Page 49 of Knot Their Opening Act

Her reply took longer than normal. I thought maybe she’d gone to bed when she came back with,I don’t have a headset either. I just like to wander around and do quests on my own. Free therapy.

I smiled behind my screen. And our friendship was born.

Five out of seven nights I can log on and Yfrette’s sent me a note in my in-game letterbox, with either a gift of some item, or just a message, or asking what quest we should tackle next time. I’d made other friends on the game over the years but usually they joined companies and then I never heard from them again.

But Yfrette—a female hybrid-cat human with one green eye, one blue eye, and a custom-dyed set of dragon warrior armor in sea-blue with purple details, green hair, a tiny sun tattoo on her left cheek, and earrings in the shape of one of the game’s famed monsters, could be only one person.

She was wearing a t-shirt custom-made with her character on it.

It had to be her.

My heart jumped to my throat. What were the odds? I mean, okay, European server, probably what, thousands of players?

The only clue I could’ve had was that she played mostly on the continent with the absolute best ambient music. The one I always gravitated toward because the music swept me away with its grand orchestral themes, its dark, rock-ier moments, and its entirely hummable, emotive melodies.

That first night we both admitted to working in the music industry. For a brief second I entertained the dream that Yfrette was Nyah. But that was stupid. And it should’ve just been a nudge to stay well away.

But we never pried into each other’s business. We’d left it at that. And if I’m perfectly honest, I think knowing she was in the industry but we both seemingly agreed to not discuss it for even a second attracted me to her even more. From day one.

Maybe it was a subconscious connection. Maybe fate. Maybe stupid coincidence.

But here she is. And there she’d been, in my arms, in my mouth. My cock inside her. And she has no idea I’m Azalaun. But now that I know something more connects us, can I tell her? Would it send her running?

Would I lose a person I’d quickly grown to care about intwoworlds?

I grumble to myself and open the menu to log out. She isn’t online right now, but she’d left a note last time she was logged in, and I’d read it straight away, before Jez in the flesh had boarded the bus:

Sorry I haven’t been around. Been pretty busy with real-life stuff. It’s been tough, too. But hopefully more time once I get used to this new work schedule.

Ding ding ding.

Before I switch the console off, I send her a quick message in reply.

I know what that’s like. I’m currently working a really busy schedule, too. And it’s only been a few days so far, but it’s been—interesting. I met someone. Someone I’d met a few years ago and hadn’t gotten the chance to know. I think I have that chance now. But I’m not sure if she’s interested in more. I don’t blame her if she isn’t.

Anyhow, sorry for rambling. I hope to see you soon, Jez.

Then I log out.

Then—and only then—I fucking realize what I’ve done.

CHAPTER22

Kai

I meetAsh in the hotel bar. He’s got Ferny and our manager, Steve, with him, still teaching Ferny the ropes and catching him up on all our fucking drama, no doubt.

It’s a sports bar, with football blaring from at least ten screens and then some bloke in the corner drinking a whisky on his own watching snooker. I’d rather be over there with him than with Ash.

“You need to speak to her. Alone,” says Ash by way of greeting as I slide into the seat between he and Ferny at a high round four-top.

I ignore this completely. “Good evening, all, how dost thou fare?”

“Kai,” Ash says in a warning tone, taking that ever-present scarf off from around his neck and setting it on the table, but not before mopping his forehead with it.

I shrug and glance at the menu, noting they’ve already procured pints and not grabbed one for me. I need to stick to water tonight anyhow. My throat’s had the slightest sign of wear with a scratchy sensation and I don’t need to give it any ideas.

“Okay, I admit, I’m a bit worried about the hole I’ve dug.”

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