Confirmation #3
I drag in a ragged breath as a bead of sweat slides down my cheek. My heartbeat seems to resonate through my cunt and clit, making every pulse throb. I moan, sagging forward to bury my face against Arlon’s chest. He chuckles as he strokes my sweaty curls from my face.
“Have you had enough, Apprentice?”
“Y-yes, sir,” I moan, the aftermath of pleasure almost as good as the start of it.
Arlon hums, and for a second, I think he might start it up again. I wait, holding my breath, but then his fingers gently untie the ropes around my wrists. I let them fall, too tired to move before my legs are freed next.
One strong arm circles my waist before I’m lifted off the phallus and the domed seat. I’m glad for the help. With my legs turned to water, I don’t think I could manage it on my own.
Arlon scoops me into his arms before he carries me over to the bed to lay me down.
I let out a drowsy little chuckle as he comes to join me, pressing his body close.
I’m not usually a cuddler, but after an intense spell like that, I’ve come to relish these quiet moments.
The calm after the storm. I bury my face against his chest, savoring the feel of his hand stroking gently down my back.
It makes my overworked nerves thrum, but after the onslaught, the touch is pleasant.
“Congratulations, Master Galiva,” Arlon says. “You have more than earned your conjuration mastery.”
The words fill me with pride, and I smile as my hands tighten in the fabric of his shirt. “Thank you.” I let out a tired laugh and say, “I’ve already jotted down some ideas for my enchantment and transmutation masteries.”
Arlon hums. “I’m sure you have.”
“Want to hear them?”
“I think I need to mount you back on that seat and start this all over again if your mind is going back to work so quickly.”
I shiver at the threat even as I turn my grin up at him. “So that’s a no?”
He frowns even as he tightens his arms around me. “You are rushing, Galiva. Why?”
He’s not wrong. Ever since the Eastern Tower, there’s been this sense of... urgency. Like if I just hurry and gain my full mastery, a weight will be lifted.
“I...” I swallow and say, “I don’t think you’ll like my answer.”
“Try me.”
I frown and gently extract myself from his too-warm arms to roll onto my back. It’s easier not to look at him as I say, “Because I want to be ready if the next attempt on your life succeeds.”
Arlon winces. “You’re right. I don’t like that answer. Though I can’t fault your pragmatism. Planning for even the worst contingencies will do you well in this position.”
I keep my eyes resolutely on the ceiling as a weighted silence descends. So many of mine and Arlon’s conversations lately have been so... official. It’s nice to talk to him just as Arlon again, rather than the Grandmaster.
“Why did you ask Reneta to apprentice?” I ask at last.
Arlon sighs, one hand lifting to drag his hair away from his forehead. “I asked Reneta because I thought I had no other options.”
I turn to face him even as dregs of the anger and resentment I thought I had left behind bubble up. “What about me? Why wasn’t I an option? Why did I have to ask you to apprentice?”
Arlon turns to me, his expression pained. “I don’t think you’ll like my answer.”
“Try me.”
Some of the weariness left over from last night settles across his face.
“Before the Tower, it was because the thought of appointing two people from the same family would be viewed as nepotism. After the Tower, it’s because I think convincing the King to appoint the sister of a known traitor is going to be near impossible. ”
It feels like a punch to the stomach. I swear quietly as I raise a hand to cover my eyes. The redemption of my entire family rests on this one thing, and even Arlon thinks it’s a losing task.
“Well,” I say before I turn to bury my face back against his chest. “I look forward to proving you wrong.”
Arlon’s arms surround me again. “And if anyone can, it’s you.” He falls quiet, but his fingers feel nice as they rub the back of my neck. He pulls me from my comfortable haze as he says, “I have my reservations about Reneta.”
I glance up, eyebrow raised. “Oh?”
Arlon rubs his face. His beard has gotten long to the point of being scruffy.
I’ll have to convince him to let me trim it before we head to the palace tomorrow.
“She was... close with your sister. The enchantment I used to interrogate her erased the fears I had of her involvement with Demica and Diran’s dealings, but that doesn’t change the fact that she was your sister’s apprentice for nearly two years. ”
“You’re afraid she might still have some loyalty to her,” I say. “That there may be a conflict of interests we’re not seeing.”
Arlon sighs. “Exactly that.”
“How far out do you think they are?” I ask. The Crown had graciously allowed for a few months travel for them before they would be considered traitors, but that time is rapidly drawing to a close.
“Hopefully not far,” he says. “They still have time, but the last thing we want is for them to miss their arrival window with Captain Thora breathing down our necks.”
“Banish the thought,” I mutter before I turn to look at him. “Thank you for today.”
Arlon hums, one arm draping around my shoulder. “We needed it. Let’s enjoy the break while we can, doldora.”
The unsaid hangs in the air between us. Because tomorrow, we go and speak to the King.