"Did you see the look in his eyes….Harimah?"
He's been staring out of the window for awhile now sipping on his coffee the sounds of tapping on his knee combined with the sipping.... echoes in my ears. Lost in his thoughts.
"I've never…. Hehheh…seen him look like that."
He falls silent again. I just look at him thoughtfully. Thinking back on that day too. Lucian made my skin tingle...and not in the good way. The one I fell in love with is not the one that I see these days.
"That hidden fiery…do you know what it reminded me of?"
He finally turns to look at me and stands from his chair walking over to the large window in our bedroom.
"Vastava…." The whisper was so low that it reminded me of the way that Adam talked when he was younger.
"Ahriman…" I can hear the shakiness of my voice as it leaves my lips. "…I'm sure…. It's just a minor resemblance."
"Minor!" He actually yelled for the first time since we left Zathira.
His eyes glint, he sets his cup down on the sideboard table and brushes his navy-blue t-shirt. Looking down at it, his expression returns to the one that we all know so well. His breathing slows and steadies as he relaxes again.
I know that he didn't see the tail ring in Lucian's room. He was so distracted and focused on Trio that he hadn't noticed many things inside of that room. From the scents to the other jewelry on his vanity. No one crafts the way that he does, it's very distinctive like Patheos'.
"I'm over thinking about it. He was just concerned for his granddaughter. I guess you shared those memories with the twins and they in turn shared them with Alexa." He pauses again looking me in the eyes. They are almost sad, "…...They are different. A breed of their own---"
He stops midway and before he lowers his eyes, I see that glint again. He's remembering something. I don't prod him, because if it's what I think it is, nothing that happens next will be good.
"I need some time alone Harimah."
"Okay." I hear my voice shake a bit. He looks back at me and turns towards the door walking out without another word.
****
What the FUCK! Was I really that out of it to only notice that shit now?! Harimah saw it, I can tell from the way her lips trembled and the dark gloss that her eyes took on as she stared back at me.
It took me months just to realize that his jewelry is similar to that of the ones that that bastard always gave to Harimah…and Patheos. But the ring….is exactly like the one that He wears!
Now that I focus on it, that day Lucian's scent went from Harimah's to peonies. Peonies? Why? When did his scent change? And Patheos' scent mixed with Martheos' is all over that room! Especially around the bed.
Hahaha…hahahaaahhhaa…. I've been blinded by my obsession with him. Some are still keeping secrets I see.
I was going to knock on his study door, but I changed my mind.
I push in the door, twisting the knob. It won't budge, of course. Not only does he shield this room around the clock but he's even mentally locked it. I continue to push. I know he's in there! I don't care if he's not alone either! I want answers now!
Hah! Finally! Tsk…he let me in. There's no one here though. Huh? A tea cup? I can still see the steam coming from it disappearing in the air.
I smell Patheos everywhere.
I will get to the bottom of this. Whatever he's keeping from me I will find out!
I storm back out of his study. But as I'm leaving my mind goes back to his bedroom and the scent of my first born. …it's only because of their little meeting that they have with Daniel and others…right? I shudder feeling my chest move up and down.... I bite down on my lips. The lone warm drip doesn't bother me.
*****
"Msshmms…. sssmmm.."
"Mmmmmm…Patheos..ss..ahh."
"What's wrong? Why did you stop?"
"…Mmm…it's nothing...ahh…let's keep going..."
So, I guess he's not knocking. I turn to the door behind me again. Hahahaa…I can't believe this. Trying to barge into my private study unannounced. Ah, I'll just keep ignoring it. Patheos is really on me today and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't horny as hell.
He's starting to grind against me. Mmmh…damn this feels good! I grip his hips in my hands and push him down on the sofa underneath me. Our lips never leaving the other's. We both start to grind, but he's still there trying to get in. I stop kissing him and lift my glance at the door again.
He breathes heavily, his eyes glossy and glazed over, "Why do you keep stopping...?" He mumbles so softly that it sounds almost like a whimper.
I look back down at him and smile broadly before teleporting us to the mansion in France. Here we continue our little tryst in our plush sheets becoming completely enthralled with each other.
We fall asleep in each other's arms afterwards. When I awaken, I see my father gazing down at us with his elbow on his knee and his palm on his chin, sitting on the edge of the bed on Patheos' side.
"I can see how much he loves you."
"Just as much as he loves you."
"Hahmmahahha..true."
Our eyes meet. I turn on my side and grin. He grins back.
"I think he's figuring things out now."
"I knew this would come one day. You're no longer acting the role that he knows you for."
"Ahh! I've tried to, but it's become tedious and I tire of him. Sure, I like him, but love…. there are few that I love, and they reside here in this den."
"Hmph! It would probably destroy him if he knew that." Then his eyes harden as he looks at me the way he used to when I was a young tuthiss playing in the garden. "Don't ever let him know that you're my son."
I blink slowly and just lay there watching his every movement. He looks down at Patheos and gently moves a few curls from his face.
"If he asks me how I'm associated with you…what should I say?"
"Honestly, you could simply say that you picked it up from her memories when the two of you linked tails."
I exhale slowly. Looking at Patheos I say, "I didn't technically link tails with her. Only Ahriman, Patheos, and Martheos…"
"Then why does she think that you did?"
"I pretended to link with her, but it was…Ahriman's tail that I wrapped around hers during sexual intercourse and manipulated her memories."
"Lucian…" He says in a hushed tone.
"I don't want to be mates with her. You, Patheos, and Martheos are the only ones that I consider my mates."
He closes his eyes and nods his head. As stubborn as he is, he knows that there is nothing he can say to change my mind.
Patheos stirs in his sleep. His soft breathing draws both of our attention to him again. His flesh looks like the night sky from the garden. The luminous markings of his own on his chest and our markings on his tail and down his back…This view of him takes my breath away.
The strong smell of gardeia with a hint of peonies doesn't hide his natural icy snow scent. The tug on my heart is a strong one.... I look up again and see him place his hand on his chest. The light of the sun reflects the blue of his eyes making them look like the sparkling gems that Tadanya adorns. Oh...this is why…
****
"But I don't want another mate!" She wails.
"Why after all this time do you want to separate us?!" Her glistening eyes would be more than I could take, if I didn't know any better.
"Oh please, Essy!" I groan, with arms folded.
We each told them about it at our respective mansions down the hill but they ran to each other and decided to complain and whine about it inside of Edwin Manor, as though it would make a difference. By now, everyone knew that Darmarcio and Marques were both my mates. You can smell me on them. David moaned like a three year old as he has never once like Sofia and Marques holds a soft spot for his son.
Darmarcio had started pacing back and forth inside of the lounge or small family room where it's just us but no one put up a silence shield. These two broads wanted the world to know that we no longer wanted them as mates. It's not like they were permanent to begin with. That's why the three of us decided not to put up any shields and David…well…he likes the drama quite honestly ....although he will never admit to that!
"This has been a long time coming, I'm just upset that it took so long." I lower my arms and look at her with such distaste. "When was the last time that we slept in the same bed? It's been over for centuries. We don't even have children together. So, don't you think it's time to move to someone else and maybe you will have a child this time."
He chuckles silently and briefly looks up at me from his seat on the couch in front of the two women as they stand shoulder to shoulder. To be frank, I wore a condom from time to time when I did bed her. But before then, I would always pull out and let her soak in my sperm. I never intended to have children with her. It's the last thing I want. I'm happy with my boys and the girl that's on the way.
I walk a few steps behind me and take my seat between David and Damarcio. Placing my hand on his thigh I peek at him and he places his hand above mine.
"By moving on ladies, you will be happier. After this the third mate that you find will become your permanent one. What applies to our children, applies to us. This is what we told you Sofia."
She closes her eyes and wipes away her tears before nodding 'yes'.
****
"Well that was exhausting." I moan, lying my head back on his wet chest.
"I knew they would kick up a fuss. But the law is the law."
"Yeah, Sofia knew the deal after they got their memories back and discovered their tails." He says, rubbing the water up his biceps looking at the two of us against the edge of the bathing pool.
"It seems, we will need a Pairing Ceremony for those with temporary mates soon. Besides those that were only recently paired."
I moan and nod in agreement as Lucian caresses my shoulders.
We decided to head to the den and sleep there. Vastava is waiting for us already resting in the middle of the huge bed. The four of us thoroughly enjoy each other. The sweet sounds of flesh against flesh, moaning, groaning, grunting, and some growls and howls from the three wolves around me. It's so euphoric each time. I will never tire of this.
The breeze from the open glass doors feels gently across my skin. The dim candle light flickering makes the gloss in their eyes all that more alluring. How I love them.