THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL HOSTESS ended the auction to the highest bid of the night: twenty fucking million gold. With that much, one could buy himself a cool Victorian estate in the Lord's District at Titans Landing; complete with moors and lake. Erika had initially staked fifty mil as the auction takeaway. They beat her special by 21, 750, 000.
To put it plainly, the night had ended with Rafel and his friends walking away with the excess of 72 million large—not to mention the connections each had made in the hour-long after-party where each bidder recieved and celebrated his buy among fellow affluents.
But while his friends jollied and drank with famous lords and ladies, Rafel scanned the room for the woman who had outbid him to the eagle prize.
His wife.
Nearly a hundred million tonight was no small win, but it made Rafel wish he had at least gotten a penny in. He had the heart of the wealthy after all.
Spying his bride on a portico outside the main halls, Rafel slipped out to meet her. She was by herself, standing against a colossal ivory pillar and looking out into the acres of wyrd land the academy left untouched to the island's grips. A small wind stirred in her blue hair. It was the first time he had seen the mermaid Queen with her [Rapunzel] hair fit up in a twist.
It had to be something of a feat to hold her head up.
But knowing the extent of her magic, Rafel doubted it weighed on her.
He slid in next to her under the dimly lit archway. She was smiling even before she turned to look at him. "Lord Husband." she greeted in her silky voice again.
Rafel looked into the turquoise crescents she had for pupils: just like the sea she ruled. He stood beside the Empress of the Atlantean Colonies, the Goddess of the Ocean, fierce leader of the water tribes, Bringer of Seasons. And yes, this powerful woman; so erotically beautiful and verbal, was his wife.
Rafel lifted a hand fo push back a stray curl of her hair. "Quit it, Yemaya. Why'd you do it?"
"Do what?" Her eyes twinkled.
The corners of her lips upturned, so plush and full. He had forgotten how enchanting she was. Clearly, she was holding back a smile. She faked naivete.
It was then Rafel returned her smile.
"Why did you buy my goddamn Grimoire?"
Yemaya also let her shadowed smile slip, easing into Rafel. He opened his arms eagerly, and they hugged long. She rubbed her face into his chest: a kind gesture considering her SSS-RANK [Divine] status. Yemaya pulled away but didn't completely remove from his embrace.
Rafel naughtily kept his hands on her waist, a dip from the push of her exemplary behind, seeking out the tousle of her evening gown.
She was so soft and warm in his hands.
"You really want to know why I bought the Book of Souls?" She tipped her gaze up to his.
Rafel nodded.
Yemaya smiled. "Because I could."
Rafel cocked an eyebrow, and she laughed.
"Well, there was also the fact that I wanted to see if I could make you blush. Is it working?"
"Oh yeah," Rafel held her closer. "But tell me, how are you here?"
"Haha!" She laughed. "Horny, are we? I'm sorry, darlin', but that menage is going to have to wait."
Rafel nodded. "Call me anytime; and thank you for understanding. In the meantime, what can I do to make that smile last through the night." He rubbed his thumb over her full, pink lips.
Yemaya's crescent pupils twinkled, and Rafel wanted to hike up her skirt right there on the patio, and lick her caramel buxom flesh; lick her good. She took his hand and began pulling him back into the clave of the after-party.
"Come, Lord Husband, I have an idea of how you can make it up to me."
In sincerity, Rafel hoped her hold on his hand was leading to the bedroom, but Yemaya turned in the glinting hall and stopped sharply at the charcoal slope of a grand piano.
"I heard you're really good. Play something for me, please."
In the depths of seas she had for eyes, who was he to say no. Rafel plopped down on the stool, cracked his knuckles and began touching the keys. His fingers moved like water over the black and white of the piano. Chuckling guests, drinking and toasting to more parties as this, quit their conversations and circled the young man.
They admired his dexterity. Their hearts were drawn to his music.
Yemaya was beaming down at him, closest to his side where she could hear all the chords pluck, and Rafel tried not to ogle the chocolate fleshy swells practically spilling out her decolletage. His mouth watered at the crack of her breasts.
The music which he played on the piano was this,
[???? Main Theme From Bridgerton – Adam Fedly.]
In seconds, men and women formed into couples; square dancing, waltzing, foot tapping, hopping, and laughing, to the beautiful sound of music. The eclectic tunes rising up the hall filled the air with life. Rafel felt their gladness warm his heart.
Yemaya was circle dancing with his friends, all their hands liked as they twirled around: Ravenna, Aya, Percival, Rosa, Brunhilda.
They were glad and bright.
Peitho's voice came announcing in his head.
[Ding!]
[Apollyon has successfully imbibed in the mortal realm the forgotten art of song playing to stir life. In this moment, all hearts in a 2-mile radius are locked into your music.]
[Hidden Quest achieved!]
[Gladorium: REALM OF SONG.]
[Level One]
[Character: The Pied Piper.]
[Reward: The violin of Artemis, gifted to Hel pocket dimension.]
[RANK: Divine.]
[Attributes: Hypnotic Death Song. Animate Haze World. Purple Lantern Energy. Peak Emotions.]
Peitho kept on listing, and Rafel kept on playing.