I felt myself stirring awake in discomfort from a throbbing pain coming from my wrist. I slowly was able to open my eyes as I attempted to work out what the weight on top of me was and found my little goddess nestled against my chest. Fortunately, we seemed to have separated as we'd both passed out so I was able to carefully roll her onto the side to free myself.
"Scarlett, are you ok?" I asked as I shook her by the shoulder but received no response. I looked her over and found that her collar now seemed to have fused to her skin but was surrounded by painful looking red skin and I began to worry about what she'd been through given just how painful my wrist had been. As I turned my attention to myself, I found that the bracelet seemed to have fused into my skin as a simply engraved band which appeared to be red and raw just like with Scarlett. I felt a small wave of relief that she was still unconscious as I reached for my magic and suddenly noticed the new connection within it which I realised was my newly bonded concubine's well of mana.
As I desperately found the connection to my primary core, I clumsily drew on the trickle of healing energy I could muster and pushed it into Scarlett in an attempt to provide some relief. I spent the next thirty minutes trying to push my magic into Scarlett but however hard I tried I was only able to take the edge off the marks and hoped that was enough. I felt a growing panic that she was still yet to wake and quickly left Scarlett to ring the bell and summon Laura who arrived with her usual promptness.
"How can I help you this morning, Sir?" she asked.
I was surprised it was still morning, "Laura, what time is it?"
"Just passed eleven, Sir," She said as I realised, I'd been unconscious for almost a full day.
"Could you please bring some water and hot towels? I asked.
"Of course, Sir, do you need anything else?" she replied in a professional manner.
I hesitated for a moment before asking, "I need to speak with my father's seneschal Jasper. Could you please have a message sent asking him to come visit me alone as soon as possible?"
It didn't take long before Jasper swept into my rooms. I'd been concerned about Scarlett's modesty so had replaced her underwear and positioned her under the duvet to make sure she was comfortable.
"Henry, what's wrong?" he said as he saw the anxious look on my face.
"It's Scarlett, I can't get her to wake up," I worriedly replied.
He sighed, "Henry, I'm sure it's completely normal, I take it from the fact that we didn't see you yesterday that you completed the bond?"
"We did and both passed out but she's completely unconscious...how can being out for a day be normal?" I asked hesitantly in reply.
"Alright, let me have a look," he said as he stepped into the bedroom. He went over to Scarlett who peacefully lay in bed and he rested the back of his hand against her forehead while putting the fingers on the other hand against her neck.
"She hasn't got a temperature and her heartbeat is slightly elevated but nothing concerning."
He then looked up and saw the manacles resting above her head and turned to smirk at me.
"I'm sure you are worrying over nothing and she'll wake up soon and you can get back to all the games you'd like."
"What have you done to me? A few days ago, I barely had anything to worry about and now all I can think about is protecting her."
He burst out laughing, "You've known her no time at all, I'm sure this is just a phase...don't you go falling in love with a slave before we have you married off!"
I laughed it off as well but worried that I couldn't guarantee that.
"By the way you look dreadful, I'm going to call for a shower and then I think you should go up on deck and get some fresh air. I'll have someone come and watch her and come and find you as soon as she wakes," he stated as he walked into the drawing room and summoned Laura.
I ended up simply complying with his demands and found after a refreshing shower and change of clothes that I was desperately in need of some fresh air and something to eat. Laura was left with orders to come and find me should Scarlett wake so I grabbed a warm jacket and gloves before heading out of my chambers. It was surprisingly easy to work out how to get up onto the top deck and as I stepped out and over to the side of the ship, I found endless cloudless skies and a stunning view of Volant passing below.
As I breathed in the chilly air, I felt a presence approach to my left.
"Hi, it's Harry isn't it," I heard an elegant voice to my side and turned to find just the beautiful lady I'd met when I first arrived at the ship wrapped up in an elegant beige great coat.
"Lady Emily, it's an honour," I replied politely as I gave her a small bow. "Where is your companion?"
"Oh Tam, she was cold so went to hide away inside," she replied a little too honestly.
"Were you waiting for someone?" I asked.
Despite her already rosy cheeks she noticeably blushed, "Our cabin hasn't got any windows so I prefer to spend time out here. I looked out yesterday but didn't see you," she said awkwardly, "You seem troubled Harry, is everything ok?"
"Sorry, I'm just worried about my...I'm worried about my companion, she's not very well," I replied.
I saw a flash of disappointment on Emily's face "Your girlfriend?" she asked.
"Umm, no...she's a travelling companion but we actually only met a few days ago," I said struggling to explain the situation without giving away that I was worried about my magically bound sex slave.
She seemed relieved, "I hope she gets well soon, is it a bout of airsickness?"
"Something like that," I replied as I had a nagging feeling that I was being drawn to Emily.
"Would you like to try the ship's café? she burst out nervously not meeting my eye, "Only if you are not busy though."
I felt bad about spending time with another beautiful woman while Scarlett was lying unconscious in by cabin but I was ravenous and also couldn't help but acknowledge the spark I felt in Emily's presence.
"There's a café on board?" I asked.
"Well, it's for 1st Class passengers but if you are with me then I'm sure they'll let you in," she said with a smile.
"That sounds lovely but are you sure they'll accept a rough looking vagabond like myself," I replied cheekily.
"Don't be silly, if you hadn't told me I'd think from your accent and bearing that you're some sort of Lord," she said as she unexpectedly linked arms with me.
We walked together in an awkward silence both seemingly taking in the others presence. I felt guilt wracking me about being worryingly interested in a woman other than Scarlett but a little part in the back of my mind reminded me that I'd eventually have to also find a wife.
After walking down a lavish corridor that I assumed was first class we approached a liveried man standing next to a lectern. I realised he was the same servant who had helped me before and as he turned to address me I have him a sharp look and swished my hand side on against my neck to signal for him to stop. To his credit he caught on quickly enough and turned to Emily.
"Lady Emily, how wonderful of you to join us again, would you and your guest like a table for lunch?" he asked with a bow.
"That would be lovely, do you have any on the balcony?" She replied politely.
"I think there is still one private booth available, will you to be taking lunch?"
Emily turned to me inquisitively and I gave her a nod and a smile in response.
"I think so, the smoked fish was to die for yesterday, but I'm desperate to try the Beef" she said while turning and beaming at me.
The liveried servant led us through the busy café and out onto a small but sheltered balcony. I admired the ornate banisters and railings which were crisscrossed with elegant floral carvings. He directed us to a booth that I suddenly realised only had a single cushioned bench behind a table that faced off the balcony and we'd be sat snugly together. I turned to Emily as she realised the same thing but with growing confidence, I offered my hand.
"May I help you sit my lady?"
She gave a nervous chuckle before taking my hand. As we touched, I felt a wave of energy sweep over me as my magic flared to life but I was still able to help her to her seat as she began to swoon.
She quickly recovered her composure after I'd released her hand and turned to me nervously.
"I'm so sorry, I'm not sure what came over me," she said a little cautiously, "It must be the altitude."
I quickly slipped into the other side as we ended up sat almost touching one another.
"I'm not sure what that was but I felt something strange when we touched," I whispered to her, "Has that ever happened to you before?".
She blushed bright red before replying, "Only when we first met...," she whispered back clearly careful to avoid those around us from hearing our conversation.
The ensuring awkward silence was fortunately cut off by the arrival of a young waitress who took our orders. My still racing thoughts meant that I still had no idea what I'd ordered but I was trying to piece together what was happening between Emily and myself. I finally plucked up the courage and turned to address her.
"I'm sorry my Lady, this is very embarrassing, I should have warned you that I am an untrained Sorcerer so I suspect it is my magic getting a little too excited at meeting you," I stated cautiously.
I admired her angelic face as she blushed again, "You are a Sorcerer? That's amazing, I've only ever met one before!" she whispered back excitedly, "I was getting worried that it was something from me."
"I'm actually on my way to the capital to get registered at the academy there. I only came into my magic properly last month so it's all a little new for me."
"Don't most Sorcerer's only come into their power at 21? We must be the same age!" she continued smiling at me, "I grew up reading all the stories of brave and brilliant Sorcerers as a young girl. Do you know what your cores are?"
"I turned 21 six months ago so it actually arrived quite late...and I have three cores," feeling a little embarrassed, "in order of primacy they are healing, arcane and fire".
She sat a little stunned, "Healing, that's amazing, I know three cores are rare but having a Primary core of healing is remarkable. Think how much good you can do!"
