LinathSuru
Dreamer
~BBW, ~~FA, Erotica, Eating, Feeding, ~XWG - A story about a woman who finally lets go...
[Author's Note: This story has what I would consider a gradual build up so far as the WG and plot is concerned. It is one I wrote originally for fantasyfeeder and that I have also shared on fetlife and on my deviantart account. It is also my first attempt at a fantasy weightgain story. I hope you enjoy it.]
The City of Coin
The city of Coin was founded by a minotaur named Aranskah. His race is typically known for savage raids on small towns and villages or reclusive lairs with mazes and treasure aplenty. Aranskah is thus a bit of an oddity to many. The heart of Coin is an arena, known as the Ring of Law because the minotaur metes out punishment to criminals within it.
Coin has developed a rather interesting culture. It attracts mercenaries, gladiators, merchants, and refugees. The last come to Coin because Aranskah will turn no man away from his city's borders unless they prove a disruption, and with the many mercenary forces and gladiators that call the city home, few countries will pursue refugees into the sprawling city. The culture helps trade and bartering to thrive within the city's borders. There is a saying now that anything a man might dream to own can be found in Coin.
Coin grew outward from its heart, and while the arena is the first attraction commonly thought of during talk of Coin, visitors learn that reaching the arena is a trick in itself. So tangled and interwoven are the streets that a man can get lost in them for the whole of a week if he does not know them, and many have had just that problem. No street signs are hung to guide visitors, for all the locals know their way around. Rarely will you find a friendly face to ask for directions unless you're one to soften the hardened looks of those who've fought their entire lives to earn a living.
Races from any nationality can be found dwelling in the houses that line the tangled streets of Coin. Some monstrous races even have a decent presence here due to the arena and the nature of Coin's founder. Ultimately Aranskah keeps the city running, though at this point she has a heart of her own in the mix of creatures that dwell within.
Humans make up the majority of the inhabitants despite Coin's open borders. A large portion of Coin's guard consists of the members of human Gladiatorial companies. They earn the majority of their money on the arena sands, but appreciate the steady income from the more mundane guard work.
The average citizen of Coin could best a regular soldier from the army of any of the countries that surround the independent city state in one-on-one combat. This is one of the chief reasons that no nation has tried to lay claim to the profitable sanctuary with its ideal location on the Sea of Starlit Mirrors. While any country would benefit from having Coin as one of its harbors, they all fear the cost of capturing the minotaur's prized treasure.
Charm
The gentle rap of Mary's knuckles on her chamber door was nearly lost to her dream. Indeed it would have been the creaky protest of the old ship on which she was sailing in her mind's eye if it had not been so insistent. Finally she realized, she must be sleeping. With a sigh she let the dream fade away, the cool, fresh embrace of the ocean spray becoming just a remembered fantasy as her blue eyes opened. It was still quite early. Too early, in fact, for Mary to be disturbing her. What could the woman want?
"Come in, come in," she said, groggily pulling the covers to her chin.
Her bedroom door opened quietly and the timid, young thing entered the chamber. "Begging your pardon, Ma'am, but we have a visitor."
She looked to the window. Even with the curtains drawn she could usually see the morning light trying to pry its way into the room, and yet now there was only darkness. "What hour is it, Girl?"
"It is the third hour, Miss," the servant replied. "Shall I send him away?"
"The third hour?" Her blue eyes turned from the servant to the window and back again. A sigh rolled past her lips. "How many times have I told you not to call me 'Miss'? I'm a widow. It isn't fitting."
Mary's lips tugged into a frown. "Yes Ma'am. Sorry, Ma'am."
"Oh, stop worrying about it. Tell me about the caller." Erica pulled back the covers and let the cool air hit her skin.
"It's a gentleman, Ma'am. He's a tall one, and foreign I'd wager." Mary sounded subdued.
"A gentleman caller at so dark an hour? Doesn't he know it's indecent?"
"Well, Ma'am, he asked for the proprietor," Mary said.
It made sense then. Erica sighed again. "Fetch my slippers and robe. He must think I'm still offering lodging here."
The servant did as Erica ordered, sliding the soft, red slippers onto Erica's feet and holding the robe open so Erica could step into it. "Thank you. Go and tell him I'll be down in a moment. Put some hot cocoa on and start a light breakfast for the both of us."
"Yes, Ma'am." Mary dipped a curtsy in her plain, woolen clothes, and left the chamber as quietly as she'd come.
Erica made her way to the looking glass. It had a beautiful wooden frame, hand carved by her late husband. She gazed upon herself in the dim candlelight from the hall. Her eyes were tired, her face seemed particularly gaunt, her hair lackluster. It was a year and a month since she'd learned of her husband's fate upon the sea. She counted herself fortunate for that; many women in Coin spent restless nights wondering of their husbands' condition. She at least had been able to confirm his passing with her own eyes since his body was recovered from the wreckage.
Erica ran slender, pale fingers through her light brown hair. She never would have guessed a dozen years ago that marrying Gerald would leave her a widow at twenty-seven. If she really wanted to she could likely find herself another man in a city like Coin. At least this gave her reason to be thankful he had convinced her to leave her home in Meldora.
It was not a long distance from her bedchamber to the entry hall, for her husband had always lived a humble life considering the profit he'd found in his trade. The man waited there, seated against the far wall. He had two large bags beside him, further confirming her suspicions as to why he'd come.
"Good morning to you, Sir," Erica said by way of announcing herself.
He looked a bit surprised as he turned his gaze on her, and no wonder. It was not every day you came face-to-face with a six foot tall woman in nightdress and robe. He regained himself though, and rose to his feet to greet her.
"Ah, good morning, Madame Slade, isn't it?" Erica nodded to him. "I hope you'll forgive me. I know it's entirely unprofessional to show up unannounced, but my friend Thomas Gladwell said this was the place to stay if I ever was in Coin."
She knew the name, and because she knew the name she knew she'd have to let him stay. Her expression softened, "Well, I suppose I'll forgive you, though you did disturb my rest. Tell me, how is Thomas doing?"
"He's quite well, Madame, and wishes you the best. He sent me with a box of chocolates for you, but I'm afraid they were ruined in the hold of the boat I took down here. My apologies for that." He really was quite charming. His voice was easy to listen to. It wasn't beautiful or stunning, but it was like a stream, one statement running into the next in a harmony of sorts.
"Well he's a dear for thinking of me. Tell me what's your name?" He was taller than her. He also wore nice clothes, though they didn't suggest a great deal of wealth to her. Thomas wouldn't have sent a pauper or freeloader her way though.
"Julius Adaixo, at your service, milady." He bowed, and tilted his tan face up at Erica with a charming smile on his lips. She had to admit she liked how he kept his facial hair.
"Kal'Niran. Aren't you a far way from home, Sailor?" It was his surname that gave away his heritage.
"I am indeed, more's the pity, but you stand to benefit from that. You see, I'm a Master Chef, and I'm going to be in Coin for at least a few weeks. I figured as part of my thanks for you taking me into your own house I could prepare the meals while I stay." He gave Erica his charming smile again, his white teeth peeking out from his tan lips and the black hair of his mustache and beard.
Temptation
Julius' charming demeanor proved to carry through in his every day interactions with Erica. He'd come here, he explained, at the behest of Aranskah himself. It was a personal challenge to him to see if he could cook a banquet that would satisfy not only the city's famed patron, but also his closest friends.
Erica was pleased, of course, and gave him a few days to get settled. She never really expected him to cook for her as he'd agreed to the full rate she had once asked for the room, but it was on the third day that a knock quite distinct from Mary's sounded on the door to her study.
"Come in," Erica said, turning her blue eyes to the chamber door.
When it opened she saw him standing there. His black hair was slightly curly and cut short in the front. It hung only to the nape of his neck in the back. His eyes were green and pleasant, and the square build of his jaw made his smile seem somehow larger and kinder. "Hello, dear hostess. I hope I'm not intruding."
She chuckled softly and said, "Intruding? Oh Heavens! How dare you interrupt my reading?" Her voice conveyed the jest of her words.
"Well you never know, milady, some people are particular about such things." He gave her another charming smile. "Now to the matter that has brought me here. Do I have your leave to familiarize myself with your kitchen so I can prepare our evening meal?"
She blinked in surprise and leaned back in her chair. "Mister Adaixo, that's not necessary at all. You're paying the full cost of the room, after all."
"Ah, not necessary, Madame. This I do accept, but cooking is my passion. I do not think of it as work, but as pleasure. Please allow me to do you this small favor for your kindness."
His eyes almost seemed pleading as they swept over her, though she was certain that was not the case. Her lips curled in a smile and she shook her head, "If you insist, Mister Adaixo." How could she refuse? She'd heard so much about Kal'Niran food and the influence they put on a good cook. It was said that the best cooks of Kal'Nira held more influence with the society than the nobility did, and here she had a Master Chef asking to cook her dinner.
"Excellent! Now, another thing I insist on is that you will call me Julius. Not Mister Adaixo. We are never so formal in Kal'Nira." He leaned forward, letting one of his callused hands rest on her writing desk.
She was struck then by how handsome he was. The shirt he wore bared his muscular arms to her. His tan skin looked soft and warm in the orange light of the fire. The way his hair clung to his neck where it reached, and those dazzling green eyes. Suddenly her cheeks felt a bit warm.
"Ah, yes. Julius." She swallowed, hoping he didn't notice the blush she thought she felt.
If he did or didn't she wouldn't know because he simply nodded his head to that and drew away. "I'll let you know when it's ready then."
What was she thinking? Feeling attracted to a Kal'Niran. They had very peculiar taste in women, and she knew she was nothing like the kind of woman someone like Julius Adaixo, Master Chef, would want to bed.
Her cheeks colored worse as she realized she'd just been entertaining the possibility of bedding the man without even being involved in a romantic relationship with him.
"A year and a month, really not that long at all I should think," she murmured to herself as she turned her attention back on her book.
Only three pages later did she realize that he was approaching the desk. She hadn't heard him knock this time, nor taken notice when he'd entered the room.
"Oh, I-" she said, looking up. In his hand was a small plate.
"Sorry, did I startle you? I thought perhaps you would enjoy some chocolates since I inadvertently deprived you of the ones Thomas sent." He lowered the plate so she could see the small collection of beautifully formed chocolates gathered on it.
"Oh, those are lovely. Did you make them?" When her blue eyes met his green eyes she could see he was proud of her compliment.
"I did indeed. Hopefully they taste as good as they look then." Julius set them on her desk, within her reach.
"Oh, I. Well, I'm sure they will," Erica said. She had been going to protest, she really shouldn't have sweets before dinner, but she didn't want to offend him. Perhaps just one or two, she thought.
"Enjoy, dinner won't be for another half hour or so," he said as he was leaving.
This time she realized he hadn't closed the door. Likely why she hadn't heard him knock or enter before she'd seen him bringing her the chocolates. She took one of the small morsels in her fingers and lifted it to look at it. There was both dark and light coloration on it, the pattern one of swirls.
After sniffing it lightly she took it to her lips. Before she even bit into the small delight she could taste it on her saliva. The sweet blend of flavor tainted her mouth as she let her teeth sink into the morsel, and to her surprise there was something else within. A fruit! A cherry. She bit down on its soft flesh and her mouth was flooded with chocolate both dark and white and the taste of cherry blended to such a wonderful balance that she found herself saying, "Mmmm," around her mouthful of dessert.
No wonder Kal'Nirans prized their chefs so highly. She chewed the sticky sweet mess of cherry and chocolate, savoring every little flood of flavor when her jaws came together, and eventually found herself disappointed as she swallowed the last of the treat. By the Heavens, she thought, I could easily lose myself in sweets like these.
Self Control
Erica lingered there, eyes on the perfectly presented little dish of sweets. There were at least ten left. Maybe more. It was hard to count them with them stacked in their careful presentation. Just one more, she thought, and lifted another from the small plate. This one had light green coloration mixed into the dark brown of the chocolate.
Without realizing she did it, Erica licked her lips as she brought it to her mouth. She didn't let it linger this time, touching it first with her teeth so the rush of its taste would wash over her without preamble. It was minty. It cleaned the lingering flavor from the cherry morsel from her mouth and soon had her lips and tongue feeling cool as its liquid substance ran over them. Mmmm, Gods these are good, she thought as she bit into the small treat again.
There was nothing solid in this one beyond the chocolate itself. Soon the book was laid beside her, forgotten, for she'd eaten the mint treat and wanted another. She looked over them in their colorful display, curious what flavors she would find. One had a light orange swirl to it. Another a dark red. Was the other white swirl a cherry like the last? She lifted it and ate it, only to find that in this case it tasted of a lighter chocolate with no cherry hidden at its core.
One had the taste of orange, another of raspberry, another a taste she could not honestly describe. Perhaps some strange fruit native to Kal'Niran lands? But then, the Kal'Nirans had no farmland so it must have been imported. All she knew was that very quickly she was looking at a plate with three chocolates left on it and she had devoured the others. More than ten in total had remained.
Erica hesitated as she looked over the plate with its tempting little morsels, but managed to steel herself. As wonderful, as divine, as the sweet little tidbits were, she had to keep her figure in mind. Julius was to remain for at least three weeks, and she knew he would have no qualms with supplying her enough treats to really lose herself. For that reason she took her book in hand again and began to read, resolving that she would be more careful in the future.
Gerald had prided himself in how beautiful his wife was. The slender woman had actually stood a bit taller than he when they went out together, and always her figure drew the gaze of onlookers. She wasn't as skinny as some, but she was definitely slender enough that the curves she did have looked really enticing. Her bosom swelled pleasantly, her hips had just a bit of curve, and her belly was barely convex, but the form of it looked beautiful in an evening gown. Erica would not ruin the body that had given her husband so much joy now simply because the food of a stranger tasted so pleasant.
Subtle Yearning
She'd put another chapter of her book behind her when the quiet clearing of Julius' throat drew her attention. "Dinner, is served," he said. He'd brought it with him, like a servant might. The plate he carried was soon set on her writing desk. Its contents seemed so out of place on such a plain dish. The meat was neatly sliced into small bites, some kind of absolutely delicious-smelling spread dribbled over the small portions. There were potatoes, mashed, buttered. Some kind of red food, similar to potato in its texture. "Ah, sweet potatoes," he said as he noticed her eyes on it. There peas and beans were neatly prepared, and a small gravy dish rested nearby.
"This smells wonderful, Julius, and looks delicious. Where is yours?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Oh. I presumed you would want to take dinner alone. Shall I join you, Madame Slade?"
"If you are going to insist I call you Julius then it seems only fair I require similar familiarity from you. Please, Erica will do." She offered him a smile as she continued. "I would enjoy your company, after all, you toiled away at the preparation of this wonderful meal."
The smile that lit his face was one of pride, "Well then, allow me to join you. I will return shortly. Oh, did you want anything else? Dessert is setting in there, but I can get you extra helpings of the others if you like."
"Oh no, this is plenty. I doubt I'll even have room for dessert." In truth she wanted to refuse dessert since she'd already given in and eaten so many of the chocolates. Her eyes strayed to the plate as she thought about that and she realized there were only two chocolates left on it. Hadn't there been three? Had she eaten another? Her cheeks flushed a tiny bit as a slightly perplexed expression came over her features.
"Well, I guess we'll see then. At any rate, I'll be back soon."
Julius left and she turned the small plate with it's two pretty, little chocolates. There had been three. She was sure of it. She would have to move them out of reach when he had gone from the meal, that way neither of the remaining two disappeared during her reading.
Soon enough Julius returned and drew a chair up to the desk. He set his plate on the far side of it and offered her salt and pepper should she desire. Erica shook her head no.
"Well then," Julius said, "a toast to my lovely hostess and to what I hope is a wonderful meal!" With that he poured them both a glass of rich, red wine.
The small cling of their two goblets made her smile. She drank of the wine, its heavy, nutty taste filling her mouth, preparing her pallet for the heavy, tender meat set out for her dinner. Julius drank of it too, and soon set into his dinner, which hadn't been cut as carefully as hers, nor displayed as neatly in his preparation.
Erica lowered her goblet and speared a small slice of meat with her fork. It was very easy to pierce the food. She lifted it to her lips and saw that the sauce he'd topped it with was still quite moist as it dripped to the plate below. When she bit into it she found the meat tender, warm, the sauce buttery, rich. It washed over her taste-buds and made her close her eyes as she began to chew with a light, "Mmm."
Her eyes stayed closed right up until she swallowed, at which point she looked for him, the source of this divine food.
"I have never," she said, "tasted anything so wonderful. You're an amazing cook."
Julius' green eyes seemed to dance as he heard that, his gentle smile appearing for her again. "Well I thank you deeply, you honor me with your praise, Madame."
Erica laughed, "Not Madame, remember?"
His smile turned into a bit of a grin. "Right, right, Erica."
"Better," Erica said as she speared another bite of meat and swirled it in the buttery topping. It was so delicious as the flavor flooded her mouth that she drew in a long breath and let out a content sigh. Bite after bite she ate this way. The mashed potatoes were warm and soft. The sweet potatoes lived up to their name, their topping a sauce that was somewhat grainy and utterly delicious. The vegetables, while not sweet or melting, did taste wonderful the way he'd prepared them.
Soon she found her meal had disappeared and she was still hungry for more. She looked up at Julius and blinked in surprise saying, "Oh. I- Have you been-"
He was staring at her, one elbow on her desk, chin resting on his hand lazily. "Have I been waiting? Not long, I assure you. Are you finished then?" He grinned again, and there was a hint of mischeif in it.
"I am, yes," she said, blushing a bit at his rather direct attention.
"Alright. Let me just clear your dishes then." And he did as he said, gathering her dishes up.
She realized then that his plate was already gone. The one dish he didn't take was the plate with the two little chocolates. Her eyes lingered on it as he said, "I'll be back in a moment with dessert. You simply must try some."
[Author's Note: This story has what I would consider a gradual build up so far as the WG and plot is concerned. It is one I wrote originally for fantasyfeeder and that I have also shared on fetlife and on my deviantart account. It is also my first attempt at a fantasy weightgain story. I hope you enjoy it.]
Divinity Cake
by LinathSuru
by LinathSuru
The City of Coin
The city of Coin was founded by a minotaur named Aranskah. His race is typically known for savage raids on small towns and villages or reclusive lairs with mazes and treasure aplenty. Aranskah is thus a bit of an oddity to many. The heart of Coin is an arena, known as the Ring of Law because the minotaur metes out punishment to criminals within it.
Coin has developed a rather interesting culture. It attracts mercenaries, gladiators, merchants, and refugees. The last come to Coin because Aranskah will turn no man away from his city's borders unless they prove a disruption, and with the many mercenary forces and gladiators that call the city home, few countries will pursue refugees into the sprawling city. The culture helps trade and bartering to thrive within the city's borders. There is a saying now that anything a man might dream to own can be found in Coin.
Coin grew outward from its heart, and while the arena is the first attraction commonly thought of during talk of Coin, visitors learn that reaching the arena is a trick in itself. So tangled and interwoven are the streets that a man can get lost in them for the whole of a week if he does not know them, and many have had just that problem. No street signs are hung to guide visitors, for all the locals know their way around. Rarely will you find a friendly face to ask for directions unless you're one to soften the hardened looks of those who've fought their entire lives to earn a living.
Races from any nationality can be found dwelling in the houses that line the tangled streets of Coin. Some monstrous races even have a decent presence here due to the arena and the nature of Coin's founder. Ultimately Aranskah keeps the city running, though at this point she has a heart of her own in the mix of creatures that dwell within.
Humans make up the majority of the inhabitants despite Coin's open borders. A large portion of Coin's guard consists of the members of human Gladiatorial companies. They earn the majority of their money on the arena sands, but appreciate the steady income from the more mundane guard work.
The average citizen of Coin could best a regular soldier from the army of any of the countries that surround the independent city state in one-on-one combat. This is one of the chief reasons that no nation has tried to lay claim to the profitable sanctuary with its ideal location on the Sea of Starlit Mirrors. While any country would benefit from having Coin as one of its harbors, they all fear the cost of capturing the minotaur's prized treasure.
Charm
The gentle rap of Mary's knuckles on her chamber door was nearly lost to her dream. Indeed it would have been the creaky protest of the old ship on which she was sailing in her mind's eye if it had not been so insistent. Finally she realized, she must be sleeping. With a sigh she let the dream fade away, the cool, fresh embrace of the ocean spray becoming just a remembered fantasy as her blue eyes opened. It was still quite early. Too early, in fact, for Mary to be disturbing her. What could the woman want?
"Come in, come in," she said, groggily pulling the covers to her chin.
Her bedroom door opened quietly and the timid, young thing entered the chamber. "Begging your pardon, Ma'am, but we have a visitor."
She looked to the window. Even with the curtains drawn she could usually see the morning light trying to pry its way into the room, and yet now there was only darkness. "What hour is it, Girl?"
"It is the third hour, Miss," the servant replied. "Shall I send him away?"
"The third hour?" Her blue eyes turned from the servant to the window and back again. A sigh rolled past her lips. "How many times have I told you not to call me 'Miss'? I'm a widow. It isn't fitting."
Mary's lips tugged into a frown. "Yes Ma'am. Sorry, Ma'am."
"Oh, stop worrying about it. Tell me about the caller." Erica pulled back the covers and let the cool air hit her skin.
"It's a gentleman, Ma'am. He's a tall one, and foreign I'd wager." Mary sounded subdued.
"A gentleman caller at so dark an hour? Doesn't he know it's indecent?"
"Well, Ma'am, he asked for the proprietor," Mary said.
It made sense then. Erica sighed again. "Fetch my slippers and robe. He must think I'm still offering lodging here."
The servant did as Erica ordered, sliding the soft, red slippers onto Erica's feet and holding the robe open so Erica could step into it. "Thank you. Go and tell him I'll be down in a moment. Put some hot cocoa on and start a light breakfast for the both of us."
"Yes, Ma'am." Mary dipped a curtsy in her plain, woolen clothes, and left the chamber as quietly as she'd come.
Erica made her way to the looking glass. It had a beautiful wooden frame, hand carved by her late husband. She gazed upon herself in the dim candlelight from the hall. Her eyes were tired, her face seemed particularly gaunt, her hair lackluster. It was a year and a month since she'd learned of her husband's fate upon the sea. She counted herself fortunate for that; many women in Coin spent restless nights wondering of their husbands' condition. She at least had been able to confirm his passing with her own eyes since his body was recovered from the wreckage.
Erica ran slender, pale fingers through her light brown hair. She never would have guessed a dozen years ago that marrying Gerald would leave her a widow at twenty-seven. If she really wanted to she could likely find herself another man in a city like Coin. At least this gave her reason to be thankful he had convinced her to leave her home in Meldora.
It was not a long distance from her bedchamber to the entry hall, for her husband had always lived a humble life considering the profit he'd found in his trade. The man waited there, seated against the far wall. He had two large bags beside him, further confirming her suspicions as to why he'd come.
"Good morning to you, Sir," Erica said by way of announcing herself.
He looked a bit surprised as he turned his gaze on her, and no wonder. It was not every day you came face-to-face with a six foot tall woman in nightdress and robe. He regained himself though, and rose to his feet to greet her.
"Ah, good morning, Madame Slade, isn't it?" Erica nodded to him. "I hope you'll forgive me. I know it's entirely unprofessional to show up unannounced, but my friend Thomas Gladwell said this was the place to stay if I ever was in Coin."
She knew the name, and because she knew the name she knew she'd have to let him stay. Her expression softened, "Well, I suppose I'll forgive you, though you did disturb my rest. Tell me, how is Thomas doing?"
"He's quite well, Madame, and wishes you the best. He sent me with a box of chocolates for you, but I'm afraid they were ruined in the hold of the boat I took down here. My apologies for that." He really was quite charming. His voice was easy to listen to. It wasn't beautiful or stunning, but it was like a stream, one statement running into the next in a harmony of sorts.
"Well he's a dear for thinking of me. Tell me what's your name?" He was taller than her. He also wore nice clothes, though they didn't suggest a great deal of wealth to her. Thomas wouldn't have sent a pauper or freeloader her way though.
"Julius Adaixo, at your service, milady." He bowed, and tilted his tan face up at Erica with a charming smile on his lips. She had to admit she liked how he kept his facial hair.
"Kal'Niran. Aren't you a far way from home, Sailor?" It was his surname that gave away his heritage.
"I am indeed, more's the pity, but you stand to benefit from that. You see, I'm a Master Chef, and I'm going to be in Coin for at least a few weeks. I figured as part of my thanks for you taking me into your own house I could prepare the meals while I stay." He gave Erica his charming smile again, his white teeth peeking out from his tan lips and the black hair of his mustache and beard.
Temptation
Julius' charming demeanor proved to carry through in his every day interactions with Erica. He'd come here, he explained, at the behest of Aranskah himself. It was a personal challenge to him to see if he could cook a banquet that would satisfy not only the city's famed patron, but also his closest friends.
Erica was pleased, of course, and gave him a few days to get settled. She never really expected him to cook for her as he'd agreed to the full rate she had once asked for the room, but it was on the third day that a knock quite distinct from Mary's sounded on the door to her study.
"Come in," Erica said, turning her blue eyes to the chamber door.
When it opened she saw him standing there. His black hair was slightly curly and cut short in the front. It hung only to the nape of his neck in the back. His eyes were green and pleasant, and the square build of his jaw made his smile seem somehow larger and kinder. "Hello, dear hostess. I hope I'm not intruding."
She chuckled softly and said, "Intruding? Oh Heavens! How dare you interrupt my reading?" Her voice conveyed the jest of her words.
"Well you never know, milady, some people are particular about such things." He gave her another charming smile. "Now to the matter that has brought me here. Do I have your leave to familiarize myself with your kitchen so I can prepare our evening meal?"
She blinked in surprise and leaned back in her chair. "Mister Adaixo, that's not necessary at all. You're paying the full cost of the room, after all."
"Ah, not necessary, Madame. This I do accept, but cooking is my passion. I do not think of it as work, but as pleasure. Please allow me to do you this small favor for your kindness."
His eyes almost seemed pleading as they swept over her, though she was certain that was not the case. Her lips curled in a smile and she shook her head, "If you insist, Mister Adaixo." How could she refuse? She'd heard so much about Kal'Niran food and the influence they put on a good cook. It was said that the best cooks of Kal'Nira held more influence with the society than the nobility did, and here she had a Master Chef asking to cook her dinner.
"Excellent! Now, another thing I insist on is that you will call me Julius. Not Mister Adaixo. We are never so formal in Kal'Nira." He leaned forward, letting one of his callused hands rest on her writing desk.
She was struck then by how handsome he was. The shirt he wore bared his muscular arms to her. His tan skin looked soft and warm in the orange light of the fire. The way his hair clung to his neck where it reached, and those dazzling green eyes. Suddenly her cheeks felt a bit warm.
"Ah, yes. Julius." She swallowed, hoping he didn't notice the blush she thought she felt.
If he did or didn't she wouldn't know because he simply nodded his head to that and drew away. "I'll let you know when it's ready then."
What was she thinking? Feeling attracted to a Kal'Niran. They had very peculiar taste in women, and she knew she was nothing like the kind of woman someone like Julius Adaixo, Master Chef, would want to bed.
Her cheeks colored worse as she realized she'd just been entertaining the possibility of bedding the man without even being involved in a romantic relationship with him.
"A year and a month, really not that long at all I should think," she murmured to herself as she turned her attention back on her book.
Only three pages later did she realize that he was approaching the desk. She hadn't heard him knock this time, nor taken notice when he'd entered the room.
"Oh, I-" she said, looking up. In his hand was a small plate.
"Sorry, did I startle you? I thought perhaps you would enjoy some chocolates since I inadvertently deprived you of the ones Thomas sent." He lowered the plate so she could see the small collection of beautifully formed chocolates gathered on it.
"Oh, those are lovely. Did you make them?" When her blue eyes met his green eyes she could see he was proud of her compliment.
"I did indeed. Hopefully they taste as good as they look then." Julius set them on her desk, within her reach.
"Oh, I. Well, I'm sure they will," Erica said. She had been going to protest, she really shouldn't have sweets before dinner, but she didn't want to offend him. Perhaps just one or two, she thought.
"Enjoy, dinner won't be for another half hour or so," he said as he was leaving.
This time she realized he hadn't closed the door. Likely why she hadn't heard him knock or enter before she'd seen him bringing her the chocolates. She took one of the small morsels in her fingers and lifted it to look at it. There was both dark and light coloration on it, the pattern one of swirls.
After sniffing it lightly she took it to her lips. Before she even bit into the small delight she could taste it on her saliva. The sweet blend of flavor tainted her mouth as she let her teeth sink into the morsel, and to her surprise there was something else within. A fruit! A cherry. She bit down on its soft flesh and her mouth was flooded with chocolate both dark and white and the taste of cherry blended to such a wonderful balance that she found herself saying, "Mmmm," around her mouthful of dessert.
No wonder Kal'Nirans prized their chefs so highly. She chewed the sticky sweet mess of cherry and chocolate, savoring every little flood of flavor when her jaws came together, and eventually found herself disappointed as she swallowed the last of the treat. By the Heavens, she thought, I could easily lose myself in sweets like these.
Self Control
Erica lingered there, eyes on the perfectly presented little dish of sweets. There were at least ten left. Maybe more. It was hard to count them with them stacked in their careful presentation. Just one more, she thought, and lifted another from the small plate. This one had light green coloration mixed into the dark brown of the chocolate.
Without realizing she did it, Erica licked her lips as she brought it to her mouth. She didn't let it linger this time, touching it first with her teeth so the rush of its taste would wash over her without preamble. It was minty. It cleaned the lingering flavor from the cherry morsel from her mouth and soon had her lips and tongue feeling cool as its liquid substance ran over them. Mmmm, Gods these are good, she thought as she bit into the small treat again.
There was nothing solid in this one beyond the chocolate itself. Soon the book was laid beside her, forgotten, for she'd eaten the mint treat and wanted another. She looked over them in their colorful display, curious what flavors she would find. One had a light orange swirl to it. Another a dark red. Was the other white swirl a cherry like the last? She lifted it and ate it, only to find that in this case it tasted of a lighter chocolate with no cherry hidden at its core.
One had the taste of orange, another of raspberry, another a taste she could not honestly describe. Perhaps some strange fruit native to Kal'Niran lands? But then, the Kal'Nirans had no farmland so it must have been imported. All she knew was that very quickly she was looking at a plate with three chocolates left on it and she had devoured the others. More than ten in total had remained.
Erica hesitated as she looked over the plate with its tempting little morsels, but managed to steel herself. As wonderful, as divine, as the sweet little tidbits were, she had to keep her figure in mind. Julius was to remain for at least three weeks, and she knew he would have no qualms with supplying her enough treats to really lose herself. For that reason she took her book in hand again and began to read, resolving that she would be more careful in the future.
Gerald had prided himself in how beautiful his wife was. The slender woman had actually stood a bit taller than he when they went out together, and always her figure drew the gaze of onlookers. She wasn't as skinny as some, but she was definitely slender enough that the curves she did have looked really enticing. Her bosom swelled pleasantly, her hips had just a bit of curve, and her belly was barely convex, but the form of it looked beautiful in an evening gown. Erica would not ruin the body that had given her husband so much joy now simply because the food of a stranger tasted so pleasant.
Subtle Yearning
She'd put another chapter of her book behind her when the quiet clearing of Julius' throat drew her attention. "Dinner, is served," he said. He'd brought it with him, like a servant might. The plate he carried was soon set on her writing desk. Its contents seemed so out of place on such a plain dish. The meat was neatly sliced into small bites, some kind of absolutely delicious-smelling spread dribbled over the small portions. There were potatoes, mashed, buttered. Some kind of red food, similar to potato in its texture. "Ah, sweet potatoes," he said as he noticed her eyes on it. There peas and beans were neatly prepared, and a small gravy dish rested nearby.
"This smells wonderful, Julius, and looks delicious. Where is yours?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Oh. I presumed you would want to take dinner alone. Shall I join you, Madame Slade?"
"If you are going to insist I call you Julius then it seems only fair I require similar familiarity from you. Please, Erica will do." She offered him a smile as she continued. "I would enjoy your company, after all, you toiled away at the preparation of this wonderful meal."
The smile that lit his face was one of pride, "Well then, allow me to join you. I will return shortly. Oh, did you want anything else? Dessert is setting in there, but I can get you extra helpings of the others if you like."
"Oh no, this is plenty. I doubt I'll even have room for dessert." In truth she wanted to refuse dessert since she'd already given in and eaten so many of the chocolates. Her eyes strayed to the plate as she thought about that and she realized there were only two chocolates left on it. Hadn't there been three? Had she eaten another? Her cheeks flushed a tiny bit as a slightly perplexed expression came over her features.
"Well, I guess we'll see then. At any rate, I'll be back soon."
Julius left and she turned the small plate with it's two pretty, little chocolates. There had been three. She was sure of it. She would have to move them out of reach when he had gone from the meal, that way neither of the remaining two disappeared during her reading.
Soon enough Julius returned and drew a chair up to the desk. He set his plate on the far side of it and offered her salt and pepper should she desire. Erica shook her head no.
"Well then," Julius said, "a toast to my lovely hostess and to what I hope is a wonderful meal!" With that he poured them both a glass of rich, red wine.
The small cling of their two goblets made her smile. She drank of the wine, its heavy, nutty taste filling her mouth, preparing her pallet for the heavy, tender meat set out for her dinner. Julius drank of it too, and soon set into his dinner, which hadn't been cut as carefully as hers, nor displayed as neatly in his preparation.
Erica lowered her goblet and speared a small slice of meat with her fork. It was very easy to pierce the food. She lifted it to her lips and saw that the sauce he'd topped it with was still quite moist as it dripped to the plate below. When she bit into it she found the meat tender, warm, the sauce buttery, rich. It washed over her taste-buds and made her close her eyes as she began to chew with a light, "Mmm."
Her eyes stayed closed right up until she swallowed, at which point she looked for him, the source of this divine food.
"I have never," she said, "tasted anything so wonderful. You're an amazing cook."
Julius' green eyes seemed to dance as he heard that, his gentle smile appearing for her again. "Well I thank you deeply, you honor me with your praise, Madame."
Erica laughed, "Not Madame, remember?"
His smile turned into a bit of a grin. "Right, right, Erica."
"Better," Erica said as she speared another bite of meat and swirled it in the buttery topping. It was so delicious as the flavor flooded her mouth that she drew in a long breath and let out a content sigh. Bite after bite she ate this way. The mashed potatoes were warm and soft. The sweet potatoes lived up to their name, their topping a sauce that was somewhat grainy and utterly delicious. The vegetables, while not sweet or melting, did taste wonderful the way he'd prepared them.
Soon she found her meal had disappeared and she was still hungry for more. She looked up at Julius and blinked in surprise saying, "Oh. I- Have you been-"
He was staring at her, one elbow on her desk, chin resting on his hand lazily. "Have I been waiting? Not long, I assure you. Are you finished then?" He grinned again, and there was a hint of mischeif in it.
"I am, yes," she said, blushing a bit at his rather direct attention.
"Alright. Let me just clear your dishes then." And he did as he said, gathering her dishes up.
She realized then that his plate was already gone. The one dish he didn't take was the plate with the two little chocolates. Her eyes lingered on it as he said, "I'll be back in a moment with dessert. You simply must try some."
