“We never figured out your magic st night,” Lavendu mused as we strolled through the crisp autumn dawn.

  “Huh, suppose you’re right,” I said, hooking my arm around her neck. “It was a good night though. Not bad for my first time right?”

  Lavendu froze mid-step. “Wait. That was your first time?”

  I nodded.

  A slow, dazed smile spread across her lips. “It wasn’t bad. Not bad at all.”

  The market murmured in a quiet bustle as people set up for the day ahead. I saw several couples sneaking breaks to kiss and embrace. A fairy with big green eyes locked her gaze onto mine. She had long flowing green hair that shimmered through the dim of the morning. She swallowed and bunched her hands into restless fists.

  “Did you notice anything in the heat of the moment?” Lavendu asked, breaking my attention away from the green fairy. “Last night I mean. Did you feel any kind of power or insight?”

  “I noticed the girls next door.”

  Lavendu grinned as we walked past a couple shamelessly necking at the street corner.

  “Maybe my power is to turn everybody on,” I said with a yawn. “Tell me, why did we have to get up so early?”

  “The vital life force of the world flows with more strength and purity in the morning. It’s the best time to study and practice.”

  “Vital force? Why do I feel so sluggish then?”

  “That’s because you were up too te.”

  “And who’s fault is that?”

  “Fault? I didn’t force you to do anything.”

  “You did plenty of begging though.”

  Lavendu scoffed. “Come on, we have work to do.”

  She led me to the tower. It was the same A-frame style as the rest of the buildings; only four stories tall, but it was enough of a difference to stand out in the little vilge. The top was offset, giving the building a crooked look.

  “This is the library?” I said. “It’s the biggest building in town.”

  “We love our books and scrolls in Itán. I told you you’ve come to the right pce for magical knowledge and wisdom.”

  Inside, warm yellow nterns floated in the dim air, casting shifting halos of light. Unlike the stuffy, ink-drenched study halls of Castletún, this pce smelled of fresh-cut wood and spiced tea. Shelves full of books were packed in at chaotic angles, creating a complex byrinth. It would have been terribly custrophobic if it wasn’t for the dimly lit high ceilings.

  A woman with a round face, pointed ears, and long blonde hair frowned at us as we entered.

  “Good morning Freydis,” Lavendu said as we approached the desk.

  The woman looked at me without a word.

  “This is my master Jethro,” Lavendu continued. “Jethro, this is Freydis.”

  I held out my hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Hello,” Freydis murmured, her fingers barely brushing mine before she snatched her hand away. “What… do you need?” Her voice was meek and sweet, despite her cold demeanor,

  “No time for chit-chat Freydis,” Lavendu said with a grin. “We’re here to study. Point us to the best tomes and scrolls on sex magic please.”

  Freydis choked on a quiet gasp, her eyes darting back and forth between Lavendu and I until she finally looked down, her cheeks burning deep red. “Uh- er… You’re looking for nymphomancy. There’s um… some decent books on the subject- Not that I would know… I’ve just heard they’re um… It’s my job to know what the books contain.”

  Lavendu ughed. “Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone you’ve been reading such things.”

  Freydis took a deep breath and tried to look at us again before rushing down one of the corridors with her head down. “This way,” she mumbled.

  Three of the floating nterns followed her into the dark byrinth of shelves. She led us up two flights of narrow stairs and pointed to a bookshelf.

  “That should have everything you’re looking for,” she murmured before spinning around to leave.

  “Freydis,” I said, grabbing her hand, “it was lovely meeting you. Thank you for your help.”

  Her mouth hung open as she looked at me—she pursed her lips and snatched her hand away before stomping down the stairs without a word.

  “Nice try,” Lavendu said, rolling her eyes.

  We perused the books in the light of two of the remaining nterns. Nymphomancy: A Practical Guide, Nymphomancy II: Perfecting The Art, Unspeakable Bliss, Sex On The Mountain, Sex In The Valley, Tales of The Snake Hunters, The Magic of The Passions, The Seducer’s Code, The Art of Nymphomancy.

  “Are we going to need to read all of these?” I asked.

  “Hopefully not,” Lavendu said, drawing her finger across the bindings. “We just need to explore until something resonates.”

  “Where to even start?”

  “Does anything stand out to you? Magic is all about intuition. What feels right to you?”

  I scanned the books some more. Blood Sugar Sex Magic, Sexual Healing, Like a Virgin, Bringing Sexy Back, Ring My Bell. Finally one caught my eye. The cover was worn so I almost glossed over it, Power of Mastery by Telemetes.

  “This one,” I said.

  Lavendu looked at me through half-lidded eyes. I couldn’t tell whether she was mocking me or something else.

  “I’ll start here then,” she said, pulling the book, Nymphomancy: A Practical Guide, from the shelf.

  We found a couch by a small round window and set to reading. Just as my sleepy mind was clearing enough to focus, a creaking sound came from the floor above. It started out random and sporadic but steadily grew louder and more rhythmic.

  I tried to ignore it but found myself reading the same page again and again with little comprehension. A giggling couple came bubbling up the stairs and found a spot a few shelves away from our couch. The giggling only grew more incessant as I struggled to concentrate.

  “Pretty loud for a library,” I said.

  A moan came from the giggling couple as if in response. The creaking from above escated to a pounding.

  “It’s your power, master,” Lavendu whispered. “The book must be exciting you. Do you feel anything?”

  “I feel frustrated. I barely know what’s in the book—I’m so distracted.”

  “Alright I just read about a calming meditation meant to help one gain control after a strong spell. It might help mitigate the effect. Want to try it?”

  “Sure.”

  Lavendu guided my focus to my breath and other subtle sensations. My breath slowed. I focused on the weight of my clothes, the solid ground beneath my feet, the crisp air filling my lungs. Still, no magic—no flicker of power. Just the slow, torturous build of heat coiling in my gut. The only change was that I grew more and more aroused with every word she spoke. I couldn’t stop repying the events of st night in my head. My heart was pounding. The sounds of love-making only grew louder.

  “How does that feel?” Lavendu asked with uncertainty.

  “It’s taking all I have to keep from fucking you here and now.”

  “Oh! Seems the meditation is having the opposite effect.” She sat in my arms and gave me a kiss. “As much as I’d love to indulge you, I do have someone to meet this morning. Looks like no one’s in the garden. Why don’t you study there? Should be less distracting.”

  A wail of pleasure filled the entire third story.

  “We’re going to borrow a couple books Freydis,” Lavendu said as we left the library.

  Freydis gasped, her cheeks burning red. “Make sure you bring them back!” she squeaked, “and don’t let them get wet or any spills- don’t spill anything on them!” She gred daggers into me.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” I said with a polite bow.

  My heart finally calmed as I found a bench in the garden. The hedges were trimmed and flowers all cut for winter, but it was still a lovely pce to enjoy the autumn air, and more importantly, save some birdsongs, it was quiet.

  In the peaceful atmosphere I managed to read over half of the book, Power of Mastery. A few people did walk through the garden, including a couple holding hands. I must have been well focused on my book because there were no unusual dispys of affection.

  “Looks like you’ve made some good progress,” Lavendu said as she returned a couple hours ter. “The quiet garden helped?”

  “It really did,” I said. “I feel this is the first time I wasn’t distracted by my libido since I got here.”

  “So, how is the book? Any insights?”

  “The first half isn’t about magic actually. It’s all about perfecting the essence of the dominant character. Pretty helpful information. I always thought dominance was reserved for brutes and bullies, but the book suggests it’s much more nuanced than that. Plus.” I grabbed a fistful of Lavendu’s hair. “I’ve learned some techniques I’m excited to practice with my new fairy sve.”

  “I can’t wait,” Lavendu said, biting her lip. “There is magic in the book though, right?”

  “Yes, the whole second half is about dominance as a magical practice. I haven’t got far into it yet but I’m already interested in these techniques.”

  “Such as?”

  “Well, I’m no leather crafter, but there’s this bit about colrs. If I get a colr for you and an arm brace for myself and connect them with these symbols.” I pointed to some artistic knots drawn in the book. “It will strengthen the bond between master and sve. Apparently much of the techniques and powers in the book are based around the bond of the colr.”

  “Ooh! I love it!” Lavendu said as she snuggled up to me. “Saoirse can make them. She’s a brilliant leatherworker. We should show her the book today.”

  “Saoirse? That’s the green steward right?”

  “Yes. She’s a sidhe, they’re all green like that.”

  “A sidhe?”

  “Of all the peoples here they are the most intimately connected with nature. Most of them are fierce hunters and warriors, Saoirse most of all. No one can outmatch her aim, especially with a bow. Although Egil recently beat her in a game of darts. That was quite the upset.”

  “Egil? I just beat him st night. He’s not that good.”

  Lavendu chuckled. “He let you win.”

  “What?”

  “He’s so good no one wants to py with him so he was going easy on you.”

  “Lawks,” I said, kicking at the ground.

  “I’m surprised you were able to focus so well this morning,” Lavendu said, changing the subject. “The entire vilge is feeling your influence. Everywhere I went this morning people were all over each other. If this goes on too much longer they’ll be making love in the streets.”

  “Really? I thought I was finally getting a little control over this.”

  álfhild and her men, Egil and Oisin, stumbled into the garden all giggles and kisses. “Oh sorry,” álfhild said, “we didn’t think anyone would be here.”

  Before we could respond they scampered off into the woods.

  “Lavendu,” I said. “It’s not my power turning everyone on.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked. “No one was like this before you came to town.”

  “I know, but remember what Itániel said about unlocking tent powers in others? It’s you spiking everyone’s passions.”

  “What? Me?” Lavendu put her hands over her mouth, eyes wide in shock. But as she lowered them, her expression softened into something else—curiosity? Wonder? “How could I not have sensed this?” She ran her hands over her arms. “It’s like… my skin is buzzing. Like the whole world is pressing against me.”

  “It must be that,” I said. “You haven’t been here five minutes and a threesome is already stumbling off into the woods.”

  She swallowed, rubbing her arms as if trying to contain a warmth beneath her skin. “I didn’t know I had this power… I’m so embarrassed.”

  “Don’t worry,” I said, holding her hands. “We don’t have to tell anyone.”

  She looked down at her hands for a long quiet moment.

  “Master,” she finally whispered, “I need some time alone to get a handle on this matter. I’d like to spend the rest of the day and night in the forest. With your permission, of course.”

  “No problem. Take all the time you need.”

  “Thank you master.” She gave me a kiss. “Ask Saoirse to make the colr. You’ll find her at the archery range. Have her make a few actually.”

  “A few?”

  “I saw the way your eyes lit up when I told you about Alvin and his wives.”

  My heart glowed in feathery anticipation.

  ***

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