42 True Rendezvous

Aveline sat by the water, watching the ocean as the sun began to fade. She had been asked to come here by Wesrey, so a small fear was able to leak into her heart. She sighed softly, dreading anything negative that may happen.

"You're here. Part of me was scared you wouldn't show."

Aveline tried to stand, but Wesrey knelt behind her. She pulled Aveline into her arms and hugged her tight. Her face appeared in Aveline's peripheral, a soft smile on her lovely face.

"I do believe that you are Niall, but part of me keeps nagging that I may be wrong. I know it's getting late, and it's been a few days... but I needed to find out. If I can get rid of that nuisance in my heart, then I can properly tell my father I've found the one I love! He won't marry me off to God knows where!"

Aveline leaned her head against Wesrey's.

"What makes you feel like I'm not him?"

Wesrey sighed.

"Aveline, Niall was a wonderful and kind person... just like you. But..."

Aveline could feel how hard Wesrey was struggling. She placed her hand against her cheek, then turned her face to kiss her. She was slow and tender, enjoying the warmer breath of the half dragon. She finally pulled away, her eyes staring deep into Wesrey's.

"I'm right here. Go slow, it'll come out."

Wesrey smiled slightly, her heart finally calm.

"Niall was introverted. A pretty boy, with dicks for friends. He ignored a lot of people, as well as the throngs of women that thought he was cute. But here... you're a beautiful woman. I don't understand why men hate you so much, but everywhere I go, I see more women desire you... and you accept a select few. They're all top quality girls, and you can be with whichever you want. I just can't shake this weird feeling about you."

Aveline narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Top quality? None a single damn one of you deserve that kind of disrespect."

Wesrey's eyes opened in shock.

"D-did I upset you?"

"Wesrey, you're all amazing women I adore. Don't belittle yourselves like you're prime meat that I'll enjoy bit by bit. I want you all to be happy, as well as safe. This world is dangerous. It pisses me off to think of the danger that could strike you all at any moment! The nightmares have been rather painful..."

Wesrey hugged Aveline tighter, her eyes suddenly worried.

"You've been having nightmares?"

"Yes. It's why I train so damn hard. My desire and need to protect you all has made me fear losing you. That fear hounds me nightly, watching you all either perish... or become so badly corrupted that I can no longer save you."

"You don't fear us leaving you?"

Aveline visibly stiffened. A tiny smile slid onto her face.

"If any of you had found someone else that you could love and cherish, why should I stop you? It's heartless to keep so many women bound to me, no matter how much love I shower them with."

"So you would humbly back out? You'd give up and stop fighting for them?"

Aveline's eyes suddenly turned into a glare.

"What the hell are you implying?"

"Do you truly love us all, or are we just play things for you to satisfy your time?"

Aveline looked down, her eyes growing dark.

"Let me go."

"Then answer me! How am I supposed to believe that you love us all if you can't even answer that?"

Aveline began to shake in Wesrey's arms.

"Is it so hard to believe? Truly, am I wasting my time loving the women I already cherish? Should I just le-"

'User stability imbalanced. Current thought process will lead to death. All conquests, new, old and unmet will die as well. Suggestion: Calm down and think.'

Aveline touched her cheeks, wiping the steady stream of tears away. She grabbed Wesrey's arms, causing her to flinch as Aveline pulled them off of her. As she got to her feet, she turned around and looked deep into Wesrey's eyes.

"I love all of you. If it's in my power, I'd fight for you until my last breath."

The marks on her back, as well as the one on her leg began to glow.

"Should I prove myself to you? In which way would it make you happy?"

Wesrey leaned forward, placing her hands on her hips.

"Aveline..."

Her face turned crimson.

"Do you... do you have any intention of marrying any of us?"

Her marks faded immediately.

"Eh?"

She pressed her fingers together and pouted a little.

"I wanna... like really wanna. Do you think everyone else would mind a large marriage? My family would be excited... there would be a lot of food. Anya and Barraden could come too!"

Aveline continued off in her own world, not noticing the large gathering that had begun to surround her. The crowd of girls had red faces, shocked by the ability to hide in her own world.

"Will she stop? I'm blushing so hard, I swear I might bleed."

"Sorry Nora... she's lost... in her world... happy as can... be."

"Fufufu. It's so cute to see her like this, but still... I'm embarrassed that she hasn't seen us all."

"H-has she always been like this, Miss Kyra?"

Kyra nodded softly, smiling at the curious youth. The chatter suddenly stopped as all of the girls, with Anya and Barraden nearby, inhaled and shouted all together.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVELINE!!!"

Aveline's eyes went wide as she fell back, falling into the water. She pulled her hair out of her face, redder then a cherry.

"You all just let me sit there and continue!? What the hell!"

Kyra and Lenora helped Aveline back to her feet. She was dripping heavily, so she spun quickly, tossing water onto everyone nearby. Enna pulled on Aveline's hand.

"All of us are embarrassed too."

Aveline saw Kaley and Victri hiding behind there hands, while Milyara was tracing her finger in the sand. Enna stared at the ground, holding her hand, while Lenora and Kyra just seemed pleased with themselves. Sylvra was keeping her back turned, but her smile was visible. Wesrey was just smiling.

"Wait, it's the fourteenth now? I'm seventeen?"

Everyone began to laugh at her.

"Why are you all still awake?! It's so late!"