Lura Syllana
For some reason, I cannot wait for the night to come and work to begin. To see Orym again fills me with so much anticipation and excitement. Is that wrong? He’s consumed my thoughts. Especially his gentle kindness and warm touch. I want to feel his hands in my hair once more. To see those bright shimmering eyes upon me.
When the time finally comes, I am so giddy with anticipation that I could burst. As my shift starts, Madame pulls me aside. “It seems you really did a number on that man; he wants you for an entire night and he’s willing to pay handsomely. I don’t know what you did, child, but make sure you do it again. You also might want to reconsider what you’re willing to do. I can only imagine what he’d be willing to pay for your virginity or even just to feel the pleasure of your arse. It would be worth it. I assure you.”
“You might be right. I’ll think about it tonight when I am with him,” I say, trying to hold back a smile and give nothing away. I trust Madame to an extent, but I do not want her to know the way I feel about him. She might think I am a foolish child. I’m starting to think that too.
She nods. “Well, he’s waiting for you in the room on the far wing.”
“Thank you, Madame. I guess I shouldn’t keep him waiting,” I say and force myself to hold back from rushing to him. I try to walk as calmly as I can up to the far wing.
As I walk in, he is standing as he did before, facing the window in his cloak. He turns to me and pulls back his cloak, revealing that handsome face. His eyes seem to widen with awe. As soon as I close the door behind me, he comes to me, taking my face in his hands before he kisses me deeply. Then he quickly pulls back, turning away from me. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so forceful.”
“Don’t apologize, and I do not consider that forceful. I quite enjoyed it,” I say as my heart races faster.
He turns to me with relief and desire in his eyes. “I requested you for the entire night. I hope that isn’t too much.”
“Not at all. I was actually looking forward to this all day,” I say with a smile.
“I know you’re not comfortable with most things, and I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want. I intend to make this just as enjoyable for you as it has been for me,” he says, taking my hand in his.
“Maybe, with the right man I’d surely consider doing more. Especially if he is as caring and gentle as you,” I say, biting my lip.
“Well, I’ll admit I am a bit jealous of this man. I hope he is worthy of your love,” he says.
“He is you, silly. Or at least I’d like him to be,” I say with a smile.
His grin makes my heart melt. “I was hoping you’d say that.”
He takes me in his arms and nuzzles his nose against mine, making me smile. I lean up to kiss him and his lips take in mine. His arms wrap me up and make me feel safe and loved. He’s a Paladin of the Light, and I can feel that Light shine out from him. He has such goodness in his heart and I want to feel its warmth.
I reach down and start to unbuckle his belt, but he stops me. He pulls back and looks me in the eye. “What’s the rush? We have all night. Let’s cherish the moment and get to know one another.”
Joy washes over my face, and it’s shown in my smile. “I’d like that. A lot.”
“Would you like some wine?” he asks as he walks over to the table where a jug rests along two empty cups.
“Sure.” I linger by the doorway, not sure what to do as I rub my elbow.
He pours us both a cup and hands me one before he goes over to the bed. He takes a long sip and sets it aside. “Will you join me on the bed? I’d like to feel your warmth.”
I nod, taking a sip of the wine before setting it aside and laying down next to him. He wraps me in his arm and lets me rest my head on his chest. His other hand runs through my hair with gentle care.
“So, tell me, Lura, how did you end up here?” he asks.
“Well, I used to live down in Tent City with my parents. I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his crew of thieves. He wouldn’t let me join him on his jobs, but I spent much time pick-pocketing and stealing from vendors. Anything I could to feed my family,” I admit.
“I find it atrocious how people are left to starve and fend for themselves while others live in wealth and hoard it for themselves,” he says as his finger twirls a strand of my hair.
I look up at him to see the righteousness in his eyes. “Yes, it seems like a grave injustice.”
“What more happened for you to end up in this place?” he asks.
“My uncle and his crew were arrested, all because a man who was a brother of one of the guards wanted to force himself on me. He was stopped by my uncle and his friends and tossed out, but he betrayed them and led the guard to my uncle’s hideout and they were all taken. I somehow escaped and went home, but unfortunately, the man led the guard to my parents, and they were taken solely because they were my parents and he wanted me,” I say. The memories bring the pain with them.
“That is awful. Who is this man? Maybe there is something I can do?” he asks.
“No, it’s unimportant now. I snuck into Low Town from a crack in the wall I used to slip in to steal things. I wandered the streets a bit before men tried to take me, but Madame stepped in and took me in. I started serving drinks, trying to save up coin to buy my family’s freedom. But serving drinks doesn’t quite pay enough, so I decided to serve men in a different way. I’m desperate to see my family free. Fortunately, you’re my first customer.” I look up at him with a smile.
He leans down and kisses my head. “You have a kind soul. I can see that as clear as the night sky.”
“Really? I don’t feel like a good person. Good people don’t sell their bodies for pleasure or steal, for that matter,” I say.
“I wouldn’t say that. I think good people sacrifice what they have for what they feel is right. You are sacrificing your body to follow your heart so that you can one day right the wrongs that have been done to you. I think you’re a very good person. Better than most. Heck, better than most who follow the Light even,” he says, with a sincere smile. “Better than me.”
“I don’t believe that last part. You’re so kind,” I say.
“To you, I am kind, but my sword and hands are soaked in enough blood to damn me for an eternity. You would think following the Light would be peaceful, but unlike priests, Paladins are no stranger to war and death. I joined the faith after my family was brought to the sword by Northern Savages. They slaughtered my entire family and fed on their corpses like demons. My parents worked for the Golden High Elf Trading Company on their ships and would travel to and from Chillshore on merchant ships trading. I was with them this time for whatever reason; I can’t remember. We were attacked when we were taking a shipment from Chillshore down to Barefrost by these savages who feed on the flesh of others. I watched as I hid while my parents were slaughtered and fed on. If it weren’t for the priestess Damaris, I’d be dead. She shielded me and men came from Barefrost, driving the savages back.” He takes a moment to take in a deep breath and let it out as he looks out at the window. “I vowed that I would get my revenge on the savages. I trained to become a warrior, but was brought to the Light by the same priestess who saved my soul. Sister Damaris was once again there for me. She’s kind and true to the faith. I wish all who claimed to follow the Light were like her, but sadly the church is full of those who claim to follow the Light but only serve themselves. Anyway, I will one day return to the north and seek justice against the savage cannibals.”
“I am so sorry for your pain and loss. That is truly awful and sad,” I say as I look up at him and bring my hand to cup his face. He leans into my touch, covering my hand with his own. I wish I could wash away his pain. I want to clean him of all that he suffers from. I get up and kiss him. He pulls me into his arms and holds me close, kissing me softly. “I do know of that priestess you mentioned. She used to come down to Tent City to help the people in need.”
He smiles. “That sounds like her.”
We stay just like this, holding each other with kisses. I want nothing more than to remain in his embrace. But unfortunately, our time together comes to an end. “I feel so guilty. I didn’t even give you the pleasure you paid for.”
“You gave me much more than that, my lady. You gave me peace and warmth. Far more valuable than pleasure,” he says with a smile, giving me another kiss.
“Well, maybe if you’re back tomorrow, I can offer you something more. I still have my virginity, and I want to give it to you,” I say, biting my lip.
He looks worried as he raises a single eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“I will never find a better man than you to give it to,” I say.
“Then I would be honored to receive such a gift,” he says with another kiss. “Tomorrow, I will make it special. I promise.”
I smile and bite my lip. “I do not doubt that. You’re already special to me.”
He grins before resting his head against mine. We lay like this for a long time, enjoying each other’s warmth. Then, he gives me one last kiss and a smile. “Until tomorrow then.”
I nod. “Until tomorrow.”
After we part ways, I find myself with Tyma and her friends at the Hookah Lounge, telling her every little detail. “That’s great. I’m glad you got a client. Just don’t get your heart wrapped in him. These men can be quite fickle and often cruel. Usually, it’s always the ones who seem so good and pure that have such cruelty to them.”
“I don’t think he has an ounce of cruelty to him. He’s absolutely perfect,” I say. “I hope he is,” she says with a careful smile.
Be the first 100 to sign up for the Arathoon Newsletter and a FREE Digital copy of Shattered Souls when it is released!
