A quiet evening

For the rest of the afternoon Winlay was acutely aware of Adam’s gaze following her, but instead of feeling nervous or self-conscious she found she craved this kind of attention. It wasn't just her new darkened skin, the way her flowered sarong lay on her hips seemed to encourage the gentle swaying that made even her mundane movements about the room gracefully sensual. Mika too gave her some looks that reminded Winlay of the more intimate embraces that they had shared; there was something about this costume that fired up the sexual tension in the hidden apartment. Winlay even found herself wondering if the Oracle was immune to the primal needs that she and the others shared, or if his years of experience allowed him to more easily mask these emotions. No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than she dropped her head in shame – this was the leader of the Church of Xelta not some lecherous old widower!

Soon though, Winlay's new found confidence returned and by dinner-time she bent deeply as she served Adam his bowl of spiced rice and beans deliberately exposing even more of her already barely covered breasts. She heard a stifled gasp from Adam as she turned away confident that he was having as much difficulty with his decision to suspend their relationship as she was. She really should be careful, with his hair cropped short and the whip marks visible on his shoulders Adam no longer looked like the refined officer of an elite ****. He had a dangerous maleness that was both scary and exciting so while Winlay justified her teasing to herself as practice for tomorrow’s escape in the role of a whore, she knew she was playing with fire. Deep down Winlay knew that she was both punishing Adam for his abrupt departure and making it clear to him that she was still available. Adam however was determined to maintain his distance.

Immediately after dinner the Templar captain disappeared once again into the washroom, and Winlay could just hear the sound of the water running through the door as she paused just outside in the hallway. She wished she could join Adam in the shower; not even to fulfill her erotic fantasy from the previous day, but just to be near him and know that everything will be OK. Of course, she admitted to herself with a knee buckling wave of desire, if she and Adam were standing naked under the streaming water she doubted they’d be able to keep their hands off each other. Winlay wandered back into the room where Mika dressed in her ragged boy's clothing met her with a gentle hug.

“Give him time.” She said with somber smile that was much more subdued than her typical grin. “He’ll come around Winlay, I know he will.” Winlay hugged her back but couldn't find any words that didn't hurt. She spent the next hour talking to the Oracle about her childhood. This was one of many quiet conversations she had had with the Oracle over the past two days. Winlay had seen immediately why the Oracle was so beloved in all of Veertor and Cryn as well. He was the holy leader of the Church of Xelta, but he seemed genuinely interested in her family and their daily routines, especially when Winlay confessed that her father’s relationship with the Church was strained.

At first Winlay thought that perhaps the Holy Father was merely being polite, but the Oracle appeared to be genuinely interested in her father’s values and beliefs and how they were at odds with the teaching of the village priest. These conversations were therapeutic, and Winlay looked forward to her heart to heart chats with the venerable leader of the entire Church. She could not however, discuss her relationship with Adam – not with anyone, certainly not with someone as important as the Oracle.

As they talked Winlay could see the Oracle begin to tire, and before he became exhausted she helped settle him onto the couch with a light blanket covering his still frail frame. The Oracle had made a nearly miraculous recovery under the circumstances, but his body was still covered with scars of the **** that he had endured at the hands of Beldan’s men and Winlay doubted he’d ever regain the full use of his hands. Winlay waited by the Oracle’s side until his breathing deepened in sleep and then climbed to her feet stiffly.

“I’ll be in the boiler room, Mika.” She told her friend quietly “If you need anything.”