«It feels so good to spend time alone with you... it's been so long since we had hours just for ourselves,» Jasmine says, her tone happy and satisfied.
She's right—It's been two weeks since she and I have had any time just for sex.
While Arielle and Selene are still in class serving their punishment, and Viktoria is in the infirmary recovering from the injuries she got in the fight with Rebecca, Jasmine and I gave ourselves this afternoon of solitude to fulfill our mutual desires.
It's one way to distract ourselves from the constant worries Rebecca brings, but it's also pure personal pleasure. I can't deny, without taking anything away from the others, that sex with Jasmine is second only the one with Viktoria.Her naked body rests on mine, and her generous breasts, the largest I've ever held, are pressed against my chest. Our cheeks press together, both of us seeking comfort.
«Do you have any news about Viktoria?» Jasmine asks, visibly worried.
«I spoke with Professor Selunara at noon today. She's fully healed but, just to be safe, she wanted to keep her under observation until evening. She'll be discharged by dinner,» I reply.
«And what about the brat?» she asks.
I let out a deep sigh.
«She was discharged this morning...» I murmur, almost ashamed to admit it.
«Are you kidding me?!» Jasmine snaps, shocked. «Even with the poison, she recovered before Viktoria?! That makes no sense!»
«Yeah...» I answer. I have no idea how that's possible. Viktoria has always been quick to recover after a fight, but that girl managed to heal even faster than her.
«All of this scares me so much...» she confides, holding me even tighter. «In the kingdom I come from, Alqadimha, countless legends tell of strange crystals called Demonic Crystals. They say that whoever owns one gains terrifying, unimaginable powers...»
«Demonic Crystals...» I echo, intrigued. «If I'm not mistaken, when I was little I came across something like that in an old book about the superstitions and legends of N'Raeth. But since I was so young, I didn't really understand what it was about.»
«As you know, crystals like yours or Viktoria's—the Ancient Crystals—are the crystallization of the power of Ancient Creatures that roamed our world thousands of years ago. But legend also speaks of crystals born from the magical essence of demons. Those are the Demonic Crystals,» she explains, her expression deeply troubled.
«So you think Rebecca has one of these crystals?»
She nods.
«Even if they did exist, I really doubt it. That girl already has the Sacred Phoenix Crystal. She can't possibly have a Demonic one too,» I reply, skeptical.
«As far as we know, nothing stops a single person from holding two different types of crystals...» she counters.
For thousands of years, there hasn't been a single case of a Crystalbearer with two crystals. That's why we always assumed it was impossible. But what if it was only so unlikely that it simply never happened until now? No, that can't be true. It would be absurd if that brat had both the mighty Sacred Phoenix Crystal and this so-called Demonic Crystal...
I don't know much about the kingdom of Alqadimha, but I never imagined its people were so tied to these old superstitions about Demonic Crystals, to the point of fearing even to mention them.
To me, they're nothing more than strange beliefs from a people far too attached to myths and traditions. Still, out of affection for her, I decide to play along.
«Tomorrow afternoon I have a lesson with Professor Lustsilk. If it helps ease your mind, I can ask her about it directly,» I suggest, gently caressing her face. «That woman may be terrifying, but when it comes to knowledge of magic's history, ancient legends, and past chronicles, she has no equal.»
Jasmine smiles and starts gently nibbling on my earlobe.
«From the very first time we met, when you defended me from those guys, you've always taken care of me. Even now, after all these years, you haven't stopped for a single moment. I love you, Jade. I love you so much. Promise me we'll stay together forever,» she declares. Her eyes glistening and her voice trembling slightly, her gaze filled with deep affection.
Hearing her speak like this brings back Viktoria's words right after my duel with Rebecca: 'I don't want anyone else to take you away from me. Promise me we'll stay together forever'.
Knowing that Jasmine also feels such powerful emotions for me warms my heart.
«You are all my family, and nothing in this world will ever change that. I love you too, Jasmine, I truly mean it. No one, for any reason, will ever tear us apart. I promise,» I reassure her, sealing my words with a kiss.