Birds chirped outside Valentina''s small skylight and gently woke her up. She felt refreshed and relaxed, she had slept better than she had for a long time.


    Then she began to remember.


    "Good morning, little Weaver," Vyxara''s voice purred in her head, her voice full of innuendo. The memories of last night flooded her. The intense pleasure, the overwhelming ecstasy, and Vyxara''s presence during it all.


    "Oh Martyr," she whispered, hiding her face in her hands.


    "There is nothing to be ashamed of," Vyxara said reassuringly. "Didn''t you think it was nice?"


    Valentina lowered her hands, turned around and buried her head in the pillow instead. "Nice?" she mumbled into the mattress. "I have a demon in my head that... Who..." She couldn''t even finish the sentence.


    "Who helped you have one of the most intense experiences of your life so far," Vyxara added softly. "That''s not a bad thing, is it?"


    "It was wrong," Valentina murmured. "I shouldn''t have... we shouldn''t have..."


    "Oh, little Weaver," Vyxara laughed softly. "You make everything far too complicated. It was a natural expression of your needs and desires. I was just helping you explore them."


    Valentina went to her mirror and started to get dressed. In the reflection, she could see how angry she looked. "You manipulated me," she said accusingly.


    "Did I?" asked Vyxara innocently. "I merely made suggestions to you. The decision to follow them was entirely yours."


    Valentina shook her head as she put on her undergarment. "You know very well that I wasn''t thinking clearly at that moment. You took advantage of my weakness."


    "Your weakness?" Vyxara repeated thoughtfully. "Or perhaps your strength? The ability to let yourself go, to surrender to your lust – that''s not a weakness, Valentina."


    Valentina hesitated. The memory of the intensity of her experience made her heart beat faster. It had felt so good, so... right. As if she had finally released something inside her that had always been there.


    She shook her head to dispel the thought. "No. It was wrong. The Church of the Martyr..."


    "…shouldn’t dictate what happens between your thighs, in my opinion," Vyxara interrupted her. "Imagine what else we could explore together. The depths of pleasure, the heights of ecstasy..."


    Valentina already felt a pleasurable tugging in her abdomen again. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had to keep a clear head. "No," she said firmly. "That won''t happen again. We need to concentrate on more important things. On my studies, on the competition, on my family."


    She felt Vyxara''s disappointment like a cold wave in her consciousness. "Whatever you say," the demon finally said. "But remember, little Weaver: repressed desires have a habit of breaking through in other ways."


    Valentina ignored the warning and continued getting dressed. She chose a high-necked dress, as if it would protect her from Vyxara''s influence. "What does that mean for us now?" she finally asked quietly as she tied her hair into a tight knot.


    "For us?" Vyxara repeated, amused. "Oh, I think it means that we know each other even better than before. That we have a deeper connection."


    Valentina snorted in disbelief. "A deeper connection? You took advantage of me!"


    "I helped you get to know yourself better," Vyxara corrected gently. "And I think you''ve learned a lot about yourself, haven''t you?"


    Valentina remained silent. She couldn''t deny that the experience and the fantasies... had been insightful. Terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.


    "See it as another step in your development," Vyxara continued. "The better you know yourself, the stronger you become. Body, mind and Essence are closely connected."


    Valentina sat down on her bed and stared out of the window. "I don''t understand it," she finally admitted. "I feel so... confused."


    "That''s normal," said Vyxara gently. "You''re on the threshold of something new and unknown. It''s natural for you to be scared. But remember: I am with you. I will guide and protect you."


    Valentina laughed bitterly. "Protect me? From whom? From yourself?"


    "From the consequences of your own decisions, if necessary," Vyxara replied sternly. "I may be a demon, but I am also your ally. We''re in this boat together, little Weaver. That boat being you in this case."


    Valentina was silent for a long time. She knew that Vyxara was right in a way. They were connected, whether she liked it or not. And maybe... maybe she could use this connection to her advantage.


    "All right," she finally said quietly. "But there need to be boundaries. You can''t just... do something like this whenever you want."


    She sensed Vyxara''s satisfaction in her consciousness. "Of course," the demon agreed. "Let''s define those boundaries together. After all, a partnership is based on mutual respect and understanding."


    Valentina nodded slowly. She knew she was taking a dangerous path. But she had to come to terms with the demon in her consciousness somehow. And, Valentina admitted to herself, Vyxara was right: it had been nice.


    With one last deep breath, she stood up. "Let''s go," she said quietly. "We have a lot to do."


    Valentina left her room with mixed feelings. The previous night''s events and her conversation with Vyxara left her confused and pensive. She needed a distraction and some fresh air to organize her thoughts.


    As she hurried through the corridors of the student residence, she came across several fellow students. Some greeted her in a friendly manner, others were absorbed in their own thoughts. Valentina wondered if anyone could have guessed what was going on inside her.


    She had a quick breakfast in the dining hall before going back outside to the university courtyard. She took a deep breath of the cold air and felt the tension in her shoulders ease a little. The campus was bathed in autumnal colors, and the rustling and crunching of the leaves beneath her feet was soothing.


    As she wandered around thinking about what task she should tackle next, her thoughts drifted to her family as they often did. She thought about her studies, the upcoming competition and all the challenges that still lay ahead of her.


    Suddenly she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She looked up and saw Innogen coming towards her. A smile flitted across Valentina''s face. Perhaps a conversation with a good friend was just the distraction she needed right now.


    "Innogen!" she called back and walked towards her friend. "How nice to see you. Do you fancy a walk?"


    Innogen nodded with a smile. "Gladly! I wanted to get some fresh air anyway. Let''s explore the gardens."


    ~


    Autumn had bathed the gardens of Bridgewater in a sea of gold and red. Valentina and Innogen strolled side by side along a winding path lined with ancient trees. Their footsteps crunched softly on the carpet of fallen leaves.


    "It''s beautiful here," Valentina said quietly, her gaze fixed on the colorful treetops. "Almost like a fairy tale."If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Ah, the beauty of dying nature," Vyxara whispered in Valentina''s mind.


    Innogen smiled gently. "Yes, it is. Sometimes I forget how nice it is here when I''m not immersed in all our duties."


    Valentina looked at her friend from the side. They hadn''t really had the chance to speak since Innogen''s birthday party, just the two of them as friends – and Vyxara, of course. "Innogen," she began carefully, "I know we only spoke about this briefly on your birthday, but... the pressure your family is putting on you seems to be really weighing on you. Would you like to talk about it?"


    "Good, little Weaver," praised Vyxara. "This information may prove useful."


    Innogen sighed deeply and stopped. She turned to a small pond whose surface was covered in colorful leaves. "It''s complicated, Val. You know I come from one of the realm''s leading noble families. That comes with... Obligations."


    Valentina nodded in understanding. "What kind of obligations?"


    "Well," Innogen hesitated briefly, "the most important thing is probably the continuation of the dynasty. I am expected to enter an advantageous marriage and bear children. Preferably sons to ensure the succession."


    "The eternal lament of mortals," Vyxara commented. "Always worrying about who will inherit their little sandcastle."


    Valentina suppressed a grin at Vyxara''s remark and focused on Innogen again. "But you''re here to become an Essence Weaver. Surely your parents understand how important that is to you?"


    Innogen laughed bitterly. "Oh, they understand. After all, they allowed me to go through the training before I get married. Besides, they see it as a useful step to make me even more attractive to potential husbands. A noble lady with the gift of Essence Weaving is a desirable match. Who knows, maybe my children could have the gift too? It raises my price on the marriage market."


    "Your price? Oh Innogen, that sounds horrible," whispered Valentina.


    "Horrible, yes," Vyxara agreed. "But also, an opportunity your friend could easily capitalize on, little Weaver. Power can take many forms."


    Valentina shook her head slightly to dispel Vyxara''s words. "But what about you? What do you want?" she asked Innogen gently.


    Innogen was silent for a moment, staring at the pond. A gentle breeze made the leaves dance on the surface. "I want to see the world," she finally said quietly. "I want to use my abilities as an Essence Weaver to help others. I dream of traveling through foreign lands, learning about new cultures, maybe even discovering completely new forms of Essence Weaving." Her eyes lit up at these words, but then her gaze darkened again. "But that''s just a dream. The reality is different. I''ll spend my life on my husband''s estates, spreading my legs for him and giving birth to lots of children. And probably die of boredom," she said with bitterness in her voice.


    "Who would have thought there was so much bitterness in her," Vyxara whispered. "Perhaps you should help her hold on to her dreams, little Weaver. They can shape reality if you have the courage to follow them."


    Valentina gently placed a hand on her friend''s arm, encouraged by Vyxara''s words. "I''m sorry, Innogen. I had no idea how... I always imagined how nice it must be to be from a noble family and not have to worry about anything. I didn''t know what it was like. You shouldn''t lose hope. Maybe there is a way to make your dreams come true after all."


    Innogen smiled faintly. "Thank you, Val. It''s good to talk about it. You know, my father has already compiled a list of potential husbands."


    "Really?" Valentina was shocked. "Who?"


    Innogen counted off on her fingers: "There is Lord Tristan Whitehall, the younger son of the Duke of Edhel. A charming man, they say, but also a notorious womanizer. He has had more women than a grocer has coins in his pouch. He is said to have fathered three bastards already. He''s almost ten years older than me. Then there''s Lord Quentin Farnsworth, the heir to the March of Coldby, a tough fighter but as dry as a stale loaf of bread. I''d be bored to death." She rolled her eyes. "And finally... well, you even know him."


    Valentina raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Who?"


    "Lorenzo Greystone."


    "What?" Valentina gasped. "The third-year student?"


    "Interesting," murmured Vyxara. "The threads of power are closely interwoven in your little world."


    Innogen nodded grimly. "Exactly. And my cousin. His father, the Duke of Duskenshire, is my father''s brother-in-law. They think it would be a perfect match."


    Valentina shook her head in disbelief. "I mean, he''s certainly not ugly, on the contrary...but what about love? Shouldn''t you marry someone you love?"


    Innogen laughed, but it sounded bitter. "Love, Val? In our circles, love is a luxury that only very few can afford. Marriages are made for political and strategic reasons, not romantic ones. I don''t know anyone who married for love, not even my parents."


    Valentina looked at her gloomily. "That sounds so... constricting," she said quietly.


    They walked on, both lost in thought. Valentina tried to put herself in Innogen''s shoes, but it was difficult. In her simple yeoman family, the idea of an arranged marriage was basically unheard of. If everyone was poor, you usually didn’t marry for money.


    "How... how is it with Lorenzo?" Valentina finally asked hesitantly. "I mean, you know each other. Maybe it wouldn''t be so bad if..."


    Innogen shook her head. "Lorenzo''s a nice guy, really. But... I just don''t feel anything for him. And besides..." She broke off, blushing slightly.


    Valentina noticed her friend''s sudden embarrassment. "What is it, Innogen? You can tell me anything, you know that."


    "Yes, let her talk," Vyxara urged gently.


    Innogen sighed deeply. "It''s just... I''m twenty years old, Val. I''m here at the university, surrounded by so many interesting people. I want to... I want to have experiences, you know? But as a noble daughter, I''m expected to keep my maidenhood. It''s like putting me in a gilded cage."


    "Oh, how right she is!" sighed Vyxara. "So much to discover, so much to experience. Encourage her, little Weaver. Your lives are too short for this nonsensical restraint."


    Valentina felt her own cheeks redden, both because of Innogen''s candor and because of Vyxara''s comment. "I... I think I understand," she said quietly. "It''s much the same in the country. The church preaches chastity, and a girl who gets involved with a man before marriage is considered depraved."


    Innogen nodded seriously. "Exactly. But isn''t it unfair? The young men can do what they like. For them, it''s even a sign of masculinity to make lots of conquests. Many a father brings his son personally to a... well, you know, so that he can gain experience. But us women? We''re supposed to remain pure and untouched, like flowers under a bell jar. It''s bullshit!"


    "That''s really unfair," Valentina agreed. She hesitated for a moment, then asked quietly: "Have you... have you ever...?"


    "Brave question, little Weaver," praised Vyxara. "True friendship knows no small-minded taboos."


    Innogen shook her head. "No. Not really. A few kisses here and there, but nothing serious. And you?"


    Valentina blushed even deeper. Before she came to Bridgewater and got her own little room at the university, she hadn''t even really dared to touch herself. "Me neither. But... I''m curious, you know? I want to know what it feels like... to be loved." Embarrassed, she lowered her eyes. She thought of the night when she... and of what Vyxara had whispered to her, what she had imagined, and how that had made her feel.


    "Ah, little Weaver, I am touched by your fond memories of our little experience," Vyxara whispered almost tenderly. "Do not worry. I will keep our secret."


    Innogen smiled sympathetically and squeezed Valentina’s hand tightly. "I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes... sometimes I imagine what it would be like to just run away. To fall in love with someone who wants me… for myself, not for my title or my name."


    "That sounds wonderful," whispered Valentina, equally touched by Vyxara''s words and Innogen''s dreams.


    They walked side by side in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. The autumn sun bathed everything in a warm, golden light, and the wind carried with it the scent of damp leaves and distant smoke.


    "You know," Innogen finally said, "sometimes I envy you, Val."


    Valentina looked at her in surprise. "Me? But why? You have everything I can only dream of. A noble family, wealth, influence..."


    "Oh, little Weaver," sighed Vyxara. "Wealth and power aren''t everything. She envies you your freedom."


    Innogen shook her head gently. "Yes, I have that. But you have freedom, Val. You can make your own choices, go your own way. If you fall in love, you can follow that love, if you want to tumble in the hay with a handsome man, you can just do that without having to think of the consequences for an entire dynasty."


    Valentina was silent for a moment. She thought of her family, of the debts they had incurred to enable her to study. Of the expectations that weighed on her shoulders. And, of course, Vyxara, the secret she couldn''t share with anyone. "I don''t know if I''m really as free as you think I am," she said quietly. "But I understand what you mean."


    They reached a small stone bench at the edge of the garden and sat down. From here, they had a wonderful view over the rooftops of Bridgewater to the Burning Tower, which rose majestically into the sky.


    "You know what?" said Innogen suddenly, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Let''s make a pact."


    "A pact?" Valentina asked curiously.


    "Interesting," Vyxara murmured. "Pacts can be powerful, little Weaver. But you know that by now. Choose your words carefully."


    Innogen nodded. "Yes. Let''s promise that no matter what happens, we''ll always be friends to each other. That we will support each other no matter what path life has in store for us. And that we won''t let ourselves be limited by the expectations of others but find our own way."


    Valentina felt a warm feeling spread through her chest. She took Innogen''s hand and squeezed it tightly. "I promise," she said solemnly. "No matter what, we''ll stick together."


    Vyxara refrained from commenting on this occasion, but Valentina could clearly sense the demon''s satisfaction in the back of her mind.


    Innogen smiled, and for the first time that day, the smile reached her eyes. "Thank you, Val. You really are a true friend. I''m so glad we found each other here in Bridgewater!"


    They sat there for a while longer, hand in hand, watching the sun slowly set. The shadows lengthened, and a chill wind came up, reminding them that winter was not far away.


    "We should go back," Innogen finally said reluctantly. "Lunch will be served soon."


    Valentina nodded, but as they stood up, Innogen held her back once more and hugged Valentina tightly. "Thank you, Val," she whispered, "our friendship means more to me than you know."


    Together, they entered the dining room, where other students were already gathered for lunch. They stood still for a moment, both unwilling to let this intimate moment of friendship end.


    "To us," Innogen said quietly, a mischievous smile on her lips. "To two young women who will conquer the world."


    Valentina laughed softly. "Here''s to us," she agreed. "And to all the adventures that lie ahead of us."


    "A promising start, little Weaver," Vyxara whispered. "Use this connection wisely. It may prove more valuable than you realize."