Spirit Speaker

The next morning, the sun rose over the horizon, and I sat in front of my window, already dressed, watching it. 

Salea put her arms around me and kissed my neck. 

"Do you ever wake up at a normal time?" She asked. 

I turned my head to see the pretty blonde half-elf standing behind me, my shirt far too big on her. 

"Go back to bed," I replied. "It's too early for you to be up."

She sat on my lap and rested her head on my shoulder. "Then I shall sleep here."

I smiled, and put my arms around her, holding her close. 

"You've done well for yourself," I said, stroking her hair.

"Mmm." She snuggled her face deeper into my neck, her breath tickling my skin. "The king requested that I perform at the dinner." 

"That's a mighty compliment."

"I didn't know you worked at the palace?"

"I'm the princess's instructor." 

"That's nice." She murmured sleepily.

"And you? I've been back to the tavern plenty of times, and haven't seen you."

"I was travelling." She said, softly. 

And fell asleep. 

I waited until she fell into a deeper sleep, then carried her back to my bed. 

I looked at her for a few moments, my heart sinking. 

I can't give you what you want, Salea. And you deserve better than that.

I gave myself a quick once over in the mirror, fussed with my hair a bit, gave up and tied it up with the princess's band, and left, heading to the servant's quarters. 

"Rowan," I whispered, finding him sleeping against a wall, a bottle of wine held loosely in his grip. 

I shook him awake. 

"Master?" He turned his head and threw up, violently. 

"Fun night?" 

"I can't remember." He groaned and put his hand to his forehead. "Oh, gods, my head."

I focused just for a moment and boiled the alcohol in his blood away. 

Colour returned to his face, and he pepped up a bit. 

"Thank you, sir." He said, his professional demeanour slotting back in place. 

"Very good. Look, I need you awake. I have a guest in my room, and I want you to make sure she wants for nothing. Give her anything she wants. Do you understand?"

"A…romantic guest, sir?"

I nodded. "Yes, Rowan, a romantic guest. I want her to be comfortable, and taken care of."

"Where are you going?"

"To the temple district. I need to pay my respects to the Weaver." 

"Aye, that's right." He stood up, straightened his clothing, and looked at me. "How do I look?"

I doused him in water, and then steamed it out of his clothes. 

"Better now," I said, smiling. "Now hop to, I'm late."