I rose from my bed, the faint ache of recent turmoil still lingering in my muscles, and followed Mother and Elara into the washroom. The air was warm and damp, scented with lavender and the faint metallic tang of enchanted oils. The bathtub, carved from smooth, white marble, awaited me, its surface shimmering with heat.
I stepped in, the water enveloping me like a second skin, and let out a soft sigh as I leaned back, allowing the tension to melt away. Mother and Elara moved around me with practiced ease, their hands gentle yet purposeful as they began to wash me. The rhythmic sound of water splashing, combined with their soothing touches, created a calming symphony that eased my mind.
Mother's voice broke the tranquil silence, her tone soft but steady. "I took care of the quality inspection for the first batch of armors. Lucian is overseeing the repairs and enchantments for the second batch now." Her hands glided over my shoulders, her fingers kneading the knots of stress with a firm yet tender touch. I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation, and nodded absently.
"Is that so?" I murmured, tilting my head back to rest against the edge of the tub. It had been a month since Gunnar had begun the armor exchange. By now, he would have completed phase one and be well into phase two. In a few days, the enchantments for the second batch would be finished, and phase three would commence. "Was it complete? Strong enough for the budget?" I asked, my voice languid but curious.
"Yes," Mother replied, her affirmation accompanied by a soft squeeze of my arm. "Everything is proceeding as planned."
"Good," I breathed, letting the word hang in the air as I sank deeper into the water. My hands found their way to Mother's soft stomach as she settled beside me, her warmth a comforting presence. On my other side, Elara's firm breasts pressed against my arm, her body radiating a quiet strength. I turned to her, my fingers tracing the curve of her waist before sliding upward to cup her breast. She exhaled softly, her green eyes meeting mine with a mixture of affection and anticipation.
I leaned in, capturing her lips with mine in a slow, deliberate kiss. Her mouth was warm and yielding, and I deepened the kiss, my tongue exploring hers with a hunger that was both tender and possessive. Elara responded in kind, her hands tangling in my hair as she pressed herself closer. Her body, toned and resilient, was a stark contrast to her gentle demeanor, and I reveled in the duality of her strength and softness.
Breaking the kiss, I guided Elara to her knees beside the tub, my hands lingering on her shoulders as she positioned herself. Her lips parted, and she took me into her mouth, her tongue swirling around me with a skill that sent shivers up my spine. I didn't rush her, content to savor the warmth and tightness of her throat as she moved with a rhythm that was both slow and sensual. My foot trailed down her body, teasing her until I found her core, my toes brushing against her with deliberate strokes. She moaned softly around me, her body trembling as pleasure began to build within her.
Meanwhile, I turned my attention to Mother, my lips finding the delicate curve of her neck. She gasped as my fangs grazed her skin, and I bit down gently, the taste of her blood flooding my senses. It was rich and intoxicating, a reminder of the bond we shared. Her hands clutched at my hair, urging me closer as I lavished attention on her neck before moving lower. My mouth closed around her nipple, my tongue circling the sensitive peak as my hands kneaded her heavy breasts. She arched into me, her breath coming in ragged gasps, and I could feel the rapid beat of her heart beneath my lips.
The room was filled with the sounds of our shared pleasure—Elara's muffled moans, Mother's soft cries, and the occasional splash of water as I shifted in the tub. My own release came slowly, a wave of warmth that crested and spilled into Elara's mouth. She swallowed eagerly, her eyes fluttering shut as she reached her own climax, her body convulsing under the ministrations of my foot as I played with her pussy with my it. Her green eyes, now glistening with tears of release, met mine, and I saw the depth of her devotion reflected in them.
For a moment, we stayed like that, the three of us connected in a way that transcended words. The water had cooled, but the warmth between us remained, a testament to the bond we shared. Finally, I rose from the tub, my body refreshed and my mind clear. Mother and Elara helped me dry off. As I stepped out of the washroom, I felt renewed and refreshed.
After that, I left the room and followed both of them to my father's quarters. Upon entering, my eyes immediately fell on his massive figure lying on the grand white bed. The curtains were on the multiple windows were drawn, and the chandelier overhead bathed the room in a soft, warm glow.
I approached the bed where he lay, looking almost normal—calm and peaceful, his towering form hidden beneath a thick white comforter. His bed was set on a raised platform, giving him an imposing presence even in his stillness.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked Turing, turning to my mother, who remained silent.
"We don't know. The healers are working on him, but no one can pinpoint the cause," she replied. I understood why. Father was one of the—if not the—strongest people in the estate. His current state was unnatural.
We lingered in silence for a while until Elara left the room, and the atmosphere grew heavier. I turned to my mother.
"Now, tell me what's really going on," I pressed. I could see it in her eyes—she wasn't being fully truthful. The healers might be unsure, but I knew she had more information.
"I'm not certain," she said, "but I believe he's stuck in a mental loop." Seeing my confusion, she elaborated.
"My powers are tied to the mind and psychology," she explained. "At that moment, my abilities were at their peak because I was trying to break through to become a Supreme One. I was on the final step when I reached that state." She met my gaze.
"Normally, I use my powers to gently influence the mind. They're not confrontational in nature. But during my breakthrough, I accidentally awakened a strange power—sound manipulation. And in that moment, I lost control and used whatever attack I pleased." She held my hand tightly as she spoke.
"You must remember that strange, dreamlike state where you couldn't recall anything," she said, her tone softening. "That was the mental loop. It pulls a person back to their weakest moment or amplifies their deepest, unfulfilled desires."
I nodded, recalling the strange voice and figure from my dream. She was the one who had awakened me, telling me not to despair.
"The more desperate, sad, or oppressed someone feels due to their desires, the more they're affected by the loop," she continued, pausing to glance at Father. "Especially those who've awakened but haven't fully merged with their beasts."
Her words caused confusion to stir within me.
"He's the ruler of House Aetherisin. Are you saying he hasn't merged with his beast?" I asked, and her expression confirmed my worst fear.
"So, do we need to merge his beast with him in order to wake him?" I asked, to which she nodded solemnly.
"Do we even know what his forbidden desire is?" I questioned, noticing a flicker of recognition in her eyes.
"You know what it is," I replied, though she didn't say more. She stood up and I followed her, standing beside the bed.
She pulled back the thick quilt, revealing his body beneath. My gaze landed on a small bulge between his muscled thighs—his trousers stretched tight over the area, with a visible wet patch on top.
I turned to my mother, my eyes wide with confusion. "What did you mean by this?".