Indebted

64

Half a world away, on an island in the North Atlantic, Esti did not feel like she had consented to anything when Theo had pulled out his cell phone. Trying to dial out a couple times before swearing. Pacing the beach as he angrily stared at the phone, thumbs moving over the screen. Quickly finishing and putting the cell phone into his back pocket. The moment his head turned back to face where Esti stood with Atticus any sign of a foul mood had vanished from his visage.

He smiled, a soft, disarming look aimed at Esti. "I've called in a favor, no more sleeping rough for anyone." Theo looked very pleased. Esti just felt confused. He had been just as controlling when they had first met. Directing almost every choice as they took her farther and father from the only place she had ever known. Esti had been little more than cargo then. His domineering personality felt different now.

She was about to ask what Theo meant, she hadn't agreed to anything, and where could they go on short notice? When a beautiful woman with rich tanned skin, dark eyes appeared from nothing. A perfect bouncy, just slightly curling blow out in her long hair. The strong salty ocean air disturbing what had been a perfect hairstyle into loose locks dancing on the breeze.

Esti watched, there had been a flicker of something in the woman who could teleport's eyes when she looked towards Theo. A look or judgment that was not apparent when the stranger turned to lay her beautiful eyes upon Esti. "Your majesty?" The enchanting woman offered, moving to fall into a perfect, graceful curtsey. A formal gesture that left Esti even more bewildered.

The woman rose from her curtsey. "My name is Marisol, Theo has advised that you may have business with the Sovran court where assistance may be required to resolve?" Esti found herself unable to look away from the beautiful woman. She looked timeless and ageless at the same time. Wearing simple black slacks, and a white button down that had been tailored to fit every single curve of her body like a whispered caress. A scarf that looked to be handwoven fibers of all shades of reds, oranges and yellows twisted and woven into a beautiful pattern that perfectly complemented Marisol's complexion at her throat. Such a pretty name, Marisol. Like sunshine and pretty flowers in Esti's mind.

Esti felt Atticus grab her arms, turning her body, leaning down to lay a searing kiss on her lips. All thoughts of Marisol, melting away when her mate finally kissed her lips after so long apart. "Succubus, the influence takes time to get used to." Atticus whispered while Esti put her fingers to her lips. The electric tingles of pleasure from the bond, left her overwhelmed. Like the soil after a long drought. When the rain finally comes, the ground has been so parched it can't even absorb what it needs. Marisol had very strong influence, even for a demon of her kind.

Esti was rendered embarrassed by a succubus and their innate nature that could not easily be ignored. A good reminder to never, ever let her guard down. Not for a moment. Esti found the moment she had been alerted to the womans nature, it was easier to sense the influence. Easier to resist it.

Trying her best to keep her head on her shoulders, "I just want to help those I care about? I want things to be better. . ." Esti trailed off. She had put a lot of effort into training her brain to remember her new place. Learning that just being quiet was easiest for her. Speaking out loud two of the few things she actually wanted in this world and in his life, seemed like too bold a move to make. What she wanted was far too big of an ask first and too vague second.

Except, Esti at Opal's behest, kept looking at Marisol, who nodded when Esti was done speaking. "Yes, we understand the current prisoners Nigella Boston and Norman Swanson are dear to you, and would be most glad to help end their imprisonment. Lady Holly is also imprisoned without cause. Currently, many of your childhood friends are listed as in good health, N. and C. Fowler, Lady Fowler, Dowager lady Fowler and all her daughters, all listed on the rebel encampment. Lady Mace is working as an intermediary for the rebels, and-" Marisol paused. Marisol had stopped short, the last bit of information was difficult to just drop on someone.

Estil had not had so much information in weeks. Hearing names she had kept like a prayer in her heart said aloud. Was overwhelmed as she tried to process each piece of information she was being passed. Interrupting Marisol before she started to speak again, "Norman, Nigella and Holly are all prisoners?" Esti asked. Distracting Marisol from telling Esti about Zinnia.

Marisol nodded. "A large number of servants and nobles have been arrested, an entire shift or guards enslaved, young lords forced into service." Taking a breath, that was most of the bad news, "A large cohort have escaped the castle and set up a resistance base in the old village." Looking sad, mirroring how Esti felt over the news back to her. Succubi could influence towards sex, but their real power was in their ability to manage emotions. Read, and twist and turn people with their own feelings and desires. That was the way of the incubi and succubi. A most dangerous demon when they applied their talents towards evil purposes.

Thankfully, it had so far mostly appeared that the majority of Incubus and succubus, tended to prefer human life, continuation of existence, and other things more or less considered to be good; And most of all pleasurable.

Atticus heard the succubi mumble low under her breath that no one was letting her have any fun these days. If she had known accepting a job to manage supernatural PR was mostly acting like a teleporting travel service she might not have taken it.

Atticus might have felt bad for the succubus, seeming to be bound to a job for The Council, if he didn't know that their appearance was directly tied to how well they were taken care of. A beautiful succubus, was an already well fed one. This was certainly not a succubi who was lacking for anything. Flashing a bright smile, Marisol said, "Time to go!"

Without any warning, everyone was teleported away from the beach. Luggage and all. Landing in the council tower. Marisol was there, and gone then returned with more bags that were quickly claimed by Theo, Joe and Atticus. Esti still, had never been given a chance to make her own choice for what would happen next. Atticus was mad on her behalf, and Esti was simply bewildered. Marisol's teleporting was not overly gentle. Atticus felt like he might be sick, but Esti was even more affected.

Atticus growled. "If she is a queen treat her like one, she needs a room, with toiletries, clothes, and food, and official reports on the current known situation at the Sovran dragon court. Human news papers-" Atticus demanded on Esti's behalf. Knowing Esti would never demand what she was due. That she was already overwhelmed. Atticus felt just as in over his head. But his job was to be what she needed. His only purpose was to be whatever she needed. She needed someone at her back.

Nearly instantly Marisol was on her phone. Less than a minute passed before people dressed in gray appeared from every direction, with every single thing Atticus had requested. Last to arrive was a woman dressed in a well fitting blue pantsuit, subtle touches of gold jewellery indicated she was above the plainly dressed, and unadorned runners and lower levelled employees of this building.

The woman in a perfectly tailored blue pantsuit, that suited her colouring exactly right, dropped into an effortless courtesy, rising while she addressed Esti. Atticus did not miss how the woman flashed a pointed look towards Theo and Joe.

"We've arranged one of the presidential suites for your majesty, we hope it meets your approval." Looking down to demure, and subjugate herself, the expert manager was in her element. "Should you find yourself lacking or in need of anything, please let us know and we would be more than happy to oblige in any service that we may." Atticus pretended like he had used to behave when his father had booked a vacation somewhere remote, where he and his mother could live under some assumed identity. One that made them important.

Atticus used to put on this persona so easily. He was a dragon. His father had royal blood. Of course he was important in hotels of normal, simple humans. With endless funds at his disposal. No responsibilities. No obligations. Trying to act entitled to what he was asking for, on Esti's behalf, in front of Esti herself was nearly choking him.

Atticus wasn't the same. He didn't like this persona. This was not the kind of person he wanted to be. A dream had grown in his mind. It did not involve life inside rooms with not enough windows. A quiet, happy life, and gods above if he didn't want that more than anything else now.