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magitekarmor:

Rata Sum

When Aell had told her he was leaving town for a while on business, she had asked what kind. He was evasive, deliberately vague. The lack of trust there stung a bit, but Milli accepted it. She didn't know the ins and outs of his dealings, some of which was for her protection.

And after they made love that last night before he left, he told her again, "Sex doesn't mean love. You know I'll always come back to you."

She nodded, knowing he would and hugging him tight. He'd told her sometimes he needed to sleep with women to work his magic in getting into their treasure troves of riches. But he promised she was always first. The one he loved.

Tonight, he added something else, though. "And if you wanted to sleep with someone else, I wouldn't be upset," he said gently. "It's not fair to you if I can and you can't."

At the time, she had thought he was just being fair-minded, maybe even a little guilty because of her acceptance of his indiscretions.

A few days later, Lord Valec Nemesir showed up on her doorstep, a note in Aellarian's hand introducing him as a guardian for her. It seemed a ridiculous precaution, but Milli allowed it. She'd had a guardian before. But not one who'd seemed to know her so well. Who treated her like the most precious and delicate piece of art, looking after her and caring for her deeply.

He took her to bed that night, reminding her of Aell's wording in the note: all your needs. He made her feel good, more than good. And she slept better than she had in a long time.

For even though she loved Aellarian, there was a mistrust between them that was hard to bridge. His pranks had gone from silly and childish to startlingly hurtful, things that damaged her heart. And though he'd apologized when she called him on it, there was a part of her just waiting for him to come tell her one day that he was done. One day when it wouldn't be a joke. And deep inside, Milli was trying to prepare herself for that eventuality.

Valec's strong arms, his unqualified promises, gave her hope that even if Aell didn't want her, it was possible someone else would.

It didn't take much convincing to get her to agree to a vacation to Rata Sum for a few days, to get away from the dangers that had crept up on her lately.

And once there, Valec had coaxed a confession from her, that her feelings for him were more than mere gratitude. Milli had always given her heart away too easily. But this time, it seemed he had known exactly what to say and do that would draw her in. But still, she felt guilty. She'd promised Aellarian.

And that was when Valec revealed all. Aellarian, despite his love for her, could see she needed more than he could give. And so he'd spoken to his friend Valec, a man whose strong arms, protective nature, and expansive heart were more than Aell could provide her. Aell had told Valec about her, every detail.

"I was in love with you before I even set foot in your shop," Valec told her, the words stealing her breath.

And so Aell's claim came full circle. He'd given her permission, then placed a man in her way so as to be irresistible to her. She didn't consider that it might be yet another test, a means to test her loyalty to him. Because if it was, the joke was likely to be on him.