Isalla’s head rose, dread rising inside her as Kanae’s voice trailed off. It took a moment, but eventually she spoke, her voice soft. “Are you thinking that she might be behind Roselynn getting captured?”
“That’s right. I see you had the same thought, though it doesn’t make you happy,” Kanae said, looking back at Isalla worriedly. “Influence like this isn’t impossible, but the chances of it coming about without there being support in the highest echelons of the angelic hierarchy seem slim.”
“You’re right. Even if only half the high-ranking angels I knew of visiting were involved, that makes up one in twenty of the ruling class of the heavens,” Isalla replied grimly, tapping her fingers against the table as she felt that sinking sensation in her stomach. “I could entirely see someone of that power deciding that it was worth sacrificing Roselynn and being able to do so. If they could reach this far, though…”
“It’s concerning, yes,” Kanae said, frowning heavily at the equipment on the table. She was silent for a long minute, then she shrugged. “Still, we wouldn’t realize just how bad it was without the attack on you, so I suppose we should be thankful she made the attempt.”
Blinking, Isalla opened her mouth, then shut it, considering carefully. Then she asked cautiously, “Are you not going to ask me to leave or something? There could be more people where she came from, and I don’t want to put you in danger.”
“I truly hope you don’t think that little of me, Isalla,” Kanae said, smiling widely, just widely enough that it revealed the demoness’s fangs. “I took you in, and we need to figure things out further. It would be best if I went into town and asked around about your attacker; she almost had to have come with the caravan. The question is, have you decided what you’re going to do about Roselynn?”
“Um, well… your ideas had merit, and if you’re so certain that trying to recover her would end poorly, I was thinking there wasn’t any choice but to try to rescue her when she leaves,” Isalla admitted, a little thrown off by the change of subject. “I’d like to recover her before that, but if there isn’t any other choice… well, I do hope she isn’t as vulnerable as you suspect she was.”
“I see. Well, I’m going to tell the townsfolk what happened, and explain that I’m going to escort you deeper into Estalia to find somewhere you’ll be safe from assassins,” Kanae said, smiling slightly more. “That should keep the town safer, and it’s nothing more than the truth. Recovering Roselynn is likely to be tricky, but we’re going to have to move quickly. The terrain between us and the spire is bad, so it will take us a couple of weeks to get there, at a minimum.”
“Wait, really? And you’re going to help?” Isalla asked, her dismal mood improving suddenly, and her heart leapt with joy as she smiled. “I didn’t think you would.”
“If you go on your own, your chances of success are miserable at best. At least I know how most of those who’ve been into the spire are likely to act, and between the two of us we have a decent chance of success. On your own… I’d feel deeply guilty if you ended up being taken into the tower,” Kanae said and shivered slightly as she added, “As much as you might enjoy it in the end, that isn’t a fate I’d like to see you suffer.”
“I… well, I can agree with that. Thank you, Kanae. I wouldn’t have expected you to do that,” Isalla said, flushing slightly. The thought of Kanae meeting Roselynn confused her emotions, but after a moment she lowered her gaze.
“Don’t mention it,” Kanae replied gently, sliding her chair back as she stood, adjusting her robe. “I’d best get dressed so I can go into town.”
Isalla stood as well, then paused, looking at the equipment for a moment before asking, “What are we going to do with all this?”
“Hm? Well, why don’t you clean it, and if the armor fits, it might be worth keeping. That and anything else you’d like,” Kanae said, glancing down at it. “It’d be a shame to waste enchanted items, after all. The rest… well, we can sell it in a larger town on our way to the spire. It might help throw them off our trail when we change routes.”
“Alright,” Isalla agreed, looking at the armor skeptically. Even if she didn’t have qualms about wearing a dead woman’s armor, she sincerely doubted it would fit, since the human had been a good deal more slender than Isalla was.
Still, she did need to clean it up, so Isalla reluctantly picked up the armor’s pieces.
Chapter 27
“Hm, I think I want it a little tighter,” Rose said, looking into the mirror. The corset she was wearing was slightly uncomfortable as it forced her to take somewhat shallower breaths, but at least that was a temporary thing. Her waist was much narrower than before, but she wasn’t quite happy with how she looked.
Tina hesitated, then the succubus asked in concern, “Are you sure? Unlike most of the other changes you could make, this sort of transmutation is much, much harder to undo. I think you might be underestimating how much this would change you, Rose, since you’re wearing the corset right now, and it adds addition bulk.”
Rose blinked, then frowned. It was rare that Tina gave warnings like this, but she’d learned that the succubus was usually right. Tina had already kept Rose from making mistakes that would have been quite awkward to live with. As it was, she was glad that she hadn’t made her chest grow quite as much as she’d originally intended.
“Are you sure?” Rose asked, running her fingers over the corset slowly. It was relatively ornate, as the gold sigils stood out from the blue velvet starkly. She hesitated, then continued. “I just thought my waist could do to be slightly narrower…”
“Much narrower and I’m worried that you’d snap in half. You’re not a small woman, Rose, and you can’t safely have as narrow of a waist as Coral has,” Tina explained, shaking her head. “It just isn’t safe for you. Think about Anna, since she’s closer to your height and figure.”
Considering the other angel, Rose nodded reluctantly, ignoring the persistent, quiet voice which occasionally tried to object to everything she’d done, no matter how much she’d enjoyed her time here. “I suppose you have a point. I just thought that if the queen is coming, like you said she was…”
“Oh, Rose…” Tina smiled warmly, her voice gentle as she hugged Rose from behind, her chin barely able to go over the angel’s shoulder. Rose patted her hand and smiled as the succubus continued. “Queen Estalia will like you just as you are, I promise. She would have loved you as you originally were, or she’d love you if you made yourself into a copy of Anna. Just make yourself happy, and that’s more than enough for her, alright?”
“If you say so,” Rose agreed, running her fingers over the fabric of the corset once more. She wasn’t wearing much more than her underthings and a skirt to make the project easier, and a tiny part of her still worried about being with a succubus in so little clothing, though she’d long since realized the woman wouldn’t touch her that way, not without an invitation. Taking a breath, though it wasn’t too deep due to the corset, she nodded and asked, “Do it, please?”
Smiling, Tina pulled away and reached down to touch the back of the corset. If Rose had more skill with magic, she would’ve been confident doing this herself, but she didn’t, so Tina was helping her. Which, in all honesty, was likely for the best.
There was a tingle from the corset’s magic, and Rose forced down the impulse to resist the effect, since she didn’t want to ruin it. As the magic took effect, she felt her bones almost pop as they reshaped, while her entire waist slowly lost that tight sensation, feeling instead almost normal. Rose could finally take deep breaths again, and she inhaled as she felt the magic come to an end.
“I think it’s done,” Rose said, looking down and frowning. “I don’t feel like I’m being squeezed, at least.”
“Then it’s done,” Tina agreed, her hands going to the corset’s laces. “Let’s get this off you and see how you like the results.”
Rose nodded, and held her arms out so that the succubus would have an easier time removin
g the corset once she was done. It took a little time, but at last the corset parted enough and Tina began sliding it off. The absence caused Rose to sigh softly, but not quite soft enough as Tina paused.
“Is something wrong? I think the enchantment worked perfectly, but if it didn’t, we can see about getting it fixed,” Tina said, sounding concerned.
Rose’s waist was much narrower than it had been, but the skin was smooth and perfectly formed, while the divot of her navel was eye-catching. A tiny part of Rose liked the idea of a piercing with a gem down there, like she’d seen Tina wearing, but she hadn’t quite decided one way or another yet. She flushed as she looked to the side, away from the mirror.
“No, no… that’s not it at all,” Rose reassured her. “It’s just…”
Tina waited for a long moment, then asked gently, “Just what, Rose? You can tell me; I promise I won’t laugh or criticize you.”
“Well, I just find a corset oddly comfortable,” Rose replied, resisting the urge to squirm. “Not when it’s tightened, but when it just… fits. It helps me stand up properly, and it also feels just more… secure. Almost like armor, I guess.”
“Really?” Tina said, her eyebrows rising. “That’s interesting.”
“Is it? I just feel that it’s a little strange,” Rose admitted, looking to the side toward the closet full of dresses, most of which wouldn’t fit right anymore.
“Mm, I don’t think so. If it makes you comfortable, that’s just the way it is,” Tina said, her voice calm. “I’ll let Anna know, and maybe we can find you one that fits properly and that you’d enjoy wearing more. How does that sound?”
“That sounds wonderful,” Rose replied, smiling warmly in return. “Thank you, Tina.”
“You’re most welcome. Now, I’m going to take this back to storage, and I’ll be back soon. Why don’t you find what you’d like to wear, and we can get it resized for you, hm?” Tina said, holding the corset.
“I can do that,” Rose said happily. “I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Of course,” Tina said, reaching out and squeezing Rose’s shoulder gently, then turned and headed for the door.
For her part, Rose turned to the closet. Finding something that suited her wouldn’t be too hard, though the fit was a concern. At least Anna had a few enchanted items to help resize clothing.
Anna curtseyed deeply, lowering her head as she smiled and spoke, happiness rushing through her. “Welcome back, Milady! It’s been too long since your last visit.”
“Rise, Anna. There’s no need for formalities, not between you and I,” Queen Estalia replied, her warm voice sending a thrill of pleasure through Anna, the intimacy within impossible to fully describe. “Alas, I must keep my visits few and far between, else others realize just how much I value your work here.”
Rising, Anna smiled in return as she met the gaze of her beloved goddess, a gaze which few could meet as easily as she could. Even so, it sent a shiver down her spine, and Anna felt her mood improving still more.
“I’m glad to hear that you value us so much, Milady… many think we’re less than we are, and don’t give us much respect,” Anna replied simply. “Still, no one will be surprised that you came out, not if they’ve heard just who was brought here.”
“Oh, they’ve heard. Believe me, they’ve all heard by this point,” Estalia said, letting out a faintly exasperated sigh as she stepped forward and reached up to embrace Anna.
Anna leaned down into the queen’s embrace, gently kissing her goddess deeply and with unmasked passion. No one could compare to Estalia in her mind, and she was looking forward to seeing Rose’s reaction to meeting Estalia. After a few long moments, she broke the kiss reluctantly and asked, “Oh?”
“Someone got word up in Hragon, and magic was employed to share the information. I do believe that every noble in the capital had word of the Flame of Ember’s capture before the word reached the bottom of Hellmount,” Estalia explained, still holding Anna, who felt happier with every passing moment. “I’ve received at least fifty inquiries asking if she’ll become a courtesan so far, along with others asking if she’ll have broken entirely and be available for purchase. Such rude inquiries, don’t you think?”
“Very,” Anna said, frowning in displeasure at the descriptions, though they only slightly dampened her mood at seeing Estalia again. “I don’t know why they think that we in the spire only train courtesans. We help those who come here find their true desires and show them your glory. It’s a trifle frustrating that so many misinterpret our purpose.”
“I know it is, but if they knew how important you truly were, they’d stop at nothing to acquire you and your brothers and sisters here, Anna. I’d far rather they not understand you than that come to pass,” Estalia said, smiling and letting go at last. “That said… how is the Glorious Flame doing?”
“Roselynn, who enjoys going by Rose, is coming along very well,” Anna said, her mood improving slightly as she straightened. “Alas, she was heavily abused by the Heavenly Host, and was in a similar state to my own when you found me, Milady.”
Estalia winced visibly at that, her voice ever so slightly plaintive. “That bad? Why is it that they tend to abuse those who’re their greatest support, I wonder… well, no matter. That does mean she’s likely adapting nicely, since you can understand where she’s coming from.”
“To some extent, but I’ve noticed that she still has the tiniest bit of resistance and doubt about everything,” Anna replied, shaking her head. “It’s going to take a delicate touch to remove that, I think. As to what she plans… that I don’t know. She’s a different person than I am, even if we are similar in some ways.”
“Ah, interesting. However, even you had your doubts, Anna,” Estalia murmured, shaking her head. “You came around in the end, though.”
“I also changed my name to something more innocuous. Otherwise we’d still have angelic rescuers showing up,” Anna pointed out dryly. “I think your intervention is the most likely method to help her, however.”
“We’ll see what I can do,” Estalia agreed, her smile warming Anna’s heart. “Now, before we do that, what of Ember and her armor?”
“This way, Milady,” Anna said, gesturing to a nearby door. She’d known her goddess would want to examine both before taking them back to the capital with her, so she’d had them on hand.
Estalia followed her into the room, and she murmured softly, “Magnificent. It’s unfortunate I didn’t see her in this before… but there’s still time.”
The armor was an intricate suit of mithral plate which would’ve hugged the figure of the wearer without being too form-fitting. Anna had seen many angels who wore armor that was more decorative than functional, relying on magic to help defend themselves, but this suit formed a good balance between practicality and appearance. The emblem of a golden phoenix was emblazoned across the chest of the armor, and other gold, orange, and red adornments added to the armor’s beauty. It was heavily enchanted, Anna knew, and she admired it as well.
Beside the armor was a sword in its sheath, one which could easily be wielded one- or two-handed. The sheath was red leather with gold reinforcements and had flame-like gold patterns across the surface, while the elegant hilt was wrapped in red leather and had a ruby in the pommel. It was a beautiful weapon, and Anna could feel the powerful magic rippling off it.
“While I agree there, I’m afraid the armor wouldn’t fit Rose anymore,” Anna said, reaching out and laying a hand on the armor gently. “She’s adjusted her figure a fair amount, and it would be too tight across the chest, and too loose around the waist.”
“Is that so? Well, at least the armor can be adjusted,” Estalia murmured, smiling and running a finger across it slowly. “I’ve a few other ideas, but they’ll have to wait until after I’ve met Rose. I’m curious to see what she’ll do in the end… there are a great many possibilities.”
“I take it you want to see her now, then?” Anna asked, growing more amused.
“I’ll show you where her rooms are, then,” Anna said, opening the door again. She paused, then asked, “Do you mind if I watch via scrying mirror? I do love seeing the expression on someone’s face when they first meet you.”
Estalia’s laughter was music to Anna’s ears, and the angel smiled as the queen replied, her tone teasing. “You do have odd ideas of enjoyment, Anna, but go ahead. I’m not going to object to something like that. Be nice though, hm? I don’t want you using it against her.”
“I won’t, it’s just for my personal enjoyment,” Anna said, smiling even more.
Estalia nodded slightly, looking perfectly relaxed, yet eager as well.
Anna led the way to Rose’s rooms, unable to keep the grin from her face. This would be entertaining.
Chapter 28
Rose raised her gaze as she heard her door open and smiled, adjusting her clothing. She’d found a green top and a skirt which fit well, and she liked how they matched her eyes. “Back already, Tina? I think I found an outfit that fits, and which looks good as well.”
“I’m afraid that I’m not Tina, but I must agree that it looks good on you.”
The voice that replied was higher pitched but had a hint of a purr to it at the same time, while having an ethereal quality to it that sent a thrill up Rose’s spine. It also wasn’t a voice she’d heard before, and Rose spun around, opening her mouth to speak, but on seeing the speaker she forgot how to breathe.
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