It was unsurprising to anyone that Ayelma, Malson, and Eweylona were also pleased with the joint birthday feast – and all the family members agreed they wished to invite guests. It was to occur in a month’s time – to allow for word to be sent to Lajaonar and for whale meat to be sent back. Bloodheaded hearthfinders, the large messenger birds employed for long-distance missives and smaller parcels, made the process much shorter than traditional means. It would take at least three months by river to reach the city from Caslavven and an equal amount to return.

Braelin’s family planned trips to the city to shop for gifts around each other – Ayelma planning a trip with Gaele and Demarri. Feyl volunteered to assist when Gaele admitted fos didn’t know much about where to find clothing or jewelry during a meal, and Ayelma seemed pleased with the extra guide. Meir’ril made plans with Exkla and Edhaidua – the younger of the elven priestesses, close to the others in developmental age. The mention of her name at a different meal appeared to cause Sculos to take an interest in the trip – though Meir’ril had to ask before the young priest begrudgingly agreed to go.

(Feyl later said the young man appeared to have a romantic interest in Edhaidua but did not wish to admit it.)

Braelin planned a trip with Yheor, Huo’a, Loge, and Suli the City Council liaison – though the trip was in part to investigate the site of the terrestrial gardens. Malson and Jaevve going together was hardly a surprise. Nevve offered to help Milve, Owren, and Beneford – the humans insisting they did not need the gift to be a surprise from their third.

Which left Jurao in the surprised position of being the guide for his partner’s parents – with the curious addition of Kloy. Since they would be visiting multiple stores, he left Snip and Snap at the castle – the pair seemed content enough to follow Petal around, in any case.

“I heard Hujur offered you a position in the main Administration Office, Ebener,” the physician said as they all shared a carriage into the city.

“He has,” Ebener confirmed, “He had been looking for a new Head Archivist to sort through and organize old records.”

Eweylona chuckled, kissing her husband’s temple, “Surrounded by old books and missives in dire need of organization? How shall I ever tempt you to bed, my love?”

“Not even the most disorganized storeroom could keep me from your side, my dear,” Ebener chuckled in turn, “You need only call my name.”

Eweylona hummed, “How many times? As I recall, it has been as many as ten in the past.”

Ebener scratched at his chin – the same bashful gesture Jurao had seen from his son many times – before replying, “But no more than that?”

Eweylona laughed, “No, no more than ten – and usually fewer than five.”

Jurao thought they were very comfortable with each other – in that way, most partners that had been happily together for many years were.

“Are you wondering why I am joining you, my lord?” Kloy asked.

“Ah,” Jurao said, “I was.”

“I had asked Feyl where I might obtain certain goods,” Eweylona answered, “But he was unable to accompany us – he recommended Kloy as a substitute.”

“I hope you do not mind,” the doctor replied.

“I do not,” Jurao replied, then asked, “What kind of goods.”

Kloy considered, then said, “Goods of a particular sexual nature.”

Ebener cleared his throat, face red as he started, “My dear-”

Eweylona laughed, “Well, we must get each other presents as well, mustn’t we? We have been too worried to celebrate each other, my love.”

“Yes,” Ebener agreed with a sigh, leaning into his wife, “I do see your point.”

“Ah,” Jurao nodded. Then, after considering for a few moments, he asked, “What kinds of goods would those be.”

He recalled Feyl and Kloy having mentioned ‘toys’ during their sexual education lesson but had not thought to ask more at the time, as he and Braelin would not be using them.

Eweylona and Ebener shared an uncertain look.

“Perhaps you should ask Maenscul,” Kloy suggested, “The Deity of Sex would surely know better than any of us mortals.”

“Yes,” Jurao nodded, “I shall do that then.”

“Ask… your deity?” Eweylona asked, grinning.

“As Kloy said, they are the Deity of Sex,” Jurao said, “I imagine they have heard many questions on the subject from supplicants.”

“Vislaelos gets more than Maenscul does,” Kloy replied, “As the God of Fertility. Or so they told me.”

“Ah, yes, you’ve met,” the King recalled.

“Indeed, I always accompanied Ergirri during the Hundred Years Ball,” Kloy nodded, “Though I could not say whether it was due to our friendship or Maenscul being my patron that they spoke with me so often during that time.”

“Do you think their patronage is why you are so good at sex,” Jurao asked, curious.

For some reason, both Kloy and Eweylona started laughing – Ebener seemed merely amused.

“I take it you heard that from Feyl?” Kloy asked, regaining his composure, “My, I should certainly feel flattered to stand out strongly enough that you recalled, my lord.”

“He thought, if Maenscul had any Beloved, you would be among their number,” Jurao confirmed, “Though when I suggested they may be your patron, he thought Vasculas was more likely.”

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

“I don’t blame him – Lajaonar nobility are extra fastidious about ensuring she is their patron,” Kloy replied, “Some will begin their stay in a medical ward as early as a month before their due date. Oko, however, would not be taken off cer project at the time. It aggravated my father to no end that cer ‘carelessness’ caused me to have the ‘wrong’ patron.

“As to your question of whether their patronage has an effect on my sexual capabilities,” Kloy chuckled, “I do not know. I never thought to ask. Feel free to do so on my behalf if you are curious.”

“Perhaps,” Jurao considered, “Maenscul once said to me that the Blessing of Ascension can overpower the influence of a patron if the patron is too weak or their influence is spread too thin. For influence to be overpowered, it must exist – but in what capacity, I do not know. My patron is Nosu, but I have often felt less wise than my peers, not more. Yet they both warned that Nosu’s influence would affect my Blessing of Ascension, so it cannot be insignificant…”

“Demons do not choose their patrons?” Eweylona asked.

“No,” Jurao replied, “They are based on the circumstances of our birth.”

“How intriguing,” Eweylona replied, cupping her chin and tilting her head, “If an elven deity declares someone is under their patronage from birth, it is usually a sign of their favor – more akin, I believe, to your demon term of Beloved. When one chooses a patron, it is usually a statement of intent – done when one is still an adolescent, declaring which virtues or profession they desire to grow into. To gain a deity’s favor, one must be sworn into their service and accepted – as I was by Eleamera.”

“Human patrons are most often based on one’s profession or station in life,” Ebener added, “And may change over time – but they are also chosen and may not match what one would expect. As an Ealdwine, my patron is Waegar – but Malson chose Sania, Goddess of the Moon and patroness of sailors, due to his love of adventurous tales. Whether that guided his path to meeting Queen Abbay and nearly being betrothed to Admiral Ahua, I could not say – but in hindsight, it does feel like an odd coincidence.”

“For a man with such a brash personality, like the harsh rays of the sun,” Eweylona chuckled, “Malson’s moonlit aura did surprise me.”

“I thought only mages had auras,” Kloy said.

“A common misconception,” Eweylona replied, “All living creatures have an aura – though auras containing magicka are brighter and more vibrant compared to mundane auras. To see mundane auras, one must make a study of the skill – it was part of my training as a priestess to do so.”

“Intriguing,” Kloy replied, “Is there a medicinal application of such a skill?”

Eweylona chuckled, “A limited one – wounds of the mind and spirit can be detected through disturbances in one’s aura. In a way, these wounds can also leave scars – especially those not dealt by magic.”

“I would think it would be the opposite,” Jurao said.

“Wounds to the mind and spirit dealt by magic are most often temporary,” Eweylona explained, “Fatigue, confusion, fear; these kinds of conditions are what we call curses, which wound the spirit. Hexes are wounds to the mind – memory loss, denial of a sense or senses, vertigo. Most bruise a person’s aura at worst. Prolonged and repeated use may leave a scar.

“But when these kinds of injuries are caused by non-magical sources, they are often accompanied by a physical component,” the elven woman went on, “It is this combination that cuts deeper. It is also why those who have suffered mundane mental and spiritual harm are resistant to magical attacks of that nature – or rather, classified as resistant.”

“Classified as?” Kloy asked, “Are they not?”

“If you have broken your arm,” Eweylona elaborated, “You will not feel a sprained wrist is so great an injury. You are still injured, but you can better categorize the pain. A fatigue curse will not make one as tired as the fatigue felt from working a field all day; one is still afflicted but able to push beyond the feeling because it is recognizable as lesser.”

“I see,” Kloy nodded, “But then, does this principle also hold true – that if one were to sprain their wrist while the arm is still broken, the wound would be worse?”

“That is correct,” Eweylona nodded, “An open wound to one’s mind or spirit is not the same as a scar. It is why those who wish to be a magic user as a profession vigorously train their minds and spirits as well as their magical skills – so they may not be at a disadvantage should they face another magic user in combat.”

“How very interesting,” Kloy hummed.

Jurao considered a few moments, then asked, “How does my aura appear.”

“It is a bit too bright for me to look at it purposefully,” Eweylona chuckled, eyes glowing briefly, “But it certainly has the sparkle of divine grace about it. Is Nosu a moon deity?”

“Fos is,” Jurao said.

Eweylona nodded, “Yes, I thought I spied moonlight under the sunnier rays – though, as one sworn to a moon goddess, I am more sensitive to the influence of other moon deities. And I do believe there is some credence to the idea that demon patrons give more than the patrons of other realms.”

“Based on auras?” Kloy asked.

Eweylona nodded, “Mundane demon auras are not quite as bright as a mage’s, but they are close to a magician’s – in brightness, though less vibrant. I can easily see the sunny aspect in your aura as well, Kloy, which is usually more difficult in mundane auras.”

“What does a sunny aspect look like,” Jurao asked, curious.

“It causes the aura to radiate in a way similar to a sun’s ray,” Eweylona replied, “A moonlit influence is more like a gentle glow. Braelin’s aura has certainly taken an even more earthen turn as a Beloved – it appears much like a bush caught in a breeze surrounding him. It is more Vital than it was before, as well.”

“Vital as in Vitality?” Kloy asked.

“Yes, indeed,” Eweylona nodded, “An aspect affects the shape of one’s aura – and is usually tied to some natural phenomena. The Four Energies affect the halo of the aura – the way it looks as it interacts with the Energy of other things. Arcane halos shimmer, Inspired halos arc, Vital halos flash, and Celestial halos sparkle.

“Braelin’s halo still arcs, but the arcs flash and are more subtle than Ebener or Malson’s – and when he interacts with the gardens, it sparkles, revealing the earthen aspect is celestial in nature.”

“It seems one can learn much from an aura,” Jurao said.

“If one knows how to read them, yes,” Eweylona agreed, “But I do not look at them all the time – it strains the eyes and can be rather distracting.”

“It is also considered rude, if I recall correctly,” Ebener chuckled.

“Yes, it is,” his wife agreed, “I have only read the auras of our children out of concern – Braelin and Malson are especially reticent when it comes to the things that trouble them.”

Jurao and Kloy shared a look.

“Has Braelin spoken to you about…” the doctor asked.

Eweylona hissed, then said, “The Shard Spear crystal, yes. If you are wondering, it did leave a spiritual scar.”

“But it is healed,” Jurao asked cautiously.

The former queen’s ire melted as she chuckled, “It is mostly healed – your aura is a great help in that, your highness.”

“It is,” Jurao asked.

“When one is around those they care about,” Eweylona explained, pulling her husband closer to her side with a purr, “Our auras can blend together – and healthier auras can support the healing of those that have been injured. Though… well,” she chuckled, “I can see very well how you adore my son, your highness. You have the stronger aura by far, but it is Braelin’s aura that remains clearer when your auras blend.”

Jurao wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but his tail bumped the sides of the carriage as it swayed in the box behind his seat.

“Does that mean the one with the stronger feelings has their aura… absorbed?” Kloy asked, reaching back and pulling his own tail onto the seat so it was not bumped.

“It is not related to the strength of one’s feelings,” Eweylona replied, “That is reflected more in the overall level of blending – when Ebener and I are this close, we appear to have a single aura between us. But is it not a perfect mix of our auras – it appears primarily as my individual aura does, slightly altered by Ebener’s. Our feelings are mutually strong, but I exert greater influence over Ebener than he does over me.”

Ebener frowned and seemed hesitant to ask something.

“I do not mean in the way you are thinking, my love,” Eweylona grinned, “Though it does play a part.”

Jurao was not sure what meaning the former queen intended, but whatever it was made her husband’s face redden. The Demon King thought it was well enough that they appeared to have such a happy relationship, as he was still focused on the idea of one partner having more influence than the other.