by Joe Kuster
Abby winced. “It was not so severe. It was a position zat held social standing. Not quite of a wife, but close, and typically only to service one man or perhaps his wives as well. Zat is what I thought ze madam offered. Zat she was a matchmaker of sorts, but… no. She was most upset with me when I refused what was asked. I was willing, but not for… I find I lack the proper words. I shall continue learning as time permits; zis is infuriating.”
“You’re doing well with your books. I can already tell the difference,” TJ said.
Abby gave a warm smile. “You are most kind. I knew some of zis language before. Mostly songs, but I had not spoken it before I arrived. My schooling was quite diverse, but I have yet to find ze words. Perhaps none exists.”
Rachel guessed. “Was your intended position something to do with social standing? Or wealth?”
Abby nodded. “To be with a… higher-class man is considered highly desirable in my realm. I would be treated well and given much. It would also ensure zat my family was well taken care of. I’ve learned to sing and dance. To play instruments. To ensure my benefactor is well taken care of and find my company enjoyable. Zis is ze way of my world. I want to do zees things, but not the way ze Madam wishes. So, I must venture out and find my own way.”
“I, uh, just had a terrifying thought. That’s not all that different from where I came from, to be honest, just more upscale. It’s close enough that I’m wondering if the same beings put your realm together. They might have multiple worlds as vacation destinations or live in when they aren’t on their divine quests. Then there’s the fact you didn’t freak about me having wings. I hate to ask, but is there anything you can tell me about them?” TJ asked.
Abby frowned, then held her hands in the air as though unsure what to do. “I can discuss what my role was to be, but not ze ones we were to be with. Any family with so many children was to provide an offering to those of status. I hadn’t considered it unusual until I came here. I cannot even hint of those in power. I sense zat if you guessed correctly, I would be harmed severely.”
“Ah, sorry, Abby. I’ll quit trying to guess. However, I’m not from your realm, and you didn’t hesitate when you met me,” TJ said.
Abby gave a warm laugh. “You were wearing enough gold to buy ze village. Zat and my…” she briefly rolled her eyes as the geas kicked in. She frowned for a moment, pondering her words, then continued. “Something important woke within me ze moment you arrived in ze inn and pulled me out of bed. Zat meant you were likely ze man I was searching for. Besides, I do find you rather attractive. I’ve been alone for a long time, but it still took all my courage. I am glad to say zat I do not regret my boldness.”
“What if we extended an invitation of companionship? Something like what you wanted? What you described isn’t far from ladies in waiting, handmaidens for nobility, or perhaps even a kept mistress. It isn’t unheard of here, and TJ will need to establish his own house name. That and his oaths are going to need a lot of upkeep,” Rachel said.
Abby gave Rachel a pensive look. “I must ask. Why do you not fulfill his commitments? You certainly seem as though you are pursuing him, and he, you.”
Rachel sighed. “It’s not that I wouldn’t, or that I don’t want to, but… any nobility getting married has to stand before a truthseer. While some have a high enough station to get away with it, any relationship that isn’t documented and sanctified will harm my family’s standing. I’m the first generation born into my line, and we’re only a small step from the citizenry. I’m also their only child. It wouldn’t take much for the House of Blackstone to be removed entirely.”
Abby blinked, confused. “So, no sex? Not even with women?”
Seeing Rachel’s cheeks turn bright pink, TJ offered, “That’s probably not a polite question.”
“I see your point. Yes, I would gladly accept such an offer if ze terms were like what I would expect in my realm. I rather enjoy TJ’s company, and your own for zat matter,” Abby said to Rachel, giving her a warm smile.
TJ asked, “We’ll be traveling for some time. It may not be a glamorous life until we get settled. If you take a bigger oath with me, we won’t be able to separate for a while. Serina implied distance would be a problem if Rachel and I were apart until the bond solidified.”
Abby shrugged. “I should learn about my new home, and my place would be beside you. Zis is not a problem. I am not afraid to learn ze ways of combat, but it may take some time before I could be useful in such a manner. While I have no martial skills, I am not against helping in other ways.”
Rachel said, “You said you sing. Any chance we could hear something from your homeland?”
Abby bowed her head and moved to stand behind the campfire. She brushed her long wavy red hair back and cupped her hands to her chest. Her green eyes sparkled as she broke into a haunting melody. The words were foreign, but it didn’t matter. Abby sang from the soul, and the emotions flooded through. All around them, the birds quit chirping and the insects quieted, as though to listen in. Time itself seemed to stand still as she continued through her aria.
When she finally came to a close, TJ let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. Rachel wiped away unshed tears.
Rachel said, “That was beautiful. Haunting but beautiful.”
Blowing out a long deep breath, TJ said, “You’d have made an amazing bard in my realm. That was… amazing.”
Abby blushed. “What is a bard? I’ve heard you use zat term before.”
“Oh, someone who can sing or play instruments really well. If they can earn a spark of magic, they can turn it into…” TJ tapered off.
TJ and Rachel exchanged a glance.
“We’ve got a bard!” they said in unison.
Chapter 19
“Alright, I think these two will work,” TJ said, as he handed back the piece of paper.
He’d painstakingly written out the first two songs he’d learned. At this point, they were permanently etched into his brain after spending months trying to master them. He hadn’t admitted as much, but he’d found himself having to stomp on the jealous pangs he was getting. His life would have been very different if he’d had one-tenth of Abby’s talent.
Rachel replied, “I’d rather have help on the front line, but I’m not going to turn down someone running support and a bit of magical damage.”
“Yeah, but assuming I haven’t forgotten everything, I already know dozens of the spells. Some of those should be useful. They take forever to write out, but I never could do anything with them,” he said.
Rachel smirked. “So, a terrible dancer and a terrible musician. Good thing you’re handsome.”
He gave her a roll of his eyes. “Can’t even tap my toes in time to a beat. At least I can write music just fine, including the magic bits. I always knew enough theory that they’d keep me around, but was bad enough that they banned me from recitals. I kept trying for four years until they kicked me out.”
Rachel grinned. “Those who can’t do, teach.”
TJ didn’t comment as he turned to Abby. “And you’re sure of this? I don’t think Serina will mind, but I doubt she’ll let you out of this lightly. Once the deal is struck, it might be permanent.”
Abby gave a quick nod of her head, practically bouncing in place. “Yes. If zis gives me a place at your side, zen it will be worth it. Also, much as Mistress Rachel wished to avoid Timarat’s touch, I have similar concerns.”
TJ groaned. “I really hope I’m not setting up another divine conflict. Timarat is already making things difficult.”
“My… well, I cannot speak of those zat were in power or ze god zey served, but neither appears to hold sway over zis world. However, unless I have another to pledge to, my afterlife will not be kind. I know zis for a fact. Zey do not care much for me after… something I said,” Abby explained.
Rubbing at his temples, he complained, “Are all the divine assholes? Because that’s what I’m seeing.”
The women gave a mu
tual shrug.
“Ugh. Ok, so I get why Serina hates her family,” TJ grumped. “Alright, well, let’s see if we can make you a bard. It won’t work if Serina disagrees.”
Abby straightened and spoke to the sky, “I, Abigail Dartooth, do pledge my soul to Lady Serina’s care, through her representative in zis realm, TJ. In exchange, I ask for ze power necessary to dedicate my life toward zat end through my service to her divine warlock. I also ask for her care, guidance, and a chance to support and further her goals. On zis, I swear my life and soul.”
An astounding pressure slammed into TJ. Straining to remain upright, he was hammered by a golden tendril. It felt like he was breathing maple syrup as he opened himself to her oath. Wrapping tight around him, it anchored into his essence.
A brilliant glow surrounded the campsite as TJ’s mind fell into darkness.
He woke to a hand gently patting his cheek.
“Mhuhm? Mhm bhuah?” he mumbled out.
“Sorry, dear heart. It seems the bond caused you and Abby to faint,” Rachel said. “How are you feeling?”
TJ’s mind swam, but a quick look inside showed his magic doing a happy dance. It was somewhere between a drunken cha-cha and a move that looked like it was suggestively riding a horse.
Rubbing at his eyes, he complained, “Did anyone get his name?”
“Whose name, dear?” Rachel asked.
“The name of that centaur that just fucked my brain out without buying me dinner first,” he complained while rubbing at his aching head.
Laughing, Rachel helped him sit upright. She started tidying his hair, then kissed his forehead.
“How’s Abby?” he asked.
Rachel beamed. “She recovered faster than you and is practicing your song. Just look up.”
TJ looked up to the even gray clouds and saw a dazzling display of brilliant greens, blues, and reds.
He sighed, “Go figure. I spent months trying to master that.”
“I believe she’ll be trying to coax as many of those spells out of you as possible,” Rachel said.
TJ replied, “I mean, she’s sworn to us. No reason not to give her as many as she can memorize. Now I just wish I knew more of the advanced ones. Although, I think there are probably songbooks out there to be purchased.”
“True,” Rachel said through a yawn. She glanced over to where two tents had been set up. “Sorry, TJ, but I think I need to sleep. You should get some rest too. Morning comes early. Faith offered to guard over us.”
Nodding, he said, “Sure. I just want to watch Abby practice for a bit, then I’ll turn in.”
Rachel gave him a gentle kiss, then retreated to the folds of her simple canvas tent. After a bit of rummaging, he heard her strip down and settle into her bedroll.
Overhead, the light show continued.
Looking inward, he followed the new bindings and could feel Abby over the crest of the nearby hill. She was drawing heavily on her reserves as she let loose another torrent of brilliant light. His magic roamed through her body. Not changing anything, but merely pushing his presence.
As he played over her flesh, he found very little that he could offer to improve. She was already perfectly healthy, to a suspicious degree.
She lacked the usual scars or imperfections one could expect. There wasn’t a stray mole, stretch mark, or ingrown hair on her body. Now that he looked closer, it all spoke of magic. He couldn’t find anything as evident as when Gerald had healed Rachel’s forehead, but he felt there was something other than good breeding at work.
As he pondered that, he spotted a subtle enchantment woven into her. It was tight and compact and rested on the tip of her tongue. He mentally poked at it, but it didn’t seem harmful. In fact, it appeared to be a powerful blessing of some sort. He’d had Serina lay enough of those on his body to understand the feel of it. From what he could gather, it was incredibly potent.
Moments later, he heard soft footsteps as Abby returned to camp.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to stop you. I was just checking our new connection,” TJ said.
With rapid steps, she bounded her way through the campsite and pounced upon his lap.
She replied, “I felt your pull and realized it was getting late.”
She adjusted her gray traveling skirt with a mischievous grin as she pinned him to the log, pressing her chest into his and straddling him with her knees.
As he gazed longingly into her emerald eyes, his mouth went dry, and he suddenly felt nervous. She was simply too beautiful. Now that he’d explored her with his magic, he felt like he knew her far more intimately than what mere sex had provided. Not only that, but she’d just bonded to him. Bonded for life. Her very soul was connected to his. He could feel it, warm and soft.
He was also more than a little uneasy about the enchantment she carried. Now that he knew what to look for, he could sense her words tinted by it. As though it were helping her say the right thing. He knew Serina wouldn’t let her harm him, but manipulation was another story. There was certainly something of that nature at work, but the more he studied it, the more it seemed that she was the target, rather than anyone else.
His anxiety settled as he caressed their bond. Her soul radiated warmth and caring that he hadn’t expected. This hadn’t been a transaction. It wasn’t a role or act. She’d surrendered wholly and utterly to him, sworn to be his forever, and couldn’t be happier about it.
He didn’t think he’d have had the same courage. What he’d done with Serina had been an act of desperation. If he’d had time to think it over and without the risk of dying, he wasn’t sure he’d have made the same decision.
She stared into his golden eyes, waiting on him to speak, but he couldn’t find his words. TJ started to open his mouth to fumble out an apology but was cut off as Abby pressed her finger to his lips.
“I need you to do something. Tell me zis is a token from you. Please. It would mean so much,” she whispered.
He tensed up, hesitating, then put his concerns aside. If she had traditions from her home realm, he didn’t have a problem doing his part. Looking into her unbelievably happy face, there was no way he could do anything other than say yes.
“Our bond and your new magic are tokens to show how I feel for you. May they bring you a lifetime of joy.” He then pressed his lips to hers.
As she twined her arms tight around him, there was a pink flare of unknown magic around them, and the blessing disappeared entirely. It was there one moment, then gone the next. She gave a happy tremble as it reverberated through her being. Even her soul shivered from the impact. He traced the bonds and her body, but nothing else seemed to have changed.
Smiling broadly, she pulled back and began to sing the other song he’d prepared for her. His eyes got wide as he realized she’d targeted him with it. She grinned as she continued with the soft words.
He felt himself getting lighter and his mind hazy. He no longer had any troubles in the world. The gentle melody came to a close, and his head swayed side to side.
“TJ, place your hand on your head,” she said.
Unable to resist, he pulled his right hand free and placed it on his blond hair.
She leaned forward, letting her full lips brush against his cheek. “Now, open my blouse.”
He reached forward and began fussing with the buttons. His fingers felt a bit stupid, but he worked from her neckline past her generous breasts and down to her narrow waist. Pausing once the buttons were undone, she lifted his hands and placed them on her chest, letting him cup the soft skin of her ample breasts. She leaned into him and kissed him.
Voice barely above a whimper, she said, “Pinch my nipples, just a bit.”
His hands moved of their own accord, and she gave a whine of approval and began lightly biting into his neck. Her breathing sped up and she ground into him as she began to get worked up. She reached into his robes and ran her fingers down the defined muscle of his chest. She leaned into him, running her tongue across his flesh as he
continued to tease her breasts.
Blowing out a sharp breath, she regained her control and pulled back. She gave him a wicked grin, then let the charm spell lapse.
He sucked in a sharp breath as his freewill was restored. He remembered every bit of it. He’d known she’d enspelled him, but he hadn’t been able to fight it. He glanced down and cleared his throat as he pulled his hands back. She gave a soft sigh as he released her flesh.
“I, uh, didn’t think you’d use that on me,” he said as he blinked away the last of the confusion.
She blushed. “I needed to know if it worked.”
“Uh-huh. It worked just fine,” TJ admitted as he cleared his throat. He was left feeling downright vulnerable from what she’d done. She could have done much, much worse to him. “We usually had others stand on one foot and cluck like a chicken in class.”
She whispered, “I will not abuse your trust. Your token is amazing. Zank you, TJ.”
“I, uh, didn’t do anything. I just accepted your pledge, and Serina accepted it,” TJ explained.
Abby shook her head. “No. She would not have taken my vow if you hadn’t requested it. Her whispers admitted as much. She recommended I offer it to you directly if I wished to express gratitude to anyone. Repeatedly. I find zat I have much to be zankful for. Zis power feels incredible.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it. And… this is what you want? Traveling with us and linked to me? You don’t want to go off on your own? I know it says life bound on the cover, but I might be able to wiggle you out and make sure Serina would still care for your soul. Is that something you’d want me to check on?” he asked.
She gave him a coy smile and shook her head, causing her curls of long red hair to bounce across her bared chest. “I’ve been looking for my… home, for a lot longer zan you’d guess. I know what I feel. I want zis, more zan I’ve wanted anything. It feels… right. Like I’ve always been missing something, and now I have it: my magic, you, and Rachel. I’m home. It’s not a home of wood or stone, but I am home nonetheless.”
“Then I suppose I should welcome you properly.” TJ glided his fingertips down her elegant neck and traced his lips across her pale flesh until he was positioned to begin sucking just under her ear lobe. She gave a soft squeal of delight.