"That I slipped my ring on your finger, kissed you and you disappeared? Yes."
"Do you know that I wasn't really here?" She bit her lip and watched his gaze focus on her mouth.
"Your soul was here which is why my ring will not come off your finger. We are bound, Asha, no matter what anyone thinks." He wrapped his arms around her and hauled her in for a kiss.
She leaned up eagerly and wrapped her arms around his neck, the relief that he still wanted her burning in her mind. Even if he simply wanted use of her body in exchange for healing Elhara, she would take it if it meant she could touch him again. He was not the only one who had suffered in the passing years.
Asha could taste the wild magic in him. It was in every inch of his skin and hair. While it was tempting to let the kiss take her over completely, she heard the water and ripped herself from his arms. With quick motions, she turned off the taps and tested the water. It was perfect.
He looked hurt, so she simply turned back to him, clasped her hands around his neck and pulled his head down for another kiss.
They went from polite explorations to a ravenous connection in an instant. She groaned as he pulled at her shirt and she felt fabric tear, then sighed happily when her bra died the same death.
Her jeans were tugged at and pulled away from her, magic was definitely involved. She went from fully clothed in human gear to wearing nothing but her hair in under a minute.
To her frustration, he remained fully clothed.
She tried to tug at his shirt, but he pulled her hands away and knelt before her, pinning her hands at the small of her back. One hand held her hands prisoner while he kissed his way to first one breast and then the other. His magic added to the tension sparked by his touch and when he stroked her between the thighs, parting her sex and delving in with one digit, she shuddered and moaned.
As his finger slipped and slid inside her, the magic that ran through every cell of his body moved within her. His thumb stroked her clit and she was soon holding herself together with her own energy. The buildup of tension gave her the feeling that she was about to fly apart.
"Come for me, Asha." He was staring into her eyes and she relaxed her control for just an instant. An instant was all that it took, his fingers plunged and he took one nipple between his teeth, biting lightly.
Her body started shaking, an endless moan came from her lips and when her breathing took on a rapid pant, her control shattered and pleasure broke over her.
Asha dropped to her knees and leaned her forehead against his chest while she quivered and her channel clasped his finger over and over. He released her wrists and she braced herself on his chest.
"You are still a virgin."
She licked her lips and looked up at him, calm and direct. "You weren't there."
His cheeks darkened and he kissed her again before pulling away with a groan. "The bath is for you. More suitable clothing has been provided for you. Come out to the study when you are ready and we will discuss your responsibilities while you are here."
He was stroking her hair absently, as if it was an uncontrollable impulse.
Asha swallowed and nodded. She backed away from him and his finger slipped out of her. To her dazed horror, he raised his finger to his mouth and licked her juices from his skin.
Her blush could have started a fire.
"Bath, Asha. You have had a long journey today and tomorrow will not be easy for you." He took her by the hand and helped her into the tub, adding the scent of wildflowers to the water.
She sat in the water and stared at him as he walked to the other room. Whatever she was going to have to do, she would have to remember that he was holding her services for the ransom of her cousin's recovery. It was a business arrangement.
Asha looked around the room as she absently scrubbed herself. The leprechaun-styled clothing was on a stand next to the towels. A floor-length dress of dark green and a snug waist-cinching jacket were the standard garb for the women of the city. Soft leather slippers sat on the floor next to the dress and it made her wonder what she was going to be doing if she was dressed as a lady of the leprechaun city.
She was squeaky clean and winced at how much cloudier the water was when she left it. There had definitely been some grime from the trail on her skin and in her hair. She drained the tub and dried herself before rummaging around for a brush.
This was the one time that she truly appreciated the men of Realm favouring long hair. She towelled her hair almost dry and then ran the brush through it until it hung in a heavy wave to cover her breasts.
A loose braid kept it out of the way while she pulled on the dress and laced the sides so that it fit her snugly. The jacket buttoned at her waist and as she looked at herself in the mirror, she saw a respectable woman who could have been a leprechaun with just a little bit of green in her skin. The Crimson clan were pale goblins with red blood and her father had bequeathed none of the normal greenish pigmentation to her. She looked completely human.
The slippers were her size and as she noted the tiny scuff on the shoe, she gasped. They were her shoes from over a decade ago.
She had fallen under the hospitality rules when she had first arrived in the city as a teen. Life at the High Lord's home was easy, her every need was provided for, including clothing. The dress she was wearing now would never have fit her then, nor would the jacket. Her breasts had made a surge for attention in her early twenties and were now quite impressive by human standards.
He had saved her shoes when no one else would have even known she was ever there.
A tear made its way down her cheek and she brushed it away before pasting a bright smile on her face. The diamond effect was restricted to a large gathering of leprechauns, but his sentimentality had a value far beyond diamonds.
With a sense of determination, she opened the bathing room door and wandered out into the High Lord's bedroom.
He was sitting at the table sipping at a glass of wine with his gaze squarely in her direction. "As I thought."
She blushed at his frank appraisal. "What?"
"You are as lovely as I imagined you would be when you fully matured. How are the shoes?"
She walked to him and lifted the edge of her skirt so her feet peeped out. "Just as I left them. I never thought about how it must have been for you. What happened when I disappeared?"
He ran his hands through his hair, making her want to tidy it. "I fell apart for six months, my father feared for my sanity, but there was a surge of power that accompanied your leaving, so I soon came to the conclusion that you were alive, healthy and would one day come back to me."
"I was told that you wouldn't remember it." It was a feeble excuse, but it was one that she clung to.
"I remember every moment that we were together. I sought a demon's perspective and he noted that my soul was incomplete. Because I tied my soul to yours, we both remember the two years of conversations, courtship and that one kiss."
She had no words. Asha walked to him and kissed him, tasting the wine in his mouth. When she released him, his hand was on her back, keeping her close. "I was so excited that I wanted to tell someone, anyone back home, what was going on, that I was in love, I returned to the moment I left with only the memory of our kiss and the ring that no one else could see on my hand."
He took her hand in his and ran his thumb across the ring, sending a shiver through her as the power pulsed. "So, we both had to face the loss. I must say that it does make the pain lessen slightly."
"Nothing can take away the pain, but we can shove it into the past. Now, High Lord Tuartha, what is your order for this evening?"
She yelped as he sat her across his lap.
"Have some dinner. You have not eaten yet today and tomorrow will be taxing." He pressed a kiss to her nose and hauled the tray close to them.
Together, they consumed the food selection which included the buttered and braided bread. Asha didn't start any conversations, merely enjoyed the sensation of being next to Tuartha once again. It wouldn't last long, so she was going to make the most out of every moment.
Chapter Five
Dawn was coloured green in the forest. Asha tried to stretch, but her arms were pinned by Tuartha's.
"Good morning, Asha. Time to attend to your duties." He rolled away from her and with a flicker of magic, they were both dressed.
She looked down at her tidy clothing and scowled. "That's cheating."
He laughed. "It speeds things up tremendously. Now, breakfast and then we are expected at the council hall. You will be acting as my secretary."
She sat up and stumbled to the bathroom to attend to her morning ablutions. Tuartha had even laid in a second toothbrush for her. She scrubbed her face and tidied her hair before returning to the bedroom.
He had made the bed with a flick of magic that she felt like the brush of a feather down her spine. That reminded her of something. "How did you explain the wards around the city and environs?"
He sighed. "That was the act that gained me the title of High Lord. I eventually told my father that I had hired a Warder to place the wards. They were so successful at blocking the excessive light that I had to explain them."
She grimaced, "Yeah, I guess that would be tricky."
"My father was so impressed, he told the rest of the population and now, they all credit me with the wards that you put in place. Do you remember that day?" He reached for her and wrapped his arms around her hips.
Of course she remembered it. They had been walking and holding hands, whispering to each other to keep the forest guards from hearing them when a bolt of light had struck Tuartha and temporarily blinded him. She had been concerned beyond belief and when he told her what had happened, she had set the wards to block out the harsh light that caused the leprechauns their problems. Their eyes could simply not adjust fast enough to keep them from being vulnerable. It was why their souls were captured at the base of rainbows. The bright light stunned them.
They also didn't tan well.
"I remember every day with you. Now, breakfast?" She raised her eyebrows hopefully.
He laughed and they walked down to the dining room.
Carrag smiled in surprise at Asha's changed appearance, but she had two places set at the table and brought food out immediately. Eggs, bacon, sautéed mushrooms and toast made up the standard breakfast. Water and juice accompanied it, coffee was not popular in Realm and tea was only for the afternoons.
"So, High Lord, why was I doing domestic chores yesterday?"
He continued to eat while he answered and she gathered from his speed that they were not dawdling this morning.
"I needed to make sure that you would honour your bargain, no matter what the command. There may be some difficult moments today and I need you to follow all of my directions."
"Will Elhara arrive today?"
"She is already here. The warriors brought her in yesterday and settled her in the care centre. She has been receiving care all evening and is looking better."
Asha smiled, relieved. "Thank you. I am sure that your healers will figure out a method of care for her and, barring that, they will keep her alive at the least."
He nodded, swallowed his juice and looked at her expectantly.
She shovelled the last of her eggs into her mouth and picked up her toast, making a bacon sandwich. "Lead the way. I will eat on the run."
He chuckled. "I had forgotten how slowly you used to eat. It drove my father crazy."
"Where is he?"
"He has a quiet home on the far side of the city and he has opened a donut shop at your suggestion though he doesn't remember where the idea came from. They are almost edible now."
She almost spewed the juice she was drinking. "A donut shop? I remember waxing wistful about them and trying to teach his cook to make them."
"It worked into his mind somehow and we all have to pay the price now." Tuartha's voice was serious, but there was a playful grin on his face.
She wrapped her sandwich in a napkin and got to her feet. "Lead on, High Lord."
"You can call me, Tuartha."
"I think your people would appreciate my formality a little more than my normal flippant tone."
"You are probably correct, Lady Warder."
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, lord, what did I start?"
They left the home of the High Lord, his hand holding her left one, his fingers touching his ring. There was some significance to that, but she couldn't remember it now.
Walking through the streets holding hands with one's secretary was probably not a normal activity for the High Lord, but no one questioned him. Her munching of the bacon sandwich got more attention than their connection. They walked from his home to the council hall with only a few passersby noting their joined hands.
"What will my duties be today?" She tried to keep her voice low.
"Organizing my appointments and keeping track of petitions. I want you at my side as much as possible, so don't stray too far." He gave her a serious look with his admonition.
"Yes, High Lord. Where do I start?" They were approaching the main council hall.
"I will give you a book and you will record the petitioners as well as their topics. Take the grieving first and leave the drier disputes for the afternoon. Carrag will bring us lunch."
He smiled and she caught her breath at how handsome the expression made him look. It was a genuine smile that came out of his soul and spread across his features. She hadn't seen that look on his face since she had turned eighteen here in the city and he had asked her to dance.
She swallowed hard and wriggled her fingers in his grip. "Will I get a note pad or something?"
"A ledger. All petitions to the High Lord are recorded and archived. I hope you have good penmanship. We keep those archives forever." He opened the door just shy of the council hall. "My private offices. The open door means folks can come in and wait to be heard. You can take that desk and wait for the first petitioner. The ledger is on the blotter and I will see you when the first person arrives."