And her name is…

I don’t need to look far, as I turn to check the dining hall first I see him coming down the hall toward me.

“Hey fighter.. what’s going on? Aren’t you usually on your walk with Nyx right now?”

“Yea usually. I was actually just going to look for you. I was hoping to bug you to take me to Helion?” I ask hesitantly, and my anger has retracted enough to be nervous. “I need to talk to him.”

He looks curious but says, “yea sure. You want to go now?”

I’m already nodding. “Yes please.”

I feel Wulfric reach the other side of my door as we vanish away and reappear in my room at Helion’s. I take a step to the door and pause to remember why I’m here. This man has been manipulating me through subtle use of his affinity, that controls you through your understanding of what is said. I need to be confident that everything he says is a lie or his opinion to keep from listening to him, just like when he called me beautiful.

His office is at the top of the main stairs and I walk quickly to it. I weave around those in the hallway as they greet me and remark on how they’re glad I am well. I can only assume Helion said I was sick but I wonder what he said all the other days I wasn’t around. I grip the handle of the office and turn it sharply to throw it open, an eager grin on my face.

“Helion, you have some explaining to…”

I loose my voice as I take in the scene in front of me. Helion has his pants off and a woman laying across his desk. Everything has been thrown to the side so the woman could lay down with both legs on his shoulders and her top is pulled down to let her breasts bounce around. Her head tilts back andI recognize her as Pretta, the woman who’s always late to help me get ready but braids my hair the best.

A giggle slips free. And then another. I can’t seem to stop laughing after I notice the hand prints and hickies on her thighs.Laughing.I distantly remember why I was so angry, but somehow letting him think this is why I’m angry and pretending not to know the truth seems like a better plan.We can be subtle.Threatening him with death can always happen later, and now he has a juicy little heart string I can pull.

“Well I’m glad at least one of us appears to enjoy having sex with you,” I get out between my laughter.

“Her eyes,” Pretta whispers and I just barely catch it.

A new bout of laughter starts up. “He didn’t tell you? I’m not human, I’m 100% of Sioga blood. I was hiding my own ears the whole time, that’s why I wouldn’t let you glammer them for me. Why do I feel like he told you when I die a sad human life that he would finally proclaim his feelings for you? It’s okay, he lied to me to.”

Neither of them speak for the few seconds I provide before I turn to go but then I hear Helion. “Wait, Theodosine please understand.”

I bark another laugh when I realize I still don’t understand. “No, you aren’t talking yourself out of this. If you wanted to marry me so bad you would have put my legs around your neck, not Pretta’s, no offence Pretta.”

“None taken,” she returns quietly, getting up from the desk and adjusting her dress.

“No please, don’t let me interrupt you. I’m curious to know if he can getanywoman to finish or if it’s just me he can’t satisfy.” I move just my eyes to him and he steps back.

“Theodosine, it’s not what it looks like,” he stammers out, which is another mistake.

“Be a fucking adult Helion! Your cock didn’t slip and fall into her cunt. Not inthatposition. I think you’ve been diddling Pretta for years so you could maintain the allure of being a single king at parties.” I shake my head, a little sorry for her. “I’m out of here.”

He makes the mistake of reaching out to grab my arm and when I turn I brush one finger against his surprisingly wet cock. He must be way better at it with her than he ever was with me.Take.In that second I quickly siphon a fraction of his energy, just enough to make his knees wobble and his dick feel like it’s fallen asleep.*Laughing* Limp dick.He garbles out a pained sound and collapses to one knee in an attempt to maintain dignity.

“Don’t ever touch me without permission again,” I spit before storming out, leaving the office doors open for those who haven’t already heard to get a peak at the chaos.

I storm back to my room where Tiago still waits and wash my hands in the hottest water I can, all while grumbling to myself. I confirm that the door is closed and let a small frustrated scream out. I don’t care that he’s sleeping with someone else, honestly if I knew that was fine it might have made these past weeks more fun, but I’m still upset that he manipulated me.

“What happened?” Tiago asks and I shake my head.

“Home? Please? I’d like to maintain the illusion of class and not destroy this room but it’s tempting.”

He nods and whisks us back, landing us just where we left. “Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

I nod. “But not here. Can we go work out or fight or something? I have way too much-“ I gesture around my head wildly –“going on right now.”

He nods again. “Get changed, I’ll meet you here in a minute after I do the same.”

“Tiago you’re a lamb,” I thank him, taking his hands quickly to kiss his thumb knuckles.

I open my room cautiously but Wulfric is gone and everything looks fine. Still I quickly check around the room and confirm the windows are locked before I get dressed. I’m quick, but Tiago is still ready first and I find him in the hallway. I quickly pull him into my room and tell him about Helion’s side quest, but leave out his other lies. I don’t know how many others were in on his plans and I’m not about to out myself as free from it until I do.

He’s just as upset as I am, which isn’t a lot but it’s noticeable. “I can’t say I’m surprised he was sleeping with his employee but I am surprised he continued it after you two started.”

I open my door and start leading us to the training room. “Yup,” I return shortly, not reiterating for Tiago how much it hurt to see Helion fucking her like he meant it.

We continue with what we’ve been doing; rebuilding my muscles and my close contact defensive skills. I get a few good hits to him, that do exactly nothing because I’m so weak. It’s more likely that he lets me get a few hits in, but he always pulls his punches from me and flicks me instead. I can’t say that I enjoy being treated like a child, but that’s where my skill level is so I have no choice but to accept it. It’s honestly okay that I’m terribly out of shape as my ragged breathing through it all is as good of an excuse as any to not talk any further about the hundred of thoughts I’m trying to connect in my head.