A Dragon's Tale
Copyright© 2022 by Antiproton
Chapter 81: The Ball
Fantasy Sex Story: Chapter 81: The Ball - An accident + Magic = A man's mind in a dragon's body. After being pulled into a high-fantasy world of elves, magic, and airships, our hero finds himself chased by lords, hunted by mages, and fighting to protect and nurture those he loves while also fighting his new dragon instincts. I promise a happy ending to this character-driven saga, but don't forget: "the course of true love never did run smooth".
Caution: This Fantasy Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Fa/Fa Mult Consensual Mind Control Reluctant Romantic Lesbian BiSexual Heterosexual High Fantasy Restart Magic non-anthro MaleDom Light Bond Group Sex Harem Polygamy/Polyamory Cream Pie First Oral Sex Pregnancy Slow
“Is it not a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing?” Selene quoted as she looked at her gray dress -- the one she had been married in and had been wearing ever since -- and began folding it so she could store it. She sighed, held it to her chest, then completed the quote mournfully. “So small a thing.”
“Fear and doubt?” Alana asked from the other side of the changing screen that Selene was currently behind.
They were in their suite, trying on their new dresses for the first time. They were certainly beautiful, especially with The Queen’s input. However, the need for additional coverage so the double-enchantable cloth could better protect them did put a slight damper on the mood.
“It’s a line from a movie.” Selene replied as she finished carefully folding her beloved dress so she could put it into the small, ornate chest that The Queen had someone place behind the changing screen. Sarah’s dress was already in it, as she had changed first. They were going in reverse marriage order, so the earlier wives’ dresses would be at the top.
“We’ll get to wear them again.” Alana replied. “I’m not sure when, but after the danger has passed.”
Selene took another deep breath, and then slowly and hesitantly set her beloved dress into the box. She then slipped on her new dress. It was the exact same color, fit her perfectly, and the cut-resistant enchantment would protect her much better since it covered everything. The silk was incredibly soft and smooth, and it was probably even slightly more comfortable than her original dress.
It still wasn’t the same.
“How do I look?” Selene asked with another sigh as she came out from behind the curtain.
“Better than any of us could on our best day.” Kendra replied honestly and without bitterness. Perhaps a subtle note of longing, but no bitterness.
“Like you’re saying goodbye to a dear friend whom you won’t see for some time.” Rachel replied, then added with a pointed look. “But you will see her again.”
“Her?” Selene raised an eyebrow.
“Of course, she has to contain the girls.” Rachel glanced at Selene’s chest. “I’ll miss my dress too. Ethan gave me the greatest compliment I’ve ever received the morning he first saw me wearing it.”
“Which was?” Selene asked.
“I asked him if he thought it was beautiful, and he replied--” She smiled. “--I think the woman wearing it is beautiful; the dress merely showcases what’s already there.”
“Damn, Ethan has game.” Selene chuckled, then looked at Kendra. “Your turn.”
Kendra shook her head. “My dress already covers everything; I don’t need a new one.”
“And yet, you still have a dress there.” Alana replied, nodding to the changing screen. “It would be a shame to rebuff The Queen’s generosity.”
“And you could do it in solidarity.” Selene added.
Kendra nodded, then went to go change. She took just as long as Selene had, and not because it was hard to change. Sarah had taken that long as well, and everyone after Kendra did too.
“You look marvelous dears.” The Queen said, returning to the room almost the moment that Alana had finished changing and stepped out from behind the changing screen. She gestured to one of the elven servants following her, and he retrieved the small chest containing all their dresses.
“I shall have this delivered to the captain’s cabin of the Argo with a full guard, and it can remain there as a reminder of what you are fighting to achieve, of the brighter days ahead when aesthetic concerns will outweigh tactical ones.”
Selene glanced at Kendra because she knew that would never be the case for her. Still, The Queen was correct. They might be about to embark on a war, but after that, they would have a family.
“There is much to celebrate even today.” The Queen continued. “Thea’s coming-of-age ball will begin in just a few short hours.” A smile appeared on her face. “And given what your young friends Matthew and Yalia have uncovered, my sister’s name might soon be on my lips again.” Her smile was wide and deep.
“How did the meeting with the luminars go?” Alana asked, her face lighting up as well.
“It is still in progress.” The Queen replied. “In fact, I suspect that Matthew and his bride will be only just finishing making their case.”
Selene didn’t buy it; The Queen was too well informed for that to be only a suspicion.
“So, let me summarize.”
Ethan glanced at Matthew as he came to the end of his presentation to the High Conclave of Luminars. Yalia was right next to her husband looking at him adoringly, though standing half a step behind him as she tended to do.
It was late afternoon and the sun was streaming in through the large, stained-glass windows positioned at regular intervals around the circular room. Subtle and tasteful gold trim lined the room; just enough to add class, but not so much that it was gaudy or ostentatious. The floor plan had a single walkway leading to a circular area in the middle, which is where Ethan, Matthew, and Yalia were. Around that circle were seats on several levels, like a theater, so the ones in the back could still see the center.
Sitting in those seats were dozens of elderly luminars, all listening attentively. Some were obviously skeptical, but they did look like the type who would resist any change whatsoever. Ethan supposed that you got those in any group.
Thankfully, the proceedings were in English, or ‘the common tongue’ as it was called in the Ten Kingdoms. Ethan thought that might partially be because of him, since he was the only one there who didn’t speak Elvish.
“Through the prophet Yaleed, Illuminar -- blessed be He -- commanded His faithful not to entice others to seek after the other ‘gods’ -- Nesteri -- and then said the following, according to the elven understanding.” Matthew said, then quoted the passage. “His shame shall be forever on him, for he has violated the commandment of Illuminar; for whoever violates the commandment of Illuminar, his shame shall never depart from him all of his days. You shall not turn your face toward him, nor shall you name his name among you.”
Ethan noticed that many of the people nodded their heads, but some seemed quite pensive. Hopefully, that was because they were reconsidering their position since Matthew had made the case quite strongly earlier, and was only recapping now.
“However, the common understanding outside the wood elven realm is as follows.” Matthew continued. “His shame shall be forever on him, for he has violated this commandment of Illuminar; for whoever violates this commandment of Illuminar, his shame shall never depart from him all of his days.”
The first time Matthew had recited this understanding, most of the luminars present had shaken their heads. Far fewer did this time.
“We know from the Sepo Cycle -- as perverse as the book is, since it was written by the hand of the Nesteri Sepo himself -- we know which clan the prophet Yaleed was from.” Matthew said. “We have other writings from that clan that we can compare Yaleed’s writings to. We know that they didn’t have the demonstrative pronoun ‘this’ before Yaleed wrote, and instead used the definite article ‘the’. We have a direct quote from Yaleed’s clan that uses ‘the’ before Yaleed wrote, and ‘this’ after. Let me repeat: it’s the same quote, only with ‘the’ before Yaleed wrote, and ‘this’ after.”
Yalia beamed at her husband.
Matthew took a breath. “Therefore, Yaleed likely intended to mean ‘this’ commandment -- meaning the one not to entice others to serve Nesteri -- and not all commandments of Illuminar. If that’s the case, then there’s no reason that a person who committed a different sin couldn’t have their shame removed.”
No one spoke immediately.
Some of the luminars were shaking their heads, and Ethan guessed they would’ve been rolling their eyes if they were younger or less mature. Some other ones had inclined their heads in concession, were nodding slowly, or otherwise had receptive expressions on their faces. About half of them had thoughtful frowns, or pursed lips, or were stroking their chins.
Ethan couldn’t help but smile. When he’d first met Matthew, the young man hadn’t been able to challenge a luminar in front of a bunch of townsfolk he knew well in Dotmier. Now, here he was addressing the High Conclave of wood elven luminars. That was quite some growth.
“Lamosea’s translation into Fey.” One of the luminars eventually said. He looked ancient, though still seemed mentally all there.
“Beg pardon?” Ethan asked.
Everyone looked at him like he was a rube from the sticks.
“Lamosea’s translation into Fey was the first full translation of the elven books into another tongue.” The same luminar continued. “He translated it only a few decades after the prophet Yaleed wrote, and his translation was sanctioned by the precursor to this Conclave. If memory serves, it uses ‘this’ in that passage.”
“It does.” Another luminar confirmed.
“Aye, it does.” Yet another one said.
“That particular translation choice has often been a point of discussion.” Another luminar mused. “Much ink has been spilled and many words exchanged as to why the precursor of this Conclave would sanction such a flawed translation.” He paused, pursed his lips, then stroked his bearded chin. “Perhaps, the most obvious solution is correct, though it has not been seriously considered in my lifetime. Perhaps they did not consider the translation flawed?”
Murmurs broke out among the rest of the luminars as many turned to someone next to him and whispered. However, they didn’t necessarily seem to be negative whispers, judging from the overall tone. Many were, but definitely not all of them.
“What says the honored Plesius?” One of the luminars said once the murmuring had died down.
Ethan looked at him, and he seemed more pensive than anyone else in the room.
He didn’t answer for several long seconds, and when he did speak, it was slowly and deliberately. “The Book of Light informs us that in an abundance of counselors, there is safety.” He paused. “Wise tradition informs us that morning is wiser than evening.” He looked around at the luminars. “We should discuss this at some length, then fast, pray, and sleep to gain the wisdom that a morning after a restful sleep brings.”
There was a general nodding of heads.
“Have you anything else to add, honored guest?” Plesius asked Matthew.
“No sir.” He replied.
“Then I will ask the visitors to give us the room so we might discuss this in more depth.” Plesius said.
Ethan and Matthew bowed while Yalia curtsied, then they turned and left the room. The moment the door had closed behind them, Matthew let out a sigh of relief.
“I think my armpits are soaked through, I was so nervous.” He said after a moment.
“I couldn’t tell.” Ethan chuckled.
“Do you think it was enough?” Yalia asked.
“I hope so.” Ethan replied. “Honestly, I’m not sure how much else we could do at this point. You two made a pretty strong case, and that one luminar bolstered it.”
Matthew nodded. “I guess all that’s left to do now is pray.”
Yalia nodded, then beamed. “And go to the ball!”
Ethan smiled at her enthusiasm. Thea had issued a general invitation to everyone who had been at the dinner the previous night, and of course everyone had accepted. Ethan’s own wives were getting ready at that very moment, and they’d chosen tonight to start wearing their new dresses for the first time. It made sense, but he wished they didn’t need to change them. Honestly, despite how much safer they were all going to be in them, he was going to miss the old dresses. He was going to miss them rather a lot.
Fiona looked at herself in the mirror, making sure that her dress fit properly and looked good enough. It did. Obviously there were things she could’ve complained about, but the dress was stunning yet simple, and looked very good on her. It was an important thing not to outdress the woman of the hour -- The King’s ward -- and she hadn’t, not that she could on beauty alone. Given the collection of jewels available to her as the First Lady of Narlotten, she probably could’ve tried, but she certainly didn’t want to.
Next to her, Lord Delmar had simply made his disguise gem project a different outfit. Someone who observed him closely might think that he only had two changes of clothes: one for everyday and one for formal occasions. Ironically, they were wrong; he had both infinite and none at all.
“I’m ready milord.” She told him.
He nodded once. “Come.”
He offered her his arm, which she happily took since he didn’t do that often, and they left their room to head onto the weatherdeck. Waiting for them on the weatherdeck were four people she hadn’t expected to see.
“Your Highness.” Lord Delmar bowed to Prince George, and flanking him were both of his wives, Princess Silvia and Helga, and next to him was his oldest son, Thomas.
“Alex, Fiona.” The Crown Prince nodded respectfully to them. Fiona curtsied as she smiled; she would likely never not find it entertaining that Prince George called Lord Delmar by a nickname for his first name, Alexander. Of course, his real name was ‘Dalgard’, but she’d never heard anyone call him that.
Huh.
It occurred to her that she could be trying that.
Prince George came a little closer and lowered his voice. “I want your word, sworn on Helene and Fiona, that you won’t attack Ethan. Otherwise, you aren’t welcome.”
Lord Delmar looked at him for a moment before replying calmly. “I give my word that I will not initiate hostilities; I will respond if attacked.”
Prince George nodded. “Good enough, but swear it on the memory of Helene and by your vows to Fiona.”
“I so swear.” Lord Delmar replied.
The Crown Prince nodded. “Then, unless you object, we will walk with you to the event; Helga has been dying to get together with Fiona again.”
“That is acceptable.” Lord Delmar replied, and then they set off with both the imperial guard and Narlotten guard in tow, plus a few members of Lord Delmar’s court. Sadly, Lady Ekthros was among them.
“Damn, you all look amazing.” Ethan said to his wives as they posed so he could see them in their new dresses. The new dresses were the same colors as the previous ones: forest green for Alana, royal blue for Beth, lilac for Taloni, a darker red for Rachel, purple for Kendra, charcoal gray for Selene, and gold for Sarah. However, the new dresses covered basically all of their skin except their hands, necks, and heads, and Taloni’s wings of course. He regretted that necessity, but cut-resistant cloth couldn’t protect what it didn’t cover.
The dresses had been cut marvelously to emphasize each woman’s best features, and even somehow their unique personalities. He wasn’t sure how The Queen had managed it, but given that she was Alana’s aunt, that somehow made sense anyway.
The skirt portion of the dresses were all full length, and had been fitted with enchanted cloth that would pull together when activated, turning the full skirts into something resembling loose pants. Kendra’s and Selene’s dresses had done this before, and it made sense for everyone to have the option, just in case.
Someone had clearly spent a lot of time -- probably hours each -- doing his wives’ hair and even a little makeup, which slightly surprised him. This was the first time he’d ever seen them with makeup on, and it was so expertly applied that he would never have noticed if he didn’t see them without it all day, every day.
“But?” Alana asked. “I feel like there’s a ‘but’ coming.”
“Hopefully six later tonight.” He winked.
“Oof, sorry boss.” Selene replied with just the right amount of sass, then added in a passable imitation of a certain Wakandan leader. “We don’t do that here.”
He chuckled, then looked at Alana. “You look great in these, but I miss your old dresses.”
Every one of his wives nodded.
“Cheer up though, we’ll wear them again.” Beth said, then explained about the small chest that The Queen had provided.
“Good.” He nodded. “Now, shall we get going?
They agreed and he led them out of their suite and towards the venue, which was half of the palace grounds. Not really, but it was a lot. The elves had put up paper walls in frames -- like the Japanese do -- surrounding a large area of the grounds. Through the paper and partially above it, he could see the cheerful dance of innumerable lights hung from the trees overhead.
“Thea and Sarah wanted their wedding to look something like this.” Alana said to Ethan as they approached. “The wedding will be thematically similar for continuity.”
“I approve.” Ethan smiled as he looked at his betrothed.
Sarah even managed to smile back.
∗She’s been doing better today.∗ Alana thought to him privately. ∗But she’s still bothered by the idea that if she gets rid of her demon, something might happen to one of us because she won’t be able to help.∗
∗And what happened to Candice made that fear all the stronger.∗ He completed the thought, then looked at his betrothed. Objectively speaking, she wasn’t very attractive, but he knew her demon was altering her appearance. He found himself wondering what she would look like without the demon. Hell, what would she be like without the demon?
He looked at her, though she was oblivious and walking slowly without looking up. She could be so kind, and yet she was so hurt. He was glad that she hadn’t become a shell of herself after what Lady Ekthros had put her through, but it had hurt her and changed her. Some of those changes were for the better -- she wasn’t afraid of her own shadow anymore -- but some of them weren’t. Ethan was 100% certain that she would’ve instantly and wholeheartedly agreed to the demon’s removal when he’d first met her. Now...
“What?” Sarah asked.
“Nothing, just thinking ... and looking.” He winked.
She blushed slightly and looked down again, but the edge of a smile appeared on her face too. After a moment, she glanced up at him again. He was still looking. Her smile widened slightly and her cheeks got slightly more pink.
He stepped a little closer to her and offered her his arm, which she took.
He didn’t say anything else, mostly because he wasn’t sure what to say. She was smiling slightly, and that was good enough for him right now.
∗Remember, Lord Delmar will be here.∗ Kendra thought to everyone. ∗Try to remain where someone can see you at all times, just in case.∗
Ethan smiled; things that were sure on Earth included death and taxes. Here, Beth’s curiosity, Tee’s devotion to Illuminar, and Kendra’s fierce commitment to protecting her family could be added to the list.
Sarah clung to his arm a little as they went to the entrance where the palace guard was confirming everyone before allowing them in. That was the point when Ethan realized that the walls couldn’t be mere paper, though he had no idea what they could be. Enchanted paper perhaps? Or maybe something entirely different?
“We don’t have our invitation.” Ethan grimaced.
“You’re pretty recognizable, so I doubt we’ll need one.” Alana chuckled.
Sure enough, they didn’t.
The palace guard did stop them and someone who looked like a mage stared intently at all of them for several seconds each before waving them through; probably looking for magical disguises. Interestingly, he did look at Sarah longer than the others, but apparently decided that the alterations to her appearance -- whatever they were, Ethan didn’t know -- weren’t a security risk.
They stepped through the security checkpoint and Ethan couldn’t help but smile. It was very “Thea”.
The whole area was a slightly chaotic and gorgeous display of The Queen’s decorating genius. Unlike most parties Ethan had been to, the food, tables, and even the seating hadn’t been clustered in distinct areas. Instead, they had all been mixed with each other so that the food tables and seating looked like they had been haphazardly placed ... except something about the layout made it seem like there was an undefinable order and it looked good.
It broke all the rules of parties, and yet somehow worked extremely well.
That was very “Thea”.
The tables and chairs were also an almost chaotic mix of colors. They were all in the colors of nature, so greens, browns, tans, and then splashes of colors you’d find on various flowers. No two were alike, and yet every single chair seemed to fit with the other chairs around its table and the table itself, but wouldn’t fit with the other tables or chairs around it. Again, it broke all the rules in a slightly chaotic way, but it just worked somehow.
Dozens, maybe hundreds, of lanterns that looked vaguely similar to Japanese paper lanterns had been hung about the area. None was particularly bright, but the collective total of them covered the area in a diffuse warm glow. Something about it reminded Ethan of fireflies at twilight, though he wasn’t sure why.
For as strange as the decorating was, he found himself relaxing a little as he looked around. Like Thea herself, there was something warm about the whole area that made him feel like it was okay to let down his guard a little.
“The Queen is a genius.” Selene marveled.
“No kidding.” Ethan agreed.
“So, you probably don’t know this, but the elven society has unwritten rules about decor.” Alana said as she looked around. “This party comes right to the edge of breaking literally every single one of them, but somehow hasn’t broken a single one.”
“Well, it is the coming-of-age ball for Thea.” Sarah said, her small smile widening slightly.
“Our wedding is supposed to be something like this, huh?” Ethan asked Sarah.
“Yes, but with more of me and less of Thea.” Sarah replied.
Ethan nodded. “I like it.”
“Me too.” Sarah’s smile widened a little more, to the point that it was almost as large as a normal smile.
“Where is Thea?” Selene asked.
“She won’t come out until she is officially presented to society.” Alana replied. “That’ll be shortly after the ball begins.”
Selene nodded.
“So, is there assigned seating?” Ethan asked after a moment.
“No.” Sarah said. “The Queen thought it was more appropriate not to arrange the seating, given that it’s Thea’s coming-of-age ball.”
He chuckled. “Fair.”
Fiona couldn’t help but smile at the decorations as she, her husband, the Crown Prince and his family, Lady Ekthros, and the rest finished going through the security at the entrance. It was just lovely. Beside her, Lord Delmar stopped. He appeared to take a slightly more measured breath than usual and he flexed the fingers of his right hand slowly. Fiona followed the line of his gaze, and then sucked in her breath as she realized who he was looking at.
It was Ethan Ejder and his family.
The man who had killed her first husband, her Sean.
Fiona could feel her chest get slightly tight and started breathing more heavily. Suddenly, her hands felt slightly cold and clammy, and her mouth felt dry. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears and swallowed. Hard.
“Fiona.” Lord Delmar said, then rested a hand on her back.
That helped.
It provided something on which she could ground herself, though her heart was still beating furiously in her chest.
“Lady Delmar, are you okay?” Prince George asked.
She nodded mutely, even though she was very far from okay. “I--” Her voice came out hoarse, so she cleared her throat and tried again. “I’m thinking I will be.”
“My father and grandfather always say that the best way to defeat your fears is to face them.” George’s oldest son, Thomas, said. “Perhaps take someone you trust with you, and speak to him.”
Fiona looked at the lad, who was barely old enough to be called a man.
“I can accompany you.” A familiar voice said from nearby, and it made Fiona jump slightly.
It was Tabitha.
She turned to see her laconic former bodyguard standing nearby with Ellis next to her.
“Tabby!” Fiona gushed quietly as she felt herself relax slightly. “What are you two doing here?
“Good evening ma’am.” Ellis head bowed. “We were invited to be guests by Miss Pelathea yesterday evening. If I can be of service, I would be more than willing to assist you in meeting Mr. Ejder or his wives. If you would prefer, I could ask whomever you wish to join us here, or in another location if you would prefer.”
Tabitha nodded curtly once.
Fiona breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m really appreciating that.”
“Alex, I don’t want you to tempt your self-control, strong as it is.” Prince George said to Lord Delmar. “Perhaps it would be best if you didn’t seek an audience with Ethan, nor accompany Fiona.”
Lord Delmar nodded once, then turned to the Aldmiri who had been appointed as Fiona’s bodyguards. “You will closely accompany Fiona everywhere she goes this evening.”
They nodded.
“Ma’am, would you like to seek an audience with them now, or later?” Ellis asked.
Fiona swallowed. “If I’m waiting, I’ll be losing my nerve.”
Ellis nodded. “Then come, we shall escort you.”
Fiona looked at her husband. “Are you minding milord?”
Her husband subtly flexed the fingers of his right hand and clenched his jaw. After a moment, he addressed Ellis. “Before my wife approaches, please advise the false prophet that if he harms a single hair on Fiona’s head, it will be the last thing he does.” He narrowed his eyes. “Regardless of witnesses.”
Fiona felt her heart melt slightly at his words, despite the situation.
“Yes, Lord Delmar.” Ellis nodded, then turned and walked toward Ethan and his wives.
Ethan had a smile on his face as he sat around a table that seated eight; enough for him and his wives. They had stopped at one of the food tables and encountered more than one waiter, which meant they all had grabbed hors d’oeuvres aplenty. All of them were fantastic, even the ones without meat.
∗Drago, behind you.∗ Kendra thought to everyone in a casual tone.
Ethan turned his head to look and saw Ellis walking toward them, and behind him...
The moment Ethan saw Lord Delmar, they locked eyes. Ethan had never seen colder eyes, yet they weren’t only cold. The nigh-unto arctic frigidity of the gaze was nuanced by a fire the heat of which he’d rarely seen. Ethan imagined that he himself had looked somewhat similar after Kendra had been injured, or Candice had lost part of her leg.
He could tell what that look meant. It was the look of a man who couldn’t be bargained with. He couldn’t be reasoned with. He wouldn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. In fact, Ethan got the distinct impression that Lord Delmar wouldn’t stop, ever, until he was dead. This was a long-simmering rage that was calm, settled, and utterly intractable. He was seeing the willpower of a dragon fuel a calm, settled rage the likes of which Ethan had never seen before.
Rachel.
It had to be.
Ethan couldn’t think of anything else that could have possibly created this level of visceral hatred. He certainly couldn’t think of anything that could produce that kind of emotion in him that didn’t involve someone harming his wives or unborn daughter.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, Ethan had been thinking that, perhaps, he could have peace with Lord Delmar somehow. Maybe grandchildren like Lord Kalus had suggested the previous day, or something else.
Now he knew better.
That would never happen.
Lord Delmar, the black dragon himself, was going to kill him, or at least try. Obviously not here and now, thankfully, but he would. Ethan didn’t know when, but now he knew it was coming. There was no doubt of that. None at all.
∗He’s been here for a minute or two.∗ Kendra thought to everyone. ∗I think Lady Delmar wants to talk to Sarah.∗
∗Okay.∗ Ethan replied, still looking at Lord Delmar.
The other dragon’s gaze was withering.
“Ellis.” Ethan greeted the man when he arrived, but didn’t take his eyes off of Lord Delmar.
“Mr. Ejder.” Ellis head bowed. “Lady Fiona wishes to come speak with some at this table. However, Lord Delmar wished me to warn you first, that--”
“--that he’d tear me limb from limb if I hurt her?” Ethan guessed, taking his eyes off the other dragon to look at Ellis.
“Not in those specific words, but in essence, you are correct.” Ellis confirmed.
“I have no problem with Lady Delmar.” Ethan replied, then remembered that he and Alana were responsible for her first husband’s death. “In fact, I sort of owe her an apology.” He paused because it had been self-defense. “Sort of.” He looked at Ellis directly. “I swear that I have nothing against her, and absolutely no desire or intent to hurt her.”