Amberly looked down to her drink, watching the amber liquid swirl as she twirled the glass in a claw grip. She was going to say something about what he said about Thelonious, but she got the sense it was largely a joke. Largely.
‘I don’t really know. I pray to her every night, and I can feel her by me when I do like I did that night in Jane’s manor, but she’s silent now. She’s only spoken to me once or twice since she went back to wherever the gods go. She told me to be patient, that now that she was where she belonged, she needed some time to recover so she could be a god worthy of me.’
She snickered and picked up a piece of ice from the tumbler, tossing it in her mouth and crunching down on it. Laes gave her an appalled look like she’d just strangled a child. She felt one or two of the other men in the room staring at her. She didn’t grab another piece.
‘She said we’d have to be long distance for a little while and suggested I write her a few love letters.’
Laes snorted.
‘Hell of a god, I suppose it makes sense if you’re her only worshipper. Suppose it doesn’t compare, but when I got my first pact, I spent most all my time worrying about how to do it right, if I was going to scare them off to a church or another devil, and now I’ve got more than I can count on both hands. Hell, I struggle to remember their names, sometimes.’
Amberly let out a bark of laughter.
‘Well, I’m certainly glad I didn’t sign myself over to you; I’m no one’s mistress. I find I quite like having my god all to myself and I’d want you all to myself, as well.’ Laes grinned at that and went to say something, but he was cut off. ‘I don’t suppose you’d be interested in converting to the Church of Passion?’ she asked.
Laes laughed.
‘Ah yes, a half-devil and a paladin as the whole of her congregation… Well, I suppose the pair of us would show both sides of the spectrum and I could get behind a goddess of passion. Besides, knowing my soul – since it turns out I have one – has a safe hideaway. I may consider it. I’ll get back to you on it when she’s talking to you again.’
Amberly hadn’t expected him to actually consider it in the slightest. For a moment, she stared at him, mouth slightly agape. Laes just grinned at her, but if he was joking, he wasn’t about to admit it.
‘Are you –’ she began to ask.
‘I might be. Being able to be resurrected from the comfort of a cushy afterlife sounds a lot better than ending up an imp over and over, and now that I’ve found out I can be revived, I can’t say I’ve much an interest in staying dead. Let alone being a devil. I’m comfortable dipping my toe in the hierarchy, never entering it. My father would have my hide.’
That left her curious. It had never occurred to her that he might have parents, but then, she supposed it made sense. Though, considering how old Laes appeared to be, she didn’t believe for a moment that his mother was still alive. She thought it best not to try to pry too deep for now and simply settled back in her seat, eyes drifting towards the window beside the pair.
‘That was something I was curious about: you said one of your warlocks brought you back. I was a bit wrapped up at the time, so I didn’t think to ask then. How? I’ve never heard of resurrection magic, at least not without divine intervention from the greatest of gods.’
‘Ah, I suppose you wouldn’t have, no. It’s not the kind of magic that they’d teach to goody-two-shoes like yourself. No, the kind of magic that brought me back is a very dark sort. A soul for a soul. It’s cheaper when you’re aligned to the hells. The gods there are usually happy to have their subjects out causing mischief up here. But when it comes to the divine.’ He paused. ‘Well, if someone’s worth resurrecting, then they’re worth keeping. It’s been done, though. Great heroes come back from the dead… but dozens died to do it. Me? I’m a nobody from hell; the dark lords let me go in exchange for a pair of pure soul gems my warlock had stashed away. Lucky me, no?’ he said, giving her a grin over his whiskey tumbler.
‘Now, I regret asking. Souls for souls? Why would the gods make it work like that?’
‘Just because a god is good, my dear, does not mean they’re benevolent. I was sure you’d know that by now. If their champions are down here, they risk temptation once more. The good gods are usually content keeping their shining stars up with them in the heavens once they’ve passed. I imagine your Rion would be quite the jealous lover, too at least, for you. Me, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind giving back for a bit more power.’
‘Well, least I know that one’s off the table. I’m not trading anyone else’s soul for mine.’
Laes gave a playful smirk to her as she said this.
She leaned over and lightly punched him on the shoulder.
‘Not to you or any god. ’Sides, all you’ve gotten from me is a drink, Laes. I thought we were getting dinner.’
He laughed and held up his hands in defeat.
‘Have you had this “talk” of yours with Thelonious yet? I’m pretty curious to hear what it is if you’re so eager to speak with him that you’d make him sign a contract to ensure he showed.’
Laes put his elbows on his knees, leaning forward with his eyes resting on her still, his glass twirling between his hands.
‘No, not yet. It’s funny you should ask, though, for once our little evening here together is at an end, I’ll be going to meet him elsewhere for just that.’
‘Are you going to tell me what it’s all about?’ Amberly asked.
Laes chuckled, fixing her with a devilish gaze. It was all the stranger coming from a human visage.
‘You look better as your true self,’ she mused to herself, only realising he’d heard her when the devil quirked an eyebrow up at her.
‘Didn’t expect to hear that from a paladin, of all people.’
Amberly shrugged and smirked.
‘I worship a god with horns and blood-red wings. I’ve left the sun for a softer light, suits my skin better. Turns out I burn easy.’
His previous chuckle turned to a cackle at that, a grin splitting his features as the devil called for another two whiskeys and asked for some steaks as well.
‘Fine, fine, I wasn’t going to, but I’ll let you in on what he and I are meeting to speak about.’
Snow beat against the window and the fire crackled in the hearth, drowning out their words to all others as the pair leaned in, settling in for a few more drinks to go with their coming meal. Amberly found herself very comfortable by his side and the devil seemed in no rush to leave. In fact, he walked her back to her accommodations. When they arrived, he gave her a playful grin, a certain… expectation, in his eyes.
‘May I come in?’ he asked, catching her by the elbow as she went towards the Petranski manor.
Amberly turned and she knew all too well that look in the devil’s eyes. Despite herself, she couldn’t say she was all too against the idea, but she wasn’t going to rush this, especially not with someone as dangerous as Laes. She leaned in and pecked him lightly on the cheek. His skin was very warm.
‘Maybe after you take me to dinner a few more times.’
Laes returned the kiss to her cheek and smiled. It seemed genuine.
‘I can live with that,’ he said, then turned and began to walk off into the snow.
