Just in time for the Snow Festival, the first snow fell down and covered the drab, gray stone of the paths and roofs under a layer of white, malleable ice crystals, which reflected a brilliant play of light under the bright colors of magic lanterns. Sanise and Nimri enjoyed the cold with building sculptures and throwing snowballs, while Ykril took me in his arms from behind. Since he got his full memory back, he was even more attentive and tender towards me and dispelled all my doubts. I felt very comfortable at his side. Leaning contentedly against him, I watched Sanise and Nimri for a while as they rubbed each other with the cold stuff and trying to destroy the other snow sculpture.

Sunih stayed a few more days and left yesterday. Maybe she just wanted to make sure that I wouldn't run Ykril into trouble again. However, in the few days, we got to know each other better, and her mood towards me was not as hostile as initially. On the other hand, I could understand her way better.

Since neither Ykril nor I had any talent in the kitchen, we got the food from a nearby tavern. He ordered all of us game backs with chestnut gratin in pomegranate sauce and dessert apple strudel with vanilla sauce. He wanted to prepare the living room by himself, so he sent me out to the kids, and I was not allowed to go back into the apartment for an hour. I tried to spy through the window, but he had drawn the curtains in front of me with a cheeky grin.
It was totally worth waiting. He had set up a table and festively prepared the food. Even a tiny plate for Nimri was ready on Sanise side.

»Mom, dad. May Nimri and I go out again for a little?« Sanise grinned at me after the meal.
While looking at Sanise in a perplexed way, Ykril just laughed and told her they could leave for some more hours because he still had a surprise for me.
»Ewww« Sanise barked in disgust as if she knows what would happen before she grabbed Nimri and disappeared.
»What the heck was that?« I asked astonished
»Don't worry« he smiled at me the way I loved so much and led me to our bedroom.

When he opened the door slightly nervously, I could hardly believe my eyes. He had decorated the entire bedroom with the self-fluorescent Night Orchid so that the room shone in soft purple light. The way to the bed was laid out with the silky pale flowers of red and black roses and formed a heart on the bed. On a few places in the room, he had lit candles, whose soft yellow light mixed with the violet of the Night Orchid and illuminated the bed a little brighter. No matter how kitschy it seemed, I really loved it. I took a few steps and waited for him to try to undress me. But as he always was, he kept a discreet distance until he got clear signals.
»Ohh, I might have something suitable« I grinned happily and disappeared into the bathroom to change my clothes.
I slipped into the soft bra and the skirt. For a moment, I thought about leaving the panties away, but that could be a bit too easy for him. After I put on the white, furry boots, I threw myself into the red coat decorated with white fur and tightened the belt under my breasts, which closed the coat. The belt squeezed my breasts impressively as if I had gained a cup size. I critically examined myself in the mirror.
»Do men really like such things?« I asked myself quietly

(c) Art by Amionna

When I came back into the bedroom, he was sitting at the edge of the bed with a loose shirt and trousers, very careful not to destroy the heart he had laid out, and whistled at me.
»You really informed yourself about the Snow Festival« he said enraptured, pulled me at the belt that held the coat together closer to him, and immediately began to fiddle with it. At the same time, I stroked affectionately through his hair.
»It's an interesting festival with so much love and peace. My father told me about it, but we never celebrated it«
»Oh. Well then, we must make it a tradition for our family« he said happily, had already loosened the belt and kissed gently over my stomach
›Our family?‹ I thought to myself, slightly startled but at the same time deeply flattered and stopped stroking. I hadn't thought that far ahead, even though my feelings for him seemed to be clear. He put his hands by my side and looked up at me.
»Did I say something wrong?« he asked carefully
»No, absolutely not« I assured him with a smile as I slowly got down on my knees in front of him.

Exhausted and completely relaxed, we kept lying on the floor next to the bed. None of us seemed to have the strength to get back on it. Why should we? We had it comfortable, at least I. He stroked my back tenderly, nibbled my ear slightly, and whispered adoringly, »You can't imagine how much I love you«. I kept my eyes closed and enjoyed the intimate feelings he brought out in me with these words.

A bit later, I slipped into his shirt, into my white panties, and went into the kitchen to get us some water. On the way, I sniffed at his shirt. I simply loved his scent. He didn't use aftershave or any other perfume, and I could never define him precisely. He smelled warm and slightly sweet. It always reminded me of the little cove with the mushrooms and all the Night Orchids by my favorite waterfall at the Underdark.
»That shirt looks perfect on you« Sanise whistled and tore me out of my thoughts
»Back so soon?«
»Do you know what time it is?« Sanise giggled ironically
I just shook my head, exhausted, and filled a glass carafe with fresh water.
»You are such a beautiful couple« she adored, hardly overhearing the envy in her voice.
»You think so?« I asked while I was fishing a 'Tear of the Virgin' vial out of my backpack.
»Are you kidding? The way you look and respect each other. The passion you feel and live. And the way you both take care of Nimri and me as if we were part of the family. It's heartbreaking to see you two together. Many couples can only dream of a relationship like this.«
I looked at the vial thoughtfully. ›Being part of the family‹, I repeated Sanise's statement in my head and could not hold back a tear. As long as that ghoul is trying to kill me, I couldn't think about having my own family. Sanise suddenly stood before me, wiped the tear from my cheek, and took me in her arms.

»Oh sweetie« she whispered
»You are –« I brought out unfinished very quietly and felt the pressure of Sanise's hug grow stronger.
Even though I didn't know Sanise for so long and Nimri wasn't even a two-legged, I felt that way. They were always there for me and worried about me when I got in trouble. Also, when everything is running this fast at the moment.
After a while, Sanise released her hug and looked at the vial.
»What is this?« she asked curiously
»It's a potion and is called ›Tear of the Virgin‹. It's taken to –« but Sanise interrupted me. I was glad about it because I spoke the effect of the potion very reluctantly.
»Ah, I see. And you're hesitating because?«
»I don't know« I answered honestly, lowering my head
»Do you think this can wait until tomorrow or the day after tomorrow or day after day after tomorrow?« she asked confidently with a smile on her face
I just nodded briefly
»Then what are you waiting for? There lies a beautiful boy in your bedroom who absolutely adores you and is waiting eagerly!« she grabbed the vial, pressed two glasses into my hand, and pushed me towards the bedroom.
»The walls are thick, and Nimri and I have a deep sleep. Have fun!« she laughed
»Thank you« I smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek

When I got back to the bedroom, Ykril was already in bed and asleep. I examined him, grinning, self-satisfied as he lay there on his back. Smiling contentedly, naked and across the blanket. As modest and conventional as he was, he attracted me more and more for that reason. I took a sip of water, another blanket from the cupboard, opened the window, and snuggled up to him. Gently stroking his chest and watching him sleep, I thought about what it would be like if there was no bounty on my head and no crazy ghoul chasing me. The last moons where the ghoul did not show up were wonderfully regular. Ykril read every wish out of my eyes, treated me as if I was the Queen of Ramshorn and every touch of him made me drift away. On the last day of every week, he brought me fried bread with boiled and scrambled egg, fried strips of ham, orange juice, and a Night Orchid to the bed for breakfast. The only thing he could cook, but it was more than enough for me. Even though he was generally reticent, he mostly found the right words at the right time. He seemed to be the perfect man in my eyes.

After a few hours, some inspiring pictures in my head tore me out of meditation.
»Oh wow« I whispered. Nothing like this had ever happened to me before.

(c) Art by KattMao

Aroused, I threw the blanket aside and woke him up by sitting on him. I smiled gently at his tired eyes and lifted the shirt just enough to show him small parts of my breasts. Suddenly he sat up enthusiastically and buried his head kissing between my breasts while he crawled with his fingers under the shirt on my back. Delighted and softly laughing, I threw myself into his hands and buried mine in his hair.
When we heard the shattering of glass, I jumped up and opened the door a crack.
»The kids?« he joked a little
»No. The lights are still down« I shook my head gently and opened the door a little wider while Ykril put on his clothes.
When I saw that creature again. The ghoul who relentlessly seeks for my life. I closed the door again and leaned my back against it. Ykril looked at me worriedly.
»The ghoul« I was just able to bring out when she was already hammering against the door with such force that it almost fell out of the frame.
»Under the bed« I nervously pointed to Ykril, who reacted immediately, pulled out my staff from there, brought it to me, and pressed himself against the door too.
»Stand by« it came slightly scared from him and barely escaped the claws the ghoul rammed through the door.
»What is this? – Who are you?« I heard Sanise screaming
»Damn, the kids« came nervously from me as I pushed Ykril away from the door and let the ghoul in by myself.
Ykril immediately made his way behind the ghoul's back to Sanise and Nimri while I stood in our bedroom in mismatched clothing facing the thing. She growled at me before leaping forward and narrowly missing me. I took the chance to run out the door into the kitchen, where Ykril and Sanise were already gagged and chained by several Drow Praetorian, and Nimri tried to flee from another one.
The Praetorian remained silently on the side while my fight with the ghoul broke the kitchen into small pieces. Even though she caught me several times with her sharp claws, it seemed that I have hit her with the blade on my staff harder than I thought. She fled with the Praetorian, Ykril, and Sanise to the outside. Nimri spat lightning bolts at each of the intruders as best he could but mostly missed. We followed them, but we could only watch them disappear into a portal.
»What have I done?« it came out of me in a shaky voice as I fell on my knees and my shirt slowly turned red from my blood.

I startled when suddenly a young woman helped me up and escorted me back to the apartment.
»Will you be all right? Do you have someone who can take care of your wounds?« she asked compassionately.
I nodded briefly and closed the door. As I sat down on the floor with my back to the door, dissolved and crying, Nimri snuggled up to me and fall almost directly asleep.
While sitting there, I noticed a small, unwrapped box with my name on it on the floor. It must have fallen out of Ykril's pocket. When I opened it, I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a ring whose setting embraced a sparkling oval, white crystal.
»A ring? Why is he giving me all this jewelry?« I whispered while I stroke gently over the necklace and closed the box again.