Arthur's Point of View

Dwarven Coast/Harbor City

“You’re telling me I slept with the Priestess last night?” I asked, more amused than anything.

Kheri nodded in a very sarcastic manner that went well with her reply. “Uh, yeah!”

“I’m gonna take ‘things that didn’t happen’ for five-hundred.”

Her nose furled. “What?” She asked back

Taking another drink of water, I ignored her confusion. “Look, not that I’m against getting laid, but sex isn’t really an option for me.”

Kheri just looked at me like I was insane and repeated her disbelief once more. “What?!”

“Trust me, I’d love to get down and dirty. It’s been a long time. God, it’s been a long time…” I trailed off. “Too long. Like, way too long.” Finishing the pitcher, I gestured to her. “But if you want to try to convince me of something, pick a different topic.”

“…” The Zugal General just looked at me, stunned.

Holding my head as it pounded again, I flinched a little before continuing. “So, whatever this is about, leave me out of it. I’m terrified at the thought of the possibility of having kids.” Especially now, given my powers. I didn’t even want to get into how I felt about Lucia… “It’s borderline horrifying.” That was a can of worms I forced myself not to think about.

To my surprise, Kheri flipped the table over to the side and closed the gap between us. Grabbing my collar, she dragged us to the ground, where she pinned me down. I mean, I let it happen since it was a little surprising, given her character. Her glare was almost murderous as she kept me there and shook me. Many of the guards moved to grab her, but several of our own were there, so it made for a little bit of a standoff.

“As amusing as this is,” I began as I spoke dully. “Let go of me.” I told her.

Kheri looked livid. “I’ve put up with a lot of shit from you, but not this!” She bellowed in my face and shook me.

I rolled my eyes. “Kheri, I’m telling you there is no possible way I slept with Elincia!” My reply was loud, and I gestured around the room. “Does anyone even believe that she would sleep with me!?” I asked aloud.

To my surprise, almost everyone averted their gazes. A chill ran down my neck as each of them avoided the question. Grabbing Kheri’s wrist, I stood up as she struggled in my grasp while I looked around.

“This is all some elaborate joke, or at least a poor attempt at one, right?” I asked softer.

A few people cleared their throats as Kheri kept her gaze fixed on me. Her glare would be frightening to most people. My mind raced as I tried to remember last night. There were only fragments. Sure, I could definitely remember if I boosted my energy, but that wasn’t an option right now. Given how low it was… I didn’t know if it was because of the poison or if it was because of this headache that seemed to be getting worse. However, my eyes widened when I remembered that I had felt something draped across me this morning.

Immediately, I focused on the room I left this morning on the second floor. She tried to stop me until she realized I was heading back up to the second floor. Jumping over the railing in one motion, I landed in front of the door. My hand reached out for the door, but I stopped in fear of what I would find. As my chest heaved, my fingers slowly turned the knob.

Inside was my worst nightmare. Elincia was there. She was awake. However, she was in the only bed in the room. The same bed I woke up in. Her form was disheveled, messy, and bare. My teeth grit at her nude appearance. Sitting up in the bed, the Priestess sat there topless as she looked at me.

Slamming the door shut behind me, so no one would see her was about the only kindness I had in me. Her wings twitched at that as she watched me move over to a chair. I grabbed it and moved it beside the bed as she slowly covered herself with the blanket.

Unfortunately, it didn’t help cover what I was actually staring at. My eyes were focused on her lower abdomen. More specifically, what was emanating from her lower stomach just above her groin. I felt my eyes twitch as I saw my energy swirling around inside her, which almost made me want to puke.

There were no words for how I felt. “Arthur…” Elincia called out to me, but I didn’t answer. “Are you okay?” She inquired, and I locked eyes with her. “Your face seems to be fluctuating between a variety of emotions.”

Slouching over, I didn’t respond. Instead, I merely covered my eyes with my hands as I tried to come up with some manner of response.