Page 59 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

Was it outlandish to think that she’d changed her mind?

If I was picturing a possible future for us together now, maybe she was too.

A glimmer of hope sparked, and I tried to squash it down quickly. I couldn’t assume anything. She’d been honest about what she wanted from the beginning. Sex and a traveling companion. Did I really want to confess my feelings to yet another person I’d naively fallen for, just to have them reject me?

I continued walking, now heading slowly back in the direction of town. Mind full of Elikki, I tried to sort out my thoughts and decide what to say to her, if anything. Breathing slowly in and out, counting my inhales and exhales, helped to calm my racing heart and leech the stress from my body.

I needed to wait for some kind of sign from her. An indication that this was more than just fucking and friendship. More than likely, she’d get bored of me soon and want to leave for the next town, the next person, and the next adventure.

The thought left a dry, acrid taste in my mouth. It didn’t ring true—but if I believed it now, it would hurt less when she left me.

Maybe.

Reaching the edge of town, I went down a side street that was a shortcut to the main road. The best bakery in Old Orchard was tucked along here. Drawing up to its faded turquoise door, I ducked inside and found it mercifully empty. It was a tiny shop, and my height and breadth tended to make things uncomfortable if there were other people in the small space.

Elikki and I had come here yesterday on our morning stroll, and I ended up having to stand outside as she got our treats. Once she’d come out, a heavy bag tucked in one arm, she’d fussed over me while she dug through the baked goods. Such a small space—they should just use a takeout window so everyone can place orders, she’d said. And that door is ridiculously short. I barely fit through! Good you waited out here anyway. A guy in line had terrible BO. Then she’d passed me a braided chocolate pastry and took my other hand, weaving our fingers together and tugging me along the road with an easy smile. I don’t know how she could tell when I’m feeling self-conscious, but she always knew what to say.

Now the bell chimed cheerily at my entrance. A bit hunched, I took a deep breath, inhaling the comforting scents of vanilla, sugar, and yeasty bread. The remaining baked goods of the day were laid out in baskets on the wide counter. An elderly man shuffled out of the kitchen, and I ordered one apple strudel for me and the last big cinnamon roll for Elikki. She’d devoured one yesterday and had declared it “the most magnificent damned pastry” she’d ever eaten.

The baker rang up my purchases and waved me out the door with a wheezy “Enjoy, sonny!” I meandered down the cobblestone street, feeling surprisingly at peace. There was still a chill at night, but it didn’t bother me. The air smelled fresh and crisp, even here in town, and the sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow on the rooftops and windows. A mage was scurrying along, lighting the lampposts on each street with yellow-orange flameless fire. More and more townsfolk walked to and fro, heading home after work or to the pubs for an evening drink and some entertainment.

It was week’s end. Tomorrow was a Resting Day, when most folks took off from work and relaxed or shopped or visited the bathhouse. Elikki was planning to set up a stall and sell her jewelry down in the main square.

As I thought of it, the memory of the first time I saw her flashed in my mind. She was so charming and vivacious—to me, it seemed like she drew everyone in her radius in toward her booth with sheer charisma. I couldn’t wait to see her back in action tomorrow.

My steps quickened as I approached our inn. It was still relatively quiet inside, just a handful of patrons and a fiddler tuning their instrument in a corner. I stopped by the bar for a large pint of cloudy cider—Elikki’s favorite—before making my way to our room.

My stomach buzzed when I drew closer, as it always did when I was near El.

I unlocked the door, then entered quietly in case she was still focusing on her magework. But she was slumped in one of the large armchairs by the fireplace, eyes closed and face a bit drawn. I set everything down and knelt, softly petting her hair and rubbing my thumb across her forehead the way that she liked. Elikki let out a long, tired groan.

“I could sleep for a week,” she said, sliding down farther in the chair. “Today’s casting really took it out of me.”

I pulled the bakery bag closer and opened it up. After a moment, Elikki cracked one eyelid open.

“I smell sugar,” she said, lips curving into a small smile.

“Have enough energy for a little treat?” I said, pulling out the gigantic cinnamon roll. Her eyes widened.

“I’ll try to muster my strength.” She reached for the pastry, taking a big bite of mostly frosting. Groaning again—this time in pleasure—Elikki swallowed and then licked the frosting off her lip with her quick tongue. I stared, going still at her side.

She knew what it did to me when she licked her lips like that. Sure enough, she flicked her gaze over mischievously before drawing my head toward her for a deep, sugary kiss. I moved in front of her and leaned into it, placing my arms on either side of the chair, letting Elikki pull me as close as she wanted. The buzzing in my stomach fanned into a full bonfire. Her tongue swirled against mine, lips chasing lips. She was sweeter than anything I’d ever tasted. It had only been a few hours since we last kissed, but this quenched a longing I’d had since we parted after lunch.

Her free hand trailed down my side, dragging up my neatly tucked in shirt and drawing her nails lightly against the skin of my back. My breath stuttered, and I could feel her lips turning upward against my mouth.

I drew back just enough to murmur, “You scamp.”

Elikki drew an innocent face. “Who, me?” she said, before smearing a dollop of frosting on my neck and sucking it off. My cock stiffened.

“You seem much revived,” I said wryly, pulling down the neck of her blouse to reveal more of the ample breasts that spilled out of her yellow corset. Kissing down her collarbone, I swiped some of the frosting for myself, smearing it in her cleavage before diving in, long licks of my tongue making her pant hot breaths against my neck.

“Yes, I’m feeling—ohhh—ten times—ooOO!—better now.” Elikki squirmed underneath me, fighting to remove her corset so I could tend to her nipples. I sat back on my heels.

“Here, love, let me,” I said. I picked the cold cider up from the floor and passed it to her, then I stood and knelt behind the chair. She beamed and took a deep gulp.

“Ahh, this is bliss,” she said, taking another bite of her cinnamon roll and washing it down with cider. “Now I am officially recovered! What a day.” She placed them on the table and sighed with deep contentment.

I kept loosening the corset strings. I was getting quite quick at it with all the practice I had this week. The anticipation, the time it took to unravel the strings and undress her, always left me rock-hard by the time I was done.