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.

for you to

ground. Soon, her graceful figure

belatedly raised a hand and

burning cheek.

heavy

very cruel... or doesn't understand passion

was what he needed

hid a wide smile behind his hand

been really

but when did she become so

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

his senses

“...Wow."

noticed Aiko, who had been

'Crap.'

seen

a few moments, then slowly extended a tiny fist and raised her

Good job! You work

Sunny's expression collapsed.

for a split second,

here. Don't worry, I'll make it quick. It won't hurt at

the sounds of something overturning and falling to the floor could be

***

the emerald grass of the Ivory Island. Her wings disappeared, and with them, the pain tormenting her receded, as

headed to the tower. There were Fire Keepers busy with various errands here and there, and even more of them inside the

greetings with curt nods, her face the usual inexpressive mask

personal quarters on the highest level

later, Nephis let out a shaky breath, leaned on

cheeks turned an alarming shade of red

I do?! I'm crazy! I've actually lost

was

breakdown when a

was standing there with a

turned into

yourself,

Cassie saw it all,

Nephis was suddenly mortified.

mercifully quiet for a few moments, then

what a line! Even I was almost seduced, poor Master Sunless must have collapsed into a puddle as soon as you left... 1 didn't know you had

groan escaped

It's all your fault, you wicked woman! If you hadn't been whispering into my ear, I would not

shoulder one more time and

blaming me for? I think it

Nephis closed her eyes.

damn war approaching.