaps wondering what else was below his surface. “I apologize. You’re more special than I first thought.”
Zahn answered sincerely. “No, not really. Angie and Leea are the special ones here.”
Kaylee squeezed Zahn’s leg, enjoying the sound of her nickname on his lips.
Heather watched the interaction with interest. “Well then. I’d say the Sunrise Room would be… most appropriate.”
Kaylee’s playful smile hadn’t faded. “Sounds lovely.” She knew she was being naughty, and seemed to be enjoying the little game. She wasn’t in the mood for holding back.
They rose together, and the trio followed Heather deeper into her home. Her robe billowed out behind her as her long legs carried her to a sweeping staircase leading up. She ascended to the next floor and then strode down a broad hallway. The architecture was grand, yet Zahn didn’t have the sense of walking through a museum. Museums tended to be pristine and untouchable. This was the Dame’s personality on display; a woman who could own a room, yet dedicated millions of dollars and hundreds of hours to helping others. She was a woman capable of such expansive vision. She could enjoy a sense of majesty in her life. She could do that without becoming detached from reality.
They arrived at an open set of double doors. Heather stood at the archway and gestured inside. “You’ll be comfortable here. Be aware; if you leave the heavy blinds open, the morning sunlight will ensure you don’t sleep too late. If you need anything at all, please tap that intercom. I’ll answer. I don’t have servants here, but my home is yours. If I can’t come and show you myself, I’ll tell you where you can find whatever you need.” With one last smile, she withdrew back to the central stair and ascended into her private apartments above.
Zahn drifted into the Sunrise Room, admiring the details. The windows were indeed huge and faced east. Long curtains made of gauzy material would enhance that light. There were crystal patterns of stylized suns set in the glass which would cast scattered rainbows as well. The bedding, cushions on the furniture and granite table-tops were all creamy white with lightly-stained wood bases. The palette was pleasant and would glow beautifully in fresh sunlight.
Kaylee was far less timid. She ripped the thick duvet from the massive giant-king-sized bed and tumbled back-first onto the satin sheets below. She groaned in physical bliss as the firm-yet-soft mattress enveloped her. “Ohhhh, yessss! Angie, you need to feel this. ”
Zahn ambled to the bedside and settled his bag near the end-table. With a groan, he tugged off his shirt, working the stiffness from his shoulders. “That was the definition of a long day. I was going to take a shower, but I’d probably collapse under the spray.” Without shame, he summoned the strength to bend over far enough to strip off his pants and kick them away. Naked, he rolled onto the bed and released a moan of his own. Leea wasn’t wrong about this mattress.
“Ahem.”
Zahn’s eyes had been closed to savor being horizontal. The gentle clearing of Angelica’s throat drew them open again.
She was standing with her legs artfully tucked one behind the other. She had clearly been watching him as he tossed off his clothes. Somewhere along the way, she had peeled off her shoes, jeans and the panties underneath. Her bare feet and legs stretched out below her cashmere sweater. She had pulled her blonde tresses free of her ponytail to hang past her shoulders in a golden wave.
She slinked toward the bedside, each step careful and oozing sex. She took hold of her sweater’s lowest hem and began to draw it upward. First, the sleekly defined muscles of her abdomen came into view. Then, her perky breasts popped out as if joyful to be free. Before long, Angelica had the sweater free of her wrists and was tossing it away.
Naked in the muted light, Angelica propped a knee on the bed, then curled her other leg to straddle him. “Didn’t think you were going to escape that easily, did you?”
Even as Zahn issued a soft laugh, Kaylee rolled onto her side and pouted. “Wasn’t it my turn to seduce him?”
Angelica flipped her hair with a mischievous look at Kaylee, “Seize the moment, my love.” With a playful laugh, she peered down at Zahn’s naked form between her legs. “Unless you have something to say?”
Zahn reached up to cup her ass cheeks, squeezing them, then ran his hands down the lean muscles of her thighs. “How about…have fun?”
With a sultry laugh, she reached down to gather his shaft and fleshy orbs in her hands. Bathing them with strokes from her satin-smooth palms, she had Zahn worked into hardness within seconds. Easing forward, she rubbed his tip against her wet slit, then guided him to her dripping sex. With a sigh of contentment, she settled down on him until her luscious ass bounced against his legs.
His fingers clenched into her thighs as she fell. Zahn rolled his head on the pillow as her slick heaven took him inside. “Sweet damn, Angie. You feel even tighter.” He growled as she clenched around him with her inner muscles.
Enjoying the way he lost control of his tongue, Angelica taunted him. “Must be the tension
of the day. Are you alright if I…you know…use you for a little stress relief?” Flexing her legs, she gave a very deliberate roll of her hips, stirring him inside of her.
“Ohh, fuck! ” Zahn groaned loudly, grasping even more firmly into her legs.
With that as her answer, Angelica issued another of her sexy laughs. Her hips stirred and grinded her clit against the base of his pelvis as she began to ride him.
Still pouting, Kaylee watched them couple. She admired their bodies, lingering especially on the delightful sway of Angelica’s breasts as she rolled back and forth. Kaylee’s tongue swept along her lips, looking like she wanted a taste. “You look beautiful, Angie. I may need a taste of you, too.”
Lost in her pleasure, Angie’s eyes were closed. Chasing sensations, she answered without thinking. “Not ‘till I’m done!”
Kaylee’s interest surged as she caught a loophole. “Which means if you finish before him, I get to finish both of you?” Her grin gained a mischievous edge. “Challenge accepted.” She flipped up to her knees. She pinched her sweater’s front zipper and pulled it down in in one long motion. The sides of her sweater fell away to reveal the forest-green bra underneath. The clasp was in front, and she unsnapped that with one deft flick. Rolling her shoulders, Kaylee was soon bare from the yoga pants up.
Angelica remained lost in her sensual dance as she straddled Zahn. She didn’t notice the danger until it was far too late.
Zahn watched it happening, but he held his tongue. He didn’t want to miss this surprise.
Pausing to peel off her yoga pants, Kaylee was clad only in her emerald green panties as she slipped one leg over Zahn’s, then tucked herself up behind Angelica. With a cleverly stealthy shuffle, Kaylee folded herself around Angelica in a sexy embrace. Her plush breasts pressed up into her lover’s shoulder blades. One arm reached around to cup the blonde actress’s right breast in a warm grasp. Her left hand dipped lower, stroking along the inside of Angelica’s thigh until she found the throbbing nub of her clit.
Angelica’s eyes flew open. Her instinctive protest changed into a lustful purr. Letting her head fell back over Kaylee’s shoulder, she started to gyrate more aggressively against Zahn’s cock.
