Chapter 2-21

We returned to traveling that day, and I kept an eye on Sati as best I could, as did Myta, and Guta. Despite the apsara’s beauty and nearly unclad state, Myta’s prediction proved correct. Not only did the company not give her any trouble, they seemed friendlier and more accepting.

I offered to let her ride in the wagon I was using, but she declined. Her claim was that bouncing on the hard seats would cause more pain for her welts than walking. While I didn’t actually doubt that, I thought the friendlier attitude of the company was more responsible.

Ket traveled with us, and I was glad to have her company again. She told me that she wanted to stay near in case our company was attacked by any more of ‘her family’ again. And, so that she could take advantage of any opportunity to pay off her debt to me.

“Your goodwill is worth more to me than a favor.” I noted to her. “I don’t see that there is any debt between us, and I’m more than happy to simply forgive it.”

*I am glad, Esur. But it is not within your power to simply absolve me of my obligations.* The spirit felt warmly amused, rather than resentful, which I was grateful for.

“Who could, if not me?” I asked. “I know that the gods are said to be bound to honor their debts. Are you a god?”

*I am. I am the patron of clan Ket, in Metic. And they offer worship to me in return. As for the question you didn’t ask, any who touch the Radiant Sea are bound by its rules. The stronger the connection, the greater the restriction.* She gave me a pointed look. *You should remember that, as your court and power grows.*

“That seems… dangerous.” I replied. “Is there a list of rules? Who decides them?”

*Patience cub.* I could feel the laugh in the spirit’s voice. *So many questions. You are too weak yet for most of the laws to affect you. But, the Divines are the ones who create the laws, and no, there is no list. You will simply know when you are bound by them.*

Try as I might, I couldn’t pry more information out of her, and I didn’t want to alienate my one source of information about the Radiant Sea. So instead I spent some time tracing my bonds with my vas and my vasra. Moving mana between us, and sensing their condition.

Sati was a puzzle. She felt at once embarrassed and thrilled by her situation. I could tell each time she interacted with another person, because her emotions would spike again. I suspected that the apsara had a strong exhibitionist streak. Or perhaps it was the perceived vulnerability or demeaning nature of her punishment that excited her. I’d need to determine which, if her interest in Myta and I continued.

Myta was of more concern to me right now. I could feel that she was worried, which was to be expected. But as the day wore on she became even more worried, and that confused me. Not wanting to let her concerns fester, I called her to my side.

“Tell me what’s troubling you now.” I said.

Biting her lip, Myta whistled to call over her officers. Hati, Jito, and Denu all arrived in short order. I waited patiently for them to gather. Whatever she was worried about clearly wasn’t a personal matter.

“I don’t understand the last attack,” she began. “In Bani, Esur was attacked by a sleeper agent of the Pure. Then we were attacked by the abomination, also from the Pure. But if that second attack was dispatched after the first one failed, the timing is all wrong. I’d expect a corrupted shifter to strike from Metic, and the distance is simply too great.”

*Do not underestimate the speed with which the corrupted can travel,* Ket offered. *They have the power of any awakened, and no real sense of self preservation. They pursue their urges to the exclusion of all else.*

“But Saoirse was pursuing the corrupted, wasn’t she?” Ket nodded to confirm my guess. “That means that she also made the trip, so they were likely already within Ramana at the time we left Bani. Maybe within the southern district.”

“If the Pure have seeded Ramana with their corrupted already, we could be attacked again at any time.” Hati’s tone was grim, and I noticed that her skin was taking on the rough texture of stone as she reflexively prepared her defenses.

“This doesn’t actually change much,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “We need to remain cautious, but we cannot maintain a constant state of tension. And we cannot afford to disrupt our plans. The company must be trained and provisioned as best we can. Besides, we handled the corrupted when we were surprised, and didn’t know what to expect. I doubt they’ll try again with the same kind of attack.”

Everyone nodded, and the meeting dispersed. Denu went to ensure that our rangers were on the lookout for any signs of more abominations. Myta gave me a wan smile before speaking in a low voice.

“It was nice of them not to dwell on it, but you see the danger in your assessment, don’t you master?”

I sighed. “Of course. If Entreyu knows that an attack such as the first one is destined to fail, then he will only escalate. But he hopefully needs time to gather resources for that. Which means we should have some time for our own preparations.”

She nodded, and then stepped in close to me. I wrapped my arms around her, squeezing tightly. Her worry ebbed in my embrace, as she turned her face to my neck.

“You lead the company, but you are still mine, Myta. You won’t be holding them up alone. Things look uncertain now, but we still have a plan, and our own advantages. The Pure will not be prepared for how quickly we can grow in power.”

“As you say, master.” She nuzzled my jaw affectionately, before we moved to catch up with the others.

Our journey continued. That evening I healed Sati’s welts and washed her back carefully, with Myta’s assistance. I pretended not to notice the apsara crying when we were done, and I told her that her misstep was forgiven. That was a reaction I understood all too well myself. She leaned into my touch as I soothed her stinging pain into a warm burn, almost cuddling into my arms. Myta kissed her head, and I could feel the former princess melting against me.

I recognized her deep longing for acceptance, and companionship. I felt her vulnerability in that moment, and it roused my protective instinct. I could tell that Myta felt much the same. We all knew what it was like to feel isolated and alone. As much as the apsara had frustrated me, as foolish and self-centered as her past actions had been, I understood her longing for validation.

Sati promised to be more transparent about the potential side effects of her power. And she requested that I follow through with the idea of transferring her aspect to Guta. She had talked to him over the course of the day, and convinced him to adopt the aspect of mist.

“It was fairly simple, in the end.” Her tone was confident, and her grin chased away the remainder of her tears. “He wanted air, because it was the only aspect he could imagine keeping up with Denu. When I pointed out that mist can be carried on the wind he saw the appeal.”

I knew it wouldn’t have been that simple, but this cheerful, saucy confidence was far different from her previous, brittle arrogance. I wanted to encourage it.

“Well done, little flower.” I grinned with her, and she ducked her head in a blush, mumbling something.

“What was that? I’m afraid I didn’t understand you.”

“Thank you, sir.” She hesitated for a long moment. “Little flower is what my father calls me.”

“Of course,” I winced, darting a glance at Myta. I’d inadvertently made a similar blunder with her. At least with Sati I knew where the issue came from.

“I think I inadvertently picked it up when I appeared as Ramana in your inner world, and your dream. It wasn’t intentional, and I didn’t mean to overstep.”

“I,” she stuttered, which wasn’t in character at all. And I could feel her embarrassment mix with longing. “I don’t mind. You can keep using it, if you wish.”

“Well, perhaps I shall.” I grinned at her again. “We can try to share your aspect with Guta tomorrow, while we travel. I’m very proud of you, little flower.”

We all retired to bed, and Myta pressed up against me, chuckling quietly in my ear.

“Was I that cute? When I was falling all over you?” She kept her voice quiet, and her breath was like warm and fluttering moth wings on my skin. I groaned a little and turned into her, capturing her lips in a soft but intense kiss.

“You’re too fierce to be cute in the same way,” I murmured quietly. We could have shared our thoughts silently, over the bond. But if I were reading my flame correctly, running the risk of Sati overhearing was half the point. “You were far more confident in approaching me. Which is a different kind of attractive. Your fiery nature is captivating, it demands attention. It’s her softness and vulnerability that makes her so adorable.

“That’s why you’re helping her, isn’t it?” I gently bit her neck before I continued. “You see that vulnerability, and you just want to protect and take care of her.”

“Mmh! Yes master.” She groaned as my lips found their way down her chest. “I want to take care of her the way you take care of me.”

“The same way?” I raised my eyebrow as I roughly pushed her knee up and out, making room between her thighs for my questing fingers. She laughed her glorious, husky laugh, and then bit her hand to try and stay quiet as my fingers slipped inside her.

I knew Myta’s body intimately now, and I pushed her to a mild climax quickly. But when I went to rub her pearl for a more intense peak, she instead shoved my shoulder away. Pushing me onto my back, she straddled my hips, sitting entirely upright as she mounted my shaft.

With one hand, my flame encouraged me to lay still. The other she put to use on herself. Moaning louder, she arched her back as she lifted her hips impaling herself on me over and over. The toned muscles of her legs and stomach bunched and flexed, visible in the blazing light of her eyes.

When Myta came again, her clenching channel triggered my own release. But she didn’t stop moving, grinding her hips in slow circles to milk my own climax until it was painfully intense. I was just barely aware of her looking away from my face.

I turned my head to follow her gaze, towards Sati’s bedroll. Towards the dim and curvy shape of the former princess, who was watching is even now.

“So cute.” Myta let out another of her glorious laughs when Sati squeaked. But the apsara didn’t try to hide, or even stop her hand from working between her own thighs. She came, with a sobbing cry. And Myta hummed a pleased noise as we watched.

“I think we should keep her.” Myta said. And Sati made a mildly indignant noise, but I could feel her warm contentment.

“Perhaps we should.” I agreed.