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

off the ground. Soon, her graceful figure

a hand and

burning cheek.

heavy

understand passion nearly as well as she thinks she

cold shower, That was what he needed

a wide smile behind

been really

when did she become so

Sunny was so lost in thought that he didn't notice someone standing there, looking

to his senses when he heard them

“...Wow."

finally noticed Aiko, who had been wiping the tables

'Crap.'

she seen

moments, then slowly extended a tiny

you, boss! Good job! You work so

Sunny's expression collapsed.

second, then said in an

make it quick. It won't

the sounds of something overturning and falling to the

***

gracefully on the emerald grass of the Ivory Island. Her wings disappeared, and with them, the

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

with curt nods, her face the usual inexpressive mask

on the highest level of the

moment later, Nephis let out a shaky breath, leaned on the door,

an alarming shade of red all of a

did I do?! I'm crazy! I've

voice was

middle of having a miniature breakdown when

Cassie, who was standing there with a bright smile

turned into

too hard on yourself, Neph. I think you did

saw it all,

Nephis was suddenly mortified.

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

about while you are counting days... ah, what a line! Even I was almost seduced, poor Master Sunless must have collapsed into a puddle

escaped

my ear, I would not have... I

one more time

me for?

Nephis closed her eyes.

reacting so strongly? There's a damn war approaching. There are