Felix turned to Gaylord. "Come," he said. "We need to discuss the final preparations."
Gaylord nodded, and they began heading inside.
I stepped forward, ready to follow, but a light tug at my collar stopped me.
"Where do you think you're going?" Liona asked, her eyes teasing.
I slapped her hand off. "I'm going inside with Felix and Gaylord,"
Felix stopped mid-step and turned to me. "Ren… you don't need to be part of this discussion. Just wait here for now."
I frowned. "If you didn't need me for any discussion, then why the hell was I dragged along?"
"I'll still need you… later," Felix said calmly. "But first, I need to talk with Gaylord."
Gaylord spoke up in his typical flat tone. "While you wait, Liona will take you to the market to get clothes."
Liona glanced at him, then smirked. "Alright… but I'm not using my head to pick out clothes for him." She held out her palm. "Hand over some money."
Gaylord mumbled under his breath, but produced a small bag of coins and dropped it into her hand. "There. Fifty gold coins. Get going."
He turned and followed Felix. But before they could go in, Liona called out, "Felix, here's the brew." She held it out, and he took it carefully, before turning back to the temple.
With that done, she turned back to me. "Come on, let's get going."
I folded my arms, falling into step behind her, muttering under my breath.
Oh great... shopping with her!
The market was busy, crowded with people moving between stalls and merchants calling out their wares. As we walked, Liona glanced down at the small bag of gold coins in her hand, then back up at me.
"Pretty crowded today, isn't it?" she said, slowing her pace so she could walk beside me.
I didn't answer, keeping my eyes forward.
She stepped a little closer. "You're still mad about yesterday?"
"Stop questioning me," I said, my voice low. "I don't want to talk about it."
Liona moved a little closer.
"I'm just trying to resolve things… not be melodramatic," she said, glancing forward as we walked. "I'm sorry for how I spoke then. I'm usually like that when I'm woken from sleep."
I stayed silent, still folding my arms.
Her eyes flicked to mine, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Won't you forgive me?"
I hesitated. "I'll think about it."
She glanced down at the bag of coins again, then back at me. "Can't I forgive you now? I'll even grant a wish if you do."
I paused, turning to her, curious. "A wish?" I asked.
She nodded, eyes bright. "Yes. A wish. I really want us to be… on talking terms again."
Her gaze drifted toward the bag of gold coins in her hand once more, and I noticed.
"What are you looking at?" I asked.
Her eyes snapped back to mine. "Nothing! Forget it. So… what wish do you want?"
I thought for a moment, remembering the last time. She had sent me away then, and didn't let me… finish. Maybe this was my chance.
"I want you to... take care of me with your mouth," I said bluntly.
Her eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face. "Is that… all you want?"
I nodded. "Yes. That's what I want."
She hesitated, glancing around as if to check if anyone was eavesdropping. "I… can't agree to that easily. We're in public,"
She glanced at the bag of coins in her hand, then back at me. "But... I'll do it… if you let me take ten coins out of the fifty you were given to get clothes."
I blinked. Then grinned. "Done."
It was only just a few seconds later that I thought it through.
Wait a minute…
"Good," she cut me off, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips.
She grabbed my arm lightly and started guiding me through a narrow passage between the houses. The crowd of the market faded behind us, the noise dimming as we moved deeper into the maze of streets until no one could see us.
Finally, she stopped in a secluded spot.
"This'll do," she said, turning to face me. "Alright, Ren, just stay still and enjoy my work, okay? No interruptions."
I nodded. "Sure... okay."
She sank to her knees in front of me, and her hands began fiddling with my trousers.