Chapter 16: The Tower of Aveliora
The tower stood just ahead of them. It was exactly as Keira had described it: tall, imposing, and made of smooth stone that seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The thicket of gnarled wood that surrounded it was both foreboding and intriguing. A single guarded gate was visible up ahead, carved from the same stone as the tower itself.
As they approached the gate, John saw two guards, one on either side of the gate. They were both women. They wore belts that held several types of melee weapons, and they held spears at the ready. Other than that, they were just as naked as John and his companions.
“Are Aveliora’s followers all women?” John asked Keira as they approached the gate.
Keira nodded, her eyes scanning the guards. "Yes. Aveliora has an all-female following. She believes that men are too corruptible, too easily swayed by base desires and greed for the work she does."
"Interesting," John commented. "What are their…views on men? Am I in danger here?” he asked.
"You'll be fine," Keira reassured him. "They won't hurt you. But they will want to know who you are and why you're here. Be honest with them, but don't give away too much information."
“Thank you for your help, Keira,” he said. “I’m glad I met you.”
Keira took his hand. “I should be thanking you. You broke Melia’s spell, and you helped me be able to fly.” She fluttered her wings, which no longer retracted into her back. They were a part of her, a representation of her fairy lineage.
John looked at Melia, who was watching the guards ahead in the distance. He stopped walking and turned to her. “Melia? How are you doing?” he asked.
Melia’s eyes flicked to his, her expression uncertain. “I-I think I’m alright. I feel...strange. Like I’m not quite sure who I am.” A hint of vulnerability peeked through her usually stoic demeanor.
John offered her a reassuring smile. “That’s okay. It’ll take time to figure things out. But you’re safe with us.” He gave her a gentle nudge forward, and they continued towards the gate.
Keira directed their approach, and as they came closer, the guards noticed them. One of the guards, a tall woman with dark hair and muscular build, spoke up.
“That’s close enough. State your business.”
Keira took a small step forward. “I am Keira Featherstorm, third-level follower of Aveliora.
These are my companions, John Doe and Melia. I am returning from a mission. My companions come seeking an audience with Aveliora to ask her guidance and counsel.” Keira’s voice was firm and confident despite the imposing presence of the guards.
The dark-haired guard narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing them for a moment before turning to the other guard. “Kalista, check their intentions.”
The other guard, a lithe blonde with piercing blue eyes, stepped forward. She held out her hand towards Melia, and a soft, shimmering light enveloped her. Melia flinched slightly at the contact, her eyes widening with surprise.
She looked at the guard, her expression a mixture of fear and awe. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kalista's gaze never left Melia as she continued to scan her with the light. After a moment, she lowered her hand and nodded. "She's clean," she said to the dark-haired guard. "But she's different."
The dark-haired guard looked at Melia, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "What do you mean, different?" she asked.
Kalista shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I can't tell for sure. She’s human, but there’s something else there.”
John spoke up. “She was under a spell.”
Kalista tilted her head, still looking at Melia. “What kind of spell?” she asked.
“Forest magic,” Keira said. “She had taken the form of a wood nymph. John broke the spell.”
“What?” Kalista exclaimed. She turned to look at John, scanning him up and down. "You're the one who broke the spell?" she asked, her voice skeptical.
“We met her in the forest, and she was trying to...well, let's just say she was trying to take advantage of our situation." He paused, meeting the guard's gaze head-on. "But we managed to free her from the spell."
The dark-haired guard seemed to be considering this, her expression thoughtful. After a moment, she turned back to Keira. "You say you're a third-level follower of Aveliora.
Can you prove it?" the dark-haired guard asked, her eyes never leaving Keira.
Keira nodded, reaching into a pocket on her sash and pulling out a small jewel. It was shaped like a teardrop and glistened with an inner light. She handed it to the guard, who examined it closely before nodding and giving it back.
"That will do," she said gruffly. "As for your companions, we'll have to take them in for questioning. Separately." She looked at John and Melia, her expression cool and unyielding. "You understand, of course."
"Of course," Keira said, her voice steady despite the obvious tension.
The dark-haired guard turned to Kalista. “You take the girl. I’ll take…John, was it?”
Kalista turned to face the other guard. “You take the girl, Enris.”
The dark-haired guard, Enris, looked at John, her eyes sweeping over him appraisingly. “Very well, Kalista. You take him.”
John couldn’t help but feel a twinge of unease at the way she looked at him. He squared his shoulders, standing tall and meeting her gaze head-on.
“Lead the way,” he said, his voice steady despite the growing sense of trepidation.
Kalista nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “Come with me,” she said, turning back towards the gate. She left Enris, Melia, and Keira behind, escorting John through the gate and into the tower’s grounds.
Inside the thicket wall was an open area where women were training with spears, swords, and other weapons.
They were all naked, just like the guards, moving with confidence and grace. John couldn't help but stare as they moved through the training area. Women of all shapes and sizes, all ages, all engaged in their practice, their bodies glistening with sweat and dirt. It was a sight both exhilarating and disconcerting. Their nudity was beautiful and sensual, John thought, but they were preparing for violence.
Kalista noticed John's gaze and smirked. "Like what you see?" she asked, her voice low and taunting.
John felt his face flush and looked away. "I...I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to stare. It's just...I'm not used to seeing so many women...training like this." John stammered, still not quite sure how to respond.
Kalista laughed, a low and sultry sound that sent a shiver down John's spine. "Don't be shy, John. We're all just women here. No need to be embarrassed." She glanced back at him, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Unless, of course, you find the sight of strong, capable women unappealing."
John shook his head, fighting to keep his composure. "No, that's not it at all. I admire strength and skill in anyone, regardless of gender."
Kalista smiled, seeming pleased with his response. "Good. Because you'll see plenty of both here. Aveliora believes in empowering women, teaching them to defend themselves and stand on their own two feet."
Kalista led him through the training area, the women parting to let them pass. They cast curious glances at John, some openly admiring, others more guarded.
As they walked, Kalista spoke, her voice low and sultry. "You know, John, I can smell your arousal. It's quite intoxicating."
John felt his face grow hot with embarrassment. "I...I can't help it. I'm a man, after all."
Kalista chuckled. "Indeed, you are. But you're not like the other men we've encountered. You're different. I can feel it."
"I don't know what to tell you. I am who I am."
Kalista stopped walking and turned to face John.
She placed a hand on his chest, pressing him gently against the cool stone wall of the tower. John's breath hitched, and he tried to step back, but Kalista's grip was firm.
"Don't be afraid, John," she purred. "I won't hurt you. I just want to understand you better." She leaned in, her breath hot on his ear. "Tell me, John, what is your true nature? What makes you different?"
John swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "I don't know what you mean," he said, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'm just...I don’t know who I am. I woke up several days ago with no memory of who I am or where I’m from.”
Kalista dropped her arm from his chest and looked at him.
Her eyes were searching, as if trying to peer into his very soul. "You don't know who you are," she said softly, leaning back against the wall. "That's fascinating. Follow me.”
She led John to a door leading into the tower. Instead of going up, the passageway went down.
Kalista led John through a dimly lit corridor, the air growing colder and damper with each step. John wondered if they were going into the dungeon, but the smooth stone walls and lack of cells made him doubt it.
“Where are we going?” John asked, his voice echoing slightly in the narrow passageway.
Kalista glanced back at him, her eyes reflecting the flickering torchlight. “You’ll see,” she said, her voice low and mysterious.
They turned a corner and came to a heavy wooden door. Kalista pushed it open, revealing a chamber with a table, two chairs, and a single torch affixed to the wall. The air was heavy with the scent of incense and a faint, underlying smell of something metallic.
Kalista closed the door behind them and gestured to the chairs. “Sit,” she said.
John did as instructed, taking a seat in one of the chairs. Kalista took the other, her eyes never leaving him. The torchlight cast long shadows across her face, making her features seem even more severe.
“So,” she began, “you say you have no memory of who you are or how you came to be in the forest.”
John nodded. “That’s right. I woke up by a stream, naked and with no recollection of how I got there.”
Kalista steepled her fingers, her eyes narrowing as she regarded him. “Interesting.
And you say you have no idea why you feel so different, so...unusual?” Kalista probed, her eyes never leaving John’s face.
“I don’t know what to tell you. I feel like I should know something, like there’s something inside me that’s trying to get out. But whenever I try to grasp it, it slips away.”
“How did you meet Keira?” Kalista asked.
John told her a brief overview of leaving Krivian and going into the forest. He described finding Keira lost in the woods and helping her.
“And can you explain how Keira now has her wings?” Kalista asked. Her eyes seemed amused by this line of questioning.
“She, um, she told me that her wings get stronger every time she, um, has an orgasm.” John felt his face flush at having to say those words aloud.
Kalista simply nodded, as if this was familiar information to her. “Go on,” she said.
“Keira and I…we, um…I helped her wings get stronger,” John said, “but her wings didn’t get strong enough to fly until we met Melia, and she trapped us.”
Kalista’s eyebrows raised. “So, Melia was a wood nymph who trapped you and Keira. And now Keira’s wings are strong enough to fly. That’s quite the story, John.”
John shrugged. “I know it sounds strange, but it’s the truth. Melia trapped us on this flat stone that…well, it trapped us there with pleasure. At first, it felt so good that we didn’t want to escape, but then it got to where we couldn’t escape. I think that pleasure was so intense for Keira that it strengthened her wings enough to fly.” Kalista leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving John's face. "And what about you? What was your role in all of this?"
John hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. "I... we broke the spell.” He describe how Keira’s orgasm made Melia, still under the spell, want to fuck him. He told Kalista how he used Melia’s lust against her to trap her on the stone.
Kalista listened intently, her eyes never leaving his. "And you broke the spell with your cock," she said, more of a statement than a question.
“I don't know how, but it just...happened."
Kalista smiled. “Come on, John,” she said, “your entire story, everything you’ve experienced, it all centers on your cock. You woke up with no memory, and the only thing you knew was that you had a body and a cock that you knew how to use. You broke a spell with your cock, and now you’re here, standing before me, telling me you don’t know who you are, but you know you’re different because of your cock.”
John felt a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. He knew that Kalista was right, but it seemed like such a ridiculous thing to define him by. “Look, I don’t know what it is about my cock, but I didn’t ask for this. I’m just as confused as anyone else about what’s going on.”
Kalista smirked. “I believe you, John. But I also believe that there’s something special about you. Something…unique. And I’m not just talking about your cock, though it does seem to be a special, unique cock. No, I mean something else, something more.”
John raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Kalista leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, her hands clasped together under her chin. Her eyes held a spark of curiosity and intensity. “I mean, I can feel it, John. It’s like a pulse, an energy, radiating from you. It’s not just your cock, it’s…everything about you. It’s like you’re a beacon, a lighthouse in the dark night. Aveliora will want to explore that, and so will many other people.” She leaned forward further and said “Including me.” Her voice was low and intense, her gaze locked onto John’s.
“What do you mean?” John asked, feeling a tingle of apprehension run down his spine.
Kalista stood up suddenly, her chair scraping loudly against the stone floor. She began to pace the room, her eyes never leaving John as she spoke. “I’m not just some guard, John. I’m a priestess of Aveliora, and I serve her in her work. Part of that work involves…exploration. Investigation. Delving into the unknown and bringing it to light.” She stopped pacing and looked at him, her eyes shining with a mix of curiosity and desire.
"And I believe that you, John, are a mystery worth exploring."
John felt a shiver run down his spine, a mix of fear and anticipation. He didn't know what to make of Kalista, of her words, or of the way she looked at him. He could feel the heat of her gaze, the intensity of her interest. He knew he should be wary, but there was something about her, something that drew him in despite his better judgment.
"What are you suggesting, Kalista?" he asked, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.
Kalista smiled. She took several steps towards him, but then turned and opened the door. “All in good time, John,” she said. “Welcome to the Tower of Aveliora. I’ll take you to your friends now.”
John followed her back the way they had come. Just before the door leading outside, she turned left and began going up a large set of stairs.
Walking behind her, John noticed the musculature in Kalista’s legs, no doubt the result of climbing so many stairs.
As they ascended, the air grew warmer and the scent of incense stronger. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting women in various states of battle or meditation.
“These are stories of our lineage,” Kalista said, noticing John’s interest. “Women who have served Aveliora, who have given their lives to protect our world.”
“That’s inspiring,” John said, his genuine admiration for the women in the tapestries evident in his voice.
“It is,” Kalista agreed.
“Our history is long and rich. We have fought against tyrants, dark sorcerers, and even gods. Each woman depicted on these walls has her own story to tell.”
They reached the top of the stairs and walked down a long corridor, passing several doorways. Kalista led him to one and knocked on it. Soft footsteps approached, and the door creaked open revealing Keira.
“John!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. “I was so worried. Where have you been?”
John hugged her back, relieved to see her safe and sound. “I’m fine, don’t worry.
Kalista was just questioning me,” John said, stepping into the room. It was spacious, with a large bed, a desk, and several bookshelves filled with scrolls and tomes.
Keira released him and looked him over, concern still etched on her face. “Are you sure? You look a little flustered.”
John glanced at Kalista, who had followed them into the room. She smirked, clearly amused by the situation. John cleared his throat and looked back at Keira. “I’m fine, really. So, have you seen Melia?”
Keira nodded. “Yes, she’s in the next room.
She’s been through a lot, and I think she’s still trying to process everything that’s happened. I want to stay with her, but I’m not sure if they’ll let me.” Keira bit her lip, worry clouding her features.
John placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure everything will be fine. Kalista seems to know what she’s doing.” He glanced back at Kalista, who was still standing by the door, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Kalista cleared her throat. “That’s quite a man you’ve found, Keira,” she said with a smirk. “I look forward to more…questioning.” She opened the door, then added “Please make yourselves comfortable. You must all be exhausted. Someone will be along with food and drink shortly.” She gave John one last appraising look, then left, closing the door behind her.
Keira stared at the closed door for a moment, then turned to John and said “I think she intends to do more than just question you, John.”
John shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Well, she’s the one in charge. I’ll just go with the flow.” He looked around the room. “So, what is this place?”
Keira moved towards the bed and sat down, patting the spot next to her. “Come sit down, John. I can try to explain.”
John joined her on the bed, and Keira began to tell him about the Tower of Aveliora. “This is Aveliora’s sanctum, where she lives and works. She is a powerful sage — a sorceress, really — who has devoted herself to the empowerment and protection of women.
“She built this tower as a stronghold and sanctuary, where she trains and guides her followers in the arts of combat, magic, and self-discovery.”
John listened intently as Keira spoke, trying to absorb as much information as possible. The room was simple but comfortable, with green curtains that matched the tapestries outside the window. The bed was large and inviting, and the desk was covered with scrolls and books. A small table held a pitcher of water and two cups.
“But why only women?” John asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Keira shrugged. “Aveliora believes that men are too easily corrupted by power and greed. She wanted to create a place where women can achieve their full potential without the interference or oppression of men,” Keira explained, her voice soft yet passionate. “That’s not to say that all men are bad, or that there aren’t any good men out there, but Aveliora’s experiences have shaped her views. She’s seen firsthand how men can abuse their power and exploit women, and she wanted to create a sanctuary where that couldn’t happen.”
John nodded slowly, processing what Keira was saying. “I guess I can understand that. I don’t know why it seems unfamiliar to me. Everything ought to feel unfamiliar. Maybe I have some memories, deep down, of wherever I’m from, and it’s not like this there.
“But, I just spent time in Krivian, and it seemed like men and women got along very well there,” John added.
Keira nodded. “Some of that could be the effect of Aveliora’s magic,” she said, “and it could be that Krivian just has a lot of good men, and good people in general.
“But, did you know that there are places outside this valley where things are so dangerous that people have to cover their bodies any time they’re around other people?” Keira chuckled at the absurd idea.
John chuckled, but didn’t quite see the humor. “When I first woke up and saw that I was naked,” he said, “it seemed strange to me. It took me some time to get used to everyone being naked.” John shook his head. “I don’t know why I thought that, or why I still sometimes think that.” His voice trailed off as he looked down at his hands. “I have to keep reminding myself that just because everyone is naked, that doesn’t mean it’s a…sexual situation.”
Keira stood up and faced John. Her sash hung around one shoulder, and her hair spilled over her shoulders. Neither covered her chest, leaving her breasts exposed. “Am I being sexual right now?” she asked him.
Her eyes were playful, but her tone suggested she was making a serious point.
John hesitated, feeling the heat in his cheeks. "No," he admitted, "you're not."
Keira smiled. She slipped her sash over her head and set it down on the bed, leaving her completely naked. “How about now?” she asked.
John felt a rush of heat at the sight of Keira’s naked body, but he shook his head. “No, still not. You’re beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but…” He searched for the right words. “There’s nothing sexual about the way you’re standing. You’re just…you.”
Keira’s smile widened, and she reached out, gently taking John’s hand and placing it on her chest. “What about now?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
John felt a jolt of electricity at her touch, and his body responded instantly. He could feel her heartbeat, rapid and excited, matching his own. He swallowed hard, his throat dry. “Yes,” he admitted.
“Now there’s something sexual about it.”
Keira nodded, her eyes locked onto his. “Exactly. Nudity doesn’t always equal sex, John. Here, in this sanctuary, we are all comfortable with our bodies, and we express that comfort openly. It doesn’t mean we’re always looking to have sex, or that we’re sexualizing every situation. We’re just…free.”
John nodded, understanding finally dawning on him. “I get it. I think I’ve been conditioned to view nudity as something inherently sexual, and I’m having trouble breaking out of that mindset.”
Keira squeezed his hand gently. “It’s ok, John. Can I be honest with you about something?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“It can be a challenge for me, too. The first time I saw you, almost all I could think about was your cock. I couldn’t help but notice its size and wonder what it would feel like inside me.”
John felt a jolt of heat at her words, and his cock twitched in response. He looked into Keira’s eyes, seeing the honesty and openness in them. “I can’t say I didn’t think the same thing when I saw you,” he admitted, his voice low.
“I noticed that at the time,” she said with a grin. “I’m glad I got to experience your cock, John. It was…amazing. And, it helped me get these!” She unfurled her wings and flapped them a few times. They shimmered in the room’s dim lights.
Keira’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “I don’t know how you did it, John, but I owe you my wings. And Melia, too.”
John grinned, feeling a surge of pride. “I’m glad I could help. It seems like we make a good team.”
Keira turned serious. “We do. And now that you’ve helped me, I want to help you. Aveliora isn’t just going to agree to see you. There’s going to be another test. I don’t know what it will be, but I’ll help you as much as I can.”
“Thank you,” John said. He handed her sash to her. She put it back on and sat down next to him again. “You know, Kalista was right. I am pretty exhausted. It will be nice to sleep somewhere that isn’t a tree,” he said.
Keira laughed. “ I agree. We’ve had quite the day, haven’t we?” She looked at John, her eyes soft with admiration. “You handled yourself well today, John. I’m impressed.”
John shrugged. “I do what I can. I just want to know who I am and how I got here.” He let out a sigh, rubbing his temples. “I feel like I’m running in circles, like I’m missing something crucial.”
Keira leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder. “We’ll figure it out, John. I promise.”
John put an arm around her. “Hey,” he said, “I understand why they put Melia and me in here, but you’re not an outsider. Are you stuck in here with us?”
“They’ll have more questions for me,” Keira said, “about how I got lost. I’m not confined in here, but it’s easier if I stay put for now. Plus, I like spending time with you.” She leaned into him.
They heard a knock on the door, and then it opened. A woman entered carrying a tray. John noticed her before he noticed what was on the tray. She had dark hair pulled into a bun, a heart-shaped face, and an alluringly curvy body with full breasts and hips. She was naked, save for a few silver bracelets on her wrists and a leather belt at her waist. Her eyes, a warm brown, met John's, and she offered him a smile.
"Here you go," she said, placing the tray on the table. It held two bowls of steaming soup, two loaves of bread, a pitcher of water, and two cups. She looked at Keira and nodded warmly. "Keira."
Keira smiled back. "Hello, Zenna.
Thank you for bringing us food," Keira said, standing up to take the tray. "John, come help me set this down."
John quickly stood and moved to help Keira, taking one of the bowls and cups. He noticed that Zenna's eyes lingered on him for a moment before she turned to leave. He couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious under her gaze, but he also felt a spark of attraction.
As Keira set the tray on the desk, John asked, "Who was that?"
Keira smiled as she poured water into the cups. "That was Zenna. She's one of Aveliora's priestesses.
She's also a healer, very skilled in her craft. And quite attractive, don't you think?" Keira said, raising an eyebrow at John.
John felt his cheeks flush, and he shrugged. "She is...yes," he admitted.
Keira chuckled. "It's alright to admit it, John. You're a man, after all. And here, we're all comfortable with our bodies. We don't have to hide our desires or our attractions."
John nodded, taking a seat at the desk. He picked up a bowl of soup and took a spoonful.
The soup was delicious, rich and hearty, filled with vegetables and chunks of meat. "This is really good," he said, blowing on the hot soup.
Keira smiled, sitting down opposite him. "Aveliora's people know how to take care of themselves. Food, shelter, safety — they have it all here." She took a sip of her own soup, her eyes reflective. "It's a beautiful place, isn't it?"
John nodded, looking out the window. The forest stretched out beyond the tower, dark and mysterious. "It is beautiful," he agreed. "And the people — ok, the women — are beautiful. It seems like everywhere I go, people are beautiful, and they’re drawn to me. Or maybe not even me, just my cock.”
He felt a pang of frustration and confusion. He was so much more than just his cock, right? Yet, everywhere he went, his cock seemed to be the focal point, the main attraction.
Keira seemed to sense his discomfort. She set down her spoon and leaned forward, her eyes soft and concerned. "You know, John, it's natural to feel lost, to feel like you don't fit in. But you do fit in, John. You fit in with me, and I know you fit in with Fawn back in Krivian.”
“Fawn? How do you know about her? I didn’t think I’d said anything…”
“You talk in your sleep a little, John,” Keira said. “You said her name a few times, and there was obvious love there.” Keira smiled, her eyes warm. “I’m glad you have people who care about you, John. It’s not just you and your cock. You have a good heart, and people are drawn to that as well.”
John nodded, appreciating Keira’s words. “Thank you, Keira. That means a lot.” He looked down at his bowl, swirling the remaining soup. “What about you? Do you have someone special?”
Keira looked thoughtful before shaking her head. “Not yet. I’ve had lovers, of course, but no one serious. I’ve been too focused on my training and my missions. Many of Aveliora’s followers never marry. Those that do stay close to the tower, or at least close to one of its locations. I don’t know where my path will take me yet.”
“I suppose none of us know that,” John said.
“I sure didn’t see this coming.”
Keira laughed, a soft, melodic sound. “Life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it? One moment you’re waking up in a forest with no memories, and the next you’re in a tower full of women who are both fearsome and beautiful, and many of whom want your cock,” Keira said, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
John chuckled, taking another spoonful of soup. “You’re not wrong. It’s been quite the adventure.”
Keira leaned back in her chair, her gaze softening as she looked at him. “You’re handling it well, John. You have a good heart, and you care for others. That’s important here.”
John felt a warmth spread through him at her words. “I try to be a good person. I just wish I knew who I was.”
Just then, Melia entered the room. She looked slightly less confused than when they had arrived. She had brushed her hair, which now hung down over her shoulders, and judging by her clean face and skin, she’d had a bath. She held a glass of water like the ones John and Keira had.
“Melia!” Keira exclaimed, getting up to hug her. “How are you feeling?”
Melia hugged her back, her voice soft and quiet. “Better, I think. I’m still…adjusting. I can’t believe I was a wood nymph. It’s all so strange.”
John stood up as well, giving Melia a gentle pat on the back. “We’re glad you’re doing better,” he said.
Melia stepped back and looked at John with a small smile. “Thank you, John. I’m sorry, again, for trying to…” She trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor.
John stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Melia, it’s okay. You were under a spell. None of this is your fault.”
Melia looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t broken the spell.”
Keira took Melia’s hand and led her to the bed. “Come, sit down. Let’s talk about what happened.”
Melia brushed her hair off her shoulder, revealing one of her small breasts. As she sat down, John noticed two small wings that had sprouted from her back.
“Are those…new?” John asked.
Melia blushed. “Yes,” she said, “I think they’re related to the spell I was under. When you broke the spell, it freed my mind from the spell, but some of the effects on my body remained. They just…changed, and turned into wings. I hope Aveliora or the priestesses can tell me more.” Melia looked down at her wings, which fluttered slightly at the mention of Aveliora. “I wish I knew more. It’s all so confusing. I don’t even know how I got trapped under that spell.”
Keira placed a comforting hand on Melia’s shoulder. “We’ll figure it out. We’ll help you understand what happened and why. And if Aveliora can’t help, we’ll find someone who can. What can you tell us?” Keira asked, her voice gentle and reassuring.
Melia took a deep breath and looked up at them. “I’ll tell you what I can remember…”