“It’s a work of art,” a sultry voice purred in my ear. “Just like the man—sorry, god—who’s going to be wearing it.”
I’d been so absorbed in staring at the armor that I hadn’t noticed her creeping up behind me.
“Anna.” I smiled as I took in the sight of her. “With stealth like that, you should be an enjarta instead of selling beauty products.”
Speaking of beauty products, this girl knew her makeup inside out. She was gorgeous to begin with, sans makeup, but when she painted that stuff on her face—no, no, applied it subtly, because Anna was no painted-face tavern hooker with seven caked-on layers—it took her to another level completely. She was the kind of girl wars would be started over.
For a few moments, I was taken with her stunning smile and those beguiling gray eyes, which were perfectly enhanced with just the right amount of eyeshadow and mascara. Her full, juicy lips looked just tasty, with a thin coat of apple-red lipstick gleaming on them. Her silky, jet-black hair cascaded around her slim shoulders, and man, was it cold in here, because the nipples of her pert, high-set breasts seemed to be pressing all too eagerly through the fabric of her scarlet, figure-hugging dress.
I was so taken with her that I had to wonder if she was secretly using Lucielle’s Mirror on me. Of course, I remembered that the Charm Goddess’s mirror couldn’t have any effect on someone with my powers, not the way it would on an average person anyway. Still, the instant effect her looks had on me had me wondering. She clearly noticed the way I was looking at her, but I didn’t care.
“Is there something I can help you with, Anna, or do you just pop into armorers’ workshops for the hell of it?” I asked, grinning.
Ever since I’d come back to Brakith, Anna—the former ugly duckling tomboy turned sensual stunner—had been trying to find any excuse she could to be around me. Her intentions were obvious, and I sure as hell wouldn’t have minded some alone time with her, between the sheets, on a kitchen table, on the rooftop of my castle… but I just hadn’t had the time. Being a Death God and a lord meant fulfilling two very busy vocations.
Anna laughed—way more enthusiastically than my weak attempt at humor justified—and flashed me a smile that made my balls ache.
“I just saw you passing by on the street, Vance,” she purred, “and, since I hadn’t yet opened my store, I thought I’d come say hello and ask if you might be interested in dinner with me tonight… alone… just the two of us… with a few bottles of wine. We could have such fun, alone in my manor, with nobody to disturb us.”
A rush of hot blood to a very specific part of my anatomy immediately screamed out “hell yeah” to this proposition of hers, but my brain, that asshole, the fun-spoiling organ, overrode this keenness.
“I’d love to, Anna, seriously, but I can’t. Not tonight.”
“Well, that’s fine. Surely, though, you could spare some time tomorrow night, or the night after that? I guarantee you, I will make it very much worth your while… over and over and over again, throughout the course of whatever evening you give me. You’re a god, Vance, and you deserve to be worshiped, and believe me, I’m a girl who knows how to worship.”
If my cock could have, it would have started kicking the shit out of my brain at this point. Hell, most of the rest of my body was raring to gang up on the ol’ fella between my ears too, for forcing it to turn this vixen down.
“That sounds like an amazing time, Anna,” I said, my shoulders slumping a bit, “but I can’t. Not tomorrow night, and not any night after that.”
Anna wilted with disappointment, looking like a gorgeous flower that some uncaring oaf had just crushed underfoot.
“But… but why, Vance? Is it me? Am I not—”
“Trust me Anna, it’s not you. I’m leaving Brakith at first light tomorrow, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back again.”
She let out a gasp of shock, and her beautiful face fell with sadness.
“B—but this is your home!” she protested. “You’ve only been back for three months! Why are you leaving again so soon?”
“There are things I have to take care of, important things. Things that could affect all of Prand if I don’t.”
“It’s about the Blood God thing, isn’t it?” she asked with a sigh.
“Yeah.”
Her face lit up. “Well… I could help you! I mean, sure, I’m no fighter, but I’ve got Lucielle’s Mirror! You’ve seen how useful an item it is. And, and I could use my makeup skills to help disguise—”
“No, Anna,” I said gently but firmly. “I’m flattered that you’re so eager to accompany me, but where we’re going, it’s no afternoon stroll in the hills. We’re heading off to the frozen Wastes of the North, and fuck knows what we’re going to run into along the way. All sorts of ancient evils are being awoken, and things seem to be getting crazier by the day. I can’t risk your life by allowing you to tag along.”
“But, Vance—”
“I’m sorry, Anna, it’s just too dangerous. You can’t come with me. Sorry.”
“But—”
“No. And that’s my final word.”
She looked as if she was about to burst into tears. Without another word, she turned and dashed out. Having the attention and adulation of so many gorgeous women was sometimes far more trouble than it was worth.
“Another of your female admirers, m’lord?” the old armorer asked with a chuckle as he shuffled into the room. “You do have plenty of ‘em, you do! Haha!”
I smiled at the man. “You can never have too many women.”
“Anyway, m’lord, I’ve just finished the helm, so the suit of armor is ready to go. Take it at your leisure, m’lord. It’s been an honor creating this piece for you, I must say. Some of the
