by M. Gregg Roe
He had also taken his mother’s advice to heart. He now knew a great deal about Rosalind’s family, and she was clearly pleased by his interest. She mostly asked him questions about magic. Her fascination with it was so intense that it threatened to eclipse her love of Sparrow.
Saxloc enjoyed his dates with Rosalind, but increasingly he found himself thinking of Audrey. Especially after the hug and kiss she gave him after telling him the good news about Violet. He wanted to resume his relationship with her, but that meant either breaking up with Rosalind or persuading her that the two of them didn’t need to be exclusive.
Dinner was pleasant, but afterward, he and Audrey were tasked with keeping Ariel occupied while Isadora spoke to her parents. It was a nice evening, so they went out and walked around the grounds together. Ariel was deliriously happy that her parents had given her permission to marry Dayne. That was really all she wanted to talk about.
Eventually, Ariel and her parents left and Audrey went to her cottage. Saxloc then found that Isadora wanted to speak with him, having already had a long talk with Audrey earlier that day. He answered her questions truthfully, knowing that there was no point in trying to lie to her.
“The two of you certainly have a complicated relationship,” she commented. “But it is really Audrey that I am concerned about. She is very confused at the moment. She is not ready for marriage. I will speak to her more about the matter during my return trip.”
“Audrey is going with you?” he asked, surprised.
“Yes, but only as far as Farmerton. She wishes to visit Violet.”
“I should go with her,” he said quickly. He felt like an idiot for not having anticipated it.
“Perhaps, but that is for the two of you to work out. She will be traveling with Ariel and myself, and perhaps Bianca as well. She can return with a caravan.”
After concluding his conversation with Isadora, he went to Audrey’s cottage and offered to accompany her. She refused, but was obviously pleased that he had made the offer.
As Saxloc laid in bed that night, he began to consider how best to break things off with Rosalind. It wouldn’t be soon, especially with Audrey going away, but it had to happen eventually. And he needed to be certain not to hurt Rosalind. She had already been through enough.
24
‡ Seamstress ‡
Stanley’s spare room had a lovely view of the confluence. As she looked out, Aliva could see a Novox ship headed west, presumably to Zardis. She had known that Stanley would probably be on the ferry they took to cross the river to Rohoville, but his offer to stay with him had caught her off guard. She had accepted, still feeling guilty for how she had treated him.
Aliva had once lived in Rohoville, and she had certainly been aware that Stanley was interested in her. But that was hardly unusual. The way that she had dressed and acted back then had attracted romantic attention from both sexes. She had flirted outrageously, but intimacy was out of the question. Her one attempt had led to the death of the young man who took her virginity.
Stanley first arrived at the river confluence as part of an invasion force from Zardis. At that time there had simply been two stone keeps there, one belonging to Danj and Sabrina, and the other to Adrian and Asria. Stanley had been a Priest of Karth, charged with controlling undead creatures, but he was an unwilling participant. When captured, he had promptly asked if he could remain. He had ceased his clerical studies, earned the trust of his captors, and been the prime mover as far as constructing ferries to connect what had become the city of Rohoville to the opposite shores. He had gone from a captured enemy to a respected citizen and businessman.
Aliva had never felt any real attraction to Stanley back then. He was lanky, with short brown hair, dull blue eyes, large ears, and a face that made him look like he was always somewhat surprised. She had treated his interest in her with derision. She could have any man she wanted, so why would she want someone like him? That was how shallow and immature she had been. Now she saw Stanley for who he was—not handsome, but good and kind. A genuinely nice person who cared for her not as a sex object, but as a person. That it had taken her so long to notice shamed her.
The room that Stanley had given her was very nice. It had a comfortable bed, a large wardrobe, and even a desk. There was even an adjacent bathroom that she had already made use of to wash up.
“Good morning, Stanley,” Aliva called out as she entered the kitchen.
“Good morning, Aliva. Breakfast will be ready soon. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. Very well.” It was the first bed she had slept in for days.
“I’m heading to work after breakfast. You can help yourself to anything here.”
She watched as he began to plate their food. It both looked and smelled appetizing. “Thank you, Stanley. I’m going to visit the temples and look around. I haven’t visited here in a while. The city is really growing.”
“It is,” he agreed as he carried over their plates. She helped by carrying over the cups of tea. “Are you sure you don’t need some money?” he asked her.
“No, I’m fine.” That was a lie. She was also going to be looking for a job while she was out.
She had been frank with Stanley the previous evening, telling him of her inability to control her urges. He was undeterred, willing to wait and offering to help in any way he could. She felt her attraction for him growing, but also her fear of what she might do to him. She was sated for the moment, but it was only a matter of time.
♦ ♦ ♦
Valwyn poked her head in the door of Branwyn’s office and announced, “Demon to see you.”
“What kind of demon?” she asked, maintaining a serious expression. “You have studied the different types.”
Valwyn looked briefly baffled before declaring, “I can’t tell because she has taken human form.”
“Just send her in,” Branwyn ordered, knowing who it had to be.
“Yes, oh mighty priestess,” said Valwyn with an amused expression.
Branwyn shook her head, wondering if her daughter had been asleep when Aliva showed up. Aliva soon appeared and, as Branwyn had heard, was dressed conservatively.
“Hello, Branwyn,” she said, sounding tentative.
“It is nice to see you, Aliva.” Branwyn gestured for her to sit down. “I heard that you were at Siljan’s temple.”
“Yes.” She looked off to the side. “I had to leave. I was having … control problems.”
“As in controlling your succubus half?” asked Branwyn and Aliva promptly nodded. “I am sorry to hear that.”
Aliva launched into a brief summary of her time at the temple, including killing Morton and her going-away present. And attacking Siljan, which was a definite surprise. She concluded by saying, “I’m going to speak with Asria too, but they told me she’s at the castle this morning.”
Branwyn wasn’t surprised. Asria loved to control things and take charge. She spent a great deal of time advising Sabrina on how to rule the city. She also had twice the number of acolytes that Branwyn did, so she didn’t need to spend as much time at her temple.
“Do you have any suggestions?” asked Aliva.
“No. The approach that you mentioned—having sex with men already slated to be executed—sounds reasonable, but I’m not sure how many you will be able to find.” She also suspected that Danj would never agree to such a thing, even if Aliva was the daughter of one of his oldest friends. Danj preferred to try to reform his prisoners, not that he was any good at it. “I’ll mention it to my husband,” she added. Milric might be able to persuade Danj, especially if Sabrina could be convinced.
“Thank you,” said Aliva with a slight smile. “I’ll also ask in the Witch’s City when I go there.”
“When are you going? And where are you staying here?”
“I’m not sure when I’m going. I’m staying with Stanley.”
“That sounds dangerous for him.”
“I’m staying in his spare room. Right now, I
feel in control.”
“And what are you going to do if you feel like you are losing control?” asked Branwyn, suddenly concerned.
Aliva looked off to the side again. “Leave, I guess. Go somewhere where there aren’t people around. I might even go back to Kaldir with my father.”
It was remarkable to hear just how far Aliva was willing to go to avoid hurting innocents. “I hope it doesn’t come to that. You mentioned that your father will be visiting. Maybe he will have some ideas.”
“I hope so. I plan to be living in the Witch’s City by the time he comes for his visit.”
“Bring him by if you get a chance. I haven’t seen Albert in quite a while.”
“Okay, I’ll do that.”
“Aliva, how long is your lifespan? You look about eighteen, but I know that you are older.” It was something that she had been wondering, but the look on Aliva’s face caused her to instantly regret having asked the question.
“About two centuries, I think.” She was on the verge of tears as she added, “I’m going to outlive everyone I know.”
Branwyn felt sympathetic. As a half-elf, she was certain to outlive her human husband and likely to also outlive their daughter. It made her sad sometimes, but that was simply the way things were. “I think it’s too early to be worrying about that,” she advised with a friendly smile.
“That’s true. If I can’t learn control, I’ll probably be hunted down and killed.”
“That’s not what I meant. You’re strong. You will get through this.”
“I hope so.” But her expression belied her words.
“Aliva, you are welcome to speak with me anytime you feel the need. Here or at my house.”
“Thank you, Branwyn. I will.”
“You’re welcome. Take care.”
“You too.”
Branwyn watched as Aliva left her office still looking sad. Despite what she had told her, she wasn’t certain that Aliva could ever really tame her succubus half. It was simply part of who she was.
♦ ♦ ♦
The tall half-elf tilted her head and asked, “You’re looking for a job?”
“Yes,” Aliva replied. “I’m a skilled seamstress. I brought along a couple of dresses I made for myself.”
The owner of A-Dora-ble Dresses frowned. “I could use someone to sew custom dresses. I’m kind of behind,” she admitted with an embarrassed look. “Let me see what you brought.”
Aliva pulled the two dresses out of her satchel and placed them on the desk on top of some of the papers because there wasn’t a clear spot. Dora picked up the purple one and held it up before examining the seams carefully. “This is very good work,” she remarked before picking up the red-and-white one. “What happened to this dress? It’s been expertly repaired, but I can see that it was damaged.”
“Yes, there was … an accident.” She was just glad all of the blood stains had come out.
“Hmm. Okay. I’m interested in hiring you. I’ve got a new dress design that’s popular and I could use some help.”
Aliva had noticed dresses in the shop with a design that had been described to her. “Your design?” she asked, trying not to show her suspicion.
Dora shook her head as she held up the red-and-white dress again and then laid it on the desk. “No. Well, partly. Someone I know sketched it for me and I made a few changes. But I haven’t seen her since and I don’t know where she lives, other than that it’s in the Witch’s City.”
“Is her name Audrey?” Aliva asked.
“Yes!” exclaimed Dora. “Do you know her? I’ve been putting aside money for her for each dress I sell.”
“I do know her. I can tell you where she lives.”
“Good. I should probably take the money to her. Or at least write her. But I’m too busy right now.”
A thought suddenly came to Aliva. “Audrey will probably be going to visit her home village soon. A friend of hers there just had a baby. She will have to pass through here.” She could ask Stanley to watch for her.
Dora tilted her head as she thought about it. “Okay. I’ll try to catch her then. That’ll save me a trip.” Dora pointed to the red-and-white dress. “Does that really fit you?”
“Yes.”
“Put it on.” Dora gestured at the other end of the room they were in. “You can change over there.”
Aliva went and did as Dora asked. She donned the dress and unbound her hair, finishing by walking up to Dora’s desk and twirling completely around. Dora was wide-eyed as she said, “You are ridiculously …”
“Voluptuous? Busty? Curvy?”
“Yes. All that. And beautiful.”
“That’s because I’m not human. I’m half succubus.”
“I’m not human either,” said Dora, pointing at her pointed ears. “What’s a succubus?”
“It’s a type of demon.”
Dora frowned. “That sounds bad. Is this some kind of joke? You look human.”
“Yes, but I’m not. You can ask people here about me if you like. I lived with Adrian and Asria when I first came here. I also know Branwyn and Milric.”
“I suppose you know the King and Queen too,” scoffed Dora as she crossed her arms and frowned.
“Yes. My father is an old friend of theirs.”
Dora sighed and shook her head. “I am going to ask someone about you. But if you check out, then you can start tomorrow afternoon. It will be half days at first.”
Aliva smiled broadly. “Thank you, Dora. I’m going to change now.”
“And I’m going back out into the shop. If I see you naked again, I may give up men.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Petra opened the door and was surprised to see Dora standing outside looking nervous. “Hello … um … is your mother home?”
She’s obviously forgotten my name. “Branwyn’s not my mother; I just live here. She went for a walk with her husband and daughter. I’m Petra. Is my dress ready?”
“Um … no,” Dora replied sheepishly. “I’m behind. In fact, I’m thinking about hiring an assistant. I wanted to ask Priestess Branwyn about her because she claims to be part demon. Can I come in and wait?”
“Yes.” Petra ushered Dora inside and to the sitting room. She knew exactly who Dora was thinking of hiring, and she wasn’t happy about it. “It’s Aliva, isn’t it?” she asked as soon as the two of them were seated.
“Yes. Do you know her?”
“Not really, but I know about her.” Petra had only seen her once, during the incident that had led to her being sent off to Rohoville.
“Is she really part demon?” The woman looked genuinely concerned.
“Yes. She’s half succubus and half human.”
“What’s a succubus?” asked Dora as she tilted her head.
Petra had read a book about demons, and she proceeded to tell Dora exactly what a succubus was, emphasizing the really bad parts.
“I can’t hire someone like that,” said Dora, clearly disconcerted. “She might attack me. Or one of my customers. It’s too bad because she’s really good and I could use the help.”
Petra suddenly realized that it was not the time to be taking revenge on Aliva. I need that dress for my trip to the Witch’s City to see Gabriel. And Branwyn will be furious with me if she finds out, which she probably will.
“Aliva wouldn’t do that,” said Petra desperately. “She’s not evil.”
“I don’t know,” said Dora as she frowned deeply. “She claimed to know a lot of important people too.”
“She does,” said Petra, desperate to undo the damage she had caused. “She knows Branwyn and her family. Her father is a good friend of Danj and Sabrina.”
Dora still looked uncertain. “I think I need to talk to Aliva’s father. Where does he live?”
“Far away. Outside of Andoran’s Realm.” Petra was sporting what she hoped was a convincing smile. She was aware that many people believed that Andoran’s Realm was the entire world.
“That’s ridiculo
us!” exclaimed Dora as she stood. “I’m leaving.”
“No!” Petra sprang to her feet. “Please wait until Branwyn gets back. Please.”
Dora hesitated a long while before sitting back down. “Okay, I’ll wait. So what’s your story? Why are you here?”
Petra sat down and smiled as she thought furiously. My story is completely unbelievable. Nearly as much as Aliva’s. But I don’t dare lie now. “My mother lives in Hard Rock City. My father lives in the Witch’s City. I was sent to live here by my cousin, High Witch Ermizad.”
“What?!”
Fortunately for Petra, Branwyn and the others arrived home before Dora reached the door.
♦ ♦ ♦
Aliva stood up as soon as Stanley walked in the front door. She smiled and said, “Welcome home. How was your day?”
“Uneventful. One southern crossing and no northern ones. That’s often how it is.”
“Good.” She had thought about trying to fix dinner for him, but she had never been any good at cooking. “I interviewed for a job today. At A-Dora-ble Dresses.”
“I’ve been by it. It looks kind of haphazard inside.”
“That’s because Dora is kind of haphazard,” she explained. “But she’s a good seamstress and designer. I just hope I didn’t scare her off by telling her what I am.”
“I will be happy to tell her that you are no danger,” he offered. “How does baked trout sound for dinner?”
“Uh … fine. After dinner, would you like to kiss? I want to practice.” Even then she would have to be careful, but she wanted to do something to repay his kindness.
“I would very much like to kiss you,” he said, smiling tenderly. “Just don’t drain too much of my energy. I have work tomorrow.”
“I won’t. I hope to have work too.”