Chapter 5: The Last Meal on the Balcony

    He saw her as she’d been years ago, standing there at the balcony railing, looking out over the gardens. She’d been a powerless, frightened child then, and he’d offered her some comfort.

    Now the gardens were hers, and all these years later, standing in the sunlight, she looked more beautiful than he’d thought possible.

    She turned as he approached, and smiled with the quiet warmth of longtime friends and sometime lover, but she was surprised.

    “Zephyr? I wasn’t expecting you.”

    “I thought it best to come unannounced.”

    She laughed. “They announced you, you fool. I was curious as to why you’re here so early.”

    “Oh? I’m disappointed, Gale. I thought I could just walk in on you at anytime.” 

    “You can, as long as I allow it. It’s good to see you.”

    “And you.” 

    “Join me.” 

    He sidled next to her and looked at the view. 

    “So, before the Dociles come with our breakfasts, what do you want to say?”

    He sighed. “The most important moments in our lives always seem to happen here.”

    “They do. Out with it, Zephyr. You’ve never done this before. Tell me.”

    “The Guild thinks that eliminating you will help stop the Kenjin Market’s expansion.”

    She gave a small sigh. “They’re not wrong.”

    Surprised at her answer, he stopped leaning on the rail. “What are you saying?”

    “I’m saying they’re not wrong. The Slavemistress title comes with a lot of responsibility, and that includes expanding their markets. The raids, the mercenaries, the auctioneers, the market grounds, and how to pay them all. 

    “Karis taught me all of that, Zephyr. My presence at the markets inspires more vigorous bidding, just like hers did. At the same time, it opens us to vengeful family members. You remember what it was like, what happened, and how you felt. 

    “If you’d escaped the one that captured you, would you not have come after Karis herself? You wouldn’t know how, in the heat of the moment, but only that you wanted to do it. 

    “I have to think about those who’d plan that out and do it. That’s why I wanted you with me in Kenjin. Maybe I didn’t explain it well, but all of this opulence and servitude aside, there’s a glowing target on my back I can’t take off.

   “So yes, killing me would do a lot to quell those plans. The problem is, it would also stop a lot of profit and trade that affect people who will do evil things to keep their profits, whether from the slaves or all the accessories that come with it: chains, shackles, whips, weapons, custom branding irons, potions for sex…

    “I still wear chains, Zephyr. They’re just not visible.”

    “I had no idea.” 

    She shook her head. “Why would you? I have no idea what your own training involved, except it was bloody.” 

    The Docile came and set down the trays, poured their drinks, and left. 

    Neither of them had an appetite by then. 

    “So what do you want to do? I have to take a message back to Riselle.”    

    She faced him fully, gathering her thoughts. 

    “You know how I feel, Zephyr. You feel the same. What would you have me do?”

    “I would have you, when we’re alone, call me by my true name. I’ll do the same.”

    She smiled. “I’d like that. And what of the rest of it?”

    “Let’s eat first, Amala. Suddenly, I’m hungry again.”

    “Me too, Ikari. Food’s getting cold.”

    “After this, I’ll need to talk to Karis.”

    “She sleeps late these days. I’ll send a Docile when we’re finished.”

    He looked out over the gardens. “This may be our last meal on the balcony.”

    “The most important moments…” she repeated his earlier words. 

    He chuckled as they left the railing.

    They sat down and ate in a silence that was laced with excitement at what would happen, not knowing what it was, but knowing there’d be no turning back from the outcome.