Dinner and decision

It’s not too long before the three of them are sat at the table. Evie has cooked up a delicious meal, with something for everyone. In spite of her vegetarian diet, she’s not afraid to cook with meat, and everything she’s cooked is wonderful. Kael finds himself devouring his food as if he hadn’t eaten all day.

Ria is much the same, though she pauses between bites to talk much more often than Kael. Between Evie and Kael, they fill in the gaps in what Ria already knows, explaining everything that’s happened since she arrived. Karl leaves out their bedroom activities, but from the look in Ria’s eyes, she can intuit what has happened.

Ria listens raptly as Evie describes how she cured Kael’s nightmares. “So, you don’t have them at all, anymore?”

Kael shakes his head. “Not at all. And with Evie here during the day, I don’t spend time dwelling on it while I’m awake, either.”

Ria smiles, looking at Evie. “I’m glad. I hated seeing what was happening to him. He doesn’t think other people noticed, but…some of us know him pretty well.”

Evie nods. “I think I could tell, even on the first night. He was so…gentle. I could sense the pain in him.”

Kael chuckles. “And me waking up shouting probably helped you figure it out.”

Evie smiles at him. “Yes, master. It told me I was right.”

Ria shakes her head. “I have to ask, you call him master, even here. I know Kael wouldn’t **** that on you, so…why?”

Evie shrugs. “Partially habit. It was instilled in me from a very early age. But…it feels right, too. I love him. I would do anything for him. He is my master, heart and soul.”

Kael reaches over and takes her hand, and she blushes. Kael chuckles again. “It does make it more special when she actually uses my name.”

Ria nods, looking between the two of them. “I guess it makes sense. It’s clear how much you both adore each other. I have to admit a bit of jealousy on my part.”

Kael looks at her, curious. “Jealousy? Why?”

Ria rolls her eyes. “Sometimes you’re really dense, big guy. Come on. You know I haven’t dated since we broke up. And until Evie, neither had you. Do I need to spell it out? Evie isn’t the only one who still loves you, Kael.”

Kael stares at her, seeing, just this once, vulnerability in her eyes. “I…I didn’t know…”

Ria sighs. “I know. And I understand. You have Evie, and she has you. I know that feeling. I had it once.”

Evie stammers as she speaks. “R-Ria…I’m sorry, I…”

Ria shakes her head. “Don’t apologize, Evie. I’m not mad at you. Or at Kael. I’m happy for both of you. And…a little sad for me. I can’t turn these feelings off. I bought this dress a few days before Evie showed up. I was going to..I dunno, seduce Kael or something.”

She sighs again. “I don’t know what I was planning, wearing it tonight. Part of me was hoping for…something. The light I saw in your eyes when you saw me…”

Kael is dumbstruck for the second time tonight. He swallows, trying to come up with words, and finally is able to speak.

“Ria, I…you know as well as I do that my feelings for you didn’t change either. I felt I had to put our duty first. It was…a decision. It may have been a mistake, I don’t know.”

He looks at Evie. “And now Evie is here. And I feel for her just as strongly. I don’t know what else I could say.”

Evie gives his hand a squeeze, smiling at him. “Master, I have something to say, if you don’t mind.”

Kael nods, and Evie looks between him and Ria. “When I was in…school, I learned an elvish phrase from a classmate. It made a lot of sense to me then, and even more now. Elic frea temosi illian va yina lelisu bellia folo sellani. Translated loosely, it means, ‘Love is the one thing you have more of when given away.”

She blushes, and says quietly. “What I’m saying is…why do you only have to love one person, master?”

Kael stares at Evie, surprised by what she’s saying. “Evie…are you suggesting that we…”

Evie nods. “Would you love me any less if you love Ria as well, master?”

Kael shakes his head. “No, but…it seems…greedy?”

Evie giggles, blushing even more. “Well, perhaps I will fall for her as well, master.”

Ria seems to shake off her own surprise. “Evie…you think this is…you want this?”

Evie smiles at her. “I want master to be happy. It makes me happy as well. And I know his thoughts, remember? I’ve felt his feelings for you.”

She blushes yet again, toying with the bit of food left on her plate. “Plus…you’re really pretty…”

Startled, Ria laughs. “Evie! Thank you, and…well, I don’t know what to say.”

Ria looks at Kael. “What should we do?”

Feeling both women looking at him, Kael realizes that they’re laying a decision at his feet. A decision about his relationship with both of these women.