Acolyte

Chapter Ten

JANUARY

Dinner, as usual, is a somewhat raucous affair. Throughout the evening, I eye up the elders, searching for any kind of unease. I see nothing. They all eat, drink, slosh their goblets as usual. Maybe there's nothing wrong after all? I pray that's the case.

Seamus is the same as usual, talkative, knowledgeable. I almost feel bad, keeping what's happening between Solana and I from him, but I can't imagine the words I'd use to tell him. Still, Solana keeps brushing my hand, even going as far as running her fingers over my thigh. Luckily, Seamus keeps his flirting with her to a minimum tonight. I'm not sure I could handle it anymore.

"They're putting in a new row of huts on the east side of the village," Seamus says, telling us all the news around the village as usual, "They had me write up the plans for it today."

"Oh!" I say, "That'll be awesome."

Seamus nods, "Seriously. There's a backlog of graduated soldiers in the barracks right now, hopefully this will help."

We continue to chat- according to Seamus, there are enough potatoes in the storeroom to last us at least four more months of winter (I hope we won't have four more months of winter). There are also a number of fresh weasel pelts in the storeroom, meaning new boots and overcoats for many. I try to act fascinated, but most of the village news Seamus delivers tends to be overwhelmingly boring.

I don't dare bring up what I overheard earlier, at least not in the main lodge during dinner. As we leave, once we've left the main group of people, I lower my voice.

"Have you heard anything about the fae?" I ask, "Working as a scribe?"

"What?" he asks, looking up at me, eyes narrow with concern, "Why do you ask."

I avert my gaze, "Well... I was in the lodge today, delivering a scroll, and I heard the elders talking about something... The threat of fae, I don't know. It sounded bad."

Seamus shakes his head, "I haven't heard anything... Are you sure you heard them right?"

I nod, "I'm sure. I mean, maybe it was out of context. Hopefully."

"Maybe," Seamus says, clearly running over the information in his mind, "I hope so."

We spend the rest of the walk to my hut in silence before Seamus splits off.

"Well... I'll see you guys later. I'll think more about... about what you said."

I nod solemnly, "Goodnight, Seamus." Solana echoes the same and we slip into the hut, glad to be alone finally.

Once inside, I slip off my boots and add a few logs to the fire, trying to make the space more comfortable after the news we've heard. Once the fire is cracking happily, I sit down on the cot. Solana slides over next to me, stroking my arm.

"Let's not talk about the fae anymore, okay?" she says.

I nod, looking up into her eyes.

"Do you think we could do what we did last night again?" I ask.

Solana smiles, "Of course. Although you'll have to work a little harder this time."

I nod, "I will, if you show me."

She leans in to kiss me, her lips somehow softer than last night. She lightly nips at my bottom lip- I moan, already. I can feel her laugh slightly into my lips.

Her hands are already up my shirt, lightly playing with my nipples. My body is on fire, all I want is for her to touch me more.

She pulls away, whispering "I've been wanting to do this all day."