I lifted her gently as she slumped down onto the table. Going into a Void was draining, so I could only imagine what it had done to her. Yet I felt hope well up inside me: She seemed to be understanding. She had asked questions, so that had to mean she was taking an interest right?
I carried her gently back into her room, and she stirred, and in her unconciousness, reached out, mumbling. "I...I'm sorry. I've been so mean to you." She said to me with a little sigh. She then rolled over, and I stood and stared, my heart pounding.
She was...sorry...
Did this mean...there is hope yet? I looked at her one last time, making sure she was really sound asleep, before I pulled the thick cloud like coverlet over her and drew the curtains around her bed and over the window closed. It was only about dusk now, but the sun's last rays streamed in through the massive window. Before I pulled the curtains shut, I looked back on her, with the dying sun adding a soft glow to her face. She was really more beautiful then I had ever noticed before in this light...she almost looked like a faerie herself. Her dark auburn hair shone red-gold and her pale skin was flushed with the light.
"I don't deserve such an angel..." I sighed before shutting the curtains and turning to exit. As I was going out quietly, I made my way back down the hall, towards one of the sitting rooms. I plopped myself down onto one of the fainting couches, and groaned.
I heard the patter of delicate feet on the tile and rolled my head to see Sappherin approaching me, looking ready for a reprimand. Her eyes downcast, her lips pouting, she kelt beside me.
"Master, I am so sorry! I did not mean to frighten her..." She began in that oh-so adorably false voice she put on when trying to butter me up.
I put up my hand, trying to look stern. "You know what you did. You were mistaken in even thinking such garments would suit such a girl. She is still a girl...one that is taking refuge with us. I'm trying to make her feel safe here, and you girls just are under the impression I'll just...use her." I rolled my eyes* Did I do that with any of you? Didn't I let you come to me first? Did I force my affections?" I looked her dead in the eyes, and she turned away, biting her lip, frowning.
"No..." She mumbled. I lay back and closed my eyes.
"Then don't try to make her out like my slut alright?" I said exhasperated, and rolled over to face the wall. She touched me with her fingertips on the shoulder and I stiffened.
"Master...forgive me please. I just wanted...I wanted to think that..." I heard her hestiation and turned to face her again.
"Go on."
"I wanted to belive that she didn't mean anything to you. That she was just some exotic plaything. That we three were all you needed. You know how jealous I get, you know how quickly I fell for you Master! " Her eyes were pleading, nearly to tears. "I just...I've gotten used to the other two, to Azura and Lura, because they were...different. They satified different needs. Azura is your little cuddly one who is wise and Lura is the strong one whom only opens up to you. I'm the one that...fulfills your desires. Or so I thought..." She trailed off, eyes downcast and I mentally slapped myself. I had been neglecting my other girls in the events of the past few days, and they were feeling it.
I stood up. "Come along we need to have a family meeting...I think I've been leaving you girls in the dark." I reached for her hand and she gae it with only a little hesitation. She still seemed unsettled, but I was hoping what I was about to do would settle everything between myself and my little harem.
I found Azura and Lura together in the garden, talking quietly. Lura's voice was deadpanned as usual, yet Azura's was filled with soft conceren. They ceased when they caught sight of Sappherien and myself apporaching. They stood out of respect.
"Master...is something amiss?" Azura asked, her voice polite. Lura said nothing.
"I think it's high time I've explained whats going on here...I have at last found out some useful information and I think I can tell you all about why Renee is here with us now." I said to them all, and motioned for them to follow me. I took them into the lounging room in my rooms, and they streached out onto pillows as they usually did. I sat myself down amongst them, yet kept my distance...it they were to fawn onto me now, I would lose my focus. I waved my hand and the sconces along the walls lit, casting the room into a warm glow, the satin pillows shimmering in the light.
"Now then. Girls, as you know, Renee came from the mortal realm, had mortal parents. But...recent circumstances have lead me to belive she wasn't safe there for very much longer. Her parents had a letter, hidden away from her. Something about something leaving her there as a child, and returning for her when she turns 18. Something...in that letter revealed that there would be danger for both her and her parents when that day came." I paused, taking in their reaction. "Which leads me to firmly beilve that my desire to have here with us is more than just desire alone...it is fate." I looked at them.
Sappherien had covered her mouth is shock, Azura looked worried, wringing her hands and even Lura looked a little sickened. "So...she's...not mortal then?" Azura finally ventured.
I shook my head. "I thought she was...she has no fey within her, I would have felt it the moment I touched her. But as you all know, I've watched her since she was small, watched her grow, waiting for the day I could take her here. It was something more than just simple greed...it was an instinct to get her away from that realm." I paused, thinking. "I knew I had to get her out. Now I know why I felt that way."
Sappherin stood, looking anxious. "If she's not fey and not mortal, what could she possibly be?!" Her voice rose, fear behind the anger.
"Calm down dear," Azura said softly, reaching to touch her hand, but she snatched it away.
"No, Azura, I don't think any of you understand! Not even you Master! Beings from other realms..." She looked at the ground, her voice dimming in strength. "Can destroy."
We all gave pause then. She was right...occasionally beasts from other realms made their way into ours or the mortal, and it wasn't pleasent. Poor Sappherien was a testament to that. I thought back to when I found her, cold and alone, her city burned to the ground, and she was being kept prisioner to the human-noid demons who created such havoc.
I shook my head, trying to brush away such a memory. I couldn't afford to lose focus now. "Look, we know that but does she really seem like a threat to you?" I asked her.
Sappherien grew quiet. "They seemed like ordinary men at first." she muttered. I gave her a look and saw the pain in her eyes and decided to let it drop.
"Either way, I trust that bringing her here was the right choice." I said quietly. "She needed to get away from that place."
"How does she feel about all this?" Lura asked, her voice dead but with a little concern.
"She..." I thought a moment before answering. "I took her with me, She saw what I have seen. I'm not sure what her reaction is. Taking her into the void caused her to pass out."
Immediatly, Azura's voice rose. "Master! Shouldn't someone be taking care of her! Besides, Voids are powerful, they even wear you down! How can you expect her to survive it?" She exclaimed.
I looked at her, my eyebrow raised. "Relax Azura. She's in bed now. I thought she could go with me, maybe to see if it made any more sense to her. I think she is strong enough to be ok..."
Azura didn't question me, but still looked worried. I glanced away from her to Lura. "She did seem to...I don't know exactly how to say this...she was asking me questions about the Realm and the Void and us and...just mutterings before she lost conciousness but I believe she is trying to...accept all of this. Something has definetly changed within her demenor, so I'm hoping once this new development sinks in she'll be more...open to us."
