Chapter Seven

Hari exhaled slowly and cursed softly. Zerul looked at her from across his desk. “What is it?”

“Vega is out of the hospital and has rejected her family. Arkus is with her, and Eon is worried. Eon is never worried.”

Zerul asked, “What is she worried about?”

“That Vega will be untethered now. She isn’t one to not have a focus.”

“What was her focus previously?”

“Her family and her village. The dwarf village in the foothills.”

“Yup. The artisans, historians, and miners. They are all in that protected space.” Hari sighed. “It’s stupid, as many members of their population were born human, just like Vega was. The wave doesn’t discriminate, but they do.”

“Anhara, would you like to visit her?”

“Yes, but I am going to send her an invitation to dinner and see if she answers. I am guessing that she would be a little weak after the hospital. Eon told me that it wasn’t a simple thing.”

“I see. Send the invitation. I also want to speak with the village. This is sitting wrong with me.” Zerul frowned. “It is on the edge of my influence, but I think I can still make an impact.”

“Impact?”

“If your friend has rejected her birthplace, they had to have done something wrong. Your associates are remarkably even-tempered.”

“Yeah, and Vega is really good with money. Snappy dancer, too.” She smiled and typed a text and followed it up with an email.

Zerul checked his schedule, his horns gleaming in the light of the office lamp. “We can go now if you like.”

“Wait. We?”

“You are officially my consort two days from now. I think it’s time for you to get used to the position.”

“I thought that is what Steerik was for?”

“Funny.” Zerul grunted.

“I thought so.” Going to sleep next to him and waking up in his arms had done wonders for her confidence. She just wanted to get the opening over and done with. Steerik had briefed her on what would happen, that he would look like Zerul during all activities, and while pleasure would be a side effect, the set spell was the goal.

To her surprise, she got a response from Vega. Dinner with you two sounds good. Carvados?

Definitely. Eight? Should I make a reservation?

Hari smiled and was honest. Please. They like you better.

Okay. I will confirm with you in a few. It will be for four.

The long sigh of relief got Zerul’s attention. “Is it all good?”

“It is. We are going for dinner at eight with either her and Arkus, or her and Eon.”

Zerul chuckled. “Ah. Didn’t want to ask?”

“Nope. Either way, we need to look nice. Vega has been worried about my public image. Oh, Serel is trying to fight the civil suit.”

“I know. Do you want my lawyer?”

“No. Mine is good and looking forward to this fight. She’s even giving me a discount. Serel was particularly mean to her sister in university.”

Zerul sighed. “I can’t believe that Prolen thought it was proper to have that viper here.”

“He was horny, she was willing, and her father is a political booster. So, it made sense. I get it. It’s why I offered so many options.”

“The dancers.”

“Correct. A few of them have dated vampires in the past, so it was fine. No one came under duress.”

He smirked. “You aren’t familiar with Prolen’s intimate habits. Occasionally, duress is involved.”

“Ah. Well, things I don’t need to know.”

“Would you have anyone in mind as a more permanent partner for him? I am feeling that he needs someone on a steadier basis.”

Hari winced. “I do, but he would have to do all the work. All I can do is put them in the same room. I also have no idea how she would react to his enthusiasm for multiple partners. I know she’s had a few cheaters in her life. She’s a fan of monogamy, and since the ladies like to gossip, she might class that as cheating.”

“Complicated. She has been damaged?”

“Yes. She’s a mage in a master ranking, but when she was an apprentice, she was dating, and it didn’t end well, nor did the next and the next. After that, she gave up and settled for setting up security systems at my businesses.”

Zerul blinked. “She does security?”

“Yes. She has a small shop and does spellwork, including surveillance.”

“Interesting.”

“It is. Oh, here is the confirmation text. Vega knows everybody, and Eon always is at the right place at the right time.” She checked her watch. “And I have two hours to get pretty.”

“You are stunning.”

“Yes, but I have to be stunning in public. It’s easy in a closed room with one audience.” She smirked. “This is sort of like stretching before a run.”

She got up and was about to leave when he cleared his throat and extended his hand. She sighed and returned to him for a kiss.

He had started it in the dreamscape and continued it during the previous day. Whenever she left the room, she had to kiss him goodbye.

She walked over to him, took his hand, and let him reel her in. He was still seated, so she only had to bend slightly to meet his mouth. He was smiling slightly, which made the kiss weird at first, but soon, she was tasting the green tea he favoured and the drop of honey he had put in.

In the dream realm, she would already be in his lap, and he would be inside her, but it was because of their experience in dreams that he had sought out the opener. He wasn’t going to get in without injuring her, and the experience would repeat if that happened.

When she lifted her head, she blinked. “What was I doing?”

“Going to get something to wear to dinner.” His smirk was gentle.

“Right. Can I have my hand back?”

He looked at his grip on her fingers. “Temporarily.” He let her go, and she wiggled her fingers in his face as she left.

It was time to go into the forbidden closet and find something for dinner.

When they pulled up in front of the restaurant, she was nervous. Hari hadn’t been out in a proper girly outfit just for fun in years. Even the cocktail dress from a few nights ago had been less feminine than the outfit she was currently in.

Hari could only describe the dress as a structured nighty. She had been going to pick something more rigid when Zerul had picked this one instead, saying that he liked the way it set off her eyes.

Zerul offered her his arm as they left the car to cross the sidewalk. Personnel opened and held the restaurant doors as they approached.

Hari smiled at the discreetly dressed hostess. “Reservations for Vega.”

The hostess smiled. “Of course, miss. Please come this way.”

The hostess led them to a table in a quiet area of the restaurant, and Hari saw a pale but relaxed Vega sitting next to the man who had taken over Orvuul.

Vega got to her feet and smiled. “Hari. Thank you for mentioning it. Dinner out is just what I need.”

Arkus moved around to hold Vega’s chair. “It is good to see any of Vega’s friends again.”

Hari looked at Vega’s hair and gasped when she saw her bare neck. “Your mark is gone.”

Vega shrugged. “It’s simpler this way. They don’t bother me; I won’t bother them.”

Hari was concerned. “Your family mark?”

“Yes. My grandmother came to the hospital, and I am not certain why. I mean, I know why Arkus brought her. I just don’t know why she came.”

Zerul murmured as he held Hari’s chair. “She came because she wanted to please her deity.”

Arkus sighed. “An error on my part. I hadn’t thought that they would become so insular. When I was formed as one of them, they were kind and open, accepting new members of their community, and the average-sized folk who were born in the village were helpful and trusted. Yes, they left to find suitable partners if they couldn’t find one in the village, but this contempt for all things external to the ideal of the community has caused those born there to be exiled.” He grunted. “It’s a mess.”

Vega smiled and sipped at her water. “Your mess, not mine. Have fun.”

Arkus sighed again. “You could help?”

“What? Stand next to you while they threw stuff at me? They are miners; they throw rocks. If I didn’t regenerate like I do, that would have made a permanent dent in my skull. That was the point where I was emancipated and sent on my way.”

Hari blinked. “I didn’t know you were emancipated.”

Vega sat back. “Yes, I got an early start to my career.”

Zerul frowned. “You make money?”

Hari kicked him under the table. “Hush.”

He raised his brows in surprise. “What?”

Vega chuckled. “I don’t mind. Yes, I make money. That is the one skill that I have under my control at all times.”

Hari blinked. “I hadn’t thought about it like it was an extranatural skill.”

“I know. Most don’t, but I can also shape metal with my fingertips if that makes you feel better.” Vega smiled.

Arkus smiled, and Hari looked at the two. They looked right together, but there was a bit of distance. Vega was keeping herself away from the creature who used to occupy her body.

Zerul asked, “Arkus, how have you been enjoying time in the modern world?”

Arkus smiled slightly. “I very much miss being inside Vega, but she is happy and reclaiming her freedom, so that is lovely to watch.”

Vega sighed. “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here. And definitely don’t mention being inside me again.”

He smiled and innocently sipped at his water. “Yes, dear.”

Hari blinked and covered her mouth with her hand. Her smile was uncomfortably wide.

She felt a hand on her knee that began a slow travel up her thigh. Zerul was looking at her with an innocent expression. She glared at him. “Knock it off.”

He squeezed her thigh and smiled at her. “Yes, dear.”

Vega snorted, and the server arrived. Drinks were ordered, and Zerul asked, “How did you get in here? My connections could only get me in tomorrow.”

“Oh, I am one of the owners. I am an investor or part owner of over a dozen businesses in town and several in other cities.” Vega looked at him from above the menu. “It is an exhausting manifestation.”

Zerul nodded. “How did you meet Eon? It seems unlikely that you would collide.”

“Oh, her sister is the manager here. Eon came to check on Asta one day, and I met her then. Eon and I became fast friends because we are both driven by compulsion.”

Hari blinked. “She has a sister?”

Zerul smiled. “You didn’t know?”

“No.”

Vega smiled. “She works a lot. She’s working now actually. Would you like to meet her?”

Hari thought about it. “Yes, please. If she has time.”

Zerul grinned.

Vega tapped on her phone and continued to peruse the menu. When the server came over, they asked for a few minutes, and as the young woman was about to leave, a gorgeous woman with soft silver hair that cascaded down to her hips came over. “I have it, Daniette. Go and check on table seventeen. I will answer any questions and take the order.”

The woman’s voice was the smoothest sound that Hari had ever heard. It was soothing and relaxing and made everyone at the table smile slightly.

Vega smiled. “Asta, this is Anhara or Hari. You know Zerul, and Arkus has been with me but unseen for the last five years. He isn’t leaving.”

Asta inclined her head. “Welcome to those who have not been here before today. Was there anything in particular you enjoy having?”

The innuendo was extreme, but her tone was helpful and innocent, and her silver eyes were huge and liquid. She smiled brightly at Hari. “It is good to see you finally, Hari.”

Hari felt like she had been given a gift. Her mind relaxed, and her soul was warmed by that bright smile.

Zerul blinked. “You are Eon’s sister? The silver hair, sure, but the rest of you...”

“Well, Governor, I don’t need to call the earth to my aid. I was structured differently.” She smiled. “The salmon is amazing tonight. The tenderloin is a little weak, but the porterhouse is on point. Today, they are going lowbrow with a baked potato, beer, and cheddar soup. It is lovely and very warming.”

Vega smiled. “I didn’t bring you here to take the order. Hari wasn’t convinced that Eon had a sibling. She doesn’t give off big sister vibes.”

Asta smiled. “That is because she is the little sister.”

Vega blinked. “I did not know that.”

“No one asks. I am in my mid-thirties, but no one remembers.” She smiled. “Now, what is everyone in the mood for?” She looked to Hari. “Our chef was one of your instructors, so she should be up to your standards.”

Hari grinned. “Excellent. Zerul’s chef is good, but there is just something missing.”

Asta inclined her head. “We will strive to do better.”

Vega sighed happily. “I love coming here.”

Arkus nodded. “She really does. They make her special donuts.”

Vega muttered, “Squealer.”

Asta smiled. “Will you leave the dessert to me?”

Hari nodded. “Sure. I trust you.”

“It’s a side effect of my effect. Very handy in hospitality.” Asta winked.

Hari asked, “What are you, exactly?”

Asta smiled. “If you haven’t figured it out by dessert, I will tell you. Now, who would like what?”

They gave her their order, and she glided away in her gauzy black dress with deep cleavage and her incredibly high heels.

Hari stared as she went, and Zerul asked, “Do I have competition?”

“No, she is just... wow. Eon doesn’t present in a particularly feminine way. This is surprising.”

He laughed. “She is an excellent manifestation of a fertility deity.”

Vega blinked. “Really?”

Hari thought about it but couldn’t pinpoint the type.

“Zerul, do you know what she is?”

“No, but I recognize the burn of her energy. She’s a low fire but very hot. Her body is a steady burn. That’s why she is so comforting to hang around. You feel warm being next to her.”

Hari blinked. “Wait, that’s what I feel around you.”

He chuckled. “I know.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Vega, do you know what she is?”

Vega shook her head. “No. It was none of my business.”

Arkus chuckled. “I confess to curiosity, but Vega refused to be curious.”

Vega shrugged. “My people had lives before I met them and will have lives after we part ways. If they want me to know, I will know. She cleared the security check. That’s all I needed to know.”

Zerul raised his brows. “You run checks on your staff?”

“Of course. You don’t need a clean record to work here, but it helps if we can keep it from becoming a blackmailing point. We pay very well, and jealously sometimes crops up.” Vega shrugged and took a sip of her mocktail.

Hari cocked her head. “Why are you drinking that?”

“I am done with alcohol for quite a while until I can pour it myself in the quiet of my own home. That was a helluva trip.”

Hari was concerned. “Are you doing well?”

“Yes. Rash is gone, and being home is helpful. I think I was jonesing for my computer.” Vega smiled.

Hari grinned. “How is it living with Arkus?”

Arkus grunted. “I am dealing with the village and trying hard to get the point across that their alienation of those who didn’t manifest into their people is short-sighted. They have spent so much time reinforcing their insular practices that they have made it law and partially religion. It is difficult to shake that sort of thing.”

Hari stared. “So, you really are an ancient god.”

Vega rolled her eyes and took another sip.

“Sort of. My original form was different, not shaped like this. The icon that I was trapped in was confining, but it was my original form.”

Vega spluttered and pulled her drink away. “You have got to be kidding.”

Arkus grinned and leaned in to blot her lips with a napkin. “But I like this form very much, indeed.”