That, more than anything, makes me worry about the possibility of it all up until we’re sitting at the table reserved for us and our next client. The tavern is small, but nice. Seems… well not exclusive, but most people seem very comfortable. Almost… almost like they’ve been here a few hundred times before.

“Late. Late. Late.” Yrelia huffs as she takes a sip from her mug. A wonderful warm drink brewed to energize and keep us awake. “I think we’ve been stood up.”

“Maybe…” I stir at the last half of my own mug. This isn’t the first time, but… this city has been expensive to stay in. We’ve balanced things with mine and Yrelia’s work, but that means she’s not doing as much trading. “How much longer should we wait?”

Yrelia sighs, Drops a few coins on the table and rises. “None longer. We could hop about and see if one of the big inns has anyone wanting some company.”

I wince. “Do… Can we afford drinks? They’ll get pissy if we just strut in and start flirting without buying.”

She shrugs, “We’ll leave if no one picks up our tabs.”

I sigh. If we do that too many times… Well, places might start keeping an eye out for two foreign girls claiming to be Hetaera. Might start something that could make us need to leave town in a fucking hurry. That… and it makes my tummy get really sour and sick. I hate the idea of stealing. Even if it’s from some faceless big inn or something.

“Yrelia I–”

“Excuse me?” A voice interrupts me from behind and the side. I almost jerk, but am able to keep from spilling my drink as I turn.

An older woman with pale skin, warm short blonde hair, and dull golden eyes steps up to our table. Yrelia’s training immediately kicks in as I begin to listen while taking in her details. Simple leather tunic with no jewelry or embellishments. Light coat draped over her left arm in a polite and trained fashion though. I would have guessed traveler, but… no backpack. So maybe staying in one of the rooms downstairs?

“Apologies, it seems I am late.” She steps closer, hesitates politely.

“Oh!” Yrelia’s face goes into a smooth smile as she steps around and holds out her hand for the woman. “Are you The Lady Uqueta Rell?”

We’d not met her, only had our last client insist we set aside this evening for a trusted friend.

The woman takes it, and holds it in the polite fashion that symbolizes…

“No, but I represent their interests.” She takes it, offers a kiss. “You may call me Jutic.”

That causes a pause. But Yrelia adapts and adjusts.

“I’m Yrelia.” She adapts with ease, motions to me as I stand. And as I offer my hand and the Lady takes it. “And this is my protégé, Ina.”

“Short for Inamatorii, yes?”

I nod, smile. “It is. But please, just call me Ina.”

“Of course, may I sit?” Jutic asks.

Yrelia agrees and settles gracefully back into her chair, fingers dancing over the coins she’d dropped and recovering them with deft ease. I follow suit, settle beside her.

“So… I take it the Lady is… indisposed?” Yrelia prompts after a few seconds.

“Yes. And they apologize for the inconvenience.” She murmurs, begins reaching into a little side pocket. “They find wasted time such a horrid insult, and wish to… reschedule. And compensate you for a lost evening.”

With that she drops a little purple pouch of coins on the table, then pushes toward us with a few gloved fingers. Yrelia’s eyebrows go up, but she knows better than to take up the pouch and start counting what must be a… well at least the cost of our time. Looks… well fuck it might be more than that!

“How wonderful of them.” Yrelia smiles across the table to Jutic, “Many would simply leave a pair of girls to fend for themselves. But your mistress is a generous and thoughtful woman!”

I’m not sure if Yrelia catches it… but something she just said causes a flash of annoyance in Jutic’s eyes. I try to soften whatever seems to be bothering her.

“We accept their apologies!” I add, touching Yrelia’s hand. “And… I think we can find a day that works for us all.”

Jutic’s expression softens. “Wonderful, They would actually love to host you at their personal estate in the city, and will see that you are brought there by Quelekita carriage.”

That… That makes even Yrelia trip over a reply for a second. “Wow, okay. I… I must admit We’re a bit… surprised.”

“There are a few stipulations. However.” Jutic adds before she can get too far. “Some requests they would ask of you.”

Yrelia’s face and composure freezes. And I can see caution come to life in her eyes, an old mantra that all Hetaera learn. If it smells too good to be true, it probably is rotten.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“Ah.” She huffs, voice stays polite but turns a bit flat before she whispers. “What um… okay let’s just be honest here Jutic. No judgment, just… so there are no miscommunications. What kinky shit does your mistress want us to be a part of?”

Jutic… well I wince as I expect a bristle. But instead we are met with a sigh from the older woman. She turns, well not a glare but a look of tired annoyance to my lover.

“Nothing so worrying. They just want to keep this as private as possible.” She replies.

“Thus the carriage and private estate, yeah that’s obvious.” Yrelia drops all high-brow politeness and goes full business and trader voice now. “But, seriously, Jutic, being a Hetaera can be dangerous. This city seems to be kind to us, but when a rich lady tries to lure me to her private estate for a night alone… I can’t help but get a little worried.”

Jutic nods, a mix of hesitation and… still annoyance. Something about Yrelia is really bothering this lady. “It’s to protect both parties. What they ask for is not… well it’s not a respected thing among Hetaera.”

Yrelia snorts, “The guild literally has guidelines and charts on exact costs when it comes to that. You’ll find more than a few Hetaera willing to do some weird and wild things if you pay well. ” Then motions to the pouch of coin. “Which she seems to be willing to do.”

“They are.” Jutic nods, then looks to me. “Simply put, my employer wishes to host only your protégé for the evening. Not her teacher.”

That causes a long pause. It takes me a second to… to understand the request.

“Eh?” Yrelia seems just as surprised. “Just…. Ina? By herself?”

“Wh… what?” I stammer out, bring my voice down to a whisper. “But… I can’t even… I don’t have my rings yet!”

And never will, but they don’t need to know that. When a woman finishes her training in at least three of the five circles of pleasure (Song, Dance, Art, Writing, or Sex), she is welcomed into the Hetaera Sororitas. But to perform without their consent is… well it’s pretty stupid. Basically a ton of inns, taverns, and stores in most cities won’t work with anyone the guild blacklists. And to remove your name from that list is very expensive.

They nod. “Thus the privacy. To hire a woman of your skills, who has not obtained her rings can be seen by some parties to be a slight to the Hetaera of this city and beyond.”

“Wait… back up a few paces.” Yrelia seems genuinely annoyed now. “This only works because she’s my apprentice. Ladies like yours pay basically standard rates, but get a pair of Hetaera to entertain her for an evening. Why request less and risk the guild’s anger?”

“Way less!” I add, trying to ease what I can tell is a burned ego in her. “I’m… I’m like a quarter of the worth of this duo.”

Yrelia glances over to me, calms as she sees my own disbelief at this. “Eh… closer to half, honestly. If it wasn’t for guild rules we would totally charge double.”

I blush, not expecting the sudden praise. Even if we’re not working under the guild's rules and protections.

“Precisely.” Jutic interrupts, “They have heard great things about this young and vibrant Hetaera to be and want to enjoy her talents for an evening and night.”

Yrelia taps her finger on the table, stares at the older woman.

“But… why?” I insist, reach across the table and touch Jutic’s hand. Trying to balance Yrelia’s flatness. It’s almost natural now, after all the women we’ve worked together to pleasure. She is the bold spice and I am the shy sweetness. “Yrelia taught me everything I know, Can do everything I do but… like… probably twice as good!”

“Stop it.” Yrelia bops my shoulder.

Jutic sighs and seems to relax. “I can’t speak of their personal tastes and weaknesses, but I can assure you that they simply are chasing a fancy. And are willing to pay generously for it.”

Yrelia’s smile turns… wicked. Just this side of predatory. “How generously?”

I find myself afraid for the first time as I realize this… this might actually happen. I might need to perform alone… and with a stranger. And… fuck are there all sorts of flittering things in my tummy at the idea. Worry and… and fear that I actually have no idea what the fuck I’m doing and without Yrelia I’m just going to fall to pieces.

“Because, If I’m being honest.” Yrelia leans forward, voice turns to a staged whisper. “Ina doesn’t actually know how good she is at this, and I’m totally keeping her tied around a finger for as long as I can.”

I blush, “Yrelia! That’s not true and you–”

Without even looking she stops me with a finger placed softly on my lips.

“And if word got out that I loaned out my protégé like she’s no better than some Odalisque…” She sighs performatively, “This entire relationship works because it’s understood that I am actively training her every time we’re with a client. I’d be lucky if losing my rings is all that happens.”

Jutic nods, “My master is offering twice your normal rate for an evening and night of entertainment.”

Wh… what!?! Double!?! And all night too!?!

Yrelia… somehow. I’ll never know fucking how. Turns a surprised smile into a cruel one. “Jutic… Come now. You're asking us to risk… well… kinda everything here.” She motions to the purple pouch. “It would be safer for everyone if we just take this apology, keep our mouths shut about this little offer, and go our separate ways.”

There is a long and tense pause as Jutic regards my lover. And I almost just… well I would have butt in if I had the courage to either accept their offer or insist on Yrelia’s final words. But… I didn’t realize one of my hands is still sort of… half-way across the table. And Jutic’s touches them, just… barely. There is a flicker of… something. Almost a spark of charge.

“Three times then.” She murmurs. “And if anyone asks, They and Inamatorii have a lover’s past. The money is a gift, nothing else. And no one can fault them a night of passion after such a thing.”

Yrelia turns to me, whispers an honest and simple question. “You alright with this?”

I bite my lip… My mind is still reeling from the offer. Three times!?! And we already charge over double if someone wants us to stay the night. It’s a rare thing and… fuck that’s so much fucking coin.

“How… How can I possibly refuse?” I murmur.

Yrelia’s voice goes quieter. “Not what I asked.”

I let out a deep breath, still feel my fingers against Judic’s. “I… Yeah. I think so. So long as…” I look at the older woman, “Can Yrelia ride with me to their home, then get a ride back safely? And can you have her be there when It’s time for me to leave in the morning?”

Before Jutic can even open their mouth in protest or acceptance, Yrelia speaks up. “Of course. That was non-negotiable from the start. I also want to meet this Lady Rell beforehand.”

Jutic looks like she's going to refuse, but they see that Yrelia will not budge on that. So she just nods. “Tomorrow night then?”

“Fuck, so soon?” Yrelia laughs.

We… We’ve been fairly busy, but tomorrow is free… I was planning on spending it relaxing with my lovers. But…

“I think someone canceled, right?” I press into a persona, trying to give the aura of a couple very busy women.

“Hmmm… I guess. So, tomorrow can work.” Yrelia smirks, and does reach out to take the pouch then. We offer simple goodbyes after sharing which inn to send the carriage to, not ours for safety reasons, and we leave.