The morning a week before we leave for the north, I open the door to Miss Talia. She looks the same as usual, her dark hair left to fall straight down her back like a waterfall of darkness, her eyes closed, and wearing her usual dull, gray robe that can’t hide her modest but enticing curves. I check around her, looking for any bags, but there is nothing besides her lovely self.

“Good morning, Lou,” she greets in her magical voice.

“Morning. Are you not able to stay over?”

“I will stay as long as I am needed.”

“But you have no luggage.”

She tilts her head. “Kierra said she would take care of it. Did she not inform you?”

No, she didn’t, but I’m not surprised. Miss Talia is interested in me yet we have done nothing more than share a few conversations. The dorm mother isn’t used to relationships. We are easing into deeper intimacy. Kierra has taken the lead in accustoming the dorm mother to such things.

In the elf’s world, there exists “mates” that are meant to be conquered, or to conquer her as she would prefer for me, and there are “flowers”, beautiful, delicate things that are meant to be protected and admired.

Miss Talia is her flower. She dotes on her in a way that is both sweet and easily seen as demeaning. It goes beyond pampering. She is truly like a flower, to be moved, watered, and pruned at her gardener’s discretion.

I’ve seen a similar dynamic between men with vastly younger wives in my home village. Families tend to prefer marrying their daughters of appropriate age to older men with established income and life experience as opposed to indulging the fleeting love and rampant lust of a more youthful partner.

Of course Kierra would want to take care of her during her stay and if she says to come empty-handed, Miss Talia would trust her implicitly. That is her role as a flower.

“Come on in.”

I close the door behind her as she steps inside. “You smell nice.”

“Hm? Thanks.” It’s not much of an achievement as I literally cannot smell anything besides nice. I suppose I can be covered in something that smells unpleasant but I’m hardly about to dump a chamber pot over my head.

Miss Talia’s lips turn down the slightest fraction. “Did that not make you happy?”

I smother a laugh. “It did but, hm. It was lacking a bit of power. That sounded like something an awkward boy might say to his childhood crush.”

“Power?” she questions.

“Something like…” I grab one of her hands, cupping the fingers gently as I flash a charming smile, or at least what I hope is one. “You grow more beautiful each time I see you, Talia. I must wonder if you have a physical affinity as your mere presence heals my heart.” I kiss her fingers for good measure before letting go with a chuckle.

Not that I know much about flirting. I wooed my wife with brawling and shapeshifting. Alana, well, I certainly drowned her in compliments but they had less effect than my brazen confidence delivering them, I think. Or perhaps my attractiveness.

“I see.”

“Well, don’t worry about it too much.” I loop our arms together and lead her to the dining room. “I like you just the way you are.”

“There is always room to improve. To remain the same is to stagnate.”

“If you say so. Have you eaten breakfast?”

“No.”

“And this will be your first time eating my succubus’ cooking. You’re in for a treat.”

Kierra and Alana are already seated, Geneva serving them. My wife perks up as we enter, smiling softly as I guide Miss Talia to a seat next to her before reclaiming my own.

There’s a long silence as food is served and we dig into it. I pay attention to the dorm mother, eager to see her reaction. Even Geneva’s cooking isn’t enough to melt her stiff features but she does smile noticeably. I suppose that’s a win.

I clear my throat after a few minutes, grabbing their attention. “Alright, ladies. You all know why you’re here, besides giving me the pleasure of your company.”

Alana reluctantly puts down her fork. “You want us to be present for your summoning.”

“Exactly. Feel free to keep eating, I’m just going to talk for a while.” I chuckle as Alana doesn’t hesitate to take me up on that offer. Bell, bring me my notes.

Moments later, the imp comes scampering into the room, my notes rolled up in her tail. I lift her into my lap, settling her on a thigh as I grab them. “The elemental I am going to summon is called a lueorale. Masters of illusion and theater. Purveyors of culture and all manners of mortal delights.”

“Sounds right up your alley,” Alana mutters.

“Not finished, sweetie.” I snicker at her flush. “They are also pacifists who value the bonds between family and friends. They are known for their love of justice and heroes, going as far as to assist and guide those who do good deeds. In short, they’re going to love you.”

She makes a thoughtful humming noise and goes back to her breakfast.

“They have three affinities, wind, light, and null. Their primary affinity is light and they specialize in illusions. The wind affinity is used to create sound to accompany said illusions and they have a penchant for music. They use the null affinity primarily as a means of escape but are also capable of moving multiple individuals across vast distances instantaneously.”

“I advise you do not mention that to anyone else, Lou,” Miss Talia says and I think I can hear the faintest traces of genuine concern in her voice.

“Teleportation is a highly valued skill but it is far too costly in mana to be a viable means of transportation by either merchants or the army. If this being has a spell that reduces those costs, there are many powerful individuals who will hound you to the ends of the kingdom to obtain it.”

“Of course they would,” I grumble.

“Couldn’t they just hire a summoner to contract one for them?” Alana asks around a mouthful of sausage. She really does have terrible table manners when she’s not consciously minding them.

“If this kingdom understood the value of a competent summoner, that would indeed be their best option. Unfortunately, they don’t. Thanks to the Grimoires, summoners are despised by the nobles and the nobles dictate policy.

“They would be hard pressed to find a summoner with the skill and knowledge to build a proper circle. They’d be harder pressed to find such a person who can also entice the elemental into forming a contract.

“The lueorale want to have a good time. They aren’t going to want to tie themselves to a stiff-spined worker bowing and scraping at the feet of a noble master who wants to fill his coffers with more gold. They enjoy free spirits and wild adventures. Dashing heroes and charming maidens.”

I point to myself. “Free spirit.” The finger moves to Kierra. “Wild adventures.” I move on to Alana. “Dashing hero.” Finally, Miss Talia. “Charming maiden.”

“We make enticing bait,” my wife purrs.

“Precisely why I chose this elemental. We are the ideal contractors for a lueorale and it is the ideal companion for us. Despite their pacifism, they have knowledge of combat and how to use their affinities, and others, in combat. They are also well-traveled, so they can offer knowledge of other realms and what they can offer. Now.”

I flip through a few of the papers, finding the notes I’m looking for. “The circle was completed last night so all that’s needed is to power it. However, before I do that, we need to make sure we have the environment right. The lueorale wants a good time. So, to entice it, we need to show it a good time. This is where you come in.

“All I need you to do is enjoy yourselves. The most important thing is to relax. Don’t try and force it, that’s the last thing I want. I’ve provided drinks, snacks, and comfortable chairs. It’d be better if I had a ballroom at my disposable and a few musicians but that would be far too public. Ah, well. We make do with what we have.”

“I can sing if that would help.”

I turn to Miss Talia sharply. “Sing?”

“Mm. The children in the orphanage I grew up in are taught trades and arts. They work to help provide income and those with talents have a better chance at being adopted or receiving patronage. I was praised many times for my voice. Lord Remmings, who became my teacher and patron, insisted my training be continued.”

With her voice, I’m inclined to believe her but I’m too cautious with summoning to take her on her word. “Show me.”

Kierra thoughtfully hands the dorm mother her cup of wine, the elf rarely drinks anything else now that she has a supply of the good stuff, urging Miss Talia to take a deep swallow. Miss Talia clears her throat. Then she sings.

It’s nothing like the bawdy songs drunken customers sing in taverns or the lyrical and sensitive songs popular at banquets. She doesn’t say a word. She just…makes a few sounds.

A note that rises and dips as she holds it. And yet, it is unquestionably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. I stare at her in slack-jawed surprise. I don’t say anything. I don’t think anything. It’d ruin the moment.

The rest of the table is in a similar state. Alana has even abandoned her food to listen, watching the dorm mother she’d been subtly ignoring with rapt attention. Kierra watches her with a smile, holding her chin in a hand.

“Was that acceptable?”

It takes me a moment to regain my senses once she finishes. Her expression remains as blank as ever but I have to swallow back a sudden urge to kiss her.

I used to wonder why the village girls fawned over the bards that passed through the local tavern despite them being just as poor and generally unattractive as their other choices. Worse options even, given they didn’t have land to inherit or a stable income. I think I get it now. Miss Talia’s voice does something to me but her singing…mm. It’s dangerous.

“Yeah. Do that.”