I have trouble pushing down my smile at her response when we should both at least appear to be concealing our grief so I draw Leomi inside the tavern. Teva is working at the bar and doesn't notice us.

Some of the clients do but they don't make a ruckus which allows me to pull Leomi into a quiet corner. Liz presses her against the wall with our chest while reaching up to kiss.

She can't help but seize our ass despite my hard leather armor being... well hard and not very pleasant to the touch. We still find the feeling of her hands very satisfying and the sensation of her lips on ours fulfilling.

Oddly enough, my kitten goes no further when being in public should be something that excites her, which was part of my motivation for doing this. A little girl in a brown dress with scratches at knee level bursts into the inn.

“News! News!” She erupts. “Jessica Freepath began a massacre at the Little Rock inn after being ambushed by thugs! No survivors!”

“Nonsense!” Teva immediately exclaims. “She doesn't kill innocents.”

I turn to check whether she truly believes her words and almost blush at her serious frown. I witness her expression shifting to puzzlement as she notices most of the clients are dead silent.

“Uh.” One of those who noticed us first speaks up as he glances at us.

“Hey.” I call out to Teva.

She peers at us in astonishment. Leomi grips hard at my butt. The little girl turns pale and grips her fists hard against her thighs as she stares at me. Teva scowls hard at Lance and stomps over.

“It's alright kiddo, I assume someone gave you coin for it.” I probe the child who nods. “There, take this and don't go around spreading that lie.” I tell her with a smile as I throw her a silver coin.

The girl hops up to snatch it out of the air and sprints out of the tavern as if on fire. I chuckle while Teva and Leomi peer at me with eminently disapproving expressions.

“What? Much worse than that has been said of me.” I say with a shrug. “And this isn't entirely unexpected, it's how Nobility functions.”

“We have no way to clear it up, Jess, there aren't any witnesses we can present.” Leomi utters, paling as the girl had.

“She'll deal with it, don't worry.” I reassure my fiancee, trusting that Aisha will see to countering the rumor and likely began working at it while we spoke. “There will be confusion but, in the end, truth will surface.”

“Yeah, but clearing that blood off of you is now urgent.” Leomi says. “Take us to a room upstairs.” She commands Teva, causing me to wince.

“I don't care who you think you are but you're in Kruzser, Lady.” My fiery redhead rebukes as she shifts her gaze to me. I squeeze Leomi's hand to keep her calm. “You two are still together.” Teva spells out with a somber tone.

“We've learned to work out our issues.” I explain.

“I'm glad, good for you Jess.” She responds with a tight smile and tension to her eyebrows that make her look sad.

“I didn't mean to hurt you, not again.” I tell her, experiencing her emotion like a punch to my stomach. “I should've known.”

“No, it's me.” Teva replies gently as she shakes her head, causing her braid to wave.

“What about Julie? I thought...” I trail off.

“No, she's just a friend.” She tells me as her traits fall even more. She suddenly perks up. “Let's go get you cleaned up, you can tell me what happened in detail.”

I nod and pull my unusually silent fiancee along as Teva guides us upstairs. I hope these two won't be at odds because I've enough on my plate as it is, it isn't easy to plan the slaughter of an entire Noble faction.

We walk several flights of stairs until we reach the last floor which lies directly under the roof and beams. Teva's room is in the corner near a closet, giving her more privacy than others. Inside is a small wooden tub and several buckets of water already filled up.

“You can use it, I'll refill them after my shift.” She tells me as she looks over my shoulder and to the door, apparently seeking an excuse to leave.

“I don't need a bath, Teva, it's fine.” I reassure her with a smile.

I start taking my cuirass off but Leomi quickly pushes my hand away to take over. Teva shifts away to look out her sky-window. I smother a sigh and look to Leomi who grants me a smile.

“Teva, I'm sorry but you're in danger right now.” I speak up.

“What? Why? Did they find out?” She asks urgently.

“Nobles haven't.” I deny. “The threat against you is because I came to visit you at the University. Wraith might take you as a target to get to me so you have to move for a short while until I've settled things.”

“Wraith?” She blinks as she turns around.

“A killer who works for Roskal.” I reply. Although he appears far from loyal. “The Shades also know what you did but I don't believe it'll be an issue, they're keeping tabs on you but that's it as far as I know.”

“I, Shades?” She stutters the question with tightening traits.

“Agents of the Empire, you don't need to worry about it.” I reassure her.

“These two things don't go together, Liz!” Teva says with a touch of panic.

“You won't come to harm as long as you're in my care, I owe you her life.” Leomi says.

“You don't own her life to owe it to me, and she doesn't owe me anything.” My fiery redhead snaps at Leomi.

“My jay does belong to me, as I belong to her.” Lance replies with an amused smile.

She raises her left arm to show off the bracelet and ring proving our engagement. Leomi then lays her hand flat on my stomach in a possessive gesture while glancing to the ring on my right hand. I belatedly notice she's unfastened even my hard leather armor's jacket.

“I'm sure she heard by now.” Lance continues with a raised eyebrow. “It sure didn't stop her from wanting to poach you from me.”

“We're engaged.” I speak up, aware Teva knew but feeling it important to make it clear to settle this before it becomes an issue.

“I know what you are, Leomi Lance.” Teva throws with a dark tone, ignoring me.

“Whatever you think I may be, or what you think you know, I was taught to be a boon to the world. I strove to follow this teaching, what have you done?” Lance replies scathingly. Damn them both.

“I've not voluntarily harmed those I claim to care about, and never will.” The redhead utters flatly. Leomi tenses.

“I've seen you, all of you.” My fiancee attacks, referring to the moment I took Teva in front of her.

The two of us turn red, Teva's reasons are obvious but mine surprise me. I hadn't expected to still hold such an attraction for this bright redhead and her hazel eyes that the mention of the event would cause tingles in the pit of my stomach. Leomi doesn't seem to care or notice.

“You took their gold but couldn't push through to the end of your convictions. You're a coward, how could you harm others even if you had the inclination?” My lover presses.

This is a low blow, it was difficult for Teva to work for the Rykz and she had no other options to get off the Izla. Who can blame her to wish to get away from war? I open my mouth to intervene but both women snap hard gazes my way, shutting me up.

“Coward, is it?” Teva murmurs between grit teeth. “Give and take isn't it? That's how you function. Then don't you owe me a sight?” She aggressively questions.

“You want Jessica to take me in front of you?” Leomi asks with a smirk. “I've no issue with it but... can you handle that?”

“...” Teva gapes just a touch and turns red as a tomato. “I can, but I'd rather have Elizabeth while you watch impotently as you did back then.” She returns, trying to sound aggressive but her voice comes out feeble, not that it removes the bite to her words.

“No.” We cut in. “This isn't happening, you're important to me Teva but we've not...”

“Oh, Lake! I'm so sorry, Elizabeth!” My fiery redhead hurriedly exclaims with a harrowing expression, as if she suggested something terrible.

“No, I'm sure it would be great but...” I start.

“Would it, now?” Leomi questions with a freezing tone as she plunges her nails into my belly.

“I'm acting as she did, I got caught up and said something stupid.” Teva apologizes profusely.

“It's fine, Teva.” I gently tell her. “Leomi, how about you clean up my armor while the two of us talk?” I ask my fiancee.

“Hrmph.” She grunts and releases her grip on my stomach.

Teva watches with a stunned expression as Lady Leomi Lance, honorary Duchess of Izla Meria and Grand Commander of the Hospitaliers, picks up the pieces of my armor to bring them to the wooden tub and start cleaning it up.

I take Teva to the side and tell her about recent events with some background, mentioning Yvonne as well for the same reason as I did for Aisha. I trust her and even if she were to blow the ruse it wouldn't be too much of an issue as she is now as safe as can be among the Hospitaliers.

“But how have you been doing, Jess?” Teva questions at the end.

“That's all you have to ask?” I blink in surprise.

“It's all I really want to know.” She replies with one of her bright smiles full of freckles.

“Good, my health isn't doing too well but I have a handle on it.” I tell her. Her eyes trail to my left side, and not only the arm, but she quickly looks away.

“I heard Jessica Freepath lost her arm before we met.” She mentions.

“It's a long story.” I quibble.

“I have time.” She says with an encouraging smile. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

“There are some secrets I wish to keep because I don't want to tarnish your opinion of me, Teva.” I tell her with a serious tone. “What we had and now have is precious to me, I don't have many friends.”

“I wouldn't turn my back on you, Elizabeth.” She returns with a serious expression, not even showing a hint of being offended by the rebuke.

“I wish it was something I could easily share with you.” I confess, feeling no shame about what I am but seeing no benefit in doing so if it's going to harm our friendship.

“Keep the secret, I was merely curious.” She reassures me. “What we have is very important to me as well, Elizabeth. You don't need to tell me if you're not comfortable, even though I am certain it wouldn't change anything.” She explains with fire in her hazel eyes that make me uncomfortable because of how attractive she is despite her prominent chest.

“What do you think of Leomi now that you've met her?” I ask to try to remind her I'm spoken for, by two magnificent beings nonetheless.

“Rhm.” Teva clears her throat but it comes out sounding like a groan. “I admire what she did but I don't like her. She appears just as controlling as you told me, if more conciliatory.” She declares with a flat tone. “She's a Noble down to the bone in the end.”

“It's only a small part of her.” I tell Teva with a smile. “I got over it.”

“Is it?” She questions seriously. “Nobility always plays to win, Elizabeth. What better way than to plant pawns on every side of the board?”

“Teva, Leomi is anything but a pawn.” I reassure her.

“I would agree, but how many of those does she control and move as she pleases?” She asks.

“Lance isn't forcing anyone to follow her.” I respond. But she's the only option for Izla Meria so she has no need to.

“Are you sure you're not one of her pawns?” Teva questions directly with a flat voice. “I heard about your fight and, all of a sudden, she comes back to you when she's under attack by another faction. It's too convenient.”

“We're lovers, Teva.” I tell my friend with an amused but kind smile. “Of course she would seek my company when things are tough, we share the good and bad.”

“But...” She begins but I raise my hand.

“I know what you're trying to say and yes Leomi can be manipulative, conniving, but her feelings for me are as real as mine for her. She angers me at times but she always thinks of me, for me.” I firmly establish. “You used to like her.”

“Shows how much I knew.” Teva remarks bitterly. “But enough of her, how is your eye?”

“I almost forgot but it burns like fuck.” I say with a chortle as I rub the new scar. “I hope it won't look too bad once it's healed and my eyebrow grows back.”

“Trust me, you look fine.” She tells me with a longing sigh, refusing to hide her attraction. “Your skin is red and swollen around the cut but I don't think it'll blister.”

“Good.” I say with a smile. I catch the fact there are more words she wishes to say so I change the subject. “I think Leomi is done, we should go.”

“Where?” She asks.

“The Hospitaliers' barracks, I don't know where they are but they would be around the Imperia Hotel.” I reply. “Leomi!” I call out.

My kitten walks over holding my cuirass and arm-guard. She ignores Teva completely to start putting it back on me, taking all the care in the world towards those of my scars she knows are sensitive. I can't help but grin at the treatment.

“We're going to talk about making a trip to the University very soon, Jess.” She whispers to me.

“Did you find someone?” I question.

“A specialist of nourishing constructs that worked on Nobles with weak hearts in the past, he may have a way to help you.” She explains.

“Can we trust him, though?” I ask.

“I don't know but we could have someone we trust learn by his side.” Leomi explains.

“Sounds reasonable but night is fast approaching so we should go.” I speak up.

The three of us make our way downstairs and Teva guides us out of the Howling Sailor tavern through a backdoor. We encounter no ambushes as we make our way through the streets, logical considering the number of imperial patrols seems to have doubled.

The gazes people lay on me hold much more uncertainty and discomfort than they did before. I shrug it off, used to it, but it displeases both the women by my side and each complains in turn as if they hadn't heard the other's words.

We arrive in the block of the Imperia Hotel without incident but Leomi stops us there and gives Teva directions to reach the Hospitalier barracks, as if trying to get rid of her.

“Go up first, Lance, I'll say my goodbyes and join you.” I tell her as a bit of a rebuke.

I can tell she's being mean but don't challenge the plan because night is falling so my time to act is running short, and I don't want to give Teva hopes that we can get back together. Not to mention I believe her feelings for me originate from loneliness, and homesickness.

“Take care of yourself, sunshine.” I tell this woman who is full of light and always so caring. She bites onto her lower lip. “We will see each other again but it may take a while.” I add.

“Okay.” She mutters. “Can I tell you something?” She asks intently while leaning forward.

“Of course.” I reply with a smile.

“You're gorgeous, Elizabeth Vil. I can feel that you're much more confident in yourself.” Teva whispers in my ear as her fiery braid swings to tap my chest. “If you want, I'm available for you to take like you did back then... Anytime.”

Her sultry voice causes tingles much further down than our stomach this time, it makes us moist and desiring to seize her for ourselves as she is offering but we sadly can't accept despite how much we want to.

Teva, cheeks bright red, suddenly turns and scampers away with her braided hair jumping on her back. I watch her go, feeling queasy and guilty about the emotions I hold for her.

It isn't love but... it's not not love either. There is a deep friendship between us but there is also the attraction of two women for each other. Unfortunately for her, she does not have the will to engage on the path Leomi and I have chosen.

I make my way into the Imperia Hotel and straight upstairs to Lance's new room where I find her naked, inspecting two dresses that she each holds in one hand. I remain standing in the door-frame for a moment to appreciate her chiseled body and the marks I drew on her.

I wonder why she took even her bra and laced panties off but consider it may be a reaction of insecurity so I quickly walk up to seize her perfect tiny left breast, completely for her benefit of course.

“This one's mine.” I murmur then switch to the other. “This one's mine too.”

Leomi lets out clear tinkling laughter and leans down to kiss the top of my head. She takes a step back and slides one of the dresses on to try it out. I admire her gorgeous figure for a short while.

“The Little one's in the corner but where is the rest of my gear?” I ask her, half-expecting a trick or argument to follow.

“In my bedroom, secure.” She replies. “First we need to establish ground rules, Jessica Elizabeth Vil Freepath.”

“Chirp.” The jay quips while saluting by holding its wing to its forehead.

“Go on.” I encourage her.

“No going in alone or without reinforcements.”

“I had no intention to, we might not be enough to trap Wraith.” I say. “I disagree.” Liz says. “But fine, there will be a need for cleanup after I'm done.”

“Pick fights with me and my people when we run into each other.”

“That would likely happen on its own.”

“Don't exert yourself physically more than you would walking for a whole day.” She adds with a tense voice.

“Noted.” I agree because it's only fair to do this for Leomi since she's letting me do this without arguing, besides it's necessary so I don't collapse in the middle of enemy troops.

“And a few dozen other rules I haven't come up with yet but will keep adding on depending on circumstances.” Leomi finishes without a hint of shame.

“Okay, but I'll fight you on those.” I respond with a wink.

“I'm counting on it.” Lance says with a shudder of excitement.

“Kitten.” I tell her, turning serious.

“Yes, my jay?” She asks.

“We're going to talk about your Mother and how you're going to grieve her after this.” I affirm.

“...” Leomi takes a deep breath but falls silent and remains so for a long time. Minutes pass without a reaction until, finally, she makes a sharp nod.