Dinner time story

After a time, Yvette exits the bath, once again wrapping the towel around herself as she exits the room. Before closing the door, she turns, giving Kael a smile, but says nothing. As the door closes, Kael sighs. Quite the experience.

Kael emerges from the bath himself not long after, feeling rejuvenated in his fresh clothes. He finds Petra waiting outside on the hall, the slightest hint of a smile on her face. She has clearly bathed and changed as well, the dirt of the road gone.

“A good bath, my king?”

Kael chuckles and nods. “You could say that. It was…pleasant.”

Petra doesn’t comment, though her eyebrow quirks slightly in what looks like amusement. “Yvette tell Petra that dinner ready. Hungry, my king?”

Kael nods again. “Definitely. Something other than road food would be good. Lead the way.”

The two of them head down the hall, and it’s not difficult to find the dining room. The room itself is lavish, with a large, sturdy table, fancy rugs, and a crystalline chandelier providing light. Yvette is seated already, and the simplicity of her outfit stands in contrast to the grandeur of the room. She’s wearing a simple dark blue dress, and her still damp hair drapes loosely over her shoulders. She smiles, and gestures for Kael and Petra to sit, which they do.

Kael can hear a clatter from what must be the kitchen, and Yvette folds her hands on the table. “It’s been a while since I had guests, so I apologize if it’s not as grand as you’re used to, Kael.”

Kael shakes his head. “You don’t need to go out of your way to impress me. A little goes a long way.”

The absurdity of that statement after what happened in the bath makes them both laugh, and Yvette blushes slightly. “A little, hmm? I’d hope it was a bit more than that.”

Kael starts to speak, but Yvette lifts a hand to forestall his protest. “Teasing, my lord. Forgive my…familiarity.”

She sighs. “I would like to unburden myself to you, if you would allow it?”

Kael nods. “By all means, Yvette.”

Yvette smiles, though there’s a touch of sadness there. “My…attraction towards you, it comes from an unusual place. I was married, once. My husband was a warrior, much like you. We were…very young, but I had already established myself as a trader of some skill. Not to be prideful.”

There’s a faraway look in her eyes as she continues. “He was my protector on a trading convoy. We were ambushed, and I saw him fight. Oh, Kael, it was…mesmerizing. Beautiful.”

Yvette looks down at her hands. “I fell for him immediately, and he soon accepted my overtures. My valiant Edward. My hero, and my love.”

As she speaks, someone emerges from the kitchen, bearing three steaming bowls. The smell is wonderful as the man sets them in front of each seat. Kael is startled to realize that the man isn’t a man at all, but rather a satyr, with curling horns and goat like legs. He turns to Yvette and smiles.

“Will that be all, milady?”

She returns the smile, nodding. “Yes, thank you Ramses. I trust you made some for yourself as well?”

The satyr nods. “Of course, milady. Enjoy your meal.”

Ramses makes his exit, and Yvette returns to her tale, idly stirring the steaming stew as she speaks. “Edward and I were inseparable after that. He was my sun, and I was his moon. We married quickly, and I was never happier than when I was at his side, even as I made my fortune.”

Her smile fades a notch. “I would have done anything to give him a child, but it was…not in the cards. Edward never cared, though. ‘I have you, my light’, is what he would say. He always knew just what to say to me.”

Yvette sighs, closing her eyes. “Unfortunately, all things have an end. Edward never stopped being a warrior, never stopped protecting me. It ended as it began. An ambush.”

“We were rich by then. A tempting target. Edward fought and won, but…he was wounded. He died that day, as I held him in my arms. ‘Never stop shining, my light.’ Those were his last words.”

She sighs again, wiping away a tear. “I’m sorry. That was almost ten years ago. I haven’t looked at another man in all that time.”

Yvette looks into Kael’s eyes. “And then, I met you. It almost took my breath away. You could be him, reborn. The way you move, the way you speak…it hit me like a sledgehammer.”

She bushes, looking away and taking a breath. “And so I…decided to take a chance. I never expected it to go this far, but…”

She looks at him again. “…but I want to thank you. For making me feel something again.”

Kael is quiet for a long while, before speaking quietly. “Yvette, thank you for telling me your story. And I’m glad I could help you. Hell, saying it was my pleasure would be underselling it!”

Yvette lets out a startled laugh, as Kael continues. “That said, I have to ask…why tell me this?”

Yvette nods. “A fair question. And my answer is this. I wanted you to understand where I’m coming from when I say that this was a…a tryst. I’m not looking to be a part of your life, your family. I just wanted to feel something.”

She looks at him, raising an eyebrow. “Although, perhaps a repeat performance, should we meet again?”

Kael chuckles. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that. And I understand your position completely.”

Yvette nods, smiling. “I’m glad. Now, we should eat, before it gets cold. Ramses will be upset if we didn’t enjoy his stew.”

Kael laughs. “Of course. Let’s eat.”

And so they do.