“Seven years ago? What did your parents do there?"

“They ran an apothecary manufacturing plant. My parents were both accomplished herbalists, and they set up shop to reduce costs. They paid for it with their lives."

Kevin looked uncomfortable. Mark looked at him in curiosity. “And your name?"

"Davies. Daniel Davies."

Kevin stood. "I see. Well, it's been a pleasure. I'll see what I can do about the investigators. They owe me some favours. It's late and I've left my wife alone for far too long. If you will excuse me?

Mark, always a pleasure. Your food was exquisite this evening. It was a pleasure meeting you, Daniel."

Kevin rushed out of the room, leaving Daniel sitting with Mark. Mark was looking at the door Kevin had just left from before, remembering he had a guest. "So sorry, Daniel. Sorry to hear of your loss. Peter tells me you dropped quite a bit of coin this evening for this joke of yours. And you insist you are nothing but a simple farmer."

Daniel felt uncomfortable. His wealth from Eric had to remain hidden.

He feared he may have already exposed himself too much. "My parents had money. I had it squirrelled away for an emergency."

Mark smiled. “And you deemed this an emergency?"

"Yes. I'm not quite done yet."

"Pray tell? What do you have planned next?"

"Truthfully? I plan on bedding her."

Mark raised his eyebrows. “Do you now? You certainly have a high opinion about your chances. I would be interested to hear from you if you are successful. Come back and let me know. The meal will be on me, in exchange for the story."

Daniel nodded and finished his beer and placed the glass down.

Mark rose, and Daniel took the cue. They shook hands.

“Allow me to see you to the door, young man. This has been a most entertaining and prosperous evening. I'm glad we've met."

Mark walked Daniel to the entrance and made a show of shaking his hand, smiling, and asking him to come back soon.

Daniel left and headed straight for the inn, smiling.

DANIEL HAD MADE it known he was staying in town in a room above the tavern. He waited patiently in his room for Amy to appear as he knew she would. She would never be able to allow her humiliation to go unpunished. Daniel knew the town would soon be buzzing with the gossip. He nursed ales in the tavern and talked for a long time with the bartender, learning all sorts of information about the people in town. Amy, with no surprise, was intensely disliked by everyone in town. With her dad running the only trading store in town, and with so many people in debt to Bill Albright, she was untouchable. Daniel had been the only person with the balls to stand up to her.

Later that evening he Lay back on his bed under a single sheet. He had used his latest spell to clear the room of bed bugs and lay with a raging hard on as a result. He had imagined fucking Amy, and it had given him enough focus to finish the task.

Thoughts of fucking her had him excited beyond measure. She wasn't Grace, but she was a great replacement. He lay in bed occasionally stroking his cock to keep his sexual energy as high as he was able.

Edging was becoming his new favourite thing to do. When he finally allowed himself to cum, it was so powerful. And addictive.

He heard a creak outside his door and smiled. He watched as the door cracked open and an eye peered in. It looked right at him and then the door swung open, revealing Amy standing in the doorway, her chest heaving. She glared at him.