Page 73 of A Soul to Embrace

Supporting herself with a hand on the table, Fayren rose to her feet so she could walk to her bed and kneel beside it. She pulled some kind of box with a latch on it out from underneath and lifted the lid to reveal a large stock of books.

“I have everything we need here. Diagrams of different kinds of Demon anatomy, explanations into the varying kinds of fertility cycles. You’ll be surprised by just how different each Demon can be, so hopefully something will be similar to you. We can work this out together.”

Zylah watched as she pulled three books from her box, before rising to stand with much effort. She placed them on the table and reassumed her seat.

“Usually I would do a physical examination, but that can be quite uncomfortable for most.”

“Physical examination?”

The female gave a small awkward laugh. “I usually would have the Demon lie on the bed and part their thighs for me. It allows me to see what kind of genitalia they have, since there are so many variations. Some of us can lay eggs, or even lack a clit. Some have a spur to inseminate themselves. We really are all amazing, if I’m being honest. It makes the discussion regarding procreating quite unique each time.”

Horrified by the idea of a stranger seeing her, and by what she’d just learned, her sight shifted to white. She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to do that.”

“I didn’t think so,” she stated with humour curling her lips. She pulled a book closer and began flipping through the pages. “If you can point to what you think is closest, we can go from there. Like I said, please be forgiving, as I’m not very knowledgeable about Mavka. I will do what I can.”

The harsh pressure in Zylah’s chest eased, as did her tears. She fisted the skirt of her dress before bowing her head. “Thank you. I... really appreciate this.”

Fayren nodded before going back to flipping pages. “You’re welcome, Zylah. We’ll start from the beginning, and then we’ll move onto everything else like sex, consent, and how best to protect yourself during heat cycles. The fact you don’t produce pheromones is actually a blessing.” She lifted her gaze to run it over Zylah’s body. “Then again, I already think you’ll struggle to keep unruly males away from you. Especially in a dress such as that. Unless that is what you’re going for.”

Confused about why Fayren would make such a comment about her body, or clothing, Zylah tilted her head and looked down at herself. “Jabez made this for me.”

“Pardon?” Fayren wheezed out, before choking and coughing. “Hemadethat scrap of clothing for you?”

“I like it. I don’t like things covering my tail. I like that he... gave it to me.”

Fayren produced a warm laugh. “I think you’re mistaking me. The idea of Jabez sewing anything, let alone a female’s clothing, is rather humorous to me. I just can’t imagine him doing something like that for another.”

Zylah grumbled at that.Why not?He’d done it for her readily; she’d witnessed him in the act.

With his back towards Fayren’s home, Jabez sat on the top beam of the fence surrounding her garden. His eyes scanned over the different fruits and vegetables she had available, although only the winter varieties and hardier herbs were edible due to the colder season.

Night had fallen, so he kept his hood down, but used the rest of his cape as a blanket from the chill. Since this was Fayren’s territory, and it was unlikely anyone would come to visit, he didn’t feel the need to hide his identity.

She and Zylah had been speaking for hours, which Jabez took as a good sign. The longer they spoke, the more Zylah would learn.

He had no issue being stationary. He welcomed the quiet and solitude, using it to piece together his thoughts.

When he heard the door open, he briefly turned his head to look over his shoulder, only to bring his gaze forward. It wasn’t the female he’d been expecting, but part of him was relieved.

She was wise enough to give him a wide berth and to approach from his left, rather than from directly behind. Having spentyears within his castle, she knew him well enough to be aware of his quirks.

“You owe me big-time,” Fayren muttered, opening the creaky gate to her garden, whereas he’d merely climbed over the beams.

“I owe you nothing,” he answered coldly. “This wasn’t for me, but for her.”

Seeing she wanted to sit beside him, he offered his hand out to her. She glared at it, then him, before taking it so he could assist her in climbing the fence. She settled her butt next to him, brushed off the skirt of her long green dress, and then laid her hands in her lap.

She stared at him for a long while, and he ignored her as he peered over the garden. She’d speak when she was ready.

A soft breeze rustled his cream tunic, cloak, and horribly sewn pants, and pushed the length of his long ponytail to the side. Her flowery smell was welcome, reminding him of simpler times sheltered within his castle, and her presence a familiar one since his early twenties.

“You shouldn’t sit like that,” she said, disapproval evident in her tone. “It’s unbecoming for someone who was once ourking.”

Just when he’d been enjoying her presence...

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Jabez exclaimed, throwing his hands up. “Can you not nag for five damn minutes?!” He tossed his face to the left. “You better not have nagged at Zylah.”

Fayren looked up towards the night sky, then away, while wobbling her head. Her smirk was telling, and it instantly soured him.

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