Breakfast was in the atrium beside the fountain. I had fruit and eggs; I did not ask the source of the eggs, which were a pale green in color.

  “If only I had some ham,” I muttered.

  Aelyn was speaking with a harried-looking elf in a high-collared shirt that I immediately labeled as office wear. He stepped over to me and looked down.

  “I have to spend the morning going over some business,” he said.

  “Excellent,” said Raina. “I need her.”

  “Oh, good,” said Aelyn, appearing relieved. He bent down, placed his hand behind my neck, and gave me an unhurried kiss. When he finished, my face was flushed.

  “Lunch?” he asked.

  I nodded. I followed him with my gaze as he walked away.

  “Well,” said Raina thoughtfully, “that should be all over the Residence before noon.”

  “What?” As I looked around, I could see people staring.

  “Your paramour,” she said. “Pursued by every eligible daughter in Kla'Nath. Ignores them all. And shows up at the Embassy with…you!” She pointed a finger at me dramatically.

  “Oh Goddess,” I facepalmed. “I was hoping to keep a low profile.”

  “Well, that’s out the window. Now—” she leaned in with a smile, “—how are doing with the book?”

  “It’s wonderful,” I whispered, “but I’m still on Chapter One. It’s going to take years to get through.”

  “Excellent.” Raina grinned like a theranaq. “Now let’s go. We have work to do.”

  She would not tell me where we were going. We walked through multiple corridors, down a flight of stairs, and arrived in a long room where bales of fabric were interspersed with boxes of threads, wools, and unidentifiable material. Tables were scattered around, covered with other fabrics, scissors, needles, and measuring tapes. Raina led us to a table in one corner where the tallest elf I had ever seen was waving her hands at a young woman.

  “No, I do not have your mistress’s dress ready. It was promised for Chelnaq eve, and that is when you may collect it.”

  “But the ball is this evening—”

  “If she wanted it this evening, she should have contracted for that date two tendays ago.”

  “How could she? The celebration was just announced this morning?”

  “And is that my fault? Goddess, I made her a dress just last month. She can wear that.”

  The woman looked scandalized. “She cannot! My Lady Alora wore it to the Ambassador’s birthday two tendays ago.”

  “And Goddess forbid she wear one of my constructions more than once.” The older woman waved her hand as if shooing a fly. “Off with you, then.”

  The young woman stepped away angrily. The seamstress turned to us.

  “Raina! Thank you so much. We had resigned ourselves to a total loss. And then we heard you recaptured the sensal.”

  “I did not. She did.” Raina indicated me. “Let me introduce the Mage Lady Circe. Circe, Madam Lenna”

  “Ah.” Her eyes lit up. “Aelyn’s lover. We heard about his display this morning. It seems that he has claimed you, my Lady.”

  “How quickly do rumours spread here?” I asked. “We just left breakfast.”

  “Hah. They’re the only things that fly faster than a dragon, dear.” She turned to Raina. “I suppose she needs to be accoutred for this evening.”

  “Just so. I thought it was only right that she wears the fabric she rescued.”

  “Raina!” I said, “it’s not mine.”

  Lenna took my arm. “My dear,” she said, “You really have no idea of what you did, do you?” She shook her head. “Of course it’s yours.”

  “But what about?” I indicated the direction the servant had taken with a finger.

  “Lady Alora? Oh, we play this game at least once every two months. Another forty years and I may have her trained.”

  We squeezed into a small fitting room. Lenna looked me up and down. “So,” she said thoughtfully, “One gown for tonight, of course. Then a couple of dresses for everyday use. And one or two for dinners, parties, that sort of thing.” She clapped her hands. “The gown will be ready late this afternoon. Where should I send it?”

  “Aelyn and I are staying on the second—”

  “Goddess, no.” Both women were shaking their heads. “You can’t possibly let him see it before the ball. That’s the whole point, don’t you see?”

  “Send it to my quarters,” said Raina. “We’ll prepare there and meet our partners at the hall entrance. And can you find a pair of sandals to match?”

  “Perfect,” Lenna turned to me. “Clothes off, dear. I need to measure you.”

  I pulled off my dress and stood in my band and halter.

  “All of them dear. This is a formal gown. You can’t wear anything under it. It would ruin the lines.”

  “Of course.” I tossed my remaining garments aside, reflecting on the lack of a nudity taboo in elven society. Lenna pulled a tape from around her neck and made a series of rapid measurements from head to toe.

  “What colours do you favour, dear?”

  “Blues and greens,” I said.

  She looked at my dress. “Blue then. He’ll be used to green by now, don’t you think?”

  “Thank you, Lenna. You’re more than kind.”

  “A pleasure dear. And thank you for not telling me how to do my job.” She smiled. “I’m sure Lord Aelyn will enjoy this creation.”

  “Oh, dear,” I said.

  When I entered the small dining room, I saw Aelyn across the table from an older elf. He rose as I approached, pulled out my chair, and seated me. I smiled at him and felt a familiar warmth.

  “Lady Keishara, may I present my Mage, Lady Circe.”

  We touched hands.

  “May the Goddess Hecate spread her blessings on your house, Lady Keishara.”

  “And on yours, Lady Circe.”

  “Just Circe, please.” I considered her. “You are Ambassador to the Empire, then?”

  “Keishira. Just so. For the past ten years. I suppose you are aware of my role?”

  “Well, if it’s like any other Ambassadorship, I suppose it involves saying the nastiest possible things in the nicest possible way.”

  She huffed out a laugh. “Oh, Aelyn. You did not warn me of this one.”

  “She continues to surprise.” His hand rested on my thigh. I forced myself not to lean into him.

  “So,” I asked, “I assume there is a reason you wished to speak with me?”

  “Yes,” she nodded slowly, “two reasons, really. First, what did you think about the role of Lady Katrina?”

  I shrugged. “It’s clear that she was involved in the original theft. And while I do not know her role in the Empire, I would bet that she did not plan it herself. More than likely she is fronting for a larger organization.”

  “How do you conclude that?”

  “Communication. Only she, her Blade, and perhaps three other people were involved in the robbery, and the later attack directed at myself. Yet, she was able to call on the Skaford for the first raid and later contact them to order an attack on me. This suggests a network of intermediaries.”

  I paused, then continued: “And transport. When we recovered the sensal, it was in the process of being sent west. Likely to a ship for transfer elsewhere. This supposes an organization with the wherewithal to manage shipping, docking, and selling of extremely valuable goods.”

  She gazed at me and then turned to Aelyn. “Did you discuss this with her?”

  “None of it,” he said.

  “Well. Impressive. Your conclusions mirror ours.”

  “Have you identified anyone higher up than Lady Katrina?” I asked.

  “We have not. We continue to probe, and—” she considered me, “—seek out other sources of information.”

  I nodded. “And the other reason for this meeting?”

  “You wish to apply to the Academy, yes?”

  “I do. But—” I paused and took a deep breath, “—my original mentor was killed. She was to help me with the entrance requirements. I understand that I require a nominator and a seconder.”

  “Yes. We will nominate you.”

  I blinked. “You can do that?”

  “We have reciprocity between the Academies in Vandoran and Kla'Nath. A certain number of slots are held, to be granted by the respective Crowns.”

  “Oh. I really can’t thank you enough. As to the seconder—”

  “Has already been arranged. He is Duke Werner, one of the Emperor’s cabinet ministers.”

  “Is he the chief of intelligence, then?”

  Keishara shook her head, bemused. “Why would you think that?”

  “Mast—you know him?” She nodded. “Said he would reach out to someone he knew for that purpose.”

  “And?”

  “Mast…” I thought. “Well, he says little. Watches everything. Travels all over in his caravan. And spends an awful lot of time writing reports for a small businessman. Oh, and he knows a Duke.”

  Aelyn was grinning. Keishara rested her hand in her palm and stared at me.

  “Well,” she said at length, “there is also the question of payment to the Academy.”

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “I plan to—”

  “Which we will cover. As well as a stipend so you may live in Vandoran.”

  “I—” I stammered, “I can’t accept that. I mean—”

  She waved her hand dismissively. “Aelyn warned me about your tendency to give without receiving. No matter. Since I am an ambassador, with a finely honed ability to resolve difficult issues, I have a solution.”

  “Yes?”

  “Yes. You are now the Healer for the Residence and Embassy. And your munificent salary will just cover tuition and stipend both. If you need some additional funds, you may practice in the city as well.”

  “Don’t Healers have to be tested or registered?”

  “I cannot think of a more practical test than saving multiple members of our caravan. Which is why—” she placed a heavy document on the table, “—you now have a license from Sha’Na’Lyona, also valid in the Empire.”

  I nodded slowly. “Keishara, I still think I’m taking advantage of you. But thank you.” I looked at her thoughtfully. “It seems to me that a Healer living in Vandoran would have to travel to the Residence at times to carry out her work. Sometimes unexpectedly, given the nature of illness.”

  “It seems likely.”

  “And that same Healer might have news of Vandoran useful to the Embassy.”

  Aelyn was bent over in his chair with laughter. She glared at him.

  “Well, I think we are done. Perhaps a meal, and a little light chatter of no consequence.” She paused and looked between us. “One more thing. I was…requested by some parties to discourage your relationship.”

  Aelyn was silent.

  “I think on due consideration that I strongly disagree.” She looked at Aelyn. “You should cleave to this one.”

  She raised her hand to summon a waiter.

  “Yes,” Raina said patiently, “you need to have your hair done.”

  “Aelyn braided it this morning.”

  “Yes. And I see you have his house clasp. But. This is. A ball.”

  I grumbled and followed her down the hall. The salon was crowded with women in various stages of undress. One uncomfortable hour later, I gazed in a mirror.

  “Oh.” I turned my head back and forth. My hair was now piled on top of my head, flowed down in ringlets, and two carefully arranged strands touched the sides of my face.

  “Do you like it?” asked the hairdresser.

  “Oh yes. Thank you so much.” I looked at her to memorize her face. “Alavara, isn’t it? I’m coming back to you.”

  She beamed. “Thank you, my Lady.”

  Next was Raina’s rooms. I entered and saw a bag hanging from a hook. I headed towards it, avarice in my eyes. She intercepted me.

  “Not yet, dear. You don’t want to get your makeup on it.”

  “Makeup?”

  “You can use mine.” She pointed towards a long counter piled with tubes, jars, brushes, and small instruments of unknown purpose.

  “Oh dear.” I poked a bottle carefully, and Raina pointed over to the sofa. “Leave your clothes there.”

  “Right.” I stripped and sat down at the counter. “Raina.”

  “Yes?”

  “I don’t know how to do this.”

  “What?” She stared at me. “Do what? Shadow? Blush—”

  “Any of it.”

  “Were you raised by orcs?”

  “Sort of. Hosers.”

  “What race are they?”

  “Never mind.” I cleared my throat. “I’ve never done this before.”

  “Oh, Goddess.” She rose and came to stand behind me. We both stared at my reflection.

  “We can do this,” she said.

  “Now,” she said, “We will not rouge your nipples. Because the color will clash with the blue of your dress.” She dabbed at her own chest, frowning in concentration. “My gown is white, so I do not have that problem. But they need to dry, of course.”

  “Of course,” I said.

  “So, you can get dressed first.”

  “Finally.” I walked to the garment bag and carefully lifted out the gown. “Oh my. This looks…complicated.”

  “Nonsense. Let me help.” She had me step into the base and then tied a thin cord around my hips so that the material rested at the swell of my hips. The ends of the tie dangled off my left leg. She lifted two straps of material that ran from the front of the waistband, crossed them over my abdomen, and passed them over my breasts to secure around my neck. The gown fell almost to the floor but had two slits in the sides that ran up to the waistband.

  “Have a look,” she said, and positioned me in front of the mirror.

  I stared at my reflection. My lips were slightly reddened, and my eyebrows were subtly enhanced. My cheeks bore a touch of rouge but were otherwise clear. The gown…

  The material was light as a feather and was soft on my skin. My breasts were clearly outlined, and my nipples stood out against the fabric. As I watched, they stiffened. I took a step forward and back, and the material billowed between my legs, which were bare to the hips. I turned around and saw my back was entirely naked, and the upper slopes of my buttocks were bare.

  “Raina,” I said, “where’s the other half of this dress?”

  I waited with the women on the right side of the entrance as the men filed in from the left. I teetered in my sandals and hissed in annoyance.

  “How can anyone keep their balance in these things?” I complained. “These heels are ridiculous.”

  “Move your weight forwards to the toe,” said Raina.

  “That makes my ass swing back and forth.”

  “That’s rather the point, dear.”

  As couples entered the ballroom, I could hear an usher calling out names. I tried to control my breathing. My palms were sweaty.

  Aelyn appeared, and I stared.

  “Go!” said Raina.

  I sashayed forward with what I had dubbed the sandal slut strut. Aelyn was gorgeous. He wore a pair of dark blue pants that outlined his muscular legs. He’d foregone a shirt and was clothed only in an open vest. His hair was pulled back in a short, braided queue, fastened with a silver broach and his feet were bare. His pendant was outlined against his bare chest. He offered me his arm.

  I looked up to see his eyes roaming over my body. Part of me wondered if I should be ashamed. Most of me preened.

  “You look…” he said.

  “Well ventilated?”

  “Um.” He was trying not to laugh. “Wonderful. Beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” I was blushing. “You clean up pretty well, yourself.”

  He shook his head in amusement. “Where on Nah’Nua do you come up with these phrases?”

  I felt the warmth of his body through the thin material of my gown. We approached the entrance and an usher consulted a scroll.

  “Mage Lady Circe and her Blade Lord Aelyn,” he called.

  I had rarely been happier.

  The next hour passed in a blur as I was introduced to a dizzying assortment of Lords, Ladies, Mages and their Blades, and traders. If I remembered a quarter of the names, I would count myself lucky. Only the presence of Aelyn by my side saved me. Finally, I collapsed in a chair beside him for a much-needed breather. Raina and a slim elf joined us. She curled up against him and caressed his neck.

  “Goddess,” I said, “why do I have to meet so many people?”

  “Well,” said Aelyn in a reasonable tone, “the ball is in your honour, after all.”

  “What?” My question came out as a squeak, and I coughed. “You’re joking.”

  They were all shaking their heads, and I felt a moment of existential dread.

  “Relax,” said Raina, “the mixing and greeting are all over. Now we can dance and relax.”

  I looked out to the centre of the room. Sure enough, couples were beginning to glide and twirl around the dance floor. My heart sank; I had never been much of a dancer, and none of the steps looked familiar. Well, I thought, perhaps I can manage to follow Aelyn. So long as he keeps things simple.

  “Lady Circe,” said Raina’s partner, “We’ve not met. I am Elnaril, Ryanth’s father.” He touched his fingertips to his forehead. “I am in your debt.” His eyes shone with unshed tears. “Forever.”

  I shook my head. “As I said to Raina, healing is its own reward. When I saw Ryanth speaking with a young girl the next day—” I grinned, “—that was gift enough.”

  Raina laughed. “He’s been pursuing Kaylin for months now,” she said, “I think he used his injury shamelessly.” She stood and pulled Elanril with a predatory expression, her nipples erect and dark through the sheer gown. “And now, husband, you will follow my dance.”

  I froze and looked out to the floor. Sure enough, all the women were leading their partners. I was utterly screwed.

  Aelyn took my hand and smiled at me. “Shall we?” he asked.

  “Just one minute while I—” I jerked my head towards the washrooms.

  “Of course.”

  I threaded my way through the crowd. Off to one side was a small alcove, and I stepped into the space. I closed my eyes and concentrated.

  “Hecate,” I prayed, “I’ve tried not to ask too much of you. Fought for myself. Protected my friends on my own. But—” I took a deep breath, “I could really use some help. Because—well—I can’t dance worth shit. So, if you could, you know, give me a fast lesson—” I covered my face, —please, Goddess.”

  The world stopped. The light dimmed. The echo of voices from the ballroom ceased, and when I looked out of my niche, I saw people frozen in mid-stride. A waiter was reaching for a glass that was toppling off his tray, his face fixed in concentration.

  “Really, child?” It was Hecate’s voice. “I expected a plea for more power, or some novel sorcery. But—dancing?”

  I shuffled my feet nervously. “It’s Aelyn,” I said, “I need to be his—” I struggled to find the right word, “—consort. In all things.”

  She huffed out a laugh. “And so you shall be. Although it will not be an easy road.” She paused. “Hold.” I felt a wave of vertigo sweep over me for a minute, and almost staggered. Then it passed, and I stood straight, feeling a new balance.

  “Thank you, Goddess.”

  There was another laugh. “Enjoy yourself, child. I certainly am. And do see if you can begin Chapter Two of that wonderful book before the year is out.”

  The world started once more. A couple passed by the alcove, arms wrapped about each other. The waiter caught the falling glass. I walked back towards the ballroom, the tips of my ears burning.

  Aelyn stood as I approached the table and offered me his arm. I took it, and we walked towards the dancers. My previous clumsiness had vanished, and I prowled to the beat of the music, hips swaying to the rhythm. The musicians paused, and just as we reached the open floor, they began a new tune, with a pulsating cadence that was felt more than heard. I stepped into Aelyn and drew him into an embrace, then swirled around his body with a staccato rattle of my heels. We spun towards the centre of the room. His right hand slid over my back, and the left dipped past my waist to caress my upper cleft.

  We spun past the other dancers. My legs parted so I could press against his thigh. I felt the swelling in his groin and growled with delight. My chest brushed against his, and I felt my nipples harden and ache.

  One tune passed on to the other. We remained on the dance floor, circling like a pair of twin stars. I breathed in Aelyn’s scent and rested my head on his chest. His lower hand slid through the slit in my gown, cupped my buttock, and drew me close. I stopped leading him and merely luxuriated in his presence.

  The music ended, and I saw the performers put down their instruments and stand up to take an intermission. I stood on my toes, kissed Aelyn on the mouth, and led him back to our table.

  “Well,” said Raina, “that was very…sensual.” She glanced at Aelyn’s groin and smiled.

  I shivered and became conscious of a trickle of fluid coursing down my inner thigh, and the lack of a loincloth. I glanced down to see if I had stained the gown; thankfully, it was pristine. Raina caught my eye.

  “Won’t one of you pour the lady a glass of wine?” she asked.

  Aelyn and Elnaril reached for the bottle simultaneously. Raina took advantage of their distraction to fold a napkin twice over and pass it to me. I nodded gratefully and dropped it on my seat, then flipped the front and back of the skirt out of the way to straddle the chair.

  Aelyn passed me a glass of dark red liquid. I took a deep sip and leaned back.

  “Where did you learn to dance like that?” he asked. His eyes were shining.

  “A gift from my Goddess,” I said.

  Keishara approached our table. “It’s time for your speech,” she said.

  “Speech?” I stared at her, aghast. Then I looked around the table. Everyone was looking elsewhere.

  “You knew,” I said, pointing at Aelyn. “And you—” facing Raina. I glanced at Elnaril. “You alone might be safe.”

  “We didn’t want to spoil the ball for you,” said Raina.

  “Someone,” I said ominously, “will pay for this.”

  Aelyn ran his fingers down my spine, and I melted.

  “Just say a few words,” he said. “We just want to thank you.”

  “Goddess.” I rose from my seat and followed Keishara, my mind a blank.

  I stood on a low platform and looked out over a sea of faces. Most were unfamiliar, but as I searched the crowd, I began to see people I knew. Aelyn and Raina, of course, but then the members of the caravan: wagoners, mothers, bowmen, and traders. I focused on my friends and took a deep breath. The crowd was silent.

  “I was just told I had to speak to you,” I said, “so I have nothing prepared. I hope you will excuse me if I cannot express myself as well as I’d like.” I looked at Keishara directly. “I was also told that this celebration was to thank me. But I’m afraid that is a mistake. I am here to thank you.”

  “When I came upon the caravan, I was a refugee, with little but the clothes on my back. I was frightened, tired, and hungry. You took me in. You fed me. You gave me a bed to rest on.”

  I looked around the hall. “But more than anything, you accepted me. And this acceptance did not arise from any dramatic gestures. It came from small things. The sharing of food. The trust you showed when I took the reins of a wagon. The shared bath at the end of a hot, dusty day. And the quiet conversations under the light of the Arc.”

  I gestured at my gown. “And you dressed me. As those who saw me in the beginning may attest, this is a very long way up from my original garments.”

  Several of the caravan members grinned, and I heard Raina laugh.

  “But most of all,” I said, “I found Aelyn.” I felt my eyes begin to burn, and I blinked hard. “And I have no words to express my happiness.”

  I took a deep breath. “So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.”

  There was silence. My legs were shaking slightly. Then the audience began to beat their hands on the tables in a slow, steady rhythm that shook the stage. I bowed my head, stepped off the platform, and made my way back to Aelyn. He stood, cupped his hand under my jaw, caressed my ear and leant in to kiss me full on the lips. The applause swelled.

  “Was that alright?” I asked.

  “That,” he said, “was magnificent.”

  We walked back to our rooms. Aelyn had abandoned any modicum of decorum and had slid his hand through the slit in my gown, so it rested on my ass. Every so often, it would slip down between my legs, and I would moan and bite my lip. When we entered the suite, I stopped and reached up for the fastener on my gown.

  “Let me help with that,” he said.

  I felt his fingers pluck at the tie, and the straps fell from my neck, baring my breasts. He dragged his nails over their slopes and I sighed. He leaned in to whisper in my ear.

  “Many other races consider the Elves to be promiscuous,” he said. “I hope that does not trouble you.”

  “I saw no promiscuity this evening,” I said, “just couples sharing moments of love and passion.”

  He was silent for a moment. Then: “You continue to surprise me, my Lady.”

  “Speaking of shared passion. You have not completed what you started.”

  “Ah.” He reached to my waist and pulled on the cord. The rest of the gown flowed down my legs and pooled around my feet. I began to bend, but he cupped a breast and pulled me upright.

  “I’ll do that. Go and lie on the bed.”

  I nodded. When he entered, he was naked and proudly erect. He bent over me and lifted my arms so that my hands clasped the rails of the headboard. He placed a pillow under my hips and gently spread my legs, so I was fully exposed. Then he sat on the edge of the bed and began to caress my body.

  “Close your eyes,” he said.

  I felt his hands move from my face to my breasts, over my belly, and down to my mons. And finger slid through my folds with a liquid whisper.

  “You’re so wet,” he said.

  My hips began to lift, and I shivered as he continued to play with me. His fingers teased my nipples, squeezed my mons, and flicked over my clitoris. I began to whimper in need.

  “Aelyn,” I said, “please stop teasing me.”

  He knelt between my thighs and grasped both ankles. He raised my legs up and over his shoulders and rubbed the tip of his cock on my slit. I reached out for him, but he firmly placed my hands back above my head. Then he entered me.

  I moaned as he slid back and forth with a steady rhythm. He sank into to his hilt and then withdrew until he was barely inside me. My cries became synchronous with his thrusts.

  He leaned forward and I opened my eyes. His were as green as a summer forest.

  “I love you, Circe,” he said.

  And as I came, I saw the bond to Cormac flare, shatter, and blow away like dust on the wind.