“Do you remember what we spoke about?” Miss Vora asked.

Xyra nodded. They would talk. That was how she understood it.

“Good,” Miss Vora said. She adjusted the straps that crossed her chest. It was the same stuff she wore when Xyra first met her. The straightened hair and paint around her eyes made her look like a completely different person, but it didn’t make her less beautiful.

They sat next to each other in what Miss Vora called the ‘receiving room’. Unlike the study, it had a window that allowed the sun to cast its light throughout. Across from them was a table, and beyond it a cushioned chair with rests for a person’s arms. Aside from those things, it was quite a bare place, and that made Xyra dislike it. Despite the abundance of light from the sun, it lacked the warmth of the study.

And that was the point, Miss Vora had assured her. Zevin was no friend, so he was not to enter her study, where she kept many of her fondest memories.

Zevin. Xyra shuddered at the thought of facing him again. The time she spent in the carriage was a haze, but the feeling of wrongness was not, and it was enough to keep her from sleeping much at all the previous night. Just the thought of facing him again made her body restless, and she wanted to leave the room before he came.

But that wouldn’t happen. She promised Miss Vora that she would be here. And, with Miss Vora at her side, she wouldn’t have to be afraid.

Heron appeared at the door. He looked and stood straight.

“Is he here, Heron?” Miss Vora asked.

“Yes, my lady. I know that you told me to allow him in, but to be sure?”

“Indeed. Show him to this room. Don’t allow the bastard to loiter, either.”

Heron nodded and disappeared.

Miss Vora wiggled, and with how close she was, Xyra felt every movement. “Oh, I’m too excited!”

“Why?” Xyra was on the verge of hiding behind the couch they sat on.

“Can you imagine what he’s thinking? He’s beyond ecstatic that I’ve invited him inside. He may think he’s in for some reward, and since his family is one of the richest in the land, he knows that it won’t be money. He’ll be on edge, hoping for something he’s wanted since he first laid eyes on me.”

“Oh. Ok, Miss Vora.”

“Just follow my lead. We’ll show him a thing or two.”

Xyra played with the golden band on her finger. There were many places she would rather be than here, waiting for Zevin to walk through the door. Miss Vora is here, she told herself.

Once again Heron was at the door, but he was hardly noticed. The familiar bearded face behind was all she could see. That was only for a moment, however, as her eyes fell back to the ring.

“Don’t stand in our guest’s way, Heron!” Miss Vora’s voice was loud and clear. “He’s a nobleman, you know. Back to the gate.”

“I may offer to stay near the receiving room, if you don’t mind, my lady.”

“As your mistress commands,” Miss Vora said firmly.

“Of course.” His armored feet echoed down the hall until their sound was silent.

“Welcome. Please have a seat, Sir Tallows.”

“Certainly. I’m honored to be invited in your home. I was quite shocked when your messenger appeared at our manor, though I suppose it was only a matter of time.”

Miss Vora’s breath was warm against Xyra’s ear. “See how he assumes, dear,” she whispered. “What do you think of it? Beautiful, right?”

“Yes, but incomparable to the seductress within.”

“Oh, you are far too kind! Isn’t he quite kind, Xyra?”

Xyra lifted her head to look at Miss Vora. She hadn’t planned on saying much, if anything at all, but Miss Vora’s smile filled her with confidence to speak. “Yes, Miss Vora.”

“Ah, Lynette! I didn’t see her there. Not to impose on your will within your own home, Lady Vora, but why is she here? Do you often allow servants to sit in on business between nobles?”

“Not often, no,” Miss Vora said, “but this pretty little lady is relevant to our meeting.”

“In what way, may I ask? Your messenger was light on details.”

“Purposefully. You know how our peers are. Talkative to their own detriment.”

Zevin was silent. Xyra looked at him, curious as to why he had gone quiet. His face was slightly red, with one brow raised. “What…what would they have to gossip about? This is only a meeting between two people from esteemed houses.”

Miss Vora’s arm wrapped around Xyra’s shoulders. “Well, Lynette here has told me all about your help. And, though it is shameful for us of better blood, I’ve grown quite fond of her as a servant. Terrible, terrible past, you see. As such, I’m thankful to anyone who shows her kindness. And, well, she’s beautiful. It’s hard to not like beauty.”

“Of course. I sense that there may be some reward for my good deed, then?” Zevin's words were rushed.

“You’re a distinguished man,” Miss Vora said. “What do you deserve?”

Zevin stroked at his beard. “I am an artist, you know.”

“That you are. I’ve seen a few of your paintings in the tower. You’re quite talented.”

“As an artist, I’m drawn to paint things that capture my imagination, and I can say that, without a doubt, you are the most captivating thing I’ve ever seen. It would be its own reward if you allowed my brush to replicate your beauty.”

Miss Vora squeezed Xyra tightly. “I’m sure you’ve no shortage of women to draw. Please allow me to offer something else.”

Zevin leaned forward in his seat, causing Xyra to flinch. “Oh, oh don’t say that! None of them can compare to you, Lady Chamiret. They’re like dogs with paint on, pretending to what you naturally are. I would sooner throw them from a cliff than paint them!”

“That isn’t very nice!” Xyra blurted out. She went to cover her mouth, but Miss Vora’s hand-subtly-stopped her.

“Would you be quiet?” he said. “Unless your mistress commands you to speak, you are best seen and not heard.”

She looked to Miss Vora. Her mistress smiled; her eyes focused on Zevin. “Sir Zevin, she is correct. Many of those honorable women are my acquaintances, and I find it quite telling that you’d insult them in such a way behind their backs.”

“I apologize, then,” he said. “My excitement moved ahead of my tongue. But the spirit of what I said is true, in that they do not compare.”

“In that case…” Miss Vora stood, leaving Xyra bereft of her touch. “I suppose I should allow you to paint me. Goddess knows I haven’t been put to canvas since I was a young girl.”

“My lady, this is-“

“One condition, however.”

Zevin raised a brow. “Of course. Anything you wish.”

Xyra looked at the hand Miss Vora offered to her. She took it and rose to stand next to her, though soon Miss Vora moved her to the front, where she stood with the weight of Miss Vora’s hands on her shoulders.

“You must paint little Lynette here as well.”

Zevin’s eyes traced burning lines across her skin. “Really? She’s beautiful, but she’s a servant. What has she done to earn the honor?”

“Why, gain this esteemed lady’s favor, of course. You know how it goes, don’t you? We all have that one servant we grow foolishly attached to in carnal ways. Silly, yes, but I want the beauty of our bodies to be joined together with your brush.”

Zevin was red, far redder than Xyra thought a human could be. Was he going to explode? Though, Xyra didn’t fare much better. Surely Miss Vora hadn’t meant it!

“Oh…oh….bodies? You wish for this to be a nude painting? I…I desperately wanted to, but I wouldn’t have ventured to ask you as much. And with your servant…I…it’s certainly warm in here, isn’t it?”

Miss Vora’s lips brushed against Xyra’s ear. “Watch closely,” she whispered. She left Xyra where she stood, moving gracefully around the table that separated Zevin from them. “How else would I be painted? Am I not beautiful in all ways? Is it only my face that excites you?”

Zevin shrunk as Miss Vora slowly approached. “A-absolutely not! Everything about you drives a man to weakness.”

Miss Vora stopped, past the table but not quite to where Zevin sat. Xyra watched her in awe. The way she moved and spoke was unlike anything she’d seen before, as if more than her clothing changed.

“I take that as a yes, then?”

Xyra feared that Zevin’s neck would snap with how ferociously he nodded. “Yes. One thousand times yes, my lady!”

“Good man,” Miss Vora said, giggling. “I’m beginning to think that Volsten was wrong about you, like he often is about things.”

That snapped Zevin out of his blushing, if only a little. “W-what did he say?”

“Quite awful things. That you’ve no sense of a woman’s desires. That your father paid well for your knighthood. It’s the reason that I’ve never given you the time of day-a sister listens to her brother, after all.”

“That…that bastard!” Zevin nearly shouted. “I knew there was a reason you acted so coldly towards me. My ‘friend’ engages in sabotage, all while telling me that you’ve no interest in me. Easy to say that, when you’ve made sure of it!”

“Jealousy can cloud the mind, can it not? That’s what I think it is. Would you rather be an artist, such as yourself, or a brute that can swing a blade? You have the better of it in life, Sir Tallows, and he knows it.”

“I must correct you, my lady, but I am also a swinger of blades. But you are right. I am far more than that, and I found knighthood to be a dull thing incapable of stimulating my mind. Had I invested much of my life into training for it, such as he, I suppose I would also be bitter about my terrible decisions.”

Miss Vora nodded. “A wise man. But that is why I must rectify my cold attitude. I’ll do anything to cast off the chains of my brother’s words.”

“Anything?” Zevin repeated the word with amazement.

“Oh, yes. It’s clear that his lies caused me to hurt you. I can’t live knowing the pain I caused such an esteemed man.”

“Then my offer of the other day. You’ll consider it?”

“I’ll do more than consider it,” Miss Vora said. “I was against the offer, but to my surprise, little Lynette had far better than sense than I did. She spoke of the merits of such an idea. I had no choice but to concur.”

I didn’t say that! Xyra thought.

Zevin’s eyes found her. “Some sense among the rabble. It’s a dream amongst servants, so I’m not surprised.”

“She wouldn’t forgive me if I ruined this for her.” Miss Vora had gotten so close to Zevin that she blocked Xyra’s view of him, and she was thankful for it.

“Well,” Zevin said, “and not to be pushy towards such a beautiful woman, I must ask when you would be willing to arrange it? As you can see, I am ready to go whenever needed.”

Miss Vora took a step back. “Oh. What a quick response. I’ve never seen a man so raring to go, to be at attention at the mere prospect of me. Flattering.”

“It can’t be helped, my lady,” Zevin said, his voice noticeably lower.

“Trust, I feel much the same. But, could you stand for me?”

Zevin did as Miss Vora asked. He rose, until his eyes appeared just above her hair. Well, what pretended to be her hair.

“Very good,” Miss Vora said with unmistakable delight. She moved to the side, exposing Zevin to Xyra. “You see, Sir Zevin, little Lynette here has no experience with men in the slightest.”

“Is that so? A servant like her has usually been with her fair share of them, like a rag to be passed around!” Zevin laughed heartily. Away from his gaze, Miss Vora didn’t hide her disgust.

“Not her. In fact, she’s never seen a man naked before. As such, I want you to show my innocent little servant what it is she’ll finally get to experience. If you’re willing, of course.”

“You wish for me to strip?”

Miss Vora nodded. “Trousers first, if you don’t mind, as I’m quite eager to see myself.”

“Oh, believe me! You will not be disappointed in the slightest.” Zevin’s hands went to his trousers, where they played at what Xyra knew to be a belt.

It took but moments for Xyra’s body to grow scorching hot. “M-Miss Vora!” she shouted.

“Hush, dear.”

Zevin had freed his belt. His trousers collapsed to the ground, and it was at this time that Xyra’s eyes shot straight into the roof, where they focused with all possible might.

Someone inhaled sharply. Xyra considered a dash behind the couch.

“It’s ok, dear,” Miss Vora said. “You may stop admiring the ceiling.”

Slowly, Xyra’s eyes descended. They fell first on Miss Vora, who regarded her with reassuring eyes. Next, they went to Zevin, who seemed quite distressed.

He was frozen. Most of his body was incased in a large, clear block of ice, a block that reached from just under his chin to his ankles. Xyra panicked as her eyes went over his lower body, but there was nothing to shock her there. He had been trapped while untying the loose while garment that covered everything above his knees.

“The-the m-meaning of this, m-my lady?” He asked. His teeth chattered in the cold of the ice.

“Shut it. Come hither, Lynette,” Miss Vora commanded. “Gaze upon my work. Is it not beautiful?”

Xyra came closer, and was surprised at how far away the cold was felt. She could not imagine what Zevin felt, being within.

“Miss Vora, how did you do this?” She felt bad for Zevin, but the ice truly was beautiful and pure, with a blue voice that was queenly in its own right. It fascinated her to no end.

“An icy touch. Simple, really, and a spell that you’ll learn soon enough.”

Xyra touched the ice with a delicate finger. So cold!

Miss Vora turned her attention to Zevin, and it was no longer nice. “Can you not think of anything, anything at all that would have caused this? Not one thing, Zevin?”

Zevin blinked furiously. “I-I d-don’t know…is t-this p-part of the-the offer?”

“You’ve reached in one too many jars. You cannot abduct a woman from my household and force yourself on her.”

“Miss Vora,” Xyra said softly, “you didn’t tell me about this. You said we would just talk…”

“We are, aren’t we? We have all the time in the world to talk. Zevin is in no rush.” She poked his head. “Are you?”

“I-I am s-so c-cold…”

“Right. Xyra, speak, but make it quick. If he freezes to death, I’m sure someone will miss him.”

“O-ok!” She looked at Zevin’s trapped, trembling face. He was helpless. Powerless. He couldn’t hurt her, no matter how hard he tried. And yet…

“W-why did you do that to me?” she asked of him.

“W-what a-a-are you on about?”

“Speak up, dear,” Miss Vora said. “You’re a little quiet.”

Xyra shook her head, then put her mind to a louder voice. “In the carriage…why did you-”

Zevin gave Miss Vora a look. “I-is this a j-joke? Y-you are a c-comedian, my…my lady.”

Miss Vora said nothing.

“I’m talking to you, Zevin!” Xyra said. “Please listen to me…”

“T-the day I listen t-to a s-servant is the d-day I give up m-my namesake! N-now…release me.”

It was Xyra’s turn to look at Miss Vora. There was a feeling brewing within, deep and unsettling. It was like the heat from a breath of fire, but she knew it was not that. It wanted to be unleashed, to be thrown at the trapped man. But it was the last thing she wanted.

Miss Vora’s stare was warm. She nodded.

“Listen to me!” she shouted.

Zevin was silent, save for the chattering of teeth.

“I didn’t like what you did at all. Why did you do it?”

“D-does what y-you want m-matter? I think n-not!”

Anger. Anger was the heat within. How could he say that? Why did what she want not matter? “Why?!”

“L-look at you! Y-your d-drab servant’s gown…y-you should have been honored to share a c-carriage with me. It was…it was…the merits o-of your mistress that g-got you there-that I-I decided t-to have fun with y-you at all s-should make me a s-saint in your eyes.”

“Fun? You thought that was fun? I…” Xyra didn’t know what she wanted to say. The feeling was there, but she could not put the words together. And that was frustrating. “I wanted to be friends! But…now I don’t want to see you again.”

The ice around him collapsed and vanished, leaving not so much as a wet spot on the floor. He shivered where he stood.

“Time’s up,” Miss Vora said. “Can’t have you freezing to death in my home.”

Zevin looked indignantly at the house’s lady. “S-shame that such a beautiful woman i-is so deranged! The absence of a s-suitor is b-both the cause and the s-symptom!”

Miss Vora responded by turning him to the side and placing a foot on his trouser-less backside. With a push, he stumbled out of the room and into the hall, where he nearly toppled a startled Kita.

“You’ve heard Lynette’s judgement. I consider it final. Begone!”

Zevin regained his composure for a few moments, pulling his trousers up while he stood. “You and my dear friend are the last of your house, Lady Chamiret. I don’t think it wise to trifle with the greatest the city has to offer. You!” He pointed to Kita, who stood pale and terrified. “Show me out.”

Kita was still as stone, but Miss Vora’s gentle nod gave her strength to do so.

They left the view of the receiving room. Miss Vora sighed deeply. “Goddess, that could have gone much better. I don’t think he learned anything.”

Xyra rushed to embrace her, and nearly knocked the noble lady from her feet.

Miss Vora pulled away. “You feisty little dragon. How did it feel?”

“I…I don’t know. I was angry, Miss Vora. I don’t like being angry.”

“But oh, I bet it felt good, didn’t it? There’s nothing wrong with a little anger.”

“There were words that I wanted, things I wanted to say…but I didn’t know how to say them.”

“That comes with time and experience, dear. I get the feeling that you’ve been walked over a fair bit in life. It’s something that happens to kind souls in this world, which is why I gave up all pretense when I was young.”

“Will…will he be ok?” Xyra asked. She didn’t hate him; it was something that she found hard to do.

“He’s lucky it’s summer. Had this happened in the middle of winter, he’d fall over the moment he stepped outside.”

“You didn’t tell me you would freeze him!” Xyra said, a bit of the previous anger boiling up for Miss Vora.

“A lady keeps some secrets, even from those she loves. We hit the major point of talking, so I didn’t lie.”

“But…” Xyra’s anger faded again. It could never stay flared for long. “He said enemy…will he try to hurt us? Hurt you?”

Miss Vora sighed again, then plopped down into the chair Zevin once occupied. “He has the means to, certainly. I won’t lie and say that this was a wise decision. Quite foolish, actually. The first, most basic rule of noble politicking is to not make an enemy of a house greater than yours. Yet I, the last remaining Chamiret, just slighted the heir to one of the greatest noble forces within the city. There could be assassins within the hour, and the fate of my line would be sealed away as a historical footnote.”

“But what about Volsten? He’s your brother, Miss Vora…”

She curled two fingers in the air. “He’s my ‘brother’. And I doubt he cares for the name in the first place. Regardless, my point is that I don’t care about the politicking. I care about you, and all the people of this house, and perhaps the wellbeing of more than a few of the other women in the city. If that leads to trouble, then I accept it.”

“I won’t let anyone hurt you!” Xyra said. “I promise!” It was sudden, but the urge was so overpowering that she ached.

Miss Vora chuckled, then opened her arms in an invitation. “Come here, Xyra, and sit with me for a while. Imagine how many women can say, ‘To get to me, you must first make it past a dragon’. I am beyond honored.”