“Do you have any idea of what a harem would even entail?” Evelyn asked after a few moments, looking between the two carefully. “As opposed to just being occasional bed partners?”
“Um, what?” Moon asked, blinking several times.
“May I ask what you mean?” Star asked, frowning a little.
“Joining a harem has certain other assumptions, ones that I don’t think you’d expect. It’s part of why I was… uneasy with the idea of it to begin with,” Evelyn said, wrinkling her nose. “Fya loves making me uncomfortable, I swear. At least Zel knew exactly what she was getting into, but the rest of you… if any of you want to, I’m curious if you understand the full extent of what it entails.”
“I… suspect we don’t. Would you mind explaining?” Moon asked, looking at her sister in concern.
Evelyn sighed and straightened, debating on standing up for a couple of seconds, then banished the idea, as she put her thoughts in order. If she was going to address the subject, she wanted to take care of it properly.
“Very well, let’s start with an overview of my view of things. First off, you’ve joined me in bed for a bit of fun, and that was what it was. No expectations from me or you of anything more than an enjoyable night together. Simple, wholesome, and without any danger other than the possibility someone falling in love with someone else, and no obligations, either,” Evelyn said, pausing to make certain they understood, and was amused at how their cheeks reddened. If that was enough to embarrass them, she didn’t want to think about the rest of the conversation. “Beyond that there’s lovers, where it’s closer to a committed relationship, but any limitations would be based on what we decided after that. I’m honestly not certain that’s the right thing to focus on, though, as next we have harems.
“The harem, at least as explained by Fya, whose definition is the one that matters, is a set of lovers that ‘belong’ to a single person, though I find that a bit distasteful,” Evelyn explained, not liking the term at all. “They might be able to bed one another, but there’s an obligation to not sleep with anyone else. That puts a great number of limitations on members, and from what she’s said, there are often people who put guards around their harems. Personally, it isn’t something that I would hold someone to, as that feels far too much like indentured servitude of some variety, but that’s what I’ve come to understand about them. If you’re joining the harem, there’s a host of spoken and unspoken obligations and limitations that would be placed upon you. You’d have to ask Fya about details, but that’s why I was asking if you were sure that’s something you want.”
“I… had no idea,” Star murmured, blushing furiously. “Really, people guard their harems where she’s from?”
“Something like that, at least. And she’s muttered something about eunuchs before, which I really don’t want to think about,” Evelyn said firmly.
“Oh. Oh dear… I think I remember hearing about something like this in history classes…” Moon said, her cheeks almost bright enough to be used as landing beacons. “Um, that doesn’t answer our question, though. If you want something like that.”
Evelyn paused again, letting out a soft sigh as she sat back in her chair, looking between the two women for a few seconds, then shrugged.
“I don’t mind the idea, but it isn’t something that I’m… looking for, if that makes any sense,” Evelyn replied, trying to keep her tone even, instead of feeling a tiny bit annoyed by the question. It wasn’t as though she’d put a lot of thought into it before. “The issue is that in a lot of ways it doesn’t matter if I like the idea or not. It’s a lifestyle that you would be choosing. Your life, your choice… just as it’s my choice whether I wish to sleep with anyone who joins it on Fya’s urging. I think that my desires matter at least that much. However, as to whether I like the two of you…”
Evelyn let her voice trail off, examining them briefly, and her annoyance faded slightly as she inclined her head, smiling a little as she shrugged. “I enjoyed the night we had together. It was pleasant, and the two of you have been good company. Not perfect, but what is? Beyond that, I couldn’t tell you for certain. I’d ask that you not expect more out of me, either. I don’t know what else I can give, not in the long term. I am who I am, no more and no less.”
Star’s expression had gone through a series of ups and downs over the course of the explanation. Dismay had appeared first, then hope and happiness, followed by confusion and a hint of worry. Moon, on the other hand, was far more focused throughout the explanation, watching Evelyn closely, and toward the end her expression eased a little as she nodded.
“I think I get it. You wouldn’t mind our company in bed, but… you don’t like being tied down, and that’s part of why you don’t want to tie us down,” Moon said, her words coming a little more slowly this time. “Is that right?”
“Mm, approximately, yes. It isn’t like there’s much else to say, and there’s the other part which you haven’t mentioned,” Evelyn said, smiling at her.
“What’s that?” Star asked, glancing at her sister in confusion.
“My position,” Evelyn said simply. “I saved you, I employed you, I brought you aboard my ship, and I’ve given you a lot of money. If I pressure you at all, there will always be that part of me that wonders if the pair of you did it because you wanted to, or if you felt you had to. That’s why I’m not going to tell you what to do. It wouldn’t be right, and it would be a… an unfair thing to do. Choose what you want. I will accept it.”
With that said, she stood up, continuing, “Now, I’m going to leave. You need to figure things out for yourself.”
“Oh! Well, alright. Thank you,” Moon said, her cheeks coloring, and she looked at Star, who stood quickly.
“Thank you for your honesty. You gave us something to think about,” Star said, clearing her throat. “How much time do we have?”
“Well… unless we agree to renew your contract in a year and eleven months, I’d say about that long,” Evelyn told her dryly, and waved as she walked out of the observatory.
While it was a shame not to have the chance to view their entrance into astral from the room, she thought they needed a chance to sort their feelings out. Evelyn wasn’t going to do it for them, that was for certain. If she did, she might get dragged into other situations she was poorly suited for, and that was the last thing she wanted. She’d rather be stuck in Fya’s frilly dresses for a year than end up a matchmaker, and she shivered at that thought.
Now she needed to see if there was anything tasty to eat, and to figure out exactly what Fya had done with her favorite sheets. They’d gone missing during the move to Djinn’s Gift, which was incredibly annoying.
Chapter 41
A day passed, then two. For a little while Evelyn hoped that perhaps the twins had decided to abandon the idea of taking Fya’s offer, which would hopefully take the wind out of the djinn’s sails, but she didn’t have much faith in that. No, if anything it would likely make Fya even more determined, but Evelyn wasn’t going to say a word. That might make matters worse.
A slightly more interesting subject of things was something Evelyn hadn’t really noticed before they departed. While she was used to Zelirana following Vaneryth around like something of a predatory shadow, now that she wasn’t dealing with getting the ship underway, she noticed what the succubus was up to.
Every time that Vaneryth needed help with something, Zelirana would quickly offer her assistance, or she’d ask for the angel’s help with something simple and innocuous, or even would save her some food that she knew the angel liked. Bit by bit, Evelyn could see Vaneryth’s guard coming down, and she was both intrigued and concerned about it. While she’d already had to take steps to ensure that neither of them went about preaching or corrupting people while on the station, she wasn’t sure she could trust them with one another… particularly if Zelirana decided that her position had changed since shortly after the rescue and wasn’t keeping Evelyn’s warnings in mind.
So, on the second day after they’d left Nald behind, Evelyn sent a summons to the succubus while she was working in the armory. The room was designed to allow someone to have weapons and armor for a crew of up to a hundred and twenty people, which pleased her. It made it so she only had to squeeze things a little to fit everything in, as whoever had designed the room hadn’t accounted for some of her larger weapons. Fortunately, she had some racks that could be secured in place to ensure that the solar cannon didn’t go flying across the room if they were hit hard.
“You called, Evelyn?” Zelirana asked, poking her head in, then paused as she saw what Evelyn was doing.
Evelyn looked up from the suit of armor she was adjusting, and smiled at her, nodding as she spoke. “I did. For two reasons, the first of which is right here. You need armor of your own if you’re going to be aboard the ship. Yes, succubi are naturally extremely durable, but even you need to breathe, and I think keeping weapons from testing that durability is important. Or to keep someone from dousing you in holy water, for that matter.”
“I… hadn’t thought about that, but you’re not wrong,” Zelirana replied, a smile playing across her lips as she approached, looking at the suit as her eyebrows rose. “I’m surprised. I thought you’d be tempted by heavier armor, in that case, not a suit so… form-fitting. Though it would mean eliminating my wings and tail while I have it on.”
The suit was primarily a metallic green with gold accents, and Evelyn thought it’d look good on the succubus, even if the colors didn’t quite match her eyes or hair. Fortunately, black went with almost everything. She wasn’t wrong about it being form-fitting, Evelyn admitted. The shield generator and other accessories were subdued, but that was on purpose.
“Yes, but I think this is well worth the shapeshifting.” Evelyn told her, glancing at the suit as she added. “Trying to protect a tail is difficult, and wings are nigh-impossible. As for why it’s not heavier… you’re a succubus. If you weren’t flaunting your figure, you’d feel like you were doing something wrong. No?”
“That’s true,” Zelirana agreed, grinning back at her. “I’d be happy to try it on and test it out, if that’s what you’d like.”
“I would.” Evelyn said, looking back at her as her smile faded. “The other question I had, is what you think you’re doing with Vaneryth.”
Zelirana blinked a couple of times, then frowned as she spoke cautiously. “I… am not entirely certain why you’re asking. I haven’t broken any of the rules, I haven’t touched her without her permission and I haven’t used my magic on her. I’m trying to gain her trust and to seduce her. I think it’s going rather well, as a matter of fact.”
“Mm, good. I was afraid you might have forgotten the rules I laid down,” Evelyn said, relaxing slightly more as she straightened, rolling her shoulders. “As for seducing her, why?”
“Why? Why not seduce her?” Zelirana asked, blinking in confusion. “She’s an angel, and she was trying to kill me. There’s not much that’s more satisfying than seducing a former enemy, in my opinion, and if she gives in… mm, that’ll be lovely. It’d also be a nice boost to my strength, since that sort of corruption of an angel is one of the most… exquisite things for a demon like myself. It’s up there with priestesses.”
Evelyn paused, looking at her with a frown, concern washing over her. “Seducing her will make you stronger? Why?”
“Angels and the like can be given power, but they also gain strength through inspiring others to acts of faith,” Zelirana explained with a smile. “Conversely, demons like myself gain power via faith in us, certainly, much like angels, but instead of through inspiration, it’s due to convincing others to indulge in our favored… vice, I suppose. And those whose beliefs are different enough from our own give better results.”
“Oh,” Evelyn said, reaching up to rub the bridge of her nose. She briefly flirted with the idea of forbidding the succubus from doing that, but quickly decided it wasn’t her business. It explained the situation, of course, but most likely Vaneryth knew as well as Zelirana did what she had to be up to. And that being the case… she sighed, then spoke firmly. “Only mundane means, and you aren’t to harm her, is that clear? And no complaining if she convinces you to pick up prayers or something similar.”
“If I pray to anything, it’s going to be that pretty face of hers,” Zelirana muttered, smiling broadly as she admitted. “In any case, this is a better opportunity than I could have had either way. Managing to seduce someone so that they’re a completely willing participant is more effective, anyway. I promise, I’ll try not to hurt her.”
“Good,” Evelyn said, letting out a soft sigh, then nodded to the armor. “Now, let’s get this adjusted to fit you properly. No armor is perfect right off the rack, so I know some things need to be adjusted, and you’ll need to link your implants to it.”
“Yes, Evelyn,” Zelirana agreed, her smile broad as she looked at Evelyn curiously, then asked. “I don’t suppose you’re free tonight?”
“Fya wants a night with me, so… discuss it with her,” Evelyn replied, rolling her eyes, then gestured the succubus forward. “Now move.”
The succubus did so, but Evelyn suspected half the reason was because she wanted to get naked. Not that it did her much good in this case.
Chapter 42
“Captain, we have unusual readings on the sensors,” Control reported, and Evelyn instantly set aside her laundry and glanced at the door.
“I’m on my way,” Evelyn said, thankful that at least her quarters weren’t far from the bridge.
Technically the quarters she had didn’t belong to the captain, they were listed as being the penthouse, but that told her a lot about who the ship was intended for. Likely it was for ship owners who didn’t have the skills to captain their ship and hired a captain to take care of that for them. They were plush, over-sized, and sinfully comfortable. That was the only reason she hadn’t taken the captain’s quarters, in all truth.
“Acknowledged,” Control replied politely, cutting the line.
It only took her a minute to reach the bridge, where the screens showed the glowing purple fog that had appeared in the distance midway through the previous day. Now they were among the clouds, and Evelyn frowned, her instincts starting to clamor for her attention. This was the perfect sort of environment for ambushes.
“Report,” Evelyn demanded, quickly taking the captain’s station. As per normal, only Control and one of the Dolls were there, as none of the others were the type to stay on the bridge for long periods.
“Sensor range is currently impeded by the nebula we are traveling through, reducing effective range to only thirty-nine percent of normal,” Control replied promptly. “We are detecting ‘echoes’ as well, which could indicate pirate ships, but could also be something else.”
“Hm. How close are we to Fya’s coordinates?” Evelyn asked, frowning.
“Fya is currently in the lounge playing cards with Ilyra, Moon, and Star. I am not certain I can localize her precise coordinates beyond that,” Control replied, looking at Evelyn oddly. It was all Evelyn could do not to sigh in exasperation.
“I meant, how close are we to the coordinates that she provided.” Evelyn said, looking at the Doll closely. “I should have provided context, my apologies.”
“Ah. I will log that, so that I may respond more accurately in the future,” Control said, frowning as she paused, then continued. “We are four point seven-three AU from the destination she provided. I must note that the information provided did not indicate whether the destination is in astral or normal space, Captain.”
“I’m well aware of that. Unfortunately, she didn’t know which it was,” Evelyn replied, looking at the sensors again as she tapped her leg slowly. Nearly five astrals away was a bit far for an ambush, unless someone was targeting those who were going to the location in question, which made it a little trickier. Of course, there were other options… so she shrugged and spoke calmly. “Condition Yellow, Control
. Make sure the shields are ready to go up at a moment’s notice and that we’re combat-ready. Then approach the nearest of these echoes.”
“Acknowledged, Captain,” Control said, and the lighting on the bridge subtly shifted around Evelyn as the Doll continued. “I must observe that you are not appropriately outfitted for Condition Yellow, Captain.”
“Yes, I know,” Evelyn said, smiling coolly as she stood up again. “I’ll be right back.”
She was barely to her room before Fya called her over the comms. “What’s going on? I was winning a match of—”
“I don’t care what you were winning, Fya. We’re about five AU from your coordinates, the sensors are at a bit less than forty percent effectiveness, and there are odd readings. We’re going to investigate them, and that means that everyone needs to be in their armor. I don’t want anyone getting vented without it,” Evelyn said, cutting the djinn off as she entered her room and began shrugging out of her clothing. “The only one even close to as durable as you and me is Zelirana, the rest aren’t up to that sort of thing.”
“Oh, right,” Fya said, pausing, then sighed. “Drat. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off… I was winning.”
“You’re usually winning” Evelyn replied dryly. “You cheat.”
“I take advantage of my natural gifts of probability manipulation,” Fya retorted. “See you soon!”
Evelyn laughed, slipping into her armor as she grinned to herself. There was a reason she never played games of chance with Fya. Manipulating the odds was as natural as breathing for beings that could warp reality to grant wishes, and it was almost completely undetectable.
“What is that?” Ilyra asked, seated at the damage control station, and Evelyn glanced at her again, tempted to ask her to move, or to at least direct her to learn how to use the station. With Control that wasn’t really necessary, but it bothered her a little. Not an immense amount, just a little. On the other hand, she could understand why the celestine was shocked, as the sight on the viewscreen was riveting. And worrying, in Evelyn’s opinion.
Chosen of Chaos (Eve of Destruction Book 1) Page 28