Arakiel followed the Godsbinder up through another set of fairly mundane corridors and stairways that made him wonder whether truly powerful people ended up disregarding the need of showcasing wealth or power for it was beneath them.

  The inventory here could’ve belonged to any Kalanite citizen and while the inventory’s materials and shapes were pleasing to the senses, they weren’t particularly expensive or fancy – the stuff Arakiel had at home was more luxurious as Aurora had more or less redecorated the entire main floor after Mari’s departure.

  It made him wonder whether the tales of extravagant furniture, inventory or other naara-fueled devices were all just a hoax or whether Rakim was a particularly frugal individual. Even his clothes seemed so mundane – or maybe that was all part of his act.

  He wondered how many people here knew that they were living next to someone that had been around when the Old Order crumbled.

  Arakiel had not known before his mother graced him with the knowledge… but he wasn’t a particularly good measurement tool in these regards.

  All that presumption not only changed the moment he entered Rakim’s workshop, it was downright shattered.

  The workshop was on the highest floor just below the flat roof and although it consisted of several rooms, it took up the entirety of the floor.

  Rakim had divided it into different chambers depending on what kind of work he needed to perform, such as planning, smelting, forging, refining and finishing – and while the walls and floor were still of a fairly normal character, the items he used were not.

  It wasn’t visible on the first glance as the pieces were quite literally dormant – but they awakened as soon as Rakim brought forth a grand total of thirteen tiny motes of golden light… thirteen sparks of divinity. The pinnacle of what could be achieved – something only the heads and primary consorts of the Heptarchy had achieved.

  Every single divine spark was precious and held untold power. To properly use one was to lose it forever – and that’s all the information demigods and -goddesses shared on the subject.

  There was most certainly a way to regain lost sparks, but the means by which that happened were shrouded in well-cultivated mystery.

  The most common perception was that demigods could rob other demigods’ sparks and make it their own… others claimed that massive offerings to the Transcended were necessary to regain his favor whereas others told of hidden quests or items that could restore lost sparks.

  In Kalanaar, the most common perception that had been nurtured lay on the slaying or taming of powerful immortals for the good of mortalkind.

  The environment seemed to sense Rakim’s shards, for it sprang to life as soon as they appeared from his right arm which they began to coil around in a perpetually moving motion.

  Meanwhile, every single item in here, from the lowliest quill over the lighting crystal all the way to the tools, began to radiate a low and very faint hum of gold, showcasing that just about everything in here had been fashioned from godgold, the most valuable material in all the planes.

  Even the counters, benches and tables on which Rakim seemed to perform his crafts had been infused with naara, which was truly extravagant to the extreme.

  What was even more surprising to Arakiel was the lack of naara-plates to activate or fuel these devices – it was almost like Rakim’s very presence was enough to do so.

  The demigod beckoned him towards a rather large chamber that was undoubtedly used to plan and sketch any projects he might have.

  Stacks of vellum, paper and all other kinds of mediums on one which could write were arranged on one side of the room while the opposite side held a nigh uncountable amount of books of all shapes and sizes – and even they were thoroughly infused with naara judging by the low golden hum.

  The large central table was surprisingly empty, but only until the demigod waved with his hand, causing all kinds of pens and paper to float over there alongside while several chairs began to float in from the side.

  “Welcome to my domain,” the Godsbinder said and when he turned towards Arakiel, his eyes’ irises glowed with an intense golden sheen. “This is the place where Rakim the Smith creates marvels of legend – a place that only very few people get to witness. Consider yourself honored, son of Alexandria.”

  Arakiel, awestruck as he was, found it hard to find a proper response, merely nodding in reverence.

  The demigod gestured him to sit down while he took a seat in the very air on the opposite side of the table, at which point he spoke up.

  The golden glow gave him an otherworldly appearance, one of a being of pure, unfiltered power.

  “If I am to fashion you a soulsparked link as per Alexandria’s instructions, then I will need some information,” the demigod laid out. “As a leading planeswalker and son of Alexandria and Erythrai, am I correct to assume that you participate in all combat scenarios?”

  “That assumption is correct,” Arakiel answered, not mentioning the fact that there were too few people for him to sit out.

  The more he thought about it, the less sense his refusal to become a leader meant. He couldn’t always rely on local forces.

  “Am I correct to assume that you’ve experienced all roles and distances of low-level planeswalking combat?” The demigod queried once more and just like earlier, Arakiel affirmed.

  “Which weapon would you say is the one you’re most familiar with?”

  “Undoubtedly a sword that I can wield with one or two hands.” Arakiel answered, adding. “Looks the best, too.”

  “Given the variety your class offers… which role do you prefer?”

  Yet again, Arakiel didn’t need to think for long. “That of an Evoker with bits of being an Alterator.”

  “Which paths are you most aligned with?”

  “Fire, Air and bits of Astral.”

  “You’re using all paths – that’s a good start. Which of these do you use most often?”

  “Fire.”

  “Does your immortal actively participate in combat.”

  “Not if I can prevent it.”

  “Can you fly?”

  “I cannot.”

  “Can you shadowstep?”

  “I can blink, but it’s very taxing.”

  Their talks about Arakiel’s style of combat went on for a good long while and Aurora and Mellia only joined just as they finished, which he found most suspicious. He could only assume that Rakim had signaled Aktaie in some fashion, yet all of these thoughts were so very unimportant when he beheld his feathered golden-eyed love – and how her golden irises seemed to gleam in Rakim’s presence.

  And the outfit that someone had somehow fashioned for her in a matter of moments – it was immaculate and most lovely to behold.

  Aurora wore sleeveless black sundress with a relatively high cut that still managed to accentuate her slender, petite physique. It was covered with with golden, floral embroidery and its overall length reached just above her knees – but the sheer-yet-elegant simplicity paired with her long golden hair and – admittedly – the sizable iridescent opal that dangled in between her breasts – perfection.

  He got up and hugged her straight away while ensuring one of their hands locked fingers. He took in the wondrous vanilla with the faintest smell of rose but he didn’t even mind anymore.

  Just feeling her, smelling her and taking her in – and the fact that she seemed so pleased about him embracing her… it all elevated him.

  Mellia observed him with her daring dress from the side even if she demonstratively looked away when she noticed him noticing her. Granted, she was more taken in by the surroundings which seemed to leave Aurora surprisingly cold even if her body still exuded a gentle warmth.

  His little seraphine – just the mere sight lifted his spirits, making him nearly forget about the shameful display he had seen earlier.

  After a little bit of intimacy, the most daring of which was a fleeting kiss that she planted on his lips, the two turned to face Rakim whose expression was unreadable, yet the gold in his eyes reminded him of Aurora somehow.

  “You know,” Arakiel began as his very self felt embolded by Aurora’s presence. “You still haven’t told me what a soulsparked link is… nor did my mother deem it necessary to inform me.”

  The demigod beckoned his Divine Offering over towards him after which he raised his hand while ‘standing up’ from his floating position.

  Within a few heartbeats, a deeply crimson spectral weapon manifested above his palm, floating in mid-air. It had the shape of a small hammer whose ‘insides’ were dotted with myriad small golden motes that seemed nearly suspended, offering only very little movement.

  It reminded him of the stars on the night’s canvas condensed into a small object, an object that radiated power with its entirety.

  “This is my Runelord’s insignia,” Rakim explained as he grabbed the spectral hammer. It seemed to have a solid form even if it didn’t appear as such. “It’s proof of my status as a crafter that caught the Transcended’s eye.”

  The Godsbinder then held out his free hand towards his Divine Offering whose irises began to gleam with a soft golden sheen as well.

  Arakiel noticed her blushing, which was the first proper emotion she had shown thus far, yet he still wasn’t quite sure what this spectacle was supposed to do.

  There was no further need to impress them.

  “The gold that you see encased in my insignia – it’s Aktaie’s… it’s proof of her devotion to me. You could also call it a link that’s been sparked by her soul,” Rakim went on.

  It was Aurora who spoke up, her lovingly sonorous voice brightening Arakiel’s mood even further, yet the contents of what she asked downright shocked him. “Why does your power – everything around here – feel so familiar to me?”

  “That, my dear seraphim, is a question you should pose to the Transcended himself, for it is his power that we channel,” Rakim returned in no uncertain terms, and yet Arakiel wanted to guess that the Godsbinder knew much more than that.

  It was certainly an oddity.

  “It is the same power Aurore ay Elysia uses, yes?” His seraphine queried further.

  A thin smile formed on Rakim’s lips. “Precisely – yet not quite accurate. But this matter will be of no concern to either of you for years. Instead, you should focus on the here and now.”

  “I understand. In that case, will you answer my beloved’s question, Master Rakim?”

  The Godsbinder threw him a small glance as if to test whether Arakiel was fine with her suddenly speaking up for him and when no reaction came, he let go of his Divine Offering while pointing the spectral hammer towards them – towards Aurora to be precise.

  “In short, the soulsparked link will be the physical manifestation of your covenant.” Rakim summarized in an almost casual way that was in no way adequate for the kind of reveal that he had just laid out, nor the implications that it held.

  Given the way Aurora’s wings suddenly began to flutter, she seemed very smitten with the idea, especially when she grabbed his hands while her face beamed pure joy at him.

  “Isn’t that amazing!?” She asked out loud whereas Mellia didn’t seem surprised in the slightest, which in turn surprised Arakiel a little.

  Had Alexandria given them different information?

  The thought went as quickly as it had come, leaving room for much more important considerations.

  “How would that even work?” Arakiel heard himself ask as his mind tried to process what he had just heard.

  “It’s rather simple in theory, albeit extremely difficult and downright impossible without the addition of a spark of divinity,” Rakim went on to explain and although Arakiel had already known that whatever his mother had planned for him would include one of the very bloody damned Godsbinder’s sparks, he was still struck anew.

  This was surreal to the point where he figured he might wake up at any moment.

  “A soulsparked link is a physical device that is connected – or rather, linked – to both of your souls. With it, one will be able to harness one’s immortal’s power in a fashion that is wholly different from the way you’re doing it now.” Rakim elaborated further.

  “It’ll be your scepter of authority, my beloved Monarch-to-be!” Aurora went on in a giddy manner. She seemed barely able to hide her excitement which was almost infectious.

  From the side, he heard Mellia comment in a soothingly affectionate tone. “Thine future seems quite bright, brother mine.”

  “How so?”

  “I will explain the intricacies when the device is done. Only know that you will find it invaluable in any endeavors you plan for the future, although it can only amplify your skill, it cannot replace it.”

  “It still sounds oddly vague.” Arakiel noted with caution because something inside him couldn’t accept this outcome. What exactly did his mother plan?

  “How is it vague?” Aurora chimed in, having obviously brushed aside any and all doubts, if she ever had any. “You already wield my power in such a natural fashion – whatever he crafts for us will be just as easy for you.”

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Arakiel wanted to object that statement, for weaving with sigils was anything but natural, even if he occasionally had to rely on instinct. That usually cost him dearly, though.

  The craftsman lightly spun his hammer around, chuckling. “To think that an immortal has more confidence in men then a mortal. Amusing, but honestly insignificant. More important is the following question that you should ponder on right now, for we need to decide this right now and the answer will be a prerequisite to everything else.”

  Rakim lightly flicked his hand which caused tiny golden motes to suddenly form all around them. “What shape do you intend to have for your link?”

  With another of Rakim’s motions, the motes began to move about and gather where they then formed into a little orb that was larger than Arakiel’s hand.

  “Is the physical shape permanent?” He queried straight away.

  The demigod nodded as he guided to golden motes to form the shape of a blade’s hilt. “The device itself will be physically present until you’re able to house sparks of divinity in yourself… which as you can imagine only happens when you ascend to godhood.”

  A brief pause as if he waited for a comment or two, but when none came, the man continued. “But it is certainly possible to make extensions using your immortal’s soul. Say for example, I fashion a hilt like this. You will be able to create and change the blade’s shape depending on your needs, although your mastery over the soul arts will determine what kind of shapes are possible.”

  With another wave of his hand, the hilt changed to a cylindrical shape. “Alternatively, I could fashion another kind of grip: you would be able to form a shaft for a quarterstaff, a spear and so on – or even a bow.”

  “What if I sought a wand to amplify my spells?” Arakiel asked since he suddenly felt as though he couldn’t really make a choice this easily.

  After all, it’d pretty much determine his path forward.

  “Then you would squander this device’s potential,” Rakim told him straight up. “Why fahsion a wand when you can simply strike spells into existence as soon as your mastery is sufficient? Your advantage as a Mortal Ascendant is your flexibility. You’re not bound to a single style of combat unlike say, a strength-based melee combatant who will only ever excel in melee in accordance to his class. Even a dexterity-intelligence based spellblade type which would be considered a class that’s fairly capable of dealing with many situations will cannot match an immortal’s ingenuity.”

  “I don’t think I can make this decision right away.” Arakiel admitted as his mind began to bounce several ideas.

  The demigod nodded, chuckled. “I understand… but heed my words. While there are immortals who rely on the brute strength of their souls, most win through their near-infinite amount of tools at their disposal. It is something the Class System tried to replicate with the sheer abundance of different classes, but it is simply unable to combine them like immortals can. Even we who carry the sparks of divinity are still bound by this, even much less severely.”

  Arakiel couldn’t speak for true high level combat, but he definitely agreed on immortal magic being extremely flexible compared to the rather strict ways that spells worked.

  “Nonetheless, I will need some time to think and ponder,” Arakiel admitted as he turned to Aurora. “It is not a decision that is to be made lightly.”

  “Take all the time you need my love,” his seraphine said affectionately, yet her voice betrayed that she seemed more reserved – or maybe she was also thinking about the issue. She might not be a fighter or possess much experience, but she was an immortal nonetheless.

  Her advice might be invaluable in making one of the most important decisions in his life.

  If his mother had sent him here to send him on a path that would see him excel in his House, then he would need to ensure that he did it correctly this time around.

  The demigod nodded in approval. “Good – you should do that. Feel free to ask me. I have little knowledge of Mortal Ascendants, but I have fought several lifetimes worth of immortals.“

  “Art thou not a crafter, Master Rakim?” Mellia queried in a most polite tone.

  “Now why would I spoil the fun, little Lady Alexandrite?” Rakim answered, his voice holding clear traces of amusement. “You are correct in your assumption, but it’s only a fraction of the truth. Who knows, maybe you’ll find out more about me in the next weeks? I do enjoy the company of beautiful girls.”

  The comment irritated Arakiel until he recalled just who he was dealing with right now and any statement he would make would not only be impotent, it’d be downright laughable.

  Besides, Rakim had plenty from what he had seen thus far, and he was fairly certain that more people were living inside this house.

  “Before we leave, I wanted to thank you for earlier, Master Rakim.” Arakiel said, feeling as though he should say so even if it earned him quite the curious glances from the two young ladies next to him.

  “It was necessary – and more might still be. The issues you raised are concerning,” Rakim responded ambiguously once again. “But these are none of your concern for now. I will give you time until tomorrow noon, at which point I need to know so I can prepare in order to finish Alexandria’s task in time. Our time together will be short, so let’s make the most of it.”

  “Couldn’t have phrased it better myself. We will be in your care, Master Rakim.” Arakiel responded after which he bowed as respectful as he could.

  It still felt surreal, but it was the truth.

  He would not only be staying at one of the Godsbinder’s abodes, he would actually obtain an item fashioned from a spark of divinity.

  It was ludicrous, downright insane when he thought about.

  And yet it was reality all the same.

  Franky, he needed all the power he could get if he was to catch up to Nyanna.

  He would not let his child – even if he didn’t want it – remain any more time than necessary in the seelie’s hands. He had seen how they regarded a life… and Arakiel wasn’t willing to find out whether Nyanna perceived their offspring any different.

  No, that could not happen under any circumstances.

  Feeling Aurora’s hands squeezing his tighter, Arakiel felt his resolve harden.

  What had happened earlier – that was also a part of him.

  Rakim sought to teach him that – of this, he had no doubt.

  And through acceptance, he might be able to overcome it.

  * * *

  Aurora and Young Lady Mellia led Arakiel back down two levels onto the floor which held their domiciles. The rooms were fairly small in size, but the equipment was just refined and comfy enough for Aurora’s taste, even if it wasn’t a room they would stay in often. But the beds were soft and the furniture offered enough room to store the sparse amount of items she had taken along.

  The floors up and below were meant for longer stays, whereas the main floor was more or less reserved for Rakim’s business in which they were not to interfere according to Aktaie… not that Aurora had a lot of interest in doing so. Perhaps she’d observe if he allowed it, but that was about the size of her current interest in his trade.

  After all, there were far more important matters to attend to at the moment and while she truly wanted to delve further into her own soul’s reactions to Rakim’s gold, Arakiel’s issue took precedence for now and what joyous news they were to her. A physical manifestation of their covenant… even more proof of Arakiel’s eventual rise to become a right and proper Monarch – and proof that Aurora’s claim to him lay far above that of some pesky seelie.

  Aurore ay Elysia was the ruler of an entire Eternal City – so why shouldn’t Aurora follow in her footsteps? If anything, she should surpass her kin, make her see and understand that she was second to none.

  She was, after all, an Aspect of the Seraphim of Dawn just as she suspected Aurore to be.

  But unlike Aurore, Aurora was not alone.

  The three of them gathered in a rather mundane looking chamber which held mostly books and some opportunities to lie down in a sea of comfortable pillows. A small set of fragrant and delectable refreshments had been prepared for their arrival.

  Young Lady Mellia first congratulated her brother for having apparently convinced Master Rakim to invest in him. The way she phrased it made it appear as though the opposite could’ve been a possibility, which Aurora found fairly improbable, yet Arakiel seemed to agree with her assessment, claiming that it had cost him quite a bit even if he had once again gleamed new insights from doing so.

  Afterwards, Arakiel addressed Aurora, querying whether she had any immediate insights into the kind of physical shape their covenant should take, to which she claimed and elaborated that Arakiel’s only limiting factor was his own imagination.

  She explained to him in no uncertain terms that as her future Monarch, he would be able to fulfill his dreams and goals if only his ambition and conviction did not waver. The intensity with which she did so came a little surprising at her at first, but it only made sense the more she thought about it.

  All of the things that had happened to her, even down to the fact that she had been imprisoned in that accursed Maidenhold for so long… it was all put in perspective now that she knew her ancestry and more importantly, her living kin.

  Aurora had to have been a danger to sister – that’s where her fault lay.

  Her sister sought to keep her down, sought to suppress her true self so that Aurora could not endanger her even if she had had no intention of doing so.

  Now, however, she wondered whether she could actually let go of this issue.

  Aurore ay Elysia had robbed Aurora of so much, but she had also ensured that Aurora found her destined Monarch… and this factor was nothing she could just overlook.

  All of the things that had happened led her to Arakiel and through it, she found herself.

  Let the seelie think she won.

  In her haughty arrogance, she had sealed her own fate.

  Aurora would not be subservient to some other immortal.

  The little bit of iridescence in her golden soul – she’d keep it, deceive it and only when the time was ripe would she undo it and through it, she would claim Nyanna as theirs.

  Her potential was so much more, after all.

  Aurora’s earlier talks with Young Lady Mellia had further anchored this perception in reality. Her own interest aligned with that of House Alexandrite and that would be the basis for their future cooperation.

  Aurora felt pleasantly surprised at these revelations which had come in such a short span of time, for it cleared any doubts Aurora might’ve had about herself.

  There was no more need to be afraid.

  All that remained was to make that vision a reality.

  The day advanced as the three of them brainstormed about the soulsparked link which more or less followed a set pattern. One of them would suggest something, the others would criticize it and in the end, Arakiel would offer insights and doubt about why such a form was improbable and if there was one revelation that dwarfed all others, then it was the fact that there was no perfect solution, but it had to be one her beloved was comfortable with.

  As such, there was only one proper choice for his eventual piece of regalia and as the day drew to a close and darkness settled in on the outside, they ended up right at the start: a sword’s hilt, for this had been the weapon Arakiel was most comfortable with while offering the greatest potential for imagination in the future.

  He wanted to sleep on this choice before finalizing it, but Aurora was fairly certain that he’d choose it.

  It had been her own choice as well, even if Aurora had no intention of wielding one of her own.

  They had a little bit of dinner after which her beloved decided to go to bed rather early, claiming that the day had been rather strenuous for him. She stayed with Arakiel until he was asleep, after which she headed back down towards the fenced garden that lay right behind the building, facing away from the corner.

  The night sky above was spotless, showing myriad stars which were most likely other planes, even if she couldn’t say for certain.

  Here, she found Young Lady Mellia and Master Rakim alongside four other women, three of which she had already seen. The pair of dark-haired akh sisters played some soft music on string instruments in the background while the demigod’s Divine Offering had her feet resting inside the marbled pool of water which acted as a sort of center for the sandy backyard. This had been the place where Young Lady Mellia and Aurora had bathed earlier and although Aurora had been a little skeptical at first given its outdoor location, the surrounding chalked walls had proven to be most effective.

  There were beds of lush plants and trees planted around it which seemed to house quite a few little critters that offered a subtle but pleasing background while further out there, Akh Karab seemingly sprang to life in a different fashion than during the day, although her desire to explore it alone was slim to zero.

  Still, the faintest sound of cymbals and rhythmic percussion instruments did pique her interest – just not now.

  The forth woman was another argent with fair skin whose main purpose seemed to ensure that none of the others lacked anything which was enough for Aurora to dismiss her from her mind.

  The admittedly handsome demigod with the scarlet markings on his body waved her over, pointing towards a free spot on the blanket next to Young Lady Mellia.

  Aurora accepted his invitation, once again surprising herself at the ease with which she did so. The danger the demigod crafter had exuded earlier seemed all but gone. She wasn’t sure whether to attribute it to her own change of perspective or something else, but it also didn’t really matter.

  “You’re here, young immortal – good.” Master Rakim greeted and stated while Aurora sat down sideways. Afterwards, she addressed the red-eyed man in a polite tone.

  “I wish to thank you once again for believing in Arakiel, Master Rakim.”

  “You should thank Alexandria instead, little immortal,” he responded while his face seemed quite pleased with her compliment nonetheless. “More importantly, we need to speak about you.”

  “About me?” Aurora returned, feeling oddly relaxed for it was to be expected.

  She was, after all, an Aspect of the Seraphim of Dawn. It was only natural that she should be central to anything involving her Monarch-to-be.

  Young Lady Mellia quietly observed and listened from the side.

  “Indeed. We need to speak about two aspects, mainly,” Master Rakim continued, but not without having taken a sip from his ceramic cup earlier. He then raised his hand, showing two fingers. “First of all, your lack of a collar. I won’t question his reasons, but it will raise suspicion if people find out he’s a Kalanite. Furthermore, it’ll negatively impact House Alexandrite’s standing.”

  It came as little surprise, so she merely nodded along. “I had considered this after an earlier meeting, Master Rakim. I don’t suppose you have something I could wear that would show my subservience to my beloved Monarch-to-be?”

  “I do – although it’ll be his decision. I’m merely reminding you of the public image you project. Were his ancestry and allegiance it not so obvious, it wouldn’t be such a problem in Akh Karab. There are many visitors from the more pro-immortal cities, after all.”

  Aurora affirmed again. “You are correct of course, Master Rakim. Consider it done.”

  “Excellent,” the crafter returned indifferently, lowering one of his fingers. His voice hardened while his red eyes fixated her. It made her uncomfortable. “The second issue concerns your weaving. I will not tolerate any unsupervised kind of immortal magic on my premises – are we clear?”

  The intensity with which he made that statement surprised her, but she had to ask nonetheless. “Even if it only serves to help my beloved? I have no quarrel with you, nor have I any intention of harming anyone. Young Lady Mellia can vouch for my inability to participate in a fight.”

  His lips formed to a wry smile. “I even believe you, young immortal… nor would it matter if I didn’t. You are no match for me – if I thought you were, I wouldn’t tolerate your presence in my own abode. Nonetheless, my decision stands. You will not call upon your soul unless I explicitly allow you to do so. You have been warned – and this will be the only warning.”

  “Is this a general statement that applies to my time as a guest here, or am I allowed to weave outside of your home?” Aurora queried further, feeling slightly irritated. Her reclaimed free control over her own soul had helped her greatly over the past weeks when she had struggled with the worst of the seelie’s influences.

  Master Rakim shrugged nonchalantly while waving his hand dismissively. “What you do outside of my house is no interest to me as long as you leave it behind the moment you enter here.”

  Aurora nodded contently, bobbing her wings along. “In that case, we’ll get along nicely.”

  His smile upturned. “Young immortal – you would do well to recall your training. Your ancestry is significant, but it is meaningless when you cannot enforce it.”

  Aurora gave him a sweet smile alongside a curt, polite response. “Duly noted, Master Rakim.”

  “In that case, feel free to make yourself at home in my abode, young immortal. Be further aware that I’m not blaming you for your kinds’ past and present crimes,” the demigod said with a heavy tinge of magnanimity. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t hold you accountable for present failings.”

  “Thou hath made thy claim clear, Master Rakim,” Mellia interrupted in a soft tone. “Let us enjoy the evening instead. It is rather lovely, is it not?”

  The handsome crafter with his exposed, well-chiseled upper body handed Arakiel’s sister a small ceramic cup filled with a reddish liquid. It smelled kind of sweet and fruity.

  “You are correct, Young Lady Mellia. The evening is a time best spent in the company of a lovely lady such as yourself.”

  A slight blush appeared on the girl’s cheeks, but she quickly covered it while her green eyes with the golden sprinkles gave the other man a meaningful glance.

  “Thou may continue thy flattering, but thou shouldst recall mine earlier words,” Young Lady Mellia returned sweetly after which she took a sip and judging by her expression, she was quite content with the drink.

  Rakim laughed out loud – a hearty, amused laugh. “I’ve not forgotten – nor should you need to be worried.”

  “Thy words in mine mother’s ear.”

  They kept making small talk for a while longer and judging by the way the two interacted, Rakim was quite enamored with the way Arakiel’s sister phrased her words – especially since she appeared to have quite a bit of trouble keeping up the act in more detailed discussions… a detail Master Rakim quickly caught up on.

  Their lighthearted talk about trivialities made for a nice backdrop while Aurora watched the warm light dance across the soft ripples that Aktaie’s motions caused in the pool.

  Despite the demigod’s rather stern warnings, she felt oddly safe here.

  Eventually, she grew tired and left the others to their devices.

  She swiftly found sleep in her beloved’s arms.