The house of ribbons, p.14
The House of Ribbons, page 14
“Topaz, I will find a way to honor my promise. Just give me a little time.”
She placed her hand on mine. “Thank you, Slade. I’m sorry I snapped at you. It’s just so silent since you left my mind.”
“Topaz, he picked a name. It’s Batch.”
She smiled. “I like that.”
“What’s that all about?” Sunako asked.
“Who knows? She’s a weird one.” Cheri’s words were cold and unwarranted.
“Sofia, I will need to talk to you alone tonight.” I just needed to tell her about what happened with Topaz.
“I was hoping for a little alone time with you.” She smiled.
“It’s about Topaz.”
Her smile disappeared. “Okay, tonight, but not before a kiss.”
“I wish it was tonight already.”
Her eyes sparkled and grew very wide.
Topaz smiled. “Hello, Elma. I have Lady Silk’s guests.”
“Topaz, you can escort them into Lady Silk’s private reading room.” Elma walked away.
Topaz thanked her, and we walked up the right side of a beautiful wooden staircase to the second floor of the mansion. It had so many doors, and I was told each floor had different colors for each door to find one’s way around. I just thought it looked very pretty.
“Well, we’re here. Anyone want to take a deep breath before we enter? No? Okay then, let’s go.” Topaz was being a little too dramatic for the moment.
“Hello, and welcome to my house again. Slade, I’m sure these women have kept you fed and satisfied to your heart’s desire.” Lady Silk’s shadows peeked around from behind the curtains like a curious child would watch its mother. No doubt, they were guardians. They did make scary bodyguards.
“Lady Silk, these fine young women should be commended for their sheer generosity. Cheri, Sunako, Topaz, and Sofia are wonderful and loving. It is I who should be thanking you. I feel less like a poor houseless bastard and more like a nobleman.”
Lady Silk sat back in her chair. “I like the way this one kisses my ass. You four should take notes because this is my new favorite boy. Tell me more, my young, attractive, houseless bastard.”
Shit, I might have laid it on a bit thick.
“What can I say other than what has not already been said by better gentlemen than I? Lady Silk, you and your shadows are as beautiful as you are deadly. Only the most stouthearted of gentlemen could ever slide up next to you for even the briefest of moments to try in vain to win a kiss and the feel of your cheek on their fingertips. Yes, a truer rose, full of thorns, with a sweet scent like a siren’s call to those who have not the faculty to resist the fall before the rocks, if not only to glimpse but the face of a goddess.”
Lady Silk leaned in, perched on her elbows. “Holy shit! Ladies, this one is a keeper. If his tongue is as smooth in bed as it is in this very room, then I might just have him over a few times a week to help me with a spot that eludes those I deem worthy of searching for my hidden source of pleasure. Sadly, only I can uncover my secret spot. I do lead a lonely life in that way.”
I didn’t intend to be so wordy. Better watch my tongue, lest Lady Silk put it to whatever use she might have for it.
“Now, on to the more pressing topic at hand. What to do with the eloquent young Slade? This will be a first for me, so if my words do no justice, please forgive me this one time. Slade, if you were so inclined, then please be my guest and join us in the House of Ribbons as a free man. How do you feel on this matter?”
“Lady Silk is an amazing specimen, isn’t she? A true anomaly like us. Don’t you think, Slade?”
“Batch, I thought you would be away longer.”
“No, work was easier than previously thought. You have some great stuff in here. I mean, what you just said would have taken years to learn, let alone master. Someone did this to us for a reason, and I hazard to bet that they’re watching us closely.”
“I can’t hold two conversations at once!” Batch was becoming a nuisance.
“I heard that, Slade! Maybe it’s you who is a nuisance to me. Have you ever thought of that? No! I did not think so! Manners can go a long way with me, and it looks like we are going to be roommates for a long time.”
I ignored Batch, as I was well-aware he knew I would.
“Lady Silk, I would be a fool to say anything other than yes. Thank you very much. Any other combination of words would fall flat and lose their meaning.”
Lady Silk smiled.
“Good, Slade. I believe you could become a very important person here. Topaz believes you to be an oracle, but I have never heard of a male oracle. I think Miss Topaz is wrong, but I’m not an oracle, so I have called for someone special on behalf of both Topaz and Tova, as they know her well. Both believe you to be different than any other male we have met. This woman, I trust with my very life including the life of every member of this great House. I believe she will know better what you may be and how best to put your gifts to use. Now, on matters of wants and needs—where do you want to live? I have two cottages open that are empty, and you would be the first male to run a cottage out of my two sisters and me.”
“Thank you, Lady Silk. But would it be possible for me to stay with Mistress Sofia, Sunako, and Cheri?”
Lady Silk looked around the room at each one of us. She was silent for longer than would be comfortable for most. “I believe that can work, provided that Mistress Sofia would be comfortable with a male living with her that she held no power over.”
“I think I speak for those in our cottage that we would very much enjoy Slade living with us.” Sofia placed her hand on top of mine.
“Slade, have you been taught why a male is in each house?”
“Yes. Males, more or less, serve at the pleasure of the mistress and her misses of that cottage.” I found it to be slavery within slavery, but I’d keep that thought to myself.
“Excellent, so you do understand our ways and rules. So, with that said, I trust you have picked the woman or women you would like to be with?” Lady Silk gestured toward my three cohorts.
“Yes, I am very fond of these four women.”
“Four!” Cheri jumped up. “Do you mean Topaz?”
Sofia removed her hand with a scratch of her nails.
“Cheri, remember your place and where you stand with me, young lady.” Lady Silk was fast to shut Cheri down, but unfortunately, all eyes were on me.
Three pairs seemed to be extra intense, while one had dreamy eyes.
Lady Silk was bewildered. “Well, young Slade, I can clearly see that three of the four women in this room are a bit shocked with this revelation, but I’m sorry. I cannot let you be with Topaz in that way. An oracle can never be with a man. She can only ever be with women—so say the witches. If you turn out to be an oracle, then I will allow the conversation to continue. But, then again, I’ve never heard of an oracle being male, not even in stories. This will be something I can address with the old witch when she arrives. If she allows the two of you to be together, then I’ll be fine with it.”
I said, “I hear she is a magic user. Or is it an ability?”
“Both. She is also gifted with an almost unnaturally long life.” Lady Silk looked off to the left as if enjoying an old memory.
“If I may ask, is she just called the old witch?”
“Don’t you remember? I said her name is Asya. If you’re extra lucky, you may get a piece of her special candy. Trust me, there is nothing like it anywhere.”
“Mistress Lucy and Mistress Sofia told me about it.”
“How did that come up, Mistress Sofia?” Lady Silk propped her elbows on her desk and rested her head on her hands. She wore a curious smile.
“Mistress Lucy is quite taken with Slade. She wanted to have him for a night or two for her sweet tooth, so to speak.” Sofia searched the floor as if the right answer were lying at her feet.
“I’m not making the connection. Could you be more specific?”
Sofia took a deep breath and said, “Mistress Lucy wants Slade’s company and all that he can do for two nights. We came to an agreement for ten pieces of candy that she can have him for two nights.”
Lady Silk laughed. “Let me get this straight: you would sell him for two nights for ten pieces of enchanted candy?”
“Yes, Lady Silk.” Sofia hung her head.
“You see, ladies, this is why I made my dear Sofia a mistress. She saw a way to make the world work for her. Sofia, you have the making of a true lady. I see you having your own great House one day, making our area better, stronger, and safer. With that said, I would hope that now you know that as a free man you can no longer rent him out as you please.”
“Yes, Lady Silk.”
I asked, “Is that a lot in candy?”
Lady Silk smiled. “Let’s just say that with ten pieces she can get a great deal in trade. I very much like the idea. Ladies, please give Slade and I a chance to speak in private. Topaz, please stay. I will need your gift. Thank you very much, Mistress Sofia, Miss Cheri, Miss Sunako. I will send him back to your cottage when I have concluded our meeting.”
They got up and left without a word. I thought my timing was off with what I’d said about Topaz. I wondered if they were upset with me.
“I would like to reiterate what I said about your relationship. If I find out that you two have crossed me on this, then I will be forced to punish and sell you, Topaz. Then, Slade, I will throw you out. Am I clear?”
We both answered in unison, “Yes, Lady Silk.”
“Look, I know what it is like to be young and in love, but young love is often driven by lust, and lust can cloud your thoughts and make people do stupid things. Topaz, your gift is so important, and they say an oracle can lose that gift because her heart is no longer pure due to the impurities of men and their lack of control that leads to times of war. Matters of the heart are things most are either blind to or simply don’t care about. But I will speak with Asya. If she gives her blessing, I will as well. So, until then, keep your clothes on. Wait. Better yet, Slade, you are not to enter her body in any way other than to kiss her mouth with your mouth. Other than that, everything is off-limits.”
“I clearly understand and promise to honor your request and Topaz’s virtue.”
“Good, Slade. I love a person I can trust, and I do not know you well, but something tells me that you are not a danger to me or my people. So, earn my trust and be richly rewarded. Topaz, what I am about to say stays in this room and is to never be repeated. Slade, I greatly want to know what you are. This is the real reason that I sent for Asya. She may be able to provide me the answers I’m seeking. Word could spread about the man who fought off my shadows. This is unneeded attention that I would not like. I would like it to be put out there that it was merely a rumor. So, what I’m asking you is, when the time is right, I would like you to throw a fight. I want you to lose to my shadows in front of those who would see me as weak, due to there being a way to fight my gifts.”
“Lady Silk, for your generosity in letting me be a part of this wondrous House and the fine people who serve and love you, I would do this for you in a heartbeat. If I might add, your gift is as marvelous as it is intriguing. It must be a terrible burden to have such a unique gift. I’m happy to have met you.”
“Having a gift like this makes for more lonely nights than I care for. Some men are too scared that I will cut them in half. I’m treated more like an assassin than the lady who controls the eastern land. Well, I’m more than pleased with our meeting and confident that you and I will have a very long friendship,” Lady Silk said. “Oh, I almost forgot. Slade, your title here will be mister. So, you will be called Mr. Slade. Now, off with you two. I have someone else to see tonight.”
Topaz and I took our leave and descended the opposite stairs. I paused a moment to look at the beautiful painting of Lady Silk and her sisters, artwork clearly done by Mistress Dawn.
We walked through the door, and Topaz took me by the hand and softly demanded that I kiss her right then and there.
“I’m sorry, Topaz. I truly want to, but I must speak with Sofia first. Otherwise, I feel I would be breaking a promise.”
“She does not own you, Slade. You’re a free man, and I don’t think you understand how big that is around here. Even I’m not free, but my heart is. But I want you to catch it.”
I took her by the hand. “Come on, we have to sort this out tonight.”
We walked silently, holding hands, while Topaz tried to get into my mind. I had to fight to close it off to her, lest she wake up my irritating other half. We got back to my cottage, and I turned to kiss her on the cheek.
“I wish I could do more, but this will have to sustain you for a while.”
Topaz hugged me tightly.
Chapter 13
Witches and Kisses
I knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Cheri opened it.
“Why did you knock? You know you live here. Sofia, it’s Slade. He is back with Topaz.”
“Why is she here with you, Slade? We want answers, and we want them now!” Sofia looked very angry.
“Sofia, please let Slade explain before you become upset and do or say something that you will regret,” Topaz suggested.
Sunako moved toward Topaz. “Bitch! If I were you, I would shut up and take a seat. We don’t want to hear a peep from you and your witch’s tongue.”
Sunako was shockingly fierce, and it was sexy. I didn’t know she had that in her. It made me want to kiss her right there, but I feared that would only make things worse.
“Slade, you better do two things real fast, or we are going to spill some of your blood tonight.” Sofia was poking me in the chest and rather hard.
Topaz said, “Mistress Sofia—”
“No! No more titles in this cottage!” Sofia tightly crossed her arms but stared intensely into my eyes. She had that cute little thing she did with her forehead and eyebrows when she was really upset, which hinted at a vulnerable heart.
I waved my hand toward a seat and pulled it out for her. “Please, my sweet, I know you will understand better than I do about what I’m about to tell you. Can I hold your hands?
She said, “Yes.”
I spent the next twenty minutes explaining what I barely understood myself. The only way I felt they’d understand was to show them.
“Hey, Batch, time to shine.”
Topaz helped me enter Sofia’s mind.
“Hi, my sweet. As you have already been told, I’m Batch, a part of Slade, and can exist outside and separate of my host body. Please think of us as two people who coexist.”
Batch and I stood next to each other.
“Does this make it easier to see us like this? I think it would be easier to show you something amazing—with your permission, of course.”
“By all means, Batch, show me.” Sofia looked cautious.
“Here are our memories. Sofia, you don’t have a clue what it is like to be next to you. My heart races, and I feel sweaty, nervous, and off balance. We share this feeling for you, Sunako, and Cheri. I am the one who caught feelings for Topaz. I thought I was stuck inside Topaz’s mind, never to return to my body. Now you know everything.”
Sofia’s image jumped into Slade’s arms and said, “That is all you needed to say.”
We disconnected from Sofia.
“Well, that was something. Can you give us a moment? I want to speak with my girls alone.”
I excused myself from the room to go lie down and observed the beds had been moved back to the way they were. I picked a bed and lay down. It felt so soft and smelled too good. I figured it had to be Sofia’s bed because it smelled like her hair. I must have drifted off to sleep.
“Slade, can you hear that? Hey, man, wake up.”
“What do you want, Batch?”
“Do you hear that whispering?”
“What I hear is you interrupting a nice nap.”
“You’re still asleep, but I am awake, and so is your mind. There is so much that you need to learn about this place inside your mind.”
Batch had a point. I really didn’t know anything about myself.
“We should wake up. I think they’re talking about us.”
But I was not in control of the moment because someone else had plans to cut my nap short by crawling onto my lap. As I woke up, Topaz was straddling my waist, and Sofia, Sunako, and Cheri were at my sides.
“Good news. We have come to a decision.”
Each wore a smile as Sofia spoke, “You will be allowed to see Topaz, but only if the old witch says it is okay. Until then, you are solely ours. You may kiss Topaz when you wish. This, we will not mind.”
“Thank you, but I’m a bit confused. Why were you mad earlier?”
Sofia softly smiled. “Yeah, I was, and so were they. But after what you showed me and then talking with Topaz, we understand that this was not you trying to bend us to your will, but rather that you feel something for us. Then you found out that you had some kind of ability like hers. She also said that there is not a mental version of her in her head that can go out into other people’s minds. That being said, we can still be together if you still want to be with us.” Sofia batted her eyelashes.
“Why would I not want to be with you? I literally fought two of you for the right to be free and stay here with you three, and I took a beating to prove that. I truly hated the idea that I had to fight both of you.”
Sofia smiled. “Really? I loved that fight. It was weird, intimate, sexy, and dangerous. Besides, Sunako fixed me up real fast; you were more of a mess than either one of us.” Sofia had a playful tone in her voice. “Yeah, so I lost my first fight to date the new guy. That was a bit embarrassing, but I get to enjoy him later, which is right about now. So, I hope you had a nice nap because it’s playtime and we have come up with a fun game.”
Sofia stood me up and kissed me passionately for a bit. Then, she pushed me into Sunako, who took me into her arms. I put my hands in her hair, and as we kissed gently, her fingers slid under my shirt and all over my back.
