SONG OF POWER

Chapter XVI: Answers Beget Questions

SONG OF POWER

CHAPTER XVI:  ANSWERS BEGET QUESTIONS

Cipher was the first to quit the bed when Phrenon’s Lamp began its triumphant rise into the sky the next morning.  He cleaned and groomed himself, then dressed before anyone else woke.  Rowena was next to rise and she, too, saw to her grooming and dressing.  As she pulled on her boots Cipher nudged her, indicating the bed.  There Ninthalsaya and Tyroce clasped in a tight embrace, Ninthalsaya’s head cradled in Tyroce’s bosom.  It was all Rowena could do to stifle her laughter.

“Oh, would that I could paint that very image before they woke!” Cipher joked.

“Ninthalsaya w-w-would be so angry!”

“Yeah she would,” agreed Cipher, buckling on his sword belt.  Just as he was fastening the buckle, Rowena grabbed his hands and stopped him.  She spread his arms as wide as the belt would allow, then shook his wrists, forcing him to drop the belt.  The woman nimbly caught both ends of the belt, then expertly situated it on Cipher’s person.  She smiled up at her husband, genuinely happy to assist him in such a mundane task.

Ninthalsaya’s eyes snapped open.  She was suddenly aware of her surroundings, especially the cold chest upon which her head rested.  The witch sat bolt upright, which caused Cipher and Rowena to laugh.  Tyroce came to and shifted so she sat behind Ninthalsaya and gave the smaller sidhe a hug around the waist.  “I thought we were all past that,” the dark elf whispered into Ninthalsaya’s pointed ear.  The half-elf’s face paled.

“Come now, before you start a fight!” Cipher admonished Tyroce.  Rowena continued to giggle at the absurdity of it all.  Ninthalsaya and Tyroce rose and dressed; neither averted her gaze from the other.

Once all were ready for the day, Tyroce willed her magical chest back to wherever it spent its free time.  Rowena sat near the window, watching the sun climb higher into the sky.  Ninthalsaya moved to stand behind the human woman, her large eyes also trained on the upward progress of the sun.  Cipher sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought.  Tyroce slowly crept towards her husband, her movements the lithe stalking of a cat.  Before Cipher knew what was happening, he found her lips pressed to his, her cold clashing with his warmth, and he was taken back to the whirlwind of emotions that had reigned supreme for a time the previous night.

Tyroce is so sexual, so…

Lustful?  Her thoughts interrupted Cipher’s.  He nodded, then thought it was dumb to nod when they were somehow communicating telepathically.

Telepathy is a gift of this jewel, Tyroce thought to Cipher.  Her hoary fingers caressed the gently glowing gemstone.  There is a fine line between love and lust, my husband.  Though I straddle it, never think that it is only Lust I feel for you, or them.

Tyroce ended the mind-link and moved to the door, listening for the sounds of the inn beyond.

“Is everything all right?” Ninthalsaya asked when she observed Tyroce’s precaution.  The Unseelie held up a finger for silence, listened a moment more, and then pulled the door open.  The hall was clear.

“Shall we?”  Tyroce asked, winking at the others.

“Let’s,” replied Rowena.  Tyroce ducked into the hall, followed closely by Ninthalsaya.  Rowena stopped as she passed Cipher, grabbing his face and kissing him full on the lips.  The kiss stolen, she hurried to catch up with her wives, leaving a the young baronet to eventually bring up the rear.

“Big news, boss,” Jigger began when Cipher and his ladies joined their “servants” at the table.  Dinner was a time for jovial conversation, and such seating would be inappropriate; breakfast, however, was a time for planning and news, and much easier accomplished at one table.