The next dawn, Altair was literally 'woken by pain', his whole body aching. Only after dissolving Owen's potion in the bathtub and soaking himself did the soreness begin to ease.
Bored, and remembering what Anastasia had said, he directly 'manifested' the book Light of Yoga from the library and started studying its basics.
As for how to 'manifest'—it was simple. By meditating he entered the library, thought of the knowledge he needed, and the book moved itself to him.
He only had to pick it up and return to reality. But energy is conserved: retrieving the book cost a dose of spirituality, and keeping it in the real world kept draining him.
With his current spirituality he could take out just one book and sustain it for three hours; any longer risked utter exhaustion.
While Altair was absorbed in reading, someone lifted the book away. Following the movement, he saw Vivian had slipped into the tub and was leafing through it.
Taking in her appearance, Altair asked helplessly yet curiously, 'When did you come in? Even as a Beyonder I didn't sense you.'
Vivian turned a page slowly. 'I arrived only a moment ago. Today I used the front door, waited in the parlour, but you never appeared so I let myself in. Don't tell me you forgot—I'm giving you an occultism lesson today.'
'Where did you get this yoga book? It's fascinating; the whole volume is woven from spirituality. The knowledge is basic, yet no worse than the Demoness Sect's collection.'
Watching her still engrossed, Altair said, 'On loan from a friend. It'll disperse in about an hour.'
'Does the Demoness Church really keep yoga texts?'
Vivian answered offhandedly:
'Of course. Rumour says Emperor Roselle wrote it himself and gifted it to one of the Church's saints. Through postures, meditation, and breath it strengthens flexibility, power, balance—and, most important, unites body, mind, and spirit.'
'I was born in the Intis Republic, the birthplace of yoga; practically everyone there studies it, and a few do even here in Loen.'
'Could you borrow this book again?'
Seeing how addicted she was, and deciding it cost him nothing, he promised, 'Sure. In a couple of days I'll take it out again and have someone copy it for you.'
The moment she heard she could have the complete book, Vivian closed it, set it aside, and kissed him.
Startled, Altair didn't respond at first, but when she slid her arms round his neck and sought his tongue he couldn't resist and slowly kissed back.
Just as he pressed against her, she whispered, 'Not here.'
With that, Altair lifted her out of the bathroom; the water on their skin was whisked away by her spider-silk… The ensuing battle was fiercer than any before; though the enemy threw in everything, they still fell before the Yellow Dragon… After a morning of 'study' Vivian, lying beside him, said, 'I enjoyed this lesson.'
Looking at her now, Altair could only sigh.
He thought, The Emperor didn't lie—a Demoness tastes pretty good.
Sunlight streamed through the window and onto the pillow, glaringly bright, rousing them slowly.
Altair turned and saw Vivian sleeping: a perfect face still glistening with sweat, her chest rising and falling gently.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, she opened her eyes.
Their eyes met; no words were needed. As if by tacit consent they kissed again.
Just as the fuse of a second war was about to ignite, Vivian stopped him. 'No—let me recover.'
Hearing that, Altair shelved his plans for another assault, though his hands weren't quite ready to abandon conquered territory.
Seeing her state, he teased, 'And here I thought you were formidable—hardly more than this.'
Vivian could only protest with action: she rolled her eyes and said, 'Didn't expect someone so small to perform so well. I'm satisfied.'
The phrase 'only your mouth is hard' flashed through his mind, but he kept it to himself… To keep the air from cooling he asked:
'Vivian, what are your plans for the future?'
She looked at the man beside her. 'I don't long for much—just a quiet, steady life. For me now, that's already a luxury.'
Hearing this, Altair saw the distress on her face, as if she needed to unburden herself. 'If there's something you can't say, tell me. Let me help.'
Perhaps because of those words, she began slowly, 'My family were Intis nobles, but Roselle's reforms ruined us. After he was assassinated, every generation since my great-great-grandfather tried to restore our glory.'
'A century of effort failed, until Father found a Demoness who owed the family a debt. Bound by her oath, she guided him into the Demoness Sect and became his wife—and so my siblings and I were born.'
'Perhaps not wanting his tragedy repeated, Father raised me to deny my gender; I drank the potion while still a child.'
'When I was six, Father became my second "Mother"; my first Mother kept her distance because of the pact.'
…The tale shook Altair deeply: a ruined noble striking a bargain with a Demoness, then twisting his child's very gender to spare her future pain.
At a loss for words, he patted her back. 'You still have me. I'm here; no one will disturb us.'
Feeling the warmth at her back, Vivian gave a small nod.