Page 11 of The Pactbound Angel (The Soul Mirror Duet #1)
The First Lesson
“Good night, Nat,” my sister said, giggling at the smiling elven woman as Raewyn fumbled for the doorknob. She was so dwarfed by the elven woman, it was almost comical. “Now, c’mere you. Let me show you the first and last rule of living.”
“What does that mean?” the elven woman asked as she was pulled gently by the hand into the room.
Raewyn laughed. “Love, dearest. The first and last rule of living is love. Or so Minue says.” She closed the door behind them. I couldn’t hear anything more, suddenly grateful for the inn’s thick walls.
Settling into my room for the evening, the alone time was a rare treat, but the time would be cut short very soon. My clothes were dusty and dirty, and I needed to look my best for this.
There was a large metal tub in an attached room.
The metal tube pointing down into it, with levers on either side, made me hesitate in going back downstairs to ask the innkeeper for water to be brought up.
When I pulled the levers, clear water came out.
Quickly figuring out the levers indicated temperature, as well as quantity, the tub was filled halfway with a hot bath.
Maybe I should just…
No. I have to go talk to him .
After bathing, and figuring out the drainage system, I pulled a liquidy green silk dress from my pouch that had been packed because it didn’t wrinkle, yet it was fine enough for even a host’s table.
And it had pockets.
When I slipped it on, the silk was a little tighter than the last time it was worn. My undergarments’ edges were outlined through the fabric. They’ll have to go.
Taking them off, I checked again, noting with satisfaction that the silk finally sat flush and smooth against my skin. It was time.
Locking the door after me and tucking the key in my pocket, I walked down the hall and around the corner, stopping in front of the door I remembered he disappeared behind.
My hand hovered over the wooden planks. This will all be alright. Grains of sand make a beach. Little steps make a journey.
A moment after knocking, the breeze from the door swiftly opening caught my hair.
“Yes?” Ramiren looked surprised. “Oh, Lady Nathalia. What can I do for you?”
Even the comfort I felt in his presence couldn’t keep the nervousness at bay. “May we speak, Master Ramiren? I have something to discuss with you.”
“Yes, of course.” He stepped aside to let me enter, his ever-present and cordial smile on his face.
The comfortable chamber was very similar to my own.
The room smelled faintly of lavender due to the ribbon-tied bundles hanging from a few rafters.
A large bed with velvet covers commanded most of the room.
My slippered feet sank into the plush carpet I stepped onto and then stopped.
A low ornate dresser stood in the middle of the left wall, a table with chairs on the right.
Artwork hung on hooks, depicting landscapes of the area.
A fresh bowl of fruit sat in the corner on a small table.
This inn has not disappointed .
The door closed behind me, and the room grew so dim it was hard to see much of anything.
A small pile of papers with tiny writing lay strewn across a small table, making me almost question him about how he could read with so few candles.
Then the lesson on broodlings came to mind. Right, they can see in the dark.
Ramiren passed me to light a few more candles, likely for my benefit, and then faced me. “Now, you have something to discuss?”
His red-irised eyes, at once alluring and intense, met mine as he waited patiently for me to answer. This was, at least, not going to be unpleasant. The corners of my mouth pulled into a half-smile.
Clearing my throat, I answered, “As mentioned earlier, you are a pactmaker, yes?”
Ramiren tilted his head. “I am, yes. Do you wish to form a pact, Lady Nathalia?”
My fingers twisted together in front of me. “Master Ramiren, I recall where I’ve heard of you. From an acquaintance of yours, who you struck a deal with, of sorts. I think. Elijah Callan?”
Ramiren narrowed his eyes, as though thinking. “The name does sound familiar, yes. I saved his life. What of him?”
My mouth twitched again. “He said you were fair with him when you struck your bargain. You are also handsome, so that should make the task easier.”
He raised an eyebrow, but I continued.
“He said you were pleasant company, and that you were discreet. I am counting on that discretion, and your fairness. You see…” I sighed and closed my eyes.
I might as well come out with it.
“I wish to be married. I rather despise what I do, and most of what it entails. But most of all, I hate the uncertainty. I want to be settled. Have a predictable life. And that, Master Ramiren, is where you come in. I want to be happy, yes, but it is paramount for my husband to be happy as well. I have trained as a protector at the Horyn Academy where I scored well. I’ve also been tutored in music, the arts, history, math and finances, and everything else a gently-bred woman is expected to know.
I even know how to cook. Do you know how rare that is for someone of my status? ”
He clicked his tongue. “Ah. Not particularly, no.”
“Yes, well, I do. It was either that or starve to death on the road.”
Ramiren gave me a warm smile that made me pause. “Lady Nathalia?”
“Hm?”
“Take a deep breath, then go on.”
A polite way to say I am rambling and to get to the point.
My deep breath helped, but the nails biting into my palms centered me even more. “But once past the bedroom door, I am largely ignorant. It is my last remaining blindspot. My proposal, Master Ramiren, is for you to teach me how to please my future husband.”
Ramiren’s face was unreadable as his gaze burrowed into mine. Nothing about him changed at my words, and that made my confidence dwindle.
His voice came out low, “Please a man, you say.”
My head bobbed rapidly. “Yes. I want it to be a happy marriage. That involves me knowing how to please him, whomever it might be.”
His head tilted down as he stared at me over the rim of his glasses. “And… by ‘please’, you mean sexually.”
Is it warm in here?
Though I was appreciative he was understanding, it seemed unnecessary to frame it that way, making me awkwardly clear my throat. “Yes, exactly. I want lessons.”
The glowing scroll from earlier appeared near Ramiren and began to record our spoken words. My eyes twitched in its direction before turning my attention back to Ramiren.
He wove his fingers together in front of him, mirroring my pose. “Did your sister suggest this? Did anyone? ”
Ah. I understand. “No, she did not, Master Ramiren. No one did. This is my own idea.”
He looked up at the ceiling, seeming to weigh my offer.
“Pardon my questions, but this is a very unusual request, and frankly, rife with… potential difficulties. Namely control and consent concerns, as well as power imbalances, to be exact. I make it no secret I take consent very seriously; it was why I never trained in enslavement pacts. I am able to teach, and you are able to learn, I’m sure.
You’re a well-mannered, intelligent woman.
However, it would be irresponsible of me not to mention those possibilities and ensure you still want to proceed. ”
Hm. I hadn’t considered that. Raewyn never mentioned problems she’d had when training. Perhaps I should have asked her before doing this?
“I understand the possibilities, and I still want to proceed.”
His posture relaxed slightly, and a small amount of tension eased in my neck. “And what will you say if your future husband asks how you learned such things?”
My answer was ready, expecting this question at least, “I would say I was trained by the priestesses of Minue.”
It was a perfect explanation. The priestesses would sometimes train young noble women, like my sister did, in what was known as bedroom etiquette.
Assuming they had both the coin to pay for such instruction and the wherewithal to train at all.
Many were squeamish about the prospect and received a few moments of advice from their mothers before adjourning to the wedding chamber.
I had never fully felt comfortable with the priestesses, though, my sister notwithstanding. Those devoted to the Goddess of Love and Beauty seemed somehow far too flowery regarding sexuality and far too raunchy regarding love.
Also, I learned best by doing.
My thoughts snapped back to the present as Ramiren spoke again, “And had you an idea of payment in mind? ”
“Oh. Yes.” It’ll be worth it. Mother would understand. My hands moved to the back of my neck to unhook my necklace.
“My luck stone. You asked about it earlier, I recall. It will grant the user some measure of luck as long as it’s worn. It did not seem to help with the singing contest, but I suspect Raewyn was correct, and the contest was rigged. I would give it in exchange.”
Ramiren took the stone from me, holding it up to his red eyes.
He seemed to stare at it for a time, and then his eyes shifted to me.
"I saw Lord Leviathus off to the side talking to the Zackman Brothers as everyone was entering the stands, so it’s entirely possible.
” He smiled and went on, “Very well. If you are comfortable with my instruction, even after my caveat, I accept. A few things before we begin.”