David

  I woke, staring at the bedroom ceiling, lying still in the early morning dark.

  My thoughts circled Bishop Renat and the Archbishop. What was their endgame? What would they do if they learned about my interactions with the Gods so far? Blasphemy? That seemed the most likely culprit. Do I have to confront this Archbishop someday? Is there a Pope? Or perhaps I was overthinking. With the demons quiet, for now, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something else was coming. The next shoe was bound to drop.

  I needed to find the next Tower.

  Outside, the first hints of sunlight were creeping over the mountains. The glow was soft, barely enough to light the room, but enough for me to see Seraphina curled against me, her warmth a comforting weight.

  On my other side, I could make out the red markings of my fire mage, Veronica. She had that soft, half-snoring sound she sometimes made. It always made me smile. Today was her day, our day. Her first one with me. She wanted me to meet her family, and honestly, I was looking forward to it.

  I could hear some of my wives already up, moving about quietly as they slipped into their dressing rooms. Only one remained beside me. Veronica’s soft snore had stopped.

  “David, are you sleeping?” she whispered.

  “No, sweetheart. I’ve been awake for a while,” I said, listening to her shift and turn to face me. “Just enjoying the quiet. What’s on your mind?”

  “Hmm… I’m frightened.”

  “Frightened? Of what?”

  “This is my first time,” she said softly, and I felt the damp warmth of a tear land on my chest. I pulled her in closer, wrapping her in my arms, feeling the heat of her skin as we lay together under the blanket.

  “I’m a failure,” she whispered, her voice cracking as more tears followed.

  I held her and gently rubbed her back as she cried against me.

  “You’re not a failure,” I said quietly.

  “I couldn’t please my husband on our first night.” Her voice trembled.

  “Veronica, my dear,” I said gently, “I’m just happy lying here with you. Naked, of course.” That got a soft chuckle out of her.

  “You and I are going to be together for a very long time. We’ll go as fast or as slow as you want. There’s no pressure. None.” I kissed the top of her head. “Now, since we’re meeting your family today… what should I expect?”

  She sniffed, then gave a little laugh. “Mama’s a force of nature. For years, she said I should have been married by eighteen and out of the house. I’m four years late by her standards. All the rest of the girls my age have already got married and had kids, and there’s me. So today, you’re going to hear about what you do, what you don’t do, and whether you’re going to take care of all my ‘stuff.’”

  “Ah, the classic overprotective mother. I’ve met a few. I’ll be ready.”

  “Oh, and she thinks I’m too skinny. Skinny.” Veronica sat up, brushing her hair back as she looked down at me. “Look at me. Do I look skinny to you?”

  In the morning light, her curvy figure was undeniable. The markings along her body seemed to glow faintly as she knelt beside me.

  “No hips,” she scoffed. “That’s what she says. No hips. What are these?” She said, pointing to her hips, as if trying to convince me. There was no need; she is a gorgeous woman.

  “Come here. Closer,” I said, pulling her gently toward me. She slid over, straddling my waist. I placed both hands on her hips and smiled. “These hips? ”

  She smiled as I held her. “Yes.”

  I traced her skin lightly with my thumbs, and she lowered herself, pressing against my chest. Then she kissed me, slow and soft.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Let’s get dressed and see that family of yours.”

  The carriage came to a gentle stop, and the coachman promptly opened the door. Stepping out, I looked around the narrow road winding through this part of the city. According to the map, we were in the business district, but judging by the aging storefronts and worn cobblestones, this was clearly the poorer end of it.

  Veronica guided us here, saying this was how she wanted to spend her day, with me visiting her parents with me. I stepped aside and offered my hand to Seraphina, carefully helping her down. Once she was beside me, I turned and extended my hand to Veronica. She accepted it, smiling faintly as she stepped out of the carriage.

  The last to exit was Allyson, who, in true Allyson fashion, stepped down unaided and with practiced grace. I noticed them immediately, watchful eyes from open windows, heads poking out from behind cracked doors and curtains. A dozen gazes followed us as we stood outside the shop.

  Leaning toward Veronica, I whispered, “Is this normal?”

  “Normal?” She glanced at me, then smiled. “Oh, the staring? Yes. A carriage showing up in this part of town tends to draw attention.” She stepped up to the door of a small storefront and pushed it open. A bell jingled overhead.

  “Aunty?” Veronica called out. “There you are…”

  “Veronica, my dear!” came the reply. An older woman looked up from the ledger she was scribbling on behind the counter. “Only a few days and you’re back already. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong, Aunty. I just… kept my promise.” Veronica turned and motioned me forward. “I brought my husband.”

  The woman peered at me over a pair of thick spectacles. Her eyes narrowed briefly before her face lit up.

  “Ahh! Doug. So this is your Doug,” she said warmly.

  I blinked. Doug?

  Veronica’s eyes widened slightly. I leaned closer and smiled. “I’m David, ma’am. But if Doug was a good man, I’ll take the compliment.”

  Her eyes crinkled with amusement as she reached across the counter and took my hand. The moment her fingers brushed mine, I saw her eyebrows lift at the roughness, calluses from a craftsman’s life.

  “Well, David,” she said, giving a slight nod, “you’ve got the hands of someone who works for a living. That’s something.”

  “Thank you, ma’am. Veronica’s told me so much about you. You must be the adorable aunt she kept bragging about.” Veronica groaned quietly behind me.

  “So, you’re the one who caught my wild niece.” Her tone was teasing but sharp.

  “Yes, ma’am. I guess I’m that man.”

  I turned slightly and gestured to my companions. “This is Seraphina, my first wife, and over there is Allyson, my assistant.”

  The aunt’s eyes flicked between them. “First wife?” she echoed. “Veronica, you’re okay with that?”

  “Yes, Aunty,” Veronica muttered, cheeks coloring. “It’s fine.”

  Her aunt narrowed her gaze at me. “You’re not military, are you?” That came out of nowhere.

  “No, ma’am. I’ve never served. Why do you ask?”

  Her voice grew softer. “Old wounds. Romances that ended badly. Military men tend to disappear when things get hard.”

  I pulled Veronica closer, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I understand. But Veronica’s not alone. She’s my wife. She’s with me now, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  I felt her stiffen at the attention, the slight heat of embarrassment on her cheeks, but she didn’t pull away. Thankfully, Seraphina broke the tension. She stepped up to the counter and dropped several small bags onto it, each filled with sweets.

  “David, would you take care of these, dear?” she said with a smile, already turning away to browse another shelf.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I said with a sheepish smile as I pulled out my coin pouch. “Our sweet Seraphina’s been dealing with cravings lately. It’s… normal. I can’t wait for when it’s pickles and peanut butter.” Seraphina gave me a sweet, knowing glance, unbothered as always, while I fished for coins to pay for the sweets she’d piled onto the counter.

  The older woman behind the counter adjusted her glasses. “Let me introduce myself properly, Annag, son. Veronica can forget her manners sometimes.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Cravings, huh? So this is your first?”

  “Yes, Annag,” I replied, smiling proudly. “Our first little one.”

  She paused, then squinted at me again, this time more carefully. “And your name again?”

  “David. David Robertson,” I said, setting the sweets down neatly. “Earl of Brackenreach, in Vaelthorn.”

  Her eyes widened. I watched her blink once, slowly.

  Then she dipped her head quickly. “I… forgive me, my lord. I didn’t…”

  I reached across the counter and gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “Annag, please. To family, I’m just David.” With that, I placed three gold coins beside the sweets.

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  Annag’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “David, this is far too much! These sweets cost a couple of coppers, not crowns. With this, you could buy the whole shop.”

  She tried to slide the coins back, but I laid my hand firmly over hers.

  “That’s all I’ve got on me,” I said with a smile. “Treat yourself, Aunt Annag.”

  Before she could protest further, Veronica stepped behind the counter and wrapped her arms around her aunt in a hug.

  “You keep that one, Veronica,” I heard her whisper warmly.

  Just then, the shop bell jingled again. A young boy burst through the door, breathless and speaking before he’d fully entered.

  “Aunty! Some people just showed up in a carriage!”

  We all turned toward the door just in time to see him nearly plow headfirst into Allyson, who had moved to stand near the entrance.

  The boy skidded to a halt, suddenly very aware of himself.

  “Jake,” Annag said in that sharp, motherly tone that could stop a charging bull. Jake froze on the spot.

  “It’s just, Mama wanted me to find out what’s going on,” Jake started, then froze mid-sentence as he spotted his sister. “Veronica?”

  “Yes, Jake,” she replied, moving around the counter to kneel and give him a quick hug.

  Seraphina joined me, sweets bag in hand, her expression showing signs of fatigue. I leaned closer to her and asked softly, “Is this everything you wanted?”

  She nodded. “Yes, dear. But I really need to sit down soon,” she whispered in my ear.

  I turned to Veronica. “Do your parents have a seat where Seraphina can rest for a bit? I guess that the carriage ride wasn’t the best.”

  Veronica nodded immediately, concern replacing her earlier embarrassment.

  Jake still looked puzzled by the shift in tone, but Annag gave us a warm farewell as I picked up the bags of sweets and led Seraphina toward the door.

  “Thank you, Annag, for your hospitality,” I said with a polite nod as we passed Jake.

  Once the treats were tucked into the carriage, we followed Veronica down the block to a modest bakery. Jake darted ahead and burst through the door, leaving it wide open behind him.

  From inside, a woman’s voice called out with motherly frustration: “Jake! You left the door open again!”

  I smiled to myself. How many times had I heard that same line growing up?

  Helping Seraphina up the bakery steps, I couldn’t help but notice how unfriendly these stairs were for anyone pregnant or with even the slightest mobility challenge. ADA regulations would have a field day.

  Once Allyson entered, she gently shut the door behind us. The bakery was warm and filled with the scent of fresh bread and honeyed glaze, but the emotional temperature was icy. Veronica and a woman, presumably her mother, were staring at each other across the small shop.

  Tension thickened the air like flour dust during a rush bake. I caught just the tail end of Jake’s excited chatter, something about us arriving in a carriage. Veronica’s mother turned her attention toward me with a guarded expression.

  I broke the silence with a smile. “Would you happen to have a comfy seat for my wife? She’s on her feet more than she should be.”

  The woman blinked, her gaze dropping from my face to Seraphina, as if only just realizing someone was leaning heavily against me. “Oh, yes, of course. This way.”

  She led us to a small seating area in the back, where a few mismatched chairs offered a place to rest. Seraphina sank gratefully into one of them with a relieved sigh.

  “Is it your back or your feet this time?” I asked gently.

  “Both. But mostly my feet,” she said through clenched teeth.

  I knelt and lifted her feet into my lap, removed her shoes with care, and began rubbing them. She closed her eyes and let out a soft moan of relief, leaning back into the chair.

  Behind me, I heard the woman whisper, “Who are these people, Veronica?”

  Veronica replied calmly, though I could hear a faint tremble of nerves in her voice. “This is David… my husband. And Seraphina, his first wife.”

  There was a pause. The kind that hangs in the air like thunder before the strike.

  “Oh…” Her mother’s tone shifted instantly, softer now. “I’m sorry, my lord. I was… mistaken.”

  “Mama, could we get some refreshments for Seraphina?” Veronica asked, placing a hand gently on her mother’s shoulder.

  “Yes… Yes,” Deana replied after a pause to collect herself, then left the room with her daughter.

  “How’s this?” I asked, massaging Seraphina’s left heel.

  “Hello?” a voice called out. I looked up to see a middle-aged man standing behind me.

  “Hello there. I’m David,” I said, continuing to rub my wife’s foot.

  “Okay, David, so what brings you to my home?” he asked. Behind him stood a younger boy, likely another family member.

  “We’re here with Veronica. She should be around here somewhere,” I said casually.

  “Oh, Veronica is here,” he said, glancing around as Veronica entered carrying a plate of pastries and glasses. Her mother followed, balancing a pitcher of water.

  “Randy, move aside,” Deana said, nudging him. “That’s Veronica’s husband, David. You know, the Earl and his wife.”

  She made her way to the table, pouring glasses of water as Seraphina picked up one of the pastries and took a bite.

  Her face lit up. “These are the pastries, David. The ones I told you about!”

  Veronica poured herself a glass and handed it to her sister-wife. “My father makes those.”

  “He does?” Seraphina said, looking around. She withdrew her foot from my hands and sat up. “Are you the baker?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” came his modest reply.

  “Roger, speak up,” Deana interjected. “Yes, Lady Seraphina, he’s the one. He wakes before dawn and usually sells out by mid-morning.”

  “Could you show me how you make them?” Seraphina asked excitedly. “I’ll trade you for a recipe, snickerdoodles, a soft, cake-like cookie.”

  “Wait,” I said, slipping her shoes back on. “You’ve already mastered cooking, and now you want to conquer baking too?”

  “Do you know how hard it is to cook for you, David?” she teased. “You keep introducing all these new dishes. What was the latest one… pancakes?” I winced slightly. I did love pancakes.

  “I do really like pancakes,” I admitted.

  “Yeah, I’m working on them, and waffles,” she added with a grin. Veronica’s parents chuckled at our playful back-and-forth.

  I stood and extended a hand to the man I assumed was Roger. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m David, Veronica’s husband. And, if you hadn’t guessed, Seraphina’s husband as well.”

  He took my hand with a firm shake. “Likewise. I’m Roger, and this is Deana, Veronica’s mother. Behind me is Aiken, her younger brother. Our other son, Jake, is here somewhere…”

  “You don’t act like a noble,” Aiken said bluntly.

  “Nobles rarely visit this part of town,” Roger added.

  “True,” I said with a nod. “I am the Earl of Brackenreach, over in Vaelthorn. Which makes Veronica and Seraphina both countesses. But among family and friends, I’m just David. Titles are important, but they can get a little… stuffy.”

  They all looked a bit stunned.

  “Also, apologies, I should introduce Allyson,” I added, gesturing to her. “She’s my assistant.”

  Roger cleared his throat. “David, it might take me a moment to get used to calling you that, but Deana and I… we have a few questions.”

  “Of course.”

  He hesitated, then said, “Being a noble, I’m sure you can support her, but is it true? You have six wives?”

  “Yes, he has six,” Seraphina said between bites of Danish. “Mmm. This is excellent.”

  “Six?” Deana echoed.

  “It’s sort of… protocol,” I said with a shrug.

  “Protocol?” Roger asked, puzzled.

  “How much has Veronica told you about me, or us?”

  “Honestly, nothing. She said it was your story to share. She did mention something about Princess Theresa, though.”

  “Ah, yes. Theresa is my fifth wife. We’re planning a celebration at the end of the summer. Actually, it might be better to hold it after the baby’s born, don’t you think?” I glanced at Seraphina.

  “Yes,” she nodded. “That would be lovely.”

  “I’ll speak to the King and make arrangements,” I said. “Allyson, remind me later?”

  “Yes, Master,” she replied. That caught their attention. Their heads turned toward Allyson.

  “As I was saying,” I continued, “I have a unique class, which puts me in a very unusual position. What have you heard about recent events in the capital?”

  “Well, Prince Theodore returned from that expedition to find the vaults,” Roger began. “There was a big magic duel a week ago, and something about the Black Tower…”

  “Yes, what was it?” Deana asked.

  “Something about it being unlocked? And people entering it? I don’t believe that one.”

  Seraphina and Veronica both chuckled. I couldn’t help but laugh as well.

  “What’s so funny?” Roger asked.

  “Mama,” Veronica said through her laughter. “I was there… In the vaults. Prince Theodore, Ajax, and Princess Theresa were there too. So was David. He’s the one who found and opened them. You wouldn’t believe the treasure sealed inside.”

  “Where is it now? Still in the vaults?” Aiken asked.

  “No. The vaults were destroyed during a demon invasion,” I said. “They’re gone.”

  “And the treasure? Surely the crown claimed it?” Roger asked.

  “Nope,” Veronica said. “It was lost.”

  Her parents stared at us in stunned silence.

  “How is that possible? Wouldn’t the crown…” I could see the change in her expression at the loss of the legend that the Vaults had made over the years. ”David, may I ask… what is your class?” Deana asked cautiously.

  “I’m an Engineer,” I replied. They blinked at me, clearly unsure of what to make of that.

  “Mama? Daddy? Are you alright?” Veronica asked.

  Deana gasped. “You’re the one who we heard fought those two mages?”

  “Yes. They were going to hurt my Marlena. That’s something I won’t allow.”

  “Marlena?” Roger asked.

  “Our third sister wife. She’s a high mage,” Seraphina explained. “I’m the first, Allira is the second, she’s a general. Marlena’s third. Then Aria, a Royal Mage. Fourth is Theresa, the princess. And last, your daughter.” She smiled warmly. “You should all come to dinner at the tower. It’ll be fun, and I’ll cook. You’ll get a chance to meet everyone.”

  I glanced at my wives. “We really should be going. What day would you like to come to the tower for dinner? We can send a carriage.”

  “Would two days be too soon?” Roger asked.

  “Not at all,” Seraphina replied. “Four of you, I assume?”

  “Yes,” Deana confirmed.

  I stood and extended a hand to Seraphina. We all exited the bakery to return to the tower. Before leaving, Seraphina picked up several more danishes to take home.

  _____________________

  Veronica

  We had just finished another excellent meal prepared by Seraphina. Roasted bird with vegetables, the meat fell off the bone, a sign of perfection. The meal ended with what David called pumpkin pie, though it was more of a spiced squash pie. It was delicious. That’s what happens when you live with a master chef. And now she wants to learn how to bake? The possibilities were dangerous… and delicious.

  Afterward, we all retired to the seating area to relax while the maids cleaned up. I didn’t sit right away. I wasn’t sure where I fit in this strange, beautiful family.

  “Veronica,” David said, turning toward me, “are you ready for me to take a look and start unraveling some of your markings?”

  “Here?” I asked, glancing around the room. Everyone else was scattered around, reading or lounging.

  “Yes. The lighting’s better here,” he replied.

  “What do you want me to do?” I hesitated. I remembered seeing Aria last week, sitting on the table, fully exposed while David studied the symbols along her body. I felt a bead of sweat trail down my back.

  “I’d like to start at your core tonight. So please, undress to your waist,” he said gently.

  I froze.

  “Is this about what we talked about this morning?” he asked softly.

  I didn’t answer. I just looked down at my feet and shook my head, shame welling up inside me. I’m such a failure. Mama was right…

  That’s when I felt his hand touch mine, warm, steady, patient. I looked up into his eyes, and he gently wiped away the tear that escaped. Without a word, we moved together to where he was sitting.

  “It’s okay,” he said quietly, as he pulled me gently into an embrace. I felt it then, the overwhelming warmth, the calm love that poured off him in waves. I couldn’t stop the tears.

  “We can do this later,” he whispered.

  “No. Let’s start now,” I said, voice trembling. “Can you help me?”

  He nodded. With calm hands, he unfastened my dress, letting it slip to the floor. My undergarments followed, and soon I stood fully exposed before him. He guided me back to the seat, settling between Seraphina and Theresa, and I straddled his lap.

  To my surprise, the room hadn’t changed. Everyone was still reading, chatting softly, or doing their own thing.

  “You do know they were all watching you,” David whispered, flashing that devilish smile.

  I looked to the right, then to the left. Sure enough, Seraphina and Theresa were both smiling. Then I felt other hands on my back. I turned and saw Allira, Marlena, and Aria gathering around me. Marlena leaned down and kissed my cheek.

  “We’re one strange family,” she said softly.

  I turned to thank her and caught a glimpse of her markings. Bright gold.

  “Okay,” David said as he reached for his sketchbook, then extended his hand to my skin.

  The moment he touched me, his eyes changed, glowing a radiant, electric blue. I glanced over at Allyson and saw her eyes mirrored the same color. A strange, beautiful light.

  “You noticed,” Seraphina said calmly, still flipping through the book Aria had brought home.

  “His eyes?” I asked.

  “Yes,” she replied without looking up. “He’ll stay like that for a bit. I’m not sure if he hears us while he’s in that state… but isn’t it mesmerizing?”

  “It is,” I murmured. “And his touch is so warm… Does he get like that a lot?”

  “He has his moments when he concentrates on some task, like you now,” Theresa commented.

  Eventually, his eyes returned to the gentle grey I had fallen in love with.

  “I think that’s enough for tonight, don’t you?” he said gently.

  I looked down at the sketch in his book. A complex circle, surrounded by glyphs and numbers, filled the page.

  “Yes,” I whispered. “What now?”

  That devilish smile spread across his face again.