I’m more than alright. This is bliss.
“Yes,” I breathe even as I grind down onto her fingers in a silent plea.
She meets me, thrusting deep as she moves through the remaining cups, popping the seals on them one at a time. There are ones that have been attached for so long I’ve all but forgotten they were there. Blood rushes to the spots, the skin left darkened and sensitive in their wake.
Only then does Bridgette reach into her pocket and grab a buzzing focus. She brings it to my clit, and I’m lost. I’m alreadyso heated, so on edge, that it doesn’t take more than a moment of vibration to send me toppling into bliss. I shout my pleasure, but Bridgette’s fingers never stop thrusting.
Every thought is wiped away. No worries, no doubts. Only pleasure and heat remain, but even still, Bridgette doesn’t stop. One peak shatters as it crashes into another, and I cry my release to the arched ceiling.
I’m left boneless and panting in the aftermath, my body covered in circular bruises. But the tension in my back and shoulders is gone, replaced by a deep, pleasant ache. Bridgette pulls her fingers free before she loosens the ropes from my wrists. When I manage to peel an eye open, she’s smiling down at me.
She brushes a curl away from my forehead. “How do you feel?”
I let out a long breath as my thoughts trickle back in. But they’re more manageable now. Less... frightening than they felt before. “Better.”
She presses a kiss to my cheek before she settles in comfortably next to me. I rest my head against her chest, enjoying the feel of her fingers gently rubbing my scalp. For a moment, we just enjoy the quiet, the warmth of each other’s company.
The crackling of the fire in Arlon’s hearth is the only sound until Bridgette speaks again. “You’re going to have doubts, Gal.Somany doubts. But remember that you asked for this position because youbelievedyou can handle it. Keep trusting yourself.”
I sigh against her chest, my thoughts already moving back to what I’m up against tomorrow. “I will.”
PROVE THEM ALL WRONG, doldora.
I carry Arlon’s note in my pocket like a good-luck token as I enter the palace. My robe and masteries are on full display, and the sealed proposal is clenched tight in my hand.
I’m early, but even still, the Queen is already waiting for me. I’m not surprised. It seems to be a tactic she uses to catch people off their guard, but today, I feel ready for her.
“You have a full proposal?” Tramella asks, as imperious as ever.
“I do, Your Majesty.”
Tramella raises an eyebrow, as if she doubted I’d come through. Instead, I circle the long table to put the sealed vellum into her hands. She breaks the wax, and that immaculately plucked eyebrow is so firm it’s like she’s plastered it to her forehead.
“Our route to the Eastern Tower brought us through Laodeiros, where I had the privilege to visit a temple to Coition,” I say.
“Ah yes,” the Queen says. “I know of which you speak.”
There she goes again. Saying the perfect thing to catch me off guard.
“I noticed there’s no such presence in the capital for the goddess,” I say lightly. “Every major city west of the Nahran mountains has something to honor her, I think.”
The Queen shrugs, though she doesn’t look up from my proposal. “I’ve always considered the Crux to be an adequate effigy. Who needs a temple when your... busiest adherents live next door?”
I never thought about it quite likethat, but I suppose she’s right. There’s no denying that magiline is as true of a divine offering from Coition as a storm swell is from Hadallis.
“Perhaps you’re right, Your Majesty,” I say with a smile. “But there’s one thing the Crux doesn’t allow for. The thing that struck me the most about the temple on Laodeiros is that there was no separation between the people with magic and the people without. Everyone was allowed to experience the wonder of making it, even participate if they chose.”
The Queen’s mouth pulls into a thin line. “There are no less than five operational brothels throughout the city, Grandmaster.”
I give a delicate laugh to hide my flash of frustration. It’s such a closed-minded view, but it’s one I'm used to hearing.
“You know of it, but did you visit the temple, Your Majesty?”
Something in my tone makes her eyes travel up to my face.
“No,” she says simply.
“It’s a shame,” I say with a grin. “Because conflating Coition’s temple to a brothel is like calling a dance hall an opera house. Neither are bad, per se, but one is certainly more of an experience.”
