Lady Calamity's Delights

Beach Heat

"Here we are again," Avernus put down two big straw boxes. He squinted his eyes under the sun while planting the big, colourful umbrella into the sand. After Avernus opened it, he looked over at Velvet opening the baskets. A sense of everlasting accomplishment put a smile on Avernus's face. Velvet looked happy and content. Her usual cold expression was replaced by a slight but warm smile. She was excited for them to go back to Yseult's beach again. However, they were a little far from other people, in a vacant part of the beach. After all, she liked a bit of peace and solitude.

They left Van Eltia in the hands of Benwick. Velvet wanted to get away for a few weeks before Avernus had to start his duties as the Hyland ambassador at the Loegres. There were talks of Midgand pirates kidnapping him. The royal court nearly went into panic, but Percival knew Velvet and Avernus wanted some time alone to themselves and put the concerns at ease.

Avernus pulled a new hammock from the second box and began to set it up under the umbrella. "You'll love this, Velvet."

She looked up, eyes widening in anticipation.

Avernus cracked a smile for Velvet. "I'm going to tie the sides and you'll be the first to try it."

But her eyes were on Avernus with a strange intent, like someone looking at a delicious dish and not on the hammock. "Hmm? You want to be tied up?"

Avernus narrowed his eyes in confusion as he slowly turned to Velvet. He doubted what he heard. "What? No, I was talking about the hammock-" Avernus stopped. Velvet's amber eyes flashed with predatory intent for a single moment as if she had her own train of thought going on.

Velvet's face rested into a kind expression, making Avernus think that he imagined that perverted look. "Oh, that's awesome, thanks."

Avernus turned to their wooden baskets. The one that had fresh fruits was somehow nowhere to be found.

"Velvet, where did you put the fruit basket?"

Velvet shrugged calmly. "I don't know. Don't worry about it." She grinned for a moment after answering him.

Avernus stole a glance from their food basket. He began to drool from all those delicious meals Velvet prepared for them. Avernus was more excited to eat than to enjoy the merciless sun and the churning sea. With Velvet getting her taste buds back, her cooking became flawless. Avernus was in awe of how she could juggle a life of adventure and taking care of everything else at the same time. As Bienfu had put it and reported to the disbanded Abbey, Velvet was truly wife material. While other women would complain about having to cook for their families, or trying to be modern, Velvet's traditional mindset mixed with being a strong woman, made her a true treasure in his eyes, tempting Avernus to lock her down as soon as he could. But that proposition would be an afterthought.

Velvet hummed a giggle to herself and went to the shoreline. She stretched her body near the strip of wet sands and the waves and leaned on her elbows. Avernus raised his head to be instantly trapped in Velvet's beauty. His mind was suddenly distracted by her body as her legs were washed by the gentle waves. Velvet pulled his left leg toward herself and slowly turned back to Avernus. She caught him gawking and perked up her chest, lowering her head back. Velvet winked suggestively while pursing her lips like a kiss.

Avernus swallowed. His hormones ramped up wildly. Velvet never teased him like before. Avernus couldn't avert his eyes. Velvet was mesmerizing, lying on the sand. If Avernus was swimming, he was definitely going to drown.

Avernus managed to gather enough self-control to resume his work and turned his eyes away or Velvet would never have her hammock ready. Velvet came back, ambling toward Avernus and gazing intently at him. "We forgot the sunscreen and tanning oil."