Chapter Twelve: Claim
I didn't think I'd be able to sleep after Dalamar left, but I fell asleep almost as soon as I closed my eyes.
My dreams were anything but pleasant-monsters from Shoikan Grove chased me, entwining me in vine arms, wizards in Wayreth Tower locked me up and used me to heal them...it seemed to go on and on.
I woke up happy to escape those dreams.
It seemed like I'd slept for an entire day, but I needed it. Finally getting out of bed, I made use of the little wash basin that had been left for me, and had some fruit that was left on a tray. There was no way of knowing how long those items had been waiting there for me. I went to the window and opened the heavy velvet curtains, revealing the darkness of the Grove. I shuddered, and almost let the curtains fall back into place, but thought better of it. Soon I would pass through that cursed place again, perhaps for the last time.
No matter what happened, I knew I'd never be the same after spending so much time with the alluring archmage and his seductive apprentice.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd end up in this place, under these circumstances.
"Thinking of attempting the Grove again?"
Raistlin's soft voice broke the silence that had reigned in the room for too long. He didn't startle me this time, however. I was expecting him.
"Yes, but not as before," I said, still looking outside into the darkness, though I couldn't see anything.
"You wish to leave, even after..." Raistlin didn't finish the sentence, but he didn't need to. I knew exactly what he was asking. Did I want to leave, even after we'd become lovers? The answer was yes, and no.
"I need to leave because of that," I told him, then quickly added "because of Dalamar."
"That was quite a display the two of you made while healing him. It didn't look like you wanted to leave then."
"I didn't," I said, unable to turn and look at him as I said it. "I've told you that I'm in love with you, and I still am, but I've also come to have feelings for Dalamar. I'm not happy about how it turned out, but that's the truth of it. And speaking of the truth, I think you've kept something from me, something I should have known."
He was silent, which wasn't surprising. So I kept talking.
"Dalamar has feelings too, you know. It wasn't right for you to cast him aside. Had I known that you two-"
"That we what?" Raistlin snarled at me. "That we spent too much time isolated in this tower and got lonely? I didn't ask you for a list of your previous lovers, did I?"
That made me angry enough to turn around and glare at him. But it ended up being detrimental to me, because he was using those golden eyes to his full advantage, mesmerizing me with them as he came closer, moving as silently and gracefully as a cat.
"I'm not living with any of them while you're around, either," I said. "It's making the situation rather awkward."
"If you've grown so fond of Dalamar, and you're able to accept our involvement, I would ask you to stay, as my second apprentice. " he said, enfolding me in his arms, anger forgotten. Our lips met, a little uncertainly at first, but all too easily awakening my passion.
"Dalamar is the one you should be kissing, not me," I said reluctantly.
"If you accept the offered apprenticeship, you would be required to obey me in all things and not question my actions," Raistlin said, his eyes narrowed.
I searched his face for some hint that he was joking, but found none.
"Then it's a good thing I haven't accepted. If you think I'm going to be some kind of slave-"
"Of course not," he said shortly. "Any apprenticeship works this way. But as we are still on that delicate topic, I do feel it's necessary to set boundaries, in regard to yourself and Dalamar. Before I go any further, I would like him to join us."
"What are you trying to do?" I asked, following him as he went toward the door.
"You are free to refuse, of course. But hear the offer first."
Then he left, closing the door quietly behind him. I started to follow, but stopped with my hand reaching for the door. Instead, I sat in a chair and pondered his offer of apprenticeship.
Taking me as an apprentice had to be an insult to Raistlin Majere, at least as far as the conclave was concerned, since they didn't know about my hidden talents. I was just a mediocre mage, barely good enough to hold the title. Raistlin's claim on me would draw attention, but it would also protect me if they ever found out what I was capable of.
But I couldn't even begin an apprenticeship unless we resolved some other things. Which brought me back to the "offer" Raistlin was going to make. What was that man doing to me? He could be such a cruel bastard, and still I couldn't simply walk away. No, life would be too boring without him.
And woe to anyone that ever thought they could best him...
Just then Raistlin returned, this time with Dalamar in tow. The dark elf looked rather flushed, I thought, and his lips seemed swollen, likely from very recent kisses. The master of the tower seemed cold and stoic as ever, though he was standing in a room with his two lovers.
"I wonder what you two were up to," I said as a greeting.
Dalamar gave me a playful smile that told me I'd guessed correctly. Raistlin frowned. I shrugged it off. If he didn't want me to know he was kissing Dalamar, he shouldn't make it so obvious.
Raistlin closed the door. Somehow that made the situation far more personal. I wasn't in the mood to joke anymore. No indeed, I thought as I watched Dalamar's eyes move from me to Raistlin with undisguised longing.
"I suppose this is some sort of test," I said.
"You need not look so afraid," Raistlin said.
"I'm not afraid. I'm just wondering what in the Abyss you're up to this time."
Raistlin set the Staff of Magius carefully in a corner, then turned his attention back to me.
"As I said earlier, if you agree to be my apprentice, you must defer to me as master."
"I would be honored to study magic as your apprentice, but let's be honest: that's not what this is about, is it? I need your protection, and you need my healing abilities."
"I think we have more to benefit from each than merely that," Raistlin said in a silken tone that seemed more likely to come from Dalamar. His golden eyes flicked to Dalamar, then returned to linger on me, assessing me in a way that made my pulse quicken.
It must have been a cue for Dalamar, for after Raistlin glanced at him, he moved toward me, ever graceful and resplendent in his black robes. He embraced me from behind, an unexpected but very pleasant sensation. Dalamar had become quite bold to be behaving this way in front of his shalafi, this time fully conscious. I waited for Raistlin's reaction, a snide remark, or worse-but his expression was perfectly calm as he watched us from across the room. My worry for Dalamar subsided, until Raistlin began slowly walking toward us. I tried to pull away from Dalamar, but he tightened his hold on me, not enough to hurt me, just enough to keep me still.
"Please don't look so worried, Lady Arielle," Raistlin told me. "I do not intend to harm either of my apprentices tonight."
"What exactly do you plan to do to them?" I asked. My voice came out sounding more terrified than sarcastic, much to my dismay.
By this time the archmage stood almost as close to me as Dalamar. He could have reached out and touched either of us, but he chose to stand unnervingly close with his arms folded, favoring me (or Dalamar?) with a hint of a smile.
"Assert my authority," he answered.
Back again after a long absence...and I apologize. I haven't abandoned this story, but it's been slow going. I have it mostly mapped out now, but there have been some snags that held it back. A heartfelt thank you to those who have read and actually enjoyed it!
