Longevity
As Callie steps into the Rust district, it briefly feels like coming home. She had spent her very first days in Solva here, cowering behind scores and scores of people packed together. The crowded streets, the sometimes splintering wood, and the smell of an endless number of cooking stoves all wash over her as she takes it in once again.
She pulls the cloak tighter over her shoulders, wondering just how recognizable she would be without her Devotia’s robes. Callie had borrowed some clothes from Civa hoping to pass as an ordinary priestess, throwing her hair up into a tight bun and betting her face is less known up close. Part of her hates the privileged place in society she now holds, feeling so distant from her past, but the rest of her is grateful that very few people could recognize her up close.
The disguised paladin next to her grunts, nodding her head and pointing Callie’s gaze across the courtyard. Callie follows her finger, letting her eyes rest upon the small sign of the Fleeting Fox; the very same inn she had stayed at during her first days. She wonders if the tavernkeep, Magnus, would still remember her face.
She follows the paladin, a tall and athletic woman named Gloriana, trying to stay close to her. Callie had wanted to make the visit alone, but the mere suggestion of such a solo venture made the vein in Velena’s forehead pop with frustration. She’d already been furious enough Callie canceled her schedule for this, even if she understood Mykah’s importance to her. Callie acquiesced and allowed the Magister to force her to bring Paladin Gloriana.
A small part of her wonders if Velena is the one moving against her, remembering that the Magister had informed Junivere about Calvin weeks ago. That incident had been easily explained as a way to push Callie out of her sheltered attitude, and weeks later she no longer feels they were wrong to do so. But so few people knew about Mykah, and Velena was one of them. Eventually she pushes the thought away. From the beginning, Velena has been one of Callie’s only allies, helping her survive in a way hardly anyone else has. Mykah would hopefully offer more explanation.
Inside, the Fleeting Fox is just as she remembers it. Rows and rows of tables are packed with a scattered array of guests, some just returning from night shifts, some preparing to leave for work… others would still be recovering from hangovers from the night before. She shuffles past the chaos, remembering how steep of a learning curve her first days had been. Gloriana bumps into a patron, quickly waving a hand to clean his cloak from the drink that had spilled.
Callie approaches Magnus, trying to meet his eyes from the far side of the bar table. His brow furrows for a moment, but as he lumbers closer she spots the knowing twinkle in his eyes.
“I doubt you’re suppost to be here,” his low voice rumbles, quiet to keep her privacy. “It’s good to see ‘ya.”
Callie flashes him a smile, lowering her cloak slightly. “Hey, Magnus.”
“Hal Devotia,” Gloriana whispers in her ear. “We shouldn’t linger.”
Rolling her eyes so Magnus can see, Callie gently waves away the paladin's concern. “How’s business?”
“Good,” Magnus grunts contentedly. “Having your serving girl become Devotia is a nice reputation to run off of.”
“Lucky you,” she smirks.
“What’re you doing down in these parts?” He asks quietly. “Not usually a spot for a High Holy.”
“Meeting a friend,” she replies, “room eleven.” Magnus’ eyebrow raises inquisitively, and Calie adds, “Not like that. I knew him from home.”
“You know people’s business ain’t my business,” he chuckles. “Tell the boy to pick up his laundry when he gets a chance.”
“Of course,” Callie smiles again. “Take care, Magnus.”
Callie weaves back across the tavern, pulling Gloriana through the crowd and making her way up the narrow flight of stairs. She enters the upstairs hallway, heading towards the end of the row where she remembers room eleven to be. She stops at the door, taking a breath and steadying herself.
“Wait here,” she tells the paladin, who flashes her a worried expression.
“It’s my responsibility to keep you safe,” Gloriana places a nervous hand on the pommel of her sword, tucked inside her cloak.
“And you’re doing such a good job,” Callie flashes a dismissive smile. “But this is my friend. I’ll be fine.” Gloriana shifts nervously in place. “You can wait at the door and check in every few minutes if it makes you feel better.”
Gloriana nods, loosening her posture slightly at the compromise. Callie turns away, gently knocking at the door and strolling inside. The room is as she remembers the inn, a little small, but with surprisingly good sunlight through the windows. Mykah sits at the bed, perking up at her arrival and grinning happily.
“You’re here!” He leaps up, hugging her as she shuts the door behind them.
“You’re here,” Callie replies. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe you’re a Devotia,” he exclaims. “How did that happen?”
“Honestly I have no clue,” she shrugs, sitting down in a chair across from his bed. “It kinda just happened.”
Mykah sits down excitedly. “Tell me everything about it. Is it true that Devotia commune with Suul daily? What’s she like?”
Callie snorts, “Hardly daily. I’ve only heard from her twice. I don’t really have any clue what she’s like.”
“Do they know you’re..?” he gestures vaguely at her body.
“Some do,” she smiles. “People are much better about it here. Apparently it’s almost normal.”
Mykah releases a weight from his shoulders, taking in a peaceful inhale. “Thank gods. I’ve been worried about you.” He looks her over again, eyes scanning over his magic carefully. “The magic’s holding up really well. Have you had any issues with it?”
“None,” Callie shakes her head. “People keep passing along their compliments actually. Apparently you’re a pretty talented mage. I never would’ve guessed.”
Mykah waves a dismissive hand, flashing his teeth proudly. “Of course I am.” He sits forward more, leaning in and saying, “Sorry for busting into your place, by the way. Once I saw it was you I knew I had to come see you.”
“I would’ve done the same,” Callie lets her eyes drip with gratitude. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you.”
“Besides, I think Junivere was more upset about it than I was.” Callie leans back into the chair, pulling her legs up to her chest.
“She’s intense. I thought she was going to have me executed before you arrived.”
“She might’ve,” Callie laughs softly. “She’s just watching my back. She’s been Devotia a lot longer than I have.”
“So she’s your mentor?”
“And more. At this point I think she’s my closest friend here.”
“Not anymore,” Mykah points at himself, grinning madly.
“Yeah,” Callie smiles, but then remembers Junivere’s warnings. She takes a long breath, letting her seriousness show a little more. “I do need to ask you about some things.”
“Like what?”
Callie looks away. She hates the feeling of suggesting he might be involved in something, unintentionally or not. “The wards in place around the villa… you shouldn’t have been able to get through them.”
“It was surprisingly easy, actually,” he holds out a hand, letting a few blue flashes of light dance across his palm. “I think they’re actually just layers of Takwi wards staggered over each other. They’re pretty vulnerable if you scatter needlepoint beams over a wide enough area.”
She gazes back at him, admiring the intelligence shining in his eyes. In Rookwell, it was well known he must’ve been a prodigy. His talents were wasted there, and Callie wishes both of them could’ve been raised in Solva instead.
“Did anyone know you were going to the villa last night? Anyone at all?”
“Not that I know of. I cast a few stealthy charms to be sure.” Mykah’s eyes narrow, trying to read her. “What are you thinking?”
“Something in my gut tells me something’s up,” she says quietly. Callie looks up at him, quickly responding to the brief look of offense on his face. “Not you,” she asserts. “But Junivere thinks someone might be using you to get to me, even if you’re not in on it.”
“How?”
“I don’t know,” she sighs. “But… it’s hard to know who to trust as Devotia. There’s a lot of eyes on me all the time.”
“Callie,” Mykah sits forward, putting a hand on her knee. “I risked everything for you back home. I’d never betray you.”
She drops a hand to cover his. “I know that.” She waits a long few moments, mulling over Junivere’s warnings in her head. “I don’t know how to make this all work.”
“Make what work? What are you trying to say?”
“I want to be able to see you,” she squeezes his hand affirmingly. “I do. But I can’t see you at night, it’ll cause scandals. And my days are completely packed now. I’m already in trouble just coming to see you today.”
“So I can never see you again?” His face drops, frowning deeply. “I came all this way to see you.”
“I’ve spent so many days wishing you were here,” Callie meets his eyes. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“So we’ll figure something out,” Mykah’s brow lowers, his mind working for solutions. “How do I get into your schedule?”
“I’m mostly meeting heads of organizations: nobles, guildmasters, artisans, stuff like that. The only times other people make it in are for blessings.”
“How do I get one?”
“I can summon you.”
“Okay,” he smiles, a little surprised at how easy it is. “So summon me.”
“You’d have to leave with a blessing. People will be talking.” Callie holds a hand up to her cheek, resting her head into her palm.
“I don’t care if people talk. I just want to be able to spend time with you.”
“Mykah…” she holds her breath in her throat, letting her next words leave her in a whisper. “The only blessings I know how to give are pretty… um… physical.”
Mykah’s mouth widens with the glee of a revelatory piece of gossip. “No. No way.” His eyes light up delightedly. “You’re kidding me. Callie, the most sheepish, virginal person in the most sheepish, virginal city on the continent… is a whore?” He lets out a bellowing cackle.
Callie’s face flushes, and she pushes him away grinning. “You always said I needed to loosen up!”
“This isn’t quite what I was expecting,” he teases. “So we can only talk if we’re fucking?”
“Not exactly,” she huffs, crossing her arms over her chest and feeling the warmth cross her face. “But a little bit, yeah.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“If that’s what it takes,” he nods, face gleaming with humor.
“I’m not sure that I could…” Callie looks away, feeling embarrassed. “I’ve known you for forever.”
“Think it over,” Mykah stands. “I'd still like to see you. How awkward could it be?”
Callie is quiet for a long moment, digging further back into the worn fabric of the chair. She feels a dozen different thoughts float through her mind, still apprehensive about everything. She’s no closer to an answer about who might be maneuvering against her.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she tells him after a little while. “I suspect Magister Velena won’t be letting me make changes to the schedule for a little while. It may take time for me to get you in.”
“That’s fine,” he says, nodding with appreciation. “I can wait.”
“Thanks, Mykah. It is really good to see you.”
“Do you have to leave already?”
Callie hears a soft knock at the door. She calls out to Gloriana, simply informing her she’s fine. “I have a few minutes. Like I said, apparently everyone wants to meet a Devotia.”
“Fuck…” He scratches the back of his head. “Sounds stressful.”
“Sometimes, yeah.” She rolls her shoulders, adjusting in the chair again. “I’m growing to like it, though.”
“I’ll bet,” he smirks.
Callie rolls her eyes. “Not like that! Though I guess part of it is that,” she grimaces with a timid smile. “Everyone always hated me back home. I’m a somebody here.”
“Must be nice.”
Callie lowers her brow and looks at him seriously. “You could be somebody here. You’re one of the most talented mages I’ve ever heard of! Surely you could get into the College.”
“With what money?” Mykah drops his hands into his pockets and looks away. “I’ve got enough to survive for a bit. I don’t have ‘go to prestigious College’ money.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Callie stands and takes his hand. “This place is incredible, Mykah. I love it here.”
Mykah puts on a polite smile. “I wouldn’t say no to showing up these big city mages.”
“That’s the spirit.” Callie gives him one last hug, repeating back, “I’ll try and summon you when I can. In the meantime, stay out of trouble and I’ll find out who I know at the College. Maybe we can get you a benefactor.”
“Sure, Callie,” he nods. “Stay safe, okay?”
“I’ll be fine. You stay safe.”
Callie opens the door to the room, looking back at Mykah and wondering when she’ll see him next. Despite the joy she feels in seeing him, Callie can’t shake the strange feeling in her gut. Maybe it was Junivere’s paranoia seeping into her brain, or maybe it was her own nerves, but something is afoot in her mind.
She waves Gloriana to follow her back down the stairs, returning to the bar counter and waiting to call Magnus over to her. Callie enjoys watching him work; the big man could be delightfully charming, and was especially gifted at remembering names and faces. If you ever stepped in his tavern twice, Magus would more than likely recognize you and even remember your name.
“What can I get you?” He says casually, cleaning a used mug as he approaches them.
“A pint for her,” Callie points at the paladin behind her. “Nothing for me.”
“Hal Devotia,” Gloriana objects, but Callie waves away her concerns. Magus grabs a new mug and fills it with a delicious golden mead, handing it to the disgruntled woman.
“I have a couple questions,” Callie tells him, leaning in and lowering her voice.
“Can’t promise much,” Magnus grunts but inclines his ear.
“Does anyone know anything about your guest in room eleven? Anything at all?”
“What sort of thing might they be knowing?” Magnus fills another pint, sliding it down the counter to an outstretched hand a few stools over.
“His connections to me.”
“Which is?”
“Private,” Callie smirks and Magnus’ eye twinkles.
“No one knows much from what I seen,” Magnus confirms. “But, there is someone you might wanna meet.”
“Who?” Callie’s eyes scour the tavern, trying to pick out any prying eyes.
“Back corner, on the right, facing counter,” Magnus nods inconspicuously. “She arrived minutes after you, been shooting looks at the stairs the whole time.”
“Who is she?”
“Mage or somethin’,” Magnus shakes his head. “Never seen her before.”
“Thanks, Magnus. You’ve been a huge help, as always.” She reaches up and places a kiss on his cheek, smiling warmly. From her pocket, she pulls out a small stack of coins, gently folding them into his hand. “Told you I’d pay you back.”
“Never needed to,” he smirks. “Doing good things is doing good things.”
Callie steps away from the bar, pulling Gloriana with her. The paladin scowls at her, deep worry lines painted into her face. “Can we finally get you out of here?”
“Not just yet,” Callie instructs. “I want to meet her.”
“I can’t let you-,”
“Yes, you can. And yes, you will,” Callie says forcefully. Gloriana folds her arms tightly across her chest, tugging against the fabric of her cloak. Callie takes a breath and adds, “Your job is to protect me, yeah? This is protecting me. I need to know who is plotting against me.”
“Lord Magister Velena was very clear with her instructions. We need to leave.”
“Then you are welcome to voice your displeasure with her,” Callie scoffs. “But if you want to keep me safe right now you’ll be meeting this strange woman with me.”
Without waiting for a reply, Callie strolls away, heading for the back corner of the tavern where a small table is tucked behind a support beam. It’s the most private booth in the building, usually the spot where people go to avoid being overheard. It’s just by the far side of the entrance, providing plenty of cover noise from the busy streets outside.
Callie approaches confidently, noticing the woman’s eyes fixed upon her as she pulls a chair back and sits down. “Who are you?” Callie demands.
“A potential ally,” the woman replies calmly, her voice low and controlled. “I am Dynasa.”
“Callana,” Callie replies. “An ally how?”
The woman lowers her cloak, revealing a face just over forty years old with sharp eyebrows and low, angular cheekbones. Her eyes are serious yet indifferent, reading Callie as though she were something mildly interesting to study.
She opens her palms to the sky, resting the backs of her hands on the table. “Cards on the table? I intend to use you for your power. In return, I will assist you in uncovering the plot against you.”
“Tell me what you know,” Callie says simply. The woman’s energy is striking and commanding, and it takes a great deal of effort from Callie to maintain her confidence.
“I don’t provide nothing for nothing,” Dynasa shakes her head.
“Hal Devotia,” Gloriana cautions. Callie looks over at the paladin, sharing a look that suggests she understands the need for concern.
“What do you know about me?” Callie asks instead.
“A fresh face in Solva,” Dynasa replies indifferently. “Unprecedented in a variety of ways…” She lets her voice drip off suggestively.
“Threaded,” Callie confirms.
“Indeed?” Dynasa nods interestedly. Whether or not this information is new to her, she hides her reaction carefully. “Very interesting.”
“Tell me what you know.”
“Perhaps you could be more specific, hal Devotia,” Dynasa folds her fingers together. “I know many things.”
Callie takes a breath. She tries to read between the lines of Dynasa’s face, but struggles to glean any information. Her deadpan is remarkable. “You’re a mage.”
“Correct.”
“Are you from the College?”
“I have been to the College.”
“How do you intend to use my power?”
Dynasa is quiet for a moment, seeming to decide how much she is willing to share. She inclines her head, saying, “Are you familiar with the role of Magewitch?”
“No,” Callie answers. Gloriana places a hand on Callie’s arm, squeezing it tightly. Callie looks at her, seeing her face frown knowingly. “What is a Magewitch?”
“A particular type of mage who specializes in… let’s say invention,” Dynasa offers cryptically. “They explore the boundaries of magic, known or unknown.”
“Are you one?”
“I intend to be.”
Callie thinks for a moment, mulling over the answer. “To what end?”
Dynasa shakes her head softly, and Callie nods in response. She surprises herself, feeling more adept at reading the unspoken rules of the negotiation. There were some questions Dynasa finds acceptable, and some she would never answer.
“Let me ask this instead,” Callie says a breath later, “Why do you believe I would want to help you?”
“I can be a very powerful ally.”
Callie shakes her head, frowning and hoping she is projecting more adeptness at the game than she feels. “Tell me why I shouldn’t walk away now.”
“You’re learning. Good.” Dynasa smiles, encouraged by the question. She takes a breath, thinking for a calm moment. “Allow me to prove my worth. Knight-Commander Calvin will request an audience later today. During it, he will inform you that he can no longer see you.”
Callie’s stomach drops, but she tries to contain her response. Dynasa’s eyes flick over her and she knows her feelings must be clear. “Tell me why you know this.”
“On his most recent assignment, he received word that Gellan, his traitorous brother, wished to speak with him,” Dynasa says in a tone of secrecy, turning to look at Gloriana. “Ask your paladin now, she will confirm this.”
Callie looks at Gloriana, who simply looks down at the ground in shame. She faces back towards Dynasa, feeling a tremor of fear in her stomach. “Why would Gellan reaching out make Calvin break off from me?”
“He feels shame,” Dynasa explains, holding her hands open. “His brother dishonored one Devotia. He does not want to repeat this with another.”
Callie holds her arms tightly. She wants to reject Dynasa’s information, but Gloriana’s grim face is all of the confirmation she needs. She sighs, feeling her skin chill with the possibility Calvin might leave her.
“I don’t mean to upset you,” Dynasa adds. She thinks for a moment and then speaks carefully, “I believe it is no coincidence Gellan returned within days of your associate,” she nods upstairs towards Mykah.” I believe it is deliberate.”
“Why?” Callie askes, harsher than she anticipated. Calming herself quickly, she says quieter, “I want to know who is doing this to me.”
Dynasa lowers her hands to the table. “That, I cannot answer, hal Devotia.”
Callie scowls. “How would assisting you in becoming Magewitch help me? How do I know you won’t use your power against me later?”
“I am ambitious,” Dynasa replies directly, “I am sure this is clear to you. To whatever end, you are a Devotia that will bring about great change. I wish to tie myself to that ship.”
“Change? How am I bringing about change?”
Dynasa furrows her brow softly, letting her eyes flash an emotion between confusion and amusement. “You are the first threaded Devotia in known history. You are a newcomer, both to the city and to Suul. Your era has already heralded the addition of a second Devotia to the city. There will be more changes to follow.”
“How do you know that?”
“Look around,” Dynasa exhales. “Can’t you feel the change in the air? Solva has been stuck in its ways for ages. We are entering into the dangerous waters of possibility now. Change is coming whether we like it or not. You cannot ignore it and you cannot pretend it is not your responsibility. We need to steer it.”
Callie is quiet for a long moment. She can hardly deny that she seems to be an unusual Devotia, that things do seem to be in an air of uncertainty. Everyone seems to be constantly expecting something, and anticipation hangs in the air in most of her meetings. She’d written it off as the excitement of meeting a Devotia, but upon hearing Dynasa’s warnings, Callie wonders if the mage might be right.
“What do you think, Gloriana?” Callie turns to the paladin.
The paladin is quiet, but says, “People are still figuring out what kind of Devotia you are… Things feel very different than your predecessor.”
Callie nods, grateful. She faces Dynasa again. “How do you intend to steer change?”
“Test my information, hal Devotia,” Dynasa deflects. “If you find it to be true, summon me and we will discuss further how I may serve you.” The mage stands, nodding to both of them before carefully slipping out of the tavern and disappearing into the crowd.
– – –
“Do you really think he’s coming?”
“Yes,” Callie tells Junivere. Something inside of her could feel the truth in Dynasa’s warning.
Junivere crosses her arms, leaning back into the column at the entrance to the villa. The warm afternoon breeze brushes through her hair, sending strands into her face as she swats them away, holding her mouth in a tight scowl. She didn’t know anything about Dynasa, but Junivere was surprisingly open to receiving her information. According to the older Devotia, it was not uncommon to be approached like this and there was little harm in hearing it out up to a certain point.
Junivere sighs, trying to read Callie, who stands nervously a few feet away. “Callie,” she begins quietly, “are you sure this is such a bad thing?”
“Yes,” Callie replies quickly, eyes fixed on the far end of the courtyard.
“I know I’m on your side now,” Junivere’s voice is timid and gentle, “but Calvin was very nearly a huge scandal for you. Maybe it would be good to give it space.”
“I’m not letting him go, June,” she frowns.
“And you know I’ll support you either way,” the older Devotia coos. “I just want to make sure you’re thinking clearly.”
“I’m not thinking clearly,” Callie says, voice full of angst and nerves. “And I don’t care. I’m not losing Calvin.” She turns to face Junivere, letting her eyes soften upon seeing the worried look on her face. “I know, I know. But that’s why I need you here, okay?”
“Of course, Callie,” Junivere smiles gently.
Calvin enters the courtyard less than an hour later, face grim and grave. He pushes his curly hair back, running his hands through it nervously as he walks, each step landing with purpose. When he looks up, noticing Callie for the first time, she can see Dynasa’s words come true in his eyes before he speaks a word.
“Hal Devotia,” Calvin says, bowing politely. His eyes flick over to Junivere behind her and he nods to her as well.
“Knight-Commander,” Callie replies cooly.
“I have something I need to discuss with you,” he nervously looks at Junivere, adding, “Alone.”
“No.”
“No?” His brow furrows. “I’d prefer it if hal Devotia was not also here.”
“Whatever you say to her,” Junivere lets her voice land firmly, “you can say in front of me as well.” She exchanges a supportive look with Callie, who nods gratefully.
Calvin takes a breath to steady himself, shifting his weight awkwardly and gripping the pommel of his sword tightly. Callie hates seeing the look of concern and shame on his face, feeling her own anger bubble in her stomach.
“Very well,” Calvin sighs. His soft eyes lock into Callie’s gaze. “Hal Devotia, I regret to inform you that… that I can no longer come to see you. I feel that I have begun to lead you onto a path that-,”
“No,” Callie announces.
“No?” Calvin takes a step back in surprise, his face scrunching up into a frown. She feels his confusion and frustration fill the air around them, but her own bitterness shields her from its impacts. Calvin looks at Junivere quickly, softening his face with the reminder she was watching. “I am doing this for your sake. Please listen to-,”
“No,” Callie feels her lips tighten as her heart beats heavily. “You will continue to fulfill your duties as Knight-Commander, and as such, will continue to answer my summons.”
Calvin stares at her, incredulous. Callie can feel Junivere’s worry behind her as well, the older Devotia crossing her arms nervously, but she pushes it away. Instead, Callie is consumed by the terrifying need to keep things as they are.
“Callie,” Calvin drops his voice to a whisper, stepping in closer. Her chest tightens with guilt but she pushes through it. “This is a mistake and we both know it. I promised I wouldn’t let you meet the same fate as your predecessor. Can’t you see why this is important?”
Callie tucks her hands behind her back, squeezing her palm into a tight fist. Tilting her chin up proudly, rejecting his offer of familiarity, she replies, “When last I checked, I was Devotia; not you, Knight-Commander.”
Junivere steps forward, leaning in to speak with her, but Callie paces away. She turns, facing the two of them, holding her expression firm. Feeling a well of defiant heartache well up inside, Callie closes her eyes for a moment. When she opens them a few seconds later, she shifts her face to a neutral affect and proclaims, “Knight-Commander, an excellent surprise to see you here today. I have need of your services.”
Calvin glares at her, silent and still, but Callie ignores the tension in the air. She holds herself nobly, letting her Devotia robes flow elegantly in the breeze. Calvin steps forward again, his mind clearly scrambling to understand how this moment could have defied his expectations so strongly.
“Callie, what are you doing?”
“‘Hal Devotia,’” Callie corrects sternly. She waves away the worry from Junivere behind him.
Calvin takes a rigid breath, exhaling, “Hal Devotia.” He purses his lips thoughtfully, adding, “I know this isn’t what you want, but I told you from the beginning that this… us, couldn’t happen.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Knight-Commander. I have summoned you, and you have answered my summons.”
Junivere moves forward, stepping past Calvin and placing a hand on each of her shoulders. She speaks breathlessly, hardly above a whisper. “Callie, are you sure you want to do this?”
“I’m not losing him.”
“It’s not right to make him stay if he doesn’t want t-,”
“But he does,” Callie asserts firmly. She meets Junivere’s emerald eyes, seeing the wells of experience and emotion behind them. Junivere frowns.
“You can’t make that decision for him.”
“You made it for me.”
The older Devotia shifts her balance. “What are you talking ab-,”
“‘Callie, when will you admit you like the sex?’” Callie says mockingly. “‘You’ve wanted this all along, haven’t you, Callie?’”
Junivere rolls her eyes with frustration. “That’s not the same thing.”
“Yes, yes it is.” She briefly glances at Calvin behind her, seeing him shift awkwardly in place. “He may not be sheepish like me, not like when I first arrived, but I know he’s hiding from his feelings. He needs to admit it.”
Junivere begins to speak but Callie interrupts her immediately. “I have done everything that has been asked of me as a Devotia. This is the only thing I want in return.”
“You’re acting impulsively,” Junivere huffs. “Don’t let the game catch up with you.” She shakes her head, storming back into the villa towards her room.
Callie faces Calvin once more, letting her resolve turn to steel. She steps forward and commands, “Kneel.”
Calvin hesitates, trying to read her expression, but after a moment his sense of duty overcomes him. He slowly drops to his knee, letting his head hang towards the floor as though in shame. Callie drops a hand to his chin, letting her fingers grip it tightly and tilt it up to meet her stern eyes.
“I have summoned you,” she declares. “Do you understand, Knight-Commander?”
“Yes,” he says after a long breath, “hal Devotia.”
“And you will be honest with me,” she continues, her voice low and threatening. “Do you understand, Knight-Commander?”
“Yes, hal Devotia.” His hazel eyes shine, tender and frozen.
“And you will continue to fulfill your duty; understood?”
Calvin stifles a sigh, and confirms, “Yes, hal Devotia.”
“Good,” Callie nods. She releases his chin, walking back towards the threshold of the villa. Without looking behind she snaps her fingers, directing him to follow. She leads him to her room, directing him inside and shutting the door behind them. Callie strolls across the room, throwing the curtains shut and letting only a sliver of light through to illuminate the room.
“Sit,” she points to the chair across from her bed. Calvin obeys, letting himself fall into the cushions.
Callie frowns, sitting down on the edge of her mattress and studying him carefully. She watches him for a long moment, noticing the way he stays motionless like a statue, the way that his face maintains a quiet and restrained sneer. She hates the absence of his usual smile and the laugh lines that decorate it.
She sighs, dropping her shoulders slowly. “When you first met me, you asked me what I wanted.” His eyes watch her carefully. “I told you I wanted to hide, but that now I can’t. I don’t think I would have survived those first few days without you.”
His armor jostles softly as he adjusts in his seat, moving as though to speak, but Callie holds up a hand to silence him. “You’ve made me feel things I never thought I’d get to feel. I thought I was going to die alone, abandoned by everyone.” She runs her hands through her hair, gently scratching her scalp as she thinks. “And when you told me there had to be limits on this… that you couldn’t be all the things I wanted… I accepted it. I hated it, but I accepted it.”
Calvin’s face softens slightly, though his own resolve remains firm. Callie continues, feeling her heart heavy and desperate. “What I will not accept,” she meets his eyes, staring him down, “is you taking even that away from me because you don’t think I can handle it.”
“It’s not because I don’t think you can-,”
“Yes, yes it is,” Callie interjects. “If you thought I could handle it, you wouldn’t have made a decision without me. I don’t care what your brother said to you, I am not Ellava.”
Calvin’s face frowns. “How do you know what my-,”
“I know that Gellan reached out to you.” Calvin sits forward, a look of alarm crossing his eyes. Callie shakes her head and adds, “People tell me things as Devotia.”
He looks as though he wants to stand and pace around the room, but Calvin remains fixed to his seat. After a few seconds, he seems to accept her point and says, “If you know that he spoke to me, then you know why this needs to end. I am not going to go down that path like he did.”
“Because you don’t think I’m strong enough to avoid it,” Callie lays her hands out, satisfied he is proving her point.
Calvin lowers his head into his palm, rubbing his jaw. “That’s not the reason.”
“Then what is?” Callie continues glaring at him, though he remains speechless. Impatient, she asks, “Is it jealousy?”
“No,” he scowls, almost offended.
“Is it that you don’t trust me?”
“No!” His eyes lace with worry.
Callie sighs. She stands from her bed, walking out into the room and taking in his presence, trying to read it. “What do you want?” She asks, remembering their first meeting once again. “Not Knight-Commander, not your sense of duty, you. What do you want, Calvin?” She presses her foot into the ground, rocking impatiently with the movement. “I want the truth.”
Calvin is quiet. His eyes hang low, watching the ground with a glassy-eyed stare. Callie can feel his spirit wrestling, struggling between whatever forces were battling inside of him, and with each second, Callie’s frustration builds. She thinks back to the terror of her first days as Devotia, the fear of being found out, the residual dread from leaving behind her home. Her stomach churns and her skin glows with warmth.
After what feels like hours, but is likely only a few minutes, Calvin finally raises his head to speak. His voice is hoarse and strained, as though pushing back a great deal inside of him, and he simply mutters, “I can’t.”
Crossing her arms, Callie feels her face inflame with anger. She hears every quick bounce of her pulse echo in her ears, her hands trembling slightly. “Remove your armor,” she commands abruptly.
“What?”
“Remove your armor,” she says louder. “If you won’t tell me the truth, you don’t deserve to wear it.”
Not waiting for his response Callie storms forward, throwing her hands onto the clasps of his pauldrons and undoing the small buckles. She works quickly, fueled by the frantic feeling in her chest, ripping the metal off of his motionless form and tossing it onto the ground. One pauldron falls, followed by the next, and then accompanied by his gauntlets and chausses and leg plates. She leaves the breastplate for last, sitting down onto his lap and holding her breath as her fingers wrestle the buckle open.
“Stop staring at me like that,” she hisses, feeling his hollow eyes watch her with a mixture of awe and confusion. His smell, comforting and familiar, fills her nostrils and she aches for him to finally say something, to tell her this was all some grand misunderstanding, to say they could finally be together. In his lap, it takes all of her strength not to melt into his arms and feel his skin against her skin.
One buckle comes loose, shortly followed by the next, and something about the way that Calvin doesn't even fight her makes her heart ache more. He feels resigned, unwilling to give her anything more than a tired look and motionless form. Her anger slowly fades into fear and futility, anxiously wondering if this would be the last time she could be this close to him. She removes the breastplate, tiredly dropping it to the floor.
“Why don’t you want me?” She whispers after it falls. She pushes away the urge to cry, feeling her throat clench.
Calvin looks at her sadly, his face softening though remaining resolute. “I do want you,” he says at last.
“Then why are you doing this to me? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Timidly, Calvin raises a hand and gently places it on Callie’s back, cautiously and sincerely letting his fingers grace across her skin. “Because this can never happen.”
“It already is happening!” She huffs in response. “Why did you insist on being my first visit if you didn’t want this to happen? You could’ve just stayed away!”
He leans his head into the back of the chair, looking at the ceiling above for a moment. “I could have protected Ellava,” he tilts his head back to face her, “if I had been more careful of Gellan’s ambition. I knew he cared for her, and so I kept my distance from her for his sake. I thought that the best way to protect you from that fate was to meet you first, to show you I could be trusted to watch your back.”
“By making me fall in love with you?” Callie places a hand on his cheek, and notices a somber flash in his eyes. “Why can’t we just keep things the way they are right now?”
“Because I want more,” his voice rumbles in his chest. Calvin’s hand on her back squeezes her softly, pulling her body closer to his ever so slightly.
“You do?” Callie sits forward, letting her thighs brush against his lap and feeling his pants tighten in response.
“And I can’t stop myself from wanting more,” he grumbles. Her face leans closer to his, feeling his breath cool on her cheeks.
Callie feels her chest tingle with excitement and relief. “And you don’t believe I could stop you?”
He stares at her, a look of confusion crossing his face. “I thought you also wanted-,”
“I do,” she nods, placing a finger to his lips. “But I also want to stay Devotia. You don’t think I can handle both.”
He begins to speak, but once again Callie shushes him, shaking her head softly. “I am not Ellava,” she explains, “and you are not Gellan. You are not the only person responsible for protecting me. I also bear that responsibility.”
“I don’t want you to get excommunicated.”
“Then you will stop when I tell you to stop,” Callie commands, feeling surprisingly calm. “And you will see me when I ask you to see me. It is no longer your duty to protect my feelings, I am more than capable of it.”
“How do you know I’m not just going to use you for your power?” Calvin grabs her hand, holding it tightly.
Callie smiles, her anger and fear finally feeling like they are fading away, replaced by a sudden assuredness in herself that she doubted would have been possible months ago. “How do you know I’m not using you for yours?”
Calvin scoffs in response, and Callie drops her face into a neutral scowl, placing her hand on the back of the chair behind him and leaning in closer. She hovers her lips inches away from his own, letting his need for her build. “Is there something you want, Knight-Commander?”
He nods slowly, holding his breath. She feels his muscles tighten underneath his tunic, fighting to keep his body in place. Callie’s heart flutters excitedly at his eagerness, reveling in the desperation he feels to touch her. With her free hand, she slowly lowers one of the straps holding up her dress, letting it fall to her bicep and drop the neckline of the fabric lower.
“Then ask for it,” she commands, her voice slow and seductive.
“I want you,” he whispers, eyes floating down to her collarbone.
“No,” Callie replies, enjoying the surprised disappointment on his face.
“I see what you’re doi-,” he begins, but Callie places another finger to his lips to silence him.
“You will speak,” Callie declares, “when your Devotia asks you to. What do you want?”
She can feel him grumble behind her quieting finger. “You,” he says after a moment.
“No,” she replies again calmly. She waits for a long breath, sizing up the paladin and watching to see what might lurk in his eyes. They remain focused on her face, though she can tell he is resisting the urge to gaze lower. Callie lowers the other strap of her dress, only keeping her chest covered by laying a hand across it, carefully keeping it in place. “You may look, but not touch,” she taunts. “Place your hands on each arm of the chair.”
Slowly, Calvin lowers his hands, obedient. With each exhale, she can feel him holding himself back, feeding the hungry thoughts racing through his mind as he allows himself to look at the rest of her. Callie shifts forward, staring at him intensely and letting her chest just barely press into his own, holding her head above his.
“You serve me,” she explains, ensuring her lips are tantalizingly close to his. “You follow my orders.” He nods carefully, and Callie is surprised to find that she enjoys the devoted and servile gleam in his eyes. “I am the prime authority you now obey, second only to Suul herself, do you understand?”
“Callie-,”
She lowers a hand to his throat, her fingers hardly wrapping halfway around it, letting the gesture interrupt him. Callie’s mind feels sharply focused, clear-headed in a way she rarely experienced. She puts a slight amount of pressure, nowhere near enough to harm him but enough to communicate her seriousness.
“Do you,” she says slowly, letting him hang onto every word, “understand?”
“Yes, hal Devotia,” he whispers.
She places a soft kiss on the side of his cheek, releasing her hand from his throat. “Very good,” Callie coos.
Smiling mischievously, she removes her arm from her chest, letting the wrapping fabric of her chest fall to her lap and leaving her breasts open for his view. His eyes whip down quickly and she can feel his erection tug against his pants, lightly pushing against Callie’s perineum, hovering just over his lap. Taking a satisfied breath, she lowers herself down, letting him feel the sensitive skin through her underwear, watching him restrain his eagerness.
“Now, let me ask again,” Callie mewls, wondering if this is how Junivere feels with her, “What is it that you want, Knight-Commander?”
“To touch you,” Calvin exhales, his voice breathy and careful.
“Are you going to continue following my orders?”
Shifting his weight in the chair, Calvin nods slowly, his face warm and red. As much as Callie misses his wide smile and bright eyes, she adores the painful need in his expression. She was growing used to similar looks in the eyes of her supplicants, but written across the face of her Knight-Commander, the first person to ever hold her so sweetly, to love her so dearly, Callie finds herself feeling insatiable. She revels in his desire for her; a feeling close to the pride inside of her when she bestows a blessing.
She grabs one of his hands, pressing it against the back of her waist and bringing the other to massage her breast. Calvin presses forward, moving to kiss her, but she pushes him back into the chair and throws her own lips onto his neck. Her body feels electric, bursting with warmth as his hands tug against her skin. She rocks her hips against him, loving the tiny pressure of the tip of his dick between her legs as she sits back into him.
Calvin’s heart pounds in her ear as her kisses pull against the skin just below the stubble of his beard. His familiar smell fills her with desperation, aching to be closer, always closer to him. She throws her weight deeper into his chest, letting out quiet moans as his fingers flick across her nipple. His other hand drifts lower, finding its way underneath her skirt and grabbing her ass, guiding each of her movements to brush against him.
Callie closes her eyes, pressing her cheek to the side of Calvin’s face and giving into the feeling of being touched by his rough hands. But as she begins to feel her own mind succumb to the desperation of being with him and feels his boldness grow with each moment, she pulls away from him abruptly.
“Enough,” she commands, pushing away the trickles of disappointment inside of herself. It takes a moment for Calvin to stop but he eventually does, lowering his hands back to the armrests and sitting back into the soft cushion. Letting her breath steady, Callie nods, declaring, “Very good, Knight-Commander.”
“Thank you, hal Devotia,” Calvin replies softly, his eyes still hungrily scouring over her.
Still letting her hips remain pressed into his lap, Callie’s eyelids drop closed. She takes a few heavy breaths, searching for the bubbling sensation of magic inside of her chest, trying to remember the things Junivere had taught her. When she finally finds it, Callie focuses her mind to push it towards her hands, feeling a strange prickling sensation in her fingertips.
She places a hand onto Calvin’s collarbone, letting her thumb lightly lay against the base of his throat. The prickling feeling builds, spilling over into her forearms and climbing towards her biceps. Callie exhales again, letting her voice hiss slightly as she does, pushing the sizzling magic into Calvin’s chest and encouraging it to cover him.
Callie opens her eyes as wisps of light pull away from the single column of sunlight pouring through the curtains, trickling towards Calvin’s body and wrapping around his limbs and torso, circling him quickly. The strands criss-cross and weave together, spreading over hundreds and thousands of interlocking stitches before suddenly evaporating with a bright burst. Calvin emerges from the magic, his skin glowing and warm to the touch, his muscles stretching and flexing slightly at the intense energy she knew would be pouring into him.
Pushing away her excitement to try and maintain her composure, Callie stands up abruptly, throwing the straps of her dress back over her shoulders and lowering her skirt again. She feels her clit fighting against her panties but pushes away the desperate need inside of her.
Calvin gazes at her in awe, lifting his hands to savor the feeling of a blessing tingling through his veins. “Did… was that the first time you’ve-,”
“I thank you for answering my summons, Knight-Commander,” Callie interrupts coldly. “I shall summon you again when I have need of you.”
She walks over to the door, opening it and gesturing for him to exit. Furrowing his brow, though still maintaining a look of amazement and desire, Calvin sighs and nods. He drops low to scoop up the scattered pieces of his armor, letting the metal collect in his arms.
At the threshold to the room, he turns to face her, saying, “Callie, I appr-,”
“That will be all, Knight-Commander,” she interjects again, waving him out of the door and shutting it behind him.
Callie’s posture drops suddenly, letting out a loud sigh and pressing her forehead into the heavy wood. Her mind splinters into a dozen different directions: worried about what he might think of her now, loving the look of desperation in his eyes, hating the circumstances that brought them there, wishing they hadn’t stopped so suddenly, amazed she’d been able to pull off a blessing without anyone finishing…
She waits for a few minutes, trying to give Calvin time to leave before exiting her room. Once she’s sure he wouldn’t be outside, Callie throws the door open, striding into the hall and moving towards Junivere’s room. Her face feels hot and flustered, and her panties no less tight. She knocks loudly at Junivere’s door, but there’s no reply. She knocks again, faster and with more force, again to no response. She throws open the door, furious to find the room empty.
Strolling out into the rest of the villa she hunts for her fellow Devotia. Callie hears the sounds of voices talking and laughing, quickly adjusting course to the lounging room they floated out from. She turns the corner and sees Junivere lying lazily on a couch, chatting casually with Salome and Willow, and Callie hovers out of the priestesses’ view. Throwing a serious expression on her face Callie makes eye contact with Junivere, who looks at her concerned and surprised. She quickly throws back the rest of her drink, excusing herself and making her way over towards Callie.
“What happened?” Junivere whispers, moving out into the hallway.
“Later,” Callie says frantically. “You still owe me. I’m calling in that favor right now.”
“Callie,” Junivere sighs, sizing up the smaller and younger Devotia. Callie can see a tired expression cross her face.
“You owe me,” Callie replies, a little more composed.
“I never agreed to that,” she smiles lightly, eyes flicking away from Callie for a moment, perhaps trying to see if Calvin was still around. “Tell me what happened and then we’ll see.”
Shaking her head quickly, Callie throws herself into Junivere’s arms, an urgent need consuming her. She kisses the Devotia’s neck, feeling everything she had held back with Calvin flush forward and take control. Hesitant, Junivere holds Callie calmly, walking her back into the wall and tilting her chin up to meet her gaze.
“Gods, you’re all worked up,” Junivere smirks. “Talk and I’ll help you.”
From inside the lounge room, the two of them hear Willow call out, “Somewhere else, please?”
Salome cackles next to her, shouting, “Unless you want company!”
Junivere giggles happily, brushing past the serious desperation still written across Callie’s face. Taking Callie’s arm she leads her away from the priestesses, pulling her into an empty room and closing a door behind them. Junivere guides Callie onto a wide sofa, opening a curtain to bring a little bit of light into the room.
Callie lays back on the cushions and waits for Junivere to return, only relaxing slightly when she crawls over her. Junivere’s hair falls down as she hovers over Callie’s face, looking at her with a mixture of delight, curiosity, and worry.
“Please,” Callie mutters, opening her legs.
Junivere rolls her eyes, but accepts. She turns Callie onto her side, laying down against her back and pulling Callie’s body into hers. She lifts up Callie’s skirt, reaching a hand down to rub her ass slowly.
“Talk to me,” Junivere directs, “or I’ll stop.”
Callie nods, keeping her knees together but lifting her hips to follow Junivere’s hand. The Devotia’s free hand wraps around the underside of her waist, keeping Callie firmly in place while gently slipping her fingers to massage between Callie’s legs.
Callie’s eyes close, riding the initial wave of pleasure. “He’ll still come see me,” she begins.
“I’m glad,” Junivere replies, her fingers tugging Callie’s panties aside. Callie feels a fingertip cautiously press against her asshole, causing the front of her panties to pull tightly as her clit stands at attention.
“He wants more,” Callie explains between quick breaths. “Ooooh,” she exhales as Junivere’s finger slips inside, circling around as Callie adjusts to the feeling.
“More what?”
“To be more than just…” she moans softly, steadying herself and trying to keep talking. “... than just what we are. He wants to be with me.”
Junivere’s free hand raises to cup Callie’s breast, gently plucking at her nipples and causing Callie to twitch happily in response. “What did you tell him?”
“He didn’t think he coul-,” she gasps, feeling the finger find the small button inside of her and start lightly pushing it. “Could stop himself. He didn’t want to get m-me in trouble by starting a relationship.”
“What did you tell him?” Junivere repeats, a little more urgency in her voice. Callie pushes back into her chest, her body growing hot and sticky.
Callie lets out another soft moan, continuing to rock her hips into Junivere’s hand and riding each building wave of delight. “I-I said… said that wasn’t enough reason to break things off with me.”
“But did you say you wanted more, too?” Junivere’s voice openly carries concern, but she remains focused on the task. As Callie’s breaths grow louder and her hips move faster, Junivere slips a second finger to join the first, steadily sliding them in and out of the desperate girl, ensuring that each push inside presses against her sensitive spot.
“No-,” Callie squeaks. It takes a long moment to return her composure, and she drops a hand to her clit, rubbing her palm across the shaft and reveling in the shivering sensation of both simulations. “I told him that he… he wasn’t trusting me to be strong enough to resist h-him.”
“Good,” Junivere coos, letting the tension drop out of her tone. Callie can feel the other Devotia relax, now allowing herself to enjoy the feeling of Callie squirming under her touch. “Keep going.”
“S-so I teased him,” Callie’s voice grows quiet as she feels a pressure build inside of her. Her clit aches to burst and she removes her hand quickly, giving herself more time to simply enjoy the feeling. “The way you do to me,” she smirks, feeling Junivere’s mouth begin placing kisses along the back of her neck.
“So you have been listening,” Junivere muses proudly.
“Ah!” Callie cries out, feeling Junivere slip a third finger inside to spread her open wider. She twirls them independently, causing a steady stream of movement to press against Callie’s prostate. Clutching the cushion to her chest, Callie feels Junivere’s free hand drop to her lower abdomen, starting to tease her front as well. “June,” Callie mutters, feeling her mind give into her desperation for her.
Junivere pauses suddenly, giving Callie a moment to relax and manage the coursing bliss warming her skin. “If you don’t continue…” Junivere threatens, reveling in the urgent nod Callie gives in return.
“I sat in his laaaaapp,” Callie exhales tightly as Junivere’s hand slides between the front of her legs, her palm pressing against her shaft while her fingers stimulate her prostate from the outside as well. She sighs divinely, feeling like her clit was going to explode. “And made him t-touch me,” she lets out another high squeak as Junivere adds more pressure.
“So that’s how you got so worked up, too,” Junivere laughs lightly, pushing Callie into the back of the couch. She shoves Callie’s face into the cushion, shifting her own weight to take more control of her movements below. Callie rocks, feeling a small pool of liquid slowly form at the front of her panties and gasping happily at Junivere’s touch.
“And when…” she closes her eyes, throwing a hand to stop Junivere for a brief moment to edge herself more. She takes a breath, resting a moment before allowing Junivere to continue. “When I could tell he was desperate… I m-made him stop.”
“Perfection,” Junivere utters mischievously. “Very good girl.”
Callie’s chest bubbles happily. She leans her head back towards Junivere, lips parting with each lustful exhale, and asks, “Can… can I cum n-now?”
Junivere lets out a delighted laugh, shaking her head. “Not until your story is done,” she grins.
Callie shuts her eyelids tightly and tries to push down the urgent need in her hips. Junivere gives her no reprieve, continuing to stroke her just as quickly and rushing to pull the orgasm from her.
“I-I still… please,” Callie begs, her mind collapsing into a base desire. It slowly becomes impossible to think clearly as she’s consumed by the pleasure rushing to its apex.
“You know what happens if you finish without permission…” Junivere warns, and Callie remembers quickly the feeling of her hand cracking against her naked skin. She gulps down her pleads, forcing herself to fight the feeling in her clit and continues.
“I sent him aw-away,” she huffs. Callie takes a few deep breaths, feeling Junivere’s fingers increase their pressure on the button inside her.
“No blessing?” Worry creeps into Junivere’s voice again, concerned for any potential scandal.
“Please,” Callie gasps again, but shakes her own head to clear her focus. It takes a moment to steady herself, but she answers, “I… I did it!”
“You did?” Junivere’s excitement is hard to ignore. “Cum for me,” she commands mercifully.
Callie nods gratefully, letting down her defenses and allowing the orgasm to consume her. Her hips shiver against Junivere’s softs hands, muscles clenching tightly as an overwhelming moan escapes her mouth. She feels her clit burst, pouring sticky liquid onto Junivere’s palm.
She throws herself back into the Devotia’s arms, feeling each wave of sensation flood her senses, receding just briefly to be followed quickly by another powerful surge. Her mind melts into the feeling, letting her exhausted body collapse and be drained of everything else.
“You’ve been a very good girl, hal Devotia,” Juniver mewls delightedly, slowly dragging her hand across Callie’s stomach and leaving behind a trail of warm cum. Callie’s eyes reopen, only to shut again as Junivere’s fingers exit her ass, overcome by the sensitive shiver it sends through her.
Callie’s breaths continue to leave her rapidly, only slowing as she turns to lay on her back next to Junivere, who sits up and sweetly brushes the hair out of Callie’s face. She smiles down at Callie, savoring the satisfied glow across her face as her body returns to a peaceful state.
“Thanks, June,” Callie mutters, grinning.
“So you did it?” Junivere stokes a hand down Callie’s arm, enjoying the feeling of warmth on her soft skin.
Callie nods in confirmation. “Still technically a sexual blessing,” she concedes, “but more control than I’ve ever had in one.”
“That’s amazing. You just might actually last as Devotia.”
Raising her head to face Junivere, Callie’s face softens. A tenderness blossoms inside of her, replacing the hot fires of sex with a calmer warmth. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“Yeah, you could have,” Junivere waves away her gratitude. “It might’ve taken longer and been rockier, but I know you could’ve done it.”
“Accept the compliment,” Callie lets out an exasperated puff, eyes twinkling happily. She lets her head lay back into the couch, looking up at the high ceiling above them, wondering, not for the first time, how it was possible that this was her life.
Longevity
As Callie steps into the Rust district, it briefly feels like coming home. She had spent her very first days in Solva here, cowering behind scores and scores of people packed together. The crowded streets, the sometimes splintering wood, and the smell of an endless number of cooking stoves all wash over her as she takes it in once again.
She pulls the cloak tighter over her shoulders, wondering just how recognizable she would be without her Devotia’s robes. Callie had borrowed some clothes from Civa hoping to pass as an ordinary priestess, throwing her hair up into a tight bun and betting her face is less known up close. Part of her hates the privileged place in society she now holds, feeling so distant from her past, but the rest of her is grateful that very few people could recognize her up close.
The disguised paladin next to her grunts, nodding her head and pointing Callie’s gaze across the courtyard. Callie follows her finger, letting her eyes rest upon the small sign of the Fleeting Fox; the very same inn she had stayed at during her first days. She wonders if the tavernkeep, Magnus, would still remember her face.
She follows the paladin, a tall and athletic woman named Gloriana, trying to stay close to her. Callie had wanted to make the visit alone, but the mere suggestion of such a solo venture made the vein in Velena’s forehead pop with frustration. She’d already been furious enough Callie canceled her schedule for this, even if she understood Mykah’s importance to her. Callie acquiesced and allowed the Magister to force her to bring Paladin Gloriana.
A small part of her wonders if Velena is the one moving against her, remembering that the Magister had informed Junivere about Calvin weeks ago. That incident had been easily explained as a way to push Callie out of her sheltered attitude, and weeks later she no longer feels they were wrong to do so. But so few people knew about Mykah, and Velena was one of them. Eventually she pushes the thought away. From the beginning, Velena has been one of Callie’s only allies, helping her survive in a way hardly anyone else has. Mykah would hopefully offer more explanation.
Inside, the Fleeting Fox is just as she remembers it. Rows and rows of tables are packed with a scattered array of guests, some just returning from night shifts, some preparing to leave for work… others would still be recovering from hangovers from the night before. She shuffles past the chaos, remembering how steep of a learning curve her first days had been. Gloriana bumps into a patron, quickly waving a hand to clean his cloak from the drink that had spilled.
Callie approaches Magnus, trying to meet his eyes from the far side of the bar table. His brow furrows for a moment, but as he lumbers closer she spots the knowing twinkle in his eyes.
“I doubt you’re suppost to be here,” his low voice rumbles, quiet to keep her privacy. “It’s good to see ‘ya.”
Callie flashes him a smile, lowering her cloak slightly. “Hey, Magnus.”
“Hal Devotia,” Gloriana whispers in her ear. “We shouldn’t linger.”
Rolling her eyes so Magnus can see, Callie gently waves away the paladin's concern. “How’s business?”
“Good,” Magnus grunts contentedly. “Having your serving girl become Devotia is a nice reputation to run off of.”
“Lucky you,” she smirks.
“What’re you doing down in these parts?” He asks quietly. “Not usually a spot for a High Holy.”
“Meeting a friend,” she replies, “room eleven.” Magnus’ eyebrow raises inquisitively, and Calie adds, “Not like that. I knew him from home.”
“You know people’s business ain’t my business,” he chuckles. “Tell the boy to pick up his laundry when he gets a chance.”
“Of course,” Callie smiles again. “Take care, Magnus.”
Callie weaves back across the tavern, pulling Gloriana through the crowd and making her way up the narrow flight of stairs. She enters the upstairs hallway, heading towards the end of the row where she remembers room eleven to be. She stops at the door, taking a breath and steadying herself.
“Wait here,” she tells the paladin, who flashes her a worried expression.
“It’s my responsibility to keep you safe,” Gloriana places a nervous hand on the pommel of her sword, tucked inside her cloak.
“And you’re doing such a good job,” Callie flashes a dismissive smile. “But this is my friend. I’ll be fine.” Gloriana shifts nervously in place. “You can wait at the door and check in every few minutes if it makes you feel better.”
Gloriana nods, loosening her posture slightly at the compromise. Callie turns away, gently knocking at the door and strolling inside. The room is as she remembers the inn, a little small, but with surprisingly good sunlight through the windows. Mykah sits at the bed, perking up at her arrival and grinning happily.
“You’re here!” He leaps up, hugging her as she shuts the door behind them.
“You’re here,” Callie replies. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I can’t believe you’re a Devotia,” he exclaims. “How did that happen?”
“Honestly I have no clue,” she shrugs, sitting down in a chair across from his bed. “It kinda just happened.”
Mykah sits down excitedly. “Tell me everything about it. Is it true that Devotia commune with Suul daily? What’s she like?”
Callie snorts, “Hardly daily. I’ve only heard from her twice. I don’t really have any clue what she’s like.”
“Do they know you’re..?” he gestures vaguely at her body.
“Some do,” she smiles. “People are much better about it here. Apparently it’s almost normal.”
Mykah releases a weight from his shoulders, taking in a peaceful inhale. “Thank gods. I’ve been worried about you.” He looks her over again, eyes scanning over his magic carefully. “The magic’s holding up really well. Have you had any issues with it?”
“None,” Callie shakes her head. “People keep passing along their compliments actually. Apparently you’re a pretty talented mage. I never would’ve guessed.”
Mykah waves a dismissive hand, flashing his teeth proudly. “Of course I am.” He sits forward more, leaning in and saying, “Sorry for busting into your place, by the way. Once I saw it was you I knew I had to come see you.”
“I would’ve done the same,” Callie lets her eyes drip with gratitude. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you.”
“Besides, I think Junivere was more upset about it than I was.” Callie leans back into the chair, pulling her legs up to her chest.
“She’s intense. I thought she was going to have me executed before you arrived.”
“She might’ve,” Callie laughs softly. “She’s just watching my back. She’s been Devotia a lot longer than I have.”
“So she’s your mentor?”
“And more. At this point I think she’s my closest friend here.”
“Not anymore,” Mykah points at himself, grinning madly.
“Yeah,” Callie smiles, but then remembers Junivere’s warnings. She takes a long breath, letting her seriousness show a little more. “I do need to ask you about some things.”
“Like what?”
Callie looks away. She hates the feeling of suggesting he might be involved in something, unintentionally or not. “The wards in place around the villa… you shouldn’t have been able to get through them.”
“It was surprisingly easy, actually,” he holds out a hand, letting a few blue flashes of light dance across his palm. “I think they’re actually just layers of Takwi wards staggered over each other. They’re pretty vulnerable if you scatter needlepoint beams over a wide enough area.”
She gazes back at him, admiring the intelligence shining in his eyes. In Rookwell, it was well known he must’ve been a prodigy. His talents were wasted there, and Callie wishes both of them could’ve been raised in Solva instead.
“Did anyone know you were going to the villa last night? Anyone at all?”
“Not that I know of. I cast a few stealthy charms to be sure.” Mykah’s eyes narrow, trying to read her. “What are you thinking?”
“Something in my gut tells me something’s up,” she says quietly. Callie looks up at him, quickly responding to the brief look of offense on his face. “Not you,” she asserts. “But Junivere thinks someone might be using you to get to me, even if you’re not in on it.”
“How?”
“I don’t know,” she sighs. “But… it’s hard to know who to trust as Devotia. There’s a lot of eyes on me all the time.”
“Callie,” Mykah sits forward, putting a hand on her knee. “I risked everything for you back home. I’d never betray you.”
She drops a hand to cover his. “I know that.” She waits a long few moments, mulling over Junivere’s warnings in her head. “I don’t know how to make this all work.”
“Make what work? What are you trying to say?”
“I want to be able to see you,” she squeezes his hand affirmingly. “I do. But I can’t see you at night, it’ll cause scandals. And my days are completely packed now. I’m already in trouble just coming to see you today.”
“So I can never see you again?” His face drops, frowning deeply. “I came all this way to see you.”
“I’ve spent so many days wishing you were here,” Callie meets his eyes. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“So we’ll figure something out,” Mykah’s brow lowers, his mind working for solutions. “How do I get into your schedule?”
“I’m mostly meeting heads of organizations: nobles, guildmasters, artisans, stuff like that. The only times other people make it in are for blessings.”
“How do I get one?”
“I can summon you.”
“Okay,” he smiles, a little surprised at how easy it is. “So summon me.”
“You’d have to leave with a blessing. People will be talking.” Callie holds a hand up to her cheek, resting her head into her palm.
“I don’t care if people talk. I just want to be able to spend time with you.”
“Mykah…” she holds her breath in her throat, letting her next words leave her in a whisper. “The only blessings I know how to give are pretty… um… physical.”
Mykah’s mouth widens with the glee of a revelatory piece of gossip. “No. No way.” His eyes light up delightedly. “You’re kidding me. Callie, the most sheepish, virginal person in the most sheepish, virginal city on the continent… is a whore?” He lets out a bellowing cackle.
Callie’s face flushes, and she pushes him away grinning. “You always said I needed to loosen up!”
“This isn’t quite what I was expecting,” he teases. “So we can only talk if we’re fucking?”
“Not exactly,” she huffs, crossing her arms over her chest and feeling the warmth cross her face. “But a little bit, yeah.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“If that’s what it takes,” he nods, face gleaming with humor.
“I’m not sure that I could…” Callie looks away, feeling embarrassed. “I’ve known you for forever.”
“Think it over,” Mykah stands. “I'd still like to see you. How awkward could it be?”
Callie is quiet for a long moment, digging further back into the worn fabric of the chair. She feels a dozen different thoughts float through her mind, still apprehensive about everything. She’s no closer to an answer about who might be maneuvering against her.
“I’ll see what I can do,” she tells him after a little while. “I suspect Magister Velena won’t be letting me make changes to the schedule for a little while. It may take time for me to get you in.”
“That’s fine,” he says, nodding with appreciation. “I can wait.”
“Thanks, Mykah. It is really good to see you.”
“Do you have to leave already?”
Callie hears a soft knock at the door. She calls out to Gloriana, simply informing her she’s fine. “I have a few minutes. Like I said, apparently everyone wants to meet a Devotia.”
“Fuck…” He scratches the back of his head. “Sounds stressful.”
“Sometimes, yeah.” She rolls her shoulders, adjusting in the chair again. “I’m growing to like it, though.”
“I’ll bet,” he smirks.
Callie rolls her eyes. “Not like that! Though I guess part of it is that,” she grimaces with a timid smile. “Everyone always hated me back home. I’m a somebody here.”
“Must be nice.”
Callie lowers her brow and looks at him seriously. “You could be somebody here. You’re one of the most talented mages I’ve ever heard of! Surely you could get into the College.”
“With what money?” Mykah drops his hands into his pockets and looks away. “I’ve got enough to survive for a bit. I don’t have ‘go to prestigious College’ money.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Callie stands and takes his hand. “This place is incredible, Mykah. I love it here.”
Mykah puts on a polite smile. “I wouldn’t say no to showing up these big city mages.”
“That’s the spirit.” Callie gives him one last hug, repeating back, “I’ll try and summon you when I can. In the meantime, stay out of trouble and I’ll find out who I know at the College. Maybe we can get you a benefactor.”
“Sure, Callie,” he nods. “Stay safe, okay?”
“I’ll be fine. You stay safe.”
Callie opens the door to the room, looking back at Mykah and wondering when she’ll see him next. Despite the joy she feels in seeing him, Callie can’t shake the strange feeling in her gut. Maybe it was Junivere’s paranoia seeping into her brain, or maybe it was her own nerves, but something is afoot in her mind.
She waves Gloriana to follow her back down the stairs, returning to the bar counter and waiting to call Magnus over to her. Callie enjoys watching him work; the big man could be delightfully charming, and was especially gifted at remembering names and faces. If you ever stepped in his tavern twice, Magus would more than likely recognize you and even remember your name.
“What can I get you?” He says casually, cleaning a used mug as he approaches them.
“A pint for her,” Callie points at the paladin behind her. “Nothing for me.”
“Hal Devotia,” Gloriana objects, but Callie waves away her concerns. Magus grabs a new mug and fills it with a delicious golden mead, handing it to the disgruntled woman.
“I have a couple questions,” Callie tells him, leaning in and lowering her voice.
“Can’t promise much,” Magnus grunts but inclines his ear.
“Does anyone know anything about your guest in room eleven? Anything at all?”
“What sort of thing might they be knowing?” Magnus fills another pint, sliding it down the counter to an outstretched hand a few stools over.
“His connections to me.”
“Which is?”
“Private,” Callie smirks and Magnus’ eye twinkles.
“No one knows much from what I seen,” Magnus confirms. “But, there is someone you might wanna meet.”
“Who?” Callie’s eyes scour the tavern, trying to pick out any prying eyes.
“Back corner, on the right, facing counter,” Magnus nods inconspicuously. “She arrived minutes after you, been shooting looks at the stairs the whole time.”
“Who is she?”
“Mage or somethin’,” Magnus shakes his head. “Never seen her before.”
“Thanks, Magnus. You’ve been a huge help, as always.” She reaches up and places a kiss on his cheek, smiling warmly. From her pocket, she pulls out a small stack of coins, gently folding them into his hand. “Told you I’d pay you back.”
“Never needed to,” he smirks. “Doing good things is doing good things.”
Callie steps away from the bar, pulling Gloriana with her. The paladin scowls at her, deep worry lines painted into her face. “Can we finally get you out of here?”
“Not just yet,” Callie instructs. “I want to meet her.”
“I can’t let you-,”
“Yes, you can. And yes, you will,” Callie says forcefully. Gloriana folds her arms tightly across her chest, tugging against the fabric of her cloak. Callie takes a breath and adds, “Your job is to protect me, yeah? This is protecting me. I need to know who is plotting against me.”
“Lord Magister Velena was very clear with her instructions. We need to leave.”
“Then you are welcome to voice your displeasure with her,” Callie scoffs. “But if you want to keep me safe right now you’ll be meeting this strange woman with me.”
Without waiting for a reply, Callie strolls away, heading for the back corner of the tavern where a small table is tucked behind a support beam. It’s the most private booth in the building, usually the spot where people go to avoid being overheard. It’s just by the far side of the entrance, providing plenty of cover noise from the busy streets outside.
Callie approaches confidently, noticing the woman’s eyes fixed upon her as she pulls a chair back and sits down. “Who are you?” Callie demands.
“A potential ally,” the woman replies calmly, her voice low and controlled. “I am Dynasa.”
“Callana,” Callie replies. “An ally how?”
The woman lowers her cloak, revealing a face just over forty years old with sharp eyebrows and low, angular cheekbones. Her eyes are serious yet indifferent, reading Callie as though she were something mildly interesting to study.
She opens her palms to the sky, resting the backs of her hands on the table. “Cards on the table? I intend to use you for your power. In return, I will assist you in uncovering the plot against you.”
“Tell me what you know,” Callie says simply. The woman’s energy is striking and commanding, and it takes a great deal of effort from Callie to maintain her confidence.
“I don’t provide nothing for nothing,” Dynasa shakes her head.
“Hal Devotia,” Gloriana cautions. Callie looks over at the paladin, sharing a look that suggests she understands the need for concern.
“What do you know about me?” Callie asks instead.
“A fresh face in Solva,” Dynasa replies indifferently. “Unprecedented in a variety of ways…” She lets her voice drip off suggestively.
“Threaded,” Callie confirms.
“Indeed?” Dynasa nods interestedly. Whether or not this information is new to her, she hides her reaction carefully. “Very interesting.”
“Tell me what you know.”
“Perhaps you could be more specific, hal Devotia,” Dynasa folds her fingers together. “I know many things.”
Callie takes a breath. She tries to read between the lines of Dynasa’s face, but struggles to glean any information. Her deadpan is remarkable. “You’re a mage.”
“Correct.”
“Are you from the College?”
“I have been to the College.”
“How do you intend to use my power?”
Dynasa is quiet for a moment, seeming to decide how much she is willing to share. She inclines her head, saying, “Are you familiar with the role of Magewitch?”
“No,” Callie answers. Gloriana places a hand on Callie’s arm, squeezing it tightly. Callie looks at her, seeing her face frown knowingly. “What is a Magewitch?”
“A particular type of mage who specializes in… let’s say invention,” Dynasa offers cryptically. “They explore the boundaries of magic, known or unknown.”
“Are you one?”
“I intend to be.”
Callie thinks for a moment, mulling over the answer. “To what end?”
Dynasa shakes her head softly, and Callie nods in response. She surprises herself, feeling more adept at reading the unspoken rules of the negotiation. There were some questions Dynasa finds acceptable, and some she would never answer.
“Let me ask this instead,” Callie says a breath later, “Why do you believe I would want to help you?”
“I can be a very powerful ally.”
Callie shakes her head, frowning and hoping she is projecting more adeptness at the game than she feels. “Tell me why I shouldn’t walk away now.”
“You’re learning. Good.” Dynasa smiles, encouraged by the question. She takes a breath, thinking for a calm moment. “Allow me to prove my worth. Knight-Commander Calvin will request an audience later today. During it, he will inform you that he can no longer see you.”
Callie’s stomach drops, but she tries to contain her response. Dynasa’s eyes flick over her and she knows her feelings must be clear. “Tell me why you know this.”
“On his most recent assignment, he received word that Gellan, his traitorous brother, wished to speak with him,” Dynasa says in a tone of secrecy, turning to look at Gloriana. “Ask your paladin now, she will confirm this.”
Callie looks at Gloriana, who simply looks down at the ground in shame. She faces back towards Dynasa, feeling a tremor of fear in her stomach. “Why would Gellan reaching out make Calvin break off from me?”
“He feels shame,” Dynasa explains, holding her hands open. “His brother dishonored one Devotia. He does not want to repeat this with another.”
Callie holds her arms tightly. She wants to reject Dynasa’s information, but Gloriana’s grim face is all of the confirmation she needs. She sighs, feeling her skin chill with the possibility Calvin might leave her.
“I don’t mean to upset you,” Dynasa adds. She thinks for a moment and then speaks carefully, “I believe it is no coincidence Gellan returned within days of your associate,” she nods upstairs towards Mykah.” I believe it is deliberate.”
“Why?” Callie askes, harsher than she anticipated. Calming herself quickly, she says quieter, “I want to know who is doing this to me.”
Dynasa lowers her hands to the table. “That, I cannot answer, hal Devotia.”
Callie scowls. “How would assisting you in becoming Magewitch help me? How do I know you won’t use your power against me later?”
“I am ambitious,” Dynasa replies directly, “I am sure this is clear to you. To whatever end, you are a Devotia that will bring about great change. I wish to tie myself to that ship.”
“Change? How am I bringing about change?”
Dynasa furrows her brow softly, letting her eyes flash an emotion between confusion and amusement. “You are the first threaded Devotia in known history. You are a newcomer, both to the city and to Suul. Your era has already heralded the addition of a second Devotia to the city. There will be more changes to follow.”
“How do you know that?”
“Look around,” Dynasa exhales. “Can’t you feel the change in the air? Solva has been stuck in its ways for ages. We are entering into the dangerous waters of possibility now. Change is coming whether we like it or not. You cannot ignore it and you cannot pretend it is not your responsibility. We need to steer it.”
Callie is quiet for a long moment. She can hardly deny that she seems to be an unusual Devotia, that things do seem to be in an air of uncertainty. Everyone seems to be constantly expecting something, and anticipation hangs in the air in most of her meetings. She’d written it off as the excitement of meeting a Devotia, but upon hearing Dynasa’s warnings, Callie wonders if the mage might be right.
“What do you think, Gloriana?” Callie turns to the paladin.
The paladin is quiet, but says, “People are still figuring out what kind of Devotia you are… Things feel very different than your predecessor.”
Callie nods, grateful. She faces Dynasa again. “How do you intend to steer change?”
“Test my information, hal Devotia,” Dynasa deflects. “If you find it to be true, summon me and we will discuss further how I may serve you.” The mage stands, nodding to both of them before carefully slipping out of the tavern and disappearing into the crowd.
– – –
“Do you really think he’s coming?”
“Yes,” Callie tells Junivere. Something inside of her could feel the truth in Dynasa’s warning.
Junivere crosses her arms, leaning back into the column at the entrance to the villa. The warm afternoon breeze brushes through her hair, sending strands into her face as she swats them away, holding her mouth in a tight scowl. She didn’t know anything about Dynasa, but Junivere was surprisingly open to receiving her information. According to the older Devotia, it was not uncommon to be approached like this and there was little harm in hearing it out up to a certain point.
Junivere sighs, trying to read Callie, who stands nervously a few feet away. “Callie,” she begins quietly, “are you sure this is such a bad thing?”
“Yes,” Callie replies quickly, eyes fixed on the far end of the courtyard.
“I know I’m on your side now,” Junivere’s voice is timid and gentle, “but Calvin was very nearly a huge scandal for you. Maybe it would be good to give it space.”
“I’m not letting him go, June,” she frowns.
“And you know I’ll support you either way,” the older Devotia coos. “I just want to make sure you’re thinking clearly.”
“I’m not thinking clearly,” Callie says, voice full of angst and nerves. “And I don’t care. I’m not losing Calvin.” She turns to face Junivere, letting her eyes soften upon seeing the worried look on her face. “I know, I know. But that’s why I need you here, okay?”
“Of course, Callie,” Junivere smiles gently.
Calvin enters the courtyard less than an hour later, face grim and grave. He pushes his curly hair back, running his hands through it nervously as he walks, each step landing with purpose. When he looks up, noticing Callie for the first time, she can see Dynasa’s words come true in his eyes before he speaks a word.
“Hal Devotia,” Calvin says, bowing politely. His eyes flick over to Junivere behind her and he nods to her as well.
“Knight-Commander,” Callie replies cooly.
“I have something I need to discuss with you,” he nervously looks at Junivere, adding, “Alone.”
“No.”
“No?” His brow furrows. “I’d prefer it if hal Devotia was not also here.”
“Whatever you say to her,” Junivere lets her voice land firmly, “you can say in front of me as well.” She exchanges a supportive look with Callie, who nods gratefully.
Calvin takes a breath to steady himself, shifting his weight awkwardly and gripping the pommel of his sword tightly. Callie hates seeing the look of concern and shame on his face, feeling her own anger bubble in her stomach.
“Very well,” Calvin sighs. His soft eyes lock into Callie’s gaze. “Hal Devotia, I regret to inform you that… that I can no longer come to see you. I feel that I have begun to lead you onto a path that-,”
“No,” Callie announces.
“No?” Calvin takes a step back in surprise, his face scrunching up into a frown. She feels his confusion and frustration fill the air around them, but her own bitterness shields her from its impacts. Calvin looks at Junivere quickly, softening his face with the reminder she was watching. “I am doing this for your sake. Please listen to-,”
“No,” Callie feels her lips tighten as her heart beats heavily. “You will continue to fulfill your duties as Knight-Commander, and as such, will continue to answer my summons.”
Calvin stares at her, incredulous. Callie can feel Junivere’s worry behind her as well, the older Devotia crossing her arms nervously, but she pushes it away. Instead, Callie is consumed by the terrifying need to keep things as they are.
“Callie,” Calvin drops his voice to a whisper, stepping in closer. Her chest tightens with guilt but she pushes through it. “This is a mistake and we both know it. I promised I wouldn’t let you meet the same fate as your predecessor. Can’t you see why this is important?”
Callie tucks her hands behind her back, squeezing her palm into a tight fist. Tilting her chin up proudly, rejecting his offer of familiarity, she replies, “When last I checked, I was Devotia; not you, Knight-Commander.”
Junivere steps forward, leaning in to speak with her, but Callie paces away. She turns, facing the two of them, holding her expression firm. Feeling a well of defiant heartache well up inside, Callie closes her eyes for a moment. When she opens them a few seconds later, she shifts her face to a neutral affect and proclaims, “Knight-Commander, an excellent surprise to see you here today. I have need of your services.”
Calvin glares at her, silent and still, but Callie ignores the tension in the air. She holds herself nobly, letting her Devotia robes flow elegantly in the breeze. Calvin steps forward again, his mind clearly scrambling to understand how this moment could have defied his expectations so strongly.
“Callie, what are you doing?”
“‘Hal Devotia,’” Callie corrects sternly. She waves away the worry from Junivere behind him.
Calvin takes a rigid breath, exhaling, “Hal Devotia.” He purses his lips thoughtfully, adding, “I know this isn’t what you want, but I told you from the beginning that this… us, couldn’t happen.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, Knight-Commander. I have summoned you, and you have answered my summons.”
Junivere moves forward, stepping past Calvin and placing a hand on each of her shoulders. She speaks breathlessly, hardly above a whisper. “Callie, are you sure you want to do this?”
“I’m not losing him.”
“It’s not right to make him stay if he doesn’t want t-,”
“But he does,” Callie asserts firmly. She meets Junivere’s emerald eyes, seeing the wells of experience and emotion behind them. Junivere frowns.
“You can’t make that decision for him.”
“You made it for me.”
The older Devotia shifts her balance. “What are you talking ab-,”
“‘Callie, when will you admit you like the sex?’” Callie says mockingly. “‘You’ve wanted this all along, haven’t you, Callie?’”
Junivere rolls her eyes with frustration. “That’s not the same thing.”
“Yes, yes it is.” She briefly glances at Calvin behind her, seeing him shift awkwardly in place. “He may not be sheepish like me, not like when I first arrived, but I know he’s hiding from his feelings. He needs to admit it.”
Junivere begins to speak but Callie interrupts her immediately. “I have done everything that has been asked of me as a Devotia. This is the only thing I want in return.”
“You’re acting impulsively,” Junivere huffs. “Don’t let the game catch up with you.” She shakes her head, storming back into the villa towards her room.
Callie faces Calvin once more, letting her resolve turn to steel. She steps forward and commands, “Kneel.”
Calvin hesitates, trying to read her expression, but after a moment his sense of duty overcomes him. He slowly drops to his knee, letting his head hang towards the floor as though in shame. Callie drops a hand to his chin, letting her fingers grip it tightly and tilt it up to meet her stern eyes.
“I have summoned you,” she declares. “Do you understand, Knight-Commander?”
“Yes,” he says after a long breath, “hal Devotia.”
“And you will be honest with me,” she continues, her voice low and threatening. “Do you understand, Knight-Commander?”
“Yes, hal Devotia.” His hazel eyes shine, tender and frozen.
“And you will continue to fulfill your duty; understood?”
Calvin stifles a sigh, and confirms, “Yes, hal Devotia.”
“Good,” Callie nods. She releases his chin, walking back towards the threshold of the villa. Without looking behind she snaps her fingers, directing him to follow. She leads him to her room, directing him inside and shutting the door behind them. Callie strolls across the room, throwing the curtains shut and letting only a sliver of light through to illuminate the room.
“Sit,” she points to the chair across from her bed. Calvin obeys, letting himself fall into the cushions.
Callie frowns, sitting down on the edge of her mattress and studying him carefully. She watches him for a long moment, noticing the way he stays motionless like a statue, the way that his face maintains a quiet and restrained sneer. She hates the absence of his usual smile and the laugh lines that decorate it.
She sighs, dropping her shoulders slowly. “When you first met me, you asked me what I wanted.” His eyes watch her carefully. “I told you I wanted to hide, but that now I can’t. I don’t think I would have survived those first few days without you.”
His armor jostles softly as he adjusts in his seat, moving as though to speak, but Callie holds up a hand to silence him. “You’ve made me feel things I never thought I’d get to feel. I thought I was going to die alone, abandoned by everyone.” She runs her hands through her hair, gently scratching her scalp as she thinks. “And when you told me there had to be limits on this… that you couldn’t be all the things I wanted… I accepted it. I hated it, but I accepted it.”
Calvin’s face softens slightly, though his own resolve remains firm. Callie continues, feeling her heart heavy and desperate. “What I will not accept,” she meets his eyes, staring him down, “is you taking even that away from me because you don’t think I can handle it.”
“It’s not because I don’t think you can-,”
“Yes, yes it is,” Callie interjects. “If you thought I could handle it, you wouldn’t have made a decision without me. I don’t care what your brother said to you, I am not Ellava.”
Calvin’s face frowns. “How do you know what my-,”
“I know that Gellan reached out to you.” Calvin sits forward, a look of alarm crossing his eyes. Callie shakes her head and adds, “People tell me things as Devotia.”
He looks as though he wants to stand and pace around the room, but Calvin remains fixed to his seat. After a few seconds, he seems to accept her point and says, “If you know that he spoke to me, then you know why this needs to end. I am not going to go down that path like he did.”
“Because you don’t think I’m strong enough to avoid it,” Callie lays her hands out, satisfied he is proving her point.
Calvin lowers his head into his palm, rubbing his jaw. “That’s not the reason.”
“Then what is?” Callie continues glaring at him, though he remains speechless. Impatient, she asks, “Is it jealousy?”
“No,” he scowls, almost offended.
“Is it that you don’t trust me?”
“No!” His eyes lace with worry.
Callie sighs. She stands from her bed, walking out into the room and taking in his presence, trying to read it. “What do you want?” She asks, remembering their first meeting once again. “Not Knight-Commander, not your sense of duty, you. What do you want, Calvin?” She presses her foot into the ground, rocking impatiently with the movement. “I want the truth.”
Calvin is quiet. His eyes hang low, watching the ground with a glassy-eyed stare. Callie can feel his spirit wrestling, struggling between whatever forces were battling inside of him, and with each second, Callie’s frustration builds. She thinks back to the terror of her first days as Devotia, the fear of being found out, the residual dread from leaving behind her home. Her stomach churns and her skin glows with warmth.
After what feels like hours, but is likely only a few minutes, Calvin finally raises his head to speak. His voice is hoarse and strained, as though pushing back a great deal inside of him, and he simply mutters, “I can’t.”
Crossing her arms, Callie feels her face inflame with anger. She hears every quick bounce of her pulse echo in her ears, her hands trembling slightly. “Remove your armor,” she commands abruptly.
“What?”
“Remove your armor,” she says louder. “If you won’t tell me the truth, you don’t deserve to wear it.”
Not waiting for his response Callie storms forward, throwing her hands onto the clasps of his pauldrons and undoing the small buckles. She works quickly, fueled by the frantic feeling in her chest, ripping the metal off of his motionless form and tossing it onto the ground. One pauldron falls, followed by the next, and then accompanied by his gauntlets and chausses and leg plates. She leaves the breastplate for last, sitting down onto his lap and holding her breath as her fingers wrestle the buckle open.
“Stop staring at me like that,” she hisses, feeling his hollow eyes watch her with a mixture of awe and confusion. His smell, comforting and familiar, fills her nostrils and she aches for him to finally say something, to tell her this was all some grand misunderstanding, to say they could finally be together. In his lap, it takes all of her strength not to melt into his arms and feel his skin against her skin.
One buckle comes loose, shortly followed by the next, and something about the way that Calvin doesn't even fight her makes her heart ache more. He feels resigned, unwilling to give her anything more than a tired look and motionless form. Her anger slowly fades into fear and futility, anxiously wondering if this would be the last time she could be this close to him. She removes the breastplate, tiredly dropping it to the floor.
“Why don’t you want me?” She whispers after it falls. She pushes away the urge to cry, feeling her throat clench.
Calvin looks at her sadly, his face softening though remaining resolute. “I do want you,” he says at last.
“Then why are you doing this to me? Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Timidly, Calvin raises a hand and gently places it on Callie’s back, cautiously and sincerely letting his fingers grace across her skin. “Because this can never happen.”
“It already is happening!” She huffs in response. “Why did you insist on being my first visit if you didn’t want this to happen? You could’ve just stayed away!”
He leans his head into the back of the chair, looking at the ceiling above for a moment. “I could have protected Ellava,” he tilts his head back to face her, “if I had been more careful of Gellan’s ambition. I knew he cared for her, and so I kept my distance from her for his sake. I thought that the best way to protect you from that fate was to meet you first, to show you I could be trusted to watch your back.”
“By making me fall in love with you?” Callie places a hand on his cheek, and notices a somber flash in his eyes. “Why can’t we just keep things the way they are right now?”
“Because I want more,” his voice rumbles in his chest. Calvin’s hand on her back squeezes her softly, pulling her body closer to his ever so slightly.
“You do?” Callie sits forward, letting her thighs brush against his lap and feeling his pants tighten in response.
“And I can’t stop myself from wanting more,” he grumbles. Her face leans closer to his, feeling his breath cool on her cheeks.
Callie feels her chest tingle with excitement and relief. “And you don’t believe I could stop you?”
He stares at her, a look of confusion crossing his face. “I thought you also wanted-,”
“I do,” she nods, placing a finger to his lips. “But I also want to stay Devotia. You don’t think I can handle both.”
He begins to speak, but once again Callie shushes him, shaking her head softly. “I am not Ellava,” she explains, “and you are not Gellan. You are not the only person responsible for protecting me. I also bear that responsibility.”
“I don’t want you to get excommunicated.”
“Then you will stop when I tell you to stop,” Callie commands, feeling surprisingly calm. “And you will see me when I ask you to see me. It is no longer your duty to protect my feelings, I am more than capable of it.”
“How do you know I’m not just going to use you for your power?” Calvin grabs her hand, holding it tightly.
Callie smiles, her anger and fear finally feeling like they are fading away, replaced by a sudden assuredness in herself that she doubted would have been possible months ago. “How do you know I’m not using you for yours?”
Calvin scoffs in response, and Callie drops her face into a neutral scowl, placing her hand on the back of the chair behind him and leaning in closer. She hovers her lips inches away from his own, letting his need for her build. “Is there something you want, Knight-Commander?”
He nods slowly, holding his breath. She feels his muscles tighten underneath his tunic, fighting to keep his body in place. Callie’s heart flutters excitedly at his eagerness, reveling in the desperation he feels to touch her. With her free hand, she slowly lowers one of the straps holding up her dress, letting it fall to her bicep and drop the neckline of the fabric lower.
“Then ask for it,” she commands, her voice slow and seductive.
“I want you,” he whispers, eyes floating down to her collarbone.
“No,” Callie replies, enjoying the surprised disappointment on his face.
“I see what you’re doi-,” he begins, but Callie places another finger to his lips to silence him.
“You will speak,” Callie declares, “when your Devotia asks you to. What do you want?”
She can feel him grumble behind her quieting finger. “You,” he says after a moment.
“No,” she replies again calmly. She waits for a long breath, sizing up the paladin and watching to see what might lurk in his eyes. They remain focused on her face, though she can tell he is resisting the urge to gaze lower. Callie lowers the other strap of her dress, only keeping her chest covered by laying a hand across it, carefully keeping it in place. “You may look, but not touch,” she taunts. “Place your hands on each arm of the chair.”
Slowly, Calvin lowers his hands, obedient. With each exhale, she can feel him holding himself back, feeding the hungry thoughts racing through his mind as he allows himself to look at the rest of her. Callie shifts forward, staring at him intensely and letting her chest just barely press into his own, holding her head above his.
“You serve me,” she explains, ensuring her lips are tantalizingly close to his. “You follow my orders.” He nods carefully, and Callie is surprised to find that she enjoys the devoted and servile gleam in his eyes. “I am the prime authority you now obey, second only to Suul herself, do you understand?”
“Callie-,”
She lowers a hand to his throat, her fingers hardly wrapping halfway around it, letting the gesture interrupt him. Callie’s mind feels sharply focused, clear-headed in a way she rarely experienced. She puts a slight amount of pressure, nowhere near enough to harm him but enough to communicate her seriousness.
“Do you,” she says slowly, letting him hang onto every word, “understand?”
“Yes, hal Devotia,” he whispers.
She places a soft kiss on the side of his cheek, releasing her hand from his throat. “Very good,” Callie coos.
Smiling mischievously, she removes her arm from her chest, letting the wrapping fabric of her chest fall to her lap and leaving her breasts open for his view. His eyes whip down quickly and she can feel his erection tug against his pants, lightly pushing against Callie’s perineum, hovering just over his lap. Taking a satisfied breath, she lowers herself down, letting him feel the sensitive skin through her underwear, watching him restrain his eagerness.
“Now, let me ask again,” Callie mewls, wondering if this is how Junivere feels with her, “What is it that you want, Knight-Commander?”
“To touch you,” Calvin exhales, his voice breathy and careful.
“Are you going to continue following my orders?”
Shifting his weight in the chair, Calvin nods slowly, his face warm and red. As much as Callie misses his wide smile and bright eyes, she adores the painful need in his expression. She was growing used to similar looks in the eyes of her supplicants, but written across the face of her Knight-Commander, the first person to ever hold her so sweetly, to love her so dearly, Callie finds herself feeling insatiable. She revels in his desire for her; a feeling close to the pride inside of her when she bestows a blessing.
She grabs one of his hands, pressing it against the back of her waist and bringing the other to massage her breast. Calvin presses forward, moving to kiss her, but she pushes him back into the chair and throws her own lips onto his neck. Her body feels electric, bursting with warmth as his hands tug against her skin. She rocks her hips against him, loving the tiny pressure of the tip of his dick between her legs as she sits back into him.
Calvin’s heart pounds in her ear as her kisses pull against the skin just below the stubble of his beard. His familiar smell fills her with desperation, aching to be closer, always closer to him. She throws her weight deeper into his chest, letting out quiet moans as his fingers flick across her nipple. His other hand drifts lower, finding its way underneath her skirt and grabbing her ass, guiding each of her movements to brush against him.
Callie closes her eyes, pressing her cheek to the side of Calvin’s face and giving into the feeling of being touched by his rough hands. But as she begins to feel her own mind succumb to the desperation of being with him and feels his boldness grow with each moment, she pulls away from him abruptly.
“Enough,” she commands, pushing away the trickles of disappointment inside of herself. It takes a moment for Calvin to stop but he eventually does, lowering his hands back to the armrests and sitting back into the soft cushion. Letting her breath steady, Callie nods, declaring, “Very good, Knight-Commander.”
“Thank you, hal Devotia,” Calvin replies softly, his eyes still hungrily scouring over her.
Still letting her hips remain pressed into his lap, Callie’s eyelids drop closed. She takes a few heavy breaths, searching for the bubbling sensation of magic inside of her chest, trying to remember the things Junivere had taught her. When she finally finds it, Callie focuses her mind to push it towards her hands, feeling a strange prickling sensation in her fingertips.
She places a hand onto Calvin’s collarbone, letting her thumb lightly lay against the base of his throat. The prickling feeling builds, spilling over into her forearms and climbing towards her biceps. Callie exhales again, letting her voice hiss slightly as she does, pushing the sizzling magic into Calvin’s chest and encouraging it to cover him.
Callie opens her eyes as wisps of light pull away from the single column of sunlight pouring through the curtains, trickling towards Calvin’s body and wrapping around his limbs and torso, circling him quickly. The strands criss-cross and weave together, spreading over hundreds and thousands of interlocking stitches before suddenly evaporating with a bright burst. Calvin emerges from the magic, his skin glowing and warm to the touch, his muscles stretching and flexing slightly at the intense energy she knew would be pouring into him.
Pushing away her excitement to try and maintain her composure, Callie stands up abruptly, throwing the straps of her dress back over her shoulders and lowering her skirt again. She feels her clit fighting against her panties but pushes away the desperate need inside of her.
Calvin gazes at her in awe, lifting his hands to savor the feeling of a blessing tingling through his veins. “Did… was that the first time you’ve-,”
“I thank you for answering my summons, Knight-Commander,” Callie interrupts coldly. “I shall summon you again when I have need of you.”
She walks over to the door, opening it and gesturing for him to exit. Furrowing his brow, though still maintaining a look of amazement and desire, Calvin sighs and nods. He drops low to scoop up the scattered pieces of his armor, letting the metal collect in his arms.
At the threshold to the room, he turns to face her, saying, “Callie, I appr-,”
“That will be all, Knight-Commander,” she interjects again, waving him out of the door and shutting it behind him.
Callie’s posture drops suddenly, letting out a loud sigh and pressing her forehead into the heavy wood. Her mind splinters into a dozen different directions: worried about what he might think of her now, loving the look of desperation in his eyes, hating the circumstances that brought them there, wishing they hadn’t stopped so suddenly, amazed she’d been able to pull off a blessing without anyone finishing…
She waits for a few minutes, trying to give Calvin time to leave before exiting her room. Once she’s sure he wouldn’t be outside, Callie throws the door open, striding into the hall and moving towards Junivere’s room. Her face feels hot and flustered, and her panties no less tight. She knocks loudly at Junivere’s door, but there’s no reply. She knocks again, faster and with more force, again to no response. She throws open the door, furious to find the room empty.
Strolling out into the rest of the villa she hunts for her fellow Devotia. Callie hears the sounds of voices talking and laughing, quickly adjusting course to the lounging room they floated out from. She turns the corner and sees Junivere lying lazily on a couch, chatting casually with Salome and Willow, and Callie hovers out of the priestesses’ view. Throwing a serious expression on her face Callie makes eye contact with Junivere, who looks at her concerned and surprised. She quickly throws back the rest of her drink, excusing herself and making her way over towards Callie.
“What happened?” Junivere whispers, moving out into the hallway.
“Later,” Callie says frantically. “You still owe me. I’m calling in that favor right now.”
“Callie,” Junivere sighs, sizing up the smaller and younger Devotia. Callie can see a tired expression cross her face.
“You owe me,” Callie replies, a little more composed.
“I never agreed to that,” she smiles lightly, eyes flicking away from Callie for a moment, perhaps trying to see if Calvin was still around. “Tell me what happened and then we’ll see.”
Shaking her head quickly, Callie throws herself into Junivere’s arms, an urgent need consuming her. She kisses the Devotia’s neck, feeling everything she had held back with Calvin flush forward and take control. Hesitant, Junivere holds Callie calmly, walking her back into the wall and tilting her chin up to meet her gaze.
“Gods, you’re all worked up,” Junivere smirks. “Talk and I’ll help you.”
From inside the lounge room, the two of them hear Willow call out, “Somewhere else, please?”
Salome cackles next to her, shouting, “Unless you want company!”
Junivere giggles happily, brushing past the serious desperation still written across Callie’s face. Taking Callie’s arm she leads her away from the priestesses, pulling her into an empty room and closing a door behind them. Junivere guides Callie onto a wide sofa, opening a curtain to bring a little bit of light into the room.
Callie lays back on the cushions and waits for Junivere to return, only relaxing slightly when she crawls over her. Junivere’s hair falls down as she hovers over Callie’s face, looking at her with a mixture of delight, curiosity, and worry.
“Please,” Callie mutters, opening her legs.
Junivere rolls her eyes, but accepts. She turns Callie onto her side, laying down against her back and pulling Callie’s body into hers. She lifts up Callie’s skirt, reaching a hand down to rub her ass slowly.
“Talk to me,” Junivere directs, “or I’ll stop.”
Callie nods, keeping her knees together but lifting her hips to follow Junivere’s hand. The Devotia’s free hand wraps around the underside of her waist, keeping Callie firmly in place while gently slipping her fingers to massage between Callie’s legs.
Callie’s eyes close, riding the initial wave of pleasure. “He’ll still come see me,” she begins.
“I’m glad,” Junivere replies, her fingers tugging Callie’s panties aside. Callie feels a fingertip cautiously press against her asshole, causing the front of her panties to pull tightly as her clit stands at attention.
“He wants more,” Callie explains between quick breaths. “Ooooh,” she exhales as Junivere’s finger slips inside, circling around as Callie adjusts to the feeling.
“More what?”
“To be more than just…” she moans softly, steadying herself and trying to keep talking. “... than just what we are. He wants to be with me.”
Junivere’s free hand raises to cup Callie’s breast, gently plucking at her nipples and causing Callie to twitch happily in response. “What did you tell him?”
“He didn’t think he coul-,” she gasps, feeling the finger find the small button inside of her and start lightly pushing it. “Could stop himself. He didn’t want to get m-me in trouble by starting a relationship.”
“What did you tell him?” Junivere repeats, a little more urgency in her voice. Callie pushes back into her chest, her body growing hot and sticky.
Callie lets out another soft moan, continuing to rock her hips into Junivere’s hand and riding each building wave of delight. “I-I said… said that wasn’t enough reason to break things off with me.”
“But did you say you wanted more, too?” Junivere’s voice openly carries concern, but she remains focused on the task. As Callie’s breaths grow louder and her hips move faster, Junivere slips a second finger to join the first, steadily sliding them in and out of the desperate girl, ensuring that each push inside presses against her sensitive spot.
“No-,” Callie squeaks. It takes a long moment to return her composure, and she drops a hand to her clit, rubbing her palm across the shaft and reveling in the shivering sensation of both simulations. “I told him that he… he wasn’t trusting me to be strong enough to resist h-him.”
“Good,” Junivere coos, letting the tension drop out of her tone. Callie can feel the other Devotia relax, now allowing herself to enjoy the feeling of Callie squirming under her touch. “Keep going.”
“S-so I teased him,” Callie’s voice grows quiet as she feels a pressure build inside of her. Her clit aches to burst and she removes her hand quickly, giving herself more time to simply enjoy the feeling. “The way you do to me,” she smirks, feeling Junivere’s mouth begin placing kisses along the back of her neck.
“So you have been listening,” Junivere muses proudly.
“Ah!” Callie cries out, feeling Junivere slip a third finger inside to spread her open wider. She twirls them independently, causing a steady stream of movement to press against Callie’s prostate. Clutching the cushion to her chest, Callie feels Junivere’s free hand drop to her lower abdomen, starting to tease her front as well. “June,” Callie mutters, feeling her mind give into her desperation for her.
Junivere pauses suddenly, giving Callie a moment to relax and manage the coursing bliss warming her skin. “If you don’t continue…” Junivere threatens, reveling in the urgent nod Callie gives in return.
“I sat in his laaaaapp,” Callie exhales tightly as Junivere’s hand slides between the front of her legs, her palm pressing against her shaft while her fingers stimulate her prostate from the outside as well. She sighs divinely, feeling like her clit was going to explode. “And made him t-touch me,” she lets out another high squeak as Junivere adds more pressure.
“So that’s how you got so worked up, too,” Junivere laughs lightly, pushing Callie into the back of the couch. She shoves Callie’s face into the cushion, shifting her own weight to take more control of her movements below. Callie rocks, feeling a small pool of liquid slowly form at the front of her panties and gasping happily at Junivere’s touch.
“And when…” she closes her eyes, throwing a hand to stop Junivere for a brief moment to edge herself more. She takes a breath, resting a moment before allowing Junivere to continue. “When I could tell he was desperate… I m-made him stop.”
“Perfection,” Junivere utters mischievously. “Very good girl.”
Callie’s chest bubbles happily. She leans her head back towards Junivere, lips parting with each lustful exhale, and asks, “Can… can I cum n-now?”
Junivere lets out a delighted laugh, shaking her head. “Not until your story is done,” she grins.
Callie shuts her eyelids tightly and tries to push down the urgent need in her hips. Junivere gives her no reprieve, continuing to stroke her just as quickly and rushing to pull the orgasm from her.
“I-I still… please,” Callie begs, her mind collapsing into a base desire. It slowly becomes impossible to think clearly as she’s consumed by the pleasure rushing to its apex.
“You know what happens if you finish without permission…” Junivere warns, and Callie remembers quickly the feeling of her hand cracking against her naked skin. She gulps down her pleads, forcing herself to fight the feeling in her clit and continues.
“I sent him aw-away,” she huffs. Callie takes a few deep breaths, feeling Junivere’s fingers increase their pressure on the button inside her.
“No blessing?” Worry creeps into Junivere’s voice again, concerned for any potential scandal.
“Please,” Callie gasps again, but shakes her own head to clear her focus. It takes a moment to steady herself, but she answers, “I… I did it!”
“You did?” Junivere’s excitement is hard to ignore. “Cum for me,” she commands mercifully.
Callie nods gratefully, letting down her defenses and allowing the orgasm to consume her. Her hips shiver against Junivere’s softs hands, muscles clenching tightly as an overwhelming moan escapes her mouth. She feels her clit burst, pouring sticky liquid onto Junivere’s palm.
She throws herself back into the Devotia’s arms, feeling each wave of sensation flood her senses, receding just briefly to be followed quickly by another powerful surge. Her mind melts into the feeling, letting her exhausted body collapse and be drained of everything else.
“You’ve been a very good girl, hal Devotia,” Juniver mewls delightedly, slowly dragging her hand across Callie’s stomach and leaving behind a trail of warm cum. Callie’s eyes reopen, only to shut again as Junivere’s fingers exit her ass, overcome by the sensitive shiver it sends through her.
Callie’s breaths continue to leave her rapidly, only slowing as she turns to lay on her back next to Junivere, who sits up and sweetly brushes the hair out of Callie’s face. She smiles down at Callie, savoring the satisfied glow across her face as her body returns to a peaceful state.
“Thanks, June,” Callie mutters, grinning.
“So you did it?” Junivere stokes a hand down Callie’s arm, enjoying the feeling of warmth on her soft skin.
Callie nods in confirmation. “Still technically a sexual blessing,” she concedes, “but more control than I’ve ever had in one.”
“That’s amazing. You just might actually last as Devotia.”
Raising her head to face Junivere, Callie’s face softens. A tenderness blossoms inside of her, replacing the hot fires of sex with a calmer warmth. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
“Yeah, you could have,” Junivere waves away her gratitude. “It might’ve taken longer and been rockier, but I know you could’ve done it.”
“Accept the compliment,” Callie lets out an exasperated puff, eyes twinkling happily. She lets her head lay back into the couch, looking up at the high ceiling above them, wondering, not for the first time, how it was possible that this was her life.
