Chapter 1

"I need two more Blood Juice Boxes," Parisa smiled at the vampiric twins who stood patiently awaiting their treats. She wasn't quite sure how the immortals were born as her understanding of the vampire lineage was spotty at best but thankfully History was not her subject. Trying to teach children about their heritage in a world as multihued as this one was an impossible feat. But then again, as her throbbing feet could attest to, teaching them the socialization skills necessary to survive in a peaceful cohabitation was no mean feat either.

"Right away, Miss Reese." The lunch attendant herded the small pale children in the direction of the lunch counter and Reese decided this looked like a perfect opportunity to escape the din of the auditorium turned lunch room.

Threading her way through the rows of children busily seeing to their nutritional needs, Reese nodded to the smaller denizens as they were her particular charges. She had started teaching at RhyDin Elementary her first year outside of Elyria's boundaries and was no longer surprised by the variety of "foodstuffs" that surrounded her. She couldn't begin to fathom how they managed to assemble all of the ingredients on a daily basis, taking into account all the special diets and dangerous allergies. Clearly labeled danger signs were not enough when dealing with the youth and dozens of Food Specialists moved amongst the children to make sure that there were no accidents.

"No, no Charlie, use the plastic utensils sweetie, that's silver." The furry young man in question growled his understanding as he fought to regain his human form after a near brush with painful consequences.

Reese smiled in gratitude at the woman who assisted him before sliding her hand across the sensor that allowed her entrance and departure from the cafeteria. The hallway was blessedly quiet and empty. Taking the familiar path toward the Teacher's Lounge, Reese walked past the classrooms of her cohorts with the quickened pace of a person on their lunch hour. Her time was already diminished by the detour into the cafeteria but her two newest charges needed a little extra attention to help them adjust. She arrived at the door and repeated the same motion before the sensor to gain entrance.

The hustle and bustle of the lounge poured out around her in a gentle cacophony of murmuring voices, a cough there, a laugh here, a murmuring sigh, and the physical movement of a body of people. Decorated to resemble an old hunter's lounge, (the questionable taste of a previous Dean) the room had always been slightly off-putting to Reese. Furs and hides decorated the floor, the huge hearth"large enough that two grown men could easily stand inside it"blazed with a fire that should've been cheery but seemed like something out of a grim fairytale. Hanging above the mantle was the portrait of the founding father, a dismally dark painting made more daunting by the disapproving glare that clung to his features. Tables and chairs had been added over the years in various ages of popular design and there existed a haphazard collection of couches, chaise lounges, and bean bag chairs as well. A flame-haired man turned at the sight of her and hurried in her direction on short legs.

"Let's share it, yes?" Reese took a second spoonful before sliding the bowl before him and dutifully taking the proffered sandwich in the gestures made easy by the familiarity created by marriage.

She watched him while he ate. His hair had grown so long since their elopement. Long hair was generally frowned upon in Elyrian society and she wondered if he wore it that way as a display of his continued defiance. Perhaps she'd ask him about it tonight when she ran her fingers through it as they lay in bed together. She enjoyed it. Though the facial hair he chose to adopt was less pleasing. His brown beard had a tendency to catch food in it and she found herself engaging in kissing with less frequency now that it came with the sensations of odd smells, textures, and sometimes even tastes.

"You'd better get a move on, lunch is just about over. You were late to begin with." He encouraged even as he hastily spooned the deliciously creamy soup in between words.

She felt guilty for her idle thoughts made more censoring by her inner shudder at his lack of manners. The sandwich unwrapped and a half claimed. Sliding the other half toward him she was surprised by his quick grab, "Thanks honey, a man couldn't ask for a better wife."

His wink would have been sweeter if she hadn't noticed the soup that clung to his beard. She was about to offer him her napkin when he waved a hand in response to the imperious wave of his Department Chair. "Gotta run. Looks like we're going to have a team building meeting." The possible responses tickled her lips but none were actually voiced as she watched him cross the lounge to become a part of a mingling group of people. She knew he would be filled with details tonight over dinner. The usual grousing one reserved for their bosses was a familiar subject as she could commiserate with his growing frustration. A quick glance at the clock revealed that her lunch hour was in its last minutes. Another glance revealed the empty state of her bowl of soup.

She took a few bites of the sandwich before hastily cleaning up her spot. Washing the bowl in the sink and setting it in the strainer for Mr. Humphries. She washed down the gritty flavor left by the homemade bread with the metallic flavored water that seemed commonplace in the Old Temple District.

The school building was practically empty. She was one of the last to leave as the parent's meeting had taken an hour to successfully orchestrate to a satisfying conclusion. Reese was one of the few teachers employed at RhyDin Elementary who did not mind meeting with parents. The horror stories of teachers disemboweled for offending a protective mother were only trumped by the equally terrifying accounts of teachers never seen again. The school employed many healers and insisted that one be in attendance as both helpmate and witness. This, combined with the contracts prospective parents signed had lessened the more dire outcomes; but still, most teachers were content to work with the students in the short time that they had them and pretend to know nothing of their home lives. In the melting pot that was RhyDin chances for miscommunication or possible misunderstandings ran extremely high.

"I must say you handled that Drow Priestess with surprising flair." The grey-haired half-elf chortled as they exited the building together.

"Thank you, Gloria. I appreciate you staying after to see me through yet another parent's meeting." Reese sighed as she strung the handle to her bag over her shoulder. "I wouldn't miss it for an enchanted golem lover." Gloria's chortle turning into a snort, "How did you know to point out that Charrlaine just wanted that little drowess" approval of her manipulating the assignment into a gain?"

"Because that's all these kids ever want, Gloria. Approval and acceptance." A flicker of her father's glower brought an uncomfortable shudder.

"Well they certainly made fast friends after that revelation. I can't imagine the play date between the two of them. Succubus and Drowess playing with dolls" It gives me the willies."

"Oh Gloria! Stop it!" Though Reese did have to laugh at the image of voodoo dolls, "This kind of ethnocentrism is exactly what I'm trying to fix!"

"Oh I know! Trust me I know! Saint Parisa will solve the world's ills one childish squabble at a time."

"Poke fun at me all you want Gloria. But this is RhyDin. Differences should be celebrated not fought over. And besides, isn't it all a childish squabble?" Making a hand motion toward the political signs that still clung to the walls that enclosed the school for safety.

"Oh so right you are, so right you are!" Gloria shook her head at her earnest companion even as she ran her hand over the scanner that would allow them to depart the school's grounds. The rumbling sound of the giant wall so commonplace neither took note of it as they passed through. "Where's your husband?" She hesitated before heading toward her home nearer the West End.

"He went on home when he realized I had to stay after. Our garden needed tending and he wanted to get a head start on grading papers."

A frown, "You're not walking home alone then are you?"

"Gloria. I'll be fine." A hint of exasperation as she headed northward toward the bridge with a wave to her friend.

"Are you not headed home?" Gloria called after her, concern edging her voice up an octave.

"No, I'm headed to the Market District to run a few errands."

"You be careful lass and keep an eye out, I think we're in for a storm!"

"I will be! I promise!"

Gloria watched the young earnest woman make her way down the cobblestoned streets for a moment before with a shrug she shifted into a form more suitable for travel. A bird's cry following Parisa.

The warm water beckoned.

Her shoes had been discarded upon the rack at the door and now she hooked her fingers in her pantyhose, peeling them off her hips and downward. Carefully she smoothed and rolled the nylons for they were one of her few remaining pairs and she didn't dare risk a run in them. Soaking them in the warm water, she added chamomile and lavender extract from her garden. It took only a few minutes to wash them, wring them out and hang them over the line. Her skirt and blouse were removed and hung up as well. Soaping a cloth in the warm scented water she began scrubbing the nubile length of her youthful body in gentle circular motions.

The drag of the cloth across her sensitive skin drew with it a shiver and upon its passage revealed its journey by the prickling of her flesh. Slick, the moist path trailed over her skin, highlighted by the crackling flames of the fire. She could see her reflection in the kitchen window she stood before and found herself stunned by how"wanton'she looked.

Curiosity flared and she slid the wet towel beneath the small globes of her left breast, lifting it in her grasp and dragging along its perky circumference. Her nipple peaked and a gasp parted her suddenly dry lips. She repeated the motion on her right breast and felt her heart rate quicken in response.

Dipping the cloth back in the sink full of still steaming water she squeezed out the excess and sat it upon her thigh, one small foot perching upon the stool. Down, over her thigh, cupping her knee, and sliding down her calf, she stroked the soapy warmth in a massaging squeeze of her towel draped hand. A sigh of pleasure whispered from her, as she shifted to repeat the same routine upon her other leg. A glimpse of a red skinned hand had her eyes drifting shut. Slowly she stroked upward, the warm wet drag of the cloth gaining purchase high upon her spread thighs. In her mind's eye she saw Aukai, pictured his broad crimson chest, his soulful eyes, and his surprisingly wicked smile. Higher the cloth climbed. Her hand trembling now as her breath caught and held, her lower lip curling into her mouth, caught between her teeth.

The first brush of the cloth along the delicate apex of her thighs had her jerking forward on a rocking motion of her hips, a gasp tearing her lip free as her mouth parted abruptly. Bracing her free hand upon the lip of the counter, she gave into the urge to rock herself against that warm, wet, heat. Dragging the textured weave of the cloth as she pictured ". Aukai.

She was quiet, the only sounds coming from the kitchen the softly rapid intakes of her breath and even as she climaxed she made but one small whimper. Shuddering, hips jerking and hand falling away as she slowly collapsed onto the stool. Mortification stained her cheeks a vibrant pink.

She'd never"

"the boldness of her actions had her writhing in internal agony of embarrassment aided by the carnal impurity of her thoughts. Guiltily she cast a look upon her sleeping husband and ricocheted out of her seated position to hastily finish her nightly routines.



Later, as she coaxed Weland to their bed she was relieved when he rolled over as soon as he hit the mattress. Her body still tingling and replete she fell into a deep slumber in which her dreams were painted a claret hue.