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As we get ready for the day, I make a full effort to parade my body around in front of him. We take a bath together, and I lay my body back against his. He runs his hands over my skin as I melt into his arms.
Gods damn, this feels good, I think to myself. In fact, I’ve been feeling pretty damn great about everything since last night. The only thing that could make all of this better is if we had this entire manor to ourselves, but Valkus helps me forget about his family’s presence.
I’m chewing my last bite of breakfast when an idea hits me.
“Valkus, I want to go out to the gardens again today.”
“Oh, yeah? Is there anything in particular you’d like to do together?”
“I’m glad you asked,” I say with a smile. “I want to watch you paint.”
“You do?”
“Of course. I was blown away by your display the other day. Your passion for the arts is… Well, I’ve never seen anyone so invested in their own work before, especially a dark elf.” I throw a hand over my mouth, realizing I’ve overstepped. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it offensively.”
“Don’t worry. I’m well aware of the humans’ perception of our kind, and, well, I can’t exactly fault you for thinking that way.”
“Anyway, I want to see what you look like in your element, so how about it?”
“I’d be honored. Quite frankly, I never thought anyone would ask to see how I work.”
“Then I’m the one who’d be honored to see it through.”
Yiosha comes to clear our plates as we make our way to his studio. There, he gathers a blank canvas and an easel. He allows me to hold his brushes and paint while Nexus carries a tin of primer in his mouth.
The three of us wander through the gardens as Valkus leads us to the quietest spot. Coming around a hedge, we’re met with a small incline of a hill, at the top of which looms a towering tree.
As we make our way up the incline, I look back at the manor, seeing we’re quite far from it.
“Come take a look,” says Valkus, having reached the peak.
I join him and Nexus, coming to the edge of the hill where I’m met by a glorious view of the city. Pyrthos looks nicer than I’ve ever seen it, and for a moment, I forget just how bad the experience of living in it was.
If only its residents were as beautiful as the city itself…
“To think I plucked a human woman from the lowtowns and am now about to paint in her company,” he remarks.
“I’m a lucky woman,” I say seductively.
“Come then and lend me a hand in setting all of this up.”
I pass him each piece of equipment as needed, full of gratitude for letting me handle it. He positions the easel into place, wearing a look of deep focus on his face as he does so. When everything is ready to go, he turns to me, holding a paintbrush in hand.
“Come here.”
What does he need me for?
He offers me the paintbrush.
“Wait, aren’t you the artist here?” I laugh nervously.
“Trust me, hold it the way I am.”
With a shaky hand, I grip the paintbrush. Valkus puts his hand on my body, positioning me in front of the canvas.
“You’re going to apply this for me. One simple coating,” he says, gesturing to the primer.
“I don’t know if you should trust me with this.”
