Chapter 29: Twenty-Nine: Dinner and Dessert

The girls spent the afternoon upstairs, giggling together in the bathroom.

I’d been given a mug of mead, a seat by the hearth, and instructions to remain below. Lira’s words, obviously.

I had no idea what they were up to, but for once, that didn’t bother me. Senna’s laughter, free and unguarded, was a pleasure to hear – a victory in itself.

They reemerged shortly before dinner, Lira looking suspiciously mischievous and Senna blushing, but smiling. Actual smiles.

It didn’t tick off my to-do box; Lira had been the source, not me. I still wanted to see if I could get her to smile. Given her experience with men to date, that would be real progress.

“Shall we eat out this evening?” I asked when they came downstairs. “John does good food at the Old Cask.”

“That sounds like fun,” Lira said. “Is there an occasion?”

“Not particularly. I thought it might be nice. Besides, I’m thinking we’ll leave for Taralith tomorrow. I want to make some enquiries up there.”

Senna took on her deer-in-the-headlights expression before her head ducked down, and she gripped the edge of her tunic, knuckles white.

I figured I knew what had triggered that reaction. “I meant you too,” I said to her. Her head came up again, hope in her eyes. “I was rather hoping you’d come with us. There’ll be much to see, a town to explore. What do you think—fancy an adventure?” Then, not wanting to pressure her, I added, “If you’d rather stay here, I can ask Rolf to keep an eye on you. He’s trustworthy. He’ll make sure you’re safe.”

She was shaking her head before I finished speaking. “No, I’d like to come, please. If I may. I … I don’t want to stay behind.”

“You will always have a place with us,” Lira murmured, her voice soft yet steady and reassuring. Senna’s eyes shimmered with gratitude.

“I couldn’t imagine better company than traveling with the two most beautiful women in the land,” I said, flashing a grin. But underneath, I was serious—the thought of leaving one of them behind didn’t appeal. They were my companions now, and I was responsible for their safety.

“We’ll need another horse,” Lira pointed out.

“Yes - or maybe two more. Can you ride, Senna?”

“No, my Lord … Kaelan. I’m sorry, I can’t.”

“Would you like to learn?”

Her nod was tentative, but there was something close to excitement in her expression. She gave a second nod, more emphatic than the first. “Yes, I would.”

By her standards, that was effusive enthusiasm. “Great. I’m sure we’ll all be experts by the time we reach Taralith,” I said, trying to sound confident. In reality, I had no points in Riding, and I’d only ridden a few times back on Earth. I hoped some of it translated, otherwise we’d both be dependent on Lira to show us the ropes.

We headed out, the evening mild and pleasant, and made our way to John’s tavern. I called in on Rolf to ask if he wanted to join us.

“Why not,” the big man said, swapping his hammer for his shirt. “That breastplate is ready,” he told me, as we walked over to the Old Cask. “I’ll polish it up pretty.”

“Shiny isn’t my style,” I said. “Can you leave it matte?”

He looked affronted. “Matte? You don’t leave a breastplate matte.”

I grimaced, trying to find a way of explaining without offending my friend.

But he seemed to know. “You want something subtler? Stealthier?”

“Exactly that,” I said, glad he’d understood.

He nodded. “I’ll blue it then. It’ll look blue-black, and won’t catch the light.”

“Perfect.” Sounded awesome, and I couldn’t wait to see it.

“It’ll take me a little time. You’re leaving tomorrow?”

“That was the plan. How’d you guess?”

“After our talk earlier, I figured you weren’t one to stick around.”

“We’ll be back this way, eventually.” Probably.

He nodded. “I’ll get it done tonight. And don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on your house while you’re gone.”

“You’re a good man, Rolf.”

*

Dinner was nearly finished when Bjorn walked into the tavern with another fellow beside him. He spotted us and made a beeline for our table.

“Rolf, Kaelan.” He nodded, then met my gaze. “The men are back from the mine. Henrik here led the group.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a few of the other villagers leaning in, clearly eavesdropping.

“How’d it go?” I asked.

“Mine’s empty, save for a whole heap of bodies and hell’s own stench.” Henrik grinned. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”

I smiled. “It did smell pretty bad, you’re right. Sorry, I wasn’t asked to clean it out.”

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“Twenty-seven dead gobbos,” Henrik said.

“One of them a shaman,” Rolf added helpfully.

“Aye. One of them a shaman.”

“One hundred and thirty-five gold pieces,” Rolf said, with a pointed look at Bjorn, “plus the bonus for the shaman.”

But Bjorn seemed to be in a good mood. He pulled a pouch from his belt and dropped it on the table with a satisfying clink. “Here’s a hundred and fifty, Kaelan, and we’re all grateful to have our mine back.”

A chorus of ‘Ayes!’ echoed about the tavern.

Congratulations! Quest: Fernwick Mine has been completed.

Congratulations! You have gained a new level. You are now level 8. You have 6 skill points to spend. You may purchase new skills. You have gained a Perk. You have gained an Attribute point.

I grinned. “Thank you, Bjorn. Glad I could help.”

The pouch felt heavy in my hand, but I knew most of it was already spoken for—repaying Lira for what she’d spent on my gear. Still, we’d need horses and provisions, which meant I might need to hold off on settling that debt. Easy come, easy go.

Bjorn and Henrik moved off to sit with some others, and Lira leaned in against my shoulder.

Rolf gave Lira a brief, knowing glance, then pushed back his chair. “Time I was heading home. Got that breastplate to finish.” He drained the last of his beer, then slammed the tankard back on the table. “See you in the morning.”

“Good night, Rolf.”

He grunted in response and wandered off.

Lira shifted closer, pressing her breasts to my arm. “Bedtime?” she murmured. “If we’re going to be on the road for a few days, we should make the most of it while we can.”

I raised an eyebrow. “It’s a bit early, don’t you think?” The sun hadn’t even fully set.

“Oh, I didn’t mean we should sleep,” she said, her breath warm against my skin.

I glanced across the table at Senna, who was watching us. “What about Senna?” I whispered, uncomfortable knowing she could likely hear.

“It was her idea,” Lira murmured, then licked my ear.

I looked at Senna in surprise, her blush deepening as her gaze met mine. For the first time, she didn’t shy away. There was something different in her eyes—something that went beyond her usual fear or reticence. An unspoken shift, solid and undeniable, and I was pleased to see it.

*

I lay naked on my bed, listening to the faint sounds from the bathroom where the girls were still talking.

Despite Lira’s assertion that it was Senna’s idea, I suspected this was being driven by Lira. I hoped my High Priestess knew what she was doing. The last thing I wanted was for tonight to add to Senna’s trauma. Yet the girl had held my gaze at the table, and there’d been a new confidence in her eyes. Maybe she was onboard, too.

That was one thought on my mind.

The other was that two of the most beautiful women I’d ever met were about to walk into my bedroom.

Their footsteps pattered down the hallway.

I’d expected Lira to walk in first, but it was Senna who led through the door. Her chin was raised, her eyes seeking mine with a flicker of defiance, almost as if she were daring me to reject her. She was entirely nude. Her body was slender, every curve subtle yet perfect. Her breasts were smaller than Lira’s, the curve of her hips less pronounced. But her waist was tiny, her skin flawless perfection, and …

I stared.

Lira came to stand beside her, and I turned my gaze to her, running my eyes over her nakedness then up to her face. “How did you…?”

She smiled knowingly. “You gave me the idea. I hadn’t even known such a thing was done, but when I saw yours …” her eyes flicked to my groin, to the manscaping I practiced back on Earth. It had since grown out a bit, but was still short.

“So that’s why you had scissors!”

She giggled. “Mmm hmm.”

“But … but now you’re both bare!”

“Do you like it?” Senna asked, her blush deepening as she kept her chin defiantly raised.

“Like it?” I said in wonder. “I love it!”

“Told you he would,” Lira said, nudging Senna with her elbow.

Senna gave me a smile—the one I’d been waiting for. It was hesitant, but genuine, a fragile yet beautiful thing.

“But how? There’re no razor blades in this world!”

Lira gave a mock shudder. “I don’t think I’d have used one if there had been. A razor blade, there?”

“What’s a razor blade?” Senna asked.

“Like a shaving knife, apparently,” Lira said.

Senna shook her head. “No thank you. No thank you very much.”

“Will someone please tell me how?”

“Tweezers,” Lira said simply. “Senna has a pair, and when I saw them …”

“So that’s what the two of you were doing this afternoon.” Amidst all that giggling. I wondered if they’d helped each other or done it themselves. Visions that stirred the soul.

“We wanted to wait a few hours before we showed you,” Lira explained. “You know, so it wouldn’t be too sensitive.”

“Is it sore?” I asked, concern mingling with curiosity.

“Not anymore,” Lira answered, her smile teasing. “Feels nice, actually. Would you like to touch?”

I pushed myself up in the bed and leaned back against the wall. “I would absolutely love to touch, but …” I cleared my throat. “Senna, I want you to know there’s no obligation. No expectation. It won’t change anything—you’re still welcome to come with us, or to stay behind—whatever you want.”

“Told you,” Lira said, cutting me off with a smirk.

And Senna smiled again, this time a little more confidently.

“May I speak?” she asked.

“Just speak, girlie,” Lira stage-whispered. “Don’t ask him that.”

Senna drew a steadying breath, her hands clasped tightly before her. “It’s not that I don’t want to, Kaelan. I do want to. I’ve wanted to since I saw you and Lira together. You were so happy, and it made me wish for something similar. If … if I could find it.” Her voice trembled slightly as she continued. “And I wanted to when you stood up for me … when you told me I was safe, that nothing would happen to me.”

She paused, swallowing hard before the words tumbled out faster. “Then Jarek came, and I knew he’d hurt you, that he’d take me from you. But you didn’t let him. You beat him, and the way you did it—everyone knew after that. Everyone knew we would be safe.”

She glanced at Lira. “Well, I would be safe. Lira can look after herself.”

“So can you,” I said, my voice firm. “We’ll teach you how.”

Lira nodded. “Yes, what a great idea!”

“I’m still speaking,” Senna said, her voice unexpectedly sharp. I blinked, surprised by the tone, barely holding back my grin. It was so unlike her—yet somehow perfect.

“Sorry,” Lira muttered, winking at me.

“Last night,” Senna continued, her voice quieter now, “you came to my room. You told me I could choose. Not just that I could, but that I should choose what I wanted.” She shook her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and wonder. “No one’s ever told me to choose what I wanted before.” She gave a small sardonic laugh. “I wasn’t even sure I could remember how, at first.”

She paused, collecting herself. “But I know what I want now. I want to be with you—with both of you. I want to feel happy … like you’re happy … like I’ve been happy today. Like I did last night when I …”

Her cheeks tinged pink, a small spot of color high on her cheekbones. “We kissed you, Kaelan. While you were sleeping. I … I’ve never done that before. There’re lots of things I’ve never done before.”

She hesitated, glancing at Lira, her blush growing darker. I could well imagine what Lira had told her – probably that very afternoon, amidst the giggles. Senna was no virgin, but neither had her sham of a marriage been filled with love, desire, fulfilment or passion. Her curiosity was almost innocent, and I found that as sexy as fuck.

Senna turned back to me, her eyes lowered demurely. “For the first time, I find myself wanting … more. Would it be alright if I …” She trailed off, shaking her head in irritation at herself. Then she took a breath and tried again, her voice firmer. “What I mean is, I want to do everything ... with you. With both of you.”

Beside her, Lira was looking as smug as a kitten with a saucer of cream.

Senna lifted her gaze to meet mine, her eyes open and vulnerable. “Would that be alright?”

How could I resist a request like that?

I reached my hand out to her.