“Like D’mona you’re going to fuck with my brain again.” Ashton rose to his feet begrudgingly and stepped over to Tamsin. He glared at her for a moment.

  “What? You gonna propose?” the priestess spat, instinctively placing a hand on her stomach. She looked up at him and scoffed.

  Ash sighed. “…How are you feeling? Were you able to bring her back?”

  “You still care?” Tamsin’s expression softened. “I was ready for you to kill me. And then for you to die miserably in the attempt.”

  “I made you a promise, didn’t I? I ain’t bastard enough to renege on a woman in need. Even if you definitely needed a bastard.”

  “I don’t need anyone but myself, Mr. Clark. —However…” Tamsin averted her gaze, blushing. “Thank you, Ash. Maybe you do deserve better than what the Church had in mind for you had you failed.”

  “They sure made up quickly,” Bart whispered to his sister sitting next to him. He watched as his surly captors chatted casually across from him. “What could they possibly be discussing, do you think?”

  “It sounds like they’re flirting.” June, unamused, frowned as she held up her head with her hands. “Do you think if I ask very nicely, that elf will want to be friends with me?”

  “June, she was planning to kill us. Why would you want to befriend such a reprobate?”

  “She just seems rather interesting, don’t you think? A woman who can make copies of herself—making it possible to be in two places at once. What a dream that would be.” June listened to the distinct voices of the couple across from her, wondering what kind of lives they lived when they weren’t out here… doing this.

  “I’m afraid to find out,” mumbled Tamsin. Her face retained the same weary look she had before. “It’s not like she’s a different voice in my head. When we’re one, we’re one. I suppose I feel more complete now, but that doesn’t mean… Ash, I’m scared.”

  “You won’t really know unless you check for sure,” replied Ash, smiling confidently. “But maybe give it a day or two for you both to fully recover. You’ve been through one insane ordeal. Consider yourself lucky she was brought right to you and you didn’t have to end up fighting for her in this state.”

  “No, I won’t wait. I have to know now or it’s going to keep driving me insane.” Tamsin stood up and focused her gaze. Slowly, her material self appeared to slough off of her, like a cell replicating itself. The elf’s twin stood next to her—eyes closed as if she were asleep on her feet. Where one once stood, now stood two.

  “I can’t believe it,” stammered Bart.

  “Tammy!” Tamsin ran over and embraced her double, armor clanging against armor as she squeezed with all her might.

  The second twin opened her eyes and glared at the priestess that had attached itself to her. She quickly tried to push her away. “Unhand me, you brainless imbecile! Do you know what torment I just experienced? I don’t need any more from you!”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “Brainless? I have half a brain at least!” Tamsin’s eyes teared up. “I’m so sorry. I know exactly the kind of torment you experienced.” The priestess held her belly in her arm. “Because I experienced it too. I felt your pain. Your fear. It was as if I were the one being brutally killed. I pretty much was, what with how awful and empty I’d been feeling without you. It was excruciatingly lonely. It—”

  “Be silent already! I don’t enjoy the first thing I hear after being revived to be your usual blabbering. Did we not come here to complete a mission?” The second twin glanced over at the princess and prince across from them. “I supposed I should give you some credit for accomplishing it so quickly.”

  Bart grimaced as the second twin approached him. He was sure this twin looked a lot angrier than the first. “I suppose you aren’t here to apologize for the rough treatment?”

  The twin reached for her whip and raised it above her head, causing Bart to flinch. Tamsin swiftly grabbed her wrist before she could bring it down. “What—?!”

  “Tammy, stop,” said Tamsin. “Put your whip away. I’ve decided not to hurt them.”

  The others all gasped in unison.

  “I don’t understand,” said a bewildered yet hopeful June. “Does this mean you’re letting us go?”

  “Preposterous!” yelled the other Tamsin. “I would sooner suffer a thousand stabbings before relinquishing my mission!”

  “Tam,” called Ash. “What’s going on? Are you two usually in conflict this much?”

  “Princess.” Tamsin looked over at June. “I’m grateful that you risked your life to rescue my sister. I can’t let you go, but I promise not to hurt your brother, the prince.”

  “Oh, thank the mad maidens,” mumbled a heavily relieved Bart.

  “Sister…” June had a smile plastered across her face. She rose to her feet and quickly stumbled over to Tamsin to embrace her out of gratitude. Unfortunately, her arms found the other twin’s waist instead.

  “You blind, wretched little—!” Tammy turned to her twin, arms trying to avoid touching the princess. “Do you see what your bleeding-heart tomfoolery has caused to befall me?! Why are you sickeningly sympathetic towards these humans?”

  “Oh, Goddess!” cried June, without any sign of letting go. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize!”

  “She saved you! You owe her that much, at least.”

  The Sister’s reflection stifled a cringe as she slowly brought her arm down and patted the princess on the shoulder.

  “So much for the revenge play, huh?” Ash chimed in.

  Tamsin’s brow furrowed in fury. She placed her hand on the handle of her whip and gripped it tightly. “Oh, these fuckers are definitely still going to pay, as soon as we deliver these two back to Malachias. Then we grab some reinforcements and rush right back here.”

  June’s milky eyes widened in alarm. She jumped back and clutched at her head dramatically, feigning pain. “Ah! Ohh! My head! I’m—I’m having a vision! Oh no!”

  Both twins stared at June in surprise while Ashton smirked to himself as he watched the princess’s little display. Bart immediately rushed to her side, attempting to play along.

  “You… You can’t go back!” June continued, gritting her teeth like her life depended on it. “You’re destined to help me on my quest! If you take us back, you’ll all be killed!”

  “She can’t be serious…?!” The second twin turned to the first.

  “Shhhutup! This could mean life or death!” cried the first to the second, motioning to her with her finger.

  “You realize my mission is important…! You’re going to help me track down the savior of the world! And with you at my side, you can at least keep an eye on me! The mission isn’t over, it’s just extended! Ohh!” June fell to the floor and sat in a kneeling position. “And you start by going inside there and kicking some asses…!”

  “June!” Bart shook her by the shoulders.

  “Fuck yeah! Now we’re talking!” Tamsin raised her coiled whip to the air. “I’m gonna help the princess with her mission and kill as many Lost Knights on the way as possible!”

  “Is there no other way?!” The second twin cried to June.

  Ashton stepped in front of the kneeling princess with his hands in his pockets and a disingenuous look on his face. “Hey, princess. This all seems like a bit much. How serious were you about that commendation you mentioned? And does it come with a cash prize?”

  June paused to face the direction of his voice and smiled.

  alternate scenes. If you're interested in seeing some kissing between a certain soldier and a certain witch, some pics are up on the Patreon for tier 3's. And if you're interested in more of that kind of stuff, let me know and I might just keep doing it.