Driven by Desire

[Jaeden Kincade]

25th of Summer, 510 A.V.

Jaeden slowly remained hunched in his room, slowly counting over the mizas he had safely hidden away in there. The coins slipped from between his fingers, falling into the box with a light clink as he counted out a number for each one silently in his head. When the last coin dropped into the box, Jaeden gave a slow scratch to the white streak of hair along the back of his head, letting out a slow exhale. “A little over one thousand Mizas.” Jaeden said as he closed the box up and slid it under the closet of his room in the Soothing Waters. “Well, I’m saving the coin up. For what yet, I’m not sure.”

It had been barely a bell past sunrise as Jaeden was preparing himself for another day of work at the Soothing Waters. A light knock then came to his door as he slowly turned his head. “Come in.” Jaeden answered as he began slipping on the slightly tight shorts that was considered his uniform.

The door slowly opened, and the hint of perfume that smelled of wild flowers that often grew along the earth that surrounded Syliras’ walls hinted to who was entering. Jaeden’s head slowly turned towards the door, spotting that flow of golden blond hair before the brightness of blue eyes and the smile of smooth lips greeted him. “Good morning, Jaeden.” Summer said as she came into the room, keeping the door open as she stood in the doorway. “How long have you been up and about?”

“About three bells now.” Jaeden answered as he slowly reached out, grabbing the necklace, the only thing left he had from his family, and slipped it over his head. “You’re keeping the door open, so obviously this isn’t completely a social visit.”

Summer smiled slightly as she leaned along the frame of the doorway, her foot slid out a little to keep the door open. “You’ve been learning some of our habits well.” Summer then said, a tone of amusement in her voice. “No, I won’t be reserving your first appointment today. Someone has already beat me to that.”

“This early?” Jaeden then said, raising a brow. “Someone must be looking to get even with their significant other. Her name wouldn’t be Ha’na, would it?”

Summer shook her head slowly. “No, I don’t believe so. I wasn’t formally introduced to her though. Ivis just requested that I come get you.” Summer replied, pushing off her lean as she stepped up along the door, motioning for Jaeden to follow.

“Well, duty calls I suppose.” Jaeden said as he began walking towards his room’s exit.

“No rest for the wicked.” Summer said with a giggle as Jaeden began passing in front of her.

Jaeden then leaned his head towards Summer, as a slow inhale was taken, his nose hovering over the length of her collar bone as he did so. “Mmmmm. You are an intolerable flirt.” Jaeden said before exiting his room and heading towards the greeting room.

Summer just laughed as she replied, "The pot calling the kettle black," before closing the door to his room behind her as she exited as well. “Jaeden,” Summer said, causing him to pause for a moment. “Take it slow with this one. I didn’t touch her, but almost seem to sense a feeling of uncertainty just by looking at her.”

Jaeden slowly looked back, looking silently to Summer as his face took on an expression of contemplation. Summer, like him, had Nikali’s mark of Ranuri. Point in fact, she was the link that got him marked by the Goddess herself, and had years more experience with it. Whenever it came to the mark that rested along his back, resembling a tattoo of a rose encircled by a single link of chain, Summer was always the first person Jaeden would go to for advice. Jaeden’s gaze then met Summer’s once more as he gave a slow nod. He then turned and exited from the door that lead to the employee quarters, before taking a left turn that would soon lead him to the front desk itself.
Jaeden soon stepped up to the desk, looking around for a moment before his hand came to rest along the surface of the front desk itself. Behind it sat the receptionist of the Soothing Waters, Ivis. He was decked out in his usual formal attire as a blue satin vest covered a white silk shirt, clean and wrinkle free. Jaeden slowly leaned in as Ivis continued to fill out the log for the staff for the day, assigning a common bath that each would use. “So, who’s the early bird?” Jaeden then asked Ivis, his gaze soon falling towards a small pouch that sat along the surface of the desk.

Ivis slowly looked over to Jaeden, strands of black hair being pushed back from his gaze before he motioned towards the padded bench that sat near the exit. “She’s reserved you for the entire day, Jaeden.” Ivis then said, grabbing the pouch as the jingle of mizas echoed from within. Ivis then smiled to Jaeden, giving him the key to the largest private bath in the Soothing Waters. “Not unlike your first visit to our fine establishment. She asked for you personally. Treat her well.”

“Thank you for your motivational words, Ivis.” Jaeden said with a smirk as he grabbed the key from Ivis, and began moving towards the waiting bench near the exit.

Sitting there, was a young woman, likely no older than Jaeden, and if she was only by one year or two. Her figure was petite, her skin looked soft, and she carried with her the scent of orchids, likely lingering from the head dressing of a golden colored ring entwined with the flower. The head dress kept in place the long, red hooded, silk veil that just barely revealed the long, thick black hair that flowed beneath down to her shoulders. The rest of her dress matched the veil in color, but was made of cotton and covered most of her body, save for her arms, where the sleeves only reached to her elbows. As Jaeden came closer, he soon discovered the tanned, soft skin. Clean and free of any visible blemishes or scars, Jaeden could tell already this woman had money at her disposal, likely coming from a well off family, or her husband. Her head slowly turned, as those light blue eyes rose to meet Jaeden’s gaze. However, Jaeden noticed her expression was different than most who had come to see him. Most of the women that did come to see him had a smile on their face, as though rumors fueled an expectation that was just beginning to be met. Those full, rose red lips of hers, did not however. The remained neutral, almost sad if he matched them to the look behind her eyes. Jaeden finally saw what it was that Summer spoke of before he left the employee quarters. ”Good morning, young miss.” Jaeden said as he stopped in front of her, offering his hand to help her up. “My name is Jaeden Kincade. Might I have the pleasure of your name?”

The woman finally smiled to Jaeden, although he could tell it was forced, as her lips only curled slightly at the corners. “Thank you for accepting me as your client on this day.” the woman said, a certain properness in her tone that suggested a better upbringing that many behind Syliras’ walls would see. “My name is Olivia Darkovic.”

Olivia then slowly stood, not grasping Jaeden’s hand. This didn’t surprise him, however what did, was what Olivia did next. Slender hands slowly reached out to Jaeden, slipping under his arms and slowly around his back in a light embrace. Her head slowly turned, her eyes closing, as she rested the side of her face along his chest as her entire body pressed up against him. Jaeden then felt it like a hammer slamming into his back as the mark of Ranuri flared. Her own desires began to flow into him, flooding and overtaking his own, washing them away completely. So strong were these desires of hers, that it took almost no time at all, and something that almost caused Jaeden’s knees to lose their strength. Jaeden had never experienced it on this level before. Most that came to him had lust. Simply wanting to feel the touch of a man in a place that was more exotic, more romantic than just the common bedroom. Jaeden didn’t feel this from Olivia. In fact he felt no desire of lust at all, merely a fierce desire to feel good. No, that wasn’t quite right. She just desperately didn’t want to feel lonely, so desperately wanted it that it caused Jaeden to almost instantly slide his arms around her, pulling her in closer as his head leaned forward, his own eyes closed, and his cheek rested along the top of her head.

They remained that way for a moment longer, silent in each other’s embrace as their bodies turned slightly back and forth. Then a sudden sound broke them from their seemingly soft trance as Ivis cleared his throat, reminding them of where they were. Jaeden slowly blinked, raising his head as Olivia suddenly withdrew from her embrace, looking away for a moment as though embarrassed. “I apologize for my sudden actions.” Olivia said, her tone almost a whisper.

Jaeden grasped her hand into his, causing her to look to him once again before he slowly shook his head and gave a warm smile. “You needn’t apologize at all.” Jaeden then said as he slowly began moving towards the hall that would lead to the private bathing area. “Let us move to your private bath, however. It will likely be more comfortable and won’t suffer from prying eyes.”

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden lead Olivia down the hall to the private bathing rooms, his hand still grasping her own lightly. She kept her gaze to the ground, silent, almost hesitant in her motion towards the bath. Lingering desire of wanting to leave seemed to make their way into Jaeden’s mind. She had small doubt inside her over being here, but her feeling of loneliness and her desire to see it fade seemed to outweigh the doubt. So much so, that it took all of Jaeden’s will to resist not stopping in the middle of the hall and embracing her in comfort once more. He had yet to feel desires so strong since gaining the Ranuri mark.

Stopping at the door, Jaeden slipped the key into the lock, giving a simple turn as the slide and clicks of metal echoed in the hall before Jaeden slowly pulled the door open. He slowly stepped aside, allowing Olivia to step through, rather than leading the way. Everything from that point on, Jaeden felt he had to leave to Olivia to decide. She desired to be there, but she also had a slight amount of doubt. Summer was right about her, without even had touched her. Jaeden had to take it slow with this client, moving things too quickly and she would likely lose any nerve she had and leave. Something which Jaeden felt, slightly, might be the smart thing for her to do.

She did step into the bath, however, and moved a few feet in, looking around. Jaeden stepped in shortly after, closing the door behind them as he moved past her, walking around the large, pool sized, bath until he came to the large faucet at the front. A simple turn of a lever started releasing water into the bath itself as Jaeden began adjusting the hot water until it matched the smidgen of desired temperature that he gleamed from Olivia’s desires as she observed him. He then slowly stood, moving back over towards her. “It will take about a bell for it to fill.” Jaeden then said as he stopped within a mere few inches in front of her. “Can I interest you in the shower before that, or perhaps some of the appetizers before a larger meal arrives later in the today?”

Jaeden then slowly looked down at Olivia, watching as her hand slowly reached up, her fingers slowly sliding along his cheek, just under his eyes. “They match the color of the sky.” Olivia then said softly. “He had eyes like that.”

Jaeden then felt another intense wave of desire as her fingertips slid along the skin of his cheek. She so wanted to be with someone, to not feel alone, and her last comment about his eyes gave him a slight inclination as to why as her desires soon shifted to wanting Jaeden to be someone else entirely. Jaeden’s hands slowly reached up, grasping her own hand in his gently. “Olivia, I have to ask,” Jaeden then said, still gazing into her eyes, “is everything all right?”

Olivia’s gaze once again dropped down from Jaeden’s, looking to the floor once again as she pulled her hand away from his grasp. “Yes, everything is fine.” Olivia said almost hesitantly. She then began moving further into the room, slipping her foot wear off as the bare skin of her feet came into contact with the cool surface of the marble floor. She slowly reached up to her head, slowly pulling off the small ring entwined by flowers. She stopped near a small table next to the shower, setting it down there as she pulled the red hooded veil from her head next, revealing the long thick black hair as it flowed freely now, almost shining in the glint of light that the room provided. He hands slowly reached up, grasping her shoulders as she turned her head, looking at Jaeden with a certain reservation behind her eyes. “Could you help me with this?” Olivia said after a short time and motioning to the small buttons along the back of her dress. “I think I will enjoy a shower first.”

Jaeden gave a slow nod, moving forward. He first opened the door to the shower, turning a couple of valves on in there as beaded water rained down from a brass nozzle set overhead. He slowly stepped behind Olivia then, his fingers working over each button that ran over the length of the back of her dress. When they had all been undone, Jaeden’s hands then rested along her back, his fingers slipping under the cotton fabric of her dress as they waited there, motionless as he looked at her. Olivia’s eyes looked up into Jaeden’s for a moment, before slowly closing once again as her head turned forward and her self embrace was release, her hands falling idly to her side. Jaeden’s hands then slid along her back, pushing the dress forward. It suddenly slipped off her frame as Jaeden’s hands came to rest lightly at her shoulders.

Jaeden then simply waited, his hands still resting along Olivia’s shoulders, for Olivia herself to move into the shower. She didn’t right away, but instead, kept her eyes close. Her head slowly leaned back, resting along Jaeden’s chest as her body pressed up along Jaeden’s. Ranuri flared once again, as Jaeden’s arms once again slid around her, embracing her in comfort once again instead of sexual desire. Olivia’s own hands slowly reached up, coming to a gentle grasp along Jaeden’s forearms, enjoying the sensation of touch as Jaeden’s face came to rest along her own. Time would linger for a bit then, as they remained that way. Silent and unmoving, simply enjoying the presence of one another.

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden and Olivia, after remaining idle in front of the shower for close to a quarter of a bell in a quiet embrace, had made their way into the shower. Jaeden, for the time being, had kept his shorts on as water crashed along their bodies like a light warm rain. Steam ran around between and all around them, creating veil of intimacy as their bodies lightly touched each other. Olivia had remained still, he head tilted back and her eyes closed as Jaeden’s fingers rand slowly through her hair, now matted and heavy, soaked with water.

His hand slowly reached out in front of her, grabbing at a small bar of soap that carried a faint scent of orange to it. His hands then began to run along her back, lather building as they ran up and down the length of her back, light pressure being applied. Olivia’s eyes still remained closed ad Jaeden caught for the first time a smile, one that wasn’t force, crossing her features. However he got the feeling that it wasn’t for him, but someone one else, someone she envisioned other than Jaeden. Jaeden slowly grasped on of Olivia’s arms, extending it outward then as he ran the bar of soap over the length of it, washing the smooth skin of her arm as well before switching to the other and doing the same.

He moved very slowly then, as both of his arms then reached over in front of her, the bar of soap lightly pressing along Olivia’s pelvis as his other hand pressed lightly along the flat of her stomach. Olivia’s rright hand slowly reached up, grasping lightly along the back of Jaeden’s neck, as she leaned back into Jaeden’s body. Her left hand rested along Jaeden’s left arm as it began sliding the soap along the front of her body, washing it entirely. She seemed to be enjoying herself, however she still had her eyes closed. It was almost as if Jaeden wasn’t there for her, that it was someone else touching her. He sensed her desire for more, but all the same, it felt awkward for Jaeden in a way, and if Ranuri hadn’t been guiding him for the most part, he likely would have pulled away from such an encounter.

Olivia then slowly turned to face Jaeden, opening her eyes for the first time as she looked up into Jaeden’s eyes, and his eyes alone. Her hands came to rest along his shoulders as Jaeden then slowly kneeled to the ground. Olivia took a small lean along the thick glass wall of the shower, one of her hands still resting along Jaeden’s shoulder as he lifted one of her legs, sliding the soap along the length of her leg now before finally washing the bottom of her foot. Jaeden had always been gentle with women, save the few who liked their encounters a little more forceful, but he took extra caution to move slower and more gentler with Olivia. He sensed from her, a fragility that could crumble at even the slightest wrong move. His curiosity as to the reason behind it lingered in the back of his mind.

As Jaeden had finished finally with Olivia’s other leg, he found himself surprised when he went to stand once again, only to be stopped when Olivia’s leg suddenly fell along his shoulder, her calf and heal of her foot resting along the mid of his back. Jaeden slowly began to look up to her, only to find she had closed her eyes again, saying nothing. Her desire told him what she now wanted, as an urge to feel good, to feel more than just being there with someone, and as her hand slowly came to rest along the top of Jaeden’s head, he then moved in closer, dropping the soap along the floor of the shower as one hand reached up, grasping lightly at the leg the remained along his shoulder, the other reaching slowly up as it ran lightly along the surface of her stomach.

A slow moan began to escape Olivia’s mouth as she bit lightly along her lower lip, turning her head slightly. Her body inched up and down, sliding along the glass wall of the shower, as she raised herself along with her foot still anchored to the ground, her body trembling as she gave out light, quick gasps of air. Jaeden wasn’t even sure how long he had remained on his knees before he could feel Olivia tugging lightly on his hair, lowering her leg off of his body. Jaeden stood, looking down into her eyes as he pressed his body to her own lightly. Both of Olivia’s hands raised and cradled Jaeden’s face, her eyes opening once again as she gazed deeply into his eyes. She pulled him closer, raising herself along the front of her feet as she tilted her head slightly. Their lips then came together in a slow, long kiss, deep and passionate. Ranuri did it’s job well as Jaeden kissed her exactly as she had wanted, as deeply as she had wanted. All lingering desires that stemmed from doubt seemed to fade away from her then, but Jaeden still felt she imagined him to be someone else.

In the end, it mattered little, as Jaeden’s desires were simply Olivia’s own. Jaeden’s own sense of self was only a lingering aspect during that moment. Olivia was finding what she wanted so far, but as her hands slowly slide from his face, tracing slowly over his shoulders and slowly down his chest and stomach. He found her fingers then sliding under the fabric of his shorts and slowly pushing them downward until the fell to the floor of the shower. Jaeden stepped out of them, his hands resting along Olivia’s hips, their kiss still continuing, but growing deeper and more intense as heavy breaths began to escape them.

He could feel Olivia’s heart racing as her hands came to rest along the top of his buttocks, pulling him in closer still as one of her legs hooked around his. Eventually Olivia’s hands raised once again, coming to rest along Jaeden’s shoulders once again. Jaeden took the initiative she wanted then, as he pulled her legs around his waist, lifting her up into the air slightly. A slow moan escaped her lips again when they came together, her head moving from his kiss and leaning forward into him as her chin came to rest along the crook of his neck. A whispering exhale then escaped her with each slow motion forward Jaeden made, his lips slowly trailing over the lower lobe of her ear, the side of her neck and her shoulder. Her arms reached around Jaeden’s back, holding tightly on as if never wanting to leg go of the moment, almost as though the moment would be lost completely and forever if she did. Jaeden could feel everything that she felt, and it was like a euphoria that threatened to consume them both. It would still be another half a bell before the large bath was filled, but it was probable that it could very well overflow before the two of them were finished.

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden and Olivia had since moved into the large bath, the water’s surface steaming and calm, save for the occasional small ripple caused by the movement of their bodies. Olivia currently leaned along the edge of the pool, idly eating at some of the food that had been delivered. Jaeden spent his time behind her, lightly sliding a soft sponge over the surface of skin. “So,” Jaeden said after almost a half bell of silence, “tell me about yourself Olivia.”

“There isn’t much to tell.” Olivia replied, biting down along a strawberry before laying her head along her arms, letting out a slow exhale.

“Well, forgive my prying, but I feel with the overall silence you have, there’s a story worth telling.” Jaeden then continued.

“What?” Olivia then said in a neutral tone, but a sense of annoyance behind it. “Are all the girls you see chatty? Do they swoon over you and try to regale you with talks of nonsense about what they’ve done and what they dream to do, fooling themselves into some sense that they are actually your woman?”

Jaeden fell silent for a moment, dipping the sponge into the water again as he raised it over her back. A slow squeeze as water trickled along her back. “No, not all.” Jaeden simply replied. “Still, they don’t avoid looking at me, or when they do, they don’t picture someone else.”

Olivia suddenly spun around, glaring at Jaeden as her eyes narrowed. “Is that what this interrogation is about?” Olivia said, pushing Jaeden back.

Jaeden looked away slightly at her words in contemplation as his head nodded to the side. “Well, I wouldn’t call it an interrogation really.” Jaeden said, looking back up to Olivia.

“My coin spent isn’t about you, it’s about me.” Olivia said sternly, poking Jaeden along his chest. “It matters not to me if your vanity is injured. I hired you for your services, it shouldn’t matter what you expect, just what I expect.”

Jaeden slowly stood up, looking down into Olivia’s eyes as she suddenly moved backward, pressing along the edge of the bath in surprise. “Okay, first off, let’s get one thing strait. I am not a common whore. None employed here are.” Jaeden then paused, looking upward for a moment as he contemplated his own words. “Well, none of the women employed here are. I am a bit of a whore, but I don’t consider myself a common one. Anyways, we provide a companionship for our clients. We clean them, pamper them, take away aches and pains, we talk with them. We become someone they can confide in. We don’t just take them to a bed and rub our bodies against them for a spell and then kick them out.”

Jaeden then leaned forward, his hands resting along the edge of the bath on either side of Olivia as he looked deeply into her eyes. “Now, that being said, yes it is your coin being spent. You have me for the entire day, and it’s your decision how you wish to spend that day. If you really want, we can spend it in complete silence as you were doing. We could argue as we’re doing now. Or, we could actually spend it in discussion, on top of the other services that the bathhouse provides.”

Olivia’s face suddenly melted, a look of sorrow appearing on her face as she turned her head, breaking away from Jaeden’s gaze. “What do you want from me?” Olivia then said in a light whisper.

Jaeden slowly fell to his knees along the bath, reaching up with his hand as he gently turned her face to look at him again. Sympathetic eyes gazed into her own as he gave a slight shake of his head. “It’s like you said, it’s not about me here. It’s about you.” Jaeden said as he ran the back of his fingers along her cheek. “Whatever you want, but I would really like to know the reason there is sadness behind your eyes.”

Olivia’s hand slowly reached up, grasping Jaeden’s hand for a moment, leaning her face even more into his touch. “You wouldn’t understand.” Olivia said, her eyes closing once again.

“I’ve a lot more life experience than you might expect.” Jaeden replied, slowly shifting to sit beside her. “Try me.”

Olivia remained silent for about another few chimes, slowly slipping Jaeden’s arm over her shoulders before laying her head along his chest. “It‘s about my husband.” Olivia then said plainly, finally breaking the silence, her tone of voice so quiet, as if speaking any louder about it would cause her to break. “He was a Sylirian Knight. His name was Korvak Darkovic, a knight with the rank of Sergeant. It was a rank he worked hard for, earned with his deeds and accepted with humility, not gained through any means of being a hereditary knight either. It was when he had been promoted to that rank, that he had proposed to me. I loved him so much, that it was hard to breath when I was around him, and worse when he was away.”

Jaeden leaned his head along Olivia’s shoulder, remaining silent as she listened to her story, though he already knew where it was heading. He knew about loss, maybe not entirely in the sense that Olivia did, but he knew all the same. “He and his wing were patrolling one day when they were set upon by a group of militants from The Black Sun. Only one of them managed to escape. He told me my husband fought valiantly, covering the others so they could live.” Olivia then finally reveal, her voice becoming frayed.

Jaeden then felt Olivia bury her face into his chest, fighting back tears, her arms trembling slightly as a soft sob echoed from her lips. Jaeden’s other arm slowly slid around her, pulling her in closer as the gentle embrace of comfort she suddenly desired was given freely. “I’m sorry for you loss, Olivia.” Jaeden said as she slowly began to cry, unable to hold back now.

No other words could be said, at least nothing that could lighten her spirits or immediately ease her pain. So instead, Jaeden simply became what she needed at that moment. Someone to be with, so she wouldn’t feel alone. An ear to listen, so she could express her grief. A simple shoulder to lean and cry on. Ranuri did not need to urge Jaeden to be such at that moment.

[Jaeden Kincade]

A subtle laugh echoed through the bath as Olivia’s voice carried. “You’re kidding, right?” She said as she laid along the massage table, her head turned to the side and looking up to Jaeden from the corner of her eyes. “A horse Kelvic, seriously?”

Jaeden smiled, nodding his head. His hands slid up and down her back, a smell of apple lingering from the oils that laid along her back. “It’s true.” Jaeden replied to her as his hands rested along the center of her back as grasping motions were made, the small muscles of her back rolling under his fingers. “I heard about it for close to half a season from my Mentor in one form or fashion. He’d even make horse sounds during the night while I slept.”

“It’s hard to imagine you as a hunter, really.” Olivia said as one of her legs raised, bending at the knee. It swayed back and forth, her toes curling slightly as Jaeden ran his hands along her back once again. “I’ve seen them come and go from the city, but they’re usually covered in dirt and the blood and skins of animals.”

“Well, that is my usual appearance when heading back in from the wilds.” Jaeden said, rubbing his hands together again as Olivia rolled over onto her back. “However, such appearances wouldn’t sit well for working here.”

Olivia’s hand then suddenly ran over a long, thin scar along Jaeden’s stomach. “Though this doesn’t look like a scar left behind by any animal?” Olivia said, looking up at Jaeden curiously.

Jaeden fell silent for a moment before shaking his head. “No, it was left behind by a short sword actually.” Jaeden replied as he grasped Olivia’s hand in one of his own, his other running along the length of her arm. “Spend a lot of time out in the wilds, and eventually you run into something other than animals. In this case, it was slavers.”

“I’ve never encountered anyone like that myself.” Olivia then said softly, looking up to Jaeden. “Are they common out there?”

Jaeden gave a slow shrug. “Depends on one’s luck I suppose. They’ll generally attack unguarded travelers or caravans on the main roads, and then transport them through the forests.” Jaeden explained. “They’d be more common around Ravok.”

“Hmm.” Olivia said, nodding slightly as she closed her eyes.

“Anyways, enough about the disreputable wastes of life in this world.” Jaeden finally said after another moment of silence. “What would you like to do after your massage, I wonder? The sun is just going down now, but dinner likely won’t arrive for another bell or two.”

Olivia looked up to Jaeden for a moment, a slow smile crossing her features, likely the first smile he had seen cross her lips since meeting her. “How sturdy is this table?” Olivia then asked.

A small smirk crossed Jaeden’s lips then as he slowly crawled up along top of it, coming to a light rest along top of her. His elbows rested along either side of her, supporting his upper weight as his face hovered over hers. “It’s sturdy enough for both of us.” Jaeden then answered, feeling Olivia’s hands reaching up to grasp his face lightly as she began to pull his lips into her own.

Olivia’s mood had brightened significantly over the past few bells, and it made Jaeden relieved. He felt that she was now truly enjoying herself, rather than just looking for some sort of escape from the pain of grief. Her desires still felt of wanting to abolish loneliness, but they had lessened. Whether it had been because she had unloaded her bottled up grief into Jaeden’s shoulder, or because of all the time they had already spent together so far, Jaeden wasn’t sure. All he could think of at that moment, was listening to the next desire she had, and fulfilling it for her, so that feeling of loneliness would further be removed. It had seemed, things were getting better for her.

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden’s eyes fluttered open as blurred vision cleared, giving way to the sight of Olivia already soaking in the large bath, it’s waters warmed over the course of the night by one of the other employees. A slight grunt was exhaled as he rolled himself off the massage table. It’s padding was sufficient for rest, but overall still didn’t agree totally with him as a slight stiffness in his back made itself apparent. His feet touched the floor, walking softly over towards the bath as Olivia slowly ran the sponge over her shoulders.

Small ripples and shallow waves echoed along the surface of the water as he entered, and walked his way over to the center of the bath where Olivia knelt, the water level reaching her collar bones. His hand reached out, grasping her shoulders as a slow rub was given and he leaned forward, kissing the back of her neck. “Good morning,” Jaeden said in a soft tone, sensing no strong desire from here that would replace his own. She was either content then, or contemplating. Jaeden wasn’t sure which. “Did you sleep well?”

“Well enough.” Olivia replied, leaning her head along his hand. “Though a bed would have been better, the massage table was good enough. Can I ask you something Jaeden?”

“Anything.” Jaeden replied simply, grasping the sponge from her hand as he began running it lightly over her shoulders for her.

“Do you think me bad? Unfaithful to the memory of my husband, having spent the night here with you?” Olivia then asked plainly.

Jaeden paused at that, as he leaned to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of her face. If she had been crying at all during the night, she had already washed away any evidence of such while in the bath. “No,” Jaeden simply replied then as he began to run the sponge along her back now. “You told me your husband died over four summers ago before moving to the massage table. The fact that you hadn’t even had dinner with another man in that time shows just how deeply your love for him ran. Loneliness catches up with everyone though, eventually, and I’m honored that I was the one you could end such loneliness with.”

Olivia gave a soft laugh then, her shoulders sinking slightly. “Loneliness.” Olivia said, as if it were ironic. “Was it that obvious to you?”

“I knew there was something of it there.” Jaeden replied.

“I assume your mark allowed you to glean such from our first embrace.” Olivia then said, causing silenced reaction of surprise from Jaeden. “Yes, I know. I recognized such. The truth is, I learned of you having the mark before even coming here. It’s why I chose you.”

“I see.” Jaeden said, intrigue forming in his mind over how much Olivia knew about the mark, but keeping the questions at the back of his mind. She still had close to a bell of time left, and as such it was still about her. “I’m hoping I fulfilled your expectations then.”

“That and more.” Olivia said before slowly turning to face Jaeden. “Thank you for last night. Not only the physical aspect of it all, but the emotional one as well. I haven’t really talked about my husband, as least not expressed in a way I did with you. I just wanted to feel good, one last time.”

Jaeden’s brow knotted into a frown slightly then, feeling confused over the last three words of her statement. He then felt a twinge of nervousness when he felt a reaction to her touch rousing the Ranuri mark along his back. “One last time?” Jaeden then asked, feeling his natural instincts telling him to back away.

“It was a great night for me Jaeden, but I can’t keep coming here every day to chase away the loneliness,” Olivia said then, slowly standing as she grasped Jaeden’s hands lightly, laying them along her shoulders, “and I can’t ever love a man as much as I did Korvak. It’s like I told you, I loved him so much that it was hard to breath when he was away. Now, he’s dead, and I’ve been slowly suffocating over these past four years.”

Jaeden took a sudden gasp of air as desires from Olivia suddenly flooded his senses, feeling his knees shake and his toes tingle. Ranuri practically screamed her desires into his mind. “I want to die.” He quickly blinked, turning his gaze away from her as flashes of her dying, of Jaeden killing her took over his vision. “I don’t want to live.” More flashes as ways to kill her flooded his vision. His strength compared to hers would be completely overwhelming, his skills several times more a match for any defense she could mount against him. He saw himself holding her underwater as she exhaled her last breaths of air, water from the bath filling her lungs as she slowly caressed his cheek with a smile on her face and a thankful look in her eyes. He saw himself giving her one last kiss, before strong hands grabbed her head, quickly turning it until bones in her neck snapped.

“I want you to kill me,” Olivia then said, expressing the desire Ranuri revealed out loud now as she moved Jaeden’s hands slowly towards her throat, “and after the last night you have given me, I’m glad to have you fulfill this one last desire that I have.”

The flashing of images suddenly stopped as Jaeden’s gaze fell to Olivia, who looked up at him, a genuine smile still on her face as she began guiding his fingers over her throat, the look in her eyes showing both thanks and apology at the same time. Jaeden could feel Ranuri’s drive pushing him, as the muscles along his forearms began to tighten, forcing his hands to close slowly around her throat. His eyes closed slightly as he felt the skin of her throat creeping between his fingers as his grip grew tighter still. Yet at the same time he could feel her slowly standing, whether this was through her own strength or Jaeden pulling her up, he couldn’t tell. Her hands slowly touched his cheeks before her lips pressed softly along his own in an effort to kiss him that couldn’t move past their lips simply touching each other.

Jaeden could tell that he was now slowly strangling the life away from this woman, a woman who had suffered four years of being alone, despite being surrounded by a city full of people. Who’s heart ached, her body wracked with emotional pain every waking moment, and most sleeping moments. Who’s only happiness during that time was to be found in dreams. Dreams of her husband still alive, still with her. Only to wake and find that reality was a nightmare, and her happiness crushed once again. How could she live such a life for four years? How could Jaeden not give her the release she so desperately desired?

“Because she doesn’t want to die, even if she doesn’t know it.” Jaeden’s own voice then suddenly whispered into his mind.

Jaeden could feel himself fighting Ranuri, his own will slowly beating Olivia’s desire of death out of his body. His body started to feel drained with each passing moment, his grip along Olivia’s throat loosening, as her gasped breaths started to fill his ears. Jaeden’s own desires to keep her alive began to override Olivia’s own desires to die, pushing them completely out of his body as Jaeden began to draw away from her. Jaeden could feel her hands slowly grasping his wrists, pulling them towards her throat once again as she weakly cried out, “No, don’t stop.”

“I can’t.” Jaeden said weakly, falling backwards along the pools waters as Olivia fell on top of him, the two of them becoming submerged for a moment.

Jaeden felt Olivia’s hands quickly pulling him above water, the continuous physical contact with her leaving him unable to do anything physically to stop her touch as he put a majority of his conscious effort into resisting Ranuri. “What do you mean you can‘t!?” Olivia said, extreme desperation in her voice, teetering on the edge of despair. “Your mark compels you to fulfill my desire. I want to die!”

“Please stop touching me.” Jaeden said, a hint of desperation in his voice as well as he continued to back away.

Olivia then violently began pushing at Jaeden, causing him to back up further. When he had backed up to the edge of the bath, his back pressing against it, he felt her hand slap him along his cheek as she breathed deep gasps of air, trying to provoke him to become violent now. “Do it!” Olivia practically yelled as her voice echoed across the pool.

“I can‘t.” Jaeden said in response.

Another slap rang across his cheek, the sting left behind in it‘s wake nothing compared to the desperation he felt from her desires as it became painful now to resist them. “Please.” Olivia then said in a pleading whisper, her eyes beginning to water with tears.

Jaeden slowly turned, laying himself over the edge of the bath as he buried his head into his arms. “I won‘t.” Jaeden simply whispered in reply then.

Then there was nothing but silence, save for the light sounds of water drops falling from Olivia‘s body and hitting the surface of the water in the bath. Jaeden wouldn‘t raise his head, but kept his vision buried into the marble surface of the private bath‘s floor. More silence would pass before he heard a slight motion in the water followed by water hitting the floor as Olivia‘s feet carried her towards the corner of the room, her silence expressing disappointment. It wouldn‘t be long before Jaeden heard the door to the private bath open and then slam shut, but he still kept his head buried in his arms, still resisting Ranuri‘s drive to chase Olivia down and snuff the life out of her.

It wasn‘t until Jaeden felt the touch of soft fingers pressing along his flesh that other desires soon entred his body, desires for answers. His head slowly raised from his arms then, a look of fear in his eyes over who he might see. To his relief, Calyna, the Soothing Waters’ owner, and Summer stood over him, looking down on him in confusion. “Jaeden,” Calyna said softly, confusion in her voice, “what happened? Your client just stormed out of Soothing Waters with red marks along her neck and tears in her eyes.”

Jaeden slowly slumped into the bath, his head leaning along it‘s edge as he looked more drained of energy than he ever had since the two women had known him. “She knew.” Jaeden said to them both weakly. “She knew about Nikali‘s mark, and tried to use it to commit suicide.”

Summer took in a quick gasp of shock as her hand covered her mouth momentarily. Knowing Ranuri‘s power first hand, Summer could imagine Jaeden‘s horror over what he had just experienced, but that‘s all she could do, not having experienced such a desire from someone else first hand. Calyna slowly let out an exhale. “We better be prepared to explain matters to the Knights when they arrive.” Calyna said, slowly standing up.

“She won‘t go to the Knights.” Jaeden said as he slowly stood up, crawling out of the bath.

“How do you know that?” Calyna said as she watched as Jaeden claw weakly at his shorts and begin to slip them on. “She has every means of turning them on you. The marks on her neck, the fact that she spent the night with you.”

Jaeden slowly shook his head. “Her husband was a Knight, and she wouldn‘t bring shame to her husband‘s profession or his memory by making up claims to get back at me.” Jaeden explained, his face burying into his palms for a moment, rubbing his eyes for a moment as if he had just woken up. “She wants release from her grief. Nothing more.”

Jaeden then slowly stood up as he began heading for the private bath‘s exit. “Calyna, I‘m sorry, but I need to take a few days off.” Jaeden said as he opened the door to the bath. “I need to find her.”

“Why?” Calyna said, surprised.

“Jaeden, that‘s not a good idea, if she touches you again?” Summer added, stepping towards him for a moment.

“I have to, because now that her plan with me failed, she‘ll likely seek out other means.” Jaeden then replied. “I can‘t let her kill herself.”

“If she wants to die, there‘s nothing you can really do to stop her.” Calyna said, shaking her head slowly. “You should just inform the knights.”

“And have her locked up where she‘ll just waste away?” Jaeden said as he shook his head. “No. Besides, I said she was just looking for a release from her grief. She doesn‘t want to die, even if she doesn‘t realize it. I have to help her to that realization.”

[Jaeden Kincade]

26th of Summer, 510 A.V.

Jaeden had spent the better part of the day searching throughout the city for Olivia. He had started in the common areas, searching around blindly for about two bells, still reeling from the effects she had had on him through Ranuri. He could still feel lingering effects of resisting it. Then he finally went to see Winter, Summer’s brother in the Sylirian Knights, explaining the situation to him. Winter, like Summer, had become a friend of Jaeden’s in the city, perhaps not as close as Summer had been, in more ways than one, but a friend none the less. When he had explained to him about Olivia, Winter had understood at least, if not related to Jaeden’s plight. So often he had seen the wives of fallen comrades slowly become worse over time. The fact that Jaeden wanted to help her to live again, increased the respect he already had for the man, and so after a short time of researching, the location of Olivia’s home within Syliras was given to Jaeden, sending him on his way.

By the time Jaeden had arrived, the sun was starting it’s descent towards the horizon, and would be giving way to night soon enough. Out front, Jaeden spotted a horse waiting, a Gildling, it’s mane and fur shimmering in the fading light of the setting sun. As Jaeden slowly began approaching, he saw the front door to Olivia’s home swing open. Olivia soon walked out from within, a small pack along her back and heavy coin purse attached to the back of the pack itself. She wore a black silk dress, which flowed like a inky cloud in the subtle winds that blew through the city streets. Around her neck, a red scarf was warn, covering the marks that were likely now turning blue and bruising from where Jaeden’s hands had gripped. “Olivia?” Jaeden called out to her as she came to the side of the Gildling.

Her eyes narrowed when seeing him, and carried the disappointment that Jaeden had felt when she had left him in the bathhouse. “I don’t wish to speak with you,” Olivia said as she pulled herself up onto the Gildling, “in fact I’m leaving Syliras all together.”

“Wait,” Jaeden called out, moving more quickly as towards her, “where are you going?”

“It’s none of your concern.” Olivia said, looking back at Jaeden as he began to approach. “In the end, I’m sure I’ll find someone who’s willing to do, what you wouldn’t.”

Jaeden grit his teeth then, digging his feet into the ground as he began to flat out sprint towards Olivia now. She gave a subtle kick to her Gildling’s sides, sending it on a run as it’s hooves clacked loudly along the city streets, easily outpacing Jaeden in the end as he came to a stumbling halt, breathing heavily. He gave a quick frown, barely wasting time to watch her ride off, and immediately turned, heading for the Windmount Stables.

He grumbled at the time it took for him to saddle Fortunado, who looked to Jaeden and gave a subtle gruff, remaining as still as possible when the animal sense Jaeden’s urgency for haste. Jaeden knew where she was heading, hell it was likely he put the idea into her head in the first place during there talks. He silently kicked himself for it as he began putting on his gear. By the time he was settling into Fortunado’s saddle, and setting off himself, the light of the sun was barely present anymore. He sent Fortunado into a full pace, leaning forward as he headed for the Syliras city exits. He quickly brought Fortunado to a quick halt, nearly throwing himself off the horse as he did so. A quick glance around was given to the lands that stretched out from Syliras proper as a look a frustration crossed his features. His gaze shot over to Aenysa as she began making her way into the castle city, done with her work for the day. “Aenysa, a woman wearing black and riding a Glidling horse road past here a short time ago. Which direction did she travel?” Jaeden said, urgency in his voice.

Aenysa almost looked taken aback by Jaeden’s voice, and the panic it seemed to have in it. Saying nothing, she slowly pointed out towards the south west. Jaeden gave a slight yell, nudging at Fortunado’s sides as the Nightwalker was sent into a full run once again. His gaze fell to the ground, looking over it quickly as Fortunado ran. Before long, he began spotting freshly torn earth, signs of a horse running hard., and began following them. “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” Jaeden shouted at himself inside his head. “You should have been waiting at the front gate from the start. After hearing stories about wild beasts, slavers and bandits from your hunting stories, of course she would go looking for them.”

Jaeden had to move fast. Olivia had close to a bell on him already, and now that the sun had nearly set, tracking her would become more difficult. He had only wished his riding skill had been better, it was an advantage she had over him to his regret, likely taught to her by her husband during his living years. The wildlands were dangerous for people who had the experience. They were lethal to those who didn’t. Jaeden knew he wouldn’t have a whole lot of time.

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden had been riding for close to two bells before he had finally jumped off of Fortunado’s back, tracking by foot now. The tracks had already lead into the forest, but he could tell by the spacing and the depth of the tracks that Olivia had slowed the Gildling down, finding traversing the horse in the forest at night, a difficult task even if she had more experience in riding than Jaeden did. When he had found a piece of torn, black cotton hanging along the branch of a tree, he reached up to it quickly and yanked it down. Holding it to his nose, Jaeden slowly inhaled, catching the scent of orchids, sweat and a slight amount of blood. The orchids, however, were what assured him he was on the right trail. It was the scent that Olivia wore when first meeting Jaeden. Unfortunately, it was something that the animals, along with her sweat and the lingering scent of blood now from where the branch had scratched her when snagging her dress, could now track down.

Jaeden slowly stuffed the piece of her dress under his leather armor, picking up his own pace now as he began to jog along in the forest. Fortunado following behind him in a trotting pace. It took close to a bell of stops and starts, of making sure he was still following the same track as well as making sure predators weren’t tracking her. In that time, he did not stop, not even to take a breather. What he was tracking was too important for him to. Finally, Jaeden caught a glint of light not far off in the forest, and the sound of a horse crying out. Jaeden quickly moved forward, following the light, eventually spotting in the distance the soft glow of the fur of Olivia’s Gildling, lying along the ground, and deep cuts along it‘s neck and hind legs. It thrashed slightly, struggling to get up, but the mortal wound drained it of strength quickly.

Not far ahead, Jaeden then spotted four others. One which he could tell was Olivia strait away, as the figure of her body, wrapped tightly in the black dress with a piece torn away along her arm, the give away. Who she stood in front of, however, was of much greater concern to Jaeden. All of them were men, dirtied wielding swords. The look they gave, like stalkers spotting easy prey, caused Jaeden to curse under his breath as he slipped his composite bow from his shoulder.

He inched closer towards the group, pulling an arrow from his quiver. He wasn’t sure whether the three men were bandits or slavers, but in the end it didn’t matter. Their intention was clear. As Jaeden drew closer, he began hearing the conversation. “I don’t care what you want.” Olivia said a brave tone in her voice, but Jaeden could see her dress shake slightly near the legs.

“So, what?” one of the men said, chuckling slightly. “You’re going to give us mizas to simply kill you, and nothing else?”

“If you want the mizas, you’ll keep your filthy hands off of me. Otherwise, you won’t get any of it.” Olivia said in a demanding voice.

Jaeden slowly shook his head. He could already tell where this would go. He almost cursed Olivia’s naivety in the matter, but knew well enough that her grief clouded her common sense. Jaeden slowly pulled an arrow from his quiver, nocking it into the string of his bow.

“I don’t think you understand the situation your in here, girl.” Jaeden heard one of the men say. “Fact is, you either have the coins here, and we simply take them from you before or after we ravage you. Or you don’t, and we still ravage you. Fact is, you’re in no position to negotiate. Didn’t anyone tell you that the woods are dangerous?”

Jaeden gritted teeth as he saw one of the men quickly reach out then, grabbing at the fabric along the front of Olivia’s dress. A quick tug soon echoed out the slight sounds of cotton being torn as Olivia began backing away, letting out a short scream of surprise. Jaeden moved closer still, but found himself surprised when he saw Olivia’s hand suddenly swing through the air as one of the men yelled out in pained reaction as Olivia fell to the ground, a dagger held in her right hand. The man in the center reached up, grasping his eye as blood began to trickle out between his fingers. “You bitch!” he screamed, glaring down at her as the other two laughed over his wound.

“Fine, you want it that badly?” the man now said, raising his sword to the air. “You got it. I can ravage your body after!”

Jaeden’s eyes went wide then, spotting Olivia close her own as her head leaned back, waiting for the strike. Jaeden reacted in quick fashion, driven by instinct more than tactics as he suddenly drew the string of his bow back, leveling it at the man in the middle and loosing the arrow, barely taking the time to aim. Instincts had succeeded him that time than aiming did many times in the past as the arrow quickly cut through the air, leaving a whistle through the air before a quick gurgling shout was echoed out from his intended target, the arrow piercing through the center of his neck.

The two men jerked in reaction, looking quickly for the source of the arrow as Olivia opened her eyes, surprised as she searched around before spotting Jaeden. A look of one who had just been betrayed crossed her face then, and she quickly reached out as the other two men began running towards Jaeden, grabbing one of them by the leg. “No, no, no!” She yelled, gripping his leg tightly. “Don’t go after him! You have to kill me.”

The man she had grabbed grew annoyed quickly, looking down to her he began kicking out with his leg, trying to get loose of Olivia‘s grasp. Finally, he raised his sword himself, looking to strike down at the source of his annoyance. Jaeden had enough time before the first one would reach him, and working on the same instincts, he quickly nocked another arrow into the string of his bow. He drew the string back, the muscle in his arm tightening as he raised his bow in aim. He took a mere half second to level the arrow tip at the man Olivia grasped, before loosing another arrow, sending it hurtling through the air. It‘s stuck the man in the shoulder, the impact forcing his body to twist as he fell to the ground, yelling out in pain. Olivia looked to Jaeden, poison in her eyes as she yelled out curses and insults in his direction.

Jaeden ignored them, an expression of anger crossing his features as he tossed his bow to the ground, pulling his longsword free from it‘s sheath, his gaze falling to the third of the men now a mere few yards away, raising his own sword for an attack. Jaeden quickly stepped to the side and then forward quickly as the swing from his dropped towards his head. Jaeden‘s own sword was then swung hard, cutting deeply into the man‘s stomach as he cried out in pain, lurching forward, his eyes going wide. Jaeden continued to step forward, raising his sword as he reversed his grip on it before finally the tip swung around and was plunged into the back of his foe, causing another gasp of pain from the man before he fell to his knees, dropping his own sword.

Jaeden pulled his sword free as he began stepping towards the final one. Olivia was already sitting on top of him, continuously screaming at him to kill her as her hand repeatedly struck his chest to further enrage him. The man finally pulled the arrow free from his shoulder with a loud yell, tossing it aside. Olivia fell silent as his hands quickly snatched out, grabbing her by the arms then. Before she could utter any sort of word, Olivia was tossed off the man to the ground beside them. The man‘s hand went to grip his sword, quickly rising into a seated position as he looked to get back to his feet and face Jaeden. However, his eyes suddenly widened, knowing it was too late as Jaeden‘s sword swung around, the tip cutting through the front of his throat deeply. A quick scream was interrupted by the man‘s own blood escaping his lips as he fell to the ground, reaching to his throat with his hand to stop the inevitable.

Jaeden stood there then, breathing deeply as he scanned the area instinctively for further foes who may have been hidden or still alive. Eventually, the sound of Olivia‘s weeping, her face buried into the ground as she laid motionless, forced his gaze to her. Jaeden dropped his own sword to the ground, his feet dragging towards her. He was hesitant, scared to touch her and have her desires forced onto him again through Ranuri, but in the end he still reached out. “Olivia?” Jaeden then said softly, beginning to crouch down.

Jaeden expected her to cry. He expected her to scream, to curse him, to call him all sorts of names, but what she did, he did not expect. For as Jaeden drew close enough that he was almost touching Olivia‘s shoulder, her body quickly spun around, anger in her eyes. Though it was the dagger, still in her hand and now being swung at Jaeden in a stabbing motion, that had ultimately surprised Jaeden in the end.

[Jaeden Kincade]

Jaeden grunted out loud, his hand suddenly grasping Olivia’s wrist as the tip of her dagger as it stabbed about a third of an inch into his shoulder. She screamed at him in ferocity, her eyes red and streaming with tears. Jaeden could begin to feel Ranuri at his back beginning to flair, and his problems compounded as Olivia’s desires began to creep into his senses. Her feelings of not feeling alone was there, but the two primary desires he felt revolved around death. Her own, and Jaeden’s for preventing the former. Jaeden quickly focused his concentration into forcing the desires out of his mind as Olivia’s screams were drowned out of his hear and the pain of the dagger, as Olivia tried to drive it further into him, faded.

His eyes closed for a moment as his teeth gritted, fully pushing Olivia’s desires from his soul as he felt fatigue beginning to rise in his body. His eyes opened as Olivia’s screams once again filled his ears, the vision of her pain and sorrow on her face came into full view. He looked to the dagger, still stuck in his shoulder, concentrating on that problem next. While he didn’t want to physically hurt her, she was leaving him no choice. His arm went tight with tension as he pushed Olivia’s wrist back, pulling the dagger from his shoulder. He then began to squeeze as pain swelled up in Olivia’s wrist, her grip along the dagger loosening. Jaeden gave her hand a quick flick to the side, sending the dagger flying away.

Jaeden was then suddenly forced to his back as Olivia pushed up against him with all of her weight, screaming at him as loud as she could. Her hands raised up and down, beating along his chest and slapping his face repeatedly. “Gods damn you!” Olivia screamed at Jaeden. “Why did you do this to me? Why won’t you just let me die!?”

Jaeden quickly reached up, pulling her down as Olivia’s arms became pinned between their bodies. She continued to vent her anger with him, verbally in a series of curses and shouts, repeatedly asking why he had interfered. “Because you don’t want to die, not really.” Jaeden answered finally, whispering it into her ear.

“Yes I do.” Olivia sobbed, laying her head along his chest as her struggle against him weakened.

“No, you don’t.” Jaeden quickly replied “If you really did, you would have been dead long before seeing me. You just want someone to end your pain.”

“What the petch are you talking about?” Olivia then said, trying to struggle against Jaeden again, as though she didn’t want to hear his words.

“Olivia, don’t you see? If you really wanted to die, you would have been able to easily do it by your own hand.” Jaeden then explained, embracing her more tightly. “Instead, you sought out others. First me, in the bathhouse, and then these scum who would have defiled you for days before they even thought about killing you. You don’t want to die, Olivia. The very fact that you were scared of dying at these men’s hands proves how much you want to live. You just, don’t want to feel the loss anymore. That’s all.”

Olivia remained silent for the longest moment before her body finally slumped into Jaeden’s body, her limbs becoming limp as she released all of her sorrow, crying into Jaeden’s chest. “I want him back.” Olivia cried out, her voice weak and muffled as she buried her face into Jaeden’s shoulder. “I want him back.”

“I know.” Jaeden said softly, keeping her embraced in his arms, allowing her to release whatever she had within her, for as long as it took. The dangers of the forest didn’t matter at that point. While animals would soon catch the scent of the men dead around Jaeden and Olivia, Fortunado would alert Jaeden to their approach long before they would become a threat as the horse soon stepped up, standing next to them as they laid along the ground.

Close to a bell would pass as Olivia continued to cry, her sobs heavy and her tears continuously flowing. But gradually, over the course of that time, the cries began to fade, her trembling would lesson, until she could simply cry no more for that night. “What can I do?” She finally said in a whisper. “How can I continue to live, when he isn’t here to live for?”

“You live for yourself.” Jaeden said simply. “Olivia, I can’t claim to know anything about your husband, apart from what you’ve already told me, but I can say this. If he was even just half the man you claimed him to be, to have earned so fierce a love from you as you’ve shown? Then he wouldn’t want you to give up on life. He would want you to live on. He would want you to grieve for him, remember him, love him, but still live on.”

“How?” Olivia then questioned, her fingers gripping the edge of his leather armor.

“That’s not something I can answer for you, Olivia.” Jaeden then said after a moment of silence. “I can only tell you, that there is another answer aside from death. I know, it‘s not likely the answer you were looking for. I‘m a hunter, and a bit of a whore. It‘s unquestionable that I would be slightly horrible at this.”

Olivia chuckled slightly then. “You aren’t as horrible as you think.” Olivia said, shifting her head slightly as she continued to lay along Jaeden’s body.

Jaeden let a soft smile spread across his lips. “Thank you.” Jaeden simply said. “So what do you say? Can I take you back to Syliras?”

He felt Olivia slowly shake her head along his shoulder then. “Not yet. I can’t go back to that home.” Olivia said, a little fear rising in her voice. “Not after what just happened. After how close I had come.”

Jaeden gave a slow nod. “I understand.” Jaeden said, pushing strands of her hair away from her face. “There’s a sofa in my room at the Soothing Waters. It’s not exactly a bed, but it’s soft, and you can sleep in it fairly easily. It’s technically against the rules, but it’s yours if you want it. I can always sleep on the floor or something.”

Olivia remained silent for another moment before finally Jaeden felt a nodding motion of her head along his shoulder. “Not right now, though?” Olivia then said, a hint of reservation in her voice. “Is it alright if I stay like this? At least for a little while?”

Jaeden then began sliding his hand along Olivia’s back, his head nodding slightly. “Of course.” Jaeden replied, as he let out a slow exhale. He then took a gamble, as he suddenly stopped resisting Ranuri, letting Olivia’s desires flood him once again. A great sigh of relief was then released as Jaeden felt no desire for death radiated from Olivia at that point, only a simply desire to sleep.

[Jaeden Kincade]

The hour was late at the city gates of Syliras, only a single Sylirian knight stood at the front gate, ever vigilant, his eyes peering into the night for signs of movement, sounds of disturbance. A call came out from another knight, standing watch from one of the high towers. “Someone approaches.” He hollered out to the sentry at the front gate.

The sentry slowly stood at the ready, his hand gripping his weapon as he peered into the darkness, soon hearing the sound of hoofs beating along the ground, getting louder with each passing moment. Soon, a large black Nightwalker came into view, upon it’s back sat two riders. The first they noticed was Jaeden, who rode towards the front gate, his one hand raised into the air, showing he had no weapons, his other wrapped around the second rider, gripping the reigns.

The second rider was Olivia, sitting sideways in front of Jaeden, her frame leaned back into him, her head resting along her shoulder as her back was supported by his arm. She slept, Jaeden’s tent blanket wrapped around her. The guard soon loosened his grip along his weapon, standing more relaxed then as Jaeden stopped next to him. He recognized Jaeden, but didn’t know him by name. “Just coming back home, Sir Knight,” Jaeden said to the sentry, finally lowering his hand.

“What’s her story?” the Sentry then inquired as he looked to Olivia.

“She lost her way in the woods, was set upon by a couple of unsavory individuals.” Jaeden explained, tugging the blanket more fully over Olivia’s body as she shifted slightly in her sleep. “No serious injury, but all the same I was going to take her to the healers at the Soothing Waters.”

“These individuals you spoke of?” the Sentry then asked.

“Dead, no bother to anyone now.” Jaeden replied, motioning to his shoulder. “They got one small attack in on me, but overall, they were inexperienced.”

“Good, saves us the problem of sending a Wing out and hunting them down.” the Sentry then said, motioning Jaeden into the castle.

Jaeden then gave a slow nod, riding into the city. A few turns and a short distance soon brought him in front of the Soothing Waters. He leaned forward, patting the side of Fortunado’s neck a few times before looking down to Olivia. He kept his hand along Olivia’s frame as he swung his leg over the back of Fortunado, stepping down to the ground. He slowly leaned her body back as she began to slide off of Fortunado and into his arms, trying not to disturb her sleep. His attempt failed, however, as her head slowly shook for a moment, her eyes fluttering. “Jaeden?” she suddenly said, drowsiness in her voice as she looked around. “What, where are we?”

“Back in Syliras.” Jaeden answered as he carried her around Fortunado, and into the door of Soothing Waters, taking the spiraling steps down carefully. “You fell asleep on me, and slept like you had been awake for three days strait.”

“You sure you won’t get into trouble?” Olivia said as she laid her head along his shoulder.

Jaeden then paused as he walked into the greeting room of the Soothing Waters, seeing Calyna, Summer and four other women sitting inside, as though they had been waiting there. The four other women, Jaeden had recognized as well. All of them were regular clients of Jaeden at the Bathhouse, and all of them were widows of Sylirian Knights, like Olivia herself. “No, I don’t suspect I will.” Jaeden then said to Olivia.

Olivia slowly looked forward, seeing everyone gathered. “Olivia,” Calyna said before motioning to the four women. “I would like you to meet Krysta, Celest, Sunete and Ayne. They, like you, have lost their husbands, Knights, to the troubles in these lands. They have gathered together to support each other in their loss.”

Olivia’s eyes went wide, as she gripped at the blanket Jaeden had wrapped around her, nervousness entering her eyes. She slowly looked up to Jaeden, as he smiled to her. “You asked how, back there in the forest. They are far more likely the answer than I ever will be.”

The four women stood up, gathering a safe distance in front of them. Jaeden slowly lowered Olivia to her feet, his hand resting on her shoulder, but not giving any push forward. Like when she first entered the bathhouse, her next step would have to be her choice. Krysta slowly extended her hand, offering a sympathetic smile. “Olivia, dear. This is something you should never have to deal with alone,” Krysta said, inviting her to join the four of them, “and if you’ll accept us, you will no longer ever have to.”

There was a long moment of silence that passed over the room. Olivia slowly leaned against Jaeden for a short moment, her eyes showing contemplation, wondering if it would make any difference. Once again, she looked up to Jaeden. “Jaeden?” she said softly, as if asking him what he thought.

“It’s your choice, Olivia.” Jaeden said, giving her shoulder a light squeeze. “At the very least, though, you won’t feel the loneliness so much.”

Olivia once again fell silent, before looking to the rest of the women, who still stood patiently, waiting to see if she would accept their invitation. Finally, slow steps were taken to them, hesitant at first, but eventually Olivia moved quickly into the arms of the women, crying almost in relief as they all embraced her. Jaeden slowly moved next to Summer and Calyna, letting out a slow sigh as a smile crossed his face. “Well, this is certainly a pleasant surprise.” Jaeden said in a whisper as he looked to Calyna. “Your idea?”

Calyna shook her head. “Summer’s actually.” Calyna replied. “She knew they met, a couple of them her client before they turned to you for…… comfort on the side. I merely contacted them all, and gathered them here. I figured if you succeeded, you might bring her back here first.”

Jaeden looked past Calyna, gazing at Summer as she looked to him with a smile. “You are so alluring right now, and not because of your mark.” Jaeden said, with a smile.

Summer smiled wider before her eyes widened a bit. “Oh, your shoulder?” Summer suddenly said. “You’re bleeding.”

“Oh yeah,” Jaeden said as he looked down to his shoulder, idly for a moment. “I had forgotten.”

“That looks like a stab wound, how did that happen?” Calyna asked, stepping in front of him, Summer doing the same shortly after, as she inspected the wound.

Jaeden looked past Calyna and Summer for a moment, gazing over Olivia as she now sat along the couch in the waiting room, opening up to the women she had now found she had something in common with. Jaeden simply smiled, shaking his head. “Doesn’t really matters.” Jaeden finally said, looking to Calyna and Summer both. “What does is that everyone is back and safe in the end.”

“Safe or not, we’re getting that patched up.” Calyna said as she grabbed Jaeden’s hand tugging at him slightly.

“It’s just a flesh wound, really that’s not necessary.” Jaeden said, feeling Ranuri flaring slightly at the new touch.

“I’m not taking "no" for an answer Jaeden.” Calyna said, still tugging at his arm.

“Come along Jaeden,” Summer said, grabbing his other hand as she began to help Calyna pull him along, smiling as their desires began to mix with each other, as almost a three way emotional wave passed between them.

Jaeden’s eyes rolled back for a moment, his head tilting as he let out a slow exhale before looking to Summer. “You did that on purpose.” Jaeden said, now more compliant as they began to lead him back towards one of the private baths.

Summer giggled lightly. “Well, it’s not as though we could physically force you otherwise.” Summer said.

Calyna gave a slow smirk, looking back to Jaeden. “You’ll enjoy a bit of healing, after the day you’ve had.” Calyna then said, both hers and Summer’s desires flowing into Jaeden.

“You’re both intolerable flirts.” Jaeden simply said as the three of them disappeared behind the doors of one of the private baths.

~End