Chapter 4

Frigga  

Frigga woke up before Doris had refilled her water or laid out her clothes. She had awakened  in that liminal hour when it was too late to go back to sleep but too early to start the day. Instead,  Frigga wrapped herself in a throw blanket and sat on the alcove’s bench to watch the sun rise.  She savoured the stillness that came with the early hour, silence would be a rare delight today.  Her birthday party, an event her aunt had been planning for months, wasn’t about Frigga at all,  not really. It was more of a coming out; as of today, she was a fully-fledged Thorneheart  bachelorette, entirely marriageable and a soon to be an initiated coven Heir.

Frigga leaned back on the alcove wall, staring down the home’s front drive, and sighed  heavily. Marriageable was the last thing she wanted to be. She was going to have to marry a man  and that fact made every cell in her body writhe. But the reality of the matter was that it would  happen which was merely one expectation of the dozens she needed to fulfil. She’d already  sacrificed so much for this; multiple friendships had died from neglect, countless hours of sleep  lost to extra study, even her love of horticulture was relegated to hobby rather than career. All of  it to ensure that she wouldn’t squander the potential that everyone went on and on about.  

Frigga watched as the sun crested the horizon, washing the fields and rooftops in golden light.  She opened her window to breathe in the fresh air, and the faint scent of baked goods wafted into  Frigga’s bedroom. She yawned before leaning her forehead on the cool window pane, and her  heart ached as she recalled yesterday’s afternoon with Razi. She wished she could go see her in  the kitchen right now. She wished she could spend more time with Razi in general, more than  just a few afternoons per week.  

There was a lot that Frigga wanted of Razi, especially because it was her birthday. Frigga  blushed and hid her awkward smile under her blanket, but if she couldn’t do what she wanted on  her birthday, when even could she? It’d been over a year since her last encounter, just before her  friend Anna had gone home to Elderburgh after she’d graduated, and Frigga got the distinct  impression that an encounter with Razi would be quite different. After all, neither herself nor  Anna had any experience before their experimenting had started a few months prior, and Frigga  hadn’t sought out other partners since.  

But Razi? The woman seemed more than experienced in such things. To say the woman was  experienced would be like saying the Thorneheart library contained a few books, and Razi could  probably write a few on the topic. One book on blondes, one on brunettes, and one on the rest,  though Frigga had noticed on their occasional trips to town that Razi seemed to flirt with a lot of  blondes, that one in particular had gotten very handsy which even now made Frigga’s cheeks 

flare with an emotion she had to admit to herself was jealousy. She’d pretended not to hear when  Razi made comments about how beautiful this woman’s eyes were or how that woman’s newest  scarf flattered her complexion, but Frigga had heard every flirtatious word. Something about the  way Razi spoke to them was familiar, teasing, and it brought to mind the first morning they’d  met.  

But Razi had stopped talking to Frigga like that their first excursion out, like they were  performing or playing some kind of game. What kind of relationship Razi had with those women  was unclear, but Frigga was sure of one thing:  

Razi hadn’t built them gardens.  

Maybe her party tonight wasn’t what she’d have preferred, maybe she would ultimately have  to sacrifice her heart to fulfil the expectations of her family and coven, and maybe she would  have to marry a man. But for tonight, at least, Frigga would give in and let herself act as a  woman in love. Maybe for the last time.  

///  

Frigga was bathed and manicured to perfection, and expensive oils were used in her unruly  red curls in an attempt to tame them into an up-do with decent success. Her gown was a gorgeous  floor-length royal blue dress with gold embroidery and trim and a gauzy, ethereal off-the shoulder sleeve that trailed as a cape down her back. The neckline was lower than Frigga would  normally opt for, but it made room for a luxurious golden layered necklace with opals inlaid. A  delicate gold tiara encrusted with sapphires was placed atop her finished hair, accented with gold  chandelier earrings inlaid with more precious stones. It was an outfit fit for a princess and would  be one of the most ornate gowns she would ever wear in her life. It felt rather like overkill and  was not a garment she’d ever have picked, but looking at herself in the mirror had her standing  up a bit straighter and holding her head higher. She felt powerful and proud and would carry  herself with all the prestige of the Thorneheart name until the end of the evening. If things went  her way, she’d throw all of it out the window once the party was done, but until then she would  be the very picture of dignity and grace.  

As Doris was placing the final gems into Frigga’s up-do, a knock at her door followed by a  soft gasp announced her aunt’s arrival. Frigga looked at Sapphire in her vanity’s mirror, and the  woman’s gloved hands were clasped over her mouth. “My Dear, you are radiant,” said her aunt.  

Frigga smiled and nodded to Doris to take a break. “Thank you! You look beautiful too.”  Her aunt was always dignified and elegant, tonight was no different in her silver and blue  floor-length dress, elbow-length silver gloves, and the necklace she reserved for particularly  special occasions. It was a layered pearl choker that supported the centrepiece, an exquisite oval-

cut sapphire surrounded by small diamonds. Classically simple and extravagantly stylish, it was  an heirloom she’d received from her mother that Frigga would inherit when it was her time.  Sapphire walked to her niece and squeezed her hands. “I have such a wonderful feeling about  tonight and I truly hope you enjoy yourself. Come over here, I have a gift for you.”  She led Frigga to the bench at the foot of the bed and brought out a small jewelry box covered  in dark blue velvet. Frigga unlatched its simple brass closure it to find a circular gold pendant no  larger than a thumbnail with a single small pearl inset. “It was your mother’s,” Sapphire  explained, “given to her on her twenty-first birthday.”  

Frigga’s heart ached, and she looked back up to her aunt. They didn’t always see eye-to-eye,  but she knew Sapphire meant well. Frigga took after her mother and missed her deeply, so  receiving something so precious meant everything to the young witch. “Thank you, Auntie,” she  said, straining to keep her voice from cracking, “I love it so much.”  

Her aunt helped put the pendant on Frigga’s simple chain, and it looked so natural, like it had  been there the whole time. Sapphire put a gentle hand to Frigga’s cheek. “You look just like her,  and I know she would be proud of you.”  

Frigga really would start crying if they continued this line of conversation, so to preserve  Doris expertly applied lash paints, she swallowed her initial reply and changed the subject. “I’m  looking forward to seeing everyone tonight.”  

Sapphire hummed. “I do want you to have fun,” she started, her kindly tone cooling to a  formal one, “but it is more important that you make a good impression. You always do, but  tonight is especially vital. You needn’t worry overly much about making a lot of conversation  with anyone in particular, but I’d like you to speak with every guest at least a little bit.”  

“Yes, ma’am,” said Frigga with a small nod.  

“You will certainly be asked to dance by most of the eligible gentlemen. While you needn’t  accept every offer, I would like to see you dance with every coven member and close coven  affiliate if they ask.”  

Frigga smiled in a way she was sure did not reach her eyes. “I’ll do my best to procure a  marriage offer before the night’s end,” she joked.  

Sapphire chuckled quietly and put a hand on Frigga’s shoulder. “Don’t worry overly much  about that,” she said cryptically. “Of course, I’m happy to see our unmarried coven members  mingle with members of high society, but I want your focus to be strictly on building amiable  connections with as many of our distinguished guests as possible. Let me handle the rest.”  

Frigga’s stomach twisted slightly; what did that mean? But she kept the question to herself. “I  won’t let you down.” 

Sapphire beamed and drew Frigga into a soft hug. “I know you won’t, Dear. You are the  perfect example of what it means to be a Thorneheart, and everyone will appreciate that after  tonight.”  

Frigga was the last Thorneheart to be ready, so when her last curl had been set and the final  touch’s final touches were completed, the birthday girl rushed from her room to meet her family  at the bottom of the main staircase which was flanked by the staff ready to stow away any coats  or bags that guests needed set aside. As she descended, Leland and Sapphire turned to greet her.  Leland was dressed in a smart, navy blue suit to match his sister and aunt, and Frigga saw he was  already antsy. He gawked at his sister and hollered, “Wow, you look awesome!”  

She smiled and lightly curtsied as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “Thank you! You look  very handsome too.”  

Leland grinned wickedly as he took up his spot between the two women, his aunt holding him  lightly. “I don’t know if that dress is enough to make someone wanna marry you though. Might  need to throw on another glamour.”  

Frigga elbowed her barbaric brother as he cackled. The siblings light-heartedly jabbed at each  other until Sapphire intervened and put herself between them. Frigga cast and exaggerated scowl  at the boy who replied by sticking out his tongue.  

“Now, now, you two,” said her aunt, “our guests will be arriving any second. Grace, elegance,  and dignity.”  

The family greeted the guests for the first half-hour as they entered the exquisitely decorated  home, and it wasn’t long before everyone had arrived. While the home wasn’t as grand as some,  it was more than enough to host the nearly three-hundred guests with room to spare. A local  string quartet had been hired along with a pianist, extra hands had been borrowed from the  Magnus-Monroe estate to help the house staff keep the guests supplied with food and drink, and  the sparkling halls and rooms of the manor were filled with the sweet aroma of baking and the  crisp scent of bergamot. Thorneheart Manor was used to hosting coven parties, the Summer and  Winter Solstices saw the coven and their families annually, but it had been decades since the  home had seen this level of polish and extravagance.  

There were so many people to talk to, it made Frigga dizzy. Wade, the Morgansons Heir,  made sure to let her know how gorgeous she was and how delighted he was to be in her presence  with the smile Frigga had already seen about ten times since the beginning of the night aimed at  multiple other women. He would have been charming if she was interested in thirty-year-old  men, especially in the fitted navy blue Kurta he’d made sure to mention he brought in just for the  occasion, but the over-effort was flattering anyway. There were several members of the city’s  guard and governing council here with their families, and their sons made things awkward too. 

Not an unfamiliar experience, she was very practiced in the fine art of letting men down gently,  though it wasn’t every day the heiress was expected to do that and then grant a dance to eligible  suitors afterward.  

Frigga was delighted to catch up with some of the coven members she hadn’t visited since  returning home. She’d been to a few meetings since then, but had been a little distracted and thus  hadn’t visited every family as quickly as initially intended. She took the opportunity to ask  Rosemary Honeywood about the family’s honey business and after Edna Downspire’s magical  item crafting. That was always an interesting conversation, and Edna took the opportunity to  embarrass her daughter Celeste by talking all about how the girl had accidentally exploded some  family heirloom. The girl had wriggled out of her mother’s grasp and yanked Leland away from  the conversation to hide as the adults didn’t bother to conceal their amusement.  

Frigga even managed to have a brief conversation with Victoria Bloodswell, though the  interaction had been brief as she’d lost track of her Heir Rosalind and was looking around for  them. The woman had lost her husband the year before, so Frigga understood if the woman was  more on edge than usual. But they did have a sanitized, small-talk-filled conversation, and the  younger witch couldn’t help but notice the woman, nearly forty years her senior, reminded her of  a particular teacher she’d been attracted to at school. Victoria was beautiful in a sharp way, her  pale skin contrasted the midnight hair styled in a low bun that was decorated with golden hair  barrettes, and she wore a modest dress in her family’s traditional colours of gold and scarlet.  Despite Victoria being obviously striking, the observation made Frigga supremely uncomfortable  and she banished the thought immediately. Though she had a grudge against the Thorneheart  family generally, Victoria had a particularly fraught relationship with Sapphire that went beyond  a family-based heirloom grudge. Luckily, Victoria seemed neutral towards Frigga, so it wasn’t  difficult to be polite and welcoming to the distinguished witch.  

Between her obligatory visits with her guests and various younger gentlemen vying for her  attention, Frigga barely had a moment to enjoy the refreshments. She’d barely eaten a thing all  day so when the birthday girl was finally afforded such an opportunity, she stole a samosa,  swallowing in nearly whole, and slipped out the back door to catch some air. Even the veranda  had been decorated with hanging flowers and floating lights, making it a quiet escape from the  event.  

She hadn’t been the only one with that idea. She slipped out the door and found someone  already. Rosalind Bloodswell was leaning pensively on their elbows on the iron railing. They  wore a fitted black suit under the jacket they always wore, black lace atop black velvet with gold  topstitching and embroidery evocative of a spine and ribcage stitched down the back. This was  complimented by a few gold stud earrings in each ear and a small golden star dangling from a  golden chain on one side of their face that matched their delicate collar pins. They were about six 

years older than Frigga so the two weren’t close, not that Rosalind was close with anyone; they  kept to themself and were always silent during coven meetings which wasn’t difficult  considering their mother spoke enough for two.  

When she shut the door behind her with a small click, Rosalind turned and looked dully at  Frigga. Their short jet hair asymmetrically framed their disinterested expression, a default setting  of theirs, and their narrow eyes swept over Frigga vacantly. The glow of the lights only made  their smooth, fair skin seem like it too was glowing, though the apples of their slender cheeks  and the very tip of their nose were barely flushed due to the evening’s slight chill.  

Frigga smiled politely and hoped that her disappointment wasn’t evident. Would she ever  catch a break? Her duties would continue forever at this rate. “Sorry to bother you, I was getting  a bit warm.”  

Rosalind did not reply but looked back out to the pond, shifting away from Frigga when she  stood next to them. She maintained a polite distance but did notice Rosalind had started to play  with the edges of their jacket. “So, um, your mother had mentioned about you working on  something new? How’s that going?”  

“She wasn’t meant to speak of it, I’m unsure how it will pan out.” Their tone was icy, as if  Frigga had trespassed, and their expression had shifted from disinterest to displeasure.  Frigga’s stomach twisted. “Oh, my apologies. She just made it sound so interesting. I was  curious.”  

Rosalind sighed, still staring out to the forest, letting uncomfortable silence manifest further.  Frigga wasn't sure what to say, if anything. She barely knew anything about them, but she was  very aware they weren’t interested in small talk. Rosalind was known to disappear the instant  someone attempted it, and Frigga genuinely wanted to get to know them a little. There was no  point in their two families having animosity if it could be mended, but the deafening silence  sitting between the two of them now was oppressive.  

Finally, they replied, their hands still fidgeting with their sleeves, but their tone softened.  “I’ve, um… I’ve been working with crystals and channelling energy into them. In theory, we  might be capable of channeling spirits into them, but…I don’t know if that’s possible in  practice.” Their uncertain eyes quickly shifted up to Frigga but darted away instantly.  

Frigga grasped for a way to deepen the conversation, but she barely knew where to start.  “That is fascinating. Does that work in tandem with your family’s necromancy?”  “Yes.”  

They were definitely not a talker. “Well, please let me know if I can help at all. It sounds  promising.”  

Rosalind stood up straight and looked at Frigga, their face carefully neutral despite having  shoved their hands into their jacket pockets. “Thank you, Miss Thorneheart.” 

Frigga winced but kept her very polite smile intact. “Please, I just want everyone to call me  Frigga.”  

Rosalind furrowed their brow slightly. It was decidedly not how Sapphire chose to run things,  but Frigga was already exhausted by so much formality. They seemed to be about to say  something, but then changed their mind and looked back out towards the forest.  

A beat passed between them, and Rosalind did not offer more opportunities for Frigga to pick  up a natural conversation thread. The silence between the two of them rang out like fork prongs  scraping a plate. Frigga was sure she wasn’t the only one who felt it, but she was unsure how to  continue. She thought to ask Rosalind more about their work when they actually questioned her.  “You attended the university in Bluehaven?”  

Thank the gods. If Rosalind was bringing up the topic, there was clearly something in  particular they were interested in so Frigga jumped on the opportunity as a weight lifted off her.  “Yes, have you been?”  

“I went to the same school. I…” They looked back up to Frigga and then up to a nearby  floating orb, as if they were unsure if they should say what they were about to, “Did you ever  meet the librarian’s daughter?”  

Frigga thought back. She’d spent a lot of time in the library while away, but she had usually  been under a pile of assignments and books. Still, she was pretty sure she remembered the  woman. “Sage Summerest?”  

“How was she?”  

“She got married last winter, and her wife had a baby. You knew her?”  

Rosalind nodded, their expression still neutral but a bit more vacant than it had been before as  they looked back out on the property. “We were close, but it’s been years.” They fell silent for a  moment before smiling gently. “I’m glad she’s happy.”  

This was a nice side of them Frigga hadn’t seen before, but she steered the conversation into  less personal territory to keep Rosalind comfortable. “What was your area of focus while you  were there?”  

Rosalind’s brows lifted and their smile brightened. “Energy. Want to see?”  Frigga nodded eagerly. It was rare to see the personal practices of her coven members, and  Rosalind in particular was quiet about their work. They lifted their right palm up and summoned  a small ball that glowed red, illuminating Rosalind’s sharp features and dark eyes. “As you know,  witch’s energy has a primary form it takes, but,” and in a flash the light sparked into a soft red  flame, “it is possible to alter that primary setting and master other forms,” and then in another  flash the flame became a red electric current running along their fingers, “to a certain extent,”  another flash, the energy morphed into red, water-like blobs floating in the air. 

Frigga looked on in amazement. Any witch could produce a flame, but it was something else  to shift one’s pure magic into a state different than its natural form. Frigga’s took on an ethereal,  royal blue glow, her aunt’s a cold electric current. For that energy to shift, and in such a smooth  and effortless transferral? It was unlike anything she’d ever seen. “That was beautiful!”  

Rosalind smiled appreciatively and closed their palm around the energy, smothering the red  light. “Thank you. You studied Illusory magic, I think?”  

She was about to answer when the door slid open and interrupted. Frigga looked to find Razi,  dressed up in her manor-issued formalwear: crisp black slacks with a deep blue button-down  shirt and gold tie that complimented her dark skin, and Frigga’s heart nearly broke from just the  sight of her. “Ah, sorry Miss Thorneheart,” Razi looked at the woman and then to Rosalind,  “And Mx Bloodswell, I apologize for disturbin’ you. Your mother asked for you back.”  

“Of course she did,” Rosalind sighed, their smile from before was gone. They offered a hand  to Frigga and held hers briefly. “Happy birthday, Frigga. Please excuse me.” They gave a small  bow, turned, and walked too silently inside. As they went, they glanced at Razi, then again at  Frigga before closing the door behind them.  

Leaving Razi and Frigga alone. Finally. 

Razi hadn’t taken her eyes off of Frigga since she’d first laid eyes on her, and Frigga couldn’t  take hers away from Razi either. When the door shut, Frigga walked up to her and took her hand.  “I was hoping to see you tonight.”  

Razi was still staring at her, dumbstruck, but when Frigga placed her hand at Razi’s waist, the  woman regained her faculties. “Holy fuck, you’re so beautiful,” she whispered, and her voice  sounded like she was in pain.  

Frigga had heard that compliment all night, but hearing it from Razi was different. Especially  when the woman said it like that, like “you’re so beautiful” were the last words Razi was ever  going to say. The witch flushed. “Thank you. I had to make sure that I wouldn’t be outdone by  you, Handsome,” she flirted, fluttering her lashes to lay it on thick.  

The attendant snorted and looked down at the floor. “Aw, come on,” she said bashfully. Frigga  didn’t know Razi could be bashful, not seriously, but the taller woman seemed just a bit smaller  than usual.  

Frigga smiled and tugged Razi down for a quick kiss, and the self-consciousness Razi seemed  to be feeling melted away, replaced by affection. Frigga asked, “How did you know Rosalind  was out here?”  

“Vampire Junior?” Frigga squinted at the nickname, but Razi just grinned. “They always hide  out ‘ere, an’ I saw you escape. Luckily, Lady Vampire’s so uptight ‘bout where Junior is at all  times, I took th’ opportunity as soon as I could.” 

Frigga didn’t doubt it. “I’m sure I should be getting back to everyone, but I wanted to ask.”  She glanced at the door quickly and lowered her voice. “Would you like to meet me later?”  Razi’s brow knit in confusion. “What d’you mean?”  

“I want you to bring me to your room after the party,” Frigga lifted a hand to cup Razi’s  cheek, “and I want you.”  

Frigga watched the woman come to grips with what she was being asked. Razi blinked as the  confusion gave way to pleasant surprise, and she leaned in for another kiss, sliding her hand  under Frigga’s chin. She parted and asked, “You sure you’d be up for tha’ after all this bullshit?”  

“Absolutely.” Frigga smiled. Her gaze was heavy and her tone was laden with amorous  intention. “I’d put up with much more than this if it meant I could have you for a night.”  “Wish I could ‘av at you right now,” Razi purred as her hands wandered slightly lower than  she’d dared before. “I can arrange it all, if you wan’.”  

“I’ll come to the kitchen after it’s all over,” Frigga agreed.  

Razi placed a kiss on Frigga’s forehead. “Even if we’re careful, y’might get seen.”  “I trust you,” Frigga said. “I can’t wait for you any longer, Razi.”  

Razi’s brows raised with surprise at the naked desire in the statement. “Gods, woman, you’re  gon’ kill me. Or get me killed, one or th’ other.”  

Frigga pressed her body to Razi’s again, smiling mischievously. “No, I’m going to make you  feel alive.” After one final, stolen kiss that dripped with anticipation like honey, Razi opened the  door and followed Frigga as she stepped back inside and disappeared into the background.  

Frigga was asked to dance a few more times by different guests, some her age, some  significantly older. As the mayor’s cousin started asking some very personal questions and his  hands wandered to places they ought not, she was saved by her favourite dance partner of the  evening, Marcus Magnus-Monroe, Theodore’s only child and Heir. He was slender, comfortably  tall, and possessed the longest blond hair Frigga had ever seen which was always tied back with  a ribbon. Marcus wasn’t a classical vision of handsome, his face was long and his lips thin, but  the genuine smile he wore at all times was so charming and warm that it lent him handsomeness.  He was well-known within her social circle as being an airhead and too flamboyant to be taken  completely seriously, but he was a delight to anyone he conversed with as he spoke with sincere  interest. The man could get a hermit to party, if he made his mind up to.  

As they danced, Marcus asked Frigga about her horticultural hobby and she asked after his  poetry. He was mainly interested in contemporary work, but from time to time the man imported  historical or foreign books of poetry as well. The two hadn’t grown up together, Frigga knew him  for two years before she’d gone away to school, but the Magnus-Monroes and Thornehearts had  always been incredibly close. He was one of the only people in town Frigga might consider a 

friend. She wished, if she had to spend the night with all these important people, she could spend  the rest of it with him; he always made her laugh and always made her feel comfortable. Unlike  many of the gentlemen vying for her attention tonight, Marcus never treated her merely like a  potential bride he might court or a future leader with whom he might win favour, but as a  respected friend who’s company he truly enjoyed.  

As the room’s energy withered, guests began to take their leave. It was with relief that Frigga  took her place beside her aunt near the door to bid their guests farewell. After the door closed  behind the final guest, Sapphire turned to Frigga to put a hand on her niece’s shoulder. “Well  done, Frigga,” she praised. “That went extremely well.”  

Frigga smiled, relief and weariness colouring it. “Thank you, but I think I’d like to take  tomorrow off from my studies if possible. I’m very tired.”  

Sapphire gave her niece a quick hug. “That will be fine. I have a meeting with Theodore, but  you’re not expected to join us and there isn’t anything else happening tomorrow.”  As Frigga gave a nod, Sapphire gave one last affectionate smile before turning and making  her way up the stairs to her bedroom. Frigga waited until her aunt was out of sight at the foot of  the stairs. Her heart quickened; this was her chance! She looked in the direction of the kitchen,  visible from where she stood. She had one person on her mind and one goal, and there was  nothing that would stand in her way. She had put up with the frivolous games required of her  tonight, she’d been angelically patient, and now she was going to do something about these  enormous feelings for Razi because she’d already waited too long.  

Before Frigga could tiptoe towards the kitchen door, it slid silently open and her knight in  shining armour stepped out. Razi met Frigga as she rushed towards her full of purpose. In the  shadow of the main stairway, the two of them crashed into each other, kissing and touching as if  they’d been apart for weeks. It was short but furious and Frigga’s head spun as the weight of  expectation fell from her shoulders replaced with unrestrained desire. Once their wordless  greeting was done, Razi took Frigga’s hand with a boyish smirk and led her through a side-hall  that was used by servants who needed to cross the house undetected. The heiress’ gown barely fit  in the dim, stone-lined hallway, but Frigga didn’t care. She kept close to Razi as they wound  through a winding corridor until they finally spilled out into a normal hallway. Frigga had never  been to this part of the house, but it felt significantly older than the rest of it; the rugs and light  fixtures were at least twenty years old, and the stone was the darker shade that had been popular  a hundred years prior.  

Finally, Razi came to a small recess with two wooden doors across from each other. On each  door was a nameplate on top of a small mail slot. The nameplate on the right was blank but the  one on the left read “R. Wood” in faded, unrefined printing. It was at this door Razi pulled out a 

key and opened the door, holding it open like a proper gentleman. “After you, Princess,” she said  with a bow.  

Frigga’s heart was already racing, but an unanticipated calm and singular focus settled upon  her as she entered the suite. She was curious to see Razi’s home, but she had no eyes for it right  now. Instead, she stood next to the nearby double bed and watched as Razi stole a look down the  hallway to ensure their privacy before closing the door with practiced, silent swiftness.  

Razi leaned back on the door as she unhooked her keyring and hung it up. Her eyes remained  on Frigga, and the woman’s smirk had been replaced with something more contemplative. “It’s  so weird seein’ you in ‘ere in tha’,” she said, looking at the ballgown. “Feels like a crime.”  

Frigga kept her eyes locked on Razi. “Then come get me out of it,” she replied prettily.  Razi swallowed dryly, walked up to her, and kissed Frigga with a thick, syrupy slow kiss, her  fingertips brushing lightly over Frigga’s arms. It was the kind of kiss that made Frigga’s knees  weak, made her whine with need, made her desperate for more. Razi pulled away minutely and  caught Frigga’s eye. “Y’ sure ‘bout this?”  

Frigga coyly smiled. “Do you really think I haven’t thought through this to death already?”  Razi chuckled as she ran a single finger over the exposed skin of the witch’s shoulders and  collar bones, making Frigga shiver. “My mistake,” she murmured. “On your own head be it,  yeah?”  

They began breaking Frigga free, and Razi ran her fingers over skin as it was exposed. She  planted kisses on her shoulders, her neck, anywhere she could reach. She stood behind Frigga to  undo the laces of the gown as carefully as she could manage, but it would take some time. She  was used to a knot, but the lacing Doris had opted for was complicated.  

The bodice gave slightly, and Frigga wanted to rip the dress off her in her impatience. “Raz?”  Frigga said in a low, soft tone. Razi hummed in reply, her hands still working. “I have a rule for  tonight.”  

The working hands halted as she directed her full attention to Frigga and placed another kiss  to her neck, murmuring against skin. “What’s tha’?”  

Frigga savoured the sensation of Razi’s lips on her skin, her eyes fluttered shut. “I’m not  anything tonight. I’m not a witch, I’m not an heiress, I’m nothing.”  

Razi smiled, softly exhaled, and continued her task. “Sure,” she answered with an air of  amusement. The bodice finally sighed open and Razi helped Frigga step out of it, leaving the  witch with just her slip and jewelry.  

“I don’t think you get it,” she continued, turning her back to Razi again to grant access to the  ornate necklace clasps. Frigga’s stomach began twisting with nerves, but she ignored it; she was  going to see this through. “I’m so fucking tired of being treated like a delicate vase. I’m not  going to break.” 

Razi had started to unclasp Frigga’s necklace but paused at the last sentence. “’S kinda hot  when you talk like tha’,” she said, and her hands resumed her work. She finally managed to undo  the clasps and gently set the necklace down on the nearest table’s surface.  

Frigga picked at her hair to get all the jewelry out, and the braids began to loose from their  fastenings. “I’m not some shining beacon of purity, and I’m certainly not as naive as everyone  thinks.” As she said this, Frigga turned to look at Razi who had just laid the antique necklace  down on a low table nearby.  

Razi grinned as she caught Frigga’s eye before pointedly looking her over, scanning her body  up and down with naked lust. “I don’ think anything of th’ sort, Frigga.”  

Frigga finally released her hair from the up-do and it unfurled into a single braid down her  exposed back. She set her handful of hair gems on the table next to her necklaces and leaned in  close to Razi. “Good,” she whispered, “no thinking. Now kiss me.”  

Razi

And with that Razi had had enough waiting. She captured Frigga’s lips and nipped at them  hungrily. Frigga’s hands were immediately in her hair and scratching at her shoulders as Razi ran  her hands over everything and anything she could reach. Frigga’s figure was full, warm, and  perfect, and Razi wanted so much to taste every inch. Now that the witch was out of the frills and  the crinolines, her generous hips and waistline were a glorious sight to behold and a blessing to  touch.

As she admired Frigga’s curves with her hands, Frigga took a fist full of her shirt and yanked  her irreverently towards the bed. “I hope you don’t mind,” she panted as she gently pushed Razi  to lay down, “but I can’t let your handsome uniform go unappreciated.” She followed and  crawled on top as Razi lay back.  

“It’d be a shame,” Razi agreed as she let her hands settle at Frigga’s waist. It was a delightful  surprise for Frigga to take the initiative. She was always expected to lead, and Razi definitely  loved to lead, but to be on bottom for once? She cherished the feeling of Frigga’s weight on her  hips, and the image of her on top was unforgettable. Frigga was fiddling with a few of Razi’s  shirt buttons, but before she got to the last one, Razi gently pulled her back down for more kisses  while her eager hands slid down the woman’s back to her rear. Gods, her legs were so smooth  and soft, it made Razi ache.  

Frigga then shifted to get a leg between Razi’s, bringing her knee up to grind lightly into her  and oh gods this was happening. Razi sobbed a quiet “Oh shit,” and Frigga smiled into their kiss.  Razi’s hips jerked into the friction and they moved together, grinding on each other. Their lips  parted so the two of them could move more effectively, and Razi’s hands wandered over Frigga’s 

entire body, palming at breasts and digging short nails into a thigh, as the smaller woman worked  her over. Frigga’s enthusiasm for grinding her thigh into Razi was fucking magical, like if she  didn’t get her partner off her entire life would be over. Razi would be sure that Frigga got hers,  but she was happy to let Frigga serve her needs first. Fuck, the feeling of Frigga rocking against  her like this had heat building in her stomach with a ferocity unlike anything Razi could  remember experiencing before. Maybe her two-month-long dry spell had ensured she’d be easier  to please or maybe she was just into the woman’s initiative. Whatever the case, Razi came easier  than water running down a stream. She stiffened and went entirely silent as small explosions of  ecstasy rippled through her body. She dug her nails into Frigga’s hip in a desperate attempt to  stay grounded, and Frigga hummed deliciously against Razi’s pulse.  

“You’re so beautiful,” she said low and laden with want. She pressed a kiss to Razi’s jaw as  Razi came back down from her high, slumping and breathing ruggedly. Razi caught the way  Frigga was looking over her body and shivered as fingertips ghosted over her ribs, sides, and  breasts.  

Razi wasn’t quite used to being on the receiving end of this sort of adoration, she didn’t know  how to respond. “Tha’s my line,” she haggardly replied, her breathing starting to calm.  “Are you alright?” Frigga asked cautiously.  

“No, yeah I’m good,” Razi finally caught her breath and lightly prompted Frigga to pull back.  “But ’s your turn.”  

Frigga let herself be pulled into Razi’s lap after she sat up. “There’s no turns,” she chuckled as  she settled her legs on either side of Razi’s hips. Even sitting on top, Frigga was so short that  they were nearly face-to-face. All the better, so much easier to kiss this woman silly. Honestly,  she’d be happy just kissing this woman until she died. But duty called, as they say, and Frigga  had made it abundantly clear she was in the mood to go for a while. Who was Razi to disappoint?  Certainly not on the woman’s birthday, she had a reputation to live up to!  

Razi mouthed at Frigga’s collar bone and ran her hands down Frigga’s sides before sliding  them under her slip again. “Does that mean you don’ wan’ a turn, darlin’?” she teased as she  started touching everywhere, grasping her breasts and raking short nails over her thighs and back  and ass. It made Frigga shiver and her hips writhe. Ugh, this woman, her voice, her ass, her  everything was so fucking perfect.  

Frigga was revelling in the sensation of Razi at her clavicle. “I didn’t say that,” she whined as  Razi’s left hand wandered Frigga’s body freely and her right hand reached down to Frigga’s  abdomen. She rested her thumb right above the slit, teasing her over the thin fabric of her  panties. Frigga whimpered, pushing into Razi’s hand, urging her forward.  

But Razi was patient and pulled back instead. “I didn’t realize you were so needy, Princess,”  she teased. 

Frigga pouted adorably and prodded Razi in the centre of her chest with an index. “I’m  allowed to be; it’s my birthday. You wouldn’t tease me on my birthday, would you? Not when I  took such good care of you.”  

Razi chuckled, shook her head slightly and leaned back in for more kisses. As they did, she  slid her hand into the woman’s panties and teased Frigga’s folds. Razi found that she was already  gloriously soaked, and the slickness paired with the obscene wet sounds made her wet in turn.  Razi groped at Frigga’s ass with her other hand, keeping the woman steady; she was a bit of a  wiggler, but Razi wouldn’t fault her for it. It had probably been months since Frigga had gotten  any, if not years.  

Actually, had Frigga slept with anybody ever? During their walks, Razi had steered the  conversation away if the topic had come near in a hollow attempt to keep the relationship  professional. Not that she wasn’t curious, of course she was, and with the confidence Frigga was  moving with, something must have gone on at that posh boarding school. All the better, Razi  loved women who knew what they wanted.  

And what Razi wanted was to rail this woman into the bedsheets.  

But she needed to be patient, to take her time, so she trained her attention on the present  moment; Frigga leaned her forehead on Razi’s shoulder with one arm braced on the wall behind  them, the other hand rested on Razi’s chest. Her breath came in staccato pants and her legs  shuddered like they were about to give way any second. She was close to her first peak of the  night too, so Razi turned up the pressure and placed a kiss to Frigga’s temple. Frigga responded  to the increased friction, her hand gripping at the shirt Razi still wore. That would have to come  off next because it wasn’t the most comfortable thing, but Frigga liked it an awful lot. Still, Razi  wanted to feel Frigga’s skin on her own as soon as possible. She’d need to get that slip off too,  and that thought turned her on even more.  

Frigga came with a gasp, leaning in as closely as she could. As the first few waves subsided,  Razi shifted Frigga to lay on her side allowing Razi to stand up and strip the remaining  formalwear. Frigga seemed more than happy to watch that little show, and maybe Razi  peacocked a little, maybe not. Judging by the interest on the other woman’s face when the shirt  slid from Razi’s shoulders, the exhibition had been one of Razi’s better ideas. After catching  Frigga staring at her shoulders more than a few times, Razi knew pulling out the old favourite  was going to be a hit.  

When she did return to Frigga’s side, they took a few breaths to simply look at each other, but  they weren’t done, not by a long shot. She prompted Frigga to lie down and pressed a knee  between hers as Frigga had done, though not pressed too tightly. Instead, Razi kissed Frigga’s  jaw and neck, softly at first, then with a little bit of nipping and Frigga clearly liked that as the  response seemed to entirely bypass the woman’s conscious control, encouraging Razi further. 

She backed off a bit and slid off the slip, her palms skimming over smooth skin as she did,  leaving Frigga completely bare save for a white pair of panties. Razi then bent back down to  plant kisses all over the woman’s neck, leaning on an arm and using her free hand to touch and  tease. Frigga gasped and whimpered, and her hips bucked when Razi hit a particularly sensitive  spot. Her soft panting had Frigga’s chest rising and falling, and it demanded Razi’s attention.  

Leaving one last wet kiss on Frigga’s pulse, Razi trailed lower, nipping at collar bones,  kissing the clavicle, until she was face-to-face with Frigga’s breasts. Razi sent up her first prayer  of gratitude in years because holy heavens and hells were Frigga’s tits perfect. She slowly nipped  and licked at them, revelling in the soft warmth until her mind went fuzzy, and was rewarded by  Frigga moaning and wrapping a leg around her. Fuck, Razi always loved when girls did that, and  she’d had the experience plenty, but something about doing this with Frigga was different. It  wasn’t that Frigga was more beautiful or wealthier or even smarter than other women, but  Frigga’s willingness to be vulnerable to her in more than just body had Razi addicted. Frigga  trusted her, had trusted her since their first meeting, so Razi made a promise to herself that she  was never going to let Frigga down, just like she deserved.  

She nipped one last time at Frigga’s breast, leaving a nice red mark on her way, before she  started to trail downwards. Frigga sighed happily, and when Razi pulled her last garment off and  dipped her tongue into her slit, she let out a salacious, decadent moan. She melted as Razi went  to work, lapping at Frigga with reckless self-indulgence. She prided herself on being able to turn  any woman into a puddle with just a few flicks of the tongue, and Frigga was no exception. The  nails digging into Razi’s shoulders and the mewling falling from her lips informed Razi’s  ministrations, and soon enough she felt Frigga’s thighs tense and heard a choke as the woman  climaxed a second time. “Oh my gods,” she sobbed.  

Frigga seemed about to shift, as if to sit up, but Razi held her put. “Oi, I wasn’ done wit’ you,”  she murmured before nipping at the woman’s thigh, leaving a fetching red spot on the field of  pale.  

Frigga let out a panting chuckle and settled again. “Whatever makes you happy,” she  conceded.  

“You do,” Razi replied teasingly as she resumed her task before adding, “not t’ mention you  taste fuckin’ amazing, so tha’ ‘elps.” Frigga giggled and then shuddered as Razi’s tongue brushed  against her clit again. Razi began slowly, built up intensity, and sucked on the swollen head to  expert effect. By the time she’d extracted several more orgasms from Frigga in this way, Razi’s  shoulders and back had been marked with too many ravenous scratches to count. Priceless  trophies, each and every one of them.  

As Frigga came down from another peak, Razi took the opportunity to look her over. The  smaller woman was flushed and she was covered in bite marks that made Razi proud. Frigga 

usually wore beautiful dresses and she was always beautiful in them, but naked in Razi’s room?  It was probably illegal to be this lucky.  

They locked eyes and it was time to switch things up. Razi irreverently flipped Frigga onto  her stomach and pulled her rear up, earning a surprised yelp from her.  

“Oh, it’s going to be like this, then?” she protested with weak indignity.  

Razi snickered. “You’re th’ one tha’ said you didn’ wan’ be treated delicately.” Frigga got up  on her elbows, ass still in the air, and Razi bent over her pressing her chest into Frigga’s back and  her pelvis into Frigga’s ass. Fuck, she was smooth and soft, and as Razi reached around to play  with Frigga’s clit again, she found the woman wetter than she’d been before. “Aw, you fuckin’  liked it, don’t even try t’ complain.”  

Frigga arched her back in response, pushing her backside into Razi who bucked forward,  pressing pleasantly into Frigga’s rear. They moaned in unison as their bodies pressed together. It  was pure bliss, feeling Frigga’s skin, her wetness, her heat. She apparently liked being  manhandled, so Razi roughly pushed her back down and held her bottom half steady. Frigga  hissed out a quiet “Fuck” from the sheets where she’d buried her face, and Razi’s patience  crumbled; she was going to absolutely wreck her.  

She withdrew her right hand from Frigga’s front, earning a whine, and brought them to  Frigga’s lips. “Suck for me, hmm?” The words were barely said before her fingers were  enveloped in wet warmth. Razi gently moved them in and out of Frigga’s mouth, and Frigga’s  moan was more than Razi could handle. “Good girl,” Razi praised. “Now, get ready.”  

Frigga released Razi’s fingers, leaving them coated with saliva, and Razi brought them to  Frigga’s entrance, running them through the slickness of her folds just to be safe. She was going  to do this right, she would ruin this woman within an inch of her life. Frigga braced herself by  fisting the sheets. Razi slipped her index inside as slowly and obnoxiously as possible, using her  thumb to fondle her clitoris, and solidly gripping her thigh with her left hand. Frigga let out  another decadent moan and leaned into the sensation. “That’s a very good girl,” Razi murmured  with a grin, stroking Frigga’s front walls, slowly but deeply and with decent pressure.  

Frigga shuddered as she nodded. “Yes,” she more sobbed than said. “Yes, yes, yes.” Oh fuck,  that was hot, Razi loved the sound of Frigga’s self-restraint crumbling alongside the woman’s  shame. Razi found herself pressing her pelvis into Frigga’s ass, and she was pretty sure that, of  the two of them, it was she that was getting more out of this, not Frigga.  

Then Frigga started begging “please” over and over, and Razi could have died. At this point  she’d do anything this woman wanted. She added a second finger and witnessed Frigga’s body  breaking completely free of the woman’s control, chasing pleasure like its survival depended on  it, as though Frigga’s consciousness had ascended and left her carnal self behind to act on her  behalf. A deep, unintelligible moan from the woman under her told Razi that Frigga was close to 

the grand finalé, so she quickened her pace and increased her pressure which earned another  delicious moan. Razi had half a mind to draw it out and keep her in this mindless euphoria.  However, she’d already put this woman through so much tonight, she might as well put Frigga  out of her blissful misery.  

Frigga met one final finish with a broken cry, clamping down with tremendous force on Razi’s  fingers and nearly pushed her out. She spasmed and trembled, and Razi stared as Frigga lost  herself. The sounds dripping from her were sweeter than a freshly picked peach in the height of  summer and just as dripping. Normally the sight of a woman’s climax at her hands inflated  Razi’s ego, but tonight she was too captivated to feel anything other than intoxicated on Frigga’s  pleasure.  

Why did it feel like Razi was the one getting the gift if it was Frigga’s birthday?  Frigga abruptly collapsed and fell entirely silent, though her body still shuddered. Razi had  mercy and gently lowered the woman to lay on her side, placing soft kisses on her hips and up  her arms as she did. It wasn’t difficult and only slightly awkward for Frigga’s limpness. Razi slid  a pillow under Frigga’s head, who smiled sheepishly and pulled at Razi’s shoulder to bring her in  close to brush lips. Razi then sat next to her, back against the headboard, and Frigga pulled  herself up to lay on Razi’s chest and they lay together, Razi’s arms wrapped around Frigga and  Frigga listening to Razi’s heartbeat.  

At some point Razi glanced at her clock and was almost embarrassed at how long they had  been at this, it was coming up on two hours since the party’s end. She realized that she’d been so  focussed on getting Frigga here that she hadn’t thought about how their night together would  end. Would Frigga be sleeping over? Would she go back to her own room? There probably  wasn’t official protocol for a situation like this, not to mention Frigga didn’t have any clothes  here except that ridiculous dress and she wasn’t going to put it back on just to walk upstairs. Razi  wouldn’t even be able to help if she wanted to try.  

“Raz?” Frigga quietly broke the silence.  

“Wha’s up, Princess?”  

Frigga whined lightly but ignored the tease. “What am I to you?”  

Razi frowned and looked at the woman on her chest. Her face was obscured by the boughs of  red curls that had loosed at some point, so Razi shifted and bade Frigga sit up a bit and pulled the  hair out of her face. “What d’ya mean?”  

Frigga sighed and then sat up off of Razi and grabbed one of her hands in both of her own.  “What am I to you? I just need to know.”  

Razi hadn’t quite figured that out yet, she’d been avoiding it. She didn’t want to have gotten  this attached, and she didn’t know if she wanted to put herself at risk again despite her feelings  for Frigga. She’d played that game enough to know it usually ended in heartache, even if the girl 

in front of her wasn’t the type to follow that pattern, she didn’t think she could handle going  through that again. “Y’know, I’m not real sure, bein’ honest. I care ‘bout you lots, and I don’t  wanna ‘urt you.”  

Frigga contemplated the reply, a sombre knit between her brows. “I know I said no talking,  and I’m going to pass out any minute.” She laughed softly and stifled a yawn with one hand as  she laid the other on Razi’s shoulder. “But I need to know. My aunt has been making plans, and I  think my life is about to get complicated.”  

Razi winced. What did Frigga mean by “making plans” and “complicated”? Razi knew this  party was significant in these rich people’s circles as it signalled eligibility for marriage, a fact  Razi had pointedly avoided thinking about. Noel and Doris’ gossip session from yesterday rang  in her memory, but she really hadn’t thought anything of it and discarded their speculation as idle  chit-chat. What Frigga was implying only added to Razi’s unease, and her asking what this was  only solidified her suspicion that Frigga wasn’t just a silly girl with a silly crush. She was  actually serious. It was too soon to know if Razi could be serious too, but that’s what happened  with rich assholes like this. Razi knew this would happen if she wasn’t careful, and she’d gone  ahead and gotten attached anyway. Great.  

“Frigga, I don’ really know wha’ this is, but I’m not… this isn’t…” Razi took both of Frigga’s  hands in both of hers. “I jus’ know that you’re real special and I haven’t felt somethin’ like this  in…a long time. I dunno wha’ I want from you or if I’m ready for somethin’ like… But I would like th’ opportunity t’ figure tha’ out, at least.”  

Frigga nuzzled back into Razi’s chest sleepily. “I would like that too,” she sighed before  humming with a happy tenor. “I adore you, Razi. I don’t have a lot of freedom, but when I’m  with you I feel free.”  

Razi gathered her into a hug and they cradled each other as they fell asleep.