Nikolas felt a shiver go down his spine. She was so thoughtful. He didn't know he had such a capacity for happiness. "Will you help me make baskets? I can do the fishing while you weave on shore. Is that alright?"
Ksinya remembered his fishing skills were unparalleled, so she nodded. "I want to help anywhere I can. I'd hate to feel like a burden."
Nikolas' lips pressed together firmly and he stopped his movements, his body rigid. "Ksinya. You will never be a burden. You are a gift."
The Sorcerer was stunned with the change in tone. His serious aura caught her off guard. She blinked rapidly. Normally she would argue if someone said such a thing to her. However; the way he said it, it wasn't up for debate. "Do you promise?" She got out in a small voice.
Nikolas softened. "I promise."
"I'm so lucky." Ksinya whispered happily.
The Nymph chuckled. "I think myself luckier than you." He took a bite of food. At that moment Ksinya leaned over and stretched to plant a kiss on his cheek. He nearly choked on the eggs in his mouth. She smiled up at him, resting her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. He finished chewing and swallowed. "Yes I am definitely the lucky one here."
Ksinya giggled. "Tell me more about Sorcerers and Nymphs. Tell me about your family."
"Well I guess I can tell you how families work here, since it's a bit different from Earth." He was silent for a moment, organizing his thoughts. "When a Sorcerer chooses a Nymph as a mate they enter into a Covenant. Much like a marriage, except there can be multiple Nymphs in one Covenant. My father, or Nymph Sire as we call them, was not my Creator's first mate. She has three total last time I checked. Some Sorcerers have more, some less."
Ksinya nodded, absorbing all the information. "How do you enter into a Covenant?"
Nikolas started to avoid eye contact and his ears turned a shade of pink. "It's a bit archaic but it consists of the Sorcerer consuming the blood of the Nymph and healing it using their Influence. To make the Covenant stronger the Nymph can take in the Sorcerer's blood as well. Once a Covenant is formed the Nymph will be able to become a Sire." Though embarrassed, he tried explaining as best he could.
Ksinya raised a black eyebrow. "Wait, what do you mean 'will be able to become a Sire'?"
"Only a Nymph and a Sorcerer in a Covenant will produce offspring."
"So if we had sex right now, there's no chance I'd get pregnant?" Ksinya smirked up at him, wagging her eyebrows.
Nikolas felt his face burn. He swallowed nervously. "Yes that is correct." He tried to think of ways to change the subject. "Are you full enough? Have some fruit for dessert." He urged her, pushing some small oblong orange fruits her way.
She picked up one of the kumquats and grinned. "You're very innocent for a forty year old." She teased him. "Do people in this world have sex outside of Covenants? Or is that frowned upon?" She took a bite of the tart fruit.
Nikolas shook his head. "No, people do it all the time outside of Covenants. It's also another way Nymphs can play…" he trailed off, getting really embarrassed.
"Nymphs have sex with each other?" Her eyes lit up, excitedly. "Have you—"
"No."
She patted his shoulder comfortingly. "So it's something the more social creatures do." She nodded.
"I just liked swimming in my lake." Nikolas said weakly.
Ksinya bit her lip. "I hope it doesn't bother you, but I'm not a virgin."
"Why would it bother me?" He caught her gaze again.
Ksinya sighed with relief. "Okay good. At least one of us will know what we're doing when the time comes." She winked and stuck out her tongue at him.
Nikolas felt a jolt of electricity run down his spine. "Does it bother you that I'm not experienced?"
"Of course not!" She exclaimed and pinched his blushing cheek. "I can't wait to slow burn the hell out of you."
Nikolas didn't exactly understand her words but he knew it didn't mean good news for him.