Mantle of the Gods

Trent had been right.

The two rooms on either side of the elevator were the smallest ones. Then there was a room on each corner of the Southern wall, with a large room in between them.

Aelin had walked all of us to the Master room to tell us where we were all staying. I sat down on the very large bed and Ether laid down with her head in my lap. I played with her hair as Aelin talked about the various features of the rooms that I wasn’t interested in. I was tired and all I cared about was where I was going to sleep.

“So I’ll take the room over there with…” She blushed as she pointed to her right. "Justia.” She looked at me. "Atlas and Ether will get the Master room, obviously, which leaves Oz, Ren, and Fray…”

“Ren and I can take the other corner room." Oz pointed towards the East.

Aelin looked at Fray. "There’s only one bed in each room, so maybe..?” The blonde turned to me. "She could stay here?”

The bed was certainly big enough. I thought just putting two of our bunks together would make a big bed, but the one that I was sitting on felt like three beds had been smashed together and one had been added at the foot. There was plenty of room for the homely brunette to sleep with us and never get close to us if she didn’t want to.

I could see the jealousy on Gesai’s face and the apprehension on Fray’s.

“Or I’m sure Gesai would switch places with you.” I knew it wasn’t what Trent had said, but it would make probably make people more comfortable.

Both women’s eyes lit up at the suggestion.

“If…that’s… alright… with you.” The brunette looked away as she spoke.

I looked down at Ether who nodded. "Sounds like a plan.” I stretched my arms. "Why don’t we all get some sleep before Trent kicks us out of bed before the sun comes up?”

“What about Rix?” Ren looked out the door in the direction that we had left the redhead.

“Does anyone think she’d honestly sleep in a bed if we assigned her one?” I looked around the room.

“I’d rather have a couch.” Rix walked into the room holding her left shoulder with her right hand.

“Sorry…” I felt embarrassed.

“It’s the truth.” The redhead looked around the room, then headed towards the bathroom to her left. "But there aren’t any bathrooms outside of the rooms.”

The rest of the room got very quiet as Rix closed the door to the bathroom.

“Well…” Aelin started backing up to the door. "I guess we should get to our rooms…”

They all left until it was only myself and Ether on the bed with Gesai standing awkwardly by the door. Rix came out of the bathroom with a blanket and two robes in her hands. She threw one of the robes at Gesai and the other at me.

I caught the red robe with one hand and almost dropped it. The fabric was so soft, it felt like I was holding water. It dropped from my hand, falling over Ether’s face. The white-haired woman sat up and took the robe from me. She rubbed the fabric against her.

“It’s so soft!” She looked over at Gesai. "Have you ever touched something like this?!”

The older woman had put the robe down and was taking off her shirt. She paused when Ether spoke to her and shook her head.

“This is all I need.” Rix smirked as she walked into the hall. "Have fun.” She pulled the door closed.

Ether stood up and lost all of her clothes faster than what I thought should be humanly possible. She slipped into the robe and hugged herself. "How would you ever wear anything else?” She touched my face with the material. "Isn’t this so soft?!” She turned and headed towards the bathroom. "I’m going to see if I can find another one for you!”

“It’s okay.” I started taking off my clothes until I was down to just my shorts. "The blankets are plenty soft. I slid up to the head of the bed and climbed under the covers. "I’ll be fine.”

Ether slid under the covers and snuggled up beside me, laying her head on my chest. I could feel the softness of the fabric against my skin as she pressed her body against mine.

I looked at Gesai, who was still standing shirtless by the door. “Hurry up and turn the light out so we can get some sleep.”

The older redhead quickly finished changing into her yellow robe and turned out the light. A few moments later, I felt her slide against my right side and lay her head on my shoulder. She kissed my cheek, then settled in.

I closed my eyes, but sleep didn’t come for me until long after both women had fallen fast asleep.