Shadow Slave

It was already getting dark when Sunny and Nephis returned to the Brilliant Emporium.

The rest of the dinner in the upscale restaurant had been uneventful. They had agreed to turn their pretend relationship into a real one - or at least try to. However, neither of them wanted for their first actual date to happen right there and then, in a place carefully prepared by someone else to create a false impression of how they felt about each other.

Sunny wanted to be the one making plans, at least, considering that he was the person who had invited Nephis on a date.

So, they enjoyed the food and discussed the play, both failing to hold back an occasional smile. Then, Nephis walked him home. Neither talked much on the way, but the silence wasn't awkward. Instead, it was comfortable and pleasant, full of unspoken potential.

Finally, they reached the quiet street where the Brilliant Emporium was located. The lake was just beyond the cottage.

Sunny and Nephis stopped near the porch. The sun was rolling behind the horizon, washing the world in the fiery blaze of its last rays. All throughout Bastion, shadows crawled from the dark corners, shrouding the city in twilight. Sunny was standing in the shade cast by the walls of the cottage, while Nephis was in the light, her striking grey eyes reflecting the splendor of the sunset.

She smiled faintly.

I will see you soon, then. Thank you for today, Master Sunless."

He bowed elegantly and answered with a smile of his own:

"I'll be counting the days until our next meeting, Lady Nephis."

She hesitated for a moment, then took a step back. The cascading sunlight shone radiantly behind her, forming into two beautiful white wings.

Nephis was ready to return to her heavenly palace.

Before that, however...

She lingered, then suddenly took a step forward and stopped right in front of Sunny. Before he could understand what was happening, Nephis raised her hands, placed them on his shoulders, and pulled him into a tight hug.

Sunny's eyes widened. He was so startled by her actions that his mind refused to process what was happening. He just knew that he felt a lot of things... the warmth of her touch, the firmness of her embrace, the softness of her body...

A few moments later, Nephis let him go and drew back.

Sunny looked at her dazedly.

"What... was that for?"

She met his gaze and smiled slightly,

"Just something I've been wanting to do!

With that, she bent down a little.

Her soft lips touched his cheek lightly, which made Sunny's whole body shudder. The spot where she had kissed him seemed to be on fire. No, his entire being was.

'Damn it... she can sense exactly what kind of reaction she's having on me, can't she? That's... that's unfair!'

Nephis looked him in the eyes for a moment, then chuckled.

to think about while

turned and pushed herself off the ground. Soon, her graceful figure

belatedly raised a hand and covered

burning cheek.

time later, a heavy sigh escaped

or doesn't understand passion nearly as well as

was what

behind his hand and walked

had been

but when did

a simple melody, he entered the Brilliant Emporium. Sunny was so lost in thought that

came to his senses when he

“...Wow."

Aiko, who had been wiping

'Crap.'

she seen

Sunny for a few moments,

admire you, boss! Good job!

Sunny's expression collapsed.

a split second, then said in an even

worry, I'll make it quick. It won't

the sounds of something overturning and falling to the

***

the Ivory Island. Her wings

took a deep breath, raised her head slightly, and headed to the tower. There were Fire Keepers busy with various errands here and there, and

curt nods, her face the usual inexpressive mask

like that, she reached her personal quarters on the highest level of the Ivory Tower, entered them, and

let out a shaky breath, leaned on the door, and covered her

cheeks turned an alarming shade of red all

What did I do?! I'm

was

was in the middle of having a miniature breakdown when a soft hand patted her

who was standing there

turned into

too hard on yourself,

saw

Nephis was suddenly mortified.

remained mercifully quiet for a few moments, then added in a familiar

ah, what a line! Even I was almost seduced, poor Master Sunless must have collapsed into a puddle as soon as

low groan escaped from Neph's

If you hadn't been whispering into my ear, I would not have... I would have... it wouldn't have happened

shoulder one more time and

blaming me for?

Nephis closed her eyes.

am I reacting so strongly? There's a damn war approaching. There are more important things to