Life Bonds

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Thank you, miss,” the maid said and hurried away.

  Myna was unpacking their bags when Fiona closed the door behind her. “I forgot what it was like to be in the upper echelon, or around them,” Fiona murmured with a disgusted look.

  “I was having a difficult time with it,” Myna said. “I’ve never dealt with them, so I just acted like the world was his and I was merely his tool.”

  “That is the correct way to act,” Fiona said, opening their door at a light knock to see Sean. “Can we help you, Master?”

  Sean’s nostrils flared and he ground his teeth together. He stepped into the room without answering and closed the door behind him. “I don’t care for that word.”

  “This cover is your doing, Sean,” Fiona said softly as she put her arms around him, “and we’re stuck with it now. Luckily, you can stay in the rooms. Myna and I can do all the shopping needed, we should anyway.”

  “I want a bath,” Sean murmured as he put his arms around her, “some food,” he added as he dipped his head and kissed her lightly, “and you,” he finished after breaking the kiss.

  “I got two rooms for that reason,” Myna said softly, keeping her eyes off them and trying to quash the pang of jealousy she felt. “I figured you would want some privacy. I wasn’t sure if a noble would want a separate room for his Bonded, or if he would just have them sleep at the foot of his bed.”

  “Depends on the noble,” Fiona replied, disengaging herself from Sean. “I’ll restrain myself until later, Myna. I’m sorry.”

  Myna shook her head, still facing away from them, her voice tight, “No, you’ve done nothing wrong.”

  “Myna,” Sean said softly, “you’re going to be bathing with us?”

  Myna shivered, but nodded. “As you wish, Master.”

  “Myna—” Sean cut off as a knock came at the door.

  “Your food,” a voice said from the hall.

  Fiona leaned in to Sean and whispered, “I want you to act upset that the food took so long to get here.”

  Sean pulled back from her, puzzled, but gave her a nod. “Well, hurry up and get the door. It’s bad enough that I have to wait at all,” Sean said, loudly enough to be heard through the door, then slapped his hand into his open palm. “Now.”

  Fiona blinked at him, then ran for the door, opening it and giving the maid a pained smile. With a limp, she stepped aside for the maid, who held a tray. “Bring it in, quickly, and set it on the table.”

  The items on the tray rattled slightly as the maid brought it into the room and set it down. She gave a small curtsy and then fled. Fiona kept the pained look on her face until the door thunked closed behind the frightened woman.

  “I really hate the terror the nobility inspires in others,” Fiona said as she joined Myna at the table, helping the other woman uncover the food. When Sean went to join them, Fiona held out a hand. “No, you will play your part the entire time we are here. Sit in the chair there and wait to be served.”

  Frowning, Sean took the indicated seat. “I don’t feel like I’m in charge right now,” he muttered, knowing they could still clearly hear him.

  “Of course you are, Master,” Myna said as she poured wine into a goblet. “In all things, our worlds begin and end with your whims.”

  Sean glowered at her, but he didn’t sense any mockery—just plain honesty, and that made him sit back in his seat. “Myna…”

  Myna held out a hand, making him trail off. “Sean, stop. I know, and I try not to push the issue, but consider—even a little bit—consider that maybe it's okay. It’s unusual for you, but everything I know says that this is right, and I want what it can be. You’re with Fiona right now, and will be forever, but in time you will also care for me equally. That’s why Fiona Bonded to you, so she can be my equal later, even though I’m not her equal now.”

  Sean blinked at her as he tried to understand what she was saying. The idea of owning another person was so alien to him that it didn’t really register as a real thing. The fact that Myna didn’t just accept it, but wanted to embrace the role, was even more jarring. Lost in the moment, he was unaware of Fiona coming closer until she took his hand.

  “You brought her back from the dead, Sean. She accepted your Bond so she could have her revenge, knowing what it might mean, and over the last handful of days you’ve treated her as an equal. I know you don’t understand what that means for her, or for me, watching you both, but she has a point. On your world, maybe the very thought of what she said is abhorrent, but here it is widely accepted. The difference is that we both know you won’t abuse us, even though it is your right to do so now. You will only treat us like your companions, not like tools or pets, even when you should for all our sakes.”

  Sean sat there staring into her dual-colored eyes, not liking what she was saying, but understanding it. “I don’t want to hurt you, Fiona.”

  “You’re not capable of doing so, Sean,” Fiona told him. “You are hurting our friend, though. It picks at me knowing that you’ll never be just mine, but at the same time, it would be selfish to deny the love she feels for you. I’m not going to share you easily. I’m probably going to be a little petty at times, and Myna know this. She even told me she’ll accept it when it happens. She’ll wait for you, for me, and for us, but you need to treat her well during the wait.”

  “How?”

  Myna took his other hand. “Stop trying to push me away. I won’t come to you until you ask. Just accept what I ask for, maybe rub my ears sometimes, and tell me that you care. You don’t need to say love— that’s reserved for Fiona, I know that, but I want to feel like you value me.”

  He hadn’t ever seen Myna vulnerable before. He’d seen her angry, calm, happy, and even sad, but not vulnerable and uncertain. “I can’t promise that, Myna,” Sean told her, his voice catching as he watched her ears drop flat to her head, “but, I will try. I am not the right person for this. James would handle this whole thing better than I am. He isn’t here, and I am, so I’ll do what I can to be who you need me to be. Who both of you need me to be.” Lifting both their hands, he kissed the backs of them together. “Just bear with me as I try to find my way.”

  “Understood, Master,” Myna whispered, her cheeks red.

  “As you wish, Master,” Fiona whispered, her other hand taking hold of Myna’s free one. “The bath will be ready by the time we finish dinner, so we should eat.”

  “I’ll get the food,” Myna said, taking her hands away from them.

  They ate in silence. All of them were enjoying a meal that finally had a variety of flavor to it, but they were each lost in their own thoughts. Sean didn’t even realize he’d finished his meal until Fiona touched his shoulder.

  “Huh?” Sean said, snapping out of his reverie.

  “We’re all done, and the bath should have been ready a while ago,” Fiona told him.

  “Sorry. Still trying to wrap my mind around what you both said.”

  “There isn’t a rush,” Myna said softly as she took the plate away from him. “We’ll have many years together. I just wanted you to consider my point of view.”

  Sean nodded as he stood up, finishing the wine in his goblet. “I’ll do the best I can, Myna.”

  “Thank you,” Myna said as she picked up the now empty tray.

  Sean realized he didn’t remember what they’d eaten as she walked past him. Fiona opened the door for her to set the tray just outside. Sean paused to rub Myna’s ears as they filed into the hall. “I really will try, just give me time.”

  A small purr slipped from her, “Anything you require.”

  “The bath should be on the bottom floor,” Fiona said, shutting the door behind them and taking the lead.

  Sean and Myna followed Fiona down the stairs. Am I doing the right thing? he wondered. Can I be what they want me to be? Is this just foolish, thinking I can be like the main character from an anime or book? Those are the only guys who ever have women willing to share. Pushing the thoughts aside, Sean
watched Fiona ahead of him, vowing to do the best he could for her, Myna, and himself.

  Chapter Eleven

  The back stairs down to the bathing room were empty, for which Sean was grateful. The air in the bathing room was warm and the fire was going strong with all sixteen places available holding steaming kettles. Fiona walked through the room, checking the tubs.

  “Everything is in order for you, Master,” Fiona said as she walked back toward him.

  The thud of the door shutting made Sean tense up for a moment. Trying to play it off, he began undressing like he had before, so he could clean himself. He had only gotten his belt undone when Fiona and Myna both touched his shoulders.

  “We will take care of you, Master, as is our duty,” Fiona told him.

  “We will handle everything,” Myna added.

  Having just had a similar conversation with them upstairs, Sean kept his mouth shut and let them work. They quickly had him undressed, with Myna taking his clothes from Fiona as Fiona led him over to the area for him to be cleaned.

  “Just a moment, Master,” Fiona said as she quickly stripped and handed her clothing off to Myna.

  Myna took Fiona’s clothes with a nod. Sean kept his eyes off Myna, though he had gotten an eyeful when he turned to see where Fiona was going. He blinked as his traitorous body started to react to Myna’s smooth, toned body.

  Fiona came back to him, pulled over a stool, and had him sit. Grabbing a big bucket, she added some hot water to it before joining him. “The water isn’t perfect, Master, but it is the best I can do.”

  “Get on with it,” Sean said with an unhappy voice.

  Fiona gave him a wink, thinking he was playing the part. She quickly wetted him down, before picking up the honeysuckle scented soap. Getting some lather out of it, Fiona began to soap him, starting at his shoulders.

  Sean was tense, wondering how far Fiona was going to push things. Her soft hands glided over him, focused on her task. She hoped he would relax. Her hands missed his groin, going down his sides and to his legs.

  “Please stand for me, Master,” Fiona said as she put more soap on her hands. As he did, she looked up at him from where she was kneeling. “Did you wish me to be extra attentive today?”

  “No,” Sean said quickly.

  “As you wish,” Fiona said, her hands cupping his flesh, then quickly gone. Once she was done, she rinsed them both off. She bathed him quickly and efficiently, without playing with him in any way.

  Letting out a held breath, Sean gave her a smile. “Well done.”

  Fiona smiled back as she got to her feet and led him to a tub. Myna stood beside it, filling it with hot water. Sean went hard as he again got a full view of Myna’s tight body. Swallowing as he looked away, he paused at the edge of the tub.

  “Master, is the water to your liking?” Myna asked, her face pink as she stood there, not covering herself.

  Sticking a hand into the water, he found it right on the edge of too hot, but nodded. “Perfect. You did well, Myna.”

  Her face flushed deeper pink. “I do the best I can, Master.”

  Sean climbed into the tub, but try as he might, he still caught another glimpse of both women. He leaned back, closing his eyes, and let the heat sink into him. Images of Fiona and Myna danced through his head despite his efforts to banish them as he tried to calm himself.

  Sean sank further into the water, cutting off most sound as his ears went under. He didn’t hear Fiona and Myna whispering to each other as they moved away from the tub. Floating in the warmth, Sean wondered what life was going to throw at them next.

  Sean blinked and sat up when Fiona touched his arm. “Hmmm?”

  “We’re done, Master. Did you wish to stay a bit longer?”

  The water he was in had lost its warmth. “Guess I nodded off.”

  “Sleep replaces your energy faster,” Myna said softly. She waited with his clothes, already dressed herself.

  Grateful that she was dressed, Sean gave her a smile. “That’s good to know.”

  Fiona held out a towel, clearly waiting to dry him. Feeling awkward, Sean kept his back to Myna. Fiona didn’t let him have the towel, but dried him off quickly instead.

  Raising his eyebrow at her, he stepped back when she finished. “Can I dress now?” Sean asked, keeping his voice low.

  “I have your clothing ready for you, Master,” Myna said as she held out his underwear. “If you are ready for me to dress you?”

  Looking over his shoulder at her, Sean saw that Myna was blushing, but hopeful. He looked back at Fiona, who nodded at him. “We can’t leave until you’re dressed, Master.”

  Sean knew they had set this up, making him go to Myna to be dressed. Meeting Fiona’s dual-colored eyes, Sean could see acceptance in them. He nodded and went to Myna, watching her eyes dip. Her cheeks turned deep red as she managed to bring her eyes up to meet his.

  “Myna, I’m in your capable hands,” Sean said, his voice calm, even though his stomach was flopping around.

  “Thank you, Master,” Myna said as she knelt to dress him.

  Having her kneeling before him made his mind wander, and a part of him twitched at the thoughts he was having. Thankfully, Myna only dressed him without any teasing or advances. Sean felt very conflicted by her position and demeanor.

  Stepping back once his boots were on, Sean gave her a tight smile. “Good work.” Giving her ears a quick rub, he hoped it was praise enough. “I think I shall retire for the rest of the day.”

  Fiona opened the door. “What would Master have us do?”

  “The shopping that needs to be done,” Sean said. His eyes went to the maid who stood in the hallway with downcast eyes. “What did you need?” he asked the maid, who trembled when she was addressed.

  “I need to get the bathing room prepared for others, sir,” the maid replied timidly, her voice shaking.

  Sean walked past the maid, acting like she wasn’t there. “When you finish with what you can today, report back to me,” he said over his shoulder to Myna and Fiona.

  “Understood, Master.” Myna replied as they trailed after him.

  Back upstairs, Sean had to pause at his door when Fiona stepped around him to open it. “I’ll be waiting for you both to return.”

  Fiona bowed her head. “Do you wish me to send up a drink?”

  “Yes. Some tea, something soothing,” Sean said, entering his room.

  “I’ll have it brought right away,” Fiona said as she shut the door.

  When the door closed behind him, Sean felt his shoulders sag as he finally let the mantle he had been wearing drop away. Taking a moment to look around the room, Sean shrugged at what he saw. A queen-sized bed stood against one wall, a pile of pillows covering one end. A table sat in the middle of the room, with padded chairs pushed in around it. Thick rugs covered wooden floors, and a small stove sat in the far corner. Sean could feel the heat radiating from it.

  Sean felt lost. He had nothing to do for the first time since he came to this world. Both of the people he could talk to were off doing the things that had to be done, and he had nothing to keep him busy. He went to the small glass window and looked down into the middle of the village just in time to see Fiona and Myna exit the inn. A light, timid knock brought him around to face the door.

  Crossing the room, he opened it to find the same maid, shaking, a tea set rattling lightly on the tray she held. “Your tea, sir,” she managed with difficulty.

  Sean stepped aside, not saying anything. He left the door open as he waited for her to leave. The maid set the tray down, then with a fearful glance toward him, set out the cup and saucer. She poured slowly, and set the teapot back down with a clatter. The maid flinched, then stepped back with her head down and waited.

  “That’s enough, leave,” Sean said without inflection.

  “Yes, sir,” the maid said, leaving as quickly as she could without making it obvious that she was running.

  Sean sighed and shut the door behind her. “I
think I’m really beginning to hate nobles, and I haven’t even met one yet,” he muttered as he pulled out a chair and sat down to sample the tea.

  Sipping the rose hip tea, Sean wondered what they should be doing. What purpose did he have for being here, and what should he even look at as a goal? Morrigan had asked him to find a way for the Dannan to come back to the world, but that would mean dealing with the Queens—something Sean didn’t want to do.

  First, we have to get out of this town so I can drop the identity of a noble. After that, we should find a new town, larger than this, something we can melt into and work on our skills. Maybe learn a few more, if that’s possible without tipping our hand too much. That’s a good enough plan for now. Sean sighed, cutting off that train of thought. “I really don’t want to have to wear this mask any longer than necessary,” he muttered out loud.