Chapter 41: A Bell in the Alley

No invisibility this time.

At least, that had been the agreement.

Or rather, it had been my decision, and Zeria had made the extremely questionable choice of trusting me with decisions while both of us were currently suffering the consequences of aphrodisiac soup.

In hindsight, perhaps neither of us had been qualified to vote.

The narrow alley remained only a few steps away from the crowded street. Sunlight barely reached between the tall stone buildings, leaving us inside a strip of cool shade while the capital continued happily outside.

Merchants shouted.

Boots passed.

Wheels rolled over stone.

Someone was arguing enthusiastically about the price of onions.

And I had Zeria pressed against a wall.

Normal afternoon.

Very respectable.

I kissed her hard.

Zeria answered immediately.

Harder.

There was none of her usual hesitation left.

Her arms wrapped around my neck and pulled me closer as though she had personally decided distance was an enemy of the kingdom.

Her lips were warm.

Too warm.

Not uncomfortable.

Just noticeably hotter than normal, and growing warmer with every second we stayed tangled together.

I kissed her again.

She chased after me when I shifted.

Her breath came quickly through her nose, little uneven sounds escaping whenever our lips separated just enough to breathe.

The soup had definitely done something.

Something powerful.

Something that should probably have required the vendor to provide written warnings, medical supervision, and perhaps a priest.

My lips moved from hers to her cheek.

Then lower.

I kissed along her jaw.

Zeria tilted her head, giving me more room.

I reached her neck.

She shivered.

Then immediately caught my face between both hands and pulled me upward.

“No.”

I blinked.

“No?”

“Keep your mouth here.”

She kissed me again before I could ask where here was.

Question answered.

Her lips.

Apparently the Great Sage had developed priorities.

I smiled into the kiss.

“Demanding.”

Zeria made a frustrated little sound.

“Caled.”

“Right. Less talking.”

“Much less.”

I kissed her again.

Our mouths moved together with increasing urgency.

When my tongue brushed against hers, Zeria moaned directly into the kiss.

The sound disappeared between us.

Her body pressed closer.

My hand moved along her waist before traveling upward over the front of her pink dress.

The soft fabric separated my palm from her chest, but the barrier did very little to hide her reaction.

I squeezed gently.

Zeria gasped.

Her back pressed harder against the wall.

I did it again.

She moaned louder.

I pulled away only enough to whisper, “You’re supposed to stay quiet.”

“You’re making that difficult.”

“I haven’t even started being difficult.”

Her eyes narrowed.

Then she kissed me again.

Fair.

Her hands slipped beneath my shirt.

Warm palms met my stomach.

I inhaled.

She smiled against my mouth.

Oh.

Someone had noticed.

Her fingers spread over my abdomen, exploring slowly at first before sliding along the lines of my muscles.

Apparently women in Aphrodasia had formed some international alliance dedicated to touching my abs.

I supported this treaty completely.

Zeria’s hands moved lower.

My smile disappeared for a second when I realized what she was doing.

She found the fastening of my pants.

Opened it.

Then looked directly at me.

There was mischief in those blue eyes.

Far too much mischief for someone who regularly walked around the castle barefoot looking like innocence had personally hired her as a representative.

“You suggested doing this here.”

“I remember.”

She worked my clothing open enough to reach me.

“So you should be the first one exposed.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“That seems like suspicious legal reasoning.”

“Do you disagree?”

Her hand closed around me.

My argument immediately filed for retirement.

“No complaints.”

Zeria smiled.

Satisfied.

Her hand began moving.

Slowly.

Experimentally.

She already knew what I liked from our night together, but apparently curiosity remained one of her defining character traits even when her brain had been partially hijacked by monster soup.

Her touch was soft.

Warm.

Very warm.

She watched my face while her hand traveled along me, learning from every breath and every involuntary tightening of my body.

I held her gaze.

“Studying again?”

“Yes.”

“You’re supposed to be off duty.”

“I’m always curious.”

“That sentence is becoming dangerous.”

Her other hand reached behind my neck.

She pulled me closer.

Then kissed me again.

Not gently.

Her lips worked against mine while her hand continued below, gradually increasing its rhythm.

Every few seconds she changed something.

Pressure.

Speed.

Angle.

Each adjustment came with that same observation.

Watch.

Learn.

Repeat whatever worked.

The Great Sage treated pleasure like research.

I was beginning to understand why she had earned the title.

I slid one hand down her body.

Over the dress.

Past her waist.

Along her thigh.

Zeria’s breathing changed before I had even reached where I was going.

She knew.

Her legs shifted slightly.

A silent invitation.

My fingers slipped beneath the edge of her clothing.

Found the thin fabric underneath.

Moved it gently aside.

The warmth there made me stop.

I looked at her.

Zeria was already flushed.

Not only her face.

Her neck.

The visible skin above her dress.

Everything carried that strange feverish heat.

“You’re really affected.”

She breathed against my lips.

“So are you.”

“Fair.”

My fingers brushed where she was most sensitive.

Zeria’s entire body jerked.

A moan escaped.

Too loud.

Footsteps passed the alley entrance.

Both of us froze.

A man carrying a bundle of fabric walked by without looking toward us.

We stayed perfectly still until his footsteps faded.

Then I looked at Zeria.

She looked at me.

I smiled.

Her eyes narrowed.

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your smile is irritating.”

“My smile has excellent reviews.”

She pulled me into another kiss.

I returned my attention lower.

This time my touch became more deliberate.

Slow pressure.

A small movement.

Then another.

Zeria breathed harder.

Her hand around me tightened involuntarily before resuming its rhythm.

I pushed slightly farther with my fingers.

Her lips broke from mine.

“Caled…”

“Quiet.”

“You’re the one doing it.”

“That sounds like blame.”

“It is.”

I laughed softly.

Then moved again.

Zeria immediately covered her mouth with one hand.

Her eyes squeezed shut.

Her shoulders pressed against the stone behind her.

I looked toward the street.

Still people passing.

Nobody noticing.

Excellent.

Terrible.

Exciting.

Everything about this was a collection of bad decisions stacked inside a trench coat pretending to be romance.

I returned my attention to Zeria.

Added another finger.

Her knees nearly gave.

I caught her hip with my free hand and held her steady.

She bit down gently against the side of her own hand to keep herself quiet.

That gave me an idea.

Not a good one.

Those had become extinct shortly after meeting me.

I increased the rhythm.

Zeria’s eyes flew open.

She glared at me.

Not angry.

Accusing.

I smiled innocently.

Her breathing became broken.

Her hand kept moving around me, but coordination was clearly starting to lose the war.

Every time my fingers moved more firmly, her hips responded instinctively.

Closer.

Seeking more.

Then her hand around "me" tightened and pulled me toward her.

I understood.

Very clearly.

Zeria removed her hand from her mouth.

Her voice came in a whisper.

“I can’t take this anymore.”

“That sounds dramatic.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

She looked down briefly.

Then back up.

“I want you.”

I leaned closer.

“Specific.”

Her face somehow became even redder.

“I want you inside me.”

There it was.

Clear enough to satisfy any contractual requirement.

I smiled.

“Ask nicely, Big Sister.”

Zeria stared.

The expression on her face was magnificent.

Half desire.

Half disbelief.

One hundred percent plotting my death.

“You’re making me say please?”

“I’m encouraging good manners.”

“In an alley.”

“Manners matter everywhere.”

“You’re horrible.”

“I’ve heard.”

She grabbed my face and kissed me.

Hard.

Then whispered directly against my lips.

“Please.”

I raised an eyebrow.

Zeria’s breath trembled.

“I need you inside me.”

Much better.

I slid one hand beneath her thigh.

Lifted her leg.

Her balance shifted immediately, back pressing more firmly against the wall.

My body moved between hers.

She felt me against her.

Her eyes fluttered.

The world outside continued.

People passed.

Someone laughed near the street.

A cart rolled by.

None of them knew.

I positioned myself carefully.

Then joined with her.

Only a little at first.

Zeria inhaled sharply.

Her fingers tightened against my shoulders.

I paused.

She did not.

Both hands moved to my hips.

Then she pulled me toward her.

The sudden movement brought us fully together.

Her head fell back against the wall.

A moan escaped.

I immediately kissed her to swallow the sound.

Zeria responded desperately.

Her arms wrapped around my neck.

I started moving.

Slow.

Deep.

Controlled.

At least initially.

Jingle.

I stopped.

Zeria stopped.

We both looked down.

The fairy plush still hung from my belt loop.

I shifted experimentally.

Jingle.

We stared at each other.

Then Zeria started laughing.

Quietly.

Breathlessly.

“Oh no.”

I smiled.

“Oh yes.”

“This was your fault.”

“You bought it.”

“You paid for it.”

“Shared responsibility.”

I moved again.

Jingle.

Zeria bit her lower lip.

“That is going to make this worse.”

“Or better.”

“Caled.”

“Depends on your attitude.”

I resumed.

Slowly.

Each movement brought another tiny ring from the bell.

Jingle.

A breath.

Jingle.

A quiet moan.

Jingle.

Zeria’s fingers tightened behind my neck.

I leaned toward her ear.

“You need to be quieter.”

“I can’t.”

“That sounds like a skill issue.”

She pulled back enough to glare.

I moved slightly faster.

The glare disappeared.

Her eyes closed.

“Oh…”

I smiled.

“Thought so.”

My rhythm increased.

The bell followed.

Soft at first.

Then quicker.

Jingle. Jingle. Jingle.

It would have been ridiculous if everything else did not feel so intense.

Actually, no.

It was still ridiculous.

That somehow made it better.

Zeria’s breathing became increasingly uneven.

She buried her face against my neck.

I could feel every warm breath against my skin.

Then she lifted her head.

“My mouth.”

I slowed slightly.

“What about it?”

“I need yours.”

She leaned forward.

I leaned back.

Just a little.

Her lips missed mine.

Zeria stared.

I smiled.

She narrowed her eyes.

“Caled.”

“Yes, Big Sister?”

“Come here.”

“Very demanding.”

She tried again.

I moved back another fraction.

Her hands tightened around my neck.

Meanwhile, I increased the rhythm below.

Her eyes widened.

“Oh, you…”

“Me?”

“You’re doing that on purpose.”

“Doing what?”

“You know what.”

I absolutely did.

I watched her struggle between trying to kiss me and trying to keep her voice under control.

The soup had turned her sensitivity up to a level that probably violated magical safety regulations.

Every movement made her breath hitch.

Every slightly stronger one pulled another sound from her.

Her face grew hotter.

Eyes increasingly unfocused.

Finally, Zeria gave up on asking.

Both arms locked around my neck.

She pulled.

Hard.

My face came down to hers.

She kissed me immediately.

I let her.

Her moans escaped between our mouths.

Soft.

Broken.

Impossible to completely hide.

I kissed her until we both needed air.

When we separated, I kept moving.

“You having trouble keeping yourself together?”

Zeria nodded.

Slowly.

“Yes.”

No joke.

No pretending.

Just honesty.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly.

I kissed her cheek.

Then stopped.

Completely.

Zeria froze.

Her eyes opened.

“What?”

I carefully pulled away.

The sudden emptiness made her grip my shoulders.

“Caled.”

I smiled.

“Position change.”

Her eyes widened.

Before she could complain, I guided her around.

Zeria turned.

Both palms met the stone wall.

She glanced back over one shoulder.

Oh.

That expression.

Excited.

Nervous.

Very aware of where we were.

She leaned forward slightly.

Then stopped.

“I don’t think I can do this position here.”

I stepped closer behind her.

“Why not?”

“You know why.”

“I enjoy hearing explanations.”

Zeria looked toward the alley entrance.

People were still passing outside.

“I don’t know if I can stay quiet.”

I placed my hands on her hips.

“You can.”

Her eyebrows rose.

“I believe in you.”

She stared at my face.

Then narrowed her eyes.

“Your smile says you absolutely do not.”

“My smile is frequently misunderstood.”

“You want me to fail.”

“That is a terrible accusation.”

“Caled.”

I leaned closer.

“Maybe a little.”

She sighed.

“You are awful.”

“Yet here we are.”

I moved against her again.

Zeria’s fingers spread against the wall.

Her breath caught.

Then I joined with her from behind.

Her shoulders tightened.

A quiet sound escaped.

I held her hips securely.

Then began moving.

Jingle.

Zeria lowered her head.

Jingle.

Her breathing deepened.

Jingle.

The bell became our extremely inappropriate musical accompaniment.

I moved faster.

Zeria immediately covered her mouth.

I saw that.

And interpreted it as a challenge.

Obviously.

If the universe did not want me competing against someone’s self-control, it should not have given me opportunities.

I tightened my grip on her hips.

Increased the pace.

Zeria’s entire body responded.

Each movement pressed her closer toward the wall.

Not painfully.

Just enough that she had to brace herself against the stone.

Her dress shifted around her legs.

Golden hair moved with every motion.

The bell rang faster.

Jingle-jingle-jingle.

Her muffled sounds became increasingly difficult to contain.

I looked toward the street.

Still safe.

For now.

Then back to her.

Zeria had one hand pressed against her mouth.

The other against the wall.

Her shoulders trembled.

I moved harder.

She made a sharp sound into her palm.

I smiled.

Zeria somehow sensed it without seeing me.

“I hate that smile.”

“You can’t even see it.”

“I know it’s there.”

Fair.

Then I felt her body tighten.

Her movements became less controlled.

Her breathing broke completely.

She whispered something.

I heard it.

Perfectly.

Naturally, I decided to be difficult.

“What?”

Zeria looked back.

“I’m close.”

I tilted my head.

“Couldn’t hear you.”

Her eyes widened.

“You heard me.”

“Crowded street.”

She turned forward again.

I moved harder.

Her voice came between uneven breaths.

“I’m close.”

“What?”

Zeria made a frustrated sound.

Then immediately had to bite down against her hand as another wave hit her.

I leaned closer.

“Little louder.”

She glared back over her shoulder.

Then her expression cracked as pleasure interrupted.

“I’m close.”

Louder this time.

Still a whisper.

Barely.

Good enough.

I felt myself approaching the same edge.

Heat had gathered through my entire body.

The aphrodisiac certainly was not helping restraint.

My grip tightened.

“Together.”

Zeria nodded quickly.

I stopped holding back.

The rhythm intensified.

Harder.

Deeper.

Faster.

The little fairy bell became frantic.

Jingle-jingle-jingle-jingle.

Somewhere, whoever manufactured that plush had probably intended the sound to entertain children.

I owed them an apology.

Zeria’s attempt at silence finally collapsed.

A moan escaped.

Louder than before.

She immediately covered her mouth again.

Too late.

Footsteps slowed near the alley entrance.

Uh-oh.

A woman passing the opening glanced toward us.

At that exact moment, instinct finally overruled stupidity.

Magic spread over both of us.

Invisibility washed across our bodies.

I could still see Zeria clearly.

Apparently whatever magic I was using allowed me to perceive the person hidden with me.

Convenient.

To the woman outside?

Nothing.

Empty alley.

Stone walls.

Maybe some suspicious jingling.

She paused.

Looked around.

Then continued walking.

I almost laughed.

Zeria looked back at me.

Her eyes said very clearly:

You gave in.

I whispered, “Temporary tactical adjustment.”

She would have teased me.

She did not get the chance.

I moved again.

Her response destroyed whatever sentence she had prepared.

The last few moments became frantic.

No restraint.

No teasing.

Just both of us reaching the same limit.

Zeria trembled.

Her hand slid from the wall.

I caught her.

Held her against me.

Then pleasure overwhelmed her.

Her entire body shivered.

A broken moan escaped despite invisibility making secrecy slightly less important now.

My own limit followed.

I pulled her close.

One final deep movement.

Then held her there.

Release overtook me.

Heat.

Tension.

Then sudden relief.

For several seconds neither of us moved.

The bell gave one last pathetic little jingle.

Then silence.

Except for our breathing.

Zeria’s legs weakened.

I supported her as we slowly lowered toward the ground.

She ended up sitting against the wall, flushed and exhausted, her dress disordered around her legs.

I knelt beside her.

The aftereffects of what we had done were obvious enough without needing inspection.

I watched her catching her breath with immense satisfaction.

Zeria eventually looked up.

Her eyes narrowed.

“I hate you.”

I smiled.

“That sounds affectionate.”

“You enjoy teasing me far too much.”

“Because your reactions are excellent.”

She tried looking angry.

Failed.

I leaned closer.

Kissed her gently.

Completely different from everything before.

Soft.

Warm.

Zeria sighed into it.

Then kissed me back.

When we parted, I brushed a loose strand of golden hair away from her face.

“Because you’re cute.”

Her eyes narrowed again.

But she was smiling now.

She leaned in and kissed me one more time.

Then we stayed there for a moment.

Breathing.

Recovering.

I touched her cheek.

Something was different.

The unnatural heat had faded.

Her skin still felt warm from exertion, but not feverishly so.

I checked myself mentally.

Same thing.

No strange pressure.

No restless burning beneath my skin.

Gone.

I smiled.

“Well.”

Zeria looked at me.

“What?”

“I think that solved the soup problem.”

She blinked.

Then touched her own face.

Her expression changed.

“You’re right.”

The effect was gone.

Apparently the mysterious ingredient had one extremely specific cure.

Science.

Probably.

Zeria rested her head against the wall.

“I’m never eating that soup again.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Really?”

She looked at me.

For several seconds, she tried maintaining a serious face.

Then slowly smiled.

Mischievous again.

Dangerous again.

Zeria leaned closer.

“Only if you’re there to deal with the aftereffects.”

I laughed.

“Then we have an understanding.”