Chapter 13
Arran
It’s been almost two weeks since Audrey moved into my castle, and it’s starting to feel somewhat normal having her and Anita there. Initially, I thought it would bother me to have someone else living in my castle, but they’ve been rather good company.
For a while, they mostly kept to themselves, but I’ve found myself spending more and more evenings in the parlor when they’re downstairs, slowly getting to know Audrey while watching the pup play.
The quick-witted woman likes to ask me all types of questions about my former clan, my life here, and some of the creatures who’ve lived in Starry Hill over the centuries.
It’s been equally interesting learning more about Audrey, finding out about her job, her variety of interests, and how her desire for fairness for workers led to her living in Starry Hill.
She’s an absolutely fascinating creature, funny too. Often I find myself chuckling at some kind of remark she made, and seemingly inspired by my reaction, Audrey ups the ante every time, getting more and more outlandish with her quips.
Anita has also been an irresistible delight and I’ve grown quite fond of her. I’ve made the pup a few toys and take care of her whenever Audrey heads out to help Tilly with the twins.
Despite all the extra time we spend together, Audrey and I haven’t had any more lust-driven nights. There have been charged moments, lingering touches, almost kisses, but our teasing never leads to anything beyond that.
I wonder how long it will take before Audrey will invite me into her bed again. If I’m privileged enough for her to give me another chance, I plan on being very well fed before anything can happen, because I hope to make it a very memorable night—for both of us.
Just in case it does happen sooner rather than later, I’ve taken Calla up on the offer of increasing my blood orders and have started keeping a few extra bags in the icebox. It’s better not to have use for the surplus supply than finding myself in the same predicament as last time.
Oh, I so wished I could’ve fucked Audrey, but I knew the desire to bite her would’ve been too strong. Maybe I could’ve withstood the temptation, but I’m not willing to put her at risk. Ever.
After sunset, I bid Audrey and Anita farewell and stroll across the island toward the northern shore, to Shinsu and Eleanor’s mill. It’s time for my favorite event of the week: game night.
For months now, Bodin, Ren, Shinsu, Eleanor, and I have been playing Knights & Castles, a tabletop board game Shinsu introduced us to.
Our campaign had been briefly paused while Bodin adjusted to parenthood, but tonight is our first time back and I’m rather looking forward to seeing my friends gathered around the table again.
I wonder if Audrey would ever be interested in tabletop games. If you had asked me only a few years ago, the answer would most certainly have been a firm no.
However, enjoying a pint of beer with my friends while we work out strategies for our characters and go on all types of adventures has been a great addition to my otherwise fairly monotonous life.
Kind of like the way Audrey has managed to brighten my life too. I never know what to expect from her, never know what her next words or actions will be, and I find it… exciting.
Halfway across the island, I see Ren leaving his cottage, Maisie blowing a kiss toward him just as he meets my eyes.
The shy incubus’s cheeks flame an even brighter shade of red and he ducks his head as he falls into step beside me. “Evening, Arran.”
“Hello, Ren. Good to see you,” I say, lifting my hand toward Maisie in greeting.
“You too. It’s nice to have everyone back again.”
“The same thought just passed through my mind too.”
After a minute of companionable silence passes, Ren asks, “Do you think Shinsu would’ve baked his famous focaccia?”
“Surely. Do you think there will be ale?”
“I hope.”
As we make more small talk, I take great care to keep my thoughts present in the conversation and far away from Audrey, lest Ren’s incubus senses register the effect she has on me.
It’s not that I’m embarrassed about how I feel.
I’d simply prefer not to open my personal relationships up for any kind of scrutiny from anyone.
Seemingly unaware of the valiant effort, Ren asks, “Has Audrey started her new project yet?” At my confused look, he explains hesitantly, “Oh, uhm… Maisie mentioned something about Audrey being bored and looking for ways to fill her time while she’s in Starry Hill.”
I bristle at the thought of Audrey not being happy here. “She hasn’t mentioned a project to me.”
“Oh, okay. Sorry.” Ren lifts a hand to scratch at the back of his neck and I instantly feel bad for my tone.
Wanting to put him at ease again, I ask, “Do you have any suggestions that I can pass along to her?”
Ren’s shoulders relax again. “I think I’m the wrong creature to ask. I can spend hours at my computer without moving. Maisie sometimes has to remind me to eat.” Ren’s eyes widen at his own confession and something tells me that he doesn’t purely mean food.
Completely unbidden, my mind drifts toward the taste and feel of Audrey’s cunt as she climaxed on my tongue, of my face buried between her thighs for hours while I licked and sucked until she was sated and boneless.
The desire to do precisely that again when I get home tonight burns through me, my cock hardening as images of her naked and dripping for me flash through my head.
Ren doesn’t say anything as he darts a covert glance at me. Only then do I register what he’s most likely detecting in my body.
Even though I tried my best to keep my thoughts away from Audrey, I didn’t manage to last long before she was front and center in my brain again.
Ren and I fall into a strained silence as we pass through the last few hills and reach Shinsu’s home.
Before we’re able to knock on the already open door, Eleanor gets up from the table and greets us with a welcoming smile. “Arran, Ren. So good to see you two. Please come in.”
“Thank you for hosting again,” Ren says shyly, his hands fisted into the pockets of his black hoodie as he comes to a halt right inside the door.
“Aye,” I grunt, stepping up next to Ren. “It’s good to be back. Thank you for opening your home once again, Eleanor, Shinsu.”
“Please call me Nori. All my friends do,” she says as she lays a hand on my arm.
“Nori,” I reply with a nod.
Shinsu looks up from his spot in the kitchen. “What happened?”
“What do you mean?” I ask, stepping away from Nori in case I did something untoward.
“Did you two argue?” Shinsu asks, pointing between me and Ren.
“No,” Ren and I answer at the same time.
Neither of us are confrontational beings, so arguing is not something one would attribute to either of us. However, I am aware that Ren and I can both be a little socially awkward at times, something Shinsu is most likely picking up on.
Tilting his head to the side, Shinsu studies us. “Something feels odd.”
“Shinsu,” Nori admonishes lightly, love apparent in her voice as she approaches her partner.
The dragon puts down everything in his hands and welcomes Nori into his embrace. “Too direct?”
“Maybe a little,” Nori whispers back, her palm cupping Shinsu’s jaw.
The natural way they complement each other, how a simple touch grounds the other when needed, is beautiful to watch. A deeply buried part of me aches for that kind of companionship, but after so many centuries alone, I don’t expect fate to do me any new favors.
I know my purpose in this world, and it’s to help creatures in need, to give them a home when they’re not welcome elsewhere. And that’s where I find my fulfillment. Wishing for anything more than that for myself would be a grand folly.
While Nori and Shinsu continue their quiet conversation, Bodin arrives.
I’ve never seen the big orc look as unkempt as he does now.
His beard is the longest I’ve ever seen it, his hair unbrushed.
Stains adorn his rumpled shirt, but there’s a toothy smile stretching across his mouth as he takes us in.
“Looks like the gang’s all here,” Bodin says, going around the mill to greet each of us with a warm hug.
Once we’re settled around the gaming table, Shinsu runs an assessing gaze over Bodin’s face. “Does having a baby mean you give up on any self-care?”
Nori hides a smile behind her hand but doesn’t reprimand Shinsu’s direct comment again.
Bodin runs a rough hand back and forth over his black hair, making it appear even more unkempt.
“Listen, I’ve got three creatures in my home that I care more for than anything in this entire world.
Two require very frequent attention, while the other is still recovering from carrying them for nine months and then birthing them.
My own hygiene is very low on the list of priorities.
I still shower, but anything beyond that is a luxury. ”
Nori’s eyes get a dreamy quality to them as she shares a look with Shinsu, who blinks back at her with a soft smile.
“I’ve heard it gets easier to balance your time as they get older,” Ren offers.
Bodin shrugs as he takes a bite of focaccia. “Maybe. Right now, I’m taking it day by day. Their faces are already changing and I don’t want to miss a thing.”
“Are you okay to be here now?” Nori asks, concern lacing her words.
Bodin nods and gives her a grateful smile.
“Tilly strongly encouraged me to get out for a while and have adult conversations. She said I needed some friend time to reset my brain. Apparently it did her a lot of good the other day to go to smut club and chat to everyone there. She came back looking really refreshed.”
The grin lighting up Nori’s face is sweet and thankful. It hasn’t been too long since she took over from Lucille at The Dancing Daisy, but she’s made many changes to benefit the community. I’m certain hearing this type of feedback means a lot to her.
“It was a really good day with lots of meaningful conversations,” Nori says. “Audrey brought some insightful topics to our attention.”