Page 17 of Badmouths & Bards

“Give the man a prize, Cercel, he can remember names,” Tala joked.

Cercel grimaced.

Okay, maybe not the best joke—

Face laughed, and Tala nearly fell out of the chair. His voice hadn’t matched his appearance, but his laugh sounded like—like something Tala couldn’t properly describe.

It’s like if moonbeams made a sound. Like fairies dancing on the wind—oh, my gods, why did I think that?!

“You’re funny, that’ll help you around here,” Face said, extending his hand toward her. “My name is Casimine.”

Casimine.

Tala didn’t know the origin of the name, but it suited him. She awkwardly placed the hand nearest to him into his open palm. Tala nearly jerked back as Casimine leaned down and placed a soft kiss to the back of her hand. His lips were way too soft, too warm, and way too overly familiar for a first meeting.

When Casimine straightened, his eyes were mischievous.

Chapter 8

Ameriden

Pernimas.

He knew that name better than most. That was her name in familiar speech—the language that had united all the denizens of Ordia. But for Ameriden and Casimine, she was simply known as the Water Mother. The origin of all hanfen creation had always been tied to the moons—with the exception of the air hanfen, as their creation was responsible for all.

Knowing that the human woman inappropriately lounging in the chair across from him was familiar with their mother—with mother of all water hanfens—made her immensely more attractive to him.

It also helped that she had toned arms, thick thighs, and a face that clearly said, “Fuck off”. Something about that particular combination immediately pulled Ameriden’s attention. Casimine kissing the back of her hand only solidified Ameriden’s passing thought.

If Casi likes her, that means I can like her, which means WE can like her.

At least, Ameriden hoped as Casimine slowly trailed his hand away from Taldesa. Ameriden liked her name—there was something royal about it despite her rugged appearance, or maybe in spite of it. The permanent glare in her yellow eyes made his body tingle. Whether it was excitement at the prospect of being with Casimine and her, or the novelty of the new experience—Ameriden wasn’t sure.

Could be both, he thought as he came to stand at Casimine’s side.

“I’m Ameriden,” he said, offering his own hand.

Hand shaking was common on many continents and had a few advantages as opposed to the respectful bowing that had been drilled into Ameriden since he was old enough to stand. Hand shaking was intimate, it could be used as a show of strength or weakness depending. Yet, Taldesa surprised him, when instead of offering her hand for him to take, she simply slapped his palm with her own. Like the way the other bards did after singing practice.

Oh, you don’t want me to kiss your hand, huh?

Ameriden laughed, “You got some power behind those small wrists.”

Wrists that Ameriden really wanted to hold down as he rutted against her. That he wanted pressed against the back of his neck as he fucked her. It had been a long time since Ameriden had felt this level of attraction, and he was startled with how easily the thoughts came to his mind. His head was usually so preoccupied with Casimine that Ameriden had forgotten he could think about anyone else until then.

“If you like my wrists, wait ‘til you see what I can do with my hands,” Taldesa replied.

Her voice was lower than most of the women who frequented their performances. Monotone as well, but it didn’t deter Ameriden in the slightest. The flirtation was so there. He shared another look with Casi, pleased to see the sparkling twinkle in his eye.

He was so in.

If Seira was so concerned with them sneaking off in the middle of the night, she sure as hell made it easier for the both of them. It would be much easier to flirt and entice someone if they lived right next door. No audience to worry about seeing them, no local authorities barging in because of the noise complaints. Just him, and Casimine, and their personal bodyguard.

This literally couldn’t go any better.

“Cercel, I have the formal parchment contracts in the dining area, why don’t you follow me and make sure it’s alright,” Seira said, hopping out of her seat.

Except it just did!