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Chapter Text

She struggled uselessly against her bonds, desperately trying to break free of the thick, coarse rope tied tightly about her wrists and ankles, keeping her pinned down on her knees on the beach as she awaited her fate. Sand and tiny shells bit into her legs as she struggled, watching nervously as the ocean's waves continued to slowly claw their way towards her, creeping ever closer with each passing minute. 

They’d tied her up here hours ago, weaving flowers in her hair and smearing her skin with scented lotions in the hopes of appeasing the wrath of the one her village had wronged. She’d shrieked and struggled until the head priest had finally had enough of her protests, striking her twice and leaving her dazed as they finished erecting the rest of the structure designed to keep her wrists suspended high above her head and house the oil lamps that now glowed brightly in the dark night, lighting the Sea God’s way to this newest sacrifice. 

She had stopped struggling so wildly once they had lit those lamps, terrified that they might fall and catch upon the ridiculously embroidered robe they’d draped about her naked form, leaving it open just enough to bare her breasts to the sea, making it obvious what she had been meant to be. She’d watched as they had dragged a pair of white stags into the churning ocean, slaughtering them and turning the waves red with their blood, alerting the denizens of the Deep of their attempts to right the wrong that had been committed by members of their village. 

Pausing her struggles, she allowed herself to slump forward, panting in exhaustion as her wrists and arms burned from her failed efforts to free herself, staring out at the still sea, wondering if something was indeed out there … watching her. The priests were long gone, declaring the beach a forbidden area, not wishing to risk further angering the Sea God if he were to come to inspect the gift they had left for him. 

Three days ago, two of their village’s idiot fishermen had gotten the brilliant idea to fish just a little bit further from shore than their people usually did. Oh they had pleaded and swore they had no idea how far they had gone, that they had been wholly ignorant to just how badly they had violated the carefully drawn boundaries between the human world and that of the Deep but it did not matter. What had been done, was done. 

As they had set out their nets, something had become entangle in them, threatening to break the careful knots and spoil their trip. The fools, assuming it had been one of the many dolphins or sharks that often plagued their efforts in the bay, had used their spears and harpoons to kill it, never thinking to check what it might have been before bloodying the struggling creature. When the thrashing had stopped they’d finally pulled their catch up … only to discover they had entangled and killed one of the Sea God’s favored people. A young one at that. Barely more than a child.

The fishermen had panicked, tossing the dead Lemurian overboard before fleeing back to the village, hoping their deed would go unnoticed. 

It had not. 

That night the Sea had risen to terrifying heights, tearing their carefully crafted piers and boardwalks from the land, dragging those too foolish to run from the rapidly receding waters under. 

For two days the sea had torn through their lands. Hurling their boats from its waters and swallowing any who ventured near. Storms raged, hail and lightning battered their homes until none were left unscathed. 

Finally the pair of fishermen had come forward to admit what they had done, pleading with the priests for their lives, swearing they had not known. 

The priests had been troubled. The death of any Lemurian was a problem. The death of what had clearly been a child even more so. 

The two fishermen had been left for the Sea God to deal with the night before. Their twisted and mangled corpses tossed back to shore hours later and yet the storms had raged on, a clear message that their deaths had done nothing to assuage the Sea God’s anger. 

By the afternoon the storms had stilled, though the ocean continued to seethe, snatching any who ventured too close. A clear warning that while the Sea God was willing to give them another chance … his anger still burned hot and deadly.

The priests had all gone out, drawing in the sand and talking amongst themselves, trying to divine what more the Sea God wanted from them. The consensus was that he wanted a replacement for the child taken from his waters. The fisherman had admitted to killing a young female Lemurian. Though they had described her as a child of perhaps no more than ten, the priests had decided to try offering the Deep someone a bit older. If the Sea God refused, they reasoned, they could always institute a lottery system to determine which family would provide the needed child next.

And so now here she was. As an orphan raised by those self-same priests she had been an ideal first choice for sacrifice. If the Sea chewed her up and spit her back out like it had with the fisherman the night before, then it would be up to the villagers to offer one of their own. The village elders had agreed that they would sacrifice however many they needed until their debt to the Sea was repaid but everyone had been eager to offer her up first, someone with no family to fight for her, to complain over the unfairness of it all. 

She sighed, glancing up at her hands as they hung from the cruel ropes. Taking in a deep breath she sat up straighter, wrapping her hands around the ropes, preparing to begin her struggles anew when something caught her eye, making her freeze. 

The encroaching tide was nearly to her knees now, close enough that she could feel the coolness of the water as it lapped at the flared edges of her robe. Just beyond, the moonlight was catching on something in the waves … a flash of metal on a dark shadow moved among the waters, creeping closer. 

Her mouth went dry as she watched the sinewy form slip past the breakwater, letting the waves carry it ever closer. 

She couldn’t make out the creature’s form but when it was a stone's throw away she caught sight of cerulean scales as a long, powerful tail broke through the tops of the waves before slipping back down into the dark water, the horizontal fluke slapping against the surface with a loud, thunderous crack. 

Her hands fisted as she unconsciously leaned back, trying to put a bit of distance between herself and the sea, cursing softly as the ropes about her limbs stilled her retreat. 

The first touch of the waves caressed her bare knees as the figure finally broke the surface a few yards out from her, shaking dripping hair from its eyes as it rose, peering down at her with a hard, angry gaze.

To her surprise, he approached her in a human form, wispy white fabric shifting about him as he slipped free of the sea. He was tall, taller than she expected as he paced around her, pausing for a moment to contemplate the robe they’d draped over her naked body. 

“You are not what I demanded.” He growled, eyes narrowed in anger as he stared down at her. 

She licked lips gone dry, desperately fighting the urge to shrink back from him. 

“I’m all they had.” She replied brazenly, forcing herself to meet his piercing gaze evenly. 

He hissed in irritation, turning away to peer back towards her village, clearly considering his next move. 

“Please.” She forced herself to say, noting the way he stiffened at the sound of her voice. “Those fishermen, they were idiots and they got what they deserved. But don’t … it wasn’t any of our children’s fault what happened. They don’t deserve to suffer … anymore than the one who died did.”

Annoyance twisted the Sea God’s regal features, his gaze slashing back towards her. 

“If someone still has to pay to settle the debt, let it be me and leave the rest of the village alone.” She continued, pleading with him. “They know what happened was wrong and will ensure it won’t happen again. I promise.”

They studied each other for a long while, the tide continuing to creep in, dancing over her legs and lap now, making her gasp and press her knees together more firmly, trying to protect the sensitive flesh between her legs from the chilly water. 

Something brushed through her hair and she jerked, startled to realize that during her brief distraction, the Sea God had somehow managed to close the distance between them, his hand hovering just above her. Moonlight reflected off his sharp nails and for a terrible moment she recalled the mangled corpses of the fisherman who had washed up the night before. 

“You struggled all afternoon to free yourself of this fate and yet now you tell me to take you instead of the others.” The man mused, his gaze turning slightly confused. “Which is it?”

She glanced up at the ropes binding her wrists, tugging on them uselessly. “This isn’t exactly comfortable.” She admitted, blinking in surprise as her words earned her a soft chuckle from the being at her side. 

She watched as he knelt beside her, seemingly uncaring of the chilly waters that swirled between them. He reached out, his sharp nails running along her collarbone and over the swell of her breast, drawing her attention back to how the priests had dressed her, leaving her bared to the Sea … making it very clear that she was its to do with as it pleased. 

“Stop …” She protested, trying to lean away from his touch but the ropes had gone taunt, holding her in place. 

A dark smirk curled the corners of his lips, telling her he was very aware of her inability to escape his touch, his nails ghosting downwards, gently circling her nipple before brushing over it, making her gasp as he cruelly curled his finger, nicking her sensitive flesh with the sharp point of his nail. A drop of blood beaded up where he had cut her, glimmering darkly in the moonlight. 

She gasped as he leaned forward, his mouth latching onto her breast. She felt the warning press of teeth against her flesh when she tried to twist away from him and forced herself to still, shifting nervously as she felt the sinful slither of his tongue against her nipple, licking and sucking at the small hurt. 

He moved with her, his larger form leaning over hers, casting her in its shadow as he finally pulled away, peering down at her with a burning intensity that threatened to suck all the air from her lungs. 

“There is still a debt to be paid.” He said, his hand coming up to catch her chin, forcing her head back as he stared down at her. “Your people took one of our children. We would have her returned.”

Her lips parted in confusion as he descended upon her, his tongue slipping between her  lips, flicking along her own as kissed her. She groaned as he feasted on her lips, her own tongue pressing against his. He tasted like salt and blood and she whined softly as she felt his hand drift down her back, forcing her up into the bruising kiss. 

It was intense and she shuddered as he pressed down on her more, making the ropes about her wrists burn as she supported not only her own weight but his. Wincing, she twisted, trying to break the contact between them and relieve the pressure on her arms. 

The God of the Sea merely chuckled, pulling back just enough to watch as she twisted in his hold. The tide was halfway up her legs now and she found herself slipping as the wet sand shifted beneath her. 

Reaching up, he brushing her hair back from her face with mock gentleness. “Struggle all you want, little human.” He whispered, his gaze turning predatory as he peered down at her. “But you’re mine now.”

She gasped as his fingers plucked at the tie that held her robe closed, easily cutting through the silk and pulling the fabric open to bare her body completely to his gaze. 

“What … what are you going to do with me?” She asked, watching with growing dread as his hand trailed down over the soft flesh of her trembling stomach. She recalled how the fisherman had been found torn open, gutted like fish, their entrails left for the gulls and crabs.

He hummed softly, his fingers dipping lower between her thighs, making her gasp as he forced her legs apart, baring her to the chilly waters that lapped around them. 

“I told you. There is still a debt that must be paid.” He murmured, his fingers teasing the folds of her most secretive of places. 

She murmured a wordless protest, trying to back away from his seeking fingers even as they slipped between her flesh, his nails catching at the entrance to her body. She froze as she realized just how easily he could carve his way into her if he wanted to. 

“I … I don’t understand.” She gasped, peering up at him. 

He laughed, shaking his head as he continued to tease her, watching as she forced herself to remain still lest she accidentally cut herself on his sharp nails. Finding her infinitely less amusing frozen still as she was, he drew the back of his hand higher, brushing against the apex of her folds, watching as she jerked, as though he’d touched her with a bit of lightning as his knuckles bumped against her hidden clit. 

Better. He thought to himself as he caught the edge of her hood with his thumb, pulling it upwards just enough for the little pearl of flesh hidden within to peak out. Her chin had dropped as she watched his hand, frowning when he splashed some of the cool sea water against it, making her gasp and jerk, wholly unprepared for the way her body reacted to the feeling of something touching that tiny bundle of nerves. 

He chuckled, splashing it again before curling his fingers down, brushing his own skin against it until she was writhing against her bonds, begging him to stop as she tried to make sense of what was happening. She was torn between fear and a relentless budding desire … wanting him to stop and yet, strangely, craving more. 

“Please!” She gasped, desperately trying to press her legs closed as she felt something building within her. “Please, God of the Sea or …. whatever I’m supposed to call you … just …. please .”

“Rafayel.” He growled, pressing harder on her clit and watching as her back arched as he wrung a ragged cry from her. He drummed his fingers over his new toy, watching in dark delight as she twisted and shuddered. “You may refer to me as Rafayel while you repay your people’s debt to me.”

Her eyes were wide and frantic as they met his. Smirking he leaned forward, giving in to the urge to claim her swollen lips once more, swallowing her cries as he worked her clit ruthlessly, tilting her hips so that the sea slapped against her bared pussy as he forced her over the edge, supporting her weight as her body arched and she came, the cool sea water washing away the slick that dripped from her as she stared blankly up at the night sky. 

“Good girl.” He murmured, pulling back to stare down at her, admiring the way her breasts heaved as she struggled for breath, her hard nipples pointing upwards as though offering themselves to him. 

When the first hints of awareness came back to her eyes he pulled away fully, rising up to tower over her. 

“Open that pretty mouth.” He commanded, his tone hard, broking no argument. She hesitated for a moment but when he reached for her hair she did as she was told, parting her lips meekly as he caught her long, thick locks in his hand, pressing her lips against the thin, ephemeral material about his waist. He felt her surprised murmur as he slotted the length of his thick cock between her parted lips, pulling her upwards to force her mouth to slip along it, relishing in the feel of her warm breath and the rough drag of the cloth along his aching member. 

His fingers tightened in her hair at the back of her neck, forcing her up and down along his length, pressing his hips against her parted lips as though she were no more than some tool to be for his own pleasure. Her hot mouth felt heavenly, a sharp contrast to the rapidly cooling air around them. 

Groaning, he finally pulled her back, holding her still as he plucked at the jeweled clasps that held the fabric in place, letting it fall away and freeing himself. He enjoyed the way her eyes widened as she caught sight of his cock, lips parting in surprise as he forced her face back towards him. 

“Worship it.” He snarled. 

She blinked up at him, clearly unsure of what he wanted but he waited, curious to what she would do. She trembled in his hold as her gaze dropped down to the swollen flesh before her, hesitantly leaning forward and pressing her lips against it once again. 

He hummed in pleasure. “More.” He demanded.

He watched her swallow nervously but she obliged, pressing a few tentative kisses to his shaft before parting her lips wider and mouthing along his cock’s length as he had forced her to do a few moments before. He groaned softly as her lips glided along his aching flesh, teasing him with her hummingbird fast breaths as she panted against him. 

“Use your tongue.” He urged, hissing in pleasure as she obeyed, pressing her tongue against his cock as she slowly worked along his shaft. 

He tugged gently at her hair, demanding she move higher towards the flushed head, obligingly tilting it downwards for her when it became obvious her bindings wouldn’t allow her to reach the top. He chuckled as he tapped her lips with the head of his cock, making her face scrunch up in surprise as she got her first taste of him, his precum smearing across her lips. 

“I hope you like it.” He teased. “You’ll be tasting a lot more of it soon.”

She glared up at him as he forced his cock between her lips, thrusting shallowly into the sinful heat of her mouth. 

“Watch your teeth.” He warned, thrusting in slowly, testing to see just how much she could take. 

Her head tilted back, tongue pressing against the bottom of his dick as he worked himself in and out of her mouth, pausing when the head of his cock bumped against the back of her throat, making her jerk and gag around him. 

“Shhhh.” He whispered, gently carding his hands through her hair as she struggled to regain control of herself. “Just a little more.” He urged, pulling back and reangling his dick to allow it  to slide part way down her throat. She tensed and struggled in his hold, clearly panicking as he began to cut off her airway. 

Laughing softly he pulled back, letting her get a deep breath before pushing in again, forcing her to learn to time her breaths with his thrusts. She wasn’t anyway near taking the whole of him but he didn’t mind. Her tongue sliding along his dick, the way her throat closed so deliciously about the fat head of his cock … it was enough. 

For now.

With a groan he felt his control beginning to slip and his grip on her hair tightened once again, forcing her to meet his thrusts. 

“Should I make you swallow my offering or would you prefer to have me paint it on you so that everyone knows who you belong to now?” He growled, watching as her eyes widened as she stared up at him. He chuckled as she struggled to pull away from him, unable to tell him which she preferred with his cock working itself in and out of her mouth. 

It didn’t matter. He already knew which he preferred. 

With a snarl he jerked her forward, sliding further down her throat as he came, forcing her to take his release deep into her body. 

She twisted in his hold but he held tight, keeping her still as his head fell back, gasping as he released the pressure that had been tormenting him these last few days. 

With a soft sigh he pushed her back, allowing her to slip free of his cock. She coughed, glaring up at him as she struggled to catch her breath, her lips swollen and bruised from his ministrations. He laughed, running his nails along her cheek, his eyes raking over her bound, bared form. 

“You’re a worthy substitute.” He decided, his voice heavy with satisfaction as he stepped back, glancing at the ocean. 

She peered up at him, eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to figure out what he meant. The water was now up to her waist, jerking her gently back and forth as the tide moved in and out, her bonds crackling and snapping as they struggled to keep her in place despite the sea’s determination to pull her under.

“So you’ll leave the village alone?” She demanded.

He cocked his head, reaching up to drag his talons along the ropes at her wrist, slicing through them cleanly. 

“Once you have fulfilled the debt, yes.” He replied, watching as her arms dropped heavily, making her wince as she scrambled to free her ankles. 

She frowned, peering up at him. “How do I … do that?” She asked as she worked the wet knots, tossing them away in disgust. 

Rafayel grinned, reaching back with a cupped hand. A large wave crashed over them, making her squeal in terror as the water rushed up over her chest, the strong undercurrent pulling her across the sand out towards the sea. She clawed at the sand, desperate to keep herself firmly on land but the water seemed to catch and tug at the now drenched robe she wore, trapping her beneath the heavy fabric. 

As she was dragged backwards away from the wooden structure the priests had erected to keep her trapped as the Sea God’s sacrifice she realized a terrifying finality. 

She was going to die.

Arms suddenly wrapped about her, pulling her against a firm body and she snarled, kicking desperately against the creature at her back. Her heels skated along smooth scales and she paused, getting a mouth full of seawater as a strong tail slapped into the back of her legs, driving them both forward with a strong thrust. 

Her head broke the surface and she grunted as she was unceremoniously dropped down onto the sandy beach, a few steps away from the cursed structure they had tied her to. The receding waves tugged annoyingly at her robes and she shucked it off, kicking the ruined fabric away so that she wouldn’t become tangled in it. 

A large form loomed up above her and she froze, staring up as the Sea God … Rafayel, she reminded herself, settled himself above her, watching her intently with eyes that had bled fully to blue. 

She gasped in shock as she took him in. He was beautiful … but terrifying as well. Small blue scales were scattered across his collarbone and neck, glowing softly against the dark of the night. Her gaze dipped lower, tracing down the strong plane of his chest and stomach to take in the line of scales that marked the start of his tail. It angled low along his abdomen and she swallowed, noting the pair of long elegantly rayed fins that framed a strip of tiny, delicate scales that were darker than the rest, a glittering midnight blue cradled between the two quivering pelvic fins that flexed and flared, brushing against her hip bones and thighs, making her shiver at their delicate, trembling touch. 

“What do you want from me?” She demanded, tearing her gaze away from that mesmerizing tail to meet his simmering gaze. 

Rafayel’s head tilted, his eyes narrowing slightly as his free hand slipped up over her side, his fingers caressing the firm curve of her breasts. “Your people took a child from us.” He murmured, his fingers dancing over the still stinging nipple he had pricked, making her gasp. “The debt will be paid when you return one to us.”

She frowned, her gaze darting back up to meet his. “But I’m not …”

He chuckled darkly, his tail shifting, pressing firmly against the juncture of her legs, making her gasp at the slide of scales against her throbbing pussy. 

“No … I can’t …” She gasped as the realization of what he intended to do struck her, reaching down to push uselessly against that heavy tail that slowly undulated against her. As she struggled against the heavy weight of him, she felt something brush against the outside of her legs, his lower rayed fins fanning out over her ankles, adding weight to keep her effectively trapped beneath him even as the scales along his hips caught and pricked against her exposed pussy. 

Rafayel lowered himself, pressing his stomach against her own as he hissed in her ear. 

“You can.” He promised her darkly, his hand slipping beneath her, tilting her hips up, exposing her still aching clit to the slow slither of his scaled tale, making her cry out softly as she felt that strange coil of pleasure building back up in her gut as she began to pant. 

“Rafayel …” She pleaded, pushing at his shoulders as he chuckled. 

“I give you this one final chance.” He murmured, pulling back, his tail lifting away from her aching flesh, allowing the cool ocean waters to flow between them as he stared down at her. “If you will not pay the debt between us then the priests must offer a child of their own to the Deep. Choose.”

She sobbed softly, shaking her head in frustration knowing that she could never make that decision, that he had effectively given her no choice at all. 

He was silent for a long while, letting her make up her mind. 

Finally she drew in a shuddering breath, meeting his gaze angrily. “Do what you need to.” She growled. 

His smirk was infuriating but she noted the pleased look in his eyes as he caught her wrist, pulling her hand down until it rested upon those midnight blue scales between the twitching fins. 

“If this is your choice … then urge it out.” He demanded, letting his hand fall away as she frowned, peering down at where her fingers lingered. 

“I don’t …” She paused, noticing that his scales here felt warmer than the rest. A wave slapped against them, causing him to shift slightly under her touch, making her realize that the line of scales wasn’t as perfectly unbroken as she had thought. 

Swallowing thickly she let her fingers trace over those scales, gasping softly as the scales began to part beneath her touch, letting her fingers dip in lightly between them. 

She glanced up at Rafayel, seeking assurance and he nodded slowly, watching as she pushed a bit harder, murmuring in surprise as her finger tips slipped between the small scales, dipping into a hidden slit between the two elegant fins. She watched as the scales closed about her fingers as they slipped in deeper, encased in soft, hot flesh. 

“Will this hurt you?” She asked, gently sliding her fingers down, testing the length and depth of his slit.

He shook his head negatively, reaching down to grasp her wrist and push her fingers in deeper still. 

She gasped as her fingers bumped against something inside of that slit, freezing as she stared up at him. Rafayel chuckled, dipping down to brush his lips across her temple. “Stroke it.” He ordered, tugging sensually at her wrist, his fingers slipping up and down, squeezing ever so gently. “Like this.”

Taking in a shuddering breath she did as he commanded, twisting her hand slightly to allow her fingers to slip along the sides of the hidden bit of flesh tucked away its warm sheath. She felt the thing shift, twitching slightly in response to her touch. It was hot and slick and slid easily between her fingers as she gently teased it between them. She felt along the base of it, noting where it seemed to be slipping free from deeper in his body before stroking her fingers up along the length a few more times, watching as Rafayel’s eyes closed, his breath turning more shallow as she worked him. 

She frowned slightly as her ring finger bumped against a second bit of flesh on one of her downstrokes but, before she could explore that one further, Rafayel shifted, dragging his tail upwards, making her fingers slip free of his slit as he hovered it just above her face. 

“Lick.” He growled, glaring down at her, his eyes dark with need.

She gasped as he lowered himself, the fins on either side of his slit fanning out to drape across the sides of her face, trapping her in a cocoon. Hesitantly she reached up, slipping her hands between those trembling fins so that she could use her thumbs to spread his slit wide, allowing her to get her first glimpse of the angry red flesh that was working its way free of its sheath thanks to her ministrations. 

She’d seen her fair share of human cocks and this was decidedly not one of them, she realized, her heart speeding up as she studied it. The nearly crimson head was pointed, almost spear shaped as it pushed its way between the midnight scales. Swallowing nervously she leaned upwards, using her thumbs to keep his slit open as she pushed her tongue into it, making him groan as her tongue pressed against the protrusion, licking along its bumpy length until she reached the pointed head, humming softly as she got her first taste of it. She was surprised to find it almost … sweet. 

Humming thoughtfully she dipped down, repeating the motion, licking along his slit and dick, urging more and more of it free of the sheath as she mouthed around it as he had taught her. As his fins fluttered against her cheeks and neck in time to her licks, she began to lose track of time, content to let those delicate fins stroke against her even as she mouthed his cock, enjoying the salty-sweet taste of him. His cock was lined in small bumps and she tongued at them curiously, murmuring softly as he began to thrust against her lips, clearly enjoying the feel of her mouth on him. 

When she shifted, trying to fit the head of his cock in her mouth he suddenly pulled away, making her frown as he shifted, pulling her up so that they lay face to face once more. 

“Best not to do that.” He warned her, though his eyes glittered with mirth. “At least not with that one.”

She frowned slightly but before she could ask what he meant by “that one” he shifted, his tail once again pressing against her pussy and making her gasp. 

“Are you ready to pay back the debt?” He asked, his gaze darkening as he slithered against her. 

“Yes.” She breathed, peering down at the long red dick that lay against her stomach. 

He reached down, pushing her legs apart as he shifted. She gasped as the pointed end of his cock caught against her entrance, forcing her flesh apart and pushing inside easily. 

She let her head fall back, staring up into Rafayel’s eyes as his cock slid deeper into her. It bumped against something that made her wince and he paused, surprise flickering across his face as he pulled back slightly before pushing against it again experimentally, making her hiss in discomfort. 

“You’ve not been with a man before?” He asked suddenly.

She flushed, turning her face away from his. “The ... the priests say that the God of the Sea prefers virgins .... so ... no, I haven't.” She murmured. 

Above her Rafayel chuckled, bracing himself as he pulled back. “Well … while I appreciate the sentiment ... it’s time to change that, I think.”

She frowned, turning to peer up at him as he suddenly pushed forward. She yelped as she felt something snap within her, her hands gripping his forearms tightly as he stilled, allowing her a few moments to settle. 

“What … what did you just do?” She demanded.

He chuckled, dipping down to lick along the seam of her lips. “I made you mine.” He growled, thrusting himself forward until he bumped into something deeper. 

She clung to him, gasping as she adjusted to the feel of having something so deep inside of her. Swallowing she shifted her hips experimentally, whining softly as she felt his cock slide within her, shifting in response to her movement. 

He chuckled, brushing his cheek against hers in a strangely affectionate manner. “Hold still.” He urged. 

She did as he asked, gasping as she felt the pelvic fins on either side of his slit shift, pushing at the flesh around her pussy, holding it open as he shifted, tilting her hips up a bit so that his tail could rest more firmly between her legs. 

“Ready?” He asked. 

She glanced up at him in confusion and he smirked. Suddenly his dick shifted and pulled back, making her gasp as she felt it pull back out of her body, leaving only the head to tease against her entrance before it suddenly forced its way back into it, twisting viciously as it struck that soft, fleshy barrier deep inside. 

She gasped, wincing at the pressure as it twisted against that spot before pulling back and repeating the motion, over and over again. 

“What … what are you doing?” She demanded, panting against him as he forced her to take his demanding dick into her body again and again, its nubbed length catching and tugging at the ridges of her pussy with each twisting thrust. 

Above her Rafayel had gone stiff, his face darkening as he worked himself in and out of her body. “Let … me … in…” He snarled, sharp teeth flashing as he pushed his tail more firmly against her. 

She gasped, writhing in his hold, unsure of what he meant. He was already inside of her. His cock filling her up, a hot, twisting, angry thing as it beat against his insides. What more could he possibly want from her?

Suddenly Rafayel pushed in hard, his cock battering against her insides. She gasped at the pressure as the pointed head twisted and prodded at her sensitive flesh. 

“Rafayel … stop …” She pleaded but he simply growled, his dick pressing harder and harder against her until suddenly, she felt something give and it slipped deeper inside. 

She gasped, arching at the strange sensation as his dick pushed further forward, clawing at Rafayel’s arms as he sighed in relief. 

“Take it out!” She demanded, panic starting to overtake her as she felt his dick pull back slightly only to thrust forward again, popping back into that sensitive place. 

Above her Rafayel chuckled darkly, peering down at her. “No.” He replied simply, his back arching slightly as his dick began to thrust into her once more, its length ramming into her again and again as she sobbed and thrashed beneath him, forced to take everything he was giving her as he used her body for his own pleasure. 

Suddenly she felt his dick still and she froze as well, momentarily confused. Tiny pinpricks of pain stung along her cunt and she gasped, jerking slightly only to realize that his cock was firmly stuck in her pussy. 

“What is that?” She demanded. 

Rafayel grunted softly, reaching down to pin her against him. “Stop moving.” He snarled warningly. “They’re spines … to keep my troublesome mate where she belong while I finish with her.”

She opened her mouth to protest, horrified at the thought of being speared on his dick like this, when she felt something thick press against the entrance to her cunt. Frowning, she glanced down, watching as his dick seemed to swell at its base, the bulge pushing against her tiny entrance, demanding it open wider to let it inside. 

She gasped as it suddenly slipped inside, making the spines along his cock shift and press against her aching, swollen flesh as the thing worked itself further up into her. She felt it bump against the thing his cock had struggled to penetrate and felt her eyes widen as she finally realized what it was. 

Her womb. 

His dick was buried in her womb , keeping it spread open for whatever this thing was. 

“No!” She gasped, beating her fist against his chest as she felt the bulge force its way through her cervix. It popped free, making her gasp as she felt something warm and heavy settle deep with her. 

“What have you … oh my god. ” She panted as she felt him shift, his cock pulling back slightly, making the spines drag along the edges of her pussy as he began to thrust in and out of her again, the speared head of his cock never leaving her cervix and occasionally bumping against the thing he’d laid inside of her womb, nudging it further back, as thought seeking to make space for more . 

“Rafayel please … please stop!” She begged as he began to fuck her again, whining as his hand dipped lower, his thumb brushing against her clit. 

“Shhhh.” He whispered, licking at the tears that were gathering at the corners of her eyes. “Just a few more. You can take them.” 

She arched as she felt the second egg press against the entrance to her battered pussy, forcing its way inside as Rafayel stilled once more, waiting as the egg worked its way down his length. His thumb flicked against her clit, pressing and rolling it until she was a panting begging mess. 

“Do you want to come with the next one?” He whispered against her ear as the second egg popped into her womb, settling alongside the first as he shifted, beginning to fuck her once more. 

“Rafayel …” She cried out, groaning as he worked her in time to his thrusts. 

True to his word, he forced a second orgasm from her as the third egg forced its way deep inside of her. 

She lay limply beneath him as she came down from her climax, watching as pleasure rippled over his face as he fucked a fourth and fifth egg into her limp body. She gasped as the fifth settled, reaching up to brush her hands across her slightly distended stomach. 

“I can’t … I don’t think I can take anymore.” She protested as he began to fuck into her body once again. 

Above her Rafayel winced, his handsome face pale and pinched as though finally tiring from the ordeal himself. “You can take one more.” He insisted, making her whine in protest as she felt her pussy forced open a final time, the egg slowly making its way down his length. 

Unfortunately when it reached her cervix it stopped. She gasped as Rafayel snarled, his tail thrashing angrily as he pushed harder into her, trying to free the trapped egg, to force it into her already too full womb. 

“There’s no more room!” She protested, her back arching as her womb clenched in pain as the eggs pushed against her flesh, forced to the side by the sixth egg that was demanding entrance. 

Rafayel suddenly twisted and she yelped as she felt the egg pop free, settling into place along with the others. 

She lay limply beneath him as he panted, hair damp with sweat at his temples as he peered down at her. Her fingers brushed over her distended stomach, staring at in dismay as the full realization of what he’d just done to her … what she’d allowed him to do her sank in. 

“You’re going to make me bare your children …” She whispered, peering up at him in shock. 

To her frustration he simply laughed, shifting as the spines along his dick retracted, allowing him to reposition himself slightly. 

“A child for a child.” He reminded her darkly, reaching down to tilt her hips back up. 

She felt her eyes widen as she felt something new brush against her aching pussy, suddenly recalling the second appendage she had felt before when trying to coax his dick out of its sheath. 

“What …?” She gasped, wincing as Rafayel suddenly grabbed her forearms, pinning her down as she began to struggle to get away from this new torment. 

“That one was for laying the eggs.” He told her dryly, his eyes glimmering with amusement. “Now they must be fertilized.”

She gasped, struggling against his hold as his first dick slipped back slightly, freeing up enough room for the second to slip in beneath it. She cried out as he pushed forward, forcing her open on both of them, her body writhing in both pleasure and pain as she was speared open. As before he moved inside of her, his tail pressed firmly against her cunt, keeping her trapped beneath him as he worked her open, his strokes slow but deliberate. 

She let her eyes drift closed, gasping as both of his dicks surged in and out of her body, working in tandem to drive her out of her mind with pleasure. Blissfully the second dick seemed shorter than the first, stopping before her cervix, though the first one continued to penetrate it, forcing it open with each thrust, making the eggs within her shift and roll as he continued to fuck her. 

Above her Rafayel panted in time with her, grunting as he worked himself in and out of her body. 

She licked her lips and tilted her hips slightly, gasping as his scales caught on her clit. She ground against him shamelessly, desperate to come one last time before he forced more into her. 

She felt his hand slid down her back, helping to lift her up, pressing her more firmly against his tail as his first cock stilled. She gasped as she felt it lift up slightly, the speared head prying open her cervix as the second cock began to spill its seed, pumping her full of Rafayel’s warm cum. 

She sobbed softly against his shoulder as he tilted her hips more, using gravity to ensure his cum was dripping down into her open womb, thoroughly coating the gelatinous eggs he had forced into her. 

He held her like that for a long while, his arms tightening warningly when she began to shift, trying to pull herself off the thick cocks that continued to pulsate between her legs. 

She was beginning to fear that he would fuck her for a second time when his grip finally loosened, allowing her to drop back onto the cold sand as he pulled away, giving her a final view of his two thick cocks as they slipped free of his body, bobbing gently in the night air as he sighed in relief. They were still slightly swollen and glistened in the moonlight, coated in both her own slick and his cum. Curiously she slid down, glancing at him for permission before leaning forward to lick along his lower cock. 

He growled softly as she did, lapping at the salty-sweetness left behind, cleaning him carefully before he gently pushed her back, cupping his sheath as his spent cocks slid back into place, protected once more by the midnight blue scales. 

Flushing slightly at her forwardness she rolled onto her side, pushing herself up off the cold sand. She felt the eggs shift within her and gasped, her hand coming down to cup the bulge he’d left in her lower stomach. 

Rafayel laughed softly, reaching down to help her sit up. “You’ll get used to it.” He replied, watching carefully as she shifted, testing the limits of her movement. 

“How long until …” She asked nervously, glancing up at him. 

He shrugged. “If you were Lemurian … a few months. I do not know how long it will take for them to develop in a human body.”

She frowned. “Wait … you’ve never done this with a human before?” She demanded.

He laughed, the sound cold and cruel as he peered down at her. “I have very little use for your kind.” He reminded her. 

She huffed, brushing her hand over the eggs. “So once one of these comes out … our debt to you is paid?”

He nodded, reaching out to draw a taloned finger over her stomach. “Once you have given birth to a living Lemurian. Yes. The debt will be considered paid.”

She frowned slightly, glancing down. “What if … something happens to them?” She asked. 

His snarl caught her by surprise and she flinched back as his tail thrashed in anger. “If those eggs die,” He warned her. “I’ll wipe your village from the face of the planet.” 

She nodded quickly. “Keep the eggs safe. Got it.”

To her relief he pulled back, though she noted the low growl that continued to rumble in his chest as he contemplated her. “You’ll come back here every night.” He declared suddenly, making her frown. 

“For what?” She demanded.

The hint of a smile tugged at his lips as his eyes roamed down over her body. “To make sure the eggs are well and properly fertilized.” He replied.

She gasped softly, her hand dropping to brush against her abused, aching pussy as she realized what he meant to do. 

“You want me to let you do that to me again?” She demanded. 

He chuckled, dragging her to him as his fingers teased along her cunt. “Of course.” He purred. “I’ll fuck my seed into you night after night until you’ve given the sea what its owed.”

She shuddered as his fingers dipped into her gaping pussy, scooping up some of his cum and forcing it between her lips. She met his gaze evenly as he repeated the motion force feeding her their combined spend, her heart racing as she prayed all of this would be enough to appease the capricious Sea God before her.

Though deep inside, she suspected he was never going to let her go.

Chapter Text

She woke alone, curled up in a shallow nest of warm sand. Yawning heavily, she rubbed her hands against her salt encrusted face as she peered up at the small fire Rafayel had built hours before to keep her warm before slipping away with the night. Above her the stars were beginning to fade away as the first bright streaks of color began to creep across it from the Eastern horizon. Behind her, the waves crashed upon the shore lazily and when she glanced back at it she was relieved to see that the ocean had returned to its original color and temperament, surely a testament to the mood of its satiated God.

Sighing, she pushed herself up into a sitting position, gasping softly as she felt the eggs within her shift. Her legs felt heavy and useless and she peered out across the wide, sandy beach towards the village in the distance with despair, wondering how she was ever going to find the energy to get herself up and back home. 

Groaning, she dropped back down into her sandy nest, reaching out to feel the warmth of the fire on her fingertips as she tried to will back the strength it would take for her to begin the long walk back home. 

Eventually the shifting wind brought the sound of voices to her, making her frown as she once again sat up, watching as a pair of men slowly made their way down the beach. One was tall and moved with an elegant, refined grace while the other was shorter and limped noticeably as the pair picked their way through the shifting sand towards her. She gasped as she realized she was still naked and quickly glanced around, noticing the discarded robe they had wrapped her in the day before. She practically flung herself at it, dragging the damp material over her shoulders and tucking it about her body as she watched the pair drift closer, the shorter figure gesturing towards where the makeshift altar had been placed the day before. 

She could recognize them now as they continued to draw closer. Elder Saris, the shorter man on the left, had seemed almost regretful the day before when the head priest had ordered that she be prepared as the village’s sacrifice, his pale gaze heavy with sorrow and resignation as he watched her fight as they dragged her to the beach. Zayne, the younger man at Saris's side, had not been there at all.

Though she was still silently furious that paying back the village’s debt had fallen to her … a part of her understood the need to sacrifice someone in the hopes that the rest might be spared and it helped temper her anger at the Elder for allowing the head priest’s order to stand. 

The pair had surely noticed how quiet the sea had become but to her surprise neither seemed overjoyed. Instead Elder Saris was sighing and shaking his head while Zayne paused as he studied the remains of the structure that had been built to offer her up to the Sea. The ocean had swarmed the structure the night before, pulling it down and twisting it into a pile of rubble scattered about in the surf. 

The pair were close enough now for her to call out to them. Though part of her wished to remain hidden she knew she was never going to be able to make it back to the village on her own. So, with a heavy sigh, she sat up, waving weakly when the pair paused, noticing her movement. Zayne’s head whipped around in surprise as he caught sight of her and she watched as he hurried closer, his sharp gaze scanning over her as he knelt at her side, reaching out to catch one of her trembling hands in his own as he did so.

“Are you alright?” He demanded, reaching out towards her cheek, making her jerk back in surprise. 

“I’m fine.” She insisted, dipping her chin in embarrassment at her reaction to his touch. 

Elder Saris hurried towards her as well, as quickly as his twisted knee allowed. “You’re still alive?” He exclaimed in surprise, his face lighting with relief. 

She noticed the way Zayne was looking over her and tightened her grip on the damp robe, not wishing for him to see the results of what Rafayel had done to her the night before. 

“Y … yes.” She murmured, pulling her hand from Zayne’s, a bit at a loss for words as she met his eyes. “I … the Sea was merciful.”

Elder Saris stopped a few feet away from her, his eyes flicking to the small fire that still burned merrily at her side, clearly realizing that there was no way she could have made such a thing herself. He seemed unsure of what to say and she supposed she could not blame him. At her side, Zayne had stubbornly recaptured her hand, pushing the long sleeve of the robe up to study the rope burns she had sustained. His lips were pulled down into a deep frown and she could see the beginnings of his icy temper beginning to form in his gaze as he turned her hand over, inspecting the underside of her arm. 

He had not been there when they had taken her to the beach and strung her up. It had seemed strange to her at the time as he technically served as the head priest’s acolyte, learning from the man so that he could take his place one day. But now, watching as anger twisted his features as his fingers brushed gently over the wounds on her wrists, she wondered if perhaps the head priest had purposely excluded him to avoid what surely would have been a very public argument between the two of them. 

“How did you manage to survive?” Elder Saris inquired, carefully sinking to one knee before her to watch as Zayne summoned his Evol, wrapping suddenly frigid hands about her burning wrists to soothe them. “Did the God of the Sea not come?”

She hesitated, unsure of how best to explain what had happened to the pair. “He came.” She admitted quietly, dipping her chin to allow her hair to slide down slightly, hiding her face from their scrutiny. 

She heard Elder Saris’s sigh. “I will admit, I had feared the worst for you. The entire village prayed for your quick and peaceful passing if he were to come. But …” The man shook his head. “While I am overjoyed to see you here and now … there has never been a survivor of the Ritual. Either you are truly blessed or I fear there is no way for us to calm his anger.” 

She couldn’t stop the quick, humorless laugh that escaped her at the Elder’s words. Oh Rafayel had come to her full of rage alright but, after she had agreed to his conditions, anger was probably the last thing he was feeling now.

Realizing that both Zayne and Elder Saris were still watching her she shook her head, glancing down to make sure the robe was still concealing her stomach. “He…” She swallowed, trying to keep her voice steady. “The Sea God,” She corrected herself, “answered the village’s call last night. He accepted our sacrifice and told me what I must do to repay the debt owed to him for the death of one of his people. That is why I still live, Elder.”

Elder Saris was quiet for a long while, his pale eyes studying her as he considered her words. “So he does not wish for your life in repayment of the debt? What does he want?”

She met his gaze evenly, careful not to give her nervousness away. “There is a certain … task … he bade me to complete for him. Once I have done so, the village’s debt shall be repaid.”

“And that task is …?” Saris pressed gently.

She dropped her gaze to the carefully packed down sand beneath her. She knew he worried for the safety of the village and its people. And yet … Rafayel had made her the temporary protector of the children of a god.  I must keep them safe. She reminded herself. She could not risk anyone learning of this.

“I … cannot speak of the details.” She murmured finally. “Forgive me.”

She saw Saris and Zayne exchange a glance over her head. 

“Come.” Saris finally said, his voice softening. “You must be exhausted from your ordeal. Let us bring you back to the village. We’ll tend to you properly and see that you’re fed. Then we can speak of what steps need to be taken next.”

Zayne nodded silently in agreement, though his eyes lingered on her raw wrists. 

They each carefully took one of her arms, helping her stand. Although the rope burns stung beneath their gentle grasps, she was grateful for the support. Her knees felt weak and her balance was compromised due to the eggs shifting within her. The sea breeze played with her tangled hair as she allowed the pair to slowly guide her across the beach and up the gently sloped dunes that led to the village.

All the while, she could feel the subtle tightness in her abdomen, reminding her of the eggs she now carried. She kept her eyes forward, not daring to glance back at the sea, fearful that she might see Rafayel’s shadow lurking beneath the waters or that he might appear again, furious at her for leaving the nest he had carefully made for her while she slept. He had not specifically demanded that she stay on the beach … rather his instructions were to come back to see him at night. So she assumed it was permitted for her to return home … at least for a short time. 

The walk back to the village was exhausting. Despite the earliness of the morning many of the villagers were already up and about. Men trudging off to help with the repair to the village’s damaged huts and piers, the women preparing to head out with their baskets to gather what the sea had washed up the night before. Everyone paused to watch their approach, faces shocked when they caught sight of her alive.

Despite their surprise no one dared approach them as they made their way to the small temple complex in the north end of the village. At the gates a young boy wearing the plain robes of a temple helper waited, staring at her with wide eyes as he thrust a medical kit towards Zayne, darting off as soon as Zayne took the proffered item, muttering something about fetching water.

Saris guided her to a stone bench at the far end of the courtyard, helping her to sit as Zayne knelt at her side, prying open the top of the kit and pulling a few items out. 

“Sit here a moment. I will go to fetch Darius.” Saris instructed her. 

She struggled to keep the scowl off of her face at the head priest’s name, recalling the way he had struck her so forcefully the day before when her panic had begun to get the better of her. Darius was the absolute last person she wanted to see right now. But, she knew there was no stopping the inevitable so she forced herself to nod, watching as Saris slipped away, heading towards the main temple where Darius would undoubtedly still be getting ready for the day. 

As they waited, she held the long sleeves of the robe up as Zayne carefully wrapped a crude bandage about her wrists, securing them with an intricate knot. When he reached up to push the top of the robe back to get a better look at her neck and shoulders she jerked away from him, flushing as she pretended embarrassment at his inspection.

Before Zayne could demand she allow him to check her over more thoroughly, a familiar set of heavy footfalls rang out, causing them both to curse softly as they turned, watching as the head priest stalked into the small courtyard, his eyes narrowed as he took her in.

“What happened?” He demanded. 

Despite her lingering anger, she inclined her head with forced respect, knowing that showing her true feelings concerning the man would do her no good. “The Sea God came.” She answered quietly. “He told me that he would allow us a chance to repay the debt we owe, but I must do so myself. It is a matter to be kept between me and the Sea.”

She hoped he would read the warning in her words and let the matter drop. She watched as his face darkened and she stiffened, unconsciously bracing herself for another blow. 

Before the head priest could reply, Zayne rose and stepped forward, putting himself between the pair of them and allowing her to hide behind his larger form. 

“Let her rest, Master Darius.” He insisted, his voice firm. “Surely we can allow her time to recover from her ordeal before demanding more from her.”

She winced as she heard Darius scoff. “Time to recover? The Sea God has demanded a blood price for the Lemurian that was killed. The entire village has been on the brink of destruction for days now. We cannot sit idly by ….”

Zayne’s tone turned persuasive. “But she’s just returned, battered from the surf and clearly frightened. The ocean is calm now, its color clear. Whatever occurred last night seems to have appeased the Sea for now. Let me see to her injuries. Her mind will be clearer after she’s been properly cared for and fed.”

For a terrible moment she thought the head priest might refuse. However, other villagers were beginning to crowd around, giving them an unwanted audience. To her relief, the high priest turned away with a hiss of frustration. “Fine.” He snapped. He glanced at the villagers, throwing them a few quick words of assurance that all was well before returning to the main temple complex. 

Zayne exhaled, relief briefly flickering across his face as he turned back towards her. “Come.” He gently reached for her forearm, mindful of her bandaged wrists. “I’ll treat these properly inside.”

She followed him quietly, allowing him to guide her down onto a small cot in his workroom. Bundles of herbs hung from the ceiling’s rafters and the familiar scent of incense clung to the air, relaxing her as she watched Zayne send his little assistant out with instructions to fetch a few items. She’d come here often throughout her childhood, pestering Zayne endlessly when they had both been younger and he had been expected to work alongside his mother and father to learn the healing craft that had been passed down through his family for generations. Despite the importance of his role, his parents had often let him sneak off to play with her, the pair of them running through the village until the temple priests had come to fetch both of them back home. 

She glanced up, torn from her memories as Zayne sat down at her side, studying her with that sharp unnerving gaze of his that always seemed to see far too much. 

“What happened out there?” He asked, his fingers tightening as he folded them together. 

She shook her head, tearing her gaze away from his, terrified he would see something she did not want him to know. “I can’t … I just can’t, Zayne. I’m sorry.” She murmured, praying he would drop it. 

She heard him sigh and watched as he leaned forward, his fingertips catching the edge of her chin and pushing her face up to meet his gaze. 

She winced as Zayne’s thumb brushed over her swollen cheek, his eyes darkening as she flinched. “Did he do this?” He demanded, his voice dropping low. 

She frowned as she saw some dark emotion flicker across his face. “No. The God of the Sea didn’t cause that. He was frightening … but he didn’t raise a hand to me in anger.” She kept her eyes locked on a point just past Zayne’s shoulder, terrified to meet his gaze lest she give something away.

Zayne hummed softly, clearly not satisfied with her answer but forced to let the matter drop as his young assistant returned, handing over a small satchel of materials before darting back out to retrieve a tray of food. 

She kept her silence, watching as Zayne carefully laid out the medicinal herbs and salve his assistant had brought. She hated keeping things from him but Zayne had ever been her one true protector in this village. If he knew the bruises had come from the head priest, she had no doubt he would start a row with the older man, risking his place in the temple hierarchy and potentially ruining the long, proud lineage of his own line. 

And if he should somehow find out about the task Rafayel had forced upon her …

Zayne finally finished his preparations and she held still as he peeled back the bandages, using his Evol to cool the salve as he gently rubbed it into her skin. She tsked in annoyance when he finished and then reached up, smearing a bit along her swollen cheek, earning a slight smirk from the usually serious man at her side. 

“All right.” He finally offered. “I won’t press it. But if you need help…you must promise to tell me.”

She hesitated a moment too long, bringing that dark look back to his eyes before nodding quickly. “If I need help, you’ll be the first I call.” She promised, holding up her pinky finger. 

Her childish gesture surprised a faint laugh from him and she smiled herself when he hooked his finger with hers, giving her hand a quick shake. 

As she slid her finger free of his she noted the sudden seriousness that fell over his face. 

“What is it?” She asked, causing his green eyes to slash up to meet her own. 

“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner.” He finally said, reaching out to push the tray closer to her, a frustrated sigh heaving out of him. “They didn’t …” He shook his head, annoyance flashing across his face. “That bastard didn’t say a damn word to me about the ritual and I knew nothing until Elder Saris asked me to accompany him to the beach this morning to ‘check for the body’. If I had known …”

She reached out, laying her hand upon his forearm, squeezing gently when he fell quiet, taking in a shuddering, angry breath. 

“It’s alright. I’m … I’m glad you weren’t there.” She admitted, earning a quick glare from the man at her side. “I wouldn’t have been able to go through with it if you were.” She admitted, releasing his arm so that she could pick up the spoon, dipping it experimentally into the broth Zayne’s assistant had brought. “Someone needed to deal with this. I hate that it was me but it’s alright. I can do what Raf … the Sea God … wants. It’ll be okay, I promise.”

Zayne watched as she began to eat. “I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself for this village.” He admitted quietly, startling her. “That isn’t your duty.”

She shrugged, keeping her attention focused on the soup, surprised at how hungry she was. To her relief, Zayne let the matter drop, simply watching over her as she ate.

*********************************

That night, the head priest intercepted her on her way back to her old room, redirecting her to a new room to call her own. She protested the relocation but he was insistent. Though she had been careful to keep everyone’s attention well away from her slightly swollen midsection, the head priest seemed to remain suspicious of her insistence that she could not discuss what the God of the Sea had demanded of her. So when he led her to a small room tucked away within the temple itself she forced herself to pretend to believe his declaration that she must remain safe and under watch until the Sea God’s wrath had been fully satisfied. 

It was sparsely furnished but suitable enough and, to her relief, contained the meager few things she could claim as her own. When Darius had swept back out she had explored her new living space, changing into the provided clothing before stepping back out into the hallway. The moment her sandals touched the worn stone of the hallway a temple guard was upon her, blocking her path. 

She stared at him in annoyance.  “I’m not a prisoner.” She protested, though it certainly felt that way.

The guard however had refused to step aside, simply shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”

Biting her lip, she retreated inside, glancing nervously at the slowly rising moon outside of her window. The sun had set nearly an hour ago and Rafayel’s demand that she return to him on the beach each night rang heavy in her mind. 

How long would he give her before he came looking for her? Or, worse yet, how long until he figured she had defied his demands and sent the ocean pouring into the village streets in retaliation?

Nervously she waited, listening carefully to the sound of the guard in the hallway. The hours ticked by and she chewed her nails to the quick by the time she finally heard the soft thump as her guard seated himself in the hallway. A few moments later she heard his soft snores as he gave into his need for sleep.  

She crept past him as quietly as she could, relieved that he remained fast asleep as she darted down the hallway and out one of the servant doors. The night air was mild, smelling of sea brine. She paused, listening for footsteps, then slipped across the courtyard and hurried down the darkened pathways, guided by the moon’s pale glow.

The beach was deserted at this hour, the villagers too fearful of the Sea God’s wrath to dare venture too close to the unpredictable waters. Insects buzzed in the dunes as she picked her way down them and a soft wind ruffled her hair. She paused to remove her sandals to run lightly across the wet sand, her eyes scanning the edge of the water. Finally she noticed a figure waiting for her near where she had been left that morning, a young man with mauve hair perched petulantly on the remains of the altar that had been built to offer her to the sea. 

He finally noticed her as she drew closer, the regal face tilting upwards as his unusually colored eyes narrowed in displeasure. 

“I told you to return to me at nightfall.” Rafayel growled in annoyance, his gaze flicking over her as she approached.

She placed a hand over her chest to steady her breathing as she slowed. “I’m sorry…I couldn’t get away any earlier. They’ve decided they need to keep an eye on me and I figured you probably didn’t want an audience of gawking villagers following me out here so I had to wait until everyone fell asleep.”

Rafayel’s lips tugged downwards as his gaze flickered toward the village in the distance. “I do not want them here.” He grumpily admitted. “This is between you and me.”

She nodded, stepping closer until the sea licked at her ankles. “Well, in that case,” She said primly. “You’ll just have to be patient with me.”

Rafayel eyed her for a moment, then let out a low, disdainful huff, though he did not appear truly angry. “I hate being made to wait.” He muttered petulantly. “Did you tell them about our arrangement?” His eyes flicked over her, pausing at her belly. She swallowed nervously when she noticed how his eyes seemed to brighten.

She shook her head. “No. I figured it was better they don’t know I’m carrying your eggs. The fewer who know, the safer they’ll be, don’t you think?”

He glanced up at her, considering her words for a long moment. “You fear someone might harm our brood.” He guessed, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. 

She shook her head quickly, holding out her hands. “No! No … just … no point in courting potential problems.”

He leaned back, eyes narrowed. “I could take you somewhere else.” He finally offered, glancing out towards the sea. “A place where no one would dare harm what is mine.”

She shook her head again, absently rubbing her hand over her stomach. “It’ll be alright.” She assured him. “I’d just rather keep this between us for now. Don’t worry about it.”

His gaze once again was drawn to where her hand was pressed against her lower stomach. To her surprise he reached out, his nails glittering in the moonlight as he gestured her closer. “Let me feel.” He demanded. 

She laughed softly at his demand, obediently moving close enough for him to rest his palm upon her stomach, watching as he carefully traced his fingertips over the swell of her stomach. 

“Has there been any pain?” He asked, pushing a bit harder, making her gasp as she felt the eggs shift. 

“No.” She replied, frowning as his other hand wrapped about her waist, dragging her forward between his legs, allowing him to push more firmly against her stomach, his fingers skillfully feeling around her bump, as though he were counting the number of eggs she currently carried. 

He hummed thoughtfully, gently pushing one of the eggs and making her gasp in surprise as she actually felt it roll beneath his touch. 

“What are you doing?” She demanded, trying to pull away from him but, to her frustration, his thighs tightened about her own, keeping her trapped within his grasp.

“They need to be moved.” He stated matter of factly, poking at another egg and making her wince as she felt it shift within her. “If you do not roll them they will flatten on one side and may eventually rupture.”

She bit her lip, keeping her silence as he amused himself with nudging the eggs within her, pushing them too and fro until she finally began to squirm in his grasp, insisting that they were sufficiently rolled. 

With a chuckle he released her, watching as she pulled out of his reach, protectively clasping her stomach as she glared at him. 

His gaze roamed her face, his mirth fading as he considered her for a long while. “Do you regret it? Accepting my offer to settle the village’s debt?”

Her stomach twisted. The question lingered in the night air between them as she considered it. She recalled her confusion and terror of the night before but it hadn’t been all bad, she supposed. “No,” she said slowly. “I’m just…unsure. I don’t know what to expect. I have no idea if there’s anything I’m supposed to be doing to keep them healthy …”

He glanced down at his nails. “Nothing special. Just the usual … 3 braised lobsters a day, perhaps some whale meat every other evening for dinner …”

She paused, baffled, until he glanced up at her and let out a quiet chuckle. 

“You better be joking.” She growled, though her shoulders sagged in relief as the mirth returned to his eyes.

“Perhaps a little.” He admitted. “The eggs should be tough enough to handle being carried in a mortal body. Right now they just need a mother’s warmth and a moist environment to thrive. Be careful not to crush them or let them be jostled around too violently. Their shells are still soft. Other than that, I imagine they will fare well enough until it is time to lay them.”

She nodded, her hand cupping protectively over her stomach.  “I’ll be careful.” She promised. “I just wanted to be sure I’m not doing anything or eating anything that might harm them.”

Rafayel’s mouth curved in what might have been a smirk. “The young will feed from what is in the egg. Eat whatever you like to keep your strength up in the meantime.”

She exhaled slowly, filing that away in her mind. The village was a fishing community, so fresh fish would be easy enough to come by, assuming Rafayel upheld his end of the bargain and the fishermen were able to return to the bay. “All right.” She said. “As long as our men can bring in new catches, I can handle that.”

He studied her another moment, his gaze drifting across her body, darkening slightly. “One other thing.” He said, voice deepening and turning more serious as he tugged her closer. “While you carry my eggs, you must not lie with another male.”

Her cheeks heated as she recalled the night before, the way he had speared her open on his cocks, forcing himself deep inside of her .... She shook her head quickly in no hurry to repeat that experience … with anyone. “I haven’t lain with anyone else.” She muttered.

To her surprise her words drew a low, threatening hiss from him. “I can smell another man on you, even now.” He snarled.

Her eyes widened in shock as she tried to figure out what he meant, then she let out a tiny laugh as she realized what he must be sensing. “You mean Zayne? He’s a healer who was treating my injuries this afternoon.”

Rafayel continued to scowl. “He touched you. I can smell him on you.” He insisted.

She sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. “He’s known me since childhood. He took care of my injuries, that’s all.”

Rafayel continued to look annoyed but a grudging acceptance flickered over his features. “Is he going to help you protect the eggs?”

She sobered at that. “I haven’t told him.” She admitted. “He would help me, I think but …” She imagined the shock or possible horror that Zayne would feel upon learning she was carrying the Sea God’s eggs. She swallowed. “It’s probably best for now that he not know.”

Something in Rafayel’s gaze sharpened. “You do not trust him either?” he asked, a quiet edge in his voice.

“I trust him.” She insisted. “But … I’m afraid of how the others might react.” She paused, reminded again of the two slaps across her face in response to her refusal to let them throw her life away. “I don’t want to take the risk.”

Rafayel’s gaze slid back towards the village behind her. “I see. If anyone tries to harm you or my brood, the ocean will rise. It will swallow this village whole. You will tell them this if you must.”

She took a deep breath, recalling how easily he could do such a thing. “Alright.” She agreed softly.

Rafayel suddenly rose, startling her as he paced past her, reaching back to catch her forearm and pull her further out into the cool surf with him. She followed him nervously, watching as he released her and disappeared into the dark water, surfacing a few moments later, his long tail breaking free of the water to slap loudly on the waves as he jerked his head, indicating she should follow him along the shore. 

She did as he bade, walking along the cooling sand as he lazily swum just a few feet away, leading her further from the village to the area where the sea cliffs curled to meet the ocean. She paused, watching nervously as Rafayel darted into the mouth of a low cave, turning to glare at her when he realized she was no longer following. 

“Are you sure it’s safe?” She asked, glancing up at the crumbling rock above. 

He snorted. “Of course. Hurry up.” He demanded, disappearing back into the depths. 

Swallowing she forced herself to follow, picking her way along the shifting sand as she peered inside. To her surprise, a pair of small fires had been lit near the back of the open space, illuminating the cave with its shallow pool at the center. Rafayel was lounging it as he waited, his tail slapping lazily at the still waters. 

He waved her closer and she nervously obeyed, setting aside her sandals and stepping down into the shallow pool, surprised to find the water warm. 

“Oh!” She exclaimed, peering down into the crystal clear water. 

“Come in.” Rafayel demanded, clearly annoyed at her slowness in obeying him. 

She glanced at him, her gaze dipping down to that thin trail of midnight blue scales along the underside of his tail as she stilled, finally realizing why he had brought her here.

“You can’t possibly …” She protested, stepping back nervously. 

His gaze turned predatory and she gasped as he darted towards her, startling her with his speed as a clawed hand wrapped about her leg, trapping her. 

“ Get … in … ” He growled. 

Realizing she had no real choice in the matter she reluctantly shucked off her shirt and pants, gingerly stepping down further into the warm waters. 

Rafayel watched her, eyes glimmering in anticipation as she slowly lowered herself down to sit on the edge, allowing him to loom up over top of her. She gasped as his hand once again settled on her lower stomach, watching as the webbed fingers settled possessively over the bump. 

“Please, I’m still sore …” She protested, watching as he gently pushed on the eggs, making them shift about. 

His smirk was full of dark promise as his gaze slid up to meet hers. She gasped as he lunged forward to capture her mouth with his own, his fangs nipping at her lips. 

She murmured in surprise as his tongue slipped between her lips, filling her mouth as he pushed her down onto her back, trapping her beneath him as his clawed hands buried themselves in her hair. She groaned as she felt his cool, smooth scales slithering around her legs, trying to get into between them. 

“Rafayel.” She panted as he pulled back, gasping as his tongue flickered along her jawline. 

“You still stink of that other male.” He snarled in her ear, making her shiver as she felt his claws ghost over her sides. “I want you to smell of me .”

She moaned as his tongue flicked across her neck, trailing down over her chest. When his lips latched onto her breast she dared to reach up, running her fingers through his soft, wavy hair as he nipped and sucked at her nipple, his tongue lathing the small hurts his sharp teeth caused her. 

To her embarrassment she felt herself begin to get wet between her legs as he amused himself with her chest. 

“Will I produce milk?” She asked, watching as he let her swollen nipple slip free of his lips. 

Rafayel smirked, blowing on it gently. “Perhaps. I do not know how your body will react to being bred by me.” He admitted.

She shuddered at the hungry look he gave her as he dipped lower, ghosting his teeth over her bump before burying his face in her pussy. She gasped as she felt him breath in deeply, taking in her scent. Flushing she reached down, trying to push his face away from her. 

To her embarrassment Rafayel merely chuckled, catching her hands in his as he hauled himself partially up out of the water, laying beside her.

Once again her gaze was drawn to that thin line of dark scales along the underside of his tail. Glancing at him nervously she reached out, running her fingertips over them, watching as the two pelvic fins that guarded the area quivered at her touch before parting, giving her full access to the dark scales and the slit they hid. 

“Must we do this every night until the eggs hatch?” She inquired. 

Rafayel’s eyes had gone dark with desire as he watched her fingers trail along his sensitive slit. She gasped as he caught her bandaged wrist, pulling her fingers away from his tail. 

“The eggs must be fertilized.” He reminded her. 

“Pretty sure you fertilized them last night.” She grumbled, flushing as she recalled the way he had tilted her hips upwards, holding her still as gravity drew his cum down into her aching womb. 

He chuckled, rolling onto his back. “One or two, perhaps. But there are six that need to be fertilized.”

She gasped as his hand caught the hair at the back of her neck, angling her face down towards his tail. 

“Bring it out.” He urged. 

She sighed, frustrated that he was demanding she service his body again but aware that she had scant few options. Reaching up she ghosted her fingers over his slit but cried out softly as his grip tightened, his free hand brushing hers away briskly. 

“I like the touch of your tongue better.” He insisted, making her flush. 

Swallowing heavily she did as he demanded, lowering her face until she could run her tongue over those small, dark scales. She felt them quiver under her touch and she did it again, pushing a bit harder as she let her tongue slide easily over the smooth surface of his scales. To her relief, his grip on her hair loosened, allowing her to crawl over him, straddling his tail as she continued to work her tongue into his slowly loosening slit. When her tongue finally managed to push between the scales, Rafayel hissed and arched up towards her slightly, making her tongue bump against the cock slowly beginning to stir from its sheath. She glanced up at him, meeting his gaze brazenly as she wiggled her tongue in deeper, teasing the speared head of his upper cock. 

Rafayel growled softly as he met her gaze, reaching down to spread himself open, allowing her tongue to reach deeper. Groaning softly she lapped at the hidden cock, urging it out with little kitten licks until it began to peek out on its own. It bumped against the side of her nose and she inhaled, familiarizing herself with his scent before returning to her ministrations, mouthing along its bumpy length, mindful of the spikes hidden just beneath the crimson flesh. 

Something new bumped against her chin and she paused, pulling back slightly in surprise. His lower cock had just begun to slip free, demanding attention as well. This one was less red than the upper cock, looking far more similar to the human cock he’d forced her to service the night before. 

Glancing up at Rafayel to gauge his reaction, she dipped lower, giving this one a quick, experimental lick. He simply watched her intently so she focused her attention on it, urging it out of its protective sheath with her tongue. Reaching up she gingerly wrapped her hand about his upper cock, stroking along its length as she slid her mouth along his lower cock in time, enjoying the soft growl of pleasure she managed to wring from him as she worked both of his cocks. 

As the lower cock finally slipped completely free she frowned slightly, noting a patch of loose skin near the base, wondering at it for a moment. Her inspection was interrupted when Rafayel suddenly pushed himself up, rolling her onto her back and settling atop of her once more. 

She gasped as he settled his cocks between her breasts, thrusting against the soft flesh between them, rutting himself against her body.

She reached down, pushing her breasts together to allow him to slide between the fleshy mounds, enjoying the pleased look that crossed his face as he began to thrust harder against her. 

Feeling a bit more daring, and perhaps selfishly hoping she could satisfy him with her mouth and save her aching pussy another round, she opened her mouth, allowing the head of his lower cock to slip inside, making him groan as she surrounded it with the warm heat of her mouth. His upper cock slipped and slapped against her cheeks, making her wince slightly as the slick coating that helped to smooth its way into her body was smeared about her face. 

Guess he doesn’t need to worry about me smelling like another male now. She thought dryly as Rafayel continued to hump himself against her, clearly working himself into a frenzy. 

She had resigned herself to taking his cum down her throat when he suddenly pulled away, surprising her. To her horror, however, he slid down, pushing her legs apart as his cocks brushed against her cunt. 

“Rafayel …” She gasped, her voice cutting out as he forced the spear headed cock into her, splitting her open and leaving her thrashing on the slick sand as her body tried to instinctively push back against the sudden invasion. 

Above her Rafayel growled warningly, his eyes flashing as he felt her clench against his intrusion, clearly annoyed at her attempts to deny him. Swallowing nervously she forced herself to relax, her thighs wrapping about his thrashing tail as he slipped further inside of her. 

“You aren’t … you aren’t going to put in any more eggs, right?” She asked, peering up at him pleadingly. “I’m already too full …”

He chuckled, his tail shifting as his cock twisted against her arching cervix, demanding entrance once again. 

“Don’t worry. I’ll train you to take more.” He promised darkly. 

She yelped, her head falling back as she felt that unrelenting spear shaped head force its way into her womb, shifting the eggs to make space for itself. Above her Rafayel sighed in pleasure, pausing for a moment to shift his hips, his gaze burning into hers as he forced her to recognize his presence within her body.

“This is mine .” He snarled down at her, his hips pushing harder against hers, making her gasp as she felt his cock twist within her. “Only me and my brood may enter this place.”

She gasped, peering up at him, drowning in his piercing gaze. “Yours.” She agreed meekly. “It’s your place.”

He snorted softly, lips curling, pleased with her acceptance of her place. Of her duty.

“If I want to fuck more eggs into you, I will.” He threatened, pulling back and thrusting into her sharply, making her cry out. “And you will thank me for the honor of carrying each one of them.”

She stared up at him pleadingly. “Rafayel please, please . You’ve already filled me up so much. Let me focus on these.”

He snorted in annoyance but, to her relief he finally pulled back, reaching down to slot his second cock into place, forcing it into her body as well. 

“I will show you mercy … for now.” He offered, lowering his face to hers as he watched her pant, trying to adjust to the stretch of both of his cocks. 

“But if you come to me smelling of that other male again … I will fill you up with so many eggs your legs will be too weak to allow you to leave this pool. Do we understand each other?”

She gasped as his hips slammed into hers, spearing her fully on both of his cocks. She stared up at him, aware of the press of his upper cock deep in her womb and the way his lower cock was kissed up against her open cervix, ready to fill her with his sperm. 

“Yes.” She panted. “I … I understand.”

“Good.” He growled, pulling back and shoving himself back into her, making her cry out as he set a brutal pace, as though trying to punish her for the imagined slight. She clung to his arms, eyes closed as she focused on the delicious friction of his cocks as they battered her pussy, forcing her open wide, ruining her for any other human male. 

“Rafayel …” She panted, peering up at him as he chased his pleasure with her body. “I can’t …” She whined as his face dipped lower, sharp teeth nipping at her neck as his thrusts quickened. 

“You can." He whispered in her ear, making her frown.

He chuckled and kissed her, his tongue dipping into her mouth in a parody of the way he was fucking her, making her moan as she drowned in the sensation of him using her. 

“Time to seed you again.” He growled, shoving forward brutally. She arched and cried out as she felt the speared head of his upper cock catch on her cervix, forcing it up and open for the flood of his seed. She keened as she felt the hot splash of his cum against her womb, tilting her hips upwards obediently as he pushed her hips up in to a mating press, releasing his sperm directly into her womb to coat the eggs. 

She groaned as she felt the eggs shift in response to her new position, closing her eyes as she imagined them within her body, their gelatinous shells smeared with his cum as he fertilized them a second time, determined to force her to carry all six of his brood to completion. 

She whined softly, wincing as his tail humped lazily against her sore pussy, more cum slowly oozing out of his cock and dripping into her womb. 

“Shhh.” He whispered, his clawed hand slowly brushing through her tangled hair. “We're finished ... for now."

She glared up at him, making him laugh as he bent down forcing her to return his hungry kiss. 

She shuddered, her hands gripping his arms as they waited for his body to decide she’d been filled enough. 

“Sleep.” He murmured, his fingers brushing over her eyelids soothingly. “I’ll wake you when it’s time to go back.”

She grumbled in annoyance at being told what to do but his featherlight touches were soothing and despite her best efforts, she felt herself relaxing in his hold, surrendering to his demands. 

Chapter Text

The morning sun was just beginning to creep its way in through her tiny window when she woke. Yawning heavily, she took a few selfish moments to herself, stretching out as she rolled onto her back. She stared up at the ceiling as she listened to the pitter patter of of the young temple helpers as they padded back and forth just outside of her window, preparing for the morning service. After a few minutes, the bells began to ring, calling the village to service and she sighed heavily, finally pushing herself up. She cupped a hand over her aching stomach, cradling the small bulge as she managed to get herself back upright, pausing next to her cot as she struggled to catch her breath. Everything seemed to demand far more of her energy of late, making every action feel like a colossal task. 

Sighing, she picked out a fresh tunic and pair of trousers, tugging them on and carefully arranging the fabric so that it draped loosely about her. It had been a month since she had agreed to carry Rafayel’s eggs and so far she had managed to dodge everyone’s questions, keeping her condition and Rafayel’s demand a secret. To her relief, the head priest and the elders had seemed to have come to accept that her lips were sealed no matter how much they wheedled and threatened, trying to get the information out of her. 

In the beginning the secret of her pregnancy had felt like an inescapable crushing weight hanging from her shoulders. Yet somehow, over the last few weeks, she had grown more confident. Despite her initial fears, her stomach had not grown much larger. If anything, it had simply firmed up a bit, as though seeking to help protect the delicate eggs she carried. She smiled faintly, lightly tapping along the taunt skin of her lower stomach, fondly. Rafayel had told her she might feel the eggs beginning to move a bit on their own as the younglings inside began to grow. But they still had months of growth to do so she didn't expect anything quite yet. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what that would feel like, having these little eggs beginning to spark to life within her. 

Satisfied with her appearance, she crept out into the hallway, breathing a sigh of relief to find that the night guard had already moved on to his other duties, leaving the narrow servant’s hallway empty. Rafayel still demanded her presence every evening so that he could check on the eggs but the visits had been shorter this past week with Rafayel seeming preoccupied with something else. Though she hated to admit it, it annoyed her somewhat to not have his complete attention during their brief rendezvous, though her aching body was relieved that he seemed too distracted to demand more ... physical ... contact with her.

Still, there were mornings she woke from embarrassing dreams, leaving her body frustrated at the lack of attention from the mercurial God of the Sea.  

However, those were feelings she wasn’t quite ready to deal with yet and so she kept her mouth firmly closed, forcing herself to pretend as though the sudden decrease in his attention didn’t bother her in the slightest. 

She yelped as she turned the corner and nearly ran into a taller figure, pressing a hand to her rapidly beating heart as she glared up at Zayne, who paused, clearly surprised by her own equally unexpected appearance. 

“I’m going to put a bell on you.” She threatened, pushing him back playfully.

“Good morning to you as well.” He offered dryly, though she noted the small glimmer of humor in his eyes as he turned, heading back the way he had come. 

“How are you feeling?” Zayne asked, as he always did each morning.

She forced a bright smile his way as she hurried to catch up with him and match his stride. “I’m good.” She offered.

A slight frown tugged at the corners of his lips and she noted the way his gaze dropped, watching her gait as she walked. 

Sighing, she lifted a hand, waving it his way lazily. “Fine, fine. My lower back is a bit stiff but it’s nothing. Probably just the cot in that new room not agreeing with me. Nothing to worry about.”

To her annoyance Zayne’s gaze continued to linger on her stride, as though something about it troubled him. 

“Where are we off to today?” She asked, darting into his workroom to begin collecting his bags, hoping the change of topic would put him off whatever concern was gnawing at him. 

He sighed, batting her hands away from the worn black bag that contained his most potent medicines. “I want to stop in and check up on a few of the people. You may help me keep notes, if you feel the need to tag along.”

She nodded, taking the ledger from him and cradling it and the stylus carefully against her chest. Reading and writing was still mostly beyond her but as children Zayne had taught her the basic letters and numbering system the healers used to keep track of their patients.  

Desperate to escape the constant pestering questions of the head priest, she’d become something of a personal assistant for Zayne in the past few weeks. It got her out of the temple and beyond the head priest’s reach and he could hardly scold her for spending her time helping out around the village. 

“Here, drink this before we go.” Zayne instructed, passing her a small vial.

She grimaced, recognizing the greenish liquid inside. “Must I?” She whined. 

He reached up gently raping against the crown of her head with his knuckles. “Healer’s orders.” 

Grumbling, she obediently twisted the cork from the top, glaring at him dramatically as she downed it all in one go. The bitter taste of the liquid made her gag, but the warmth it spread through her stomach was soothing. She’d asked him before what it was and he’d been vague, insisting it was just something to help soothe her nerves after her ordeal of being made a sacrifice. She wasn’t entirely sure that was what it was for but the eggs seemed to suffer no ill consequences from it and it did seem to help calm her occasionally grumpy stomach so she took it, if only to keep him happy.

The temple grounds were perched on a gentle rise at the north end of the village, overlooking the sprawl of huts that housed the numerous families that had called this place their home for generations. Down below she could see the slow progress of the village’s reconstruction in the form of half finished roofs, piles of driftwood waiting to be repurposed into new housing material, and a few large stones, drug over from the sea cliffs to the west. Though Rafayel had calmed the sea, the damage that had been done had left a deep scar on the village itself. One that would take months to repair. 

Zayne took the lead and she followed him down the winding paths between the huts, recognizing the first one he stopped at. 

A heavy set woman met them at the door, wringing her hands in worry. “I’m afraid he’s twisted his ankle again.” She reported. “I told him you said to take it easy but …” She shrugged. 

Zayne sighed and shook his head. “Let me take a look.”

She followed the pair inside, watching as Zayne tsked and knelt next to the woman’s husband, carefully lifting his leg so that he could get a better look at his ankle. She winced when Zayne pushed the man’s pant leg up, seeing that it was indeed swollen and dark with bruising.

She hovered nearby, flipping open the ledger until she came to the man’s name as Zayne examined his injury. Zayne’s gentle touch elicited a sharp hiss of breath from the man, who tried and failed to hide his discomfort.

“It’s not broken.” Zayne concluded after a few moments, running his fingertips over the man’s swollen ankle. “But you’ve most likely torn something. I can bind it for now, but you need to stay off it for at least a week. No heavy lifting, and keep the swelling down with cool compresses.”

The man offered a resigned nod. “I’ll try, but we’re behind on getting that pier back up.”

“You won’t do much rebuilding if you continue to aggravate that injury.” Zayne said firmly. “I’ll give your wife the recipe for a poultice to soothe the pain.”

She observed quietly, passing Zayne a few of the bandages from his satchel when he motioned for them. She could feel the older woman’s eyes lingering on her, but to her relief, the woman kept whatever questions she had to herself. Everyone knew she had been offered to the Sea God and somehow had managed to not only walk away from certain death but also quell the rage of the Sea God. She knew that everyone was dying of curiosity to find out what had happened that night but she was committed to keeping that information to herself. 

By late morning, they had visited two more patients. Zayne skillfully treated a festering wound on a young woman’s arm, leftover from when a wooden beam had fallen on her during one of Rafayel’s furious storms. At the third stop, they checked on a feverish child. She helped by mixing small doses of medicinal powders under Zayne’s instruction, measuring them out carefully with the precious little glass spoons he carried. The child’s mother looked worn with worry but Zayne assured her that the child should recover within a few days if kept warm and given enough fluids.

As they finished up with the child and stepped back out into the early afternoon heat she winced.  Her lower back, which had ached only a little that morning, was now throbbing and stiff. She rocked a bit on her heels, trying uselessly to relieve some of that ache. If Zayne noticed, he kept it to himself. However, she sighed in relief when she recognized where he was leading her, sinking down happily under the ancient tree that had seen hundreds of impromptu picnics between them. 

Zayne offered her half of the loaf of bread and cheese one of their grateful patients had gifted them and she took it eagerly, flushing slightly when her stomach growled greedily. Nibbling on her portion, she closed her eyes, letting the gentle sea breeze play through her hair, willing the throbbing in her back to subside.

“How are you doing?” Zayne finally asked.

She attempted a smile and hoped it didn’t look as tired as she felt. “I’m fine. Just a twinge in my back. It’ll pass.”

“Lean forward.” He ordered gently. “Let me check.”

She hesitated, eyeing their surroundings. A few villagers were lurking further down by the boatmaker’s shack but no one seemed to be paying them any attention. Reluctantly, she scooted forward and allowed Zayne to press his hand to her lower back. He moved his fingers over the area in firm, controlled circles, the warmth of his hands sinking into her aching muscles. It wasn’t enough to remove the pain entirely, but it was comforting and that helped.

She sighed in relief. “Thank you.”

After a few more minutes he withdrew his hand. “There are still a few others I would like to visit.” He said, his gaze searching her face. “You may head back to the temple if you like.”

She met his gaze evenly. “I’m good to keep going.” She insisted.

He gave a reluctant nod. “All right. But promise me if you feel ill, you’ll say something.”

“I promise.” She replied. 

They finished their meal in silence, the sun playing hide and seek with them though the leaves. Finished, they made their way to the home of one of the village elders. He had the gnarled hands of one who had made his living weaving and knotting the nets used by the village’s fishermen. He greeted them warmly, inviting them to sit at his small table as Zayne glanced through the ledger, reviewing what he had previously seen the man for. 

“My cough has worsened this past week.” He admitted, tapping his chest. “And I’ve had trouble sleeping because of it.”

Zayne listened carefully, checked the man’s breathing, and asked how long the cough had lasted. A few minutes of discussion revealed that the man had been inhaling a fair amount of dust from one of the construction projects he had been overseeing. Zayne instructed him to spend a few days away from the site and offered to teach him how to make a tea to help soothe the cough.

While Zayne mixed the tea, she lingered by the open doorway. A wave of nausea crept up unexpectedly and she pressed her lips together, swallowing hard, forcing a steadying breath as she struggled to keep what she had eaten down.

“Are you alright?” Zayne demanded, watching her carefully from across the room, the half finished tea seemingly forgotten on the table before him.

She managed a quick smile. “I’m fine.” She assured him. “It just feels a bit stuffy in here all of a sudden. I think I’ll step outside for a moment.”

He nodded, though concern furrowed his brow.  Darting outside, she inhaled deeply of the fresh air. The wave of dizziness lingered but at least the nausea subsided slightly.

When she heard Zayne wrapping up his consultation inside, she forced herself to straighten, praying she didn’t look as shaky as she felt. He emerged, sparing her a cursory glance but  said nothing, simply extending a waterskin. She took it gratefully.

“I think that is enough for today.” He offered. “Let’s head back.”

**********

She decided to skip dinner, her stomach still roiling at the thought of eating or dealing with all of the various smells that came with being near the large kitchen. In her room, she watched the setting sun’s reflection dance among the waves in the bay. Breathing out heavily she lay back, exhaustion seeping into her bones. 

She shifted uncomfortably, glancing to the side to assure herself the thin curtain she had hung across the doorway blocked anyone's view into her tiny room. Licking lips gone suddenly dry she reached down, brushing her fingers over the soft flesh between her legs, gasping softly as they ghosted over her clit, sending sparks of pleasure through her. Rafayel hadn't touched her in nearly a week and, though his advances still frightened her a little, she couldn't help but admit that she missed the feel of his powerful tail pressing against her pussy, the smooth scales sliding sensually against the insides of her thighs as it flexed as he drove himself deep within her.

Groaning softly she closed her eyes, letting her fingers dip lower, teasing along her folds. The last time Rafayel had taken her he had fucked her lazily, forcing her open with his lower cock while making her pleasure his longer upper cock with her hand as he seeded her eggs. She'd pressed it against her stomach, watching as that crimson, speared head worked its way between her fingertips, oozing a thin clear liquid as it writhed beneath her hand. She had watched in fascination as it twisted with each thrust, the pointed, hook shaped head spearing through the tunnel of her fingers viciously, the base of the head an inch beneath flaring as he pulled back, as though trying to catch on the entrance of her cervix, keeping itself buried firmly in her most private place once it had bullied its way inside. Seeing it like that, knowing that he had been driving it into her womb night after night, trapping her on it as he fucked her ... keeping her pried open for his pleasure ... spilling his seed right where it belonged ... leaving his mark deep within her ...

She cried out softly, arching as she came to the idea of taking that vicious appendage into her body once more. Letting it work its way deep into her, surrendering to it night after night as Rafayel used her body as he wished ... keeping her stuffed full with his eggs year after year ...

Collapsing back onto the bed she gasped, flushing in embarrassment at the realization that she could be so turned on by such thoughts.

After a few minutes she forced herself up, slipping out of the hall and down to one of the tiny washrooms. She’d been careful to scrub herself down before heading out to meet Rafayel these last few weeks, washing away any lingering scent Zayne may have inadvertently left on her during their work. She’d assured him things between herself and Zayne weren’t like that but he seemed strangely perturbed by the idea that she might be with someone else while carrying his eggs, so she did what she could to lessen his annoyance. 

Splashing water on her face she glanced at her reflection in the shiny bit of metal propped up against the wall. She frowned when she realized she looked as tired as she felt. Sighing she shook her head, returning to the chilly water as she scrubbed at her skin. If she was lucky their visit would be brief again tonight. Allowing her to hurry back and catch up on some sleep.

Just beyond her door the temple halls were growing quieter as the day came to an end. She shifted uncomfortably as her lower back continued to ache and her thoughts drifted to the hidden cave with its warm pool. She smiled faintly as she imagined how wonderful the warmth seeping into her back and legs would feel. She felt drained from the day’s activities and she absently wondered if she would have the strength to make her way there that night. 

She didn’t even realize she had fallen asleep until she was jerking awake, gasping in the darkness as she clutched her chest. Her heart was beating far too quickly and she frowned, struggling to recall the nightmare that had alarmed her so. Unfortunately it slipped away before she could recall it, leaving her alone in the dark, wondering what time it was. 

The hallway outside of her door was silent and she rolled onto her side, wincing as her back protested the change in position. She sat up slowly, placing her feet firmly on the floor and pushing down on them carefully, testing her strength. To her relief, the dizziness that had troubled her earlier seemed to have abated. 

Slipping on her sandals and tugging on the old cloak that she had stolen from Zayne’s closet she slipped closer to the door, peering out. As she had hoped, her assigned guard was dozing at the end of the hall, lost in the illusion of his own dreams.

By the time she reached the small fence that marked the end of the temple grounds, she was breathing hard. Dizziness made the ground shift alarmingly beneath her feet and she had to pause a moment, leaning against a palm to steady herself as she panted. She could see the faint glimmer of the moon on the gentle ocean waves and felt her heart sink at how far the beach seemed. But she had no choice. If she did not go as Rafayel demanded, she knew he come looking for her instead. Sighing heavily she pushed away from the tree, slowly making her way down the uneven path. She was going to have to plead with him to give her a few nights to rest and regain her strength, she supposed. She walked slowly, the night air both cooling her feverish skin and making her shiver. 

Step by agonizing step, she kept going, ignoring the protest of her body. Fortunately, she could follow the winding path she took the beach each night by muscle memory now and so she allowed her mind to roam as she picked her way along the outskirts of the village. The ocean was quiet as she approached the dunes, the silvery moon as heavy and round as she felt as it skimmed just above the dark waves. 

The altar they had built to sacrifice her on had finally been swallowed by the ocean but there was a small rocky spit just beyond that had become Rafayel’s unofficial waiting place for her. Beyond it she could just barely make out the curve of the nearby cliffs. Logically she knew it wasn’t more than a few minutes walk away but her back was screaming and her legs felt heavy. Sighing in regret she turned her feet towards the spit, reluctantly acknowledging that she was rapidly reaching the limits of her energy and would never make it all the way to the cave with its delightfully warm little pool. 

Rafayel was not waiting for her on the spit but she did not let it trouble her. Slipping off her sandals she picked her way to a worn boulder, sinking down upon it and letting her feet dangle in the waves as she waited. Her hand rested upon her lower stomach, pressing gently against the small swollen pocket of fluid that had been building up on her womb, providing the eggs a warm, watery environment to rest in. 

She let her thoughts wander, picking through the day’s events. Zayne’s watchfulness was making it harder and harder for her to conceal her true condition. She had hoped it would wane as the weeks went by but nothing she did seemed to convince him she was fine. It was becoming tiresome, though a small part of her warmed at the realization there was at least someone who cared for her ... at least a little bit. 

Sighing, she let her hand fall away, gripping the edge of the boulder as she peered out restlessly over the calm waves wondering where Rafayel was. He had been distant these last few visits, appearing just long enough to brush his fingers over her stomach, assuring himself that the eggs were still whole and well before sending her back with a curt nod, his attention clearly focused elsewhere. It annoyed her, to be treated as a duty rather than a partner in this endeavor but she kept her mouth shut about it, reminding herself that he was a god and he probably had other matters to concern himself with. 

She remained there long enough to begin to shiver in the cooling night air, watching as the moon began to sink below the horizon. She would need to go before it disappeared completely, taking the last source of light with it. Scowling, she glared out over the sea. 

“ Rafayel !” She dared to call out, glancing nervously back at the beach behind her to make sure no one else had heard. 

She gave it a few more minutes before finally pushing herself up off the rock, huffing in annoyance as she began to pick her way back towards the main beach. 

A sudden splash of water caught her attention and she paused, turning to glance back, watching as a long tail sliced through the dark waters before darting back down beneath them as a familiar shadow making its way towards the spit. Sighing, she turned back, wearily making her way back towards the edge of the spit as Rafayel finally surfaced, shaking water from his eyes as he watched her return. 

“I thought you would go to the cave.” He grumbled, pulling himself free of the sea, sandaled feet touching the rock as his rose, moving towards her on strong human legs. 

She shrugged, allowing him to catch her elbow and gently lower her back onto the boulder, his eyes pinching slightly as she winced and shifted, trying to relieve the ache in her back. 

“Didn’t feel like walking all that way.” She replied vaguely. 

She noted his frown as he knelt before her, his hand resting gently on her knee as he peered up at her. He was breathtakingly beautiful, she realized. Before she could stop herself she reached down, brushing her fingers across his cheek. He pulled back a bit, surprised at her action and she gasped, snatching her hand back quickly. 

“Sorry.” She murmured, her chin dipping down as she stared at her lap. 

She watched as he slowly reached out, catching her wrist with his long fingers, pulling her hand back. She blinked curiously as he hesitantly pressed her palm against his cheek, nuzzling against it slightly. 

Laughing softly she reached down with her free hand, cupping his other cheek and gently squeezing his face between her hands. He peered up at her, long lashes fluttering as she warmed his cool skin between her hands. 

Humming to herself, she eventually allowed his face to slip free of her hands. She winced as her back twinged, making her stiffen and freeze. Immediately Rafayel was up, looming over her as his hand slipped down over her back, fingers feeling along her spine as though checking for injury. 

“It’s nothing.” She insisted, gasping sharply as his cool fingers slipped beneath the the waist of her pants, resting against her skin. 

“How long has it been hurting?” He asked, urging her to lean forward more, baring more of her lower back so that he could rest his palm upon her aching muscles. 

She shrugged. “A few days.” She admitted. “It’s probably just the extra weight. It happens to all of the pregnant women around our village sooner or later.”

He did something with his fingers that made her hiss as he pressed down on either side of her spine. His fingers seemed to find every knot and she shifted as he pressed against them, working them loose with slow, deliberate pressure. Finally the pain faded away, leaving behind a blissful limpness that made her groan, earning a soft chuckle from the man behind her. 

“Better?” He teased, his hands drifting around her sides to gently press against her stomach, ghosting over the taunt flesh. 

She nodded, leaning back in his hold experimentally, sighing with relief when her back didn’t protest the arched stretch as Rafayel manipulated the eggs, rolling them gently as she lay back in his arms. 

“They’re still doing well.” He finally mused, pulling back and releasing her. 

She scowled at the loss of his warmth along her back but forced herself to remain silent as she watched him pace away from her a few feet, glancing out over the sea, a small frown tugging at the corners of his lips as he seemed to contemplate something.

She kicked playfully at the waves that crept towards her feet, laughing softly as a small crab clung to the edge of the spit, snipping its claws in annoyance as the water threatened to drag it out into the deeper waters. 

Something tugged at her hair gently and she turned, blinking in surprise to find that Rafayel had drifted closer and was curiously wrapping a strand of her hair about his fingers. She tilted her head as she watched him roll it through his fingertips, separating the strands. 

“Um … Rafayel?” She ventured, watching as he blinked, his attention refocusing back on her face. In the low light she couldn’t be sure but she thought she caught the faintest hint of a blush painting itself across the bridge of his nose as he stepped back, glancing away from her in embarrassment. 

He cleared his throat and tilted his chin up, his face returning to its normal, haughty look. “You need rest, especially in these early stages. Tell your people to build you a home here on the beach, close to the water, so you will not have to travel so far.”

His words surprised a humorless laugh from her. “A new home? With what supplies? Everything we have is already being used to repair what your storms destroyed. They will laugh me out of the village if I dare make such a request.”

“I will demand it, then.” Rafayel interrupted, a note of regal command in his voice. “I am the Sea. They will obey.”

She regarded him with amusement. “Good luck with that, my lord.” She teased. “Methinks you do not fully understand how stubborn our people can be. I am nothing more than an orphan. They will not spare the time or resources just for my comfort.”

He exhaled, eyes shifting to the horizon as though already considering the best way to command the village elders. She reached out and gently touched his wrist. “Thank you for the offer but I’ll be fine.”

He met her gaze. For a moment, she thought he might push the point but, to her relief, he finally shrugged, moving beyond her reach. 

A small wave broke against her ankles. She shivered slightly, making Rafayel’s brow furrow. “Go back now.” He ordered. “We are done here.”

She nodded, pulling her cloak tighter, ignoring how exhausted she felt. “Alright. Good night.” She offered quietly as she rose, padding past him. 

The walk back to the village felt longer than ever and every step made her rethink his demand that she tell the village elders to build a little hut for her on the edge of the beach. It would be nice, she mused, to have a place to herself. One she didn’t have to share with others. One that didn’t have a guard snoring outside of her door. Just a quiet little piece of land that belonged to her and her alone. 

She sighed as the damp night wind cut through her cloak, each step jarring her body, reawakening the ache in her back. She had just made it past the dunes when a rush of dizziness came over her. She gripped a nearby fence post, breathing hard, but the swirling in her head refused to subside. She coughed once, then again, violently enough that stars danced behind her eyelids.

She tried to keep walking but her knees buckled. The world tilted, and the dark silhouettes of the distant trees blurred. She sank to the ground, heart pounding, a faint sound escaping her lips as she collapsed. The last thing she remembered was the roar of blood in her ears .... and then everything went black.

*************

Things were confusing for a long while.

She caught glimpses of the real world here and there before sleep caught her with its dark claws, dragging her back into strange dreams. By the time it finally released her she was exhausted and simply laid upon the cot, staring silently at the ceiling. Herbs hung above her, gathered in neat little bundles and tied with different colors of strings. She recognized the strings, knew that each color was identifying what type of herb it bound. After all, she had tied many of them herself over the past few weeks. 

A hand touched her arm and she turned her head, swallowing heavily as a wave of nausea hit her. She watched as Zayne sank down on a small stool at her side, his sharp gaze scanning over her before he leaned back, plucking up a damp rag. She groaned in relief as he carefully draped it over her forehead.

“What hurts?” He inquired, sliding his ledger closer as he plucked up the stylus. 

She sighed, shaking her head, careful not to dislodge the rag. “It’s nothing.” She insisted. “Just ... a bit of nausea. I ... stepped out to get some fresh air and then became dizzy. I must have been overdoing it lately.” She offered, glancing at him to gauge his response to her story.

She watched as he scribbled down a few lines in the ledger before setting the stylus down with a heavy sigh. His eyes narrowing as they settled on her. 

“What?” She demanded, pushing herself up a bit when the silence between them began to stretch out uncomfortably. 

Zayne slowly closed the ledger, pushing it away from him. “The Sea summoned the village elders yesterday. He wished to see you as well.”

She froze, her eyes widening as she realized the implication of his words. “I … he did?” She demanded. 

Zayne nodded slowly, his fingers tapping in agitation against the worn wooden table. “I went in your stead to explain that you were too ill to come. He was ... quite upset at the situation. He demanded we provide you with a place by the beach.”

She tsked, glancing down at her lap as she considered the ridiculousness of Rafayel’s demand. 

“You’ve been meeting with him.”

Zayne’s words made her gasp and she glanced at him quickly, her denial dying on her tongue as she met his gaze. 

“I ... it’s between us.” She finished weakly, fingers twisting in her lap nervously. 

Zayne shook his head, his hand moving to rest upon her stomach. She felt her heart stutter as his palm pressed lightly against the secret she carried.

“Don’t.” She demanded, pushing his hand away and covering it with her own hands protectively, her heart pounding as though trying to escape from her chest. 

She watched as he pushed himself up onto his feet, stalking to the other side of the room. She caught a glimpse of something dark on his face as he turned away and it made her nervous. 

“So everyone knows ...” She asked hesitantly, watching as he stilled. 

To her relief, Zayne shook his head, turning to glance back at her, his expression still severe but lacking that strange darkness she had glimpsed a moment before.

“No.” He replied. “I noticed it when I found you that night and brought you back here. But I have not told anyone else. I ... assume this was his price?”

She tore her gaze away from his, flushing slightly as she nervously ran her palm over her stomach. “Yes.” She whispered softly. “He ... he demanded we give back to the sea what we had taken.”

Across the room she heard a soft hiss of frustration and she watched as Zayne began to pace, the corners of his eyes pinched as his gaze turned inward, clearly distressed at her words. 

“He’s been kind.” She offered. “Well ... as kind as he can be, I suppose.”

Zayne paused, glancing at her before shaking his head. “This shouldn’t be your burden to bear.” He growled, clearly frustrated. 

She shrugged. “It’s not so bad.” She insisted, her fingers twisting in the blanket she’d been given. “I just need a few more months. And then he’ll have what he wants and will leave us alone.”

To her relief Zayne sighed, his features slowly settling into the more familiar exasperation expression she was used to. “He ordered you to tell no one about this?” He asked.

She hesitated a moment before shaking her head negatively. “He didn’t tell me expressly not to tell anyone. I just ... I was worried that if people knew about what I was carrying they might do something to hurt me ... or it. It felt safer to keep it to myself.”

Zayne returned to sit at her side, reaching out to gently pluck up one of her hands in his own. “And me?” He asked softly. “Were you worried I would do something as well?”

She flushed slightly, shaking her head quickly. “No.” She assured him. “I just ... I didn’t know how to tell you.” She admitted softly.

He studied her for a long while before finally nodding, letting her pull away from his touch before returning to his ledger. “We’ll keep the secret for a bit longer, then.” He offered, making a few quick notations. “The elders were sufficiently spooked into building you a small hut along the shoreline. It’ll be a few weeks before it’s finished. I’ll tell them you are still too ill to return to your room or receive visitors. Everyone is quite curious as to why the Sea God is paying attention to you again, so we’ll need to come up with something to tell them.”

She grimaced, annoyed at the thought of others poking their noses into her business. 

“In the meantime, I will need to ask you a few questions about the ... child ... you are carrying.” He continued, clearly still coming to terms with what she was pregnant. “So that we can make a plan to make you more comfortable and deal with the issues you are having.”

She felt a warm flush across her cheeks. “I don’t know much about it.” She offered weakly. “Rafayel said he thought I’d have to carry them for a few months before they’re ready to ... um ... come out, I guess.”

Next to her Zayne frowned, his gaze flicking over towards her. “Them?” He pressed, clearly confused.

She felt her flush deepen. “Yeah. They’re ... uh ... eggs, I guess.” She whispered. 

Next to her Zayne was so still he might as well have been a statue. 

“How many?” He finally grit out.

She hesitated, desperately wanting out of this entire conversation. “I don’t know.” She lied, glancing away as she tried to tamp down on the memory of every agonizingly delicious stretch that had come with each of the six precious eggs Rafayel had sunk deep within her. She closed her eyes, shuddering slightly as she recalled the feeling of that thick, muscled tail pressing so tightly between her legs, Rafayel pinning her down with his weight as he forced her to lay still, stretching her body from within as he pumped her full of his future offspring. The feeling of the eggs being released into her body, pushing against her as she was forced to take another and another and another ...

At her side Zayne shifted, his eyes narrowed as though he didn’t quite believe her but, to her relief, he didn’t push the point, simply jotted something down in the ledger, making her frown. Leaning over slightly she tried to peer at what he was writing, fearful that he was recording something that others might find. 

He tsked softly at her, waving her away. “It’s coded.” He assured her. “If anyone reads it, it will simply look like you’ve been afflicted with a stomach illness.”

She nodded, glancing up at him in relief. “Thanks.” She offered.

Zayne closed the ledger and tossed it aside, turning to study her for a moment. “I’ll need to speak with the Sea God.” He said, holding up a hand when she began to protest. “If he wants to assure a healthy, live birth, I need to understand what you being pregnant with these ... eggs ... will entail.” 

She glanced away, chewing thoughtfully at her lower lip. “I don’t know if he’ll agree to talk to you but I’ll ask.” She offered after a moment.

Zayne nodded. “In the meantime, rest. I told him you were too weak to meet with him as he demanded so he probably won’t be looking for you until your new hut is completed on the beach. Take this time to regain your strength.”

She nodded, sliding back down and letting him gently tuck the blankets around her. “Thanks, Zayne.” She whispered, reaching out to catch the edge of his tunic and tug on it lightly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner ...”

He smiled softly, reaching out to brush her hair back from her face. “I am sorry this duty fell to you.” He murmured. 

She froze in shock as he bent over, brushing his lips across her forehead before pulling back. 

“We’ll get through this.” He assured her. “Now rest.”

Flustered, she closed her eyes, trying hard not to think too much about the warmth his lips left seared into her skin even as the ghost of the memory of Rafayel between her legs continued to taunt her. 

Chapter Text

She stood nervously on the shifting sands of the dune, gazing out at the ocean as the late morning sun slowly crept its way higher in the sky. She smiled faintly as the rhythmic pulse of the waves seemed to match the faint fluttering she could feel low in her belly. Glancing back to assure herself that no one else was nearby, she reached down, brushing her fingers over her swollen stomach. Though she had passed this place multiple times over the past two weeks during the hut’s construction ... seeing the finished structure now, solid, sturdy, and upright, sent a quiet thrill through her. 

The hut was small, nothing more than a single room but it did not matter. It was hers. A quiet place with no prying eyes judging every little thing she did, a veritable sanctuary hidden between the dunes.  

Behind her came the crunch of footsteps. Pulling her hand away from her stomach, she turned, watching as Zayne carefully made his way towards her, a small satchel that contained her meager belongings slung over his shoulder. The sea breeze was playing with his hair, teasing the strands this way and that. She laughed softly as he reached up, trying to uselessly tame the flyaway bits. His gaze was warm, if not slightly exasperated, and she took his proffered hand, allowing him to lead her towards the hut’s entrance. 

“Welcome home.” He offered, meeting her smile with one of his own as she reached out, sliding the door to the side to allow them both entrance. The inside was warm and she paused in the doorway, pressing her palm to the frame as if to anchor herself in the moment. She inhaled deeply, familiarizing herself with the scent of freshly cut wood and reeds. 

After a long moment she stepped further inside, turning to watch as Zayne ducked to make his way through the smaller door frame, straightening back to his full height as he peered about the small space. She turned a slow circle, arms outstretched as she laughed brightly. 

“It’s perfect!” She declared, flopping down onto the bare floor. 

Zayne nodded, setting the satchel aside and moving towards the side where the builders had stacked a few small bits of furniture. She watched as he picked up a worn cot and glanced her way, waiting for her instructions. Humming thoughtfully, she pointed towards the west wall where the rising sun would be sure to wake her each morning. He obediently placed it where she directed, returning to the wall to retrieve a small table and pair of chairs, setting them off to the side. 

With that duty complete, she made grabby hands for the satchel, causing Zayne to chuckle softly before handing it over to her. He sat upon one of the chairs, watching as she pawed through the satchel, shaking her two shirts out and draping them over the back of the remaining chair. She frowned slightly as she pulled out her spare skirt and noticed something else at the bottom of the bag. 

“What is this?” She asked, pulling a bundle of dried herbs free. 

“Ah.” Zayne replied, reaching out to take them from her before rising and eyeing the roof above their heads. “Just a little something to help calm your nausea.”

She watched quietly as he reached out, tying the bundle to the overhead beam so that it hung just above her head. Before long the air was filled with a crisp, minty scent. She breathed it in deeply, nodding in pleasure. 

“Thanks.” She offered. Morning sickness had been plaguing her in the last few days, and it warmed her heart that he had thought to make her something to help calm it. 

Zayne tugged gently at the final bundle, assuring himself it was well fixed before nodding. “I’ll replace these every few days as their scent wanes. Let me know if something works better, though. I can always find some lavender or chamomile for you, if you need.”

His thoughtfulness made her throat tighten. “This is perfect.” She assured him. “Thank you.”

She turned and a sudden wave of dizziness overtook her. She paused, pressing a hand to her forehead as the burgeoning heat of the day began to take its toll on her. She took in a deep breath, thankful for the mint that hung overhead. Hands touched her elbows, gently steadying her. 

“You’ve gone pale." Zayne murmured from behind her. "Here … come sit for moment.” 

“I’m alright.” She insisted, though she did not fight as Zayne eased her down onto her cot, tucking a blanket behind her back so that she could sit up comfortably. 

She watched quietly as he padded outside, gathering up a tin of water they had brought with them and a pair of new satchels, bringing them inside. She opened her mouth to protest when he made to pour the water onto a small plate but he silenced her with a sharp look and she settled back, letting him use his Evol to turn the thin platter of water into ice. He struck it with his hand, shattering it upon the plate before handing it to her so that she could suck upon the small pieces of ice. 

She accepted it gratefully, the coolness of the chips helping to chase away the heat and settle her stomach as it melted on her tongue. She closed her eyes, leaning back against the wall as the dizziness began to recede little by little. She could hear Zayne padding about just outside the door, though she was unsure of what he was doing. 

After a few minutes he returned, reaching down to press the back of his hand to her forehead. 

“Feeling better?” He inquired.

She opened her eyes, noting the worry upon his face and nodded quickly. “Yes. I just needed to rest for a moment.”

He tsked softly, shaking his head, though she was relieved to see faint amusement replace the worry. “You should rest more than a moment.” He scolded her gently. “Take the afternoon to sleep. I’ll give you some space and return closer to dinner.”

She murmured a soft protest, but he was relentless, draping a cloth cooled with water over her eyes and gently running his hands over her stomach before quietly padding out, sliding the door shut behind him, giving her precious privacy. The air slowly grew warmer as the sun finished its climb and she murmured sleepily to herself. Beneath her back she imagined she could feel the faint thud of the ocean waves down upon the shore, urging her deeper into sleep as the entire world seemed to fade away.

A slight breeze stirred the herbs above, causing them to sway and release another wave of calming fragrance. She inhaled deeply. Each breath eased the tension in her body, and she felt herself letting go, pleased with this little place that had been built just for her ...

True to his word, Zayne returned for dinner, a pair of bundles tucked under his arm. He sternly shooed her away as he unwrapped the first, laying out some bread and chicken for them both. She teased him over raiding the temple kitchen but dove into the provided meal gratefully. She’d been eating more of late and the wait between meals had become nearly unbearable. She’d need to set some rods and nets out on the little spit she often met Rafayel on, she mused, something to allow her to start gathering her own food. Zayne would provide what he could, she knew, but it troubled her to rely so heavily upon him. 

After their shared meal, Zayne offered to stay with her for this first night, but she refused, mindful of the eyes that seemed to always be watching him, making sure he was following the requirements dictated by the priesthood. Piety was a requirement for any potential trainee of the temple and if even a hint that he had spent the night at her place got back to the temple ... she shook her head, unwilling to risk his everything he had been working for over a bit of nerves at spending the night in a new place alone. 

So, she shooed him off as the sun began to set, watching as he disappeared down the small worn path between her hut and the village proper a short distance away. She pressed a hand lightly against her stomach as she glanced back towards the sea, watching as the setting sun appeared to float upon its surface. 

It was a bit early yet for Rafayel to make his appearance, but she was feeling restless, and the shifting breeze was cool and refreshing. Humming softly to herself she picked her way across the dunes and down to the shore below. She could make out the small boats of the fishermen beginning to return to the half-built pier and paused, returning to her hut to gather up the sack of twigs and twine Zayne had gathered for her that afternoon. 

Carrying the bundle to the rocky spit she settled upon her favorite boulder, carefully stacking some of the rocks to create a small rectangular form. Into it she began to set the sticks, tying them carefully with the twin until she had created a maze of sorts. Satisfied that it would not fall apart, she waded to the edge of the spit and tossed it out into the sea, carefully securing the rope she had tied to one end to a longer stick that she drove into the wet sand and piled stones upon. If she were lucky there would a delicious prize hidden within come morning. 

Returning to her boulder to wait she peered out over the water, admiring the way the sunset colors glowed off its glassy surface. When she had first been brought to this place as a child the sea had terrified her. There was no ocean in the City. No large bodies of water into which she could so easily drown. It had taken years of gentle coaxing for the villagers to convince her to even set foot upon a boat. But now, she found it rather lovely.  

Something broke the surface of the water to her right and she turned, cocking her head as she watched the disturbed water ripple. She waited quietly to see if the thing would surface again. To her surprise, two figures eventually rose up together, pushing playfully at one another as their finned tails slapped great waves of water up into the air, the sound of their laughter drifting towards her over the incessant roar of the waves. She felt her heart speed up slightly as she watched the pair slip back beneath the water’s surface. 

It was unusual to see the Lemurians so close to the shore. She knew they sometimes came here for the fishermen would return with tales of fins upon the water, but she had never seen them in person herself ... well, she corrected herself sheepishly, brushing her hand against her swollen stomach, aside from Rafayel of course. 

She watched as the pair resurfaced a bit closer, realizing it was a male and female playing together. The female reared up behind the male, pushing down upon his shoulders and dunking him back under with a laugh. The movement surprised a soft laugh from her and the female suddenly froze, her head whiping around as she scanned the shore. 

She froze as well, her heart pounding as the Lemurian’s eyes finally found and locked onto hers. 

Swallowing nervously, she rose, slowly backing her way down the narrow spit as the Lemurian drifted closer, watching her intently. The male had surfaced behind the female, watching her as well as she slowly picked her way to the shore. Rafayel could mimic a human form, but she was unsure if that was something all Lemurians could do or if it was some talent unique to him as the God of the Sea. In this moment, as the pair slowly crept closer, she sorely hoped it was the later. 

Either way, her growing panic demanded she do what she had to do in order to put distance between herself and the pair watching her from just off the shore. They had both stilled as she stepped from the spit onto the shifting sands of the beach and she felt her shoulders relax slightly, figuring they were content to let her leave. 

Unfortunately, the moment she turned to go, a sound made her pause. It was ... strange. Almost like a bird’s cry upon the wind. Not thinking, she turned back towards the water, blinking in surprise to find the female only a few feet from the shore now, watching her intently. The Lemurian’s pale lips pulled into a grin before parting, her pale throat vibrating strangely as she began to vocalize. She supposed one could call what the Lemurian was doing with her voice “singing” but it wasn’t singing in the sense of a human voice make music but rather the sound of the wind through the reeds or the tug of the primordial sea calling all of its children home. 

She didn’t even realize she had begun walking until the cool waters of the sea wrapped themselves about her ankles. She frowned, trying to glance down at her legs but finding herself unable to break away from the intense gaze of the Lemurian calling her out into the waters. Her heart was beating wildly, her stomach churning in fear as her legs continued to carry her forward, ignoring her demands that they stop. 

Higher and higher the water climbed as she was drawn further out into the waves, lured by the pale eyed siren who was singing her to her doom. Her skirt, brushing against her ankles, grew heavy as she stepped deeper. Slowly the water began to reach her knees, then her thighs. Then a gentle wave lapped at her belly. Somewhere in the fog of her mind, she was reminded that she did not know how to swim, that she should not go too far. Yet the mermaid’s voice seemed to quell those concerns, assuring her of safety, of warmth, of acceptance.

Just a few feet away now the Lemurian’s lips curved in an inviting smile, and she extended an arm towards her, as though encouraging her to come out just a bit further.

By now, the waves were slapping against her chest, her soaked clothing weighing her down, making every step a monumental effort. The waves lifted her slightly with each rolling crest, making her feet scramble for purchase as she was lifted up off the ground. A part of her, some distant voice of logic, whispered that she was in danger. She truly couldn’t swim, and the ocean at night was no place to test her limits. But the voice was distant, drowned out beneath the lull of the siren’s unnatural melody.

Then, just as she was about to take another step, she felt arms circle her waist from behind, pulling her back against a firm chest. The sudden jolt of contact shattered the trance the Lemurian’s song had put her into. She gasped, her heart slamming into her ribs as she froze, awash in panic as she realized her feet were no longer touching the bottom of the sea. 

“ Enough .” Came the sharp command from behind her and suddenly everything stilled. 

The song cut off abruptly, her eyes widening in alarm as the Lemurian mermaid before her stared at whatever was over her shoulder. 

She jerked wildly between the arms that held her, struggling frantically to free herself. Water splashed around her, stinging her eyes as she inhaled sharply, taking in water with the air, making her choke on the salty brine. Panic flared as she began to flail, desperate to return to the shore. 

“Stop! Calm down. You’re safe.” Came a familiar voice just over her shoulder and she hesitated, glancing back at the one who held her. 

Rafayel was there, carefully supporting her and keeping her head up above the waves. His left arm was looped securely around her waist, while his right hand pressed lightly against her hip, steadying her. “It's okay. I’ve got you.” He assured her, his breath hot against her ear.

She gulped for air, blinking rapidly as her eyes sought the shore. She was far enough out that her toes could barely find purchase on the shifting sand as the waves ebbed. If Rafayel weren’t holding her, she might well be dragged under the next swell and hauled out to sea by the ocean's current. Her pulse pounded in panic, but she forced herself to slow her breathing as she stilled, allowing Rafayel to get a better grip upon her.

“Help me!” She managed to gasp. Something familiar brushed against the backs of her legs and she glanced down, watching as the blue scales of his tail glowed faintly in the dark water. 

“I see you met a few new ... friends.” Rafayel replied, his voice heavy with amusement as he peered down at her. 

She scowled, twisting in his arms so that she could wrap her hands about his neck, clinging to him as the waves continued to lift her up off the ocean floor. “I’m pretty sure they are trying to kill me.” She growled, peering over his shoulders only to find the waters beyond smooth and suspiciously devoid of the pair of Lemurians. 

He chuckled, adjusting his grip on her so that she sat a bit higher in the water. “Most likely.” He agreed. 

“I ...” She began, but she found she was too shaken for words. Her mind was still reeling from the abrupt shift from the warm calm of the siren’s enthrallment to the sudden panic of realizing she was about to drown. She felt her chest ache from the pounding of her heart. 

Rafayel’s right hand brushed gently against her hip, trying to sooth her. “It’s fine now. They won’t dare try again.” He assured her softly, though she could sense the tension in his own body. “Breathe with me.” He urged, drawing in a slow breath, holding her firmly as the next wave rolled past. She tried to match his controlled breathing, letting the trembling subside from her limbs.

As the initial flush of panic began to fade, she began to realize just how intimately they were pressed together. Rafayel's bare chest was pressed firmly against hers, his breath hot against her cheek. She noted, too, how the water buoyed her aching belly, relieving some of the strain from her spine. Despite the residual fear, there was a comfort in that weightlessness, in being held so carefully by Rafayel. Her body, exhausted from carrying about the extra weight of their eggs, felt surprisingly refreshed floating here in the ocean’s waters.

She risked a glance down at the water lapping beneath her chin and noticed the slow, powerful sweep of Rafayel’s tail just below. Hesitantly, she reached down and let her hand brush across the firm, sleek texture of those scales. 

“Relax.” He insisted. “I won’t let you go under.”

His words sank into her, easing the last remnants of panic. The eggs within her seemed to shift in response to his voice and she gasped, daring to reach down and press her hand against her stomach, though she kept her other hand firmly latched about his neck.

A short distance away she noticed that the two Lemurians had resurfaced, watching them curiously. The male murmured something in a strange language, causing Rafayel’s tail to twitch in response, as though he understood. He shot the pair a reproachful look. The pale eyed mermaid frowned back, then gave a languid flick of her tail and dove beneath the surface, soon vanishing into the dark. The other followed, leaving only a faint swirl of foam in their wake. Within seconds, they were gone, swallowed by the vast ocean.

She sighed, resting her forehead against Rafayel’s chest, trusting him to hold her up as she closed her eyes, forcing herself to relax in his hold. She became aware of his hands shifting upon her skin, nails ghosting over her sides as he adjusted his hold on her. When his cheek bumped against hers, she lifted her chin, peering up at him. He seemed to hesitate, his lips parted slightly as he considered her for a long moment before slowly dipping his face, his lips brushing against hers. 

She groaned as she felt the tip of his tongue flicker against her lips, teasing against them until she parted them, allowing it to slip into her mouth, brushing over her tongue, making her gasp as she tightened her arms about his neck. 

She felt his grip on her shift and groaned as one of his hands slid up beneath her soaked shirt and along the underside of her aching breast, his thumb flicking over her nipple, sending a sharp tingle through her. 

“Rafayel ...” She gasped, glancing down to watch as he gently squeezed her breast in response. 

His leaned back, his tail slipping between her legs, pressing against her aching pussy. Staring up at him, she tilted her hips, rocking her clit against the smooth scales until she began to pant. Rafayel returned her gaze, his eyes gone dark as his hand tightening about her waist and his tail pushed harder against her, forcing her legs wider.  

She felt the first hint of one of his cocks pushing against her thigh and she groaned, peering up at his sinfully handsome face. 

“Surely they’ve been fertilized many times over.” She tried to protest, though she suspected the way her voice trembled as desire coursed through her veins exposed her for the liar she was. 

Rafayel chuckled, dipping his face to nip at her lips. “One can never be too sure.” He teased. 

She loosened her grip as he pushed her down a bit, though he remained careful to keep her shoulders above the water as he repositioned himself. She glanced down, watching as the angry red head of his longer cock slipped between her legs, brushing against her aching clit as he positioned her over the lower one. Licking her lips, she let her left hand slid down, pushing against his muscled chest as she shifted, groaning as she felt the blunt head of his dick catch on her folds and then slip between them. 

“What are you, addicted to sex or something?” She grit out, struggling to keep the moan out of her voice as she felt her body open, allowing him slot into her. “How many other ‘sacrifices’ do you visit each day anyway?”

Beneath her Rafayel growled warningly, his tail pushing hard against her pussy, his cock battering against her, demanding entrance. She closed her eyes, panting as she felt it work its way further inside. Her body, well used to it now, parted easily, swallowing the hot, demanding organ as he fed it deeper into her body. 

To her relief, Rafayel stilled as he bottomed out, giving her a moment to adjust to the fullness.

“You’re the only one worthy of carrying my brood.” He growled into her ear, making her pause, staring down at him in confusion before he slowly pulled back, the thick veins of his cock catching at the internal ridges of her cunt, making her aware of the delicious drag of his heavy flesh as it slowly worked itself free. She cried out in surprise as he suddenly surged forward, driving it deep into her before again subjecting her to the slow pull out. She glared up at him, meeting his amused look with bared teeth, silently demanding he pick up the pace. 

Chuckling her obliged, setting a grueling pace that had the water about them churning as he fucked into her again and again. Panting, she reached down, cupping his longer upper cock and pressing it against her swollen stomach. It speared through her hand as he fucked her, the base burning deliciously against her clit as Rafayel worked them both towards their mutual completions. 

“Tell me how it feels.” He growled, his voice deep and commanding, making her shudder. 

She shook her head stubbornly, earning a dark chuckle before he shifted, squeezing her legs tight about his tail, narrowing her pussy and making her gasp as his dick continued to force its way in and out of her. 

“Tell me.” He demanded again. 

She groaned, pressing her forehead against his chest as she peered down, watching the speared head of his upper cock as it wormed against her swollen stomach. How many times had she taken that thing deep within her womb? She wondered, shuddering at the memory of it twisting within her. 

“Good.” She finally admitted, her cheeks flushing as she tilted her hips, desperate for more friction against her clit. “It feels so good.”

Rafayel hissed at her words, his fangs ghosting over her shoulder as he continued to fuck into her. “You carry my brood so well.” He growled against her neck, drawing her attention back to her swollen stomach. “They’re growing strong within you.”

She panted against him, watching as his hand slipped from her waist to brush against her lower stomach, his claws tracing gently over the stretched skin as they worked their way down to her clit. 

“Come.” He growled, his fingers pressing against her clit, making her arch and gasp. “Come for me. Only me.” He demanded as his fingers began to work her, torturing that sensitive nub of flesh as she twisted and sobbed against him, overwhelmed by the sensation.

She came suddenly, every muscle in her body tensing as she clung to him, gasping as she felt his tail press firmly against her pussy, his hot seed painting her insides as he growled through his own release. 

She was vaguely aware of her drenched shirt being pulled aside but, before she could wonder about it, Rafayel’s hot mouth closed about her shoulder, his teeth sinking deep into her flesh. She stiffened and shrieked, pushing frantically against his chest as his jaws clenched closed, holding her trapped between them. It hurt but she couldn’t free herself from his hold and was forced to lay there, crushed to his chest as his teeth pressed deeper into her flesh for a long moment. She sobbed as she finally felt his jaw relax and he pulled back, eyeing the mark he’d undoubtably left upon her skin. 

“What the hell, Rafayel!” She snarled, taking a swing at him and yelping as he pulled back, putting enough distance between them that her fist wouldn’t connect with his infuriatingly smug face. 

She began to sink downwards and she flailed, desperate to stay afloat. To her relief, Rafayel’s arm caught her about the waist again, pulling her safely back up above the water. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as he flicked the sharp nail of his thumb across the palm of his hand, giving her a glimpse of bright blood welling up from his split flesh before he pressed his palm firmly against the bite wound on her neck. 

She hissed at the sting of pain and pressure as he did so, glaring up at him in fury. 

“The others will not be able to lure you to the sea now.” He informed her, as though that should explain everything. 

She bared her own teeth at him. “You bit me.” She snarled.

Rafayel cocked his head, considering her for a long moment. “Yes. The others will see the mark and know you are claimed. They will leave you alone now.” He explained slowly, as though she were being purposely dense. 

Tsking in annoyance she kicked out at him in frustration, her feet thudding uselessly against his tail as she turned in his arms and began clawing her way back to the shore. “You could have at least warned me.” She growled.

Rafayel was silent at her back, and she yelped as he tilted forward, his strong tail propelling them closer to the shore. 

She gasped in relief when the ocean floor finally rose to meet her feet and she hurried back onto the land, resisting the urge to sink down onto her knees on it as she turned, waiting for Rafayel to join her. 

She watched as he slowly padded his way to her side, pausing a moment before awkwardly holding out his arm, his elbow bent as though he were offering to her. She tsked again, turning away from what was probably an attempt at a peace offering between them.

She was aware of him hesitating at her side, gaze turning distant as he considered things for a moment. “You can leave your mark on me too ... if you want.” He finally offered. 

She turned back to glare at him, her hand coming up to brush against the still stinging marks on her neck. “I’m not biting you.” She protested, turning her nose up slightly. “That’s barbaric.”

He met her gaze evenly. “Then how do you know who has been claimed?” He asked.

She folded her arms. “We don’t ... claim ... each other. We get married.” She explained. 

Rafayel shrugged. “Alright. We shall do that, then.” 

His words surprised a laugh out of her. He cocked his head in confusion as she shook hers, waving his offer off. “This is so ridiculous.” She grumbled, turning to glance back at the gentle rise of the dunes. “Come on, I suppose I should show you something.”

She reached out, earning another confused look as he tried to figure out what she wanted. Laughing softly, she reached out further, grabbing his arm and folding his elbow out as he had attempted to do before. Rafayel straightened as he realized what she was trying to do, holding still as she wrapped her hands about his proffered elbow. 

Rafayel looked rather pleased with himself at having managed to mimic this form of human behavior and she bit her lip, not wanting to embarrass him as she tugged him towards the break in the dunes where her little hut had been built. 

“They finished my home this morning.” She informed him as they walked. 

He nodded slowly. “That’s ... good.” He offered and she had to resist the urge to giggle at his awkwardness. Clearly, the God of the Sea, for all his talents was not well versed in small talk. 

The beach was quiet, the air filled only with the soft hiss of waves rolling onto shore. Her earlier encounter with the Lemurians felt surreal now, like a dream from which she had abruptly awakened. She occasionally glanced over her shoulder, half expecting to see those shimmering figures reappear, but, to her relief, the ocean remained empty.

As they walked, she leaned against Rafayel’s side, enjoying the warmth of his body next to hers.

Soon, the silhouette of her hut came into view, a small shape nestled among the modest dunes. She grinned, stepping past him to wave towards it. “Isn’t it wonderful?” She asked. 

Rafayel had paused, a frown tugging at his lips as he considered it. “This ... is the best they could come up with?” He grumbled, his eyes flicking over it in disdain. 

She huffed, shaking her head as she made her way up to the sliding door. “It’s more than enough for me.” She insisted, pulling the door open and stepping inside. “I suppose I should thank you for asking them to make it for me.”

He peered through the doorway as she spoke, his gaze narrowing at the dark interior. She watched as he stalked towards the small table, plucking her wooden bowl from where it hung to the side and setting it down. Thinking he perhaps was looking for food she glanced hesitantly at the small bundle Zayne had brought earlier. It didn’t contain much, just enough food for breakfast but she supposed she did owe him for demanding the villagers build her this place …

Before she could move to fetch the bundle, he brushed his hand over the bowl and she yelped in surprise as a bright flame flickered to life within it, casting a bright light throughout her little home. 

Panicked, she grabbed for one of her shirts, about to throw it over the merrily flickering fire before it could spread. To her frustration, Rafayel plucked the shirt from her grasp. 

“It’s fine.” He assured her. 

“Fine?” She demanded, staring nervously at the fire. “This entire hut is wood and thatch. A flame like that will send it up in a heartbeat!” She protested.

Rafayel laughed, waving her off. “It’ll behave.” He assured her, reaching out to brush his fingers against it like it was some kind of pet. “I promise.”

She hesitated, watching as the fire danced across his fingertips before returning to the little bowl. True to his word, she could see no damage to the bowl or the table around it, as though the flame was on its best behavior.

“You ... you can control fire?” She breathed, peering up at him. 

Rafayel shrugged, shaking out her shirt and frowning over it as he turned it this way and that. 

Sighing, she flopped down on her cot, watching as he finally set the shirt aside before returning his attention to her meager surroundings. His gaze seemed to take in every detail, his brows pinching together. “They should have built you something more substantial.” He finally groused, crossing his arms as he glared up at the thatched roof above their heads.

She sighed. “It’s enough for me.” She insisted once more. “Besides, I like it here. I can hear the ocean at night. It’s private and ... it’s mine.” She finished, her voice full of pride.

He studied her face for a long moment, then glanced around once more. To her relief, the line of tension in his shoulders eased slightly. “If it makes you happy.” He said at last. “Then I suppose it will do.”

A warm flush of gratitude rose in her chest. “Thank you.” 

Rafayel nodded slowly and glanced at the door. “I should go.” He finally said. “There are still a few things I need to attend to.”

Her heart twisted with a fleeting sense of loss at the thought of being alone again so soon, though she knew he was probably terribly busy. “All right.” She said softly. 

He studied her, the faintest hint of a smile curving his lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow night. The flame will die out on it’s own, just leave it be.” 

She nodded as he slipped out of the door, closing it carefully behind him. Leaving her alone in her little hut with it’s merrily burning flame.

********

The morning sun shone through the tiny window, waking her just after dawn, as she had hoped it would. 

Satisfied with this arrangement, she pushed off the thin blanket, stretching as she peered at the table. As Rafayel had promised, the little flame that had watched over her while she slept had disappeared, leaving the bowl and table unscathed. Smiling faintly, she reached up, gingerly touching her bared shoulder, prodding the marks Rafayel’s teeth had left upon it the night before. To her surprise, they appeared to already be healed over, though the flesh around them was still puffy and hot, warning her to leave them be. Sighing, she dug out the breakfast Zayne had left for her, considering what she wanted to accomplish for the day. 

Now that she had her hut, she didn’t really need to do anything else but the thought of sitting around alone, day after day, did not appeal to her. Shrugging, she finished the food and rose, changing into a fresh pair of clothes before carefully gathering up the two satchels Zayne had left for her. She would return them to him at the temple and perhaps help out around the grounds for a little bit, she decided, pleased with herself. 

Yet, as she pushed aside the hut’s door and glanced down the worn pathway to the village she hesitated, a faint dread churning in her stomach. Ever since resources and labor had been diverted to making her hut, some of the formerly friendly looks she had come to expect from her fellow villagers had turned more hostile. She had heard the whispers, the complaints over her being given freely what others in the village had to work hard to afford. She understood their frustrations but there was little she could say. Rafayel had ordered it done ... it was out of all of their hands. 

As she picked her way along the familiar path leading behind the dunes towards the village, she settled into a slow, measured pace, tugging nervously at the hem of her shirt, assuring herself that it hung below her stomach. Her fingers also traced the edge of her collar, hoping it and her hair would be enough to hide the bite mark upon her shoulder. Rafayel had bitten very close to her neck, and she worried the shirt, already cut large enough to ensure her stomach staid hidden, would gape if she turned wrong. 

She finally reached the edge of the village, smiling faintly as a trio of children ran by, the little rods clutched in their hands raised high as they headed down towards the shore. She nodded politely to the woman who followed behind them, receiving only a curt grunt in return. Though she forced the smile to remain on her face she felt her heart sink a little at the cold greeting. As she continued onward, a few more villagers crossed her path. Some offered no greeting at all, while others shot her sidelong glances. One older woman let out a hissing sigh, clearly meant to signal displeasure as she passed by. Though each slight stung, she kept her gaze fixed forward, determined not to let them know just how much she was affected by their acts.

Her path wound steadily towards the temple. As she neared the wooden fence that marked the start of the temple grounds, she noticed an unusual tension in the air, making her pause. 

A couple of villagers had gathered at the far side of the fence, whispering among themselves. Their expressions were curious and every so often, one of them cast a glance over toward the temple’s entrance. She frowned as she followed their line of sight. Five large, imposing horses were tied to a post near the temple’s outer gate. She knew the village’s horses and these watchful beasts were certainly not them. Nor were they the type of horses that typically accompanied the occasional merchant or messenger that passed their way. 

These, she knew, were war horses. Huge and muscular, decked with saddles that bore the crest of the royal family. 

A prickle of unease ran through her. 

The arrival of the King’s men would have nothing to do with her, she assured herself. And yet ... she resisted the urge to brush her hand across her stomach ... she knew she had much to hide. 

Making up her mind to delay this particular visit until the King's men had left, she turned, intending to retrace her steps back to the hut. 

She had only taken a few steps when a shadow suddenly surged forward to block her path. She froze, a curse trapped behind her clenched teeth as she stared up at the woman before her. As a young orphan trying to find her place among the villagers, she had often fallen afoul of Yalena and she was no stranger to the ham hocked fists the woman liked to wield against those she felt weren't carrying their weight. She backed up a step as Yalena paced closer, her face twisted and red with anger. 

“And where do you think you’re going?” Yelena groused, her voice sharp. “There’s things that need doing, girl. Or are you too good for an honest day’s work now?”

“I was just ...” She began nervously before stopping, reminding herself that she was an adult now and owed no one an explanation for anything she did. Lifting her chin, she glared up at the woman. “Leave me be.” She demanded, stepping aside to brush past the other woman, not at all surprised when Yalena shifted to block her path once more. 

“What’s so special about you that the temple demanded we give up our materials to build you a dwelling?” Yalena demanded, her voice rising, undoubtedly catching the attention of the others nearby. “Families in this village have needed repairs for weeks, but we were ordered to deliver the timber and the skilled workers elsewhere, all because you, an outsider, apparently took priority.”

She felt her face flush. “I never asked them to ...” She began, only to be cut off as Yalena thrust a hand against her shoulder, forcing her backward. She gasped, stumbling back a step. Her arms flailed briefly as she nearly lost her balance.

“Don’t lie.” Yalena hissed in her face. “You dare to take more than your share. You think you’re better than the rest of us.” She stepped forward again, clearly itching for a fight.

Fear rolled through her as she noticed the two young men behind Yalena moving in closer as well, seeking to form a loose half circle about them, trapping her. She nervously retreated a step, her back nearly colliding with the temple’s fence. “I don’t think I’m better than anyone.” She insisted. “I ... I just want to be left alone.”

Yalena barked out a laugh, though it was entirely devoid of humor. “Just because you somehow survived the Sea God you think you deserve more than the rest of us now, eh? Maybe it’s time to remind you that you came from nothing and to nothing you will return.”

Her cheeks burned at the older woman's words. The truth of her origins was no secret. But it stung to have it thrown in her face, especially in that mocking tone. She swallowed, trying to keep her breathing under control. “Yalena, please.” She pleaded. “None of this was my choice ...”

But Yalena’s eyes glinted with anger, clearly in no mood for reason. She yelped as the larger woman shoved her again, harder this time. She wobbled, her sandals slipping in the loose sand. Pain flared in her lower back as she nearly lost her footing and twisted, catching herself on the rough wood of the fence.

To her relief, a sharp voice called out from behind the fence. “Stop it! All of you!”

She recognized that voice immediately, peering back as Zayne ducked under the fence, making his way towards them.

Yalena twisted her head, scowling. “This is none of your business.” She snapped. “She has no right walking around like everyone owes her something, especially after ...”

“After what?” Zayne demanded, stepping forward to place himself between the two of them. “She’s done nothing to you.”

One of the young men took a step forward, his lips curling in a sneer. “What’s it matter to you? You sweet on her or something?”

Zayne’s eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his stance firm. “Back off.” He warned, an edge to his voice. “You’re going to harm her if you keep pushing like that.”

Faster than she thought possible given her size, Yalena managed to step around Zayne while the younger man distracted him. She yelped as Yalena grabbed her by the arm, flinging her forward with enough force that she tripped over her own feet and went careening towards the ground. She gasped as she fell, desperately twisting onto her side so that her stomach would be spared the full force of her fall. She cried out as she slid a short distance, the sand and tiny pebbles embedded in the pathway digging into and tearing at the flesh along her arm and leg. 

Through her shock she barely registered the sound of raised voices around her. She was vaguely aware of Zayne’s outraged shout and the startled exclamations from onlookers. She blinked up in momentary confusion as Zayne crouched at her side, carefully rolling her over onto her back as his gaze flickered over her scraped arm. 

Suddenly, she heard the crunch of heavy boots on sand hurrying towards them. She forced her gaze upward, blinking as a pair of soldiers, clad in hardened leather and short cloaks, made their way around the fence. One of them immediately intervened, pushing Yalena and her supporters back while the other approached her and Zayne, his dark eyes scanning over them both. 

“Are you alright?” The soldier asked, crouching down on her other side. She hesitated, glancing over at Zayne before nodding slowly. 

The soldier glanced down at her stomach and she followed his gaze, freezing when she realized her shirt had been pulled upward by her fall, exposing her swollen stomach to the crowd. 

She frantically grasped at her shirt, jerking it down in panic but the damage had been done. 

The soldier at her side stood, turning to glare at Yalena. “You fool!” He snapped. “Your actions could have harmed her child.”

She knew it was just her imagination, but it sounded like the soldier’s voice carried across the length and breadth of the entire village. The villagers clustered about them stilled, everyone staring down at her in shock, knowing full well she had no husband nor any known lover in the village. She shrank back, reaching out blindly to catch Zayne’s hand as she began to tremble. 

“Impossible.” Came a sharp hiss, drawing her gaze back to the temple fence. 

Darius, the head priest, stood there, his eyes narrowed as he studied her, his gaze lingering on her stomach as a flicker of suspicion began to burn in the man’s gaze, making her gut twist as she realized that he was staring to put two and two together. 

“The child is mine.”

She froze, turning to stare up at Zayne in confusion as his voice suddenly rang out. His gaze was fixed firmly on Darius’s as he made the declaration. 

It took a long moment for his words to sink in ... for her to realize just how much he was risking for her. Gasping she gripped his hand tighter, staring up at him desperately, unwilling to let him take the fall for her choice. 

“Zayne ... no ...” She started but Zayne’s gaze slashed down towards her, silencing her. 

“The child is mine.” He repeated once more, his expression broking no argument from her. “I had planned to claim it as my own once it was born.”

His attention returned to Darius who was watching them, his gaze still deeply suspicious. “You would risk your position ... to claim this child?” Darius demanded slowly, as though wishing to give Zayne a chance to reconsider. 

Zayne nodded firmly, shifting to stand, helping her up as well. “It’s the truth.” He insisted, the lie slipping easily from him as his arm tightened about her waist, keeping her safely pressed against his side. “The child is mine.” Zayne stated firmly for the third time, his voice low and dangerous, as though daring anyone to further dispute his claim.

Zayne’s face was a mask of calm determination, though she could feel the tension in him as she leaned against his side. She stared up at him, tears of guilt stinging at the corners of her eyes. She knew he was endangering his future in this instant. She should speak up, to refuse his claim but ... her voice was frozen in her throat and she found she could do nothing but cling to him as he awaited the head priest’s declaration.

Across the fence Darius sighed, shaking his head. “Your skills as a healer are still sorely needed here so I will not revoke your access to the workshop. But you will no longer be permitted beyond that on the temple grounds. Your training here has ended.”

Darius spun on his heel, storming away toward the temple proper. A pair of acolytes scrambled after him, glancing back at Zayne hesitantly before following their master's lead. Meanwhile, Yalena and her supporters continued to lurk nearby, scowls still on their faces. They offered her no apology, but their anger seemed tempered by the presence of the soldiers. 

Zayne sighed, turning to peer down at her in concern. “Are you all right?” He asked quietly, his fingers moving over her arching arm as he brushed the sand from it. 

She shook her head, blinking back tears, as she pushed against his chest in frustration. “You didn’t have to do that.” She whispered hoarsely, acutely aware of the pair of soldiers still watching them.

He shook his head, forcing a tight smile. “It’s done. Now ... let’s get you inside so I can check you over.”

She swallowed hard wanting to argue with him more but knowing there was no point.

“Captain’s on his way.” One of the soldiers murmured to the other, glancing over his shoulder. “We’d best have this area cleared.”

The pair began to shoo everyone off. She stuck close to Zayne, following along behind him quietly as they began to make their way towards the break in the fence. They had only gone a few steps when a firm voice rang out.

“Report!” 

Instantly, the soldiers near them snapped to attention, shoulders rigid. “Captain! We broke up an assault. Seems the locals attacked this woman. She’s with child.” The dark eyed one barked out.

She and Zayne stilled as a new figure strode towards them. He was tall, taller even then Zayne, making her shrink against his side as the man approached them, his gaze sweeping over them both before meeting her gaze.

The man’s gaze locked onto her and her breath caught in her throat as she realized she recognized his piercing violet eyes. 

A memory surface unbidden, a young boy with those same eyes, narrowed in determination as he reached out, offering her half a loaf of stolen bread. 

“Don’t worry, pipsqueak, we’ll make it another day.” The boy assured her, reaching out to gently knock his knuckles against the crown of her head as they huddled together behind a pile of broken crates, nibbling at the stolen food as they watched the soldiers dart around the marketplace looking for them.

“Caleb?” She whispered, voice trembling as the man before her stilled, his eyes widening in recognition.

Chapter Text

She kicked her legs nervously, watching from the corner of her eye as Zayne cleaned the scrapes on her arm and leg. Across from her, Caleb watched as well, his gaze guarded but thoughtful. She winced slightly as the alcohol-soaked rag touched a particularly deep cut and Zayne murmured an apology, urging her to hold still for just a few more moments. 

She huffed softly, tearing her gaze away from the spot he was working on, focusing instead on the man across from them. 

“So ... you worked your way up to Captain?” She offered hesitantly, unsure of how exactly to interact with this ghost from her past.

Violet eyes slid to meet hers and she watched as he nodded slowly, his gaze flicking back to the man at her side for a moment before he replied. 

“Yeah. Turned out I was good for something after all.” Caleb replied, a wry smile quaking at the corners of his lips. 

She smiled faintly. “That’s good, I guess.” She offered. 

He inclined his head but, to her surprise, didn’t ask about herself, his attention instead, returning to watch Zayne as he worked.

Finally, Zayne leaned back, setting his tools aside. “I can wrap a few of these up, if you like.” He offered. “But it seems most of the bleeding has already stopped.”

She shook her head quickly, declining his offer. “I’ll be fine. Thanks.” She offered, brushing her hand over the still stinging scrapes.

Zayne nodded, rising as he gathered up his tools and carried them over to the cleaning bowl. 

Flexing her arm experimentally she winced slightly as the slowly blossoming bruises ached, but she was glad that everything seemed to at least work. 

“How’s your stomach?” Caleb asked, startling her out of her thoughts as she blinked up at him. He looked a bit uncomfortable, as though the topic of her pregnancy was unsettling to him. She glanced down, brushing her hands over her lower half. “Fine, I think.” She replied, glancing back at Zayne. “Just got a bit bumped around.” 

Zayne glanced back towards her, his gaze lingering on her for a long moment before he turned his attention back to his cleaning. “You should rest for the remainder of the day.” He replied evenly. “Just in case.”

She laughed softly, glancing back at Caleb sheepishly. “I guess I can’t argue that.” 

Caleb’s attention had once again shifted back towards Zayne and she frowned, not liking the intensity of his gaze. It reminded her too much of how he had looked when they had been young, and he’d felt that some of the other orphans that worked the same streets as them had wronged them somehow. 

“So ... what are you doing here?” She asked, hoping to take his thoughts off whatever was going on in his head regarding Zayne.

Caleb’s gaze return to her, softening slightly as he leaned back, arms crossed loosely across his chest. “We got word that this village had suffered some hardships. Figured we should come check it out, offer what aid we could.” He shrugged absently. 

She frowned slightly, not entirely sure she believed the offhanded air he was trying to affect. But she couldn’t find any flaw with his explanation. 

“So, you’re going to help with the rebuilding efforts and stuff?” She pressed.

He nodded. “Yeah. Not sure how useful we’ll be with the actual planning but I figured a few extra hands wouldn’t hurt with the lifting and dragging and what not.”

“I’m sure it’ll be much appreciated.” Zayne offered as he drifted back to her side, his hand resting on her shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. 

She noticed the way Caleb’s eyes darkened as he focused on Zayne’s hand and had to resist the sudden urge to brush it off. She didn’t know why he was acting so strangely to Zayne’s presence. It wasn’t like he’d been around for the last ten years after all.

“Well, I guess I should head back and leave you to it then.” She offered, pushing herself up off the stool.  

Caleb’s lips parted, a frown tugging at his lips as he straightened. “Actually ... there’s a few things I’d like to ask you about what happened.” He stated, glancing pointedly at Zayne. “If you would give the two of us a few minutes.”

Zayne met his gaze evenly, his face carefully neutral as they studied one another. Before she could insist it was alright, Zayne nodded, his gaze flicking down towards her.  “Let me grab a few things and I’ll walk you back when you’re done.” He replied, glancing towards Caleb before disappearing down the hall. 

Sighing, she reluctantly sat back down, her hands plucking at the edge of her shirt as she glanced at the once familiar man across from her. 

“It’s really good to see you again.” She offered, flushing slightly at how pathetic that sounded.

To her relief, Caleb merely chuckled, drifting closer before resting his hand on her head. “Yeah.” He replied, his gaze softening as he studied her for a long moment. 

She opened her mouth but before she could say anything else he suddenly leaned forward, enveloping her in a tight hug. She gasped softly, hesitantly wrapping her arms about him to awkwardly return the embrace. She felt his warm breath on her neck and shivered, reminded of the feel of Rafayel’s teeth grazing over her shoulder the night before. 

“I’ve been looking for you for such a long time.” He murmured, his voice full of emotion as he pulled back to meet her gaze. “The damn priests back in the city refused to say anything about where they’d sent you.”

She blinked in surprise, peering up at him. “Really? They dropped me off with the first envoy out of the city. I figured ... I figured they’d done the same to you as well after they caught us. Though a part of me always hoped you’d managed to escape.”

He shook his head, his lips thinning as he glanced towards the empty hallway. “Nah.” He fell silent for a long moment before sighing, glancing back down at her. “So you and that guy ...?”

She shifted uncomfortably, flushing slightly at his unspoken suggestion. “It’s ... I mean we didn’t ...” She stuttered, her hands fisting slightly as she struggled to find the right words. 

To her relief Caleb shook his head, his hand slipping down to wrap about hers, squeezing them gently. “Nevermind.” He offered. 

She nodded, glancing up at him thankfully. 

“Kinda curious as to why everyone seems to have it out for you, though.” He replied, his gaze hardening.

She sighed. “It’s fine.” She insisted. “Just ... some people got a bit annoyed at something that happened recently. It’ll blow over, eventually.”

“Uh huh.” Caleb replied dryly, his voice thick with disbelief.

“It will.” She insisted. “And Zayne’ll help me out in the meantime.”

At her side Caleb tsked softly. “He better be after ... ya know ... all of this.”

She laughed as he gestured vaguely towards her swollen stomach, a faint flush painting across his cheeks. 

“He has.” She insisted.

He sighed, running his hand through his hair. “We’ll need to set up camp nearby and take stock of what the village needs. But once all of that is taken care of ... I’ll swing by to see what your place needs.”

She smiled faintly, touched at his concern. “You don’t have to worry about me. You’ll want to focus on the homes on the western side of the village. They were the most damaged by the ... storms.” She hesitated on the last word, unsure of just how much Caleb knew or how much she wanted to admit to him. 

She had things with Rafayel under control. Introducing the King’s soldiers into the mix could be a recipe for disaster. Better, she mused, to keep them in the dark as much as she could so that they would offer what help they could and then leave, 

Though ... the thought of saying goodbye to Caleb already brought a twinge of sadness to her.

To her relief, Zayne returned, a trio of satchels slung over his shoulder as Caleb let them both go. She took the smallest of the satchels, slinging it over her uninjured arm as they slipped out of the workshop, pausing to thankfully accept a basket of food passed to them by one of the younger acolytes who spared Zayne a pained look before hurrying back to his duty. 

The two of them walked slowly along the well worn path towards the dunes. She couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes burning into her back and when Zayne hesitantly tucked her under his arm, she pressed against his side thankfully, glad to know that at least one person in the village had her best interest at heart. 

Though as she glanced up at him nervously, the weight of what he had done for her sinking back in. 

“Where will you stay, now that Darius has kicked you out of the temple complex?” She asked as they drifted beyond the confines of the village. 

Zayne shrugged, his gaze fixed forward. “I can return to the family home, I’m sure. But ...” He hesitated, making her cock her head curiously as his gaze flicked down towards her. “If we wish to maintain the illusion that the child is mine ...” He shrugged and she chuckled softly at the way the tips of his ears flushed red. 

“You want to stay with me?” She guessed. 

He nodded slowly. “I know you’re excited to finally have a place of your own but with tensions as they are, it may be best for you to have someone with you. Just in case.”

She glanced out over the dunes, eyeing the low roof of her hut visible just above them. “I suppose that makes sense.” She replied. 

At her side Zayne relaxed slightly. “We can revisit this choice later, if you like.” He offered. “Perhaps after the soldiers have left the village.”

She nodded, glancing up at him nervously. “Rafayel still wants me to visit with him each night.” She admitted in a rush, flushing herself when Zayne’s eyes narrowed slightly. “He ... I don’t think he’s going to like knowing someone is staying with me.” She admitted. “But I’ll tell him it’s just a precaution while the others are here. He may find that more agreeable.”

Zayne nodded slowly.

They made their way back to her hut without further incident and she sank down on her little cot in relief. She watched as he slowly unpacked a sleeping roll of his own, setting it against an empty corner. She plucked nervously at the hem of her shirt as she watched him claim the corner as his own, the realization of just what it would mean for him to stay with her finally settling in. 

Satisfied with his setup he turned back towards her, making her gasp as he approached. 

“Lie back.” He instructed, making her blink up at him owlishly. 

“Why?” She demanded, wincing at how breathy her voice felt as she peered up at him. 

He glanced down at her, his eyes pinched in mild confusion for a moment before widening as he noted her sudden nervousness. Clearing his throat he plucked something from the satchel he had placed upon the table, holding it up so that she could recognize the little listening device he used to hear heartbeats and other things. 

Flushing in embarrassment she did as he had asked, watching as he knelt at her side, gently pushing her shirt up, his fingers pressing lightly against her stomach as he listened. Shaking his head he set the device aside, using both hands to gently feel around her belly, prodding at it. 

“No pain?” He asked, glancing up at her as he worked. 

She shook her head negatively. “My shoulder and hip took most of the hit.” She informed him, her flush deepening as he pulled the waist of her pants down a bit, tilting her so that he could eye the bruise forming along her hip and outer thigh. 

Sighing, he helped her roll back, returning the device to the table before reaching up and gently pulling the collar of her shirt to the side. 

“And this?” He inquired, his voice low with growing anger, his piercing gaze pinning her as his fingers brushed over the slightly swollen mark Rafayel’s teeth had left upon her skin the night before. 

She pulled away from his grasp, tugging her shirt back into place to hide them. “It’s nothing.” She murmured. “Leave it alone.”

He rocked back on his heels, his fingers resting upon his knees as they peered at one another. 

“If he’s hurting you ...” Zayne began.

She shook her head firmly, glaring up at him. “He's not.” She insisted, cutting him off. “We have an agreement and he’s been doing what he needs to in order to help me fulfill it. He could have just ... given me these and left.” She pointed out, gesturing towards her stomach. “But he didn’t.”

Zayne sighed, shaking his head in frustration as he rose, retreating back to the other side of the hut. 

She clenched her hands in her lap as she watched him. “I’m sorry you got tangled up in this.” She offered, watching as he paused. “Once everything is done ... I’ll tell Darius who the real father is and insist you were just doing what Rafayel told us to do to pay the debt. I'll make him understand so you can get your position back.”

To her surprise, Zayne simply shook his head. “It’s fine.” He assured her, settling in the wooden chair with his journal.

“But it’s really not.” She insisted. “You didn’t do anything wrong ...”

He lifted a hand, waving her words off. “I had intended to leave the order anyway.” He finally admitted, his gaze softening as he glanced down at the journal in his hands. 

She paused, watching him in surprise. “Why?” She pressed. Being the head priest ... even for a village as small as theirs ... was a coveted position. It would have assured him a steady income and more advanced training for his Evol at the capital. 

He laughed softly, peering down at her. “It’s not what my heart desired.” He replied simply, flipping over the journal and settling it in his lap, indicated he was finished with this conversation. 

She scowled but decided to let it go. She’d demand to know what he meant by that later, she decided.

******************

A bonfire on the western edge of the beach caught her attention as she made her way down to the rocky spit. She frowned as she watched the smoke slowly twine its way up into the sky, wondering what was going on down there. However it was a bit further than she felt like walking, so she chose to ignore it for the time being, carefully picking her way out to the edge of the spit and digging up the damp rope she had tied to her small trap. Tugging it up she pounced on the pair of crabs that tried to dart out of it, nimbly stuffing them into her basket, careful of their quick pinches. 

Satisfied with her catch she reset the trap, securing the rope with a pair of heavy rocks before picking her way back up to her hut, humming happily to herself. 

She slowed when she noticed the door to her hut had been left open, frowning. She was sure she had closed it. 

Setting the basket aside she crept closer, trying to peer inside. 

A figure moved to her left and she yelped, jerking away from it instinctively. 

A few steps away Caleb paused, watching as she gripped her chest, trying to calm herself as she glared over at him. 

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” She griped, hunching slightly for a moment to catch her breath before straightening. 

At her side Caleb chuckled, brushing past her as he invited himself into her hut, as though he had every right in the world to be there. “Afternoon to you too, pipsqueak.” He replied dryly.

Taking a moment to secure her basket to make sure her catch didn’t try to escape, she followed him in, frowning as he set a pack down on her table and began to unwrap it. 

“What’s that?” She demanded. 

He glanced up at her, violet eyes glittering with amusement as he pulled a few items free of it. 

“Elder Saris informed me that they had just built this place for you. But he admitted it was a bit of a rushed job, not really suitable for a lady with a child. So I figured I’d grab a few things to make it a bit more ... homey.” He replied, setting a pair of pots aside before gathering up the frame for a trammel and a cooking pot. 

She watched in surprise as he carried them out, hurrying to follow as he considered the area around her hut before choosing a spot where the sea breeze wouldn't carry the smoke towards her hut. 

“You don’t have to do that ...” She protested weakly as he made his way over to a new pile of wood she had failed to notice and chose a few pieces, tossing them down in a circle before gathering up a few stones and beginning to lie them in a circular pattern around the cooking area. 

He flashed her a smile as he continued to work and she sighed, trudging over to grab a few smaller stones to slot into the low wall he was making. 

“I’ll bring over a washing bin and help you set up a drying rope tomorrow.” Caleb said as they worked together, securing the metal frame together before hanging the hook. 

She shook her head. “Really, it’s not that important. I can get by without them.” She protested. 

He tsked, brushing his hands against his pants as he stepped back, eyeing the cooking pit they had made. “Kind of surprised that husband of yours didn’t bother to make sure you had those things before deciding to try out the whole family thing first.” He replied. 

She scowled, disliking the implied dig at Zayne. “He’s not my husband.” She snapped before she could stop herself, hesitating at the sharp glance Caleb cast her way. 

“Is that so?” He replied darkly. 

She sighed, shaking her head. “It’s ... complicated.” She replied, waving him off. “But Zayne’s been good to me, so leave him alone.”

Caleb huffed softly but, to her relief, seemed willing to let the matter drop. At least for the time being. 

He fetched the large cooking pot for her, hanging it on the hook before passing her some flint and a small dagger so that she could spark a flame to life under it. As she nurtured the flame, he fetched her some fresh water before slipping his own dagger into the pair of crabs she had caught, killing them cleanly before tossing them into the pot to cook. 

“What’s going on with the fire down at the beach?” She inquired, her chin resting on her knees as the pair of them sat about the cooking pit, watching the water slowly begin to warm. 

“We’re setting up camp down that way.” Caleb explained, poking at the logs to encourage the fire to burn hotter. “Had to clean out some of the debris from the old pier. Looks like you all had it pretty rough during that storm.”

She noted the way he glanced towards her, his gaze watchful. She shrugged. “Yeah. It was ... not good for a while there.”

He watched her for a moment more before turning his attention back to the fire. “Some of the villagers warned us about hearing voices in the sea late at night. What’s that about?”

She frowned, disliking the false lightness of his tone. “An old wives' tales.” She murmured, shrugging. “Some of the fishermen swear they see things sometimes on the waves. Usually after they’ve had a bit too much to drink.”

At her side Caleb laughed. “Yeah, I bet they do.” He replied, pushing himself up and brushing the sand from his pants. “When’s your not-husband coming back?” He asked. 

She glanced up at the sun, gauging its distance from the sea. “Probably soon.” She admitted. “He usually checks in with a few of the elders right before dinner to make sure they’ll be alright during the evening.”

Caleb nodded. “All right. I’ve got to head back and make sure we’ve got the night watch sorted out. But I’ll stop by in the morning. I’ll even bring breakfast.”

She met his grin with one of her own. “Thanks ... for everything.” She offered as she rose as well, reaching out to offer her hand. 

Caleb glanced down at it, tsking softly. She yelped as he stepped past her hand, his arm wrapping about her waist and pulling her in for a tight embrace. She flushed slightly as she felt his cheek brush against hers, his breath hot against her neck as he held her for a long moment before loosening his grip and pulling back. 

“Night.” He offered gently, reaching out to brush a few strands of her hair back from her face before stepping back and releasing her. 

She watched as he turned and slipped away, her hand pressing against her neck as she struggled to slow her rapidly beating heart.

********************

Rafayel was already waiting for her at the spit as she picked her way down towards it as the sun began to slip down below the horizon, painting the ocean red, his nostrils flaring as he took in the faint hint of smoke that permeated the air. 

“They’re clearing away part of the pier that was damaged.” She offered as she approached him, glancing the way he was staring. 

A frown tugged at his lips as his tail slapped peevishly against the crimson waters. “There are others here.” He growled, his gaze slashing towards her, anger evident in his beguiling eyes. 

She sighed, reaching up to rub against the back of her neck. “Yeah. A couple of soldiers from the city showed up this morning. I guess they heard about the … storm and came down to see what aid they could offer.”

At her side Rafayel hissed softly, his gaze slashing back towards the western edge of the beach. “How long will they stay?” He demanded.

She shrugged. “No idea. Probably a week or so. We ... uh ... might want to stop meeting so close to the village though. Caleb, their Captain, mentioned something about setting up a night watch. I don’t think anyone’s saying anything about you but it’s probably best if you don’t run into them.”

At her side Rafayel growled softly, clearly annoyed with the outside interference. 

“We can meet at the cave instead.” She reminded him, earning her a sharp look before he turned and dove down into the waves. She sighed as she watched his shadow wind its way towards the rocky cliffs in the distance. 

“I didn’t mean right now ...” She grumbled, trudging her way after him. 

She took a deep breath of the cool sea air as she picked her way down towards the rocky path that zigzagged along the coastline, following Rafayel’s shadow as he paced alongside of her beneath the waves. She slipped a bit in the sand and hissed, pressing a hand against her bruised hip as it ached, reminding her that she had managed to injure it only this morning. 

She’d done her best to hide her injuries from Rafayel, dressing in a long-sleeved tunic and a pair of pants before coming down to meet with him but, as she neared the small cave she frowned, realizing that she wouldn’t be able to hide her injuries for much longer. Glancing back to make sure no one else was near she slipped inside, watching as flames flickered to life along Rafayel’s fingers, merrily dancing their way to the large shells he’d lined against the wall, lighting the cave and its hidden pool. 

He turned as she approached, his beautiful eyes flickering over her form as he leaned back, his long tail swishing lazily in the warm waters of the pool as he waited. Though she had seen him countless times over the last two months, she felt her heart flutter as she took him in. He was breath takingly beautiful, his pale skin painted with small intricate designs, peeking out about the delicate gauze of the sash wrapped about his waist and draped elegantly over his shoulder. She peered down at her plain tan clothing, flushing a bit in embarrassment. 

Not for the first time she wondered what he could have possibly seen in her that night when he’d found her terrified and desperate on the beach. 

He was watching her closely, eyes narrowing as he waited for her to take the final few steps and join him. Sighing, she picked her way across the sandy ground, doing her best not to wince as her hip continued to ache. Across from her she was aware of the flick of his tail, betraying a touch of impatience as he watched her slip closer. 

“So ... before you freak out ...” She said, nervously plucking at the sleeve of her shirt. “I had a bit of an accident this morning.”

He scowled, pushing away from the back of the pool to move closer to her side. “You’re hurt.” He guessed.

She shrugged slightly, slipping her shirt off over her head, folding it as neatly as she could before placing it off to the side. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Rafayel watching her undress with that intense gaze of his. Even though she had shed her clothes before him many times now, his interest in watching her bare herself to him never seemed to wane.  

“I’m fine.” She assured him, slipping off her pants and sandals as well. “Just ... got a bit clumsy and took a tumble. A couple of scrapes and bruises. That’s all.” She glanced down at her arms, eyeing the vivid bruising along her shoulder, fanning down her upper arm towards her elbow. It was a frightful mix of purples and blues, peppered with smaller scraps where she had collided with the unforgiving ground.  Her hip too was turning a myriad of colors, and she winced slightly as she brushed her fingers over it. She glanced up, noting the tension in Rafayel’s jaw as his eyes flicked over her wounds. 

Swallowing nervously, she pressed her hand protectively against her lower belly as she straightened. “I didn’t fall on my stomach.” She assured him hastily. “So, I’m sure the eggs are fine.”

His expression did not change, but the tension in his shoulders eased just a little at her reassurance. Slowly, he beckoned her closer. “Come here.” He ordered. “Let me see.”

She bit her lip, making her way towards him and the pool. The sand under her feet was warm and she sighed in delight as she neared the edge of the water. Rafayel pushed himself up, half out of the pool so that his torso and arms were free. She spared him a quick smile of thanks as she took his proffered hand, slipping down into the warm waters next to him. 

As her feet settled against the soft bottom of the pool she glanced to the side, watching as Rafayel eyed her shoulder, studying the bruises. “You are more injured than you want me to believe.” He growled in reproach, his gaze flashing up at her warningly. 

She flushed slightly, running her hand along her side. “It’s not that bad.” She insisted. “It just ... looks bad.”

He hummed in displeasure, nudging her closer to the center of the pool as he swam a slow circle around her, his tail wrapping about her legs as he settled against her back, gently holding her back against the strong planes of his chest and stomach. 

She watched as one of Rafayel’s hands splayed across her stomach and she tilted her head back against his shoulder, closing her eyes as she forced herself to relax against him, enjoying the gentle pressure of his fingers against his skin.

“Our brood is unharmed.” He murmured after a few minutes of careful inspection, pressing gentle, soothing circles against her taut skin.  

She released a shuddering breath, relief coursing through her. “Good. I’m glad.” She replied, reaching up to rest her hand against his, mindful of the delicate, blueish webbing between his fingers. “I’m sorry ... for being so clumsy.”

Rafayel’s arms tightened about her and she shivered as she felt the gentle brush of his lips against the mark he’d left upon her shoulder. “It’s a strange thing … this sudden ... clumsiness .” He growled softly, making her frown. “I’ve watched you for a while now and I’ve never noticed you to be so ... clumsy.”

Her stomach knotted at the slight mocking tone of his voice. She knew she couldn’t hide behind half-truths with him, not with the same ease she might with others, but his mood could be so unpredictable and his power was immense ... “It’s the extra weight.” She offered weakly. “I guess I’m still not used to it.”

A sharp, disproving huff escaped from him. “I’ve never known you to be a liar, either.” He growled. 

She felt her cheeks warm, disliking his disappointment in her but unable to argue. For several long moments, neither spoke. Then, Rafayel’s arms dropped away slowly, his talons ghosting along her undamaged arm as he slid out from behind her, his eyes narrowed as he shifted to her right. 

She gasped as he caught her chin between his fingers, forcing her gaze to meet his. “You keep secrets from me.” He accused. “And I do not like it.”

She met his gaze silently, unsure of what else to say. Though Yalena’s actions still angered her she didn’t have it in her to subject the woman to Rafayel’s wrath. And so ... she kept her silence. 

She flinched as his hand brushed against her bruised arm, tearing her gaze from his as he carefully lifted her elbow, leaning forward to brush his lips against her torn flesh. His soft hair brushed against her chin as she felt his tongue flicker against her shoulder, making her jerk slightly in alarm. She winced as his grip tightened, holding her still as he continued to lick along the longest of the scratches. 

“What are you doing?” She demanded, voice hitching as her skin began to tingle beneath his ministrations. 

He lifted his head, eyes sliding towards her as though gauging her reaction. “My saliva has healing properties.” He replied. “It will clean the wounds and help them heal.”

She frowned but he didn’t give her time to dwell on it before he hauled her up, perching her on the sandy ledge on the pool’s edge, her legs still partially submerged as he rose up alongside of her, bracing his arms on either side of her hips, eyeing the bruises that blossomed over her right hip and thigh. She gasped softly as he dipped down, mouthing along the bruise as his tongue pressed against her aching flesh. The sensation of his mouth against her bare hip was frightfully intimate and she struggled not to squirm beneath him. 

After several long minutes he finally pulled back, smirking down at her as she stared pointedly at the small nearby flame, doing her best to think of the most unsexy thoughts she possibly could. He let out a faint, throaty chuckle. “Better?” He asked, his voice full of teasing amusement as he slide back, putting some much needed space between them. 

She swallowed, glaring down at him warily. “Thanks ... I guess.” She grumbled.

He laughed again, sliding an arm about her waist to help her slip back down into the water. “You’re so sensitive.” He murmured, holding her gently as she settled back against him. 

A few moments later she felt him shift, watching as he eased away from her, putting some space between them as he began to fish around in a small pouch about his waist. She cocked her head curiously as he drew something out of it, shaking out the soaking cloth before spreading it out before the flames. She drifted towards it, studying the torn banner before her. It was a deep crimson with silver threads in the center, a serpent coiled about a sword staring back at them malevolently. 

“What’s this?” She inquired, glancing at him in confusion. 

Rafayel shrugged. “I was hoping you would recognize it.” He replied, running a webbed hand over the serpent. “It was taken from a human ship off the northern coast. It was hunting for Lemurians before we sank it.”

She felt a chill run down her spine despite the warmth of the pool. “Hunting for Lemurians? But ... why?” She asked, appalled. 

Rafayel bared his teeth in anger. “It does not matter. I will hunt the humans who hide behind this symbol and put a stop to it.”

She pulled back away from him nervously, though she knew his anger was not directed at her. “I don’t know anything about this.” She admitted, glancing back at the torn banner. “My village is small. Ships rarely waste the time to come here as we have nothing to offer them in trade.”

Rafayel hissed softly in disappointment, carefully folding the banner back up and returning it to the pouch. 

She hesitated, glancing towards the entrance of the cave. “The King’s soldiers ... the ones who came today ... they may know more. I could ask them, if you want.”

Rafayel cocked his head, his gaze turning distant as he considered her offer. “I do not want you to endanger yourself.” He murmured, his gaze sharpening suspiciously as he returned his attention back towards her. 

“I’ll tell their captain that I saw the ship off our coast awhile back. He’ll just think I’m being curious.” She assured him.

He nodded slowly. “That would be ... helpful.” He offered. 

Silence fell between them for a long while as they soaked, simply enjoying each other’s company. She sighed in relief as the warm waters worked the tension from her body and the sting in her shoulder and hip began to recede. 

When Rafayel finally sighed and moved to pull himself up out of the pool she reached out, catching his elbow and stilling him. 

He glanced back at her curiously and she hesitated, her stomach twisting into knots as she considered her next words. 

“There’s ... something else.” She finally forced out. 

Rafayel watched her closely, his face carefully neutral, waiting for her to speak her mind. 

Gathering her courage, she forced the words out. “When I fell, some people in the village saw my stomach. They knew I was with child.”

She glanced to the side nervously as Rafayel’s tail swished in agitation, though he kept silent, waiting for her to finish.

Licking her lips she forced her gaze back up towards his. “Zayne ... the man you ... smelled on me before ... he came to help me. He claimed to be the father so that the others wouldn’t suspect they were yours.”

She watched as Rafayel’s lips curled back, baring his sharp teeth as he hissed, low and dangerous. 

She swallowed nervously, her hand pressing against the base of her throat. “I know it’s not ideal but ...”

“Our eggs are not his .” Rafayel growled, shifting so that his face was closer to hers, his breath hot against her cheeks. 

“I know ... we know .” She assured quickly, daring to reach up and press a hand against his chest as well. “Rafayel, please just listen to me. He had to do it, to help me keep the eggs safe. Don’t be angry.”

Rafayel’s jaw tightened but, to her relief he pulled back slightly, his lips slipping back down into a deep frown. 

Sensing her opening she pressed forward with her plea, desperate to make him understand. “Zayne doesn’t want to take the eggs.” She assured him. “He knows they’re yours, that they’re the price needed to repay our debt to you. He's just ... playing a role for now. To keep the agreement between us safe.”

To her relief, Rafayel let out a long, hissing exhale, his tail flicking in annoyance, sending ripples across the pool. “So he will help you to protect the eggs from the villagers?”

She nodded. “Yes. He’s ... he’s going to stay with me until the eggs are ready. No one will trouble me if he’s nearby.”

A long silence settled between them as Rafayel watched her intently. She did her best to meet his gaze, desperate to make him understand. Finally he shook his head, his talons scraping through the sand. “First you fall and injure yourself. Then you are forced to hide behind another male to keep the villagers from harming our brood. And now there are strangers in the village. Tell me again why I should not simply take you far away from the dangers this place seems to pose to you and our children?”

Her throat went dry as shock coursed through her. “Rafayel ...” She protested.

“I should do it.” He continued as though he had not heard her. “There’s no reason for me not to take you to my island. None of your people would find you there. You and our children would be safe.”

She shook her head, pushing herself to his side, her hand clenching at the large dorsal fin that laid flat against the back of his tail. “No!” She snapped, fear blossoming in her chest, making her heart race at the thought of being trapped on some island, stranded in the middle of the sea. “You can’t. I won’t ... I won’t let you!” She insisted, gripping the fin tightly. 

He snorted, glaring down at her regally. “You could not stop me.” 

She pushed away from him angrily, shaking her head. “If you force me to go there, I swear ... I swear I’ll drown myself in the sea the moment your back is turned.”

Rafayel hissed, his eyes flashing dangerously as he dragged himself closer to her side of the pool. 

“It’s not as bad as you think.” She insisted, nervously edging away from him. “My fall this morning ... it was just a bad of luck, truly. As for Zayne, he’s just trying to help. Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

Rafayel’s jaw tightened as he considered her words. “If I allow you to stay here then there will be no more lies between us.” He demanded. 

She nodded slowly. “All right.” She promised, forcing herself to remain still as he slowly moved closer to her. 

“No more ‘falls’.” He warned. “No more ‘accidents’ or ‘mishaps’. If I sense that you or the eggs are in danger again then I will take you away from this place.”

“No more accidents, I promise.” She agreed, desperately hoping her promise would hold true.

Chapter Text

“Now ...” Rafayel said, distracting her from her thoughts and drawing her attention back towards him as he slithered closer, the light from the small flames along the back wall glittering across the scales of his tail. “... one more thing.”

She peered up at him curiously as he dipped lower, his face brushing against the edges of her damp hair as he took in a deep breath, releasing it with an annoyed hiss. 

She flushed, suddenly realizing what he was getting at. 

“Not this again.” She grumbled, turning to press her palm to his chest, pushing him back firmly. “I told you, I’m not laying with him. He’s just taking care of my injuries and helping me.”

Rafayel tsked, his eyes flashing dangerously. “And the other one I smell?”

She froze, meeting Rafayel’s narrowed gaze in shock. “You ... can tell the different between them?” 

He snorted, his tail flicking at the water next to her in annoyance. “Of course. Can you not?” He growled.

She laughed, reaching up to gently brush her hand along his tail, daring to pet him in what she hoped was a soothing manner. “It’s nothing.” She assured him. “Humans enjoy the feeling of touch between them. Surely you Lemurians do the same?”

Rafayel’s chin tilted up, his gaze turning sneering. “We do not.” He snapped wapishly. 

She hesitated, glancing at the hand that rested on his tail, her thumb teasing the edge of one of his fins. “You don’t do things like ... hug each other? Or shake hands? Things like that?”

He shook his head firmly. “No. Only lovers touch each other. It’s a form of ... intimacy ... between partners.”

She gasped and jerked her hand away from his tail, flushing brightly. “Oh!" She exclaimed, embarrassed by her apparent forwardness. "I .... I had no idea ...”

To her surprise he caught her wrist, slowly bringing her hand back to his tail. Swallowing, she spread her fingers, allowing them to glide along the slightly pointed scales as he returned her hand back where it had been. She peered up at him nervously, noting the pleased look that flickered across his face as he watched her fingers settle back in place. 

“It is strange ... that humans would allow anyone to touch them so.” Rafayel mused as he watched her fingers flex upon his tail, his hand still wrapped loosely about her wrist. 

She shrugged. “We don’t just let anyone touch us like this. Only ... people we know. People we trust. Zayne is working hard to ensure I’m comfortable and the eggs are well taken care of. To do that he has to occasionally touch me so I allow him to do so.”

“And the other ... ?” Rafayel inquired. 

She noticed the annoyed edge in his voice and couldn’t stop the soft chuckle that escaped her as she lifted her free hand, reaching up to cup his cheek and pull him closer. “Caleb is someone I knew as a child. Before I came to this village. I was happy to see him after all of this time.”

Rafayel turned his face, nuzzling shamelessly into her palm before cocking his head, considering her words. “He is one of the outsiders who came today?” He guessed.

She nodded, letting her hand fall away. “Yeah. He’s the one I’ll ask about the banner later. It’s been a long time since we knew each other but I think he would tell me what he knows about it, assuming he knows anything, that is.”

He hummed, reaching out to run his fingertips over her bruised arm, mimicking the way that her own hand brushed along his tail. “You enchanted him so fully in the past that he would help you this easily now, did you?”

She laughed, shaking her head a moment before tilting her chin, peering up at him with a smirk. “Young me was pretty cute.” She teased.

He snorted, dipping his head to brush his lips across the shoulder he had marked, making her gasp softly as she felt his sharp teeth ghost over the sensitive flesh. “Maybe I should make sure he knows his chance has passed him by.” He threatened. 

Her chin dipped as she flushed, pushing him back slightly. “I think he’s figured that out already.” She replied dryly, glancing down at her stomach. 

Across from her Rafayel actually made a purring sound, making her blink up at him surprise as the satisfied rumble in his chest vibrated against her hand. 

She opened her mouth but before she could say anything more Rafayel’s grip on her wrist had shifted, drawing her hand along the under edge of his tail. 

“Rafayel...” She whispered, watching as he drug her fingertips across the line of midnight blue scales between the long, elegant, pelvic fins, dipping them gently into the hidden slit. 

He chuckled softly at her weak protest, drawing her hand to his mouth, his tongue flicking over her fingertips before releasing her. 

“If anyone else dared touch me as you do ... I would kill them in an instant.” He stated, something dark flicking through his gaze before softening as his attention returned to her. “You should consider being more ... selective with whom you let touch you as well.”

She scoffed, snatching her hand back from him. “Aren’t you worried you wouldn’t make the cut?” She teased.

His deep laugh was positively sinful, sending a shudder through her as he slipped back into the water, circling her smaller form, his tail wrapping about her legs as his nails ghosted over her sides and stomach. “No.” He replied simply, his teeth catching on her shoulder over his day old bite, jaws tightening but not enough to break flesh. 

She tilted her head back with a groan as the pressure of his jaws along the healing mark send a strange flicker of desire through her. 

At her back she felt Rafayel’s chuckle as he held her pinned against him for a long moment before slowly releasing the pressure in his jaw, allowing her unbroken flesh to slip from his grip. She frowned slightly, missing the warmth of his mouth upon her. 

“It’s getting late.” Rafayel reminded her, causing her to turn as she watched him haul himself up out of the pool, on human legs this time. “You should get back before the others start to worry.”

When he turned to offer her his hand she took it, reluctantly letting him pull her from the delightful warmth of the pool out into the cooler evening air. “Thanks.” She replied, taking the pair of pants he offered and pulling them on slowly, relieved to find the ache in her hip lessening. As she tied the cord to tighten them about her waist she noted the way he was frowning over her shirt. 

“It’s getting worn.” He pointed out as he finally handed it over, his lips curled into a disproving frown. 

She shrugged, pulling it on over her head. “It’s still good enough to wear. I’ll see about trading for a new one in a few weeks. I caught a pair of decent sized crabs out by the spit earlier today. If I can get a few more I can probably bribe one of the older ladies to weave me one ... or pass on something second hand.”

He tsked, making her laugh. “Not all of us can be rich Gods of the Sea, you know." She pointed out. "Some of us have to just appreciate the few things we can scrape together on our own.”

Tying on her sandals she pushed herself back up, clapping her hands to clean them of sand. “Shall we?” She asked, gesturing towards the entrance of the cave. 

To her surprise, Rafayel didn’t budge. He simply stood where he was at, head cocked downwards as though considering something for a long while. 

“What is it?” She asked, curious as to what knew conundrum he was trying to unravel. 

“Your people ... barter ... for things like clothing?” He inquired slowly, blinking down at her for confirmation. 

She nodded. “Yeah. If you want something, you gotta offer something in return. Why?”

His frown deepened. “So you would offer them food in exchange for clothing.”

She nodded once more. “No one's taught me to read or write and I’m not really skilled at anything else. So ... as long as those crabs keep sniffing around my trap ... food it is.”

He sighed, shaking his head as though that was one of the most ridiculous things he’d ever heard. It was her turn to frown as he reached down, plucking something from the edge of the gauzy shawl about his waist. He caught her wrist, turning her hand so that he could drop the item into it. 

The thing was heavy in her palm and she tilted her hand, eyes widening as the firelight skated across the smoothed edge of the large gold bead. 

“Oh ... oh my god, no. Absolutely not.” She stammered, trying to grab at his wrist to return it. 

To her frustration, Rafayel stepped back, waving her off as he slipped through the opening of the cave, making her chase out after him as she continued to protest. 

She watched in exasperation as he dove into the waters, surfacing a short distance away. 

“You take this thing back!” She demanded, waving it at him. 

“Why? I’ve seen your human ships, you trade gold all the time for other things.” He pointed out, his hand waving towards her lazily as he began to slowly thread his way through the waves back towards her hut.

She huffed, stomping alongside. “Do you have any idea how much this thing is worth?” She demanded. 

Rafayel’s gaze slid towards her, disdain evident in the slight tilt of his chin as he shrugged. “We do not demand payment for things such as food or clothes ... so no. But since you clearly need it so that you may barter for such things, then you may have it.”

She sighed, glaring down at the palm size bead of gold he had given her. Honestly, she didn’t know much about such things herself either, gold was a rarity for her village and only the temple was able to purchase it from the City but she was sure having this much gold on hand suddenly was going to raise a ton of questions. 

“Thanks.” She finally gritted out, watching as Rafayel paused, considering her tone. 

“You require more?” He finally asked making her pale as she shook her fist towards him.

“Don’t you dare!” She warned, hesitating at the look of confusion that crossed his face. He didn’t understand human ways, she had to remind herself, but despite everything, he was trying. Taking in a deep breath she cradled the bead to her chest. “This is plenty. Thank you.”

He studied her face for a long moment, clearly unsure as to whether or not he should believe her before finally sparing her a small nod. 

They parted ways at the spit, Rafayel plucking a shell from the sand and flipping it over on her empty hand so that he could leave her with one of his small, enchanted flames. She spared him a thankful smile, hesitating a quick moment before leaning in and giving him a hug. He was stiff in her hold, clearly confused as to what she was doing and she laughed softly, pulling away from him. 

“It’s how humans who are ... fond ... of one another say hello and goodbye.” She offered. 

To her amusement Rafayel seemed pleased with her explanation, nodding as she turned and began to pick her way back towards her little hut. Though she did not turn back, she imagined she could feel his gaze at her back, watching until she slipped between the dunes and out of his sight.

She noted the door to her hut had been left open and just beyond she could just barely make out Zayne’s form seated at her little table, taking notes in his journal in the small amount of moonlight that slipped in through her tiny window, his lips curled downwards in a deep frown and a set of tiny wrinkles forming on his brow between his eyes. 

Grinning, she happily presented him with the merry flame, setting its shell next to his arm so that he had enough light to work with. He eyed it warily but to her relief didn’t protest as she settled down on her cot nearby. 

“I take it your visit went well.” Zayne murmured, making a few more notations in the book before closing it and setting it aside. 

She nodded. “Rafayel checked to make sure the eggs were okay after my ... accident this morning. He says they seem fine.”

Zayne nodded, gently sliding the shell and its flame closer to her so that they could share the light equally. “One of the soldiers, Gideon, stopped by about an hour ago to make sure everything was well. I told him you were resting. Apparently their Captain has set up some night patrols. I told him no one ventured past this point but you’ll need to be careful if you wish to keep them from coming across the Sea God.”

She frowned, cursing softly under her breath. “I was afraid of that.” She grumbled, rolling the golden bead between her palms. “Rafayel had already noticed the fire on the western beach and guessed that outsiders had come. I warned him to stay away from them.”

“It’s unclear who called the soldiers to the village.” Zayne informed her, his fingers plucking at the edges of his journal. “It’s possible that Darius has already told them of what happened with the dead Lemurian and the Sea God’s wrath.”

She hummed thoughtfully. “Caleb didn’t ask about the Sea God when he came by earlier. Though he did mention some of the villagers warned him and his men about hearing voices on the water at night. I ... brushed it off as an old wives tale and he seemed to accept that.”

Zayne shrugged. “I suppose all we can do is wait. If fate is kind they will assist with some of the rebuilding efforts for the next few days and then move on.”

She nodded her agreement. Noting Zayne’s curious attention focused on the thing she held cupped in her hand she held it up, watching as his eyes widened in surprise. 

“Isn’t it ridiculous?” She asked, passing it to him. “Rafayel gave it to me to trade for new clothes.”

Zayne held it closer to the flame, turning it slowly as he considered the weight of it in his hand. “I dare say you could buy an entire clothing shop with something such as this.” He replied, passing it back to her. 

She laughed shaking her head before tucking it safely away under her pillow. “He said that Lemurians don’t pay for things like clothes or food so I don’t think he understood the concept very well. But ... I appreciate him trying, I guess.”

Zayne hummed softly, rising to give her privacy as she pulled out an old nightgown. 

When he returned he too had changed into a pair of old worn pants, making her chuckle at the colorful patches that had been sewn in to repair it at the knees. He took her teasing with good humor, waving her off as he closed the door behind him, latching it securely before spreading out his own sleeping roll. She chose not to comment when she realized he had placed it where any intruders would have to go through him before getting to her cot. 

“I hope I don’t snore too loudly.” She offered with a sly grin. 

At her side Zayne snorted. “Wouldn’t be the first time. Go to sleep now. You’ve had a busy day.”

She sighed, sliding down in her cot and staring at Zayne’s broad back, recalling how Caleb would do the same thing when they were children, shoving her back against the corner so that her smaller form was tucked away safely behind his for the night. “Night.” She offered. 

*****************

The morning was well underway by the time the sound of something rolling down the nearby path drew her out of the hut to watch as Caleb and another soldier pushed a large washing tub her way. Cursing softly, she glanced around, quickly identifying the best location for it and hurrying to clear the space and level the sand so that it wouldn’t sink under the weight of the water they would eventually be filling it with. 

Caleb met her exasperated glare with a maddening smirk as he and the other man rolled it into place, Caleb sparing her a wink as he shamelessly used his Evol to carefully lower it down onto the space she had cleared. 

“There we go. Now you can stop smelling like a goat.” He teased, brushing the sand from his pants as the other soldier headed back to grab the frame for the drying rack Caleb intended to erect for her. 

“I do not .” She argued, shoving him hard enough to make him sway. 

“Alright, alright. You don’t smell like a goat.” He agreed. “You just smell a little ... fishy.”

She growled as he ducked her retaliatory swing, laughing as he danced out of her reach. 

“Well you smell like that horse of yours so ...” She stuck out her tongue at him childishly, resisting the urge to laugh as he clutched his heart, pretending to look sorely wounded by her words. 

“Ouch.” He protested. 

She huffed, glaring at the large tub. It was almost big enough for two people to fit inside and she flushed slightly, wondering what the other villagers, particularly those with larger families, were going to think. “Thanks but really, Caleb, this is far too much. I can make do with what I have.”

He shook his head, his hand coming to rest upon her head for a moment before pulling away. “You shouldn’t have to ‘make do’ all the time, pipsqueak.” He replied firmly, turning away from her further protests to eye the log pile he’d added to the day before. 

She stubbornly followed after him as he grabbed the worn axe that had been left for her by a well meaning Elder and trudged out towards the small copse of pine trees nearby, eyeing a few of the larger, low hanging branches. The village builders had already stripped away the trees that had fallen during Rafayel’s storm a few months before but the surviving branches were no match for Caleb’s Evol. As he used it to yank a few down she busied herself with gathering some of the smaller branches, dragging them back to the kindling box as Caleb worked the larger branches into more manageable logs. 

By the time they were finished they were both drenched in sweat and she gamely offered to let him use the washing tub first, snatching up a few pails to begin filling it. He waved her off, telling her there were a few other jobs he needed to get done before he could both with cleaning up. 

Sighing, she sank down next to him, watching the waves from between the dunes. “How long will you all be staying here?” She asked, peering up at him curiously. 

She frowned, noting the way his jaw tightened slightly, reminding her of Rafayel when she’d said something that troubled him. 

“As long as we need to.” He replied evenly, reaching down to pluck up a broken shell, turning it over between his fingers. “The situation here is more ... complicated ... than we expected. Might take a bit of time to clean things up.”

She nodded, resting her chin on her knees as she watched their shadows begin to shrink on the sand as the sun continued to rise to its zenith. “How did you hear about what happened here? I figured we’d be too small for the King to even notice us.”

At her side Caleb shrugged, tossing the shell aside. “He’s got companies prowling around all over the place in case of problems like this. Just got lucky I was the one who happened to be around this time.” He spared her a bright smile and she met it with one of her own, leaning against his larger form much as she had when they were children. 

“I’m glad it was you this time.” She replied, reaching out to catch his hand and turn it over, brushing her fingers over the faint scars over his knuckles, the reminders of their tougher years growing up. 

“Me too.” He agreed, daring to brush a kiss over the top of her head. 

Flushing, she forced herself to pull away, reminded of Rafayel’s words the night before, about such actions being reserved for lovers.

“I saw something strange awhile back.” She offered when he watched her pull away, his eyes going dark with some unspoken emotion as she put distance between them. “There was a large ship off of our coast. It didn’t stop here but it was flying a banner I didn’t recognize.”

Caleb straightened. “The King’s been opening up trade these last few years. Probably a ship from one of the other nearby countries.”

She grabbed a stick, doing her best to mimic the design of the serpent and the sword she had seen on Rafayel’s banner. “It kind of looked like this.”

He peered down at her design for a long moment, his head cocked as he considered it. To her disappointment he finally shook his head. “Can’t say I know it.” He replied, sparing her an apologetic smile. 

“Oh.” She let the stick fall away, peering down at the serpent, recalling the way the one on the banner had seemed to stare at her, its silvery eyes glittering strangely as Rafayel’s firelight flickered over it. 

“Probably some pirates or something.” Caleb replied, his voice full of teasing as he peered down at her. “Looking for pretty girls to kidnap and carry away.”

She huffed, tossing sand at him in retaliation. “You better watch out. I’d go with them and become their new Pirate Queen. Then you’ll regret it!”

He laughed, helping her up. “And what about that non-husband of yours? Are you really willing to run off on him so easily?” 

She hesitated, brushing her hand over her stomach. “I’m just playing ...” She reminded him, peering out over the sea, recalling Rafayel’s threat to take her away to some island. “It’s not perfect but ... I kind of like it here. At least I don’t have beg or steal anymore.”

At her side Caleb quieted, his expression turning pained as he studied her. “Yeah. I guess it does have that going for it.”

She forced a smile, reaching up to knock her knuckles against his arm. “I’m happy for you too.” She offered. “I’m glad we both found a place for ourselves.”

He smiled at her words but as he turned to head out to find out what was taking so long for the other soldier to return with her drying frame she noticed that the smile didn’t seem to reach his eyes. 

**************

The first week went by faster than she expected. Caleb became a comforting, if not occasionally exasperating addition to her growing little family and, to her relief, he and Zayne seemed to settle into a comfortable routine. She doubted the two of them would ever become bosom buddies but it warmed her to see the two trying to keep things civil between them ... if only for her sake. 

Rafayel had also agreed to keep their visits confined to their hidden little cave and if there were nights when the soldiers’ patrols made it impossible for her to sneak out, he seemed willing to accept her excuses. In turn, she kept her protests to herself when someone reworked her little crab trap one night, increasing its capacity and stringing out a few new nets to supplement her catches with fish. She did not recognize the knots used and the shiny little pebbles and bits of metal that had been hung between the ropes were an ingenious addition for luring in fish. 

Back at her hut, she experimented with one of the new nets, teaching herself how to replicate the knots and scouring the discarded piles of broken pier and huts for anything shiny she could add to the new net she was creating. The first time she cast it out by the cliff face, she preened with joy at the small catch she found in it the next day, pleased with this new thing she had learned. 

As the second week came to a close, a bout of seasonal illness began to work its way through the village, keeping Zayne away for a few days. She offered to help but he had been adamant that she remain back at the hut so that she wouldn’t risk the eggs by falling ill herself. She’d reluctantly agreed, amusing herself on those lonely days by weaving fronds that Caleb dragged down for her. 

One afternoon she noticed a few of his men doing something down on the beach and ventured their way to investigate, only to have Gideon, Caleb’s seemingly second in command shoo her back, warning her that might get hurt. She peered over his shoulder as a pair of soldiers bearing bright silver spears worked a strange thin rope, knotting it here and there and tugging on it to check it’s strength. 

“What are those for?” She inquired, tilting her chin towards the men. 

Gideon spared her a brief smile. “A little something a few of the other villages up the coast use to keep the bigger more dangerous fish away from their fishing spots. Don’t want to get tangled up in it though, that thread will slice through you like a hot knife through butter.”

She frowned slightly, considering his words. Rafayel and the other Lemurians occasionally came closer to shore near her side of the beach but if they were being used to protect the more popular fishing areas in the bay there shouldn’t be much issue. But she made a note to warn Rafayel about it the next time she saw him so they didn’t have any more issues with tangled and wounded Lemurians. 

Later on Caleb returned and she asked him about the things his men were making down on the shore. He glanced their way, shrugging, repeating Gideon’s story of nets used to keep predators away from the major fishing spots to help increase their yield. 

“But why are they doing in on my side of the beach?” She grumped, somewhat annoyed by the increased level of activity near her hut. Rafayel was already annoyed by the two men he kept smelling on her, having a veritable company of soldiers hanging around was likely to incite his temper beyond a level even she would have trouble getting back under control. 

Caleb laughed, ruffling her hair and making her yelp in protest. “Because there’s less people around here to get tangled up in everything. Why? You worried we’ll scare away all of your fish or something?”

“No.” She growled, stomping away from him. 

He followed her, hands clasped behind his back as she checked the clothes she had drying along the line. She’d traded some of her fresh catches for a set of skirts and blouses the granddaughter of one of the village Elders had outgrown and though they had been patched here and there, the brightly colored embroidery pleased her. She intended to wear them when she went to visit Rafayel tonight just to see if he noticed. 

Though, she mused, her faint smile turning into a scowl as she glanced back at the soldiers working on her section of the beach, she might have to postpone that visit until they had found something else to distract themselves with.

“Hey now, what’s all this scowling?” Caleb demanded, brushing her hair back from her face and catching her cheeks between his hands, shaking her head playfully. “You look like an angry chipmunk.”

She kicked at his shins, making him laugh as he danced back. “How about this. I’ll take you out for a picnic as an apology for having this lot stomping around all day. Deal?”

She cocked her head, considering his offer. “You didn’t make the food yourself, did you?” She demanded. 

He tsked, turning his nose up as he gestured her to follow him back towards the camp he and his men had set up on the western edge of the beach. “Excuse you, I’ll have you know I am a wonderful cook.”

She snorted, hurrying to keep up with him. “I’ll be the judge of that.” She insisted, eyeing the partially rebuilt pier as they neared it. 

She had to admit, Caleb and his men had seemingly brought a burst of vigor to their exhausted town. Everyone was chipping in and things were returning to normal at a surprisingly quick rate. She ran her hand along her stomach, smiling faintly at the secret knowledge that she too was taking part in making sure that nothing like what had happened to them would ever come back to do so again. 

As they neared the camp, she watched as Caleb darted into the larger center tent, stilling at the reminder that he was the Captain here, the leader. It brought her a sense of pride, to see that the world was finally acknowledging him for what he could do. As children, far too many had brushed him off or pushed him away, thinking that nothing good could ever come from a family-less orphan. 

“Here we go.” Caleb crowed, proudly holding up a pack. She raised an eyebrow, arms folding over her chest as she playfully maintained the illusion of being skeptical over his claims. 

Tsking, Caleb whistled, startling her. She turned, watching as one of the large warhorses approached, stopping a few paces away from them, lifting its head to huff down at Caleb stubbornly. 

“Yeah, yeah, you’re spoiled too, I know.” Caleb grumbled, fishing an item out of the pouch. She watched as he held his hand out to her, something red peeking between his fingers as he gestured for her to take it. 

Curious, she crept forward, holding out her hand so that he could drop an apple onto her palm. 

“Feed the spoiled beasty so we can get going, will you?” He encouraged, gesturing towards the horse who was now watching her ... and the apple she now possessed intently. 

“Are you sure he won’t just eat my hand with it?” She asked hesitantly. 

Caleb chuckled, pushing against her lower back, practically sliding her across the sand towards the horse. 

“Just balance it on your palm and bend your fingers back. He’ll take it all nice and sweet, you’ll see.” He replied. 

Swallowing nervously she did as he instructed, holding up her palm cautiously. The horse snuffled at her wrist for a moment before plucking the apple from her, it’s large teeth taking it with a delicacy she had not expected for a creature of it’s size.

“There you go, now you’ll never be free of him.” Caleb teased, moving away from her to strap the pouch to a nearby saddle dangling on a makeshift fence the soldiers had set up from the broken wood of the old pier. 

The horse turned and snuffled her hair, making her gasp and dart away a few steps, watching the large beast nervously. To her relief it staid where it was, eyeing her, as though debating whether or not she had anything else to offer it. 

Satisfied that the pouch was secured, Caleb hefted up the saddle, settling it into place on the horse’s back. She obediently took the reins he clipped to the halter, holding the horse’s head as he strapped the saddle into place, tugging carefully at the straps to make sure they were secured before turning towards her and gesturing her closer. 

“You can’t be serious ...” She exclaimed when she realized what he was asking her to do. 

Caleb laughed. “When did you turn into such a chicken?” He teased. 

Scowling she stomped towards him, yelping as his Evol lifted her up off her feet, settling her carefully on the saddle. She clutched as the small rise in the front of the saddle, gasping as she felt it shift slightly as he pulled himself up behind her, nudging her forward a bit to make room for  him. When he leaned forward to grab the reigns she felt her heart do a strange little pitter pat as his chest pressed against her back, warming her as he clicked and the warhorse turned and started picking its way up through the scrublands that boarded the southern edges of the village. 

It took some time but she slowly found herself relaxing as she got used to the horse’s gait. To her relief, Caleb kept the horse to a walk, allowing her to lean back against him, one hand clutched to the small rise at the top edge of the saddle, the other firmly on his as he wrapped an arm about her, helping to steady her as the horse lazily picked its way through the low bushes and scrubby pines. 

The village was barely a speck in the distance when he finally signaled for the horse to halt, sliding down first so that he could reach up, holding her aloft as she made to slide down after him. She laughed as he held her up for a moment longer than he needed, squealing in surprise when he turned, swinging her in a gentle arc before carefully lowering her down with a laugh. 

She helped him spread out the tattered blanket, waiting patiently as he retrieved the pouch and began to put together the lunch he’d lured her in with. As they ate, she peered down at the tiny village below. 

“This reminds me of when we used to climb up onto the bathhouse roof. Do you remember that?” She mused, glancing over at him. 

Caleb nodded slowly. “Yeah.” He murmured softly. 

She frowned slightly, not liking the melancholy the memory seemed to dredge up in him. She hesitated, debating on whether or not she wanted to push things or let them go. Plucking at the edge of the blanket she ventured a new topic. 

“So ... what happened to you after we got swept up by those guards during the market raid?” She dared to ask. “They took me to the temple to get cleaned up and shipped out here but no one would tell me what happened to you. I ... kinda hoped you’d managed to escape or something.”

Caleb sighed, setting his plate down, his gaze guarded as he considered his reply. “They took me to the barracks with the other fools who got caught up with us. Those of us who showed we could learn got to stay. The ones who couldn’t got shipped out to the workhouses. I knew the workhouses were a one way ticket so I made sure they knew I could learn.”

She grimaced, his reminder about the workhouses bringing back images of the gnarled hands and whipped backs of those poor souls who worked there. No one had mentioned that being a place she could be sent to and she was glad both of them had been spared such a fate ... even if it meant their inevitable separation. 

“So you learned and were able to enter the academy to be a soldier?” She guessed.

At her side Caleb shrugged, plucking a long leafed weed from beside him and running it through his fingers. “Something like that. Either way, I was able to prove to the higher ups that I could be an asset. Fortunately for me the King is always on the lookout for things that can be ... useful.”

She frowned, reading the underlying hint to his words. As children Caleb had been careful to make sure she knew she needed to keep her Evol abilities hidden. They both did. It was something that set them apart ... made them different from the other orphans that scuttled about in the shadows just trying to survive. That he had bargained for a position within the King's army with his Evol...

Reaching out she caught his hand with her own, bringing it up so that she brush a chaste kiss across his knuckles. “I’m glad you made it out.” She offered, blinking in surprise as he shifted and something silver glinted from beneath his shirt. She blinked against the flash of light and it was gone, making her question whether she had truly seen something or not. 

He smiled faintly, pulling his hand free so that he could ghost his fingertips across her cheek. “I was determined to make sure neither of us had to live like that ever again.” He murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly. “No matter the cost.”

She shook her head, glancing back at her quiet little village. “We’ll be okay.” She assured him. “We’re not those kids anymore.”

“No.” He agreed, following her gaze. “No we’re not.”

Chapter Text

She hummed softly as she picked her way across the rocky ground, eyes scanning the thick underbrush for the tart purple berries that grew around this time of the year. She had gathered a few handfuls already but the berries were proving to be more elusive than she had expected, making her wonder if someone else hadn’t already been through the area. That thought annoyed her but she supposed she couldn’t be too angry. This land was unclaimed and its resources were available to everyone. It just meant she had to venture a bit further up into the forest than she had expected to go. 

Fortunately, the weather today was mild, with a refreshing breeze that helped to distract her from the ache in her knees and lower back as she picked her way between the brambles and bushes. 

She continued her search, leisurely winding her way through the low brush, occasionally pausing to rest a few moments beneath one of the pines as she glanced over her shoulder, watching the ocean glimmer in the distance. Unconsciously she rested her hand upon her stomach, smiling faintly. “We’ll head back shortly.” She murmured softly to both herself and the eggs she carried. “Let’s just see if we can’t find a few more handfuls first, okay?”

She didn’t expect an answer from the eggs but, mind made up, she pushed away from the cooling shade of the pine and continued forward. 

There hadn’t really been a reason to venture out today. Her traps were bringing in more than enough food for both herself and Zayne but she’d woken up craving something sweet. Unfortunately this late into the winter, there wasn’t much sweet to be had except for these illusive berries. So she’d set out with her basket, determined to get enough to satisfy this new craving and perhaps bring back some for Rafayel, whose own taste in food she had never given much thought to. But it seemed a fair enough trade for the golden bead he’d given her. 

A flash of dark purple hidden among brown branches caught her attention and she grinned, adjusting her course to head towards it. She murmured in delight when she noted how many fat berries hung within this particular bush and knelt, carefully cutting away a few branches with her knife to make enough room to slip her hands between the protective thorns to begin gathering them. 

For a short while, there was only the sound of the breeze and the faint hiss of dried leaves shifting as she worked to reach deeper clusters of berries. Violet juice stained her fingertips, and she sighed, knowing it would take a day or two to fully wash out. Zayne would probably shake his head and tease her for being so messy while gathering the berries, but she knew he would enjoy the fruits of her labor all the same. Zayne’s gentle presence in her life had become a much needed anchor for her to cling to these past few chaotic months. 

She sighed softly as she carefully tucked the berries away into her basket. Would her life ever be simple again? In the beginning, after she had agreed to Rafayel’s terms she had figured she would just carry the eggs and then hand them over when the time came. Once he left with the eggs her life would go back to being what it had always been.

But now ... now she wasn’t so sure. 

The thought of just giving up the eggs ... of never seeing them again or the children they would hatch into troubled her now. Despite her initial unease over carrying something so foreign in her body she had to admit she had grown rather attached to them. 

And their father. 

She shook her head. Problems for another day, she firmly told herself. 

Noticing a final cluster of berries tucked low on the bush she reached inside, wincing as a sharp branch brushed against her cheek as she struggled to reach. As her fingers finally closed about the cluster a strange sound made her freeze. 

Swallowing nervously, she focused on the area around her. A moment later she heard the sound again, an odd bleat like cry followed by the sound of something scrambling frantically upon the ground. 

She retracted her hands from the bush as quietly as she could, pinpointing the sound as having come from her right. 

The cry came again a few moments later, more desperate this time. 

She gathered up her basket, slowly creeping towards the cry. She could hear something thrashing in the underbrush as the creature let out another pleading bleat. 

A few more steps brought her within range of the creature. She could make out a pale, nearly white-ish form peaking out amongst the craggy branches of the brambles. Silvery hooves glimmered in the sunlight as the creature kicked out, trying desperately to free itself from the netting it was caught in. The tufts of short white fur carried a strange silverish-green luminescence, as though fairy fire flicked in its fur, even in the full light of day. 

The creature froze as she edged closer, its head lifting as much as the tangled netting would allow as it tried to get a better look at her. A single pointed horn glimmered from the center of its forehead as the creature stared at her with wide fearful eyes. Behind its ears was an emerald mane, hoplessly tangled in the glimmering threads of the net.  

She recognized the creature from a book of ancient tales Zayne had shared with her when they’d been younger. The Bai Ze drawn in their book had possessed a more tiger-like appearance than this one but the similarities were close enough for her to put a name to what she was seeing.  

The Bai Ze bleated desperately once more, a frightened, exhausted sound that tugged at her heart as it gave a pathetic thrash, its legs and head held nearly immobile by the net that bound it. The net shimmered strangely as the creature struggled, it’s threads reflecting the sunlight into prismatic colors, as though it were made of some strangely spun glass. 

“Shhhh.” She crooned gently, crouching down to make herself look smaller and less threatening. She set her basket aside as she slowly crept closer. “It’s all right. I won’t hurt you.”

The Bai Ze’s large eyes were wide with panic, its chest heaving as it panted. She noticed that its front right leg was pinned at an awkward angle by the net and she immediately feared that the creature had broken it in its panic. As she reached out, the creature tried to pull away from her but that only tightened the net’s hold. The Bai Ze cried out in pain before collapsing back on itself, giving up. 

“It’ll be okay, little one.” She murmured, inching closer. “I’ll get that thing off you. Just hold still.”

The Bai Ze made a soft, distressed sound but, to her relief, remained still, clearly too exhausted to struggle any longer.

Closer now, she could see how the sharp, shimmering threads of the net cut into the creature’s fur, hugging it tightly. Biting her lip, she reached out towards what looked like an edge, hoping to loosen it to free the creature’s back legs. 

The moment she touched the net she jerked back with a hiss, the threads biting into her fingertips leaving a razor-thin cut across the tips of her fingers that oozed a few drops of blood. She cursed softly, shaking her hand as she leaned back, eyeing the net and the creature it had entangled. 

“Alright, no hands. Got it.” She murmured in annoyance, leaning back to drag her basket closer. The Bai Ze watched warily as she dug around inside of it, finding the small knife she had been using to cut larger openings into the brambles. 

“Hold still.” She demanded, well aware that the Bai Ze probably couldn’t understand a damn thing she was saying. She carefully slide the blade between a few of the net’s threads and the Bai Ze’s hind leg, turning it so that the blade faced upwards and began sawing. She frowned at the strange sensation of the threads sliding against her blade. It felt like she was trying to saw through metal more than rope but, to her relief, the threads finally snapped. 

“What a strange net.” She muttered to herself as she slowly worked her way lower on the net. “Where did this come from?”

Within a few minutes she had managed to sever enough threads that the net sagged slightly in the back, allowing the Bai Ze to kick its hind legs free. She smiled faintly as the creature released a deep sigh that sounded almost like relief as its hind legs stretched. To her own relief it seemed willing to lay still as she focused on netting tangled about its torso, trying to determine the best place to cut. 

Piece by piece the netting began to fall away, allowing the Bai Ze to shift more as she worked. 

“There we go.” She crooned softly. “Almost done. You sure did manage to get yourself tangled up good and proper, didn’t you? I wonder ... was this trap set up specifically for you? Or were you just unlucky enough to stumble across a trap meant for someone else.”

The Bai Ze remained silent beneath her, its bright eyes watching her carefully as she worked. Perhaps it was her imagination but she thought she saw some glimmer of intelligence there. 

To keep the creature calm as she began to work on its front legs, she began telling a familiar story, one Caleb had made up on stormy nights to distract her from the terrifying sounds of thunder rumbling in the heavens above. 

“You know, there was once a brave young princess who found herself lost in the woods. Maybe you saw her.” She paused, laughing as the Bai Ze blinked slowly. “She walked and walked and walked from dawn until dusk but couldn’t seem to find the way out. Finally, she came across an old castle. Inside was nothing but dust and ruin. She decided that this place would do as good as any and began to fix it up so that she could live there until someone came to find her.”

“She cleaned this room and that room. Chased away the mice and birds that had moved in and eventually it began to look like a real home.”

She paused, watching as another section of the cursed net finally loosened and fell away. 

“Then one day she came upon the final room at the top of the tallest tower. The door was locked but she was clever and managed to pick the lock. When it opened she found a prince trapped inside. He was as shocked to see her as she was to see him.”

“‘What are you doing in my castle?’” She demanded.”

“‘Your castle? This is my castle.’” The trapped prince declared, glaring down at her.”

She paused once more, shushing the Bai Ze who was growing increasingly nervous about how close her blade was coming to its throat. 

“The Prince had been locked away by an evil sorceress years before but the Princess had freed him. So he agreed to give her half of his kingdom in exchange for her kindness. You see, the Princess had a soft spot for troublesome people who manage to get themselves caught up in bad situations and so she stayed and helped him to rebuild the kingdom that had fallen to ruin.” She chuckled softly to herself, sawing carefully at the final bit of the net caught around the Bai Ze’s neck and head. 

Finally, the net gave way entirely. As the Bai Ze lifted its head experimentally, she carefully brushed the pieces of the net into her basket so that nothing else would become entangled in it. She watched as the creature awkwardly pushed itself up onto its feet, reaching up to help steady it as it wobbled slightly. 

“Careful.” She warned, helping to support the warm body as the Bai Ze found its footing, its weight shifting as it tentatively tested the foreleg that had been bent by the net. To her relief, it seemed to be able to bear the weight of its own body and she pulled back, allowing the creature to stand on its own. 

“There we go. All better now?” She asked, laughing softly as the Bai Ze shook itself, its tail flicking as the creature peered about regally before glancing back towards her. 

“Don’t get any ideas.” She warned it playfully, pushing herself up onto her feet, her hand brushing over her stomach. “I’ve got more than enough mythical matters to deal with without adding you to the mix.”

The Bai Ze cocked its head, creeping closer, its large eyes watching her hesitantly as its nose slowly nudged closer. The creature’s breath was warm as it huffed curiously at her stomach and she laughed, gently shooing the creature back. 

“Careful now.” She chided, her voice full of amusement. “That’s six little half gods you're sniffing around. You don’t want to anger them or their daddy by poking around there too much.”

The Bai Ze’s nostrils flared and it let out a short, almost unimpressed snort, making her laugh. 

Slowly, so as not to startle the creature, she stepped back. The Bai Ze tossed its head, pawing the ground with a glittering hoof as it watched her retreat. 

Something within her fluttered and she froze, gasping softly as her hand settled just above where she had felt the strange sensation. The Bai Ze stilled, head cocked curious as she waited. A moment later she felt the fluttering feeling again, followed by the smallest sensation of something gently knocking against the inside of her stomach underneath her hand. 

An egg was finally moving.

She was sure of it. 

Laughing softly she glanced at the creature watching her. “I guess that means its time for me to get back.” She murmured, glancing over her shoulder at the way she had come. “Stay away from the village, okay?” She warned.

The Bai Ze snorted again, as if acknowledging her words, then it turned. She watched in concern as it bounded off, its front right leg bent slightly, as though it couldn’t quite bear the creature’s full weight as it disappeared into the underbrush. Her heart fluttered with lingering concern at the awkwardness of its stride.

For a while she remained where she was, listening to the quiet around her. The remnants of the net were carefully tucked away in her basket and she glanced down at them, frowning over the shimmering threads. Her fingertips still stung from where they had cut her. The net was not something anyone from her own village had made but she couldn’t escape the realization that she had seen such nets before. Stretched out across the beach as Caleb’s men worked them with gloved hands. 

She made her way back to the village, worry burning in her gut as she tried to come up with some reason as to why Caleb would have his men set those nets around the village. Had they been hunting for the Bai Ze? Or had they just been trying to help the village by bringing down some larger prey like deer? 

She desperately wanted to believe it was the later. But if that were so ... why use such a strange netting?

By the time she reached her hut, the sun was dipping lower in the sky, the afternoon well on it’s way to becoming evening. The sea breeze had begun to shift, carrying the scent of brine and the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the shore. She unlatched the door to her hut, relieved to find the inside still warm from the day’s sunlight.

She set her basket down on the small table and then gingerly dumped the strange netting the floor so she could examine it more closely. Her pulse quickened as she stared at the shimmering fibers. Up close, they were even more menacing.  Each strand had a strange iridescent sheen. She reached out a finger and lightly touched it, but immediately pulled back. Even the slightest pressure from her fingers felt as if it might bite into her skin again.

Behind her, the door swung open once more. She glanced up, startled, then relaxed when she saw Zayne’s familiar figure filling the doorway. He carried a small satchel and a look of mild concern on his face.

“There you are.” He said, stepping inside. “I was starting to wonder if you had gotten lost.”

She forced a little smile as she brushed a wisp of hair from her forehead. “I’m fine. Just... had an interesting afternoon.”

Zayne’s gaze dropped to the netting she was crouching next to. “What is that?”

“I’m not sure.” She admitted, shifting to the side to make room for him as he set his satchel down and knelt beside her. 

“I found a creature caught in it to the north of the town. It ... it looked like a Bai Ze, which is impossible I know. But ...” She sighed, shaking her head. “I cut it loose and let it go.”

Zayne hummed thoughtfully, reaching down to prod the net. She watched as he pulled back with a faint hiss, his face pinching in pain as he peered down at his reddening fingertips.

“It kind of looks like the netting the King’s men were working with yesterday, doesn’t it?” She ventured hesitantly. 

Zayne sighed, shaking his head as he helped her gather it back up, slipping it safely into her basket. “Perhaps.” He mused, setting the basket aside and helping her up. 

“The Bai Ze was injured, I think.” She said, her fingers twisting nervously as she glanced up at him. “It’s front leg was bent oddly when it was tangled in the net and it limped when it ran off.”

A faint smile crossed Zayne’s face as he reached out, running his fingertips along her arm to soothe her. “It’ll probably recover if it can find somewhere quiet to rest.” He offered.

She bit her lip, glancing up at him hesitantly. “I was hoping that we could go look for it. Maybe you could treat its injury ... while I make sure there are no more nets in the area ...”

To her surprise Zayne’s jaw tightened. “It may be better to leave it alone.” He suggested instead. “If the King’s Men are involved ...”

She sighed, shaking her head. “I don’t understand why they’d bother placing such things in the forest. No one’s ever talked about seeing something like the Bai Ze up there before. Why bother to lay traps there now?”

She noticed the way Zayne’s gaze flicked to her belly and then away. “I don’t know.” He replied, though his brief hesitation made her suspect that there was something he was choosing not to share with her. “Either way, we must act with caution.”

She scowled, disliking the thought that he may be keeping things from her. But she bit her tongue, knowing that pushing him would only cause him to clam up.

“I want to find that Bai Ze again.” She insisted. “I want to make sure its going to be okay.”

Zayne sighed. “Later.” He insisted. “It’ll be dark soon and you should rest before you go to meet with Rafayel.”

She tsked, disliking being put off like this. But she couldn’t deny the exhaustion that was creeping up within her. “Fine.” She relented grumpily. “But at first light tomorrow, we’ll go looking for it together, deal?”

Zayne chuckled. “As you like.” He offered, leaning forward to brush a kiss across her forehead, leaving her stunned as he turned away, busying himself with unpacking his satchel as though nothing had just happened. 

Tangling her fingers in her hair she forced herself to retreat to her little cot, the feeling of his lips branded upon her skin. She watched as he settled in the chair, spreading his journal out on the desk. Swallowing back the butterflies that threatened to burst free from her chest she forced herself to close her eyes, letting herself slip into restless dreams. 

When she woke, it was to the gentle sound of Zayne’s voice. She opened her eyes, disoriented. As she sat up, he offered her a bowl, urging her to eat before she headed out for her brief nightly rendezvous with the God of the Sea. 

She thanked him, blew on the stew to cool it, and sipped carefully. The stew was simple but comforting. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she was halfway through the bowl. Zayne settled at the table with his own bowl and they ate in comfortable silence.

“I felt one of the eggs move today.” She offered hesitantly, unsure of how he would react to such information. He had seemed disturbed by the idea of her carrying Rafayel’s eggs when she’d first told him of it but over the past month had seemed to become more comfortable with the situation.

Across from her Zayne paused, his head cocked as he considered what she had told him. “That’s a good sign.” He offered, lowering his spoon back into the bowl. “They may be ready to ... come out soon.”

She laughed softly as he stumbled over what to call the actual process. “Yeah. It’s going to be weird not to have them anymore.” She admitted, tapping gently over the spot where she had felt the egg flutter earlier. 

Zayne leaned back in the chair, studying her. “You’ll need to ask Rafayel about the process. If there’s anything we need to plan for so that things will go smoothly.”

She nodded. “I’ll ask.” She promised. 

Setting her bowl aside she rose, heading out to splash the warm water from the washing basin on her face and arms and changing into a fresh pair of clothing so that Rafayel wouldn’t gripe about smelling others on her. Shaking the water from her hands and hair she let Zayne know she’d be back in a few hours and slowly began to pick her way down along the beach towards the cliffs. 

The moon arced overhead, silver and bright, as she walked along the beach. The sound of the waves rolling in and out soothed her and she glanced up towards the pine forest peeking out above the cliffs, wondering where the Bai Ze was now. She hoped it had found a quiet little den to settle into for the night. 

Sighing she forced her attention back towards the curve of the cliffs to where they met the sea. The moonlight cast a shimmering path along the tops of the gentle waves. Everything seemed calm and yet ...

She paused, a shiver of warning working its way down her spine. 

Something was wrong. 

She glanced over her shoulder, scanning the beach. There was nothing there and yet ... something felt off. The hair on her arms prickled as she considered the sense of wrongness that was washing over her. 

For a moment she contemplated turning back. Rafayel would forgive her one night if she failed to show up. Hell, he knew where she lived now. He was fully capable of coming to see her himself if it bothered him so much. 

And yet ...

She took a few more steps towards the hidden cave, the wet sand firm beneath her sandals, leaving faint impressions along the surf. 

There was nothing outwardly troubling but she couldn’t help but feel like every step was bringing her closer to danger. 

Something ... was ... wrong.

Her mouth went dry. She tightened her grip on her stomach. “Maybe… maybe not tonight.” She whispered softly to herself as she turned.

She made it all of two steps back towards her hut when something grabbed onto her, dragging her to a stop. 

She gasped, glancing down at her wrists in confusion. It felt like a hand had wrapped itself about her wrists, stilling her, but there was nothing there. 

Gritting her teeth she tried to force herself to keep walking but the thing about her wrists and ankles held her firmly in place, trapping her where she stood. 

For a terrifying moment she was taken back to that day months ago when she’d been bound upon the beach, a sacrifice for an angry Sea God, unable to free herself ... unable to escape the slowly encroaching waves. 

“No.” She gasped, adrenaline giving her the strength to jerk back a step. She felt the power holding her tighten and cried out as it forced her down onto her knees in the sand. Her arms trembled as her hands fisted and she struggled against the invisible force that held her trapped. 

“Let me go!” She demanded, clawing at the sand as she tried to push herself upright. Despite her attempts the force was too great. Tears stung her eyes as she began to feel panic bubbling up within her. 

“Rafayel!” She cried out desperately. “Zayne!”

For several long moments she remained trapped, the crushing weight of the strange, invisible force holding her down as her struggles lessened. Her eyes clenched closed as she tried to force her breathing to even out, recalling how the Bai Ze had become entangled in the net due to its own panic. She needed to calm down. She needed to think.

She heard something splash in the water just a short distance away. Forcing open her eyes she glanced up, watching as Rafayel shook the water from his eyes, staring down at her in confusion. She felt a moment of relief wash over her before she froze, the memory of the Bai Ze returning to her once more as she watched Rafayel step out onto the beach, his entire attention focused on her ... seemingly unaware of the sense of wrongness the pressed down upon her. 

This is a trap . She realized belatedly. This is a trap ... and I’m the bait.

“No!” She yelled, watching Rafayel pause. “ Go back !” She demanded.

Rafayel hesitated, his gaze tearing away from her to scan the empty stretch of beach, his features hardening as he registered the panicked note in her voice. For a moment she felt relief wash over her, thinking he would do as she said. 

However, to her frustration, he suddenly began moving towards her once more. 

“Don’t ..." She began to warn but her words cut off as she felt the power that held her down dissipate, releasing her so suddenly she nearly tipped forward. Gasping she lunged forward, hoping to push Rafayel away before it was too late. 

But she was too slow. 

She watched as Rafayel’s face contorted as he stumbled, clearly fighting the same crushing power that had held her trapped. She cursed as she slipped in the wet sand, righting herself enough to keep hurrying towards him. However strong hands suddenly latched onto her forearms, yanking her back against a broad chest. She yelped, struggling against the hold furiously. 

“Let me go!” She shrieked, thrashing. She caught a glimpse of a familiar uniform as she twisted, her heart dropping as she realized what was happening. 

A few steps away Rafayel let out a furious snarl, eyes narrowed in rage as he stumbled forward another step or two, bright fire dancing between his fingertips as she felt him tap into his Evol. 

His hand lifted for a moment before his entire body suddenly shuddered and fell. Movement to her left caught her attention and she watched in horror as Caleb stepped forward, his right hand lifted slightly, fingers curled downwards as he stared intently at Rafayel, using his Evol to keep the God of the Sea pinned down on the sand ... just as he had done to her a few moments before. 

“Caleb, stop!” She shouted, voice raw. “He’s done nothing wrong. Leave him be!”

Caleb ignored her, though she saw the way his gaze narrowed in anger, letting her know that he had, in fact, heard her words. She renewed her struggles as a trio of soldiers crept around Caleb, two dragging another of those hateful nets between them while a third held a silver spear aloft as he circled Rafayel’s snarling form. 

She froze in shock as the third soldier suddenly drove the point of his spear into Rafayel’s leg, pinning it to the ground. The God of the Sea snarled in pain and rage, managing to tear one hand free of Caleb’s control, his fingers wrapping about the silver spear buried in his flesh. She watched as the spear suddenly glowed white hot, the soldier shrieking in pain as the flesh of his hands fused to the spear, tearing free as he wrenched away from it. Rafayel hissed something in a language she did not know and the man’s clothing suddenly caught alight, flames licking along his form as he frantically dropped to the ground, rolling to try to put the flames out. 

Rafayel yanked the spear from his leg, tossing it aside as Caleb’s hand fisted, making him snarl as Caleb’s Evol intensified, pinning him more firmly. The remaining two soldiers managed to toss the net over him, kicking at it to try to tangle it about his legs and arms, much as the one that had trapped the Bai Ze had done. Rafayel glared at the net in distaste, the edges glowing with heat as his Evol began to work at destroying it. 

Caleb growled as his hand fisted tighter, driving Rafayel further down into the sand, successfully distracting him from using his Evol as the two glared at one another in mutual hatred. 

“Caleb, please stop!” She pleaded. 

Still, Caleb paid her no heed. His features were set in grim determination as he and the God of the Sea struggled against one another. Snarling, Rafayel’s gaze flicked towards her The soldier holding her tightened his grip and she yelped as he drug her back a few steps, as though that would protect them both from Rafayel’s growing wrath. 

Beyond both Rafayel and Caleb the sea began to withdraw. She stilled, breath freezing in her lungs as she recognized the strange geometric patterns that began to form upon the surface of the water as the tide pulled back. 

She’d seen this happen once before. When the God of the Sea had sent the ocean crashing down upon their village in great waves. 

Pure panic surged through her. She remembered the devastation the tsunami had caused months ago. The village would not survive another blow like that. She glanced at Caleb, realizing with horror that Caleb and the men at his side had no idea as to what was coming. 

“No.” She whispered in terror. “Rafayel, please don’t!” 

Rafayel met her gaze evenly, letting her see every once of fury that coursed through him at this betrayal. 

Desperate, she turned her pleas back towards Caleb instead. “Let him go!” She demanded. “He’ll kill us all with that wave if you don’t!”

Caleb’s gaze finally flickered towards the receding water. “Gideon, get her out of here.” He barked, his attention refocusing on Rafayel. 

She struggled desperately as the soldier holding her, Gideon, began to pull her back towards the dunes. Rafayel and Caleb’s attention remind locked on each other even as she saw the waves beginning to build in the distance. 

Suddenly Gideon’s grip upon her disappeared, causing her to stumble as he turned, cursing. She felt something startlingly cold dart past her, striking the sand with a loud hiss. She glanced down at it in shock, confused by the deadly pointed shard of ice that had lodged itself into the sand where Gideon had been standing. 

She looked back up, blinking in confusion as Gideon lunged towards the figure hurrying towards them. Zayne easily dodged the man’s blow, reaching up to catch his arm as it swung past. She watched as ice ran along Gideon’s flesh, making him cry out as his fingers stiffened, loosening his grip on his sword. Zayne kicked at the back of his knees, sending the other man crashing to the ground as Zayne elegantly stepped around him, placing himself between her and Gideon. 

She reached out, gripping his arm. “Zayne the wave …” She warned. 

A veritable wall of water had risen in the distance, dwarfing the shore in height and power. Her breath caught at the size of it. A heartbeat later it surged towards them. Between her and the wave she watched as Caleb turned his left hand towards it, a fierce determination on his face. With both hands extended, he somehow managed to find the strength to still the wave.

He’s stronger than before . She realized in awe, watching as Caleb’s face contorted with pain, sweat forming along his temples as the wave trembled, straining to continue its rush towards the shore.

For a long moment it felt as though the entire world had stopped. 

And then Rafayel’s chilling laugh rang out. 

“You can’t save everyone.” The God of the Sea hissed, managing to raise his hand just enough to unleash a bright, deadly flash of fire directly at Caleb’s right side. 

She watched in horror as Caleb’s concentration broke as flames rushing along his side, eagerly devouring cloth and flesh alike as he cursed. Caleb ripped off his jacket, flinging it away. In that instant his grip upon both the incoming tsunami and Rafayel shattered. 

She screamed, clutching frantically at Zayne as the wave toppled forward, crashing into the beach with enough force to make the ground beneath their feet shudder. 

Cold water slammed into her, yanking her out of Zayne’s hold. She gasped as her back was slammed into the ground by the weight of the water. Sand scraped at her arms and legs as salt water flooded her mouth and nose, burning its way down her throat.

Dazed, she tumbled underwater, limbs flailing. She couldn’t tell up from down. Her lungs burned as her panic intensified. She fought to find the surface, a single thought driving her. She had to protect the eggs. 

At last, she managed to break the surface, gasping for air. All too soon another wave crashed over her, drawing her under again. She glimpsed dark shadows in the water but couldn’t tell if they were people or things. 

Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t seem to find the surface a second time. Her lungs screamed for air but she was trapped in a never ending cyclone of dark water and chaos. 

With a choked sob she felt her arms go limp as shock overtook her.

Chapter Text

She stirred, groaning as her head spun. Her stomach clenched, warning her that if she didn’t orient herself soon, she’d lose what little food remained in her. She took in a deep, shuddering breath, frowning when she realized everything smelled like dirt and rain. Peeling open her eyes, she blinked weakly in the twilight darkness that surrounded her. 

Light filtered in from her left and she turned her head slowly, swallowing back bile as she stared out at the heavy curtain of rain that pounded down just past the rocky opening. 

She watched the rain fall for a few minutes, just trying to sort out the aches and pains that racked her body. 

Everything hurt. 

Her temples and head pounded, her ribs and hips aching from bruises she couldn’t quite remember getting. She vaguely recalled the heavy, suffocating weight of the water rushing over her, shoving her down before sending her tumbling beneath the waves. She groaned at the memory of something heavy pressing down on her, trapping her beneath the dark, angry waters. And then her strength had given out. 

Gritting her teeth, she forced herself up, wincing as her ribs screamed in protest as she swayed, bracing her arms to keep from toppling back over. Her skin felt dry and itchy and though she was loath to return to the water, she longed for a bath to wash away the salt that had crusted upon her skin. 

Her attention returned to the rain outside, able to feel the steady, pounding force in the dirt beneath her hands. She flinched back as lightening briefly lit the dark sky, thunder crashing down upon her immediately, warning her that she was trapped in the veritable heart of the storm. 

The brief flash of light illuminated the small enclosure that protected her for a brief moment, and she noted that the cave wasn’t very large, only a few paces deep. In the back corner something stirred, and she froze, her breath stilling as the thing shifted. Heart hammering in her chest she turned ever so slowly, praying she wouldn’t spook whatever else had found safety in the cave with her. 

At first, she could only make out a pale shape huddled in the darkness. To her relief it wasn’t overly large and for a moment she felt a burst of relief as she mistook the creature for a goat or perhaps one of the lambs the villagers kept in the northern pasture. But then she noted the faint silvery-green glow that surrounded the creature’s face, and the wickedly sharp silver horn that pointed towards her as the creature turned its attention to her. 

“Hello again.” She breathed out. 

Bright blue eyes blinked slowly as the Bai Ze lifted its head, watching her warily. 

Outside the wind picked up, howling angrily. She shivered, wrapping her arms about herself as she turned her attention back to the storm outside. 

She had no memory of how she had gotten here. Indeed, she had no idea where here even was. And yet ... surely someone had saved her. 

She recalled the way the wave had crashed over Caleb and his men, the feeling of Zayne’s hands on her arms the moment before they were ripped away from each other by the strength of the wave. 

Had either of them survived?

She shuddered, tears burning in the corners of her eyes as she ran a hand over her stomach, searching for the six eggs she carried. To her relief she felt something shift as she pressed firmly. She didn’t know why the thought of losing the eggs troubled her so. Rafayel had destroyed her village. There was no need for her to keep her end of the bargain any longer. 

And yet ...

She sighed, slouching forward, emotionally and physically exhausted. 

The crunch of a small rock beneath a hoof caught her attention. She turned her head, watching as the Bai Ze crept closer, noting the way it limped ever so slightly, favoring its left foreleg. It paused when it noticed her attention, an ear flicking back hesitantly as though it were unsure of its own actions. Mud caked the creature’s fur, particularly heavy along its legs and back. 

“You got caught in it too, huh?” She offered, reaching out towards it. 

The Bai Ze cocked its head, considering her hand hesitantly before slowly reaching out to nose against her fingers, its breath hot against her palm as it huffed softly. 

She felt bad for it as the Bai Ze’s head seemed to dip in exhaustion, its horn pointing downwards. The creature looked every bit as battered as she did. 

“Come here.” She urged, patting the ground next to her. 

The Bai Ze eyed her warily but, to her relief, crept closer, gingerly seating itself next to her. 

Its body was delightfully warm, and she sighed in relief as it settled against her. 

“Guess we both had a hard day.” She said, daring to reach over to brush some of the dried mud from the Bai Ze’s back. 

The Bai Ze huffed, dropping its head onto her lap dramatically, startling a laugh from her. 

As she wrapped an arm about the Bai Ze’s back she let out a quiet thanks to whatever deity might be listening, thankful to not be left alone as she struggled to come to terms with what had happened. 

Caleb had been like some other person on that beach. He had never used his Evol to hold her down like that before and it terrified her to remember it. And the hate in his gaze when he’d stared down at Rafayel ...

She shook her head, burying her fingers in the Bai Ze’s soft mane. She didn’t understand it. But she didn’t want him dead. She didn’t want any of them dead. She wanted this to all just be some bad dream that she would one day wake up from. 

A quiet sob broke loose and she lowered her head, burying her face in the Bai Ze’s fur, crying softly for herself and everything she had lost. 

The Bai Ze turned its head slightly, nudging gently at her stomach. 

“I’m sorry.” She mumbled into the Bai Ze’s back, angrily brushing the tears from her eyes even as exhaustion washed over her. She let her chin rest on the Bai Ze’s back, staring out blearily at the pouring rain. 

Time began to blur. She might have dozed off, she wasn’t really sure. But slowly she became aware of a shift in the rain. The force with which fell began to lessen, though the sky continued to flash as thunder rolled over them. 

She knew she was eventually going to need to come up with the strength to get up and leave this little cave, to figure out where she was. But then what? She supposed she could try to make her way back to the village ... or what remained of it. Surely, she hadn’t been the only survivor. 

And yet ...

The villagers had been told that the God of the Sea would spare them as long as long as she paid back the village’s debt. The fact that the Sea God’s wrath had once again been turned against them would surely be blamed on her. Even though she had done nothing wrong.

She sighed, trying not to imagine what the villagers would do to her in their anger at her perceived failure. They had thrown the two fishermen to Rafayel, knowing they would die. If she went back there and anyone had survived, they would definitely feed her back to the sea as well, if only to try to save their own skins. 

The Bai Ze’s head suddenly lifted, causing a burst of panic to flow through her as its gaze fixed on the entrance to the cave, ears perked as though listening to something. 

She saw a shadow through the curtain of rainwater, her fingers tightening in the Bai Ze’s fur as she heard the sound of twigs snapping beneath the thing’s weight. The figure seemed to pause a few steps away from the cave’s entrance and she forced herself to remain still, barely breathing as the shadow froze. 

To her relief it finally turned away. 

She listened carefully, straining to catch the sound of unsteady footsteps as it moved further away. 

“We need to go. Now .” She whispered softly to the Bai Ze, unsure if it could understand her. 

Gathering her strength, she forced herself up, creeping towards the entrance to the cave. To her relief, the Bai Ze rose as well, following her curiously as she stepped out into the rain. 

She shivered as the rain pattered down upon her head, running rivulets along the back of her neck and down her back. Large pine trees did little to protect her from the rain as she peered down the steep slope that curved down into the forest below. 

She hadn’t ever ventured too far into the pine forest north of the village but occasionally she’d accompany Zayne and his parents as they searched for medicinal supplies and, though she didn’t recognize the area she was in now, she was pretty sure it was the same forest. 

She frowned, peering down towards where their untimely visitor had ventured. 

How had she gotten so far up into the mountains? Surely, she wouldn’t have had the strength to carry herself so far after somehow surviving Rafayel’s waves. 

She peered down at the Bai Ze as it moved closer to her side, laughing softly as it glared up at the sky and the falling rain that drenched it. 

“Did you drag me up here?” She mused.

The Bai Ze’s blue eyes flickered towards her, its head cocked curiously. 

The creature’s head barely reached her shoulder, its own back just a hairsbreadth higher than her waist. She doubted it had enough strength to carry her anywhere and honestly, she couldn’t think of why a wild creature would even bother trying to save her in the first place. 

The Bai Ze glanced back at the cave longingly, but she shook her head. 

“It’s not safe here. It’s time to go.” She insisted, glancing up to gauge the terrain that rose behind them. The village was located to the south, at the base of the mountainous area. Which meant, she needed to head further up if she wanted to avoid being recognized. 

“Let’s go.” She urged, carefully picking her way northwards. 

The rain made everything ten times harder, and she cursed as she slipped and slid her way towards her goal. It felt like for every three steps she took, she would slip back two. But she was determined.

Caleb and his men clearly hadn’t just “been in the area” like Caleb had claimed. They’d come prepared to hunt. And, she suspected, recalling the strange nets they had used, someone had told them about Rafayel. And perhaps the Bai Ze as well. 

If they were interested in capturing those two, she could well guess what they would do to her if the King's men figured out that Zayne had not been the father of the children she carried.

She had to go. Before the King sent more of his men to figure out why Caleb and the others hadn’t returned yet. 

Gritting her teeth she forced herself to keep going. She was cold, drenched, and exhausted beyond belief, but she forced one foot in front of the other. On and on she went, the Bai Ze waiting patiently for her, its small silver hooves finding easy purchase on the ground. To her relief it seemed to be scouting ahead, helping to guide her along the easier, more gently sloping paths. 

Finally, after what felt like hours, the Bai Ze disappeared. She paused when she realized it was no longer waiting for her up ahead, her heart aching in sadness. She knew it was a wild creature and could come and go as it pleased but she had found comfort in its presence. Biting back tears she shook her head, whispering a quick prayer for its safety as she continued on alone. 

Though she could not see the sun because of the heavy gray clouds that continued to hang overhead, she noted that it was getting harder to see. With darkness fast approaching she knew she was going to need to either find or make herself a place to wait out the night. The storm still had not abated, though the thunder and lightning had finally stopped. Her stomach too was rumbling angrily, reminding her she had not yet found food. 

Sighing, she paused, glancing around to assess what supplies the forest had to provide. 

She tugged some vines loose from the tree they had strangled, dragging them over to a pair of sloped pines that were growing far too close to one another. Tugging their lower branches down she used the vines to tie them together, forming a skeletal roof above her head. Sitting upon the wet ground she began to weave what remained of the vines together, creating a makeshift roof she could throw over the tied branches. 

It didn’t protect her from all of the rain, but it did enough. Sighing in relief, she ventured back out, scouting for something to eat. 

A loud bleat from her left startled her and she turned, watching in surprise as the Bai Ze trotted back to her side, shaking the rain from its coat. She laughed, leaning away from the sudden spray of water. 

“Welcome back.” She offered. “I’m going to look for some food, but you can sleep over there, if you want.” She pointed back towards her makeshift shelter. 

The Bai Ze eyed it for a minute before prancing off a few steps. 

Shaking her head she returned to her search but, to her surprise, the Bai Ze suddenly snorted, pawing at the ground in annoyance. 

“What do you want?” She asked, turning back to stare at the creature. 

It stomped once more, clearly demanding her attention. Sighing, she turned, following the creature as it picked its way through the underbrush. Its nose hovering just above the ground, as though it were following a scent trail, and she cocked her head curiously. 

Finally, the Bai Ze stopped, its head lifting as it glanced back at her. It stomped imperiously once again, making her move closer in curiosity. 

Within the bush it stood before were the purple berries she had been collecting the day before. 

“Huh.” She remarked, glancing at the creature. “Thanks, I guess.” She murmured as she crouched down, wincing as the sharp branches of the bush pricked against her cheek and neck as she struggled to reach the berries hidden within. 

As she collected berries she watched as the Bai Ze reached up, tugging down a set of vines to chew happily at its leaves. 

When she was satisfied with her collection she made her way back to her little shelter, settling down with her meager dinner. The Bai Ze returned a few minutes later, leaning against her as they watched the rain continue to fall. 

By the time morning came she was sure she would never be warm again. 

She peered up angrily at the clouds that were still merrily dumping rain down upon them. “This is ridiculous.” She grumbled, earning what she imagined was an agreeing bleat of annoyance from the little Bai Ze at her side as they set out once more. 

As before, the Bai Ze helped guide her as they worked their way higher into the mountains and further away from the village. To her relief, they slowly began to leave the storm behind and by midafternoon they were both no longer drenched. The Bai Ze finally halted their trek on a rocky outcrop, plopping down and refusing to budge any further. 

With a sigh she gave in, gathering what she could to make them both comfortable through the night. High above the clouds had parted enough for her to see the final hints of the sun as it began to descend. Down below she could see the dense pine forest spread out beneath them and far in the distance the thin ribbon that she knew was the ocean. She couldn’t see her village and frankly, didn’t want to look too hard for it, knowing that seeing it broken and battered would weaken her resolve to run as far away as she could. 

Swinging her legs lazily she smiled as she felt her eggs begin to shift. They’d been more active that day, fluttering and bouncing slightly around inside of her. Where before she had only felt one, she could clearly feel a few of the others now as well, joining their more boisterous sibling. She wasn’t sure if it was in response to her own physical exertion or simply the result of them growing older. 

She frowned slightly, chewing her lip as she considered the possibility that they might be ready to be birthed soon. Rafayel had claimed not to know how long she would have to carry them, but he had warned her that once they were birthed, they would need to be protected in the water for a little bit longer before the children finally broke free of the constraining eggs. 

And yet here she was, moving further away from the sea. 

She sighed, glancing over at the Bai Ze that was dozing happily in the last rays of the sun. 

“Guess I’ll have to head back down that way sooner or later.” She mused as she gently rubbed her stomach. 

The Bai Ze opened a single eye, glancing at her to gauge her mood for a brief moment before settling back down to sleep. 

“I wonder what the King wants with you?” She wondered as she studied the dozing creature. 

The rain had washed the last of the mud away from it, leaving its fur a gleaming silvery-white. The creature was rather pretty, she supposed, but it seemed like a lot of trouble to go through to try to capture it. The Bai Ze, for its part, remained silent, keeping its secrets to itself.

Sighing she turned her attention back towards the forest sprawled out beneath her.

Her life was getting too damn complicated. 

*********

On the fifth day of their travels, the Bai Ze led her to a clearing tucked between a pair of towering, snow capped mountains. She noted the lightness in the creature’s step as it pranced down to a still, glimmering pond, dipping its head down to drink deeply. As she approached the pond, she felt her heart leap in delight when she saw the shadow of fish slipping around beneath the glassy surface. 

She had no hooks or string, but she could make suitable substitutes, meaning she could perhaps have her first real mean in days. 

Laughing in delight, she hurried to gather and twist some of the long-leafed weeds into a semblance of string. The hook was harder to manage but she found some curved thorns she figured would work well enough. The Bai Ze helped her unearth a few worms and beetles that she could use as bait.

Settling on a rock that jutted out over the still lake, she cast out her line, waiting patiently. 

The glade was rather pretty she mused, with low grass and clusters of brightly colored wildflowers. The Bai Ze was happily munching its way through the tender green grass, and she figured if the weather held out the two of them could simply bed down near the lake for the night. 

She had just managed to pull in a decent sized fish when a shadow fell over her, making her freeze. 

Swallowing nervously, she turned, peering up at the man who had somehow managed to creep up on both herself and the Bai Ze. 

With his soft, clean silver hair, unmarred skin, and simple traveling leathers, he didn’t look like one of the King’s men, but he didn’t look like the kind of person who lived off the land either. 

She slowly slid back along her rocky perch, trying to put some distance between herself and this unknown stranger. He watched her quietly with bright blue eyes, startlingly similar to the Bai Ze’s. Her gaze darted to the side, seeking out the smaller creature. To her relief the Bai Ze was still peacefully grazing, apparently unconcerned by the appearance of this new human in its midst. 

“Who are you?” She demanded, drawing her legs up under her to stand. 

The man watched her sway slightly as she struggled to find her balance, a slight frown tugging at his lips as his gaze darkened in concern. 

“What are you doing out here?” He demanded in turn. 

She shrugged, doing her best to appear unconcerned as she sidestepped down off the rock, putting a little more distance between herself and the newcomer and giving her room to flee if she had to. 

“Is this your land?” She asked pointedly. 

The man shook his head slightly. 

“Then I don’t see what business it is of yours.” She snapped curtly. 

The man sighed, running a hand through his hair as he glanced about, his gaze finally settling on the Bai Ze. 

“There isn’t any towns or settlements near here.” He pressed, glancing back towards her. “Where do you live?”

She shrugged, glancing down at the fish still dangling from her line. “Here and there.” She murmured vaguely. 

Across from her the man sighed, crossing his arms in mild annoyance as his gaze swept over her, lingering on the bruises that had blossomed across her arms. Before he could say anything else the Bai Ze wandered back over to her side, not even bothering to spare the man a second glance as it passed by him. 

She noted the way the man’s gaze darted towards the Bai Ze, locking onto its right foreleg that still possessed the barest hint of a limp. 

With a sigh the man shook his head, his arms dropping to his side. “Come on. I’ve got a shelter set up nearby. At the very least the two of you can get cleaned up and have a warm place to sleep tonight.”

She hesitated, glancing down at the Bai Ze who turned to prance after the man. 

“I don’t even know who you are.” She pointed out stubbornly, making him pause. 

He glanced back her way and shrugged. “Xavier.” He offered before continuing on, as though unconcerned as to whether or not she bothered to follow him. 

She watched as the Bai Ze continued to prance after him, scowling. 

“Traitor.” She hissed softly under her breath at the Bai Ze, forcing herself to follow the pair. 

***********

“So, what are you doing out here?” She asked as she watched Xavier stoke the fire in his firepit back to life. 

Xavier shrugged, dusting off his hands before picking up her descaled fish and setting on the metal grating that contained a hunk of some kind of red meat. At her side the Bai Ze lifted its head, sniffing the wind before sneezing in derision, making her chuckle as she reached down, patting its side. 

“This and that.” He replied vaguely. 

She shook he head. “You don’t look and talk like the kind of person who just hangs out in the wild all the time.”

Across from her Xavier smiled wistfully, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement as he glanced up at her through his hair. “Maybe I just like the peace and quiet.” He offered mysteriously.

She sighed, hugging her knees to her chest as she watched the fire climb. “My village was destroyed by the sea.” She offered, watching as Xavier stilled, taking in her words. 

“I saw the storm down by the coast.” Xavier offered softly. “I’m sorry about your village.”

She shrugged, resting her chin on her knees. 

They sat in silence for a long while, watching the food cook. She thanked Xavier as he carefully cut the bones from her fish for her and then slipped half of his venison onto her plate as well. He waved her thanks off, settling back with his own plate as they ate in silence. 

“Havershin is a village about a two-day ride from here. I can take you there, if you like.” Xavier finally offered. 

She shook her head. “I ... I think I want to live alone for a while.” She murmured, picking at the ragged edge of her tunic. 

Xavier remained silent for a time, considering her words. 

“I’m not expected back for another few months.” He said. “We could travel together. I’m ... not much for crowds myself.”

She glanced down at the sleeping Bai Ze at her side. “We don’t even know each other.” She pointed out.

Xavier inclined his head at her words. 

She sighed wearily. “Let me think about it.”

He nodded, getting up to dip back into his small tent. When he returned, she took the blanket he offered with a soft thanks. 

To her relief he retreated back into the tent, leaving her and the Bai Ze to sleep comfortably by the fire as she debated whether or not to take him up on his offer. She had no idea who he was, but she also knew that she couldn’t keep hiding alone. Sooner or later, her eggs would be ready to be born, and she’d need help getting back to the sea to find a safe place to do so. 

She rubbed her hands over her stomach, worrying over how she was going to raise them without Rafayel’s help. 

She hoped he was okay, but she was terrified to call him, recalling the fury in his gaze as he stared her down as Caleb and his men tried to capture him. 

Would he come if she called?

And if he did ... would his answer be to finish what his waves had started?

****************

The next morning, she and Xavier set out together. 

The Bai Ze's acceptance of Xavier’s presence had been enough to convince her to trust him, though for all she knew the Bai Ze would accept any human thanks to her efforts in saving it. 

Even so, she figured she had little choice in the matter. 

To her relief, Xavier didn’t ask many questions as they rode, seemingly willing to let her keep her secrets much as he kept whatever secrets he had to himself. 

“Where are you heading to?” She finally ventured to ask as they meandered through the clearing, Xavier’s horse following along a well worn deer trail that snaked its way to the northeast. 

Xavier shrugged. “Nowhere, really.” He offered. 

“So, you’re just out here ... wandering?” She asked in disbelief.

Xavier laughed softly. “Something like that.” 

“Surely you have duties or something.” She prodded, poking pointedly at the carefully crafted pack he carried. “Wandering doesn’t pay for something like that.”

He hummed softly, chin tilted up as he considered the pristine blue sky above them. “Every now and then I have to dance attendance on my father.” He conceded. “But the rest of the time is my own. I find the peace and quiet of nature more agreeable than the hustle and bustle of home, I suppose.”

She considered his words for a long moment before shrugging, deciding they had nothing to do with her. 

“I just want to get away for awhile.” She offered in exchange. “Things have been ... kind of crazy lately.”

He nodded in acknowledgement but, to her relief, didn’t bother to push any farther. 

“So where all have you been?” She asked curiously. 

Xavier chuckled. “Everywhere.” He replied a bit smugly.

She smiled faintly at his back. “I’ve only ever been to the City and my village.” She offered, frowning as she caught the way Xavier’s hand seemed to tighten slightly on the reins, as though her words had displeased him. 

“Well, there’s an awful lot of the world for you to see then.” Xavier replied airily, his voice giving no indication that he had been troubled by her words. 

She fell silent, a bit uneasy as she reminded herself that she had no real idea who he was. She desperately wanted to trust in somebody but with all that had happened recently ... it was probably better to be wary and continue to keep to herself. 

They rode for most of the day, and she couldn’t help but notice that the terrain was sloping downward, as though Xavier was taking them both out of the mountains and closer to the coast. She felt her heart clench slightly at that realization, not yet ready to face Rafayel or whatever else the ocean had lying in wait for her. 

To her relief, Xavier drew his horse to a halt near a small cabin hidden in the woods. He helped her down before dismounting himself, sending the horse and the Bai Ze off to forage for dinner while he checked on the building to make sure it was visitor free before ushering her inside. 

She offered to help him find food, but he waved her off, leaving her to set up the fire as he hunted. 

With Xavier well and truly away she hesitated, considering his horse for a long while. She could take it and flee. She should take it and flee, she reasoned, her hand lingering on the gentle swell of her stomach. 

And yet that seemed a poor way to repay Xavier for the kindness he had so far shown her. 

She didn’t trust him, not fully, but she found she couldn’t bring herself to leave him stranded out here either. 

Sighing heavily, she set about gathering wood for the fire. 

********

She was woken by the sound of raised voices outside of the cabin and the screaming of the Bai Ze. 

Gasping, she pushed herself up out of the sleeping roll Xavier had lent her, peering out the small window. She could only make out shadows upon the ground, but she could see the Bai Ze’s shadow struggling as a figure held tightly onto the rope wrapped about its neck. A second shadow stood a few steps away from the first, a sword clenched in its hand. 

She pressed her hand to her chest, her gaze turning towards the dark wood to her right. She could probably slip away and into the forest while the pair were arguing. 

But she couldn’t leave the Bai Ze. Not after it had helped her. 

Growling in frustration, she glanced about, her eyes settling on the small table in the corner and the forgotten dagger still laying atop it. She dove for it, relief flooding through her as the weight of the dagger in her hand helped settle her nerves. Swallowing nervously, she crept out of the window, slipping along the edge of the cabin. 

“... none of your business.” Came a harsh voice. “Our orders …”

“I don’t care about your orders.” Xavier responded, cutting the other man off, his voice, normally so gentle and calm now icy cold and laced with deadly threat. “Let ... it ... go.”

“The King ...”

Xavier snarled something she couldn’t make out and she gasped as the pair suddenly paced past her. To her relief the two men's attention remained locked on each other as they circled one another. She immediately recognized the uniform the unknown man wore and felt her heart lodge itself firmly in her throat. 

At the soldier's side the Bai Ze was thrashing, its eyes wide as foam flecked from its muzzle and the rope about its neck jerked tighter. 

Xavier watched the soldier's movements warily, the sword in his hand glowing strangely as it quivered in his firm grip. She frowned as something about the way it glowed tried to stir a memory deep within her.

When the soldier took another step, dragging the Bai Ze with him, making it cry out harshly, she couldn’t bear it any longer. Steeling her nerves she darted forward, dagger raised high, ready to plunge it in the man’s back. 

She saw Xavier’s gaze flick in her direction, his lips parting as though to warn her off but it was too late, she was committed now. With a wild cry she slashed downwards. Unfortunately, the soldier was faster than she expected, turning just enough for her to miss her mark, though not enough to completely protect himself from the blade. The soldier jerked back with a curse as the blade slid along his arm, forcing him to release the rope, allowing the Bai Ze to leap back, shaking its head furiously as it tried to dislodge the thing about its neck. 

She felt a wild surge of triumph for about half a second before the soldier spun around and seized the front of her shirt.

She cried out as he yanked her close, his breath hot against her face as he lifted her until her toes barely touched the ground. She watched as he raised his fist and flinched, waiting for the blow to land. 

It never came.

Instead, a brilliant flash of light seared through her vision despite her closed lids, making her gasp in shock. The soldier too cried out and she felt his grip slacken. She jerked backwards as hard as she could, yelping as she lost her balance and hit the dirt, sending a jolting pain through her lower back as she stared upwards, blinking against the bright spots of light burned into her vision. 

Xavier stepped between her and the soldier, his sword a bright, angry presence at his side. She watched as dark blood slid slowly down its blade as the soldier collapsed to the ground, clutching what remained of his arm to his chest, his face ghostly white. 

“ Do not touch her. ” Xavier snarled, his voice low and menacing. 

The soldier at Xavier’s feet spat, shaking from the pain as he stared up at his attacker. “Why?” He demanded through gritted teeth. “You know the King desires ...”

Xavier’s eyes narrowed. “I know very well what the King desires.” He snapped back, cutting the soldier off.

Trembling she pushed herself up, darting to the struggling Bai Ze. The rope was still tight about its neck, glowing strangely in the darkness, just as the nets Caleb’s men had used did.

Just as Xavier's sword did ...

Swallowing back her hesitation, she reached out, grabbing at the knot that held the rope tight about the struggling creature’s neck. A searing pain burned along her hands as the rope cut through her fingers. She cried out, tears of pain and frustration stinging her eyes as she struggled past the pain to keep working on the knot even as blood began to drip from her hands as the cursed rope sliced through her. 

There was movement behind her, but she kept her attention focused on what she was doing. When a hand touched her shoulder, firmly trying to push her back she turned, snarling up at Xavier. 

“Let me.” He insisted gently. “That rope will cut right through you if you let it.”

She watched as his hand closed about the rope just above hers, giving it a sharp tug. The rope’s light dimmed, and she frowned as she watched him easily tug the knot free, his own hands remaining whole and healthy while hers had been shredded and torn by the thing. 

The moment the Bai Ze was able to slip its head free of the loop it did so, backing away from both of them in confusion, it’s blue eyes still wide with panic. 

“Go!” She urged it.

The Bai Ze needed no more prompting. With a panicked squeal, it turned and fled, it’s white hide fading into the dark forest. 

Swallowing, she watched as Xavier gathered up the rope. The moment his attention was off of her she too was gone, darting into the dark forest as well. She heard him call out but ignored it, adrenaline and fear giving her strength and speed she didn’t even know she possessed. She plowed through the underbrush, ignoring the sting of branches slicing across her face and arms.

Behind her she could make out the thunder of hoofbeats. 

She tried to avoid the horse and its rider as they neared, darting to the side as the larger form upon the horse's back leaned towards her. But, to her frustration, an arm looped about her waist, hauling her up off her feet. She kicked and screamed, swinging wildly at the man holding her. 

“It’s me, relax!” Xavier barked, his voice heavy with exasperation as he was forced to dip lower to avoid a low hanging branch. 

She forced herself to still, her heart pounding so loudly in her chest that it was all she could hear. Xavier hauled her up in front of him, his arm wrapped firmly about her waist as he urged his horse onward. 

“Are you all right?” He asked. 

She nodded shakily. “I’m fine. But we need to keep up with the Bai Ze.” She urged. 

Xavier didn’t reply but, to her relief, she felt his thighs tighten and the horse responded, kicking up into a canter as they wove their way through the dark wood, following the small trail the Bai Ze’s hooves had left in its wake. 

Xavier’s arm tightened around her as they came across a fallen log, forcing the horse to jump. She squeezed her eyes shut when they landed, body jolting with the impact. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but it felt like Xavier’s hand had tightened about her stomach, helping to support it as the horse’s hooves struck the ground.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the forest about them began to thin and she spotted the Bai Ze. It was standing still, sides heaving, head bowed as it watched them approach. 

“Careful.” Xavier warned as she twisted, sliding down from the horse to approach the trembling creature. 

“Hey, it’s okay.” She crooned, crouching down a few steps away from the Bai Ze, holding her hand out to it but not touching it, allowing it to come to her when it was ready. 

The creature shuddered but to her relief, stepped forward, nosing against her fingers. 

She crept a bit closer, carefully feeling along the Bai Ze’s neck. The fur where the rope had been was ruffled but it didn’t appear that it had cut into the creature’s skin as it had hers. She breathed a sigh of relief and glanced back, meeting Xavier’s gaze. 

“We need to get farther away.” He insisted, his voice back to its softer patterns. “Clearly you’re being tracked.”

She sighed, glancing back the way they had come. “Yeah, I guess so.” She grit out.

Chapter Text

“So ... you think that the King’s men wouldn’t trespass into the tribal lands in the North?” She ventured hesitantly, glancing over at her quiet partner. 

Xavier nodded, his gaze flicking towards her briefly before returning to the path ahead. The Bai Ze bounded playfully along the wide deer trail, its small silver hooves glinting as it pounced from leaf pile to leaf pile. Behind them, Xavier’s horse trailed along obediently, occasionally pausing to sniff cautiously at the cool, crisp air.

“It’s not impossible for them to cross the borders," Xavier warned, "but the tribes are often difficult to pin down and their temper is easily stoked. They’d only risk earning the northerns’ ire for something truly special.”

She frowned slightly at his words, her hand brushing against her swollen stomach nervously. Beneath her hand she could feel the faint quivering of the eggs, the children they contained vibrating eagerly, as though ready to break free and explore the world on their own. 

Not for the first time she worried that she wouldn’t have enough time to make it to the tribal lands and beg to be allowed to prove her worth.

She worried about the Bai Ze as well. They were moving far from its home. Would it be able to find its way back again? She sighed, watching the little creature toss back its head, its silver horn reflecting the rays of light that filtered down through the tree branches. 

“We should stop here.” Xavier suddenly said, surprising her as he drew still, casting his gaze around them as though searching for something. 

“I can keep going ...” She protested but Xavier shook his head firmly. 

“We’re nearing the road to Hayanis Port.” He explained, making her pause. 

The merchants who occasionally made their way down to the village had often come from the Port. They would gather goods from the visiting ships and bring them to the smaller towns, seeking those who could buy their wares or offer other things in trade as they worked their way back to the City. She had never considered visiting the Port City herself but she’d often delighted in the little trinkets the merchants would bring from there. Once, Zayne’s parents had bought her a little music box. It had been a simple thing but she had spent hours tinkering with it, trying to figure out how it made music. 

She wondered what had become of it, whether or not it had survived Rafayel’s second attempt to punish the village. 

“Do you think the King’s men will be there?” She ventured nervously, watching as Xavier carefully unhooked a few of the larger packs from his horse, setting them down next to a tree. 

Xavier shrugged. “There’s always soldiers stationed along the piers to keep track of the ships that come and go and sometimes along the road to protect travellers. But those will not be the ones you need to worry about.” He offered. 

She frowned, considering his words. “I saw something once. A banner.” She ventured, brushing the leaves away from the grounds and plucking up a stick. “It was red with silver threading. It bore this symbol.” She sketched out the serpent and the sword that had been on the banner Rafayel had brought her. 

At her side Xavier stilled, his eyes narrowing in recognition. “This is the one following you?” He demanded sharply. 

She hesitated. “I ... I’m not sure.” She admitted. “I didn’t see any of the King's men in my village carrying this symbol but it was on a ship that was hunting things nearby.”

She watched as Xavier’s hand brushed against his neck, causing his shirt to shift enough for her to catch sight of a band of silver metal wrapped low about his collar. She frowned as she realized she had seen such a thing before. Caleb had worn something similar, she was sure of it. She remembered seeing it one afternoon while he worked down by the village’s pier. The sun had been hot that day and he and the others had stripped off their shirts while they worked. She’d noticed the glint of silver about his neck then but had been too embarrassed to ask him about it later on that evening. 

Ice began to inch its way through her veins as Xavier’s hand fell away, his shirt shifting back into place, covering the silver band from sight. 

“It’s the mark of a Hunter.” Xavier offered, reaching down to destroy what she had drawn. "He and his crew receive funding from the King’s purse but act separately from the rest of the army. It’s best to steer clear of them.”

“Why would the King need the services of an outside group?” She inquired. 

Xavier leaned back with a heavy sigh, his gaze flicking past her towards the Bai Ze. “The King maintains a menagerie. He collects creatures that possess magic … and humans with Evol. Those who are capable of bringing him creatures such as your Bai Ze for his collection are paid handsomely. As for the humans, they can either agree to serve him ... or die.”

She was quiet for a long while, recalling the nets Caleb’s men had carried. Had they come to try to capture the Bai Ze and found Rafayel by accident? Or had someone from the village called for them knowing that the King would desire the power the Rafayel possessed?

“ How long will you all be staying here ?” She had Caleb shortly after they had arrived. 

“ The situation here is more complicated than we expected .” Had been his reply.

She scowled, glaring down at remains of the design she had drawn for Xavier, remembering the same one she had drawn on the sand for Caleb. 

“ Can’t say I know it. ” Had been his reply. Not “I don’t know.” or “I don’t recognize it.” rather a skillful sidestep of admitting that he couldn't tell her either way.

“Caleb you lying son of a …” She cursed viciously under her breath. She should have been more careful. Should have read between his words. 

She’d been such a blind fool.

At her side Xavier straightened, turning back to catch the reigns of his horse. 

“What part of the King’s army do you belong to?” She asked pointedly, no longer wishing to play the role of fool. 

Xavier pulled himself up onto his horse, his gaze turned guarded. “Not that one.” He replied firmly, though she couldn’t help but notice how on edge he suddenly seemed. 

“What about your father?” She pressed. 

To her relief Xavier shook his head the barest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “He’s not the kind to get his own hands dirty.” Xavier replied dryly, a faint mocking humor lightening his voice. 

“But if the King’s Men report back that you’re helping us ...” She mused.

A short laugh escaped the man above her. “He won’t be surprised.” Xavier assured her. “He and I ... we don’t see eye to eye on most matters. He’ll be furious and I’ll pay whatever penance he decides I owe before we part ways once more. It’s the way it has always been, there’s no need to concern yourself over it.”

She met his words with a frown. “But if the King demands ...”

Xavier raised a hand, waving off her concern. “It’s nothing to worry over.” He assured her. “Now, I’ll go scout up ahead to make sure the road is clear. See if you can find something to eat and get some rest in the meantime.”

She watched as he rode off, glancing over at the packs he had stacked in the shade of an old pine. 

Something nudged the small of her back and she turned, laughing softly as she pushed the Bai Ze back. “Watch that horn, buddy.” She teased, gently pushing the sharp horn aside as the Bai Ze peered up at her. 

The creature snorted, pushing past her to nose around Xavier’s packs. She sighed, pulling free the bag that contained what remained of last night’s dinner. 

She knew that Xavier, for all of his help, was far more connected to everything than she liked. His strange sword and the way it glowed with his innate Evol, the way he’d been able to handle the rope the other soldier had used to bind the Bai Ze without injury … 

She shouldn’t trust him. She didn’t trust him. Not fully. And yet ... her options were rapidly shrinking. 

Sighing, she sank down onto the ground, placing a little pile of berries they’d come across earlier on the ground next to her. The Bai Ze plopped down at her side, leaning against her as it ate. She let her fingers brush through its soft mane, considering her next moves. 

Despite her reservations, the Bai Ze seemed to trust Xavier. And yet ... she had no idea if that actually meant something or if the Bai Ze trusted everyone. 

She huffed in frustration, brushing her hand over her stomach as she stared out into the forest. The trees were thinner here, the darker woods giving way to shorter scrub bushes. There would be rabbits around, she mused. A few traps set up here and there might be worth their time if Xavier returned and cautioned against travelling onwards for now. 

They sat in silence for a long while. The occasional gust of wind rustled the treetops, sending a few stubborn leaves twirling down to the forest floor around them. The Bai Ze yawned, leaning heavily against her side as she let her fingers ghost through its short fur. 

She had just started to doze when she felt her Evol reach for something, startling her awake. She kept her eyes closed but held her breath, straining to listen. It was rare for other individuals with Evol to come around but when they did her own Evol often reacted to theirs, as though calling to them. 

She felt that sensation now. 

The animals around her did not seem alarmed, nor did the Bai Ze still dozing at her side but she knew they were no longer alone. 

Swallowing nervously, she shifted, gathering her legs under her so that she could dart away swiftly if she needed to. Reaching out with her Evol she focused along the path Xavier had gone down, her heart dropping when she felt the faintest brush of his Evol far to the northeast. 

The new Evol she felt was to her left, south of her location, though not by much. 

“Time to go.” She whispered to the creature dozing at her side, her fingers tightening in its mane and tugging at it urgently. 

The Bai Ze’s head lifted as it blinked up at her sleepily. 

She rose, steadying herself against the pine as she worked to find her balance. The Bai Ze huffed in annoyance but rose as well, shaking itself before pausing, its horn suddenly pointing behind her as it turned, peering back the way they had come. 

She felt her heart leap into her throat as she felt the other Evol near. 

It was close. 

And yet, she had heard nothing approach them. 

The Bai Ze at her side suddenly stepped back, its ears perked as its eyes fixed on something behind her. Panic coursed through her veins and she pushed away from the tree, desperately fleeing towards Xavier’s Evol. 

She heard the crunch of leaves as the other launched into motion behind her, easily catching up to her. 

She snarled as a hand caught her upper arm as the other tried to drag her to a halt. Twisting in the other’s hold she lashed out, slashing at the hand that held her with her nails, digging furrows into the one holding her. 

She heard a sharp hiss and then her free hand was caught. She struggled to jerk free but the other was unrelenting, giving her a sharp, teeth rattling shake. Snarling, she glared up at the man that held her, blinking in surprise as she recognized him. 

“Let me go!” She demanded, not at all relieved to find Rafayel glaring down at her. 

Rafayel’s grip on her arm tightened, making her wince in pain as she twisted, trying to put some distance between them. Her efforts were met with a warning growl. Gritting her teeth, she dug her heels into the ground, succeeding in stalling him long enough to twist free of his grasp. She rubbed her upper arm with a scowl, watching as Rafayel turned, reaching for her once more. 

The moment he was within reach she lashed out, her palm hitting the side of his face with a sharp slap that made her hand sting even as he jerked back, eyes wide with surprise. 

“ Don’t you touch me .” She hissed, watching as Rafayel stilled, fingers lingering over his cheek and the bright red flush beginning to bloom where she had struck him.

She wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from the capricious man before her but felt relief course through her as he took a cautious step back away from her, eyes wide with confusion. 

“You dare to strike me.” Rafayel demanded, his voice sharp with surprise and reproach. 

She scowled back at him. “You tried to kill me.” She reminded him, anger making her fingers curl at her sides as she met his gaze with a heated one of her own. 

He tsked, hand falling away from his cheek. “I wasn’t trying to kill you.” He protested, glancing behind her warily as the Bai Ze stomped, clearly agitated by their interaction. 

She snorted, arms folded across her chest in consternation. “Well it sure felt like you were.” She groused. 

Rafayel shook his head, moving towards her once more. She skipped back a few steps but paused when the Bai Ze suddenly charged forward, its sharp horn pointed at Rafayel’s unprotected stomach, forcing him back. Rafayel stumbled, the corners of his eyes pinching in pain as he struggled to regain his balance. Her gaze fixed on where his hand came to grip his left thigh, noting for the first time the way the fabric seemed to stick to him ... as though it were wet. 

Her lips parted in concern when he pulled his hand away from his leg and she noticed the blood smeared along his fingers. 

The spear , she realized, recalling the way one of Caleb’s men had used one to try to pin Rafayel down onto the beach while the others sought to entangle him in the net. 

By why was the wound still bleeding so many days later?

Scowling, she stalked forward, causing Rafayel to watch her approach warily, clearly unsure as to whether or not she planned to lash out at him once more. 

“Sit down.” She demanded, pushing the sleeves of her tattered shirt up. 

Rafayel hesitated and she pointed to the ground, glaring at him until he finally complied, sinking down among the fallen leaves as she knelt before him. She eyed the filmy trousers he wore, quickly undoing the buttons that held them tight about his ankle. Pushing the now loose cloth back she winced as the wound was bared. It was a deep, ugly gash, still oozing blood from its center as she prodded the nearby flesh, frowning in concern at how warm it was. 

Infection? She wondered, leaning back to chew worriedly at her inner cheek. Did gods have to deal with such mortal concerns as that? She wasn’t sure but if he had been human she would have insisted he see a healer right away. 

Not for the first time, she desperately wished that Zayne were there. 

“We’ll need to get that cleaned up.” She murmured, glancing around in dismay. The woods here were thinner but it had been days since she’d last come across a source of clean water. And she certainly didn’t have any needle or thread with which to close the wound for him. 

Her scowl deepened as Rafayel shook his head, pushing himself back up onto his feet. 

“It’ll heal ... eventually.” He murmured, pushing the cloth back down, hiding the wound from her view. 

She sighed, rising as well. “You should head back to the sea.” She insisted, pointing towards the west. “It’s not safe here.”

He nodded but, to her frustration, reached out to grasp at her elbow once again. Suspecting she knew what he intended she stepped back out of his reach, watching as frustration flickered across his face at her movement. 

“We’ll go back together.” He demanded. 

She shook her head, glancing the way she and Xavier had been travelling. “I’m heading to the northern lands.” She informed him. “There’s tribes there that I can live with.”

Rafayel shook his head. “No. You’ll come with me to the island. Our eggs will be safe there.” He insisted.

She let out a sharp, humorless bark of laughter. “ Our eggs?” She said incredulously, glaring at him. 

“Yes,” He repeated stubbornly, “ Our eggs.”

She snorted, tearing her gaze away from him. “No, they’re my eggs and mine alone. They stopped being our eggs the moment you destroyed my village and negated the deal between us.”

She heard Rafayel’s frustrated growl behind her as she turned away, calling to the Bai Ze and began to walk towards Xavier's faint trail of Evol. 

“Your village turned on me first.” Rafayel groused as he caught up to her.

She did her best not to pay attention to the way he limped, pain pinching at the corners of his eyes. 

“No they did not.” She insisted. “The King’s Men did. The rest of my village wanted nothing more than to pay off its debt to you so that you would leave us alone.” 

Rafayel was silent for a long while as they worked their way further out of the woods. 

“I wasn’t trying to kill you.” He finally grit out.

She glanced over at him, noting the way he was staring stubbornly forward. 

“Could have fooled me.” She snipped in return.

At her side Rafayel sighed. “I took you out of the water.” He insisted. “But when I returned to fetch you after dealing with the remaining men on the beach you were gone.”

She frowned slightly, slowing to a stop as she turned to stare up at him. “You put me in the cave?” She finally asked.

Rafayel shook his head. “I left you near the beach. The other male ... the one you said would help you with the eggs ... he took you away before I returned.”

Her breath caught in her throat. 

Zayne had survived then. 

“He wasn’t there when I woke.” She murmured, chewing her lower lip in concern. 

Rafayel shrugged. “There were other outsiders in the woods. They took him away when he came back without you. I called the storm to slow the rest while I tried to figure out where he had taken you but my leg slowed me and that thing ...” Rafayel glared down at the Bai Ze who simply flicked an ear back at him dismissively, “...made it hard to follow you both.”

She froze mid step, worry flooding through her. The King’s Men had taken Zayne …

“ As for the humans, they can either agree to serve him ... or die .” Xavier had told her earlier. 

She glanced to the east uneasily. 

Zayne had used his Evol to try to protect her on the beach but would the ones who had captured him know that? Or would they simply take him to their superiors to find out what had happened to the others in the village and then let him go once he had made his report?

Her stomach clenched in concern. 

“Did Caleb survive?” She demanded, turning to catch Rafayel’s gaze. 

He cocked his head in confusion and she sighed in frustration. “The other male you smelled on me. The one who used his Evol to trap you.”

Rafayel’s lips pulled back in a silent snarl. “If that one did survive, he will regret it.” He promised darkly. 

She sighed, reaching up to tug at a strand of hair as she considered things.

Zayne had useful skills ... and Caleb had once remarked that the King liked useful things. If they had taken him back to the City, surely Zayne would be alright. And yet ... he’d tried to free her from the King’s men. If they suspected he had been in league with Rafayel ...

She huffed, tugging harshly on the strand of hair in frustration. She didn’t know what she should do. Hope that Zayne would be alright and continue travelling north in the hopes that she could hide among the tribes ... or dare to travel to the east in the hopes that she would find him among the City. 

At her side the Bai Ze stomped, its head cocked in confusion as to why they were simply standing around. 

She sighed, turning towards Rafayel. “Can you take the Bai Ze to safety?” She asked. 

Rafayel’s gaze narrowed. “I can take us all to safety.” He replied stubbornly. 

She shook her head, moving to step around him, pulling up short when he moved with her, blocking her path. 

“I just need to make sure Zayne is alright.” She insisted. “I’ll take him to the northlands with me. And when the time comes I’ll go to the ocean and we can figure out what to do about my eggs, alright?”

Rafayel shook his head. “We’ll go to the ocean now and I’ll take you to safety.” He countered. 

She tsked, pointing at his wounded leg. “You’ll never keep up with me bleeding like that.” She insisted.

Rafayel rocked back slightly, eyes narrowed as he studied her. She watched as he slowly reached down, gripping his leg over the wound with a grimace. 

She frowned as a strange smell reached her, recognizing it as the scent of burning flesh. At her side the Bai Ze bleated out in alarm. It took her a moment to realize where it was coming from and when she did she gasped, lunging forward to catch Rafayel’s wrist, jerking his hand away from his leg. She frantically pushed the fabric of his pants up, gasping at the burned flesh beneath. 

“What did you do?” She breathed out, staring up at him incredulously. 

Rafayel shrugged, stepping away from her. “Now the bleeding will not slow me down.” He replied simply.

She did not fight as Rafayel gripped her upper arm, pulling her back up and gently pushing her towards the west where the sea waited. 

“I’m travelling with someone.” She warned, glaring up at him. “He’ll follow us when he returns to find me gone.”

Rafayel shrugged, clearly untroubled by her warning. “I’ll deal with him then.” He growled out. 

She sighed in exasperation. “He knows who the banner belongs to.” She offered. “The one you showed me at the cave. That was on the ship that was hunting the Lemurians.”

Rafayel tsked. “I’m pretty sure I know who it belongs to now as well.” He replied, his gaze sliding towards her.

She sighed, folding her arms about herself. “I didn’t think ... I didn’t know he was behind it. I’m sorry.” She offered, glancing hesitantly up at the man at her side. 

Rafayel was silent, his face carefully blank. 

She shook her head, seating herself on a nearby boulder outcropping, forcing Rafayel to stop as well. 

“Xavier, the one I’m travelling with, he says the King is collecting things for his menagerie.” She offered. 

Rafayel cocked his head, clearly considering her words. 

“They’re looking for the Bai Ze. If you take it to this island of yours, they’d leave me alone.” She insisted. 

Rafayel’s gaze was piercing as it slashed towards her. “You’re so sure of that, are you?” He asked, his voice heavy with some strange, growing anger. 

She nodded. “I’m not anything they want. They’ll leave me alone.” She insisted. “ You’re the one that needs to get away from this place. You and the Bai Ze”

Rafayel moved closer and she instinctively leaned back. She saw the way he stilled, eyes darkening as he noticed her slight movement. Swallowing she forced herself to straighten, watching as he reached out, slower this time, to brush his fingers against her stomach, drawing her attention to the eggs she carried. 

“And what about these?” He asked, drifting around behind her. “What do you think this King of yours might want with the children you now carry?”

She released a shuddering breath, trying to shut out the fear Rafayel’s words stirred within her. “He doesn’t know about them. No one knows about them.” She insisted, rising and turning to stare at him. 

“The one who was helping you knew of them.” Rafayel reminded her. "He even sought to claim them as his own." 

She shook her head furiously, turning to glare back at him. “Zayne would never tell anyone about them.” She insisted. 

"Are you so sure about that?" Rafayel asked as he straightened, his gaze flicking to something behind her. 

She felt the now familiar caress of Caleb’s Evol about her wrists and arms a moment before she felt herself jerked back into a strong hold, a dagger glinting brightly in the sunlight as it was pressed threateningly against her stomach. 

She felt her heart climb its way into her throat as Rafayel’s hands flexed, sparks dancing between his fingers as something formed in his hands. The Bai Ze at his side turned, its bright horn lowered threateningly as Caleb drew her back, putting more space between them. 

“Drop them.” Caleb ordered, his voice vibrating from his chest and through her back. “Or those ... things ... you forced into her won’t stay in there for long.”

Rafayel’s growl was low and dangerous, making her shudder even as she felt the blade press harder against her stomach. 

“ Don’t .” She breathed out, glancing up at the man who held her. 

It was like looking at the face of a stranger. 

“Caleb, please.” She pleaded, hands fisting at her sides as she let her Evol slowly twine about his. If she could just merge with it she could make him let her go ...

“Knock it off.” Caleb hissed, his gaze slashing down towards her. “I only need to bring one of you back alive.” He warned. 

She felt her mouth go dry, realizing what he meant. Reluctantly she allowed her Evol to pull back. 

“Let them go then.” She demanded. 

Caleb’s gaze hardened. “No.” He snapped, jerking his chin. 

She cried out as a pair of men slipped free of the trees, catching Rafayel’s arms and forcing him down. She knew he could fight back, had the power to free himself and flee but, to her frustration, he allowed himself to be manhandled to the ground, his furious gaze never leaving the man who held her, threatening their children with his blade. 

The Bai Ze skittered away from the pair of men holding Rafayel down, its ears pinned back in panic as it peered about. 

“Go!” She shouted at it. 

The Bai Ze glanced up at her hesitantly and she jerked back against Caleb as hard as she could, making him stumble back a step with a surprised grunt. “Go!” She shrieked at it. 

To her relief the Bai Ze turned and fled, bounding into the woods. 

One of the men that held Rafayel moved to follow but Caleb shook his head. “Let it go.” He snapped. “We’ve got what we came for.”

The soldier nodded, returning his attention to Rafayel, who was strangely still in their grasp, his entire attention focused on Caleb. 

“Bind him.” Caleb ordered. She yelped in protest as Caleb yanked her back, practically dragging her with his Evol. She watched one of the soldiers slip something around Rafayel’s neck, making him hiss as his head was yanked back as the soldier latched the thing tightly into place. 

“Let me go!” She demanded, grunting as Caleb adjusted his grip on her, his arm slipping beneath the swell of her stomach so that he could lift her up off her feet. 

“Get on the damn horse.” He snarled, shoving her up onto the saddle of his horse, his Evol pinning her into place as she struggled to slip off the other side and make a break for it. 

She kicked petulantly at him as he moved past her, making him dance out of the way as she bared her teeth at him in furious rage. He sighed, shaking his head as he pulled himself up behind her, nudging her closer to the front of the saddle. She heard the men behind her struggling with Rafayel and she tried to peer back to see what was happening but Caleb’s bulk blocked her view and his Evol kept her trapped in place as he urged his horse forward. 

“I thought I could trust you.” She snarled, glaring back at the man she had thought she had known. 

Caleb did not reply.

Chapter Text

Caleb’s command to halt for the night came just as the last traces of the sun filtered through the leaves. Long shadows darkened the path ahead, making everything seem more sinister than she knew them to be. She winced as the saddle shifted beneath her, swaying her to the side as Caleb dismounted, the rocky pathway crunching under the heavy fall of his boots. She bit back a growl as his hands came up, gently wrapping about her waist and helping her slip down off of the horse. Her worn sandals settled on the ground and she winced as her stiff legs made their displeasure known. She leaned against the horse, watching as Caleb’s men scattered throughout the small clearing, checking for nearby dangers and freeing their horses of their packs and saddles. 

Caleb went to help a pair of his men drag Rafayel to an area set away off to the side. She scowled as one of the men kicked the back of Rafayel’s knees, forcing him down even as Caleb used his Evol to drive a stake into the unforgiving ground. One of the men firmly knotted the strange ropes about the stake, trapping Rafayel where they wanted him. As Rafayel shifted, tugging experimentally at his bindings, her attention was drawn to the thick silver collar that had been latched about his neck. It reminded her of the ones she had noticed about Caleb and Xavier’s neck but where theirs were delicate, carefully crafted things, the one about Rafayel’s neck seemed crude and hastily formed. 

As frustrated as she still was over Rafayel’s actions upon the beach, she hated seeing him bound and trapped like this. She could see the tension in his posture, his eyes flashing dangerously with barely contained fury as he watched the soldiers move about him. When his gaze slashed towards her she felt a shiver of unease work its way down her spine. If ... when he managed to free himself he would assuredly reign destruction down upon them all.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, her fingers splaying protectively over the curve that was just visible through her worn shirt. She stifled a growl of rage as Caleb glanced her way, his gaze darkening as they flicked down to her hand, settling on her swollen abdomen. He glanced away quickly enough but she couldn’t shake the memory of cold steel pressed against her flesh, threatening the young lives she carried. She didn’t care what reasons Caleb could offer her as an explanation for his actions ... nothing he could say would justify putting her children’s lives at stake just to make Rafayel obey. 

She wandered cautiously into the clearing as Caleb directed his men to build a fire while he focused on clearing a small section for them. He moved away the larger of the rocks and then stomped down at the ground that remained, creating a level space where they might sit more comfortably. She clenched her teeth as he worked to provide her with some measure of comfort as though he hadn’t been holding her at knifepoint, using her as bait to force Rafayel’s compliance just a few hours earlier. 

Finally Caleb glanced about, seemingly satisfied with his work. He laid down a worn blanket and then lifted a hand, his gaze catching hers as he beckoned her towards him. She met his efforts with a scowl, folding her arms about her chest as resentment burned in her veins. She had no desire to be anywhere near him, nor to pretend that things between them were good. 

Caleb hesitated, his gaze turning inwards as he let his hand drop, shaking his head slightly as he padded down to the fire, taking a pair of plates offered by the man tending the flame and setting them upon the blanket, his gaze once again finding hers before sighing and retreating across the clearing once more. 

She watched as Caleb approached Xaiver, the two men eyeing one another cautiously before both stepping away from the group. 

Xavier had caught up to them shortly after Caleb had ordered the march eastward. When he’d appeared on the path before them she’d felt her heart leap with hope but as Caleb had pulled his horse to a standstill it became evident that Xavier was not there to free her and Rafayel. The pair had simply greeted each other coldly before Caleb had urged the company onward, Xavier falling in behind them. 

She had no idea how connected Xavier was with the others but the soldiers seemed to accept his presence easily enough. To her relief, the Bai Ze did not seem to be accompanying him and she prayed it was able to circle back and return to the relative safety of the mountains it had once called home. 

With Caleb temporarily gone from the group, she dared to creep over to the area he had prepared. She worked on freeing her aching feet from her worn and dirtied sandals, wincing as the leather straps clung to the weeping blisters at the back of her ankles and along the far sides of her feet. She longed to soak them in cool water but knew that would be in short supply for the foreseeable future. Letting her legs stretch out she purposely ignored the plate of food, knowing that it’s continued existence would frustrate Caleb. It was petty but she had precious little ways left to make her anger known.

The soldiers took turns checking on Rafayel, assuring themselves that he wasn’t in the process of freeing himself. Eventually Caleb and Xavier returned, neither apparently overly pleased with the other but having come to some sort of agreement between them. Xavier retreated to the edge of the camp, settling down with his horse while Caleb padded about between them, as though wary of Xavier venturing too close to either of his newly acquired captives. 

She huffed softly, glancing to the left where Rafayel too was watching the soldiers moving about the camp, his own gaze narrowed and thoughtful. They’d used the rope that hummed with Evol to bind his hands and ankles, hobbling him and binding him to a stake that Caleb had driven deep into the unforgiving ground with his Evol. 

She suspected that wouldn’t have been enough to keep Rafayel bound but something about the crude metal band they’d latched about his neck seemed to be draining him, giving his skin a strange, grayish cast that troubled her. Even so, his gaze remained haughty and more than a little bit murderous as he kept track of the humans milling about, his fingers occasionally flexing as if testing something. 

To her own surprise, Caleb had not bothered to seek to bind her in any way, leaving her free, though she suspected he wouldn’t hesitate to use his Evol on her again if she tried to make a break for it. 

Across the clearing she noted that Caleb had finished assisting one of the others with a pile of bags. He started back her way and she rose, brushing the dirt from her torn pants and pointedly moving away from him. She sank down next to Rafayel, noting the way the bound Lemurian shifted, giving her a little space as she settled, meeting Caleb’s gaze pointedly. 

He hesitated, lips thinning in frustration. She lifted her chin defiantly, deciding he was going to have to drag her back to where he’d set up their sleeping area. To her relief, Caleb finally sighed and shook his head slightly, retreating back to his chosen area. She noted the way the corners of his eyes pinched when he took in her untouched plate but he stalked past it, busying himself with the pair of packs from his horse. 

Relieved, she shifted, trying to make herself more comfortable on the rocky ground. Rafayel tugged lightly on the rope that bound him, moving it so that she wouldn’t accidentally brush against it as she settled against his side. 

“Does it hurt?” She asked softly, acutely aware of the red, swollen flesh of his wrists peeking out beneath his bonds. 

She felt Rafayel shrug, his gaze flicking towards her a moment before sweeping back out to keep track of the soldiers around them. “I can manage.” He finally murmured. 

She reached down, brushing her fingers over her stomach. 

“Did he hurt you?” Rafayel asked his voice taking on a dangerous hissing quality that sent a shiver down her spine. 

“No.” She assured him. “We’re fine.” 

Rafayel released a quick, hissing exhale but she noted that some of the tension bled out of his shoulders as he glanced about them. 

“How much time do we have?” She asked, dropping her voice low to keep her words between them. 

Rafayel’s gaze met hers for a brief moment before flicking down to linger on her abdomen. “Not long.” He admitted, making her frown as she pressed her palms protectively against her stomach. 

Before she could respond she noticed the tension return to Rafayel’s body, his gaze slashing towards something beyond her shoulder. She twisted, shrinking back as one of the soldiers stalked towards them, a second crude collar clutched in his hand as his unforgiving gaze locked onto hers. 

A wave of dread slithered down her spine as she shrank back further against Rafayel, her heart beginning to hammer in her chest at the thought of having that thing locked about her neck, blocking her own carefully guarded Evol. Behind her she felt Rafayel’s chest vibrate as he growled, low and deep. 

The soldier stopped a few paces away from her, his gaze slipping over Rafayel warily. She watched as he crooked a finger her way. “Come here.” He demanded. 

She shook her head, scrabbling in the dirt to put a bit more distance between her and the soldier. “I ... I don’t have powers.” She protested. 

The soldier snorted, his lips tugging down in a frown as Rafayel’s growl deepened as she shifted, the muscles in his arms tensing as though preparing to yank the stake out of the earth so that he could launch himself at the other. 

“The meekest looking gits sometimes have the nastiest surprises.” The soldier retorted. “Best not to take any risks. Now get over here.”

She watched as he half lifted the collar in his hand, a strange light flickering along its edges. It felt strange as her own Evol brushed against it. Almost ... hungry . She shuddered, shaking her head as she gathered her legs up underneath her, prepared to run. 

“Stand down.” Caleb’s firm voice suddenly sliced through the clearing, making her gasp as relief washed through her. 

She watched as the soldier half turned, scowling as Caleb stalked towards them both. Over his other shoulder she noted that Xavier too had drifted closer, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword. Xavier’s gaze flicked towards Caleb and she frowned as the pale haired man slowly backed offed, his hand dropping away from the hilt as Caleb moved between her and the soldier. 

“Leave her be.” Caleb demanded, his gaze flicking down towards the collar the soldier held, his gaze full of simmering anger and distaste. 

“She might have Evol.” The soldier protested. “How else did she manage to avoid us for so long in those woods?”

Caleb’s face settled into a mask of careful disinterest, though she saw the faint flicker of annoyance in his gaze. “She possesses no Evol.” He insisted. “She’s just small and light on her feet. That’s all.”

The soldier clearly remained unconvinced, his gaze flicking between his Captain and her, noting the way that Rafayel was clearly intent on protecting her, even bound as he was. 

“She possesses no Evol.” Came a soft, measured voice, startling them all. 

She turned, noticing that Xavier had drifted closer, his arms folded across his chest. 

The soldier seemed to hesitate, as though unwilling to contradict Xavier, though he had seemed fine with wanting to argue with his own captain just a few moments before. To her relief, however, his arm lowered, the collar dangling from his fingertips as he glanced back at Caleb and then herself. She did her best to look small and meek, huddling in Rafayel’s shadow as the soldier finally sighed and shot Caleb an annoyed glance before retreating. 

Caleb glanced over at Xavier. She couldn’t quite catch what passed between the two but Xavier inclined his head slightly before turning and pacing back to his own little section of the clearing, even as Caleb glanced over at her, his eyes full of warning. 

Tell no one. He had once insisted, clutching her hands together tightly in his own as she struggled to contain the power that had flared to life within her for the first time. I t’s dangerous. The others wouldn’t understand.

And so she had followed his advice. Keeping her own powers a secret from everyone. 

She watched as Caleb retreated back to the area he had set up for them, settling down next to a bed roll as he scanned the clearing. 

“Go back.” Rafayel whispered, nudging her gently with his shoulder. 

She frowned, glaring up at him. “Why?” She demanded. “I want nothing to do with them ...”

Rafayel snorted, shaking his head as he settled down, tugging experimentally on the ropes that bound him. “You need to keep up your strength. Go. Eat and sleep. And be ready to escape when a chance to get away shows itself.”

She scowled, petulantly plucking a few blades of grass. He was right, she knew but she hated this game. With a final huff she forced herself up, stalking back towards the little area Caleb had claimed as theirs. Caleb kept his eyes fixed on the journal he was writing in but she knew his entire attention was focused on her as she padded around him, flopping down just out of reach, pointedly ignoring the blanket he had laid out for her. 

She reached out, taking up the cold plate. The bread was hard and the meat cold and stiff but she tore a bite from each, chewing mechanically aware of Caleb watching her. After her second bite she heard him rise. She scowled and jerked her plate away when he knelt at her side, reaching out to take it from her. 

“I just want to warm it for you.” Caleb offered softly, his gaze pleading. 

“It’s fine.” She snapped. 

His jaw tightened at her refusal but she kept her attention focused on the plate before her, forcing herself to swallow each unappetizing bite. When she finished, she set the plate aside. Caleb swept it up, carrying it a short distance away to brush it clean before packing it away. 

She watched out of the corner of her eye as he plucked a thick blanket from his own bed roll, draping it over her shoulders. She stiffened, prepared to fling it back in his face but a cold breeze kicked up, making her shiver. Biting the inside of her cheek she forced herself to wrap it tighter about her body, protecting the little lives she carried from the night’s chill. 

“Thanks.” She grit out, hating the way Caleb’s face brightened slightly. 

“You should rest. We’ll leave as soon as dawn breaks.” He offered. 

She nodded stiffly, her attention focused on Rafayel who had managed to stretch himself out upon the grass. 

She heard the hiss of something being dragged across the ground and glanced to the side, frowning as Caleb nudges the bedroll closer to her. He spared her a crooked grin before retreating back to his packs, laying back against them, hands folded across his stomach as he settled in for the night. 

She slid herself onto the roll, doing her best to find a comfortable position. She felt the eggs shifting within her as she curled on her side.  

“So,” She finally ventured after a few moments of silence, “you’re taking us back to the City? To meet with the King?”

Caleb remained silent long enough for her to wonder if he had truly fallen asleep. Finally she heard him sigh. “No.” He finally replied, causing her to blink in surprise. “I have a place just outside of the palace. It’s ... quiet and safe. You’ll like it there.”

She bristled at his assumption she would like any place he intended to keep her prisoner in but forced herself to keep those thoughts quiet.

“And Rafayel?” She demanded.

Caleb glanced at her, his brow furrowed in confusion and she tilted her chin towards the lounging Lemurian. 

She watched as Caleb’s gaze followed her, his eyes narrowing as he realized who she was referring to. 

“Don’t concern yourself with him.” Caleb demanded, his voice hardening in a way she was unused to hearing from him. 

She was quiet for a long while, considering things. Finally she shifted, catching Caleb’s guarded gaze. “Xavier said that the King desires those with magic. Won’t he want me too?” She asked. 

She didn’t miss the way Caleb’s lip curled. “He has no interest in you.” He grit out, his hand tightening as he tore his gaze away from her. “And I'm going to keep it that way.”

Sensing that Caleb was thoroughly done with their conversation she shifted, rolling onto her back. Across the clearing she caught sight of Xavier, watching them. He inclined his head slightly when he noticed her attention and she frowned, unsure of whether or not she should trust him. 

Tucking her legs up, she rolled onto her other side, shutting her eyes. Sleep came to her slowly and when it did it brought with it strange nightmares that jerked her back to wakefulness. Each time she woke she found herself staring at the dying flame at the center of the clearing, her stomach churning as anxiety sang through her. 

Finally morning arrived, painting the sky with pastel hues as the soldiers stirred and began to repack. She shifted off the bedroll, more exhausted than when she had gone to sleep. Caleb noted her sluggish movements and dark smudges under her eyes, his gaze worried but, to her relief, he kept any comments about it to himself. 

She crept off into the nearby woods to take care of her own personal needs, though she was aware of Caleb mapping her movements. Feeling a bit better she ventured back into the clearing, scowling as she watched a pair of soldiers jerk Rafayel up off the ground. She took a few steps towards them, prepared to demand that they leave him alone, but Caleb, mounted upon his horse, intercepted her, sweeping her up onto the saddle before him before she could protest. 

She stiffened as his arm looped about her stomach, pulling her back firmly against his front. She squirmed, wishing she could put a little distance between them but Caleb was insistent, his grip firm and unrelenting, forcing her to accept it as he nudged the horse forward and back onto the narrow road. 

As the hours wore on, the landscape shifted from rugged forest to more gently sloping plains. The sun climbed steadily, warming the air as they dropped down to the lowlands. Her stomach churned as the horse swayed beneath her and more than once she had to swallow heavily as the urge to vomit began to overtake her. Fortunately, Caleb seemed strangely attuned to her needs, calling halts every few hours to give her a chance to stumble off into the underbrush to heave, ready with a skin of fresh water for her to rinse her mouth out with upon her return. 

She feared the frequent stops would frustrate Caleb’s men but, to her relief, they seemed to accept it, a few even watching her with sympathy as she trembled next to Caleb’s steed, too weak to pull herself up and forced to rely on his own Evol to help her return to her seat. 

When they stopped for the night she was asleep before her head even hit the small pack Caleb had given her. 

The next day Xavier was gone. 

She frowned when she realized he was no longer with the group. Caleb did not seem to mind and she forced herself to keep her questions to herself, unsure of how to handle the strange interplay between the King’s Men and the stranger she had met in a glade. 

Finally her curiosity got the best of her and she glanced up over her shoulder at Caleb. 

“Who is he, Xavier?” She finally ventured. 

To her surprise Caleb’s gaze hardened, his eyes remaining fixed upon the path ahead though she knew him well enough to notice the way his jaw tensed. “No one you need to worry about.” 

She glanced down at the hand about her waist. 

“Did he tell you where I was?” She pushed. 

Caleb made an annoyed tsk. “No.” He grit out. 

“Then how did you find me?” She asked. 

The hand about her waist tightened, Caleb’s fingers flexing, revealing his annoyance at her line of questioning. “We were tracking the Lemurian.” He finally replied. “He seemed to be following some sort of trail. So we followed him.”

She fell silent for awhile, considering Caleb’s admission. Rafayel had told her that Zayne had hidden her away. He’d been trying to find her but the Bai Ze had led her away from the village. How Rafayel had failed to notice the soldiers on his tail though ...

“Why were you in the village?” She finally demanded. 

Caleb sighed, his chest pushing against her back. “The King received word that the village had experienced some strange weather. He sent us out to find out if something was causing it. The head priest told us about this ‘Sea God’ of yours. It sounded like something worth our time.”

She glanced down at her hands that clutched the front of the saddle, recalling the sting of the strange nets they had used. “And the Bai Ze?” She asked. 

Caleb was quiet for a long while. “The King desires it greatly.” He finally admitted. 

“Why?” She inquired. 

Behind her Caleb simply shook his head, calling for a stop for the evening. 

*********************

They finally reached the vast expanse of the city walls by early afternoon. She watched as the imposing gray structure grew along the horizon, her stomach clenching nervously as Caleb’s horse carried them both closer and closer to the place that still occasionally played host to her nightmares. 

She had precious few fond memories of the City. It was a cramped, confusing maze full of soldiers on the lookout for quick-fingered orphans such as herself or cruel eyed “snatchers” who were always eager to find new “recruits” to sell into weakly masked slavery for the clink of a few coins. 

Under Caleb’s tutelage she had learned to always keep one eye on her surroundings, careful to avoid the dangers that lurked in the shadows with them. Hunger and desperation had been constant companions of theirs. Ones she had very little interest in revisiting. 

“Caleb ...” She murmured in nervous protest before she could stop herself, pressing back against him as the gates loomed overhead. 

“I know.” He replied, his hand tightening sympathetically against her as he urged the horse to slow, waving to one of the men who rode off to their left to deal with the guard stationed in front of the open gates. “Just a bit farther.” 

She swallowed, her fingers curling tighter against the front of the saddle as they waited for the guard to wave them through. 

All too soon they received the go ahead and she shuddered as they passed under the great stone archway and into the city itself. 

Immediately she was assaulted by the smell. She wrinkled her nose, struggling to breath in the thick air through her mouth as crammed buildings seemed to close in around them. People were out in force, ready to assail any newcomers to the city, desperate to be the first to get a chance to lighten the new arrival’s purses or peruse new imports being brought in. 

To her relief, nothing about Caleb’s retinue seemed friendly and the lurkers gave them a wide berth. Even those properly registered as some of the city's fine upstanding merchants preferred to avoid attracting too much attention from those who bore the King’s sigil. 

She desperately wanted to glance back, to make sure Rafayel was alright, but he’d been regulated to the back of their little company and Caleb’s form was too broad for her to peer around without risking tumbling from the swaying beast beneath them. 

All too soon Caleb paused, jerking his chin towards the others, indicating they should go on while he turned down one of the broad residential streets, skating along the edge of the palace grounds. 

She squirmed in protest, straining to watch as the rest of the group disappeared up the busy thoroughfare. To her annoyance, Caleb’s hold on her tightened, forcing her forward as they continued on alone. 

“Let me go!” She hissed at him, daring to glare up at him now that the others had gone. 

He spared her a faint smile, shaking his head as he urged his horse into a canter, making her hiss as her nausea returned with a vengeance, successfully distracted her as she struggled not to leave a trail of vomit on the carefully maintained cobblestone street. 

She began to recognize the sprawling homes that dotted the sides of the street. She and Caleb had never dared to venture down to this area before but they’d eyed the widely spaced, palatial mansions from the rooftops of the crowded district they considered home often enough. Back then they would have been ruthlessly beaten and thrown out if they had dared to set even a single toe on these meticulously maintained streets. 

But now the patrolling guards met their passing with pleasant smiles and polite nods for one of the King’s Captains. She scowled, glancing down at her ragged and dirty clothes. Though Caleb was now the perfect image of polished upper class, she was still horrifically out of place here. 

“I’m going to throw up.” She finally warned, glaring over her shoulder as best she could. 

That once beloved violet gaze slashed down towards her, as though testing the truthfulness of her declaration. But, to her relief, she felt his hand tense on the reigns, his horse slowing back into a more gentle walk, allowing her roiling stomach to settle as the homes they passed became more set apart, giving one the illusion that they were set in some quiet village rather than being part of the thousands of people trapped within the cold, unforgiving circle of stone walls.

Finally the horse’s ears perked and its trot became quicker, as though scenting home. Her fingers tightened nervously as Caleb allowed the great beast to turn down a narrow pathway, passing beneath a tunnel of carefully tended trees. Just beyond their bare branches she could make out the first hints of a manor, rising up from outside of the wood line. 

The roof was steep and slopping, well suited for sloughing off the occasional snow that buried the city inhabitants in the winter. Along the edges of the roof delicate filigree glittered in the afternoon sun, sending glints of warm bronze light flickering through the trees. Despite the slight chill in the air the windows were thrown open, gauzy curtains flicking out to tease along planters that still bore late blooming flowers. A wide porch, supported by pristine white columns wrapped about the front, shielding the waiting servants from the sun as they watched them approach. 

She shivered as they neared, recognition flicking through her as she took in the manor house before her. 

 A pair of servants hurried forward, taking the reins and waiting patiently as Caleb dismounted, and then helped her down as well. She barely noticed their greetings as her gaze remained fixed upon the house. 

She had forgotten about it. Her years in the small sea side village had obscured many of her memories of her time before but as she stood in the home’s shadow she was transported back. Back to the market square that had become hers and Caleb’s unofficial meeting place. She’d usually get back before he did, hiding her stolen goods in a hole at the base of an old bakery. Across the way had been a toy store. She hadn’t really understood the concept of toys at the time but in the window had been a toy replica of a house. 

This house. 

She’d spent hours staring at the toy house from across the dusty square, imaging what it would be like to live there. Caleb had often teased her about it, playfully telling her that a great lady such as herself deserved to have a house like that. She would hit him in retaliation, telling him that one day she would have a house like that, he would see. She could still recall the sound of his laughter as he batted away her fists, telling her that if she wanted a house like that then he’d get her a house like that one day.

She stepped back, shaking her head as she forced her eyes away from the little toy house come to life before her, her gaze seeking out Caleb. He was watching her quietly a few steps away. 

“I always keep my promises.” He offered softly, his gaze flicking back to the home. 

She opened her mouth but the words caught in her throat, forcing her to sigh and shake her head. “The cost was too high.” She whispered. 

A flicker of something flashed across Caleb’s face, turning his gaze dark and guarded as he glanced away from her, his hands fisting slightly at his sides. In a blink he straightened and any indication that her words had hit home was gone. 

“Even so ... it’s yours.” He replied, his voice infuriatingly neutral, as though her words had meant nothing to him. 

“And if I don’t want it?” She pushed, digging her heels into the ground as Caleb began to head for the front door. She watched as he stilled, glancing back slightly, though not meeting her gaze. 

“Then I’ll have it razed to the ground and you can pick a different one.” He replied, stalking towards the door, the barest hint of frustration threading through his voice. This time he did not glance back and she sighed, slowly following after him. 

Inside she was dismayed to find her favorite flowers carefully laid out among elegant side tables, making the room heavy with their scent. 

The servants had disappeared deeper into the house as Caleb shrugged off his heavy military coat, draping it along the railing for the grand staircase before them. The silver collar that laid low about the base of his neck humming with the same hungry malevolence as the crude one the soldier had threatened to lock about her own neck a few days earlier as he moved. 

“I don’t want another house.” She stated, watching as Caleb stilled. “I want my old life back. My village, my home, my friends. You had no right to come storming in and destroy all of that!”

Caleb tsked, glancing back at her, his gaze dark with barely contained fury. “Didn't I?”

“No.” She snapped, her own anger growing as she glared at this stranger she once considered a brother. “But because a King told you to jump, you jumped like a good little soldier, didn't you? All for what? So you can pretend you belong among the people who looked down on us and tried to throw us out like week old trash?”

Caleb’s lip pulled back in a silent snarl as he turned away from her, pacing like a caged animal for a moment before whipping around to glare at her. “You want to cry for those people? The ones who sent you out to be a sacrifice to that monster save their own skins?”

She scowled, rage burning through her own veins. “The only monster I see here is you!” She hissed cruelly, watching as her words hit their mark, causing Caleb to flinch back. “The village was going to be destroyed if we didn’t correct the wrong a few of the fisherman had done. I won’t pretend I wasn’t scared and angry they had chosen me but I was willing to do what needed to be done. Rafayel could have torn the entire village from the shore if he wanted but instead he chose to be merciful and offered us another way. One that I had under control ... until you decided to show up and ruin everything!”

Caleb released a long hissing breath, stalking towards her. “They didn’t deserve mercy.” He snarled, making her heart beat harder as she struggled not to shy away in the face of his rage. “Those villagers and their head priest were incensed ... incensed that you dared to survive. He was convinced you were some evil witch, repaying their kindness of taking you by binding that monster to you. The priest dared to complain to me that you had even seduced away his chosen successor.” 

Caleb pulled away from her, barking out a quick, humorless laugh as he shook his head. “He demanded we deal with you and save the village. And still you want to consider me the monster and cry for them ?”

They stared at each other in silence, their tempers simmering between them. Finally Caleb sighed, his shoulders slumping as he let go of his rage with a quick shake of his head. “Think what you will but I did what was necessary.” He finally said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “The villagers would have turned on you the moment they realized that this Sea God of theirs was satisfied. That head priest would not have let his successor stay bound to you. Despite that little show of domesticity you both were putting on.”

She shook her head. “You don’t know that ...” She protested weakly, not wanting to believe him. 

Caleb waved her off, drifting towards the door to the left of the stairway. “Pick whatever room you want upstairs.” He murmured. “The servants will draw you a bath and find you some fresh clothes. Come down to eat before you pass out.”

She watched as he disappeared through the doorway, feeling terribly alone. Sighing, she forced herself to trudge up the stairs, a strange numbness creeping its way through her limbs as Caleb’s words circled through her mind. 

*******************

Caleb was gone by the time she ventured back down the stairs. 

She scowled at the carefully blank countenance of the meticulously put together servant who informed her she would be dining alone. He inquired about what she wanted to eat and she had stared at him in baffled confusion. One ate what was available at that time. And yet here she was, being asked what she wanted to be made available. She had wracked her brain, trying to recall anything that might satisfy the stiff man trying to figure out what to bring her. Finally they compromised and both of them breathed a sigh of relief as the servant drifted out to instruct the kitchen staff on what to make. 

As she waited she found herself drifting towards the glass windows that opened out to the shaded glade behind the home. She noticed a low stone wall peeking out from behind a row of carefully manicured bushes and she wondered about it. Beyond she could make out the pointed spires of the palace proper. 

She swallowed nervously, her hand fisting upon the window's sill as worry over Rafayel and Zayne churned within her gut. Rafayel had told her that Zayne had been taken by the King’s men. Surely he was being kept there as well. 

She turned as the sound of feet scraping lightly against the wooden floor caught her attention. A young man with nervously hunched shoulders stilled as he met her gaze. A plate of bread was halfway to the table but now he stood frozen, as though unsure of what to do with it.  

“Thanks.” She hesitantly offered, drifting back towards the table. To her relief the young man offered her a shy smile, setting the plate down and scurrying back as she seated herself. 

“If ... if it’s not too forward,” The man offered as she reached for the bread, “It’s good to see you again. I’m glad he was able to find you.”

She paused, frowning as she looked at the young man ... really looked at him. 

Something about the way he twisted his hands together triggered a faint memory. A young boy with wild flame colored curls who sometimes worked the same square as them. Caleb usually chased the other orphans off, declaring that particular market square their territory but sometimes he would let a few of the other younger orphans bunker down with them in their tiny attic. Especially when the guards were doing sweeps or the weather turned particularly nasty. 

She blinked, sitting back, suddenly recalling the young boy with the hands that trembled after being caught and beaten after stealing one too many things from the same place. 

He’d stayed with them for a few days, recovering from the vicious blows to the head that caused him to stammer and seize randomly before disappearing one day and not returning. She’d occasionally catch sight of him here and there but then she and Caleb had been caught in one of the city’s annual orphan sweeps and she’d completely forgotten all about him. 

“You’re the one who used to stay with us, aren’t you? Nathaniel?” She asked. 

The young man’s face brightened and he nodded, his hands twisting faster as he dared to drift a little closer. “Yeah. Thanks for that. I ... probably wouldn’t have made it if I hadn’t.”

She shook her head, gesturing towards one of the chairs that surrounded the table. Nathaniel paled and backed away again, shaking his head quickly. 

She scowled, gesturing towards the bowl. “There’s enough for an army of us. Sit.” She insisted. 

Nathaniel, to her frustration, continued to shake his head. “It’s fine, I’ll ... eat later.” He insisted nervously. 

Sighing, she relented, tearing open the bread and frowning at how warm it was inside. 

“How long have you been here?” She finally asked. 

He cocked his head, his gaze going distant as he considered her question. “Awhile.” He finally offered, shrugging. “They sent me to work in one of the factories but ... I wasn’t very good at it on account of ... well ... you know.” His chuckle was full of self depreciation as he held out his shaking hands. “Eventually they dumped me over at the stables to deal with the cleaning. Wasn’t real good with that either but I ran into an old familiar face who was looking for you. He figured I was good enough for this. Dunno if he was right but ... I’m trying. There’s a couple of us old stragglers here now. It ... feels weird sometimes but Caleb got us out of the pits they tossed us all into so we’re doing what we can to make this work.” 

She hummed softly, doing her best to ignore the pang that the man’s words sent through her. She was beyond pissed off at Caleb but ... it still warmed her to know someone had been looking for her and the others. 

“And where did that ... familiar face run off to?” She inquired. 

Nathaniel shrugged, his gaze flicking to the bank of windows at her back and the palace beyond. “Had to check in with the Big Boss. The King’s got him on a short leash and probably wasn’t too happy Caleb didn’t come prancing right back to him as soon as he returned.” Nathaniel snorted, showing clear disdain for their monarch. “His High and Mightyness might keep him there for a few days to remind him what's what. Don’t matter though, he’ll make his way back here sooner or later.”

She considered his words. If the King kept Caleb at the palace for a few days that would give her an opportunity to make a break for it. Sure, Caleb would probably come looking for her but she wasn’t completely unskilled at covering her tracks. But ... she reached down, settling her hand against her abdomen, frowning when she felt something fluttering against her hand. Rafayel had warned her that the children might be ready soon. And she feared having to birth them alone.

As much as she wanted out of this house and away from this cursed city ... she needed Rafayel.

And Zayne. 

Sighing, she sank back in the seat, watching as the servant from before finally drifted in, casting a sharp glance at the young man from her past, sending him fleeing back to the kitchens before serving her. 

She ate in silence, contemplating her next steps. 

Chapter Text

Something was hunting her. 

She panted, dangerously out of breath as she struggled to find her way out of the maze but no matter what path she took, it was always a dead end, forcing her back towards the dark shadow that crept ever closer. This unforgiving labyrinth was a prison, and her chance of escape was terrifyingly low. 

“Who are you?” The shadow hissed in her ear, its voice low and silken, sending a shiver of fear down her spine. 

She pressed her hands to her ears, as though that would block out the voice that wove so bewitchingly through her mind. Her heart pounded as her pace quickened, practically running along the edges of the hedged path, mindful of the black thorns that stretched out, trying to catch upon her skirts. 

Shadows seemed to slither along the edges of her vision, the hiss of scales and click of talons terrifying close as the other stalked her. 

“Why do you run, poppet? Where is it that you think you can go?” The shadow asked, its voice tinged with cruel amusement. 

Turning a corner she slid to a halt, cursing viciously under her breath as she encountered yet another dead end. Roses wove through the iron bars of a large cage. Its door stood opened, as though waiting for her to willingly trap herself within, to become part of this grotesque landscape. The roses’ thorns oozed a dark poison, leaving shadowed puddles upon the ground. Swallowing thickly she backpedaled, gasping as the shadows playfully grabbed at her ankles, making her dance away in a panic. 

“Leave me be!” She demanded, hating how breathy her voice sounded as she continued to run through the narrow pathways that seemed to be shrinking down upon her with each step. 

The creature that hunted her chuckled. “Such fierce determination. This little kitten has some claws, it appears.” It teased. 

Her heart pounded in her ears as she pivoted on her heel, breaking into a run. She winced as a cramping pain pushed inwards against her abdomen, her muscles spasming in response. She rounded another sharp turn and froze, panting in frustration as yet another dead end stalled her progress. 

“Burn it.” The voice, no longer contained to just her mind hissed agaisnt her ear, making her gasp. Arms wrapped about her, trapping her against the larger body that stepped free of the shadows behind her. She watched in terror as long, pale fingers came to rest upon her stomach, the glassy nails glinting strangely as the one who held her pressed firmly against her stomach, making the eggs within her shift. 

“What?” She breathed, struggling weakly against the stranger’s hold. 

“Why do you flee like prey when you could be so much more?” The one behind her demanded, a hand coming up to catch her chin, forcing her head back against the other’s chest. “Why not simply burn it all to ash?” He crooned. 

She felt the other’s power brush against hers, wrapping about it like a lover’s seductive embrace. Her breath caught as she felt her own Evol stir in response, reaching out to twine about the Evol of the one behind her. A swirling current of dark energy lanced through her and she gasped, feeling her own innate power catch upon it, resonating with it. The ease with which she resonated with the other startled her. She let out a strangled cry as she felt the other’s energy touch the young lives she carried, causing them to thrash in distress as they struggled to adjust to the dark tendrils that looped around them.

“Stop!” She demanded breathlessly, struggling to pull her Evol back even as she felt the other pause, as though surprised by the touch of the new lives within her. 

“Let me help you.” The other whispered, his breath hot against her cheek. “Together we can break free of this place. No one could stop us.”

She shuddered as the voice wrapped about her mind just as surely as the other’s Evol had wrapped about her own, tantalizing her with images of watching the world fall before her as she sat upon a thorned throne. 

“No!” She choked out. She felt the first stirrings of a third Evol … one she recognized. She reached for it desperately, latching onto to Rafayel’s power, resonating with it. It was weak, weaker than she’d ever felt it being but it was enough to give her the strength to force the other back, breaking his hold upon her. 

The roses before her began to wilt and crumble under the seering onslaughter as Rafayel’s Evol burned brightly within her, the delicate petals burning away, allowing her to tear them down with her bare hands. 

“There is nowhere else to go, little kitten.” The shadowed other hissed in her mind as the labyrinth continued to crumble around them. “Your only true hope to escape is through me … and me alone.”

“Enough!” She demanded, lashing out at the other with Rafayel’s Evol, feeding it with her own. The shadows behind her were scattered by the sudden burst of light, forcing them deep into the dark corners of the labyrinth as the other pulled back with an angry snarl. 

“You will come to me.” The other growled softly as she felt it begin to fade away. “Sooner or later … there will be a bargain made between us.”

She gasped as she felt Rafayel’s Evol give her a final, exhausted tug, jerking her free of the dream and back to the real world. 

*****

She woke in a tangle of sweat soaked sheets, her heart pounding painfully in her chest as she rolled onto her side, gasping for breath. Pushing herself up, she stumbled to the window. She struggled briefly with the latch, finally getting it to pop open so that she could take in deep lungfuls of the brutally cold winter air. The pain helped chase away the final vestiges of her nightmare. 

Even so, she couldn’t fully shake the sense of the other’s voice in her mind. She peered out at the dark spires of the palace in the distance, watching as they stretched up towards the sky as though they sought to pierce the heavens above. 

She winced as her stomach suddenly tightened, pressing her palm to the spot where her muscles were spasming. She felt a few of the eggs shift as she breathed through the cramp, willing her body to relax. To her relief the pressure soon lessened and the children within her calmed. 

Turning away from the window she glanced back at the rumpled bed with a frown. Dawn was surely many hours away but she doubted she would be able to sleep again. She had no idea what had invaded her dreams but she wasn’t prepared to risk facing the beguiling pull of the other again. 

The house was oppressively quiet as she ventured out into the hallway. She had once been told that silence could be deafening. She’d shrugged that thought off as pure folly but now … now she believed it. She found herself dearly missing the comforting sounds of the ocean or the hum of voices creeping in through the thin reed walls of a hut.  

With slow, measured steps to keep from waking the servants who slept downstairs, she crept along the hallway. She was dressed in nothing more than a thin nightgown, one provided by another familiar face from her childhood. The fabric was light enough that if anyone were to see her in it she knew she’d be slightly embarrassed but she told herself that modesty mattered less than her need to clear her mind and chase away the lingering presence of the silken tongued other. 

She peered in rooms as she moved past, finding a pair of empty bedrooms and a small library tucked next to what appeared to be a workroom of some kind. The workroom contained a veritable fleet of model sailing vessels in various stages of completion. At the very end of the hallway she came across a final bedroom. The moment she pushed the door open she knew this room was the one Caleb had claimed as his own. She could feel the lingering presence of his Evol as she stepped inside, one she had failed to sense back at the village and later when he had descended upon her and Rafayel in the forest. 

His bed was large but relatively spartan, as though it were merely a place for him to rest his head for the night rather than a place to enjoy an evening of lounging about after a hard day’s labor. The stone fireplace sat cold, its hearth clean and empty. Next to it was a large bookcase, its shelves lined with a handful of books and odd trinkets. 

And there, upon one of the shelves, sat the toy house she had spent so many hours fantasizing about. She stopped breathing for a moment, stunned to see it here … no longer locked away behind glass. She reached out, gingerly running her finger along the miniature roof. It was a bit dusty but clearly well cared for. 

“Caleb …” She whispered softly, a lump forming in her throat as she closed her eyes, choking back the emotions that welled up within her. 

Forcing her eyes open, her gaze settled next upon a small jewelry box beside the toy house. She did not recognize it but it appeared old and out of place with its simple design and rusting hinges. She opened it carefully, noting the way the hinges shifted, as though ready to break apart. Inside she found a strip of frayed, dirtied fabric. Plucking it from the box she held it aloft so that she could see the faint pattern embroidered upon it, recognizing the  familiar red flowers. It was the remains of a hair tie … one she would occasionally wear on special occasions, when the city’s bells would ring out and everyone would put on their best clothes for the day. 

She clenched the scrap of cloth in her hand, turning her attention back to what else the box contained. There was a shell that Caleb had chipped free from a public well when she had expressed an interest in it. There was also a small horse, three legged and tailless … the broken remains of a good luck charm that she had stolen from a spoiled aristocratic child throwing a temper tantrum in the marketplace that she had gifted to Caleb one midsummer’s night. Caleb had ever carried it with him afterwards. 

She inhaled shakily, heart twisting in her chest as she carefully returned the items to the box and closed it. She had not been wearing the ribbon the day they had been rounded up by the soldiers. Caleb must have returned to their ruined attic hideout sometime afterwards to recover it. 

Guilt and regret flowed through her, making her feel sick as she struggled to reconcile the old Caleb she had once known with the Captain he had become, the one that had ripped her away from what had been her new life for the last 10 years. 

Exhaustion washed over her, amplified by the strong emotions that swirled within her. Her feet moved of their own accord, carrying her towards the nearby bed. The mattress was harder than she would have liked but, as she stretched out, she found the pillow smelled faintly of its absent master, lulling her back into a dreamless sleep. 

*****

This time she woke leisurely, the morning sun warming her face as it streamed in through the windows, illuminating the room as she pushed herself up, yawning. She frowned when she realized how far up in the sky the sun had climbed. Used to rising as the sky was still in the process of shifting from night to day, she was slightly embarrassed over letting herself engage in such lazy indulgence. 

Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she rose, padding to the door to peer nervously down the hallway. Assured that there were no servants to see her sneaking out of their master’s room, she slipped back to her own room, pausing when she noticed the dress laid out for her upon her bed. 

Swallowing back her embarrassment at having been found missing from her own room, she eyed the finery and what she assumed was a shift to wear underneath it. 

She was still trying to figure out how all of it fit together when there was a soft knock upon the door. Startled, she stared at the door for a beat too long and the door swung open, revealing an elderly woman who stepped inside, a basket balanced upon her hip. The woman’s sharp gaze quickly fell upon her and they stared at one another in mild surprise. 

Clearing her throat she nervously smoothed her nightgown, cheeks burning. “I’m sorry … I was just …”

The older woman shook her head sharply, setting the basket aside and allowing the younger servant that she had recognized from her childhood to slip in behind her. “Good morning, miss.” The elder servant offered, watching as the younger, Lorraine, moved towards the bed to lift up the plain shift. “I trust you slept well.”

She forced herself to nod, frowning in confusion as Lorraine held out the plain fabric. 

“The Captain wished for us to take you out shopping today.” The elder servant offered as she brushed by, pulling the curtains closed, blocking off the view from the windows. “Lorainne and myself will help you get ready while the boys prepare the carriage for you.”

She blinked, eying the fancy dress laid out for her. “Shopping?” She asked, baffled. “For what?”

The elder servant reached out, making her yelp as she began to undo the buttons at the back of her nightgown, allowing it to slip down off her shoulders, leaving her naked before the two. She noted the way both of them stilled as they noticed the swell of her stomach but, to her relief, neither dared breathe a word of it as Lorainne helped her into the slip. 

“We have a few outfits that should fit you but you’ll need a wardrobe of your own made.” The elder servant offered, plucking the corset from the bed and returning it to the bureau as she clearly couldn’t handle the added pressure due to her current state. “The driver will take you wherever else you wish to go if you want to pick up a few other things as well.”

She frowned, doing her best to hold still as Lorainne helped her step into the overdress, feeling a little ridiculous, like an over decorated cake, as the pair worked to straighten the lace and pearls so they hung just so. 

“There’s no need.” She protested. “I don’t really have the money for such things …” She offered, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment at the admission. 

The elder servant snorted, stepping back to consider her hair. “The Captain’s instructions were quite clear. You needn’t worry about money. He will have credit logs established at whatever shop you wish to visit.”

She chewed her lip, wincing slightly as her hair was pulled back and pinned ruthlessly until it stayed firmly in place. The pins were artfully hidden by fresh flowers, enveloping her in their sickly sweet scent. She desperately wanted to refuse but suspected any protest from her would be met with indifferent shrugs. For all of Caleb’s teasing in the past of her being the Lady of the Manor it was obvious who the servants considered to be in charge. And she couldn’t really argue with that. 

With a sigh she turned to follow the elder servant out as Lorainne remained behind, beginning to strip her bed. She had barely stepped out of the room when a second cramp made her pause, wincing as she pressed her hand against the sore area, gasping softly. The elderly woman paused, watching her with concern as she breathed through the sudden discomfort. 

“If travelling will be too taxing for you today we could ask a few of the shops to send people to take the measurements and provide you with some samples …” The servant offered, her gaze lingering with concern on her stomach. 

“No. I’ll be fine. I just … need a minute.” She forced out, daring to reach out with her Evol, lightly brushing against the children within her, calming them with a touch of resonance. They were too young yet to show any Evol of their own but, to her relief, they calmed, allowing her to ride out the uncomfortable pressure with relative ease. 

“Has Caleb returned from the palace yet?” She asked as she slowly straightened, breathing easier as the last of the tightness faded. 

The servant shook her head negatively. 

She exhaled, following the woman down the stairs to where a young man waited, bowing to her before hurrying to hold the door open as the elder servant fetched a solar umbrella and held it up, shielding her from the morning sun as they made their way to the carriage. She waited as the man opened the door for her, taking her hand to help her up. She forced herself to resist the urge to roll her eyes as she settled into place, frowning as the elder woman climbed in after her, sitting across from her, hands folded primly in her lap. 

The morning air was crisp as the carriage lurched into motion. It took her a few minutes to find the rhythm and she had to swallow heavily to keep down the growing nausea as they worked their way along the broad street towards the more crowded city center. To her relief they stopped at the marketplace near the palace gates, the driver helping her descend down onto the well maintained street in front of an elegantly decorated dress shop. She watched as one of the employees hurried out to greet them, taking the card the elderly servant offered before ushering her inside.

The shop smelled of lavender and mint, making her pause at the entryway as the scent took her back to the brief time she had lived in her tiny hut with its carefully bundled herbs that Zayne had made for her hanging from the ceiling. Swallowing back the wave of sadness over the loss of her little home, she nodded to the seamstress who stepped out to greet her. The elderly servant explained that she needed a wardrobe, a few dresses to take home now with the rest to be delivered in a few day’s time. She held still as the seamstress draped a marked rope about her, taking her measurements. She didn’t miss the look of surprise that crossed the woman’s face as she noted the swell of her stomach but, to her relief the woman continued on without comment. 

As the woman began to gather swatches of fabric for her to look at, the elderly servant excused herself, retreating back to the carriage to sit with the driver as they waited. Beyond them she could see the familiar silhouette of the tall, ornate gate that protected the entryway to the palace grounds. 

The rational part of her warned that going anywhere near the palace was unwise. And yet … her hand drifted up to brush against her stomach, pressing over the spot where she had felt the cramping earlier. She had so little time left. She needed to find a way to free Zayne and Rafayel. And she wouldn’t be able to do so here on the outside. 

She glanced back at the shopkeeper who was still murmuring to herself over a few swatches. 

“I’m feeling a bit peakish.” She said, making the woman blink up at her owlishly. “I just need to step out for a few minutes … to get a bit of fresh air. Do you mind?” 

The seamstress’s face settled into a look of sympathy and she nodded, waving her off. Glancing out the window to assure herself that Caleb’s servants were still distracted by their conversation she slipped out, skating around the back of the carriage before hurrying to join the crowd heading for the palace gates. A peddler tried to lure her away with the offer of fresh fruit but she ignored him, hurrying towards her destination. 

The heavy iron arch rose high overhead, the King’s crest affixed at the apex, casting light down upon her as she slowed, eyeing the guards warily. 

Nervousness flared within her as she approached them but she forced it down, tugging at the skirts of her dress to make sure they were laying properly. As she neared, one of the guards glanced at her curiously but, to her relief, merely inclined his head, allowing her to pass through unimpeded. Keeping her shoulders straight, she did her best to maintain the illusion that she was some high born lady, come to pay her respects. 

The gate opened up to a wide, spacious area. A fountain depicting a fierce battle between a dragon and a unicorn sparkled brightly in the late morning sun. Beyond it the palace itself sprawled out, a grand edifice of gleaming white marble topped with a blood red clay roof. To her right an imposing golden gate caught her attention. Armed soldiers flanked it, their expressions stern. The gate itself was closed, though through its golden bars she could see a vast, carefully maintained garden. 

Why guard a garden so heavily? She wondered as she passed by. Something pricked at her Evol, making her pause and drawing her attention back towards the gate. Somewhere, just beyond, she could sense the barest hint of Evol, though it was too faint to tell if it was one she recognized. 

Shaking her head to free it of curiosity’s siren’s call, she forced herself onward towards the palace’s entrance. 

Inside, the sound of her footsteps echoed loudly through the grand entry room. Huge columns vaulted the ceiling high into the air and she had to stop herself from gawking at the grand mural painted upon it, depicting an army of light driving an army of darkness deep into the Abyss while some goddess looked down upon the armies, her face serene despite the carnage of war beneath her. Tearing her attention away from it, she noticed a servant heading her way and paused, allowing the man to greet her with a sharp bow. 

“Good day, miss. May I inquire as to your business here?” He asked smoothly. 

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask for Caleb but she paused. If she asked for Caleb he was likely to drag her right back to the house with orders for the servants to make sure she stay there. But if Caleb was out of the question then who ….

“Xavier.” She suddenly blurted out, recalling his comment about dancing attendance upon his father. She didn’t exactly know who his father was but based on his expensive packs and the way Caleb’s men had seemed wary of annoying him, she could well guess that he or his father had regular dealings with the palace. 

The servant hesitated, surprise flashing across his face. “I’m sorry …” He stammered. “You’re …?”

“Here to see Xavier.” She finished for him, her confidence buoyed by the servant’s obvious recognition of his name. “He … he should have returned recently, within the last two days. I would like to speak with him.” 

The servant’s expression turned dubious and she felt a sliver of fear that he was about to turn her away. Though it galled her to do so, she rested her hand upon her stomach, smoothing the fabric down to make her condition more obvious. As she had hoped the servant’s attention was drawn downwards. He suddenly blanched, actually backing up half a step in surprise. 

Realizing what the servant was thinking it was on the tip of her tongue to blurt out that the child wasn’t Xavier’s but before she could do so the servant had already backed away further, his eyes wide. “I’ll … I’ll see if he’s available. If you’ll just wait here, miss.”

She nodded and watched as the servant fled, his footsteps quick and panicked as though the fires of hell itself were nipping at his heels. Sighing she glanced down, gently prodding at the children she carried. “We’ll make it up to him later.” She murmured, hoping that Xavier would be able to quash the rumors that would surely start swirling after this little encounter. 

She found a seat tucked in a nearby corner and sank down in it gratefully, wincing as her new boots pinched at her feet and wishing for the simple sandals of her village. As the minutes stretched on she found herself fighting back a strange creeping exhaustion. She could feel a few of the eggs quivering, knocking against each other and her stomach and she scowled, pushing a bit against them with her palm in the hopes of quieting them. 

Eventually she became aware of footsteps coming her way and she sat up straighter, turning to greet the returning servant. To her frustration he returned trailing a different man. This new servant’s eyes were sharp and his stride confident. His uniform, though similar enough to the younger man behind him was more ornate with a gold braiding about his arm that seemed to signify some kind of rank. Swallowing nervously she rose, disliking this new addition. 

“If you’ll come with us.” The man instructed, gesturing towards the corridor behind him. 

Wordlessly she nodded, falling in step behind him. 

They traversed several hallways, each lined with paintings of fantastic creatures. As they approached a closed door her gaze flickered to the side and she paused, eyes widening as she noticed a painting of the Bai Ze. It stood proudly in the familiar clearing where she had first met Xavier, a thick tome resting under one delicate silver hoof. 

She nervously tore her gaze away from it, noting a second painting across the hall of a Lemurian curled protectively about a stone tablet. 

The servant knocked upon the closed door before them, his head tilted towards it as he listened. After a moment he pushed it open, stepping aside to allow her entrance. 

She stepped hesitantly over the threshold, taking in the large room before her. It appeared to be a receiving room of sorts though she couldn’t say she knew much about such things. Just beyond the sitting area a pair of doors had been left open, their filmy curtains billowing gently in the breeze. She could just make out the edge of a small table out on what she assumed was a balcony. 

“Come in, my dear. No need to linger.” A smooth, silken voice suddenly called out, startling her. 

Heart poinding in her chest, she obliged, stepping through the open doorway onto the balcony. There, seating in a gilded chair, was a man she did not know, studying her curiously. The man’s long hair fell over his shoulders,  glimmering like copper in the indirect light. His eyes, a piercing golden brown studied her from over the rim of a delicate teacup that came up to lightly touch his lips for a moment before returning to the saucer held in his right hand. 

She felt her mouth go dry. 

This man was not Xavier. 

The man’s gaze swept over her once more before he turned slightly, setting the saucer and teacup upon the little table at his side. When his attention returned to her it was with a slight curve of the lips as he gestured to an empty seat across from him with long elegant fingers. They reminded her of the ones the shadowed other in her dream had possessed, though this man’s voice was decidedly different. “Won’t you join me?” He offered.

Uncertain but unable to come up with a reason to refuse she crept closer. Though everything about the scene before her seemed tranquil and welcoming she couldn’t help but feel a faint tremor of unease work its way down her spine as she perched herself on the edge of the chair, her gaze fixed upon the man lounging across from her. 

He smiled indulgently as she settled back, gesturing toward an empty cup and the teapot. A servant she hadn’t noticed before immediately stepped forward, pouring a fragrant liquid into the empty cup and offering it to her. 

“No, thank you.” She declined, keeping her hands folded firmly in her lap, mimicking the pose of Caleb’s servant during their brief carriage ride earlier. The servant hesitated, glancing towards the man at her side. 

The man seated next to her hummed thoughtfully, his fingers hovering before his lips as he contemplated her for a long moment before snatching up his own cup and deftly dumping a spoonful of white powder into it, stirring it lazily. “It won’t harm you, my dear.” He offered, a faint smile continuing to play across his lips. 

She forced what she hoped was a polite smile as she shook her head resolutely. “Thank you but no. I’m … not thirsty.”

She noted the way the man’s lips thinned slightly, that small smile disappearing for a fraction of a second before he shrugged, waving dismissively towards the servant between them. The servant replaced her unwanted tea back upon the table and backed away with a low bow, leaving them alone. 

“Very well.” The man replied, settling his cup upon his lap as his gaze returned to hers. “Perhaps you will indulge me in conversation then.”

She shifted uncomfortably. “I’m sorry. I came here to speak with someone …” She replied, gathering up the courage to stand and get herself out of this strange situation. 

“Yes.” The man replied dryly. “I must admit to some curiosity as to why you would come here to seek out my son.”

Her breath caught as her mind registered the man’s words. His son? But … her gaze darted towards him, taking in the man’s youthful appearance. Surely he was too young for Xavier to be his son. He appeared only a few years older than herself …

Swallowing nervously she forced her tone to remain light and unbothered. “Xaiver helped me recently.” She said airly. “I wanted to thank him for his kindness.”

The man hummed thoughtfully, the spoon clinking gently against the porcelain cup as he stirred the fragrant tea within. “I see.” He murmured, pausing to take a sip of the liquid before setting the cup aside once more. “And how, exactly, did he … help … you?”

She pressed her lips together, unsure of how to answer. 

The man watched her carefully, one eyebrow raised in amusement. “Come now, my dear. Can’t a father be curious about his wayward son’s activities?” The man asked, that infuriating half smile crooking his lips as he crossed his legs, leaning towards her. 

Her frown deepened as she met the other man’s gaze, earning a soft chuckle from him. 

“It was strange, how soon he returned to the palace after earning this latest bout of freedom, especially empty handed. Normally I have to send half my forces out to comb the countryside in order to drag him back here.” The man glanced down at his nails. “And now a lady with a rather … questionable … condition comes calling for him. Surely you can understand my interest.”

Her stomach clenched nervously as the man spoke, a dread certainty growing with her. This man was the King. There was no one else he could possibly be. Breathing deeply she forced herself to remain calm. 

“I know nothing about that.” She replied dismissively, despite the dread churning within her. “I only came to thank him for helping me, as I said.”

The King regarded her for a long while, his smile deepening, giving her the impression of a cat about to play with a particularly delicious mouse. “Is that so?”

She said nothing. 

The King shifted, his gaze drifting pointedly towards her stomach. “And the child you carry?” He asked. “Is that also part of the reason you seek my son out? Perhaps you’ve come to demand he claim responsibility for the results of his … help.”

She felt her cheeks heat as indignation surged up within her. “No.” She replied firmly. “It’s not his.”

“A pity.” The King drawled. “I could do so very much with a child of his making.” He leaned back, shaking his head in mock disappointment. 

She shifted, uncomfortable with the direction their conversation had taken. “I am sure such a child would be cause for great celebration.” She grit out. “But it is not his child I carry.”

Golden eyes narrowed thoughtfully as the King shifted, resting his chin upon his palm as he studied her. “Then whose is it?” He inquired. “Surely the father of this child would not allow you to travel all the way here unattended. And yet … I can’t help but notice you are here alone.”

She opened her mouth but paused, unsure of how to answer his inquiry. She couldn’t exactly tell him the truth. Xavier and Caleb both had commented on this man’s obsession over collecting magical creatures and those with Evol. If she admitted whose children she carried she doubted he would ever let her or her children go free.

The sound of boots, quick and angry, suddenly rang out, saving her from having to answer. Across from her the King sighed in exasperation, reaching out to pluck up his cup as a figure moved to her side, startling her. 

Xavier’s posture was stiff as he came to a standstill next to her, his hand lingering near his bare belt, as though ready to draw the sword he was not currently wearing. 

“This is none of your concern.” Xavier growled, his normally gentle voice hard and unyielding as he glared down at the King seated before him. 

The King snorted, peering up at his furious son in amusement. “Now, now, no need to make a scene. Sit, join us.” He offered.

Xavier’s jaw tensed, his gaze slashing down towards her for a moment before he straightened, clearly forcing the tension from his shoulders as he moved to stand at attention before the King. “There is no need. I will speak with her privately. I am sorry this interrupted your morning.”

She moved to stand but the King’s gaze slashed towards her, stilling her as he lifted his left hand, a red gem glimmering against his wrist as his fingers curled, fisting tightly together. At her side Xavier shuddered, a soft gasp escaping him as his face twisted in pain. She watched in horror as Xavier stumbled, dropping down into the empty seat to her left, panting as the King slowly opened his hand, releasing Xavier from whatever strange power he’d used to force his compliance. 

“There, now, isn’t this better?” The King crooned venomously, his gaze fixed upon his son as Xavier glared up at him through his tousled bangs, clearly struggling to shake off the aftereffects of whatever the King had done to him. 

“Now, our dear visitor, was going to regale me with the tale of how the two of you met. Doesn’t that sound intriguing?” The King offered, nudging a cup towards Xavier. 

Xavier took it with a grimace, obediently pouring a measure of tea from the teapot. “We met near Hayanis Port.” He murmured. “She’d lost her way and I provided her with assistance.”

“How delightfully convenient.” The King drawled, his words heavy with sarcasm. “And you decided to escort her all the way back to the City?”

Xavier’s gaze flickered towards her as he raised his cup. She shook her head slightly. “No.” Xavier replied, taking a quick sip before lowering the cup to rest it upon his lap in a mirror of his father’s posture. “I merely provided her with temporary refuge until others could guide her.”

The King’s eyebrow arched as his nails tapped out a quick staccato against his own cup. “I see. And tell me, my dear, where are you staying now?”

She felt her spine stiffen as the King’s attention refocused on her. “I’m … I’m staying with an old friend here in the city.” She replied, not daring to breathe Caleb’s name for fear of dragging him into this.

“An old friend?” The King practically purred, his voice dripping with malice. “He must be quite a beloved companion for you to be willing to travel all the way from Hayanis Port to visit with him. Especially in your condition. Perhaps I know him?”

“I … I don’t know.” She answered nervously. 

The King laughed, a quick, harsh bark, glancing at Xavier in amusement. “What do you think?” He asked Xavier. “Perchance her … old friend … is a certain Captain of mine.” The King’s gaze shifted back towards her, no longer full of humor but rather glimmering with the first hint of temper. “One who failed to report back to me immediately upon his return but rather sent his men to deliver the results of his latest hunt while he scurried back home.”

She resisted the urge to shrink back under his piercing gaze. “He was worried about me. He wanted to make sure I arrived safely … given my condition.” She offered, proud of how even her voice was. 

The King’s gaze darkened dangerously. “That does sound like our dear, sweet Captain, doesn’t it? So protective. So … loyal.” The King hissed, reaching over to nudge his cup, making the silver spoon inside clink against the delicate porcelain. “And what did you think of his latest catch? You must have found it quite intriguing.”

She immediately knew that King was referring to Rafayel. Forcing as much nonchalance as she could muster she shrugged. “I dared not venture too close.” 

The King cocked his head, debating the truth of her words. After a moment he shrugged, clearly desiring to turn the conversation elsewhere. “Tell me, then. What does the father of this child of yours think of you staying in another man’s home? Surely he has some … opinions on the matter?”

“Father, enough.” Xavier snapped, setting his own cup down with a loud clink. “She’s already admitted the child is neither my own nor is it your Hunter’s. This matter clearly does not concern you.”

The King was silent for a long moment, his gaze dropping as he studied his nails. “I rather think it does.” He replied firmly, turning towards the servant who lingered forgotten in the corner. “Summon Caleb.” He ordered, his voice turning cold and stern. 

The servant bowed and retreated. 

She glanced down at her lap, watching as her fingers curled inwards. At her side Xavier was equally silent, his gaze angry as he watched his father. 

Eventually the servant returned, stepping back to allow Caleb to brush past him. Caleb’s face was carefully blank as he stepped out onto the balcony, dipping into a quick bow before his gaze fell upon her and he froze, shock flickering across his face. 

“Ah, there we are.” The King said, drawing Caleb’s attention back towards him. “We were having a lovely conversation with your friend. I must say, she is quite delightful, though rather frustratingly tight lipped.”

Caleb’s eyes narrowed as he straightened, his hand coming to rest upon her forearm. “I apologize for the inconvenience, your majesty. She has no reason to be here. I’ll escort her back immediately.”

She moved to stand as Caleb tugged on her arm but the King clicked his tongue. She frowned as she felt a strange shift in the air. It was a quick, ephemeral thing, too light for her own Evol to latch onto but she was sure she had felt it. At her side Caleb suddenly went ramrod straight, his hand convulsing against her arm. 

“The child she carries … whose is it?” The King demanded, his voice suddenly ice cold and laced with a stramge fury she didn’t understand. 

She heard Caleb draw in a quick, hissing breath. “Someone from her village.” He grit out, sounding as though each word were being forced from him. 

The King was silent for a long moment before suddenly settling back in his chair, laughing derisively. “So the child is not yours then?”

Caleb shook his head sharply. "It is not.”

“Then perhaps we should send her back to her village.” The King mused. “I’ll have an escort prepared for her.”

“No.” Caleb growled out, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. 

The King’s gaze narrowed as he studied the stiff man at her side. “Interesting.” He mused. “You dare to contradict me over this?”

Caleb was quiet for a long while. “She is mine.” He hissed angrily, sending a shiver down her spine. “As we agreed.”

“Ah.” The King shifted back, his eyes widening before flicking towards her thoughtfully. “How utterly fascinating. The girl for whom you sold yourself … found at last. And pregnant with another man’s child.” He chuckled. 

She forced herself up to her feet, bristling with her own growing anger. “I’ve had enough.” She snapped, drawing a surprised look from the King before her. “I didn’t come here to be some spectacle to amuse you at their expense. Good day, your majesty.” She grit out, catching Caleb’s arm and turning on her heel. 

She grunted in frustration as Caleb refused to budge, dragging her to a halt as well. Turning she watched as the King slowly rose, his right hand clutching the top of the chair. His left hand was partially fisted and she felt the growing vibrations of that strange power she had felt earlier. At her side Caleb tensed, as though preparing himself for a blow. Instinctively she lashed out with her own Evol, latching onto the King's ephemeral power and using her resonance to cancel it out. Caleb stumbled back with a surprised gasp as whatever power the King was using to control him suddenly disappeared. 

Across from her the King stared at her in clear shock, frozen as Xavier rose next to him, glancing between them warily. After a brief moment the King shook his head, his gaze lingering on his fingertips before a slow, ominous smile curled his lips. 

“My, my.” He purred, his gaze flicking up to meet hers, his golden eyes hardening. “Aren’t you just full of surprises?”

Her breath caught as adrenaline surged through her veins. Run. Something whispered in her mind. Run, as far and as fast as you can. 

“Prepare a room.” The King snapped, gesturing towards the servant. “This young lady will be staying in the palace for the time being.”

Fear spiked through her but before she could protest Caleb shifted to stand before her, placing himself between her and the seething King. 

“No.” Caleb growled out in protest, his hand tightening about her arm.

The King laughed, low and dangerous. “You have no say in this, Captain.”

“You promised.” Caleb pushed. “She was to be left alone in exchange for my compliance. You can’t …”

“Can’t?” The King hissed, his face twisting in rage. “Perhaps you forget that this is my palace. All who enter here belong to me. If you feel this breaks the agreement between us, my dear Captain, then let me extend to you the original offer. Obedience or death. Which shall it be?”

She watched as the King’s hand fisted once more, making the blood red gem set into the golden bracelet about his wrist flash. This time the strike came too fast for her to counteract it. She watched in dismay as Caleb lurched forward, his hand coming up to claw at his neck as he was forced down to his knees, gasping for breath. 

“Stop!” She pleaded, falling to her knees next to Caleb, pulling uselessly at the heavy jacket he wore that hid the hateful silver collar. 

“He must choose.” The King growled, his fist tightening. 

“I … obey.” Caleb gasped out, his gaze murderous as he glared up at the King before them. 

The King held his fist closed a moment longer, glaring down at Caleb as he trembled. Then, with a derisive snort he released his grip. 

She caught Caleb as he collapsed forward, struggling to support his weight as he panted, his limbs trembling as she caught his hand and held it tightly in her own. 

The King glanced back at the servant watching everything with wide eyed panic. “I tire of this. Take them all from my presence.” He ordered, waving them away. “Xavier, you will escort our newest guest to dinner tonight. Captain … you’ll eat elsewhere with your men until you remember how to behave.”

She swallowed as Caleb slowly rose, gently wrapping an arm about her and urging her out before him. Xavier was a silent presence behind them as they fled from the King.

Chapter Text

She kept her gaze on the floor passing beneath her feet, resisting the urge to shake off the firm grip on her arm. Caleb’s fingers were practically digging into her flesh but she kept her mouth shut, keenly aware of the listening ears of the stiff backed servant that was leading them to wherever the King had decided to house her. Her footsteps were strangely muted compared to the sharp, crisp click of Caleb’s boots upon the polished marble flooring.

Forcing her gaze upwards, she noted the guards posted at various points along the corridor walls, their attention fixed forward. Xavier’s path had diverged from theirs earlier, leaving her alone with Caleb who was a silent but seething presence at her side. He was undoubtedly furious with her but she did not let it bother her. She needed to be here. 

At the corridor’s end, she noted two Palace guards dressed in the now all too familiar uniform that marked them as the King’s men. The pair of guards stepped aside in unison as the servant approached, each sparing Caleb a quick, efficient bow of the head as they paused before the door they guarded. The door was rather unremarkable, though she was quick to note the metallic crest at its center. She squinted, studying it for the first time. The large, crowned crow that made up the King’s crest stared back at her, its outstretched wings giving it the illusion of flight as the golden gems that made up its eyes glittered cruelly. 

The servant unlocked the door and pulled it open for them, stepping aside so that they might enter. She noted the way the man tucked the key to the room back into his pocket, her stomach dropping slightly as she realized that being given a room did not mean she would have free reign to roam the palace grounds. Forcing a deep breath, she stepped over the threshold, Caleb a half step behind her as she paused, eyeing the room about her. 

To her surprise it appeared to at least be a suite of rooms. Three doors stood open around the sitting room she found herself in. 

“His Majesty dines promptly at seven.” The servant intoned, his gaze stern, giving her no room to argue. 

She glanced back at him, nodding her understanding.

The servant glanced at the man at her side, his lips half parted as though he wished to speak more but Caleb waved him off. The servant bowed sharply before turning on his heel and slipping out. To her relief she did not hear the click of the lock falling in place behind him. 

She folded her hands together, her fingers tightening against one another as she stepped to the side, putting a bit of distance between herself and Caleb. 

His gaze slashed down towards her, temper simmering as he watched her make her way to the ornate sofa, perching herself upon it. She tilted her face up to meet his gaze evenly, simply waiting for him to give voice to the growing frustration she could see painted upon his face. 

He tsked softly, turning away from her to pace a few steps, his hand brushing through his dark hair before he finally turned back. 

“I told you that you weren’t to come here.” He finally growled. 

She shrugged. “I have to be here.” She insisted. 

“No, you don’t .” Caleb insisted. “And then you run right to the one person ...” His words petered off as he began to pace once more, his fingers angrily tugging at the buttons of his jacket, pulling the stiff fabric loose. 

Her gaze locked at the silver collar about his neck, a small frown tugging at her lips as she reached out with her Evol, brushing against the thing, noting the annoying, incessant hum of the Evol infused within it. 

“Can you take it off?” She asked, tearing her gaze from it. 

Caleb paused, his hand coming up until his fingers hovering over the cursed bit of metal fixed about his neck. “No.” He finally grit out, forcing his hand away. 

She watched as he continued to pace, clearly trying to burn off the sharp edges of his temper. 

“What did you do?” She finally demanded. “He said you had sold yourself ... for me ...”

Caleb finally stilled, tilting his head back as he sighed. “It doesn’t matter.” He murmured, shaking his head. 

“It does.” She snapped, leaning forward. “You and Xavier both have one of those things on and the King was able to use it to force your compliance. What the hell is going on?”

Caleb opened his mouth but nothing came out. She watched as he hesitated, as though carefully considering how he wanted to answer. Slowly, he sank down onto a nearby chair, its wooden arms curving around him like a wooden cage as he leaned forward, elbows on his thighs, his broad shoulders curved inwards. 

She frowned. It had been a long time since she had seen him curled in on himself like that, exhaustion clearly weighing heavily upon him. 

“I had heard rumors,” He admitted slowly, his fingers flexing in agitation, “that the King had special uses for those with Evol. All of his men were instructed to be on the lookout for those like us. If we believed we had found them we were to take them before the King. I had kept my own Evol hidden, suspecting that it would garner more attention than I wanted.”

Caleb fell silent, his gaze fixed upon his hands. She resisted the urge to lean forward, to try to soothe the churning emotions she could sense from him. 

“What changed?” She pushed, needing to understand.

Caleb leaned back with a heavy sigh. “As soon as I completed my training and was trusted with having some free time, I began looking for you. I asked around discreetly, paid off a few of the men who did the annual Sweep for the King, trying to find out where you had ended up. Eventually I came across a rumor that you had been turned over to the Temple. Possibly as a sacrifice or a temple helper. After that ... your trail went cold. No one associated with the Temple would talk to me.”

He fell silent, his face twisting in remembered frustration. “It became obvious that I didn’t have enough power or money to force them to tell me what I needed to know. That as an orphan, even though I had been accepted into the army, I would never have that kind of power. The only chance I had was to use my Evol to make a deal. So I did.”

She shook her head, scowling. “So what? You went to the King and told him you’d lick his boots in exchange for that power?”

Caleb shrugged. “My Evol is strong. The King ... he desires that kind of strength. I agreed to serve him in exchange for the information I needed and the promise that once I found you the crown would give up all claim to you.”

“But you still couldn’t find me.” She pointed out, her temper growing. 

Caleb inclined his head slightly. “The Temple didn’t keep as detailed records as I had hoped. They admitted they had taken you to be a helper outside of the city but they did not remember where. Even so, it was enough. And the duty that King assigned me gave me the freedom I needed to go out and search for you beyond the City walls.”

She shook her head, pushing herself up to wander, her temper making her restless. 

“And Xavier? He has one of those collars on as well.” She demanded.

Caleb shrugged. “I don’t know what that’s about.” He admitted. “The Prince was collared long before I got here and we aren't exactly close enough that he would be willing to spill all of his family secrets to me.”

Sensing that she would get no more out of him she decided to change topics. “The King claimed to be Xavier’s father. And yet, he appears to be only a few years older than us. How can that be?” She asked. 

Caleb was quiet for a long while. “I can’t say.” He finally grit out. 

She gave him a sharp glare and he chuckled humorlessly, lifting a placating hand and placing it upon the silver collar about his neck. “I truly cannot. I’m sorry. All I can say is neither the King nor the Prince appear their true ages. But what those true ages are ... I cannot say.”

She huffed out a sigh, realizing that something about the collar was keeping him silent on the matter. “And Zayne?” She pushed. “Rafayel said your men took him ...”

Caleb shrugged. “He refused the King’s offer.”

“Offer?” She inquired. 

“You heard it earlier.” Caleb replied grimly, his gaze meeting hers. “ Obedience or death.”

She froze, her heart stuttering. “So then he’s ...” Her voice faded away, ice creeping through her veins as her stomach twisted.

Caleb rose, drifting close enough to reach out, brushing his hand against her lower back urging her back to the sofa. 

“Not yet.” He offered gently. “The King has need of a clever healer. He has given your not-husband until the next Full Moon to reconsider.”

She breathed out shakily, relief flooding through her. “We have to free him.” She pleaded, her hands tightening on Caleb. “I need his help ...”

Caleb pulled away from her slowly, shaking his head. “The King is not one to have his mind changed. He wants Zayne’s service. If Zayne continues to refuse, the King will make sure he serves no one else.”

She brought her hand to her stomach, considering his words. “Rafayel warned me that we’re running out of time.” She admitted, glancing up to watch as Caleb’s attention drifted towards her stomach. “I’ve been having pains since we arrived. I can’t ... I can’t do this alone.” She pleaded. “Please Caleb, I need Zayne and Rafayel’s help. There must be some way to free them …”

Caleb’s lips thinned as he shook his head firmly. “The Lemurian is beyond saving.” He stated firmly, holding up a hand to stall her protest. “The King knows of his strength. He intends to drain the Lemurian’s Evol dry and will surely devour whatever else remains. There is nothing any of us can do to stop him now.”

She felt her hand fist as her heart sped up, anxiety flowing through her. 

“And Zayne?” She pleaded.

Caleb sighed, pushing himself up. “I will see what I can do.” He replied. 

She nodded, reaching up to catch his arm, stilling him. “Thank you.” She breathed. 

Caleb shook his head, breaking free of her. “Watch yourself at dinner tonight.” He warned. “Accept nothing the King offers you. I can’t say that the Prince will help you but it may be best to follow his lead. Make yourself as uninteresting as possible. You’ve successfully captured the King’s attention but if you want to ever be free of him, we need to convince him you’re not worth his time.”

She nodded her understanding. 

At the door Caleb suddenly paused, turning to catch her elbows in his hands, squeezing her arms gently to assure he had her undivided attention. “Make no deal with the King.” Caleb warned. “No matter what he offers, do not agree to anything .”

 She winced as Caleb’s grip tightened. “I won’t.” She promised. 

Caleb held her a moment longer, his gaze searching hers before he slowly released her. “Get some rest.” He insisted, reaching up to brush a loose strand of hair back from her face. “I’ll make sure they assign a servant to you and have them bring you something to eat for lunch.”

She nodded, watching as he slipped out. She noted the guards watching her door and felt her heart drop as the door closed firmly behind him. Trapping her alone in her new quarters. 

***************************************

Caleb stood quietly, peering through the thick, worn bars as his target knelt next to a still form that lay prone upon the cold, hard ground, reaching out to gently brush his fingers across the other’s forehead. The man on the ground groaned, turning his head slightly, as though desperate to experience more of Zayne’s touch. 

Zayne smiled gently down at the other, nodding at something the other said. He gripped the man’s shoulder tightly before pulling away, pushing himself back up onto his feet. 

The air around them was thick with the scent of mold, old straw, and bodily fluids he preferred not to think too much about. Sensing that the other was about to move further away, probably to check on the prisoner huddled against the back wall, rocking himself incessantly, he called out. 

“Zayne.” He snapped sharply, causing the tall healer to pause, his narrowed green gaze flicking towards him. “Come.” He demanded, gesturing towards the guard. 

The guard unlocked the door, holding it open. Zayne remained still for a long moment, watching him warily. It was on the tip of his tongue to make a second demand but, to his relief, Zayne finally drifted forward, dipping low to slip out of the door. Caleb’s gaze fixed on the heavy silver collar about the man’s neck, grimacing. He’d never had the unpleasant experience of wearing one of those collars himself but he was familiar enough with them to know the exhaustion and pain they brought as they latched onto the wearer’s Evol, draining them dry.

He gestured sharply, leading the other to a small, private room where they might speak without being overheard. Zayne followed him silently, seating himself stiffly on the other side of the table at his gesture. Assuring himself that the heavy door was closed, giving them the privacy he needed, Caleb seated himself across from the other, meeting his cold gaze evenly. 

“I need you to accept the King’s offer.” He informed Zayne without preamble, cutting straight to the point. 

The healer’s chin lifted defiantly, his gaze narrowing. 

Caleb sighed, folding his arms on the table and leaning forward earnestly. “Look, I understand.” He replied, resisting the urge to reach up to tug at the silver collar about his own neck. “However ...” He sighed. “ She’s here now. And she requires your help with the children she carries.”

The man across from him went completly still, his eyes widening slightly. 

“You brought her ... here ?” Zayne growled softly, his gaze turning murderous. 

Caleb shook his head. “I tried to keep her out of it. But the Lemurian had told her you were captured. And we both know that once she gets a thought in her head ...” He shrugged in exasperation.

Zayne glanced away, his gaze turning inwards as he considered things. 

“She says her time is nearing.” Caleb warned him. “The Lemurian is here too but he’s already been sent to the menagerie. There’s no way to get him out of it. I will do what I can but ... I’m not a healer. I won’t know what to do when her time comes.” Caleb wheedled, disliking having to ask another for help but unwilling to risk her health. 

Zayne remained silent for a few long, frustrating minutes. Finally he sighed, his gaze shifting back towards the man at his side. “You know what she carries?” He prodded. 

Caleb grimaced but nodded. “Darius, that Head Priest of yours, told me of his suspicions. Based on the Lemurian’s determination to get to her after she fled, I assume he was correct.”

Zayne’s jaw clenched. “If the King learns of what she carries ...”

Caleb shook his head. “There’s nothing that can be done for it.” He replied slowly. “I’ll do my best to get her out of here but … she used her Evol to temporarily break the King’s connection to the collar. He’s not going to let someone with that kind of power walk away from here.”

Zayne was silent for a long while, his eyes drifting shut. “She’s going to fight to keep those children alive and well.” He warned. 

Caleb remained silent. “Accept the King’s collar.” He finally insisted. “I ... I don’t know what we can do to ensure the safety of the children she carries but at the very least you can ensure she survives their birthing.”

Zayne shook his head. “Enslaving myself would leave us both at the King’s command and her without a protector.”

“And not accepting the King’s offer leaves you dead.” Caleb replied baldly. “He’ll drain you dry and toss your corpse to the damned dragon as an afternoon snack. And while your body is digesting, she’ll still be trapped here, forced to figure out this process alone or, worse yet, with one of the King’s assigned healers who will assuredly steal what she carries away before she even gets the chance to see them.”

Zayne lips thinned. 

“Your knowledge might be the only thing that keeps her safe.” Caleb grit out, forcing himself to acknowledge his own lack of knowledge in these matters. “If you care about her at all, you’ll do this.”

Zayne leaned back, his fingers tapping in agitation. “You said the Lemurian was brought here as well. Does he know she is also here?”

Caleb shrugged. “He was with us when we returned to the City, though I did not bring her to the Palace along with him.”

“Would the King seek to collar him as well?” Zayne pushed. 

Caleb hesitated, slowly realizing what Zayne was getting at. “I don’t think so.” He replied thoughtfully, considering things. “The King generally views anything that isn’t fully human as being beneath him. I doubt it would cross his mind to offer the Lemurian a place in his ranks.”

“That’s good.” Zayne mused. “It would give her an ally that wasn’t tied to him.”

Caleb was silent for a long while. “The Lemurian didn’t spare her from that wave.” He pointed out warily, doing his best not to recall the panic he had felt when his opponent had burned his arm, breaking his concentration and allowing the wave to crash down upon them. He’d ordered Gideon to get her off the beach but she’d been fighting him and they’d both been well within reach of the murderous wall of water the Lemurian had called up. 

Zayne shook his head. “He grabbed her and pulled her from the water first.” He replied grimly. “I don’t think he ever intended to let her drown with the rest of us.”

Caleb sighed, pushing back from the table. “Even so. The Lemurian is in the menagerie now. And once things go in there, they don’t come back out again.”

Zayne smiled humorlessly. “There’s always a way.” He insisted, pushing himself up from the table and tugging upon the coarse gray shirt all of the prisoners wore. “Inform the King I will meet with him. Then see what you can do about getting word to the Lemurian. I’ll do what I can to ensure the birth is smooth but if Rafayel wants to keep those eggs away from the King, he’ll need to figure out a way to escape.”

Caleb nodded, rising as well to lead Zayne back to the cell block. “Thank you.” He murmured. 

If Zayne heard him, he did not respond. 

*******************************

She stood before a row of tall arched windows in the bedroom, peering down at the Palace gardens far below. Her room was set high above it, high enough that she knew she had no hope of escape by seeking to climb down. She would surely fall to her death. She sighed, her gaze following the outlines of the artfully trimmed hedges. Beyond them was the large hedged labyrinth, making her shudder as she recalled her dream. 

She struggled to quell the flutter of nerves within her as a silent servant tugged at the dress she had been given to wear for dinner. It hardly fit around her swollen midsection, making her wince at the tightness as she turned, glancing at her reflection in the nearby mirror. It felt strange to wear something that showed off the curves of her body, despite the servant’s insistence that the dress was perfectly suited for her. 

The tops of her breasts were exposed, making her flush as the servant brushed some kind of powder over her face and neck, expertly dabbing it along the creamy expanse of her chest, doing what she could to lessen the tan of her sun kissed face so that it better matched the pale skin of her chest. She watched as the servant came to the small scars Rafayel had left upon the side of her neck. They were very clearly teeth marks but the servant remained silent, simply doing what she could to mask them with the powder.

She refused the offer of bracelets and a necklace, though she noticed the addition of gemmed pins to her hair just a bit too late to refuse them as well. 

She sighed, wincing as the deep breath caused the seams of her dress to cut into her. She disliked everything about this style. She felt as though some great snake had wrapped itself about her and was slowly but surely squeezing the breath from her body. 

She heard the door to her suite open and swallowed as her nerves spiked, watching from the corner of her eye as the servant who had been attending her dipped into a low curtsey, keeping her gaze fixed upon the ground as the newcomer slowly approached them. 

Xavier was dressed in a white, military style uniform. A heavy silver braid hung from the King’s crest affixed to his chest, looking for all the world like some kind of macabre leash dangling from the silver crow’s talons. 

She took in a shaky, shallow breath, turning to face him. She watched as his gaze flickered over her, a slight frown tugging at his lips as he took in her new dress. 

“I can change back into my old dress.” She offered, glancing at the silent servant hovering by the back wall. “But the King provided this one …”

Xavier shook his head. “It’s lovely.” He stated, offering her his elbow. “Shall we? The King abhors lateness.”

She stepped forward, slipping her hand around his offered arm uneasily. As he began to lead her towards the door she suddenly paused, peering up at him. 

“Is the King really your father?” She demanded. 

Xavier’s expression shuttered, his eyes dulling slightly. “He is.” He confirmed, his voice clipped. 

She allowed him to lead her out into the hallway, aware of the pair of guards that fell into step behind them. “My apologies.” She said softly. “It’s just … he seems younger than I would have expected. You and he … you look more like brothers.”

Xavier’s soft laugh was short and humorless. “Appearances can be deceiving. Especially in my family.” He offered dryly. 

Their conversation died as they continued through the hallways, the sound of their escorts’ boots ringing out behind them. She felt her stomach sink as they approached a pair of large, ornate doors that were pulled open for them by uniformed guards, revealing a vast dining room lit by a pair of ornate crystal chandeliers. Beneath the oblong crystal droplets that hung high overheard was a large table, covered with a crisp white linen and expensive porcelain dishes. At the head of the table, the King awaited them, lounging in his chair as he watched them approach, his golden gaze piercing. The long strands of his copper hair gleamed against the dark velvet jacket he wore. 

Xavier pulled them both to a stop as they neared the table. 

“Curtsey.” He whispered softly to her, stepping back to give her space as he graced the King with a sharp bow of his own. 

She froze momentarily, her mind blanking as she tried to remember the unexpected gesture clearly required of her. Swallowing nervously she plucked the edges of her skirt, dipping down into a wobbly curtsey, mimicking what she had just seen her servant do for Xavier. 

Across from her the King chuckled, clearly amused with her attempt. 

“Welcome. Sit. Eat with me.” He offered, gesturing towards a seat to his right. She glanced hesitantly at Xavier, who nudged her towards the offered seat, his hand warm against her lower back as he drew her to a stop, urging her to wait as he pulled the seat back for her, allowing her to seat herself before retreating to the other side of the table.

She shifted awkwardly, watching as he serenely paced around the long table to the chair at the King’s left. She noted a heavy brocade cloth draped over the back of his chair, a silver unicorn rearing up against the white silk. 

The King clapped his hands once, a sharp sound that startled her. She watched as servants peeled themselves away from the wall, moving forward to set glass goblets before them along with a small plate with a damp towel upon it. She watched as Xavier plucked up the towel, using it to clean his hands. She hesitantly did the same, surprised to find the towel warm. 

As they prepared for their meal she stole a glance at the empty chair between herself and the King. As with Xavier’s chair this one too was draped with a silk cloth, though where Xavier’s had been white this one was black. Upon it was a serpentine dragon, embroidered in scarlet thread. 

“So,” The King began, drawing her attention back to the head of the table as he plucked up his glass, studying the dark liquid within. “How are you finding my Palace so far, my dear?”

She glanced at her own glass, noting that hers contained a simple clear liquid. She prayed it was water. 

“The rooms you have provided me are quite lovely. Thank you.” She forced out. 

The King studied her over the rim of his glass. “I am pleased to hear it.”

They fell silent as the servants returned to pluck the used towels and dishes from their table, replacing them with other plates.

She took the momentary distraction to fix her full attention on the King next to her. His features were sleek and refined, almost too perfect. His cheekbones were high and sharp, his skin unmarred by scar or wrinkle. Nothing about his face revealed what must have surely been his true age. 

Her gaze drifted down to his elegant hands, latching onto the golden bracelet that peeked out from beneath the laced sleeve of his dark jacket. The large red gem set into it was dark now but she could feel the hum of Evol coming from it. 

As the servants pulled back she returned her attention to the plate before her. To her relief she saw she had been given fish, a familiar enough meal. She glanced upwards and noted that the King and Xavier had been given something different, their plates bearing some kind of reddish meat that oozed juices as the King plucked up a knife and began to slice into it. 

She forced herself to focus back on her own plate, eating slowly and silently as the King and Xavier engaged in small talk. She listened closely, though none of what they discussed gave her any clues to Zayne or Rafayel’s whereabouts. From what she could glean of their conversation Xavier was supposed to be searching for something the King desired. Xavier’s replies were vague, almost bordering on bored or flippant, though she noticed that he was careful not to incite too much of the King’s wrath. 

Finally the King shifted his attention back to her. She stiffened, setting her fork down upon the table and clasping her hands tightly in her lap as she met his gaze. 

“You look lovely in that dress but I must admit ... you seem tired, my dear.” He offered, his voice dripping with faux concern. 

She inclined her head slightly. “It has been a long day, your majesty.” She replied simply. 

The King laughed softly, his gaze flicking towards his son for a brief moment before returning to her. “Yes, I rather imagine it has.” He replied. 

She kept her mouth shut, doing her best to seem as meek and uninteresting as possible. 

The servants finally reappeared, carrying away their dishes. She watched in confusion as they brought yet more food, settling small plates before them. 

“How far along are you?” The King suddenly inquired, startling her.

“What?” She asked, flushing slightly at the abruptness of her response. 

To her relief the King merely chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Your pregnancy.” He elaborated. “How long until you give birth?”

She hesitated, glancing at Xavier for a quick moment before returning her gaze to the King. “I ... I’m not sure.” She replied honestly. “In truth my pregnancy came as a surprise.”

The King hummed thoughtfully, plucking the golden top off of a small bowl before him, revealing a strangely colored egg. A matching one sat upon Xavier’s plate, though she noted that her plate contained a simple slice of cake. For the first time it struck her that she had been given different food from the two royals before her. She wondered about that. 

“Perhaps I should send for your husband. We wouldn’t want him to miss the birthing, after all.” The King mused, his eyes glittering as they met her gaze. 

She struggled to keep her face carefully neutral as she plucked up her fork. “That won’t be necessary.” She replied primly. “While I appreciate your Majesty’s hospitality, I would prefer to give birth back home, thank you.”

A strange smile tugged at the corners of the King’s lips as he plucked up a spoon, tapping the top of the egg before him until it cracked. “We shall see.” He replied. 

She froze as he began to peel back the shell, revealing the hardened egg inside. It wasn’t the egg itself that caught her attention, her own village had often cooked eggs in such a way but rather the very obvious beak that peeked out that made her hands begin to tremble. She had to swallow back revulsion as the King lifted the thing upwards, turning it enough for her to see the slightly curled talons of the dead chick’s foot. 

The King finally noted her stare and paused, glancing down at the thing in his hand. “Ah, forgive me.” He said with mocking courtesy, nodding to her own plate with its simple piece of cake. “I figured you might find this particular delicacy distasteful.” He grinned and then very deliberately took a bite. 

She shot up, bile collecting in the back of her throat as she stumbled away from the table, struggling to keep from being sick all over the ground. Hands caught her upper arms, helping her stay upright as she dry heaved.

She was aware of Xavier speaking with his father, his tone measured but clipped and hot with growing temper. She did not hear the King’s reply but, to her relief, Xavier led her out of the dinning room, carefully steering her back towards her room. Halfway down the hall she lost the battle against her nausea, crouching down as she vomited. Xavier held her hair back, simply waiting as she heaved twice more, emptying her stomach before leaning forward, pressing her forehead to the cool wall as she trembled. 

“He’s a monster.” She whispered. 

Xavier sighed, offering her a cloth with which to wipe her lips before helping her back up. 

“What was that thing?” She demanded as they finally reached her room, allowing Xavier to lower her down onto the sofa. 

“A firebird.” Xavier murmured softly, fetching her a glass of water. “He keeps a pair in the menagerie.”

She shook her head, watching the water in the glass tremble as she held it. “He gave you one too.” She accused, glaring at him as he moved to sit. 

Xavier paused a moment before slowly nodding. “The firebird is a creature capable of rebirth.” He said, his voice soft. “Consuming their young provides us with … rejuvenating properties.”

She frowned. “That’s why you both look the way you do?” She guessed.

Xavier shrugged. “Among other things, yes.” 

She leaned back, her eyes slipping closed. “That’s why he has the menagerie, isn’t it?”

“It’s one of the reasons.” Xavier offered, watching her carefully. 

“The man at the cabin that night, the one you wounded. He mentioned that your father wanted the Bai Ze. What does he intend to do with it?” She demanded, glancing over at him. “Does he intend to eat it as well?” 

Xavier’s face went stony and he shook his head. “No.” He replied firmly. “What he requires from the Bai Ze cannot be gained by consuming its flesh.”

She sighed, letting her hand drop to her stomach. “I’m tired.” She murmured. 

Xavier rose quickly, inclining his head. “Alright.” 

She watched as he made his way towards the door. “Xavier ...” She called out, making him pause at the door. 

“The other chair. The empty one. Who is that for?”

Xavier shook his head silently, slipping through the door without answering.

*****************

That night she dreamed of the labyrinth once more. 

The shadows continued to creep about her, their tendrils teasing along her ankles but, though her heart beat frantically, like a panicked bird trapped within her chest, she forced herself to remain still. She took in the land about her, studying the worn cobblestone beneath her feet and the twining vines that crawled about the tall hedges that walled her in. 

“Where are you?” She whispered to herself, reaching out with her Evol, searching for any trance of Rafayel. 

She felt the shadows shift as she began to walk, sticking to the main pathway as she casted about with her Evol. She could feel the barest hint of Rafayel’s Evol but it kept shifting, first coming from her left and then suddenly tugging her to the right. 

Talon’s clicked along the cobblestone just behind her but she forced herself to ignore them, keeping her attention focused on pinpointing Rafayel’s location. 

Hot breath ghosted over her neck, making her shudder. She stopped, growling in annoyance as she glanced downwards, noting the tips of black shoes as her follower also paused. 

“Don’t you have something else to do rather than follow me around in dreams all night?” She demanded waspishly.

A silken chuckle drifted from behind her. “Not really.” The other admitted, his voice full of amusement, though to her relief, she saw him step back, putting a bit of distance between them. 

She tsked in annoyance, turning her attention back towards searching for Rafayel. 

“I know where he is.” The other offered, making her pause. She turned, frowning when there was nothing there. 

“I could lead you to him ... for a price, of course.” The other whispered, once again behind her as she felt him lean over her shoulder.

She caught a quick glimpse of silvery hair as he pulled back. “Though if you’d rather keep running in circles ... be my guest.” He chuckled. 

She felt him withdraw, giving her the illusion of space as she turned her attention back to her mission. 

“You live here.” She guessed, peering around a hedged wall, frowning at the twisted and shattered cage at the end. 

The other hummed thoughtfully from somewhere above her right shoulder. “Perhaps.” He conceded. “Though I wouldn’t exactly call it ... living .”

She considered his words, skirting around a deep hole that had swallowed part of the path. 

“The King trapped you here then?” She mused, pausing as she felt a flash of temper ripple through the air, warming it slightly. 

“You said you wanted to make a bargain with me.” She continued when it became clear the other wasn’t planning on replying to her question. “What is it that you want from me?” 

The other snorted, the sound of something large and dry, almost like great wings settling accompanying his response. “ Guess .” The voice hissed out, almost mocking. 

She shrugged, her eyes narrowing as she felt Rafayel’s Evol stir, as though finally sensing her searching for it. “You’re the one who approached me.” She reminded him, her tone airy and just a bit flippant. 

The other shifted, the sound of talons racking threateningly against stone making her shudder. 

She forced herself onwards, shutting out the other as she finally locked onto Rafayel’s location, reaching out to brush against him with her Evol. She felt Rafayel’s Evol twine about hers, creeping deep within her. She closed her eyes with a faint smile, watching as he gently touched each of the small lives within her. While they had pulled back from the other’s touch the night before, she felt their children react differently to Rafayel’s, quivering excitedly, as though trying to reach out to him in their own clumsy way. 

She was aware of the other creeping closer but she forced herself to ignore it, catching at Rafayel’s Evol and feeding it gently with her own. She felt his flames grow hotter, shifting from the exhausted dark orange to a brighter white, almost blueish shade. 

After a few moments she felt a gentle caress against her cheek and then Rafayel pulled back, slipping away from her. She opened her eyes, gasping as a strong hand caught her chin, forcing her to meet the other’s crimson gaze. 

“I believe I know what I want from you now.” He murmured, his gaze burning into hers for a long moment before suddenly shoving her backwards. 

She woke with a jerk, her hands fisting upon the bed sheets as her heart pounded in fear. 

Panting, she pushed herself up, glancing towards the window and the dark labyrinth that lay below.

Chapter Text

Morning came all too soon.

She groaned as sunlight crept across her face, demanding she wake. She rolled awkwardly onto her side, her back to the window and the cheerful morning light that spilled in. Her lashes were crusted with sandy bits of sleep though her rest had been fractured and disturbed. She couldn’t seem to chase away the image of the dead chick trapped in the boiled egg from her mind, her own stomach clenching at the thought of it being her own children upon that small golden dish …

She sighed as she felt one of the eggs within her shift, pressing demandingly against her from the inside as it quivered. Reaching down she pressed the palm of her hand firmly over the taunt skin of her slightly swollen stomach, reaching out with her Evol to brush against the little lives within her. 

The one that was currently trying to cause her problems seemed to perk at her touch, pushing against her Evol demandingly with its own primal power, as though to protest her stillness. Almost immediately she felt another shove against her, as though trying to distract her from its sibling’s touch. She laughed softly, brushing against that child as well before focusing on the other, quieter ones. Three others responded to her touch, though far more sedate than the demanding pushes of their two siblings. She felt her heart stutter slightly as she realized she only counted five little touches where there should be six. Frowning, she pushed harder, carefully nudging the others aside as she sought amongst them for the missing bit of energy.

Finally she felt the faint stirring of the sixth. Its Evol was weak and shaky, as though it barely had the strength to respond. She focused on it, pushing gently with her own Evol, trying to match its soft vibrations, doing what she could to resonate with it so that she could bolster it. To her relief she felt it shift ever so slightly, assuring her that it was alive … if not as strong as its siblings. 

Reluctantly she pulled away, breathing a sigh of relief as the children calmed, settling within the thin shells that still protected them within her. 

She shifted, letting her hand brush against her hip, recalling the way it had bruised after Yelena had shoved her to the ground a month ago. She hadn’t fallen fully on her stomach but she worried that perhaps not all of the eggs had been spared the force of her fall. 

Pushing herself up she slid to the edge of the bed, letting her legs slip free of the warm blankets to settle upon the cold floor. Taking in a deep breath she pulled herself up onto her feet, wincing as her lower back pinched in protest as the eggs shifted and settled in response to her movement. 

Cradling the swell of her stomach she drifted towards the windows, her eyes watering slightly against the brightness of the cheery morning sun. Down below the garden was still a vibrant green despite being in the throes of winter. She wondered at that, her fingers brushing gently back and forth against her stomach as she contemplated whether or not some strange Evol was at work here or if the King’s gardeners had simply found plants that remained lush all year round. Beneath her palms the two most boisterous of her children pressed back against the gentle strokes, making her glance down with a faint smile. 

She wondered what it would be like, to finally see them. She had never seen Lemurian children before. She had no idea how much they would even take after herself with Rafayel having provided both the egg and seed to create them but a part of her hoped that she might see at least a little bit of herself in them when they were finally ready to hatch and join the world. 

A timid rapping came from behind her, drawing her out of her thoughts. Turning, she glanced back, meeting the bowed head of the maid that had been assigned to this wing of rooms as she peeked inside. 

“Good morning.” She offered. 

The maid dipped slightly in acknowledgement, gesturing back towards the sitting room behind her. “Breakfast, my lady.” She murmured, eyes pointedly downcast. “And a healer has come. He wishes to check on you.”

The maid’s words sent her heart up into her throat, her pulse spiking at the thought of someone laying hands upon her and discovering that the children she carried were less than human. 

“Tell the healer he may go.” She blurted out, hoping the maid couldn’t hear the panic that was rapidly overtaking her. “I’m feeling well this morning.”

The maid’s eyes darted up to meet hers in surprise, her lips parted slightly as she considered the order. “But …”

She shook her head firmly. “I’m sure there are others with more pressing need. The healer may go.” She insisted.

To her frustration the maid shook her head slightly, stepping closer. She froze, watching the maid approach warily. After a few steps the maid paused. “My lady, he …” The maid hesitated before slowly reaching up, tracing some invisible object around her neck. 

It took her a long moment to realize what the woman was getting at. 

A collar. 

The healer wore the King’s collar . 

She felt her panic return two fold, dizziness washing over her as she shook her head firmly. “No. I … I’m quite tired yet. Tell the healer I will see him later.” She practically pleaded.

The maid watched in dismay as she fled back to her bed, burying herself back under the covers. She heard the other woman sigh softly and then retreat. Squeezing her eyes closed she prayed the woman would do as she asked. She couldn’t … she wouldn’t let anyone associated with the King touch her. 

Strong, sure footsteps rang out against the marble flooring, pausing as they reached the threshold to her room. She tugged the blankets tighter about herself, praying the other would simply see her asleep and leave. 

A gasp was startled out of her as the footsteps moved closer and then the bed suddenly dipped. Her heart dropped as realized the other had perched themselves on the edge of her bed. 

Cool fingertips brushed against her forehead, lingering near the pinched corner of her eye. 

“Don’t touch me.” She snarled, jerking away from the other. 

A familiar huff made her freeze in surprise. “That will make things more difficult but if that is what you’d prefer …”

Her eyes flew open and she pushed away from the larger form perched next to her, gasping as her hand slipped off the edge of the bed, upsetting her balance. To her relief strong hands caught her, helping to pull her back to safety. 

“Zayne …” She whispered, reaching up to press a hand to his chest, gently pushing him back so that she could get a good look at him, to assure herself that he was real. 

Zayne pulled back, his emerald gaze searching as he took her in as well. 

The cold glitter of silver about his neck caught her attention and she grimaced, scowling at it. “Why?” She demanded, pushing angrily at him, frustration bubbling up within her that yet another person she trusted had given themselves to the King’s service. 

Zayne shook his head, rising to put some distance between them as the maid returned, settling a tray at the foot of the bed before slipping away at Zayne’s dismissal. 

“Would you rather I have chosen the alternative?” He asked dryly. “Sit up.”

She scowled but obeyed, allowing him to peel away the covers so that he may check her over more thoroughly. 

“The Captain reported that you had been experiencing sickness and some pain since he found you. Is that correct?” Zayne inquired, his voice settling into a pattern that allowed no nonsense from difficult patients. 

She sighed, allowing him to lift her arm, his fingers settling upon the pulse points of her wrist. “Yes.” She forced out, knowing that once he was focused in this way there would be no putting him off until he was assured he had ferreted out every little ache and pain.

He was quiet for a long while, tracking the steady thudding of her pulse before nodding to himself and releasing her wrist. 

“Any lingering aftereffects from the wave?” He asked, his fingers prodding at her joints, testing her range of motion. 

She shook her head. “No. I was bruised and achy for a time but it cleared up.”

Zayne nodded, letting his hands slip down to settle gently upon her stomach. 

Silence fell between them as he worked, feeling along her skin, humming thoughtfully on occasion as he took stock of her tense muscles, tugging and kneading upon them here and there. 

When he finally sat back, he turned slightly as though to reach for the little notebook he had used to keep track of his patients. A soft laugh slipped out of her as he paused, realizing they were no longer back in their little village and his notebook was probably lost forever.

“So … will I live?” She asked, forcing a note of humor into her tone. 

Zayne’s gaze met hers seriously as he nodded affirmatively. “It would appear so.”

Her fingers twisted against the soft fabric of her sleeping gown. “Thanks.” She finally offered. “For … helping me hide after the wave.”

Zayne shook his head, rising and moving towards the end of the bed where the tray still sat. 

She waited as he carried it over to her, reaching out to take it as he once more perched on the edge of the bed, watching as she peered down at the plate before her, relieved to find it bereft of eggs. After watching the King feast upon the firebird chick the night before she suspected it would be a good long while before she would be able to bring herself to stomach eggs again. 

“And the Bai Ze …?” She began, intending to ask him if he had saved it as well but, to her surprise Zayne’s hand came down upon her arm, squeezing it tightly. She met his gaze, finding it guarded as he shook his head. 

“It’s best we not speak of that here.” He murmured softly. 

Her gaze dropped down to the collar and she nodded slowly, noting the warning threaded through his tone. 

As she picked at her food under Zayne’s watchful gaze she heard the sound of something tapping in the sitting room beyond. She blinked up as she heard the maid’s soft voice, greeting someone. A moment later a larger form darkened the doorway to her bedroom, Caleb’s gaze narrowing dangerously as he paused, realizing she was not alone. 

“Good morning.” She offered, handing the tray off to Zayne, relieved when he took it and rose, putting some distance between them. 

The tightness in Caleb’s shoulders lessened as Zayne moved away, though his gaze remained hard and displeased as it flicked back towards her. 

“The King desires your company.” He grit out, clearly disliking the King’s continued interest in her. 

At her side Zayne paused, his hands hovering over the tray. She swallowed, fisting her own hands. “And if I told him I was too tired?” She demanded, meeting Caleb’s gaze evenly. 

Caleb shook his head, affirming her fear that the King was not to be put off. 

She sighed, pushing herself back off the bed. “Alright. I’ll see if I can find something …” Her voice trailed off as she noticed the maid slipping in behind Caleb, something cradled in her hands. 

She waved off Caleb and Zayne, watching as the maid shut the door behind them, giving her some privacy to change. To her relief this new dress was light and flowing, its fabric settling gently about her rather than seeking to constrict her as the dress from the evening before had tried to do. She held still as the maid tugged upon the dove-gray fabric assuring that it hung just so. Along the edges of the lace fat pearls glimmered, their weight tugging it down straight so that it wouldn’t curl along the edges. 

She once again refused the offered jewelry that came with it, relieved when the maid finally relented, setting the bejewelled items aside before pinning a ridiculous spray of feather into her hair. 

As she drifted out into the sitting room she noted that only Caleb remained. He rose as she approached, his gaze flicking over her before offering her his arm. 

“What does the King want from me now?” She dared to ask, slipping her hands along the stiff, starched fabric of his jacket. 

Caleb shook his head. “No idea. But he’s asked me to accompany you both so whatever it is, I’ll be right behind you.” He sought to assure her. 

She sighed, following as they slipped free of her newly minted cage and made their way down the heavily guarded hallway. 

“Are you going back to the house at night?” She inquired. “Or are you still stuck here too?”

“There’s no reason for me to go back there.” He replied, his voice carefully neutral. 

Her fingers tightened at the finality of his tone, a bit of shame washing through her as she realized that she was the thing tying him to the Palace now. Her mind flicked back to the way she had first reacted when he had presented to her the home he had made, the way the hesitant hope that she would appreciate what he had built had died when she’d scolded him for his choices. 

“Thank you.” She offered, knowing it was far too little, far too late. “Maybe one day we can go back there …”

Caleb gave no indication of what he thought of her small peace offering as they drew to a stop before the door to what she assumed was the King’s suite. 

The guard at the door stepped aside, allowing Caleb to push the door open with a sharp knock, stepping aside himself to allow her to enter first. Drawing in a deep breath she moved forward, her hands fisted in the flowing fabric of her dress as she scanned the room, searching for the King. 

She found him leaning against the open doorway of the balcony, the light glimmering along the copper strands of his hair as he seemed to enjoy the warmth of the morning sun upon his skin. 

The King turned slightly as Caleb stepped past her, the heel of his boot clicking loudly against the floor as he cut a quick bow. She dipped into an equally quick curtsey as the King’s gaze settled upon them, proud that she was better balanced with this one than she was the night before. 

“Ah, the star crossed lovers, come to pay their respects.” The King murmured, chuckling softly to himself as he pushed away from the door ledge. 

Her gaze immediately fixed upon the cane he clutched in his right hand, noting how heavily he leaned upon it. 

“I hope you slept well last night, my dear. You seemed rather … distressed after dinner.” He continued, his golden gaze seeking as he studied her. 

She shrugged, forcing herself to affect an air of indifference. “I’m afraid it was all a bit too much for me. Sometimes things don’t agree with my current condition.” She offered airily. 

The King laughed softly, his gaze flicking towards Caleb. “A pity.” He murmured. She watched as he turned, stepping out onto the balcony, a frown tugging at her lips as she noted the slow, almost pained way he moved. 

“Come, it is a delightful morning. Walk with me.” The King demanded, reaching out with his free hand. 

She dared a quick glance at Caleb who nodded shallowly before gathering her nerve and stepping out onto the balcony and next to the King. 

As she settled her hands upon his proffered arm she noticed the warm glint of the red gem set upon the bracelet about his wrist. The King shifted, causing his sleeve to slip forward, hiding it from her gaze. She glanced up at him through her lashes but could not tell if he had done that on purpose or it had simply been a coincidence. 

“You’ll have to forgive my slowness.” The King offered, leading her towards the edge of the balcony and the three shallow steps that led down to a dirt pathway. “Sometimes the years begin to catch up to me.” 

She kept her silence, simply doing her best to keep her own stride slow and shallow as the King led them into the carefully maintained garden. 

They wandered silently for a short time, the King seemingly content to simply enjoy the quiet of the morning while she did her best to remain as unobtrusive as possible. She was aware of Caleb shadowing their steps and that leant her some measure of calm. 

Eventually the King guided them both to a marble bench, its sides weathered by time. She forced herself to remain close to the King’s side as he slowly lowered himself down upon it, his knuckles turning pale as he braced himself against the cane, clearly struggling to maintain his balance as he sat. She wondered about that. By every measure he appeared young and in good health and yet today that act of walking seemed to sap his strength. 

Had he been injured by something?

Her gaze flicked towards Caleb but, to her frustration he had stopped at the entrance to the quiet little alcove, his back to them as he stood, blocking the path from any who might wander upon them. 

“You managed to find yourself quite the protector.” The King offered, his gaze following hers. “Given the right tools and direction, our dear Captain has carved out quite a name for himself.”

She tore her gaze away from Caleb’s back, fixing it upon a patch of grass to her right. Among the grass were small brilliant blue flowers scattered about. “What are those?” She inquired, desperate to get the King’s focus off of Caleb. 

“Hmm?” The man at her side hummed. 

She gestured towards the flowers with her chin, watching with surprise as the King’s gaze seemed to soften. 

“Ah. They’re known as Forget Me Nots.” He offered, his hands flexing slightly upon the cane. 

She studied the small blue flowers more closely struck by how out of place they seemed among the ruthless perfection of the garden around them. 

“They were a favorite of my most recent wife.” The King replied, his gaze following the path of flowers as they disappeared around the trunk of weeping willow. “The gardeners would root them out but she’d sneak around to toss more seeds about while they were busy elsewhere.” He chuckled softly, shaking his head at some memory. “Eventually we gave up trying to tame them.”

“They were her favorite?” She pressed, curious at his use of the past tense.

The King’s features hardened as he rose. “Yes. Were.” He confirmed vaguely. “Come along. There is something I wish to show you before we return.”

He did not offer her his arm again so she followed behind him quietly, turning over that bit of information. She wondered if that was who the empty seat to the King’s right at the dinner table had been reserved for. 

She followed him quietly, her gaze flicking curiously towards a thick iron fencing that began to run along the pathway next to them. Beyond it large hedges blocked her view. Slowly they came upon a gate, a pair of guards stationed along it, their weapons drawn. 

Behind her Caleb suddenly stilled. “Your Majesty …” He began to protest but fell silent as the King raised his hand warningly. 

“Enough, Captain.” The King replied, his voice gone hard. “She came all of this way to see it, what kind of host would I be to not indulge her curiosity?” 

She hesitated warily as the guards pulled open the gate, stepping aside to allow them to enter. 

Beyond the gate she could see a broad pathway, one she had been walking in her dreams ever since Caleb had brought her back to the City. She swallowed nervously, daring to step closer to the threshold. She paused as she felt a familiar Evol brush against her legs. 

Before her the King had stilled, watching her. “Well come along, there is much to see.” He urged, his voice threaded with amusement at her sudden nervousness. 

Daring a glance back at Caleb who remained firmly outside of the gate she forced herself to continue moving, pushing through the thick Evol and nearly stumbling as it clung to her for a long moment before releasing her as she passed through it fully and into the labyrinth. 

If the King noticed her discomfort he didn’t show it, simply turning and continuing along the broad path. She caught up to him easily enough, pacing alongside him as they drifted deeper into the maze of hedges. She could feel the other from her dreams stirring somewhere up ahead, his Evol strangely muted compared to what it had felt like before. Was he sleeping? She wondered. 

Any thoughts of the other were pushed from her mind as the King suddenly stopped, directing her attention to the cage set into a large alcove to their left. 

She dared to drift closer to it, gasping as the little lizard trapped within suddenly burst into flames, charging at them threateningly. 

The King laughed softly, his hand resting low upon her back to still her as she jerked back in shock. “The salamander is quite a fierce little thing, isn’t it?” He offered. “Quite fitting for a physical manifestation of the element of fire.” The King turned, his fingers brushing against her lower back as he moved further down the main pathway. She hurried to catch up to him, gazing down each branch, studying the fantastical creatures that watched them pass by. 

This is it . She realized as excitement began to thread through her veins. The labyrinth she had been dreaming about was the menagerie. 

They quietly walked among the cages and fenced in areas, though, to her frustration, none held the one mythical creature she desired to see. 

Her steps slowed as they passed by a large enclosure, the creature within moving strangely. It was lion-like in appearance, and, if it had been at full strength, she suspected it would look quite fierce. Now, however, it dragged its hind legs as it struggled its way towards the small pool of water near the back of its enclosure. 

“This one is hurt.” She pointed out, turning to watch as the King paused, his gaze flicking towards the panting creature. 

“Yes. I’m afraid it won’t last much longer. A pity.” The King replied, shaking his head. “I’ll send our dear Captain out to obtain a new one once this one has breathed its last.”

“Surely something can be done to help it.” She insisted, moving closer to the wooden fence to get a better look at the creature. 

It turned its head, baring yellowed fangs at her as she approached, seeking to warn her off even in its weakened state. As it did so the light caught upon the crude silver collar about its neck. She paused, pulling back slightly as she thought back to all of the creatures they had just passed. They had all possessed a silver band of some kind. The same as the one Rafayel had been forced to wear. 

The same as the one Caleb’s own men had tried to force upon her before Caleb and Xavier had intervened as well. 

“You’re draining them.” She whispered, realization flooding through her as she turned, meeting the King’s gaze. “That’s why it’s so weak.”

The King smiled coldly. “Come along, we’re almost there.” He replied. 

Swallowing thickly she forced herself to continue after him. 

The King took her down a pathway that cut off to the right. She glanced behind her, trying to memorize the route back out again before following. She watched as the pathway slowly opened up before them, sloping down to a still pond. She stilled as the King stepped up onto a wooden dock of sorts, gesturing her closer. 

“I recently lost the last of my Lemurians.” The King offered as she slowly crept closer, making her heart leap. “A shame as they can be ever so useful in a variety of ways. Fortunately your village had one to spare to replace her, though sadly, this one has been less than obedient.”

Her gaze flickered over the still waters, unable to make out even a shadow beneath the surface. 

“Perhaps you might assist with that.” The King offered, startling her with how close he had come without her noticing. She tried to put some distance between them but froze, realizing she was trapped between him and the still waters. 

“I … I doubt that.” She stuttered, her gaze flicking nervously to the edge she was precariously balanced upon.

“Oh? You must have some experiences with their kind. Having grown up so close to them and all.” The King insisted, watching her closely. 

“I stayed away from the water.” She insisted. 

The King hummed thoughtfully, his gaze narrowing as he considered her words. “Surely your village taught you to swim.”

She shook her head negatively, wishing he would back up, to give her a little space. 

“Interesting.” The King mused. 

Her heart leapt into her throat as he reached out, running his fingers along the scarred mark Rafayel had left upon her neck. 

“Let’s see what happens then.” He replied, his voice chilling as he stepped forward. 

She gasped, her fingers curling as she tried to grab onto his wrist, to drag him down with her as his power slammed into her, knocking her off balance. She plunged into the cold water, the breath stolen from her lungs as it closed in overtop of her. 

For a terrifying minute she was back in the village, trapped under the terrible wave Rafayel had sent crashing down upon them in his rage. But this time she was not being jerked here and there by a crazed current, in fact the waters were strangely still as she began to sink, allowing her to right herself as she flailed, struggling to reach the surface. 

Her dress tangled about her legs, making it difficult to kick as the weight of the drenched fabric tried to drag her back down. Still, she could see the bright flicker of sunlight on the water above and she struggled towards it, determined to reach the surface. 

She was nearly there when hands closed about her waist, startling her. She twisted, struggling against the hold as it suddenly thrust her upwards, allowing her head and shoulders to break the surface. She spluttered, brushing water from her nose and mouth as she sucked in deep lungfuls of air. The hands about her waist tugged her back, the familiar sensation of a scaled tail brushing against the backs of legs as she allowed Rafayel to support her weight as she focused on getting breath back into her body. 

“Well now, isn’t this fascinating." The King drawled. "He's killed more than a few of my men and yet it seems my newest acquisition prefers to keep you alive rather than dragging you down to your death like he has with the others. How ... lucky for you. ” 

She panted, glaring up at the man watching them from the wooden dock. 

The King’s eyes hardened dangerously as Rafayel pulled her back further, putting more distance between them. 

“It seems he is more familiar with you than you would like me to believe.” The King stated, his hands flexing upon the cane as Rafayel cradled her against himself, a low warning growl rumbling in his chest. 

She kept her silence, knowing there was nothing she could say to salvage the situation. 

Finally the King shook his head, turning away to slowly pick his way back towards the narrow pathway they had come down. “I’ll leave the two of you to become reacquainted.” He offered over his shoulder. “When you grow weary of his attention you may stay with the monsters or find your way back to civilization. I shall leave the choice up to you.” He pausing at the top of the gentle rise, turning to peer back at her. “Do try not to get yourself eaten in the meantime. I fear our dear Captain would never survive such grim news.”

She shuddered, turning to bury her face against Rafayel’s chest as the King left them both alone.

She allowed Rafayel to carry them both to the far edge of the pond. She drug herself up onto the soft grass, coughing out the remains of pond water from her lungs as Rafayel hauled himself up next to her. He hesitantly reached out, gently brushing his fingers over her back and arms as she slowly lowered herself down upon the ground, peering up at him wearily. 

“We need to get out of here.” She murmured, resting her hand upon her stomach, drawing his attention to their brood. 

He hummed softly, his fingers fanning out over the gentle swell of her stomach. She felt him reach out, much the same as she had done earlier, touching the children she carried. She felt him nudge the quiet sixth, receiving a faint, excited flutter from it as it recognized him before he pulled away. 

“That one worries me.” She admitted softly, pressing her hand down upon where it rested.

Rafayel shook his head, his gaze turning somber. “Not all of our eggs survive.” He admitted, shifting so that his fins could fan out next to her. “It is why we carry so many at one time.”

“I don’t want to lose any of them.” She growled, surprised at the flash of protective temper that his words sparked within her. 

Rafayel too seemed a bit taken aback by the heat of her response, his hand hovering between them for a moment before settling upon the grass as he shook his head. “If you wish them to survive, you need to leave this place. Now.” He insisted. 

“And go where?” She demanded. “Back to the village? They’ll string me up and toss me into the sea over what happened.”

Rafayel tsked, his features hardening at the mention of her village. She watched as he reached down, his sharp nails catching upon a scale at his waist. She gasped, sitting up in concern as he plucked the scale free with a sharp jerk of his hand, a bead of bright blood welling up from where it had sat. 

“What are you …” Her words halted as Rafayel’s fingers came up and he slipped the scale between her lips. She yelped in shock as his hand gripped her chin, forcing her head back as he held her jaw closed. 

“Swallow.” He demanded, his voice dropping into a growl as he held her still despite her attempts to break free of his grasp. 

She thrashed in his hold for a few minutes before finally slumping in exhaustion. Glaring at him angrily she did as he demanded, wincing as the sharp edges of the scale seemed to catch on sensitive flesh on the way down. 

He held her still for a moment longer before finally releasing her. 

She jerked back, her hand catching about her stinging throat as she glared at him. 

“What he hell was that, Rafayel?” She snarled at him. 

He met her furious gaze evenly, his large dorsal fin half raising as his chin tilted upwards. “It will allow you to call for help from my people.” He replied simply, the edges of his tail snaking through the grass, the only hint of his own growing temper. “They will take you to safety and assist with the eggs.”

She huffed, shaking her head. “I’m not leaving without you.” She snapped. “We walk out of here together or not at all.”

“Then you risk the lives of our brood.” He growled, his own temper finally slipping its leash. 

She shook her head. “There must be some way. You’re the God of the Sea right? Surely you can break that thing off so we can get out of here.”

Rafayel hissed in frustration, his dorsal fin flattening as he shook his head. “I cannot.” He admitted, his sharp nails scraping against the collar about his neck. “No matter what I’ve tried, nothing weakens it.”

She frowned. “But you were able to melt the spear back on the beach when Caleb’s men wounded you.” She reminded him.

Rafayel sighed, resignation creasing his brow. “Yes. But this is something different. I cannot melt it, nor can I rend it.”

She crept closer, reaching up to run her own fingers over the thing. She winced as she felt the annoying hum of the King’s Evol. It lashed out at her as she pushed against it with her own Evol, seeking to bury tiny ephemeral hooks into her power. She yelped as Rafayel shoved her back, breaking her connection with the thing and keeping the King’s hooks from sinking into her. 

Shuddering, she wrapped her arms about herself. “There has to be something we can do.” She whispered. 

Rafayel shook his head, reaching out to urge her closer. She allowed him to tug her to him, tucking her beneath his larger form as his tail curled about her. She saw the faintest flicker of flame above her and then the air about them warmed, soothing her shivering as her soaked dress began to dry. 

She blinked in surprise as she felt Rafayel nuzzle his cheek against the top of her head before settling his chin upon her crown. 

“Rest now.” He urged her, his hands closing about hers. 

She frowned, disliking the slight hint of command in his voice but she couldn’t stop the exhaustion that seemed to well up within her now that she felt safe with Rafayel’s strong form wrapped so tightly about her. 

“You too.” She insisted.

A soft chuckle met her demand. “Later.” Rafayel murmured, his lips ghosting over her hair. “For now I’ll keep watch while you sleep.”

Her protest faded as the warmth of his fire and the strength of his arms about her lured her into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Chapter Text

She stirred, the transition from sleep to wakefulness an agonizingly slow one. However, she had to admit, this was the first time in a long time she had woken feeling so refreshed. 

She lay on her back, her fingers threading through the thin strands of the grass beneath her as she stared up at the sky above. It was almost painfully blue, unmarred by clouds. She frowned slightly. It was winter and yet the air about her was warm, as though it were late spring instead. 

Sitting up she peered about. The alcove appeared empty, the crushed grass at her side the only hint that she had not been fully alone. Her hand came down on something and she lifted it up, eyeing the single flower that had somehow come to lay next to her.

“Rafayel?” She called out, tucking her legs beneath her as she glanced back up.

Silence met her call, setting her nerves singing as she rose, drifting closer to the edge of the pool. Her reflection peered back at her, starling her. 

The feathers that the maid had so carefully pinned into her hair were twisted and tangled in the drying strands. Her dress at least had fared better, though it too was now wrinkled, the lace at the bottom slightly torn. 

Plucking the feathers from her hair and tossing them aside, she ghosted around the edge of the pond, keeping an eye on the still waters as she made her way back to the pier. To her surprise, the waters remained still, the glassy surface reflecting the sky above and giving her no indication of whether or not she were truly alone. 

Huffing in annoyance she began to pick her way up the gentle slope, pausing as she stepped on to the cobblestone pathway. 

She and the King had come from her left, she was sure of it. 

“Stay with the monsters or find your way back to civilization.” The King had told her. Like he wasn’t worse than anything trapped within this place. 

Gathering her skirts in her hands, she began to walk towards the left. The hedges rose high on either side of her, blocking out the slowly descending sun, making the shadows run long as they crept across the pathway. She paused, shivering at the memory of those shadows reaching for her in her dreams. 

Perhaps ... she mused ... perhaps she should head back ...

She turned, heading back the way she came. 

It only took her a handful of steps to begin to realize something was wrong. 

She stared at the alcove that now blocked her path, a curious hoofed creature with pale wings that she was sure she had never seen before staring back her nervously. She had been walking a straight line since she had left the pond. There had been no turns, no deviation from the pathway. And yet now, somehow, the path back had dead ended. 

“Alright ...” She murmured, eyeing the statue of a raging bull perched atop the fountain at the end of the pathway to her left, it’s sharp horns pointed towards her as it stood frozen mid-charge. 

She turned back, glancing down the pathway behind her. It appeared exactly as it had been when she had just walked it. And yet ...

Sighing, she sat down, considering her options. 

Somehow the pathway had changed without her noticing it.

And now she was unsure of how to find her way back to Rafayel’s pond, let alone her way to the entrance. 

She watched as the shadows crept further down the pathway as the sun continued to sink downwards towards the horizon. Drawing in a deep breath she closed her eyes forcing herself to calm down, to focus. 

She felt something stir, a deep, lazy rumbling, as though something to her left was waking. Not particularly wanting to draw its attention, she skirted around it, seeking further outwards. Tiny pinpricks of power flickered as she ghosted over them, some pulling away skittishly, others glittering threateningly. 

Finally, she found what she sought. 

Pushing herself up off the ground she dusted bits of stone from her dress, turning to her right and following not the path but rather the incessant tug of Rafayel’s Evol. 

A few minutes later she started as something hoped down off a stone ledge, shying away as the thing straightened, practically towering over her. 

Rafayel paused, head cocked as he watched her jerk away. 

“You startled me.” She snapped, pressing a hand to her heart as she urged it to slow. 

He hummed, glancing around them. “You left.” He stated, his face taking on a petulant look as he refocused on her.  

She shrugged. “You weren’t there when I woke.” She pointed out. 

He tsked, arms folded as he stared down at her. “I was gathering food. For when you woke up.” He informed her, his chin tilting up defiantly.

She hesitated, a bit chagrined. 

“Um, thanks.” She murmured, glancing about them. “I guess we kind of lost the pond though.”

Rafayel snorted, his lips curling slightly as he reached out, catching her hand in his own. “Come on.” He urged, tugging gently at her hand as he led her down a narrow, grassy path between the stone walls and tall hedges. 

She followed along, cocking her head as he paused at a crossway, his face tilting upwards as he considered something before nodding to himself and cutting to the left. 

“How are you finding your way?” She inquired when it became obvious that he was somehow sure of where he was going. 

“I can smell the water.” He offered with a quick shrug. 

She paused, considering his words. “The labyrinth can change, can’t it?” 

He shrugged, a faint frown tugging at his lips. “I don’t think this place itself is changing ... rather something within is confusing us.”

The small pathway suddenly dumped them out on the main path. To her right was the pond. To the left, the cobblestone trail she was sure she had walked with the King. 

“Hmm.” She hummed thoughtfully, thinking back to the shadows in her dreams, the way they had nipped at her heels, as though they were alive. Could the confusion be caused by the one she had dreamed about?

Rafayel led her down to the small wooden pier that jutted out over the water, gesturing to a pile of random food laid out on gauzy sash. 

“I didn’t know what you wanted.” Rafayel offered, his voice turning shyly hesitant. 

She forced a smile, sinking down next to the small pile. She hadn’t eaten breakfast, but her nerves were still causing her stomach to roil, making the thought of food distasteful but Rafayel seemed pleased with his efforts, and she supposed it wouldn’t hurt to try. 

She picked through the pile, plucking up a fruit that looked similar enough to the ones she and Caleb had used to nick from the local merchants. She brushed some small grains from its surface, pausing as she realized something. 

“Did you ... steal these from the other creatures?” She asked incredulously. 

Rafayel shrugged, sinking down onto the dock across from her, his arms folded defensively. “Be quick or starve.” He replied airily. 

She chuckled, biting into the fruit. To her relief the sweetness reignited her appetite and once she finished it she pawed through Rafayel’s offering, plucking a few other recognizable bits out. She noticed Rafayel watching her, an amused look on his face. Flushing slightly, she nudged the pile towards him. 

He scrunched up his nose, shaking his head in disgust. 

“What? It’s good enough for me but not for you?” She asked, daring to tease him. 

Rafayel hesitated, clearly not picking up on her tone. He slowly began to reach for a reddish fruit but she shook her head. “It was a joke” She offered, watching as relief flashed over his face and he let his hand fall away.

“So ... what’s the plan on getting out of this City and back to the Sea?” She inquired, glancing up at the darkening sky. 

Rafayel shook his head. “First we must find a way out of this place.”

She stared at the stone wall that towered over the edge of the pool considering their dilemma. “You could, what did you say? Smell the water here? That allowed you to find your way back.”

Rafayel nodded. 

“Can you smell any water outside of this place? I remember seeing a fountain in front of the palace.” She pushed. 

Rafayel paused, considering her words. She laughed as she watched his nose twitch. His gaze narrowed playfully, and he turned his face up and away from her. “Don’t distract me.” He demanded.

Shaking her head she gathered the rest of the gathered food, tucking it away safely in the sash. “Well?”

He sighed and shook his head. “If there is water out there, I can’t sense it.”

“Oh.” She sighed, pushing herself back up. She winced at a twinge of pain on her lower left side. 

“What is it?” Rafayel pushed, hovering next to her, all playfulness suddenly gone. 

She pressed her hand against the spot, breathing through the twinge. “It's nothing.” She grit out. “Just ... something that happens now and then.”

Rafayel reached out, brushing his hand against the back of hers. She watched as his long fingers curled over her own hand, the warmth of his palm seeping into her skin as he pushed down firmly, helping to stabilize the area. Her lips parted as he shifted, his chest and hip brushing against her back, his breath ghosting over her temple as he bent over her slightly, perhaps to get a better look at where she hurt. 

Suddenly she was very, very aware of how thin the fabric of her dress was. 

Forcing in a deep breath she straightened, doing her best to appear unphased as she stepped out of his reach, resisting the urge to tug at her dress to assure herself she was properly covered. “Alright, so you can’t sense anything outside of this place.” She glanced at the silver collar about his neck. “What if ... we found a way to get that thing off?”

Rafayel shrugged, his finger tapping against it thoughtfully as he watched her put some distance between them.

She sighed, peering about them. 

“How does the King finding his way around here?” She wondered idly.

Rafayel growled softly at the mention of the King, his eyes narrowing in annoyance. 

“He must have a way ...” She continued, glancing at the collar about Rafayel’s neck once more before suddenly freezing. “Wait ... everything in here has one of those things on them, right?”

Rafayel cocked his head, nodding.

“That's what I thought.” She murmured, thinking back to all of the creatures they had passed. They had all possessed a band of silver of some kind. 

As had ... “Caleb.” She whispered, her heart skipping a bit as something dawned on her. “He made Caleb come with us but left him at the entrance.” She realized. “It’s the collars. He’s sensing the collars to make his way around, just like you can sense the water.”

Rafayel took a step back, a finger pressed against his lips as he followed her reasoning. “Perhaps ...”

“Can you sense the collars?” She pressed. 

Rafayel shook his head. “Not like this.”

She sighed, setting the food back away from the pond. “So we’re back to how to get that thing off of you.” She sat back down, wrapping her arms about her knees as she considered things. “If we get it off of you, off of everyone ... we might be able to lure the King in here and make a break for it while he’s trapped.”

Rafayel sank down next to her, his fingers flexing. “The King has been taking my people. He must be dealt with.” He replied firmly. “Then we shall return to my island ... where I should have taken you in the first place .”

She noticed the sharp gaze he cast her way and chuckled, running her fingers through the grass between them. “Where would the fun have been in that?" She teased.

Her breath caught in her throat as Rafayel leaned closer, his shoulder and arm brushing against her own. 

“I know you did not wish to leave your village.” Rafayel offered, his gaze fixed firmly on the still pond before them. “But there are other humans on the island. None of them have complained about living there. I think you will come to like it.”

She frowned at his words. “How many people have you taken to this island of yours?” She demanded, turning to stare up at him. 

Rafayel shrugged, considering her words. “Six or seven.” He offered. 

She scowled, glaring out over the pond aware of Rafayel’s gaze as he studied her expression. 

“This ... displeases you?” He asked. 

She shook her head, forcing herself up so that she could put some distance between them. “It’s none of my business.” She grit out, brushing her hand over her stomach.

To her annoyance Rafayel also rose, pacing after her. 

“Why does it bother you that there are other humans there?” He pressed. 

She huffed out a breath, shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter ...”

“It does.” He insisted, reaching out to catch her arm, forcing her to remain close to him. 

“Look,” She began, staring up at him. “I get it, alright. This is all some kind of ... transaction ... between us. But it doesn’t mean that I want to hang out with all the other sacrifices you’ve made deals with, all right?” She sighed, shaking her head. “I’ll go to this island of yours and stay until we’ve decided what to do about our children. Then you can bring me back here and I'll figure it out from there.”

To her frustration Rafayel’s hand tightened on her arm, stilling her when she tried to pace away. She watched as his gaze turned distant, his eyes narrowing slightly as he seemed to mull what she had said. 

“You think that I have made the same agreement with the others as I have with you?” He finally stated, his gaze refocusing on her.

She flushed slightly, tugging useless at her trapped arm. “Well ... yeah.” She replied, dredging up the last vestiges of her courage. “That demand of yours, the whole ‘give us a child or I’ll destroy your village’ speech seemed pretty practiced.” 

Rafayel growled softly as he stepped closer, his breath hot upon her face. “It was a fair trade.”  

“I didn’t say it wasn’t.” She bit back, watching as he pulled back slightly, surprised by the heat in her voice.

They glared at one another for a long moment before Rafayel sighed, shaking his head. “Your village wouldn’t offer up a child.” He groused. “If they had, I would have taken the child to be raised on the island ... as I had with all the others.”

She blinked in surprise. “You ... don’t drown them?” She asked hesitantly. 

Rafayel’s face twisted in horrified surprise. “Of course not.” He snapped. “Unlike your people we do not murder the young.”

She felt her mouth open and close, unable to voice the thoughts that were suddenly running through her head. “So all of this ...” She brushed a hand over her stomach. 

Rafayel shrugged, though she couldn’t help but notice the faint flush that colored the tips of his ears. “Your village didn’t seem to want to give up a child and I ...” He hesitated, glancing down and away from her, as though embarrassed, “You struggled to free yourself for hours ... I didn’t want to kill you along with the rest of the village. So I thought ... maybe a different way would be better ...” His voice petered off, the bridge of his nose brightening as he began to pull away from her slightly. 

It was her turn to catch his arm, keeping him from fleeing. “So this whole egg thing wasn’t a usual occurence?” She demanded. 

Rafayel shook his head, his hair falling forward to partially hide his eyes as he continued to avoid her gaze. 

She brought a hand up, pressing it against her lips. “I don’t understand.” She finally said, staring at him pointedly. “Why would you do that ... with me ?”

Rafayel turned slightly, meeting her gaze evenly. “You fought.” He replied simply. 

“I thought I was going to drown in the rising tide ... or you were going to tear me up like you did to those sailors the night before.” She pointed out. 

Rafayel nodded slowly. “Yes but the other sacrifices ... they don’t fight like that. Some struggled for a short time but in the end they all gave up. You didn’t. I didn’t want to end your life on the beach after you had tried so hard. And I thought ...” He hesitated, as though unsure that he wanted to continue. 

“Thought what?” She pressed. 

Rafayel sighed, his chin dipping slightly. “I thought it would make us a good match. That it would make our children strong.”

She let her hand slip down from her lips, rubbing the side of her neck, the scar he had left upon it smooth under her hand. “You don’t even know me.” She pointed out.

Rafayel stepped closer, his fingertips grazing over her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze ... to drown in it as he leaned forward, his breath ghosting over her lips. 

“I do.” He murmured. 

She gasped, breathing him in as his lips brushed over hers, sending a shiver throughout her. Her hands came up, grasping his arms as he pulled her closer, his lips pressing more firmly against her own. 

“Rafayel ...” She murmured, her words cutting off as she felt his tongue flick into her mouth, brushing against her own. She pressed harder against him, shivering as he kissed her.

His free hand brush downwards, pawing at the fabric of her bodice until it slipped down. She shivered as felt the cool air tickle against her exposed breast. A moment later it was enveloped in Rafayel’s hand, his thumb sending sharp flicks of delicious pain though her as it playing against her nipple. 

She broke their kiss with a gasp, glancing down to watch as Rafayel’s thumb worked small circles over her areola, making it ache deliciously. 

“Rafayel ...” She tried again, her hand sliding down to wrap about his wrist. 

He spared her a wicked smirk before sweeping her up, making her squeal in surprise as he gently laid her back against the grass, splayed out beneath him. She buried her fingers in his hair as his face dipped down, his teeth skimming over her exposed breast. She arched as he caught her sensitive nipple between his teeth, tugging on it playfully. 

“Knock it off.” She demanded breathlessly. 

Rafayel chuckled, giving it a quick lick before blowing on it, making it pebble beneath his ministrations. 

Any further thoughts were banished from her mind as he caught the hem of her dress, pushing it up past her swollen stomach. She gasped as he settled between her legs, the tips of his fingers brushing over her folds, mimicking the way she dipped her own fingers between his scales when they had lay hidden in their little cave by her village, seeking for his own hidden secrets. 

Her back arched as his thumb brushed against her clit, crying out in surprise. It had been so long since he had touched her like this that she had forgotten how it felt ...

Rafayel chuckled, pressing down slowly, watching as she began to writhe, unsure as to whether or not she wanted to pull back to escape from the painful pleasure he was giving her or push harder against him to get more. 

She let her head fall back, her eyes falling closed as he rubbed small circles around the delicate flesh of the hood that protected her clit, his fingertips occasionally brushing against the tiny bundle of nerves, sending small shockwaves through her. 

“More ...” She breathed, allowing her legs to fall further apart, making room for him. 

She heard him shift but kept her eyes closed, too overwhelmed to fully process what was happening. She felt Rafayel’s fingers spreading her open a moment before something firm and wet pressed against her clit, his tongue sliding roughly over it. She cried out hoarsely at the sensation, trying to slide back away from it but Rafayel’s other hand caught her hip, jerking her back into place and trapping her beneath him as he licked against her clit a second time. 

She thrashed, drowning in pleasure. She was so overwhelmed by the sensations running wild through her that she almost missed the feel of two of his fingers slipping into her body, pushing deep inside of her. She sobbed, her hips jerking in time to the thrusting of his fingers. Peeling open her eyes she peered down, watching as he continued to devour her, his tongue teasing her clit free from its hiding place so that he could lave it with attention, his fingers forcing their way inside of her again and again, reminding her of the demanding thrusts of his cock. She let her head fall back, staring up at the darkening sky as pleasure coursed through her body. She felt his sharp teeth ghost over her clit and she stiffened, her body going tense as Rafayel coaxed her over the edge. 

She was aware of the strange, almost keening cries that were ripped from her throat as Rafayel’s fingers fucked her through her orgasm, forcing every last drop of pleasure from her before finally allowing her body to collapse back on the grass. 

She panted, her heart pounding frantically in her chest as Rafayel sat back, peering down at her with a look of deep self-satisfaction.

Swallowing she reached down, pushing her hand against the prominent bulge trapped beneath the gauzy fabric of his pants. She stroked him through it, watching as his eyes narrowed, his gaze turning positively predatory as he stared down at her.

Licking her dry lips to wet them she worked him free of the fabric, enjoying the feel of her hand sliding against the soft skin of his cock, watching as it stiffened under her ministrations.  Rafayel’s head tilted back, a low growl rumbled in his chest as he pushed against her hand, seeking more pressure as he began to chase his own release. 

Gently she tugged him down, pressing his cock against her stomach so that it lay trapped beneath her hand. 

“Use me.” She urged, meeting his gaze, shivering at the sharp intensity of it. “Take your pleasure from my body.” 

She gasped as Rafayel bared his teeth, bracing himself over her to spare her from having to support his weight against her stomach before pushing forward, fucking himself against her hand. She leaned forward, pressing her cheek against his, enjoying the feel of his breath as he began to pant, his hips snapping forward as she pressed down harder, making him work to pierce the narrow tunnel between her palm and abdomen. 

She watched as the skin at the head of his cock began to darken, blood pooling there as he humped frantically against her, desperate to find his own release. 

“Come on.” She crooned in his ear. “It’s been so long ...”

Rafayel snarled, his shoulders stiffening as he shoved against her one final time. She gasped as she felt his seed spill between her fingers before settling against her stomach. 

For a moment she feared he would collapse on top of her but, to her relief, he rolled off to the side, sprawling out on his back, his eyes closed as he panted. She ran her fingers through his spend, enjoying the way it glistened against her stomach. 

After a few minutes Rafayel rolled onto his side, dragging her against him as he buried his face in her hair. She smiled lazily, threading her fingers between his own as she let herself ride out the final vestiges of their releases. 

***********

A caw startled her awake. 

She sat up, her eyes fixing on a large black bird that perched on the nearby wall, watching her intently. 

Swallowing nervously she reached back, patting Rafayel’s shoulder, trying to wake him. 

To her frustration Rafayel continued to sleep, as though unaware of her growing unease. 

The bird before her cawed again, spreading large wings and hopping down off of the wall to glide along the grassy slope to land a few feet away from her. 

“I don’t suppose yelling ‘Shoo!’ at you would work.” She murmured, waving her hands towards it. 

The bird gave her a withering glare. 

“Yeah, I figured not.” She grumbled, turning back to Rafayel and giving him a firm shove. It was enough to rock him back onto his back but he remained firmly asleep. 

Sighing she turned her attention back to the bird. “Is this a dream? Or did you like ... use some kind of weird bird magic on him?” She demanded. 

The bird didn’t reply, not that she expected as much. It simply began to hop its way up towards the cobblestone pathway, pausing to glare back at her with growing impatience. 

“Yeah, yeah, follow the ominous bird to certain doom. I hear you.” She grumbled, forcing herself up onto her feet. She flushed when she realized that the bodice of her dress was still pulled down, baring her chest. Clearing her throat she quickly jerked the fabric back up, running her hand down along the skirts to ensure that they were hanging properly. 

Sparing Rafayel one final nudge with her foot she shook her head and made her way up the slope towards the bird. 

“Alright, where are we going?” She demanded. 

The bird cawed and took flight, gliding down the pathway to perch on a small statue. She followed, unease growing within her with each step that took her further from Rafayel. 

The bird led her down a straight pathway for a long while. The number of caged creatures she passed becoming fewer and fewer the farther they went and the more ill kept the hedges and pathway became. 

“I guess not a lot of people come to this section, do they?” She murmured to herself. 

Up ahead the bird cawed sharply, though whether it was agreeing with her or urging her to talk less and move more she wasn’t sure. 

Finally, the bird landed upon a large, broken statue, waiting for her to fully catch up. She paused as she eyed the remains of the statue. It looked like it had been destroyed by a great fist. 

“Now what?” She demanded, returning her gaze to the bird. 

It glanced behind itself, drawing her attention to a large alcove. 

Shadows hung heavy within it, blocking her view. But in the center, she could make out a faint light. 

“In there, huh?” She murmured. 

The bird cawed firmly. 

Sighing she gathered her skirts in her hands, forcing herself to move closer. 

The shadows wrapped about her ankles, flowing around her like some dark mist. Just as they had done in her dream. 

“So, you are real.” She said, staring at the softly glowing light and the large, dark form that seemed to be curled around it. 

“Of course.”

She froze, her hands tightening as she struggled to keep from shying away from the voice that seemed to whisper from over her shoulder. 

“And you’ve finally come to visit me.” The voice continued, its tone full of mocking amusement. "How ... kind."

She rolled her shoulders back, allowing her chin to lift defiantly. “You can thank the King for that.” She replied tartly. 

The voice behind her seemed to hiss in anger and she felt the other move away, putting some distance between them. 

“What do you want?” She demanded, eyeing the shadowed form before her warily. It had not moved but whatever it was, it was large and she held no illusions that she could fight something like that off if it were to suddenly spring to life. 

“To make a deal.” The other replied. “You do like making deals, do you not?”

She gasped as she felt something brush against her stomach. Jerking away she pressed a hand over the spot, glaring at the empty space where the voice had come from. Low, sinister laughter echoed about her, mocking her. 

“There are no deals I would make with you.” She snapped out, edging away from the center of the alcove and back towards the shattered statue where the black bird still waited. 

“Wait.”

She froze, frowning as she detected a hint of desperation in the voice that had not been there a moment before. 

“We can help one another.” It crooned, back to its charming, self-assured tone.

“There is nothing ...” She began.

“Is there not?” The other demanded, cutting her off. “Perhaps you require some help with finding your way free of this place? Or do you intend to stay trapped here with your lover as he is drained dry while you sit here and watch?”

She frowned, glancing over her shoulder at the dark, still form once more. 

“Not good enough.” She declared.

She sensed the other pull back, as though considering things. 

“The collars.” She pushed, glancing around her but unable to find any hint of where the ephemeral voice was coming from. “Tell me how to remove them. Then I will consider a deal between us.”

Something finally moved in the pool of shadows at the center of the alcove. It was faint but she caught it. 

Still, the other did not reply. 

It was a gamble, she knew she was pushing her luck but forced herself to turn her back upon the alcove, moving towards the entrance. 

Something shifted behind her again. 

“Stop.” 

She froze, fear stiffening her spine as the voice became more tangible, clearly coming from the large form behind her. 

“Can you tell me how to break the collars?” She demanded. 

She heard the distinct click of chains as the thing shifted. 

“Yes.” It hissed out. 

Knowing that the others were going to tear into her over this newest bit of foolery she turned, meeting the sharp crimson gaze of the creature cloaked in shadows behind her. 

“Then let us discuss this deal you wish to make.” She replied primly.

The creature blinked slowly. “Free me.” It demanded. “And I shall tell you about the collars.”

She cocked her head, considering its words. She still had no idea what she was dealing with but she could tell it was big ... and dangerous. 

“What will you do once freed?” She demanded. 

The creature chuckled, low and deadly. “I am sure you can guess.” It hissed. 

She frowned and shook her head. “I can’t let you destroy the city or hurt the people there.”

A sharp snort met her words. “What do you care?” It asked. “You’ve been locked up with us monsters as well. Abandoned by those people. Why not let them all burn?”

She shook her again, more firmly this time. “No. The people of the City do not deserve to suffer because of the actions of their King.”

The creature sighed, as though vexed by her words. “Then it appears we are at an impasse.” 

She shrugged. “If you agree to tell me what I need to know to break the collars and then leave here and return to wherever it is you came from without creating a trail of death and destruction in your wake then I will agree to your bargain.” She stated firmly. 

The creature was silent for a long while. “What if I were to limit myself to two deaths?” It offered. “Two insignificant lives that no one would miss and then I shall return to where I came from.”

She frowned. “Who?” She demanded.

The creature chuckled. “Why, that would ruin the surprise.” It crooned. 

She shook her head. “If it’s me or one of mine ...”

“It isn’t.” The creature offered, its tone turning bored. 

She hesitated, disliking that she did not know who she was potentially sentencing to death with this deal. 

“The King?” She guessed. 

The creature rumbled, its gaze glittering. 

Swallowing she glanced behind her. “Alright. Let’s try this. You tell me about the collars and how to remove them. You also agree to wait until I get myself and those I care about out of the City before you go after whoever those two are and, in exchange, I will set you free.”

The creature was silent for a long moment, as though considering her offer. 

“You ask for too much.” It finally replied.

“I have nothing else to give ...” She protested. 

The creature shifted, the sound of a talon dragging across stone making the hair on her arms stand on end. “You carry something ...” It began. 

“ No .” She snarled, backing away a few steps. “My children are not for trade.” 

The creature cocked its head, the scarlet eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “All of your children will die if you stay here.” It pointed out ruthlessly. "What is the loss of one if it means the others will survive?" 

She pressed a hand to her chest, calming her rage at the thought of giving up even one of her children to the shadowed beast. “No.” She repeated firmly. 

The creature sighed, settling deeper in the shadows. “Fine.” It finally hissed out, annoyance heavy in its tone. “I will agree to your ... conditions.”

She blinked in surprise. “So, you’ll wait?”

“Yes.” It hissed out in irritation. 

“And you won’t reduce the City to rubble?” She pressed. 

“No.” It growled out. 

“Alright then.” She replied, hesitating as she eyed the sea of shadows swirling between her and the creature. “How do I free you?” She asked.

The shadows parted, giving her a clear view of the object that glowed softly in the darkness. 

“Pull it out.” The creature instructed. 

Brushing palms gone suddenly damp she crept forward, eyeing the glowing sword before her. It was pierced through a scaled side. She paused before it, eyeing the broad wing that arched over her head. 

“You’re a dragon.” She breathed, finally able to see what she had been speaking with. 

“So I am.” The creature hissed, startling her with how close it sounded. 

Peering over her shoulder she gasped, shying away as great jaws hovered next to her. 

“Pull it out.” The dragon demanded, its eyes narrowing dangerously, it's patience clearly gone. 

She tore her gaze away from the dragon’s turning her attention back to the sword that pierced its hide. Reaching out she brushed her fingers against the hilt, wincing as a familiar Evol leapt from it to her. Snatching back her hand she cradled it against her chest. 

“Xavier did this ...” She whispered in realization. 

The dragon hissed, its eyes flashing dangerously. “ Take … it … out. ” It demanded. 

She forced herself to reach out once again, to wrap her hand about the hilt. She felt Xavier’s Evol flare, slicing at her, trying to drive her back away from the sword. Tears stung her eyes as she forced her hand to close about it, despite the bright ribbons of blood that began to thread up her arms as his Evol cut into her, punishing her for ignoring its previous warnings to leave it be. 

With a determined cry she yanked backwards as hard as she could, shaking the sword to try to pry it free from where it had been lodged. She was aware of the dragon snarling in pain but all she could focus on what the bright Evol that flashed through her as the sword finally broke free of the dragon's hide. She fell backwards, crying out as she felt something slice into her chest, settling within her. 

Something caught her as she fell, cradling her as the backlash of Xavier’s Evol stole away her breath and left her blind and helpless in the dragon’s grasp. 

Chapter Text

Rafayel’s eyes narrowed as he crouched low, balancing precariously on the dusty ledge of the menagerie's outer walls. The palace grounds, clad in cold, pale moonlight stretched out before him, whispering of freedom. Despite his elation at having been led here by some ephemeral power, the heavy silence of the late evening lingered, making it difficult for him to move without creating too much sound as he debated his next moves. 

Down below in the open courtyard before the heavy iron gate of the menagerie he could make out the pale form of his unconscious mate. His heart clenched, rage boiling within his veins as he studied her. She lay perfectly still, an arm draped over her stomach. She was the picture of peaceful serenity. And yet the scent of her blood in the air shattered the carefully crafted illusion.

Every instinct within him screamed for action, urging him to leap down and gather her into his arms, whisk her away from this place and these humans who seemed intent on harming her and the young she carried. Yet he resisted, his body stiff with the effort to remain where he was. Something was wrong. Everything about this set up seemed too perfectly orchestrated, too deliberate for it to not be a trap of some kind. The humans had used her as bait to lure him out of the sea once before ... he did not trust that they were not seeking to do so again. 

Across from him, atop the high arch of the locked gates, a large black bird shifted, its feathers glinting in the pale moonlight. The creature turned its head, glittering black eyes that contained far too much intelligence meeting his own. It let out a piercing caw, the sound harsh and abrasive. Rafayel scowled at the creature, irritation bubbling within him as he willed it into silence. He couldn’t afford distractions now, not with so much at stake. 

Turning his attention back to the still form of his mate, Rafayel strained his senses, listening intently to the quiet night about them. 

His mate's stillness bothered him. 

Unable to remain idle any longer, Rafayel carefully began his descent, seeking out worn sections of the wall to use as footholds with practiced ease. He moved slowly, cautiously, pausing frequently to listen to the night’s stillness, to assure himself that all was still well. As his feet finally settled upon the ground he sank down, his knee pressing into the soft soil as he kept the shrubs between him and the open courtyard. With painful slowness he dared to creep closer to the still form at the gate's entrance. 

He edged forward bit by bit. He would take his mate and go, he decided, his gaze narrowing. He would figure out what to do about the incessantly annoying collar later.

He had just reached the end of the protective line of shrubs when he froze before abruptly dropping lower and pressing himself flat to the ground as he felt a faint vibration rumbling beneath him. It was subtle yet enough to warn him that he was no longer alone. 

He bit back a hiss of frustration as he drew deeper into the shrubs, stilling as a familiar form stalked towards the gate. The human who had dared to threaten the lives of his mate and their young froze suddenly, his lips parting in silent shock as he caught sight of the still form before him. The man rocked back on his heel and for a brief moment Rafayel felt a flicker of hope course through him, thinking the man meant to turn and hurry back to the great building behind him, perhaps to fetch help. 

That hope was snuffed out as the man moved forward decisively, one hand clutched about the worn hilt of his sword as he strode towards the too still form. He watched as the human knelt beside his mate, gently brushing strands of loose hair away from her face. His lips peeled back in a silent snarl at the intimate familiarity of the gesture. The human shifted, placing his palm over his mate’s lips, probably checking to see if she still beathed. 

After a tense pause the man’s gaze swept to the sides, scanning his surroundings with a slow, careful eye. Rafayel watched as the man’s violet gaze flicked briefly towards the gates of the menagerie, undoubtedly noting that it remained firmly closed and locked, giving no indication as to how the woman had managed to slip through. Finally the human's gaze returned to the still form before him, his fingertips lingering on the gentle curve of her chin. 

High above the dark bird let out another harsh caw, drawing the man’s attention upwards. The man scowled, his shoulders tensing as though wary of the bird’s presence. Though it went against every need in his body to tear this interloper to shreds, Rafayel forced himself to seize the brief moment of distraction and slip across the darkened path, crouching low next to the ancient trunk of some ornamental tree. 

The human turned, his gaze slashing back towards the path he had just crossed, his hand tightening about the hilt of his sword. For a long while neither of them moved. Finally the human shifted, his hand slipping away from the hilt as he gently lifted the unconscious woman, cradling her in his arms as he rose. Rafayel’s jaw tightened as the man paced past him, each quick step carrying the human and his mate back towards the towering white walls of the King’s palace. 

Rafayel crept after them, following at a cautious distance, mindful that there may be other humans about. He watched with burning fury as the human strode up a set of wide, shallow stairs, carefully shifting the woman in his arms to free up a hand to pull a door open. Bright light spilled out from within as the human carried his mate inside, the heavy door falling shut behind him. 

His fingers dug into the dirt beneath him as he glared up at the building. His mind raced as he considered the windows and balconies above, calculating his chances of slipping in unseen and making it out again with his prize. There were too many rooms, too many places to search for his mate he reluctantly decided. He doubted he would be able to find her before someone found him first. 

High overhead, above the windows and balconies, something shifted, drawing his attention. For a moment he thought it was the damned bird. The shadows surrounding him grew thicker, more substantial, curling around his wrists and legs, sending goosebumps prickling along his flesh as his instincts warned him that he was no longer alone.  

Tearing his gaze away from the darkness gathering around him he returned his eyes upwards and met the other’s gaze evenly. 

A sly, mocking smirk curled the other’s lips as they regarded each other silently. Finally the other raised a pale hand, long elegant fingers beckoning him forward with a sharp, succinct gesture. 

For a long moment Rafayel remained still, considering the one above him. He recognized the other’s Evol, after all the menagerie had been practically dripping with it. He did not know what the other wanted with him and yet he had to admit, he had very little choice.  The one watching from above would have answers ... could perhaps provide him with a way to break free of this place and the King who took too much. 

Glancing back at the closed door before him, Rafayel took a deep breath and grudgingly pushed himself to his feet. 

The other turned away, slipping up along the sloped roof easily. Gritting his teeth, Rafayel scaled the railing of the balconies overlooking the gardens with ease, making his way up to where the other waited. 

*************

“You left her there ...”

She stirred, drawn from her slumber by the angry words, hissed with enough venom that she was surprised she didn’t scent blood in the air.

A sharp, dismissive sound met the accusing words. “A simple test, to see what sway she had over the Lemurian.”

“Father ...” The voice she now recognized as Xavier's growled. 

“Enough!” The King snapped, starling her, despite her attempts to feign unconsciousness. “I grow tired of your incessant attempts to find fault with everything I do.”

If Xavier had a reply she did not hear it. 

She did, however, hear the sharp click of the King's cane upon the tiled flooring. “If you cannot stomach being here any longer, then go.” The King ordered, his voice turning hard and unyielding. “Do not think that I don’t know that you have seen the Bai Ze recently and allowed it to slip free. The soldier you wounded to free it returned days ago, threatening to tell all who would listen of the Prince’s betrayal before I was forced to silence him. I tire of these games of yours. You will find it and bring it to me. Do you understand?”

She felt the King’s Evol tighten, causing Xavier to hiss as his father essentially sought to choke him into submission. 

“You know I cannot ...” He began to protest.

“You can and you will." The King declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. "If you have not brought it to me by true winter’s end you will be joining your brother in exile until I deign to remember your existence.” The King threatened, cutting him off.

The King’s gait was slow and halting as he moved away. Eventually she heard the sound of a door opening and closing decisively in the next room. 

The bed dipped slightly, a weight pushing down on it from the foot. Her breath caught in her throat as she did her best to remain still, to maintain the illusion of sleep. 

Silence hung heavy for a few minutes before Xavier sighed, the bed shifting as he rose, his boots clicking on the floor as he paced closer to the head of the bed. 

“You can stop pretending now.” Xavier murmured. “It’s just the two of us.”

Deciding it wasn’t worth keeping up the illusion, she sat up, blinking. She frowned, her head cocked as only darkness met her gaze. 

“It is too dark." She protested. "If you could prepare some light ...” She pleaded, reaching out, trying to orient herself in the darkness. 

A hand caught her own, Xavier’s fingers closing around her palm. “The window is open and it’s daylight.” He replied, his voice full of concern. 

She felt a spark of panic flow through her, her fingertips brushing against her eyes, assuring herself that they were indeed open. 

“Did something happen in the menagerie?” Xavier inquired sharply, his hand tightening against her own. 

She recalled the blinding flash of light from the sword she had pulled from the dragon, the searing heat as it seemed to enter her own body. 

“No.” She replied, shaking her head. “I ... fell. Perhaps I hit my head?” 

Xavier was silent for a long while, long enough for her heartbeat to tick up, fearful that he did not believe her. 

“It’s alright.” He finally offered, his voice calming the brief panic that had rushed through her. “Your eyes look fine. The healer should be returning shortly to check on your arms. Perhaps he will have a better idea as to what happened and when your sight might return.” He informed her, his posture changing as he leaned against the bed next to her.  

“My arms?” She inquired, pulling her hand free of Xavier’s so that she could feel along her wrists. Rough bandages met her touch, wrapped tightly about her forearms. She felt the thin cuts beneath them burn and itch as she applied pressure to them. 

“You said you fell ...” Xavier prompted gently. 

She hesitated, her mind racing. It had been his power in that sword that had been used to bind the dragon. Surely he would be furious with her over what she had done. He might even seek to trap the creature once more. 

But the dragon hadn’t told her how to deal with the collars yet ...

“I remember being chased by something.” She half lied, falling back on her memories of her dreams of the dark maze and being chased by shadows. “I was frightened and confused.” Her fingers plucked at the bandages, wishing she could recall what the wounds looked like. “I must have tripped and fallen into one of the hedges. They had thorns ...” She let her voice drift into silence, listening intently, searching for some indication that Xavier believed her story.

She felt the bed shift as Xavier rose. “I’ll summon the healer.” He replied, his voice carefully neutral. 

He doesn’t believe me . She realized, her stomach dropping. 

“Your mother ...” She blurted out, desperate to distract him, to keep him from venturing into the menagerie to look for clues as to what had happened. 

She heard Xavier still. 

“The King said she like a certain flower ... he showed me some in the gardens.”

Xavier remained frustratingly silent, giving her no indication of whether or not her words had or had not affected him. 

Licking lips gone dry she fisted her hands in her lap. “What happened to her?” She finally asked. 

A quick, sharp sigh hissed from the man before her. “She died.” He replied simply. 

She listened as he began to move away from her. “I’m sorry.” She offered. 

Xavier paused, his footsteps stilling briefly. “It was a long time ago.” He finally offered, his voice heavy with some unspoken emotion. 

“Did he ... the King ... cause it?” She dared to ask. 

She heard a soft sound, perhaps the wood of the door being tightened beneath the Prince’s hand. “Yes and no.” He replied. “He intended for her to live as we live. She chose to pass on instead.”

“It must have been difficult.” She murmured. “To lose her and be stuck with ... him.”

She heard the hiss of cloth, imagined Xavier shrugging. “She did not go quietly. She took something from him when she passed beyond.” Xavier replied, his voice grim but still threaded with the faintest hint of pride. “Something he has desperately sought for all the years since.”

“What did she take?” She breathed, needing to know.

To her frustration Xavier suddenly walked away, calling out to someone in the room beyond. 

“She’s in here and awake.” 

She cocked her head, listening as familiar footfalls paced closer. 

“Zayne?” She guessed. 

“Yes.” Zayne answered, setting something down to her right. She heard Xavier withdraw, leaving them alone ... or at least she assumed they were. Without her sight it was hard to tell but she doubted Xavier would have been so open about his mother if there had been guards listening in. 

She allowed Zayne to lay her back, his hands gentle on her shoulders as he positioned her on her back. He caught her right hand, lifting her arm, his fingers brushing against the bandages about her forearms. 

“Did they tell you what happened?” She asked. 

Zayne remained silent as he carefully peeled the bandage away from her forearm, making her skin crawl as cool air blew across her flesh. 

“They did not.” He finally replied, smearing something cool against the wounds. 

“Oh.” She fell silent, unsure of how much she should tell him. 

“However, the Captain was quite upset when the King and he returned from your walk.” Zayne continued, rewrapping her arm. “He sought to quarrel with the King and was ordered to take his men back out to continue their Hunt. He was ... less than pleased with the order.”

“Caleb is gone?” She pushed, her heart picking up speed. He couldn’t be. She was going to need his help ... there was no way she could free the others and get out of the City without him ... 

“Not yet.” Zayne replied, switching to her other arm. “He sent his men home for leave after their activities in our village. The King has given him some time to summon them back.”

She breathed out a heavy sigh of relief. He was still here then. Good. 

“Are we alone?” She whispered, feeling Zayne still. 

“We are.” He finally replied, his voice thick with concern, probably baffled as to why she would need to ask that rather than look about to discern it for himself.

“The King took me to the menagerie.” She explained, her fingers brushing over her stomach. “I found Rafayel. The collar is allowing the King to drain his power. And he can use it to track those who wear them. I need to find a way to get it off of him, off all of you, before we can leave this place.”

Zayne’s fingers brushed over her forehead, tracing down to feel along her eyes. “As I doubt the Lemurian is the cause of your injuries, I assume you encountered something else in there.” He replied. 

She lay silently, allowing him to feel along the edges of her eyes. “Yes.” She finally replied. “There was someone else in the menagerie. He claimed he could tell me how to remove the collars.”

“Did he?” Zayne inquired.

She sighed, shaking her head. “No. I helped to remove his bindings. They contained power, like the nets back at our village. It lashed out at me when I removed them. That’s why ... why I can’t see.”

The bed shifted as Zayne perched next to her, his fingers lingering on her shoulder, helping her to orient herself. “You can see nothing at all?”

“No.” She admitted.

She heard the soft, annoyed hum that rumbled through his chest and had to resist the urge to chuckle. She had heard that sound often when they had been younger and she had tried to convince him to leave some duty behind to go explore in the forests beyond the village. It was one that sought to warn her that she was trying his patience with her foolery.

She laid still as his fingers felt over her eyes, pressing gently against certain points. Warmth brushed over her face and she pulled back surprised. 

“I’m just checking to see if you still respond to light.” Zayne murmured in reproach. “Lay still a bit longer and stare forward.”

Swallowing she forced herself to do so, disliking the feel of what she assumed was heat from a candle brushing across her cheeks. 

Finally the bed shifted as Zayne pulled back, a soft click coming from her right as he set the candle down next to her. 

“Well?” She demanded, her stomach twisting nervously, the anxiety coursing through her causing her children to stir in response. 

“I see no sign of permanent damage or injury to your eyes.” Zayne reported. “I’ll close the windows and we shall see if your sight returns over the next few hours.”

She nodded, listening as he paced around the bed. She heard the hiss and rustling of heavy cloth, most likely window coverings falling into place as he drew them. 

“I didn’t tell Xavier about the dragon.” She cautioned him. “I’m pretty sure it was his power that had sealed it and I feared he would seek to trap it again before it could tell me what I needed to do.”

A hand touched the top of her head, helping her to tell where Zayne stood. “Understandable.” He replied. “Though I must admit to some concern at having such a thing freed. Stories do not record them as being the most trustworthy of creatures.”

She shrugged. “We are running out of time.” She reminded him. 

“So it would seem.” He agreed. 

******************************

To her relief her sight began to return as the day dragged on. By the time lunch was delivered she was able to make out vague shadows, allowing her to track the movement of those around her. Xavier nor the King returned to check on her, must to her relief, but neither did Caleb, which concerned her. Zayne, for his part, seemed content to stick close, helping her move about the rooms. 

By dinner time those indistinct shadows had resolved into clearer images as colors began to bleed back into her world. If things were still a little fuzzier along the edges than they should have been, she did not mind, simply grateful to be able to see anything at all.

She had feared that the King would summon her for dinner once more but the familiar maid arrived exactly at six, a tray clutched in her hands. She ate what she could and set aside the rest, her gaze drifting towards the closed door. With quiet determination, she stood and took a hesitant step towards it, reaching out to brush her fingers against it as she considered what she intended to do. 

Time was running short. She needed to assure herself that Caleb was still within the palace. Then she would need to try to track down the dragon and demand he fulfill his end of the bargain. As for Rafayel ... she prayed he wasn't too frantic, surely having woken confused and alone.

Gathering her courage she let her hand fall downwards, her fingers wrapping about the metallic handle before pushing it open. 

Outside a single guard, clearly startled by her sudden appearance, snapped upright, having been caught slouching against the wall. For a brief moment she was taken back to her village and the sleepy guard Darius, the Head Priest, had assigned to watch her new room shortly after she had survived being turned over to appease Rafayel’s anger. She wondered what had become of him and hoped he had survived. 

“Lady.” The guard acknowledged, tugging at the edges of his jacket. 

“I wish to speak with Caleb ... the Captain, I mean.” She stated, unsure of how to refer to her once childhood protector to others. 

The guard paused, his gaze turning inwards as he considered her request. “I am afraid the King ...” He began. 

She lifted her chin, interrupting him with a gentle yet firm insistence. “Please. It’s important.”

The guard sighed, his gaze softening as he studied her. “Very well.” He finally relented. “Follow me.”

He led her through the halls, politely slowing as they made their way down a narrow staircase to the bottom floor. They passed through a pair of thick wooden doors that stood open, allowing the cool night air to blow in. Her skirts twisted about her legs and her cheeks stung slightly as she followed the guard outside. 

Despite the late hour the dusty yard was still filled with the rumble of voices and the sound of weapons clashing together. 

She immediately located Caleb as he stood amidst a small gathering of fellow soldiers, sweat glistening along the tight muscles of his bare back as he stalked towards his opponent, his gaze dark and simmering with anger as the pair circled one another. The ends of his hair were damp, sticking to his neck and temples as he lunged forward, his sword slashing down to meet his opponent’s with what she was sure had to be bone breaking force. 

He moved with a fierce intensity, trying to force his opening back, his face a mask of icy fury. The other soldier, a broad shouldered man who could almost match Caleb’s height met his attacks with calculated precision, pressing forward when Caleb’s energy began to wane, delivering swift blows that Caleb met with quick parries of his own. 

Her breath caught sharply as Caleb suddenly faltered, his opponent landing a harsh blow against unprotected ribs. The soldiers watching nearby murmured softly in disapproval but, to her relief, Caleb recovered quickly, his response brutally savage. She watched as he surged forward, his lips peels back to bare his teeth as he drove his opponent backward ruthlessly. Caleb's opponent cursed as his foot slipped in the sand, causing him to stumble. Caleb was on him in an instant, driving him down onto his knees roughly, his sword lifted, ready to deliver the winning blow. 

The guard at her side cleared his throat. “Captain.” He dared to call out, probably seeking to spare her from seeing the final, punishing strike. 

Caleb whirled around, eyes blazing with rage as he sought up the one who dared interrupt him. 

She gasped softly as his attention locked onto her, his violet gaze burning into hers for a long moment before recognition finally flickered there. She watched as surprise caused him to straighten, his sword slowly lowering as his expression softened, slipping into a strange vulnerability that she didn’t fully understand before his features hardened once more. 

“Dismissed.” He said curtly, waving his opponent and the watching soldiers off before stepping free of the training circle and stalking off to the side. 

She perched quietly on a nearby barrel, dipping her chin as the soldiers passed by, their glances curious but none daring to stop to actually speak with her. As Caleb moved towards a nearby trough, splashing water over his head and shoulders her gaze drifted towards another training circle nearby. An older soldier barked instructions harshly at a small group of children. Their faces were strained with exhaustion and more than a little fear as they struggled through their paces, wincing as the man ruthlessly slapped at their knuckles with a leather sap, correcting their stances roughly. A pang of sympathy twisted in her gut as she watched the smallest struggle to keep up with the others. 

When Caleb finally returned, fasting the ties that held his shirt closed she gestured towards the group with her chin. “Orphans?” She inquired. 

He followed her gaze, his expression hardening slightly. “Most are.” He admitted. “The others were probably sold. It’s harsh but it’s better than being sent to the workshops.”

She shuddered, her hands rubbing against her upper arms as she stood. 

Caleb reached out, his fingers cupping the curve of her elbow, urging her back towards the Palace, away from the chilly night air. She fell into step beside him as they left the training fields behind. Silence hung heavily between them, interrupted only by the soft click of Caleb’s boots upon the floor as he took her away from the rough hallways and rooms used by the King’s forces back towards the more well heeled hallways of the palace proper. 

“Zayne informed me that he had treated your injuries.” Caleb finally managed, his voice tight as though he were doing his best to hold back some emotion. He glanced down at her forearms before glancing away quickly, as though he couldn’t bring himself to linger on them. 

“They’re not so bad.” She said, seeking to reassure him. 

He nodded slowly, though the tension in his posture remained. They continued to walk quietly until the hallway ended at a balcony that overlooked the courtyard at the front of the palace. Caleb moved to the railing, gripping it tightly as he stared off into the distance. She drifted to his side, resting her wrists on the wooden railing, moving closer to him, seeking some of his heat as a cold breeze tickled along her bared arms. 

When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy with regret. “I’m sorry.” He offered softly, his hand closing over her left wrist, squeezing it gently. “If I had known ...”

She shook her head, glancing up towards him, her gaze fixing on the bit of silver peeking out from underneath the loose shirt he had hastily tossed on. “It’s alright.” She offered, reaching out to lay her right hand against his, her thumb gently brushing over his bruised knuckles. 

She longed to tell him of what she had found, of the dragon who might be able to give a clue as to how to free him from the King but she kept silent, reminding herself of the way the King had been able to use the collar to force Caleb to tell him what he wanted to know. 

A jarring cacophony of sound drew her attention. She peered downwards, watching as a lively, colorful crowd gathered at the front of the palace below. Their clothing was whimsical, festooned with bright ribbons and flowers that stood out starkly against the gray stone. 

“Who are they?” She inquired curiously. 

Caleb shifted against her, peering over the railing. “Entertainers.” He replied. “The King brings them in each year for the holiday festival.”

She frowned, peering up at him. “Festival?”

He nodded, releasing her hand so that he could lean his forearms against the railing, his gaze moving past the merry crowd below to the gates that guarded the palace proper. “In a few days it will be the Longest Night. After that the days begin to get longer as Winter starts to give way to Spring. The King always commissions celebrations for that night. As a way to ‘lure in Spring’, as he likes to put it.”

She frowned, something about that phrasing stirring a deep sense of unease within her. She pressed her hand to her chest, frowning as she felt the strange light she had absorbed from the sword begin to stir to life.

“The people view that day as one of rebirth.” Caleb continued, oblivious to her sudden discomfort. “They say it's the day that the world begins anew. The King has always seemed to favor that view.”

Her breath grew shallow as the foreign Evol within her began to burn and she stumbled backwards. She would have fallen had Caleb not reacted as quickly as he did, catching her about the waist and allowing her to sag against his arm and chest as her sight whited out and a strange vision washed over her.

Her hair was long, longer than she had ever worn it and heavy with flowers that fluttered as she danced about a ribboned pole, spinning between partners as the sun began to rise above the horizon, marking the start of a new day and the slow return of Spring. Musicians played merry music and she laughed gaily until hands caught her about her waist, stilling her. She peered back, watching as copper strands of hair glittered in the morning light as the other held her trapped against him. She laughed, her lips forming a name ...

“What is it?” Caleb’s voice snapped her back to the present, leaving her blinking in the cold night as she met his concerned gaze. 

She exhaled shakily, her palm pressed firmly against his chest as she bowed her head, trying to sort her thoughts. “Nothing ...” She murmured, closing her eyes tightly but unable to dredge up more of the strange vision or the name she had been about to speak. 

Caleb watched her closely, the corners of his eyes crinkling in concern. “What happened in that menagerie?” He demanded, his fingers tightening about her shoulders. 

Silence settled between them once more as she shook her head, unwilling to put him in a position where the King might be able to force him to betray her. Down below a playful melody sparked to life, accompanied by laughter and cheers from the entertainers. 

She stared up at Caleb’s face, noting the exhaustion and worry that lined his face, making him appear older than he was. Reaching up she brushed her fingertips over the downturned corner of his lips. “You carry too much of the world's weight.” She whispered, a sharp emotional pain piercing her chest. “You can’t protect everyone all the time. You’ll burn yourself out trying.”

He met her gaze evenly. “You’re the only one I want to protect.” He replied, his voice darkening. “The whole world can perish for all I care.”

“Don’t say such things.” She scolded, gasping as a feeling of deja vu washed over her. 

They had said such things to each other before, she was sure of it. And yet ... she could not remember when ...

“Come on, let’s get you back before His Majesty sends out a search team.” Caleb finally said, urging her to turn around. 

She allowed him to lead her back to the rooms the King had assigned to her, settling upon the bed as he did a perfunctory sweep of the rooms, as if the King would bother hiring some assassin to sneak in to harm her when he was perfectly capable of doing so himself unopposed. Still, she kept quiet, allowing him to assure himself that all was well before bidding him a good evening and preparing herself for bed, unable to shake off the strange vision of some other her dancing gaily while musicians played, calling forth a new day. 

As she lay down to sleep she felt the strange Evol within her chest begin to grow once more.

*************

Her fingers tightened about the golden bars that made up the gleaming gate before her. The sunlight had warmed the metal, making it almost painful for her to touch. Through the flashy filigree she could see the rest of the world, trapped in a never ending winter.  The trees stood stark and lifeless, their branches twisted and gnarled, like skeletal fingers reaching desperately towards the sky. Fields that had once been lush and fertile were now rocky and barren, their soil dried up and gone. 

It broke her heart. She longed to leave this place, to bring the world beyond back to life ... yet despite the fierce desire burning within her to set things right, she couldn’t bring herself to push the gate open, to take that final step to leave Paradise and return to the dying world outside. 

Something bad had happened to her out there once. 

She knew it, could feel it in her bones, though the memory of what that thing had been was fleeting. 

She shook her head in frustration, wincing at the ghostly reminder of sharp, piercing pain just behind her left ear. Her fingers lifted tentatively, brushing against the spot. The flesh there was whole and unbroken but she couldn’t shake the sensation that something had once been embedded there, something that hurt to touch ...

She let her hand drop, her gaze returning to the dying world just beyond the gates. A chilling breeze stirred, brushing the hair back away from her face and numbing her cheeks, though the lands protected by the gate remained warm. 

The others had come to her aid when she had been lured away and hurt. They had brought her back to this place to heal. But they had also sealed the gate upon their return, keeping the evils of the world beyond out but also trapping her within. Allowing the rest of the world to fall to ruin while she slept.

The ground beneath her feet trembled violently, jolting her from her troubled thoughts. Her heart leapt into her throat as a powerful gust of wind whipped around her, tugging fiercely at her clothes and hair. Her fingers tightened upon the bars of the gate, anchoring herself to it amidst the sudden storm of air. Her eyes lifted towards the skies, watching as a serpentine shadow passed overhead, its silver scales gleaming brightly, reflecting the sun’s rays like armor.

The garden behind her seemed to shudder beneath the weight of the dragon’s arrival. She heard the cacophony of leaves being ripped from the branches as the creature’s wings stirred up the air as it dropped downwards, prepared to strike. 

Somewhere within the garden she felt a familiar Evol lash out, causing the dragon to snarl. She felt her breath catch, hope swelling within her ... only to disappear under a sea of dread as she felt the Evol shatter beneath the beast’s assault. A sickening emptiness filled her as she felt something with her go dim and then die. 

She gasped softly, her hand clutching tightly against her chest as her body trembled, a cold sweat breaking out on her skin as she tried to understand what was happening. Her heart pounded violently within her chest, determination rising within her alongside her growing grief. The urge to turn, to see if she could help her companions welled up within her. 

Don’t look.

The gentle voice drifted through her mind, calm but unwaveringly firm. She bowed her head, tears stinging her eyes as a warm body pressed against her side. 

“I have to.” She protested, her voice barely more than a broken whisper. “They need help.” 

The Bai Ze shook its head, its horn pointed towards the wasteland beyond the gates, its fathomless gaze locked ever forward. What’s done is done. The past cannot be changed. 

She flinched at the dragon’s triumphant roar echoed loudly across the garden as another beloved Evol shattered, making her cry out as a second gaping maw of emptiness formed within her. 

“I can’t stand this ...” She gasped desperately, the crushing weight of guilt settling heavily in her gut. “I never meant for any of this to happen.”

The Bai Ze blinked slowly, steady and seemingly unbothered by the chaos echoing out behind them. It’s just a memory . It replied gently. The ghosts of a time that ended long ago. 

She shook her head stubbornly, peering between the bars of the garden gate, searching the desolate land beyond. “How do I fix it?” She pleaded softly. 

The Bai Ze remained silent. 

Finally the tremors ceased, and an eerie calm draped itself around her, settling heavily upon her shoulders, weighing them down as she felt the last of her companions fade away. Drawing a shuddering breath, she turned around.

The gentle, comforting colors of her once beloved garden began to fade away. The vibrant hedges began to twist grotesquely, poisonous thorns forming along their branches as the beauty of Paradise twisted into the hopeless, menacing design of the King’s menagerie. 

Beyond the pathway something moved, scarlet eyes meeting her own as the dragon lifted its head defiantly, its scales shimmering like molten silver beneath the sun. Its muzzle was stained with the blood of gods. The creature watched her silently, its gaze cold and calculating. 

This was not the same dragon she had freed, she realized, her hand tightening as her gaze slipped downwards, focusing on the strange wound upon its chest. The dragon's scales seemed to have been peeled away, revealing a red, bloodied patch of skin and muscle ... as though something had been torn from the dragon’s flesh.

Though fear gnawed at her she stepped forward, leaving the safety of the gate and the Bai Ze behind. Each step she took caused the cobblestone beneath her feet to crumble, sinking into the rocky ground below as the beauty of Paradise continued to decay away, leaving behind only the King’s cruel prison. 

She reached out, her fingertips brushing over the delicate violet blooms that hung heavily on the hedge’s branches. She watched with quiet despair as they wilted beneath her fingertips, their petals turning to ash and drifting away.  

Drawing a deep breath, she lifted her head, resolve steeling her nerve as she met the dragon’s gaze once more. “How do I stop this?” She demanded.

The dragon met her gaze evenly, its expression unreadable for a long while before it glanced behind her, its eyes fixing on the gate and the barren lands beyond. 

Nodding slowly she turned her back upon the dragon and the place that she had once called home. Her steps were sure as she returned to the gleaming gate. The Bai Ze watched her approach silently, its horn dipping slightly as she reached out, pushing firmly against the bars. 

The gate swung open, its color darkening, changing from warm gold to cold iron as the freezing winter air washed over her, chilling her to the bone. 

Without looking back she stepped through the gate, leaving the twisted remnants of Paradise behind her.

Chapter Text

“Again.”

She breathed in deeply, holding it a long moment before releasing it out as a heavy burst of air, wincing as the maid behind her tightened the corset about her midsection the moment she ran out of air. To her credit the woman was doing her best not to make it too tight but she suspected that sooner or later the children within her were going to make their displeasure known at having their living quarter shrunk, even so slightly. 

She sighed in relief as the maid finally relented, giving the corset one final gentle tug to settle it properly about her waist. Satisfied with its placement, the other woman lifted up the heavy brocade dress, making her duck her head slightly to allow the maid to draw it over her. She watched in silent bafflement as the woman secured it on her before working to settle the heavy fabric, twisting the golden bows here and there and fussing over the strings of red beads. 

She glanced at her reflection in the nearby mirror, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at the ridiculous dress. 

It had to have cost a minor fortune, as had all of the dresses brought to her each morning. She had no idea why the King continued to insist on sending these dresses her way, especially given  that she had not seen hide nor hair of him since she had been brought back from the menagerie. 

It was odd, this sudden absence of the King. 

The Palace was currently crammed full of strangers. It seemed every person with even a hint of a claim to a title had swarmed the City, jostling for coveted invitations to the myriad of year end events that had been scheduled to celebrate the ending of the Longest Night and the slow climb towards Spring. Each day saw new arrivals until the Palace itself seemed ready to burst at the seams.

For days now she had been ferried from banquets to puppet shows to live performances. Her head was practically spinning from the whiplash schedule. Usually it was Caleb who escorted her. Zayne would come to check on her twice a day but otherwise was as much a ghost as the King under his care. Xavier too, had become more distant, forced into the role of Prince and host of whatever ridiculous activity had been scheduled for that day. 

She desperately wished for the end of the festivities, even though it meant her time with Caleb and Xavier would also come to an end. The King had ordered both out of the City. Xavier to find and bring back the Bai Ze and Caleb to do whatever it was he did as the King’s Hunter. 

She sighed, her gaze lingering out the window as the maid fussed over her hair, pinning it up painfully. She needed to get back to the menagerie, to find Rafayel and the dragon she had freed. For the first few days of her return she had been nervously waiting for some hint that the King or Xavier had become aware of her actions in the menagerie. But, to her surprise, Xavier seemed unaware of her freeing the dragon or the sword she had tampered with and even the King had left her be.

She ran her hand over her stomach, wincing slightly as she felt a faint flare of annoyed protest from one of her children. 

“I know. I’m sorry.” She whispered, patting gently at her stomach, watching as the maid retreated to the sitting room to retrieve something. “It’ll just be for a few hours.” She assured, reaching out with her Evol to brush against the grumpy one, smiling faintly as she felt its Evol roil with temper before reluctantly settling back. 

She forced her attention back to the outside world as the maid returned, a spray of flowers upon the tray she sat on the bed. She frowned as she peered down at the flowers, not recognizing them, though she supposed it shouldn’t be a surprise, she was hardly well versed in such frivolities. 

She held still as the maid pinned a few to her dress, smoothing out the delicate petals so that they lay flat along the gilded fabric. A long spray was added to her hair, making her wrinkle her nose slightly as she was practically drowned in their sickly sweet scent. 

Finally the maid stepped back, giving her a final once over before declaring her ready. 

She breathed out a sigh of relief, plucking at the heavy fabric of her skirts to help clear the way as she moved forward experimentally, slightly disconcerted that she couldn’t see her feet as she moved. 

“How are people supposed to dance in one of these things?” She griped, mostly to herself, earning a faint laugh from the maid who followed her out. 

Tonight the Palace was playing host to a masquerade ball. It was finally the Longest night and the people wore masks to signify all of the horrors that lurked in the dark. They were to carouse about until sunrise, at which time they would celebrate the return of the sun and the first step towards the return of spring by stripping away their carefully crafted masks and tossing them upon a bonfire waiting for them in the grand courtyard. 

It sounded exhausting. 

Fortunately Caleb had assured her that it wasn’t uncommon for the attendees to sneak off to grab a few hours of sleep before returning before sunrise. 

Though every bone in her body screamed for rest she knew those precious few hours would be her best opening to make her way back to the menagerie to find the dragon and demand he fulfill his end of the bargain. 

She was out of time. She needed a way to get those collars off of the others now. 

She sighed, resisting the urge to rub her hands over her face. Her sleep had been interrupted by strange dreams ever since her return from the menagerie. In them she was someone else, watching her home perish. Sometimes she was trapped at the closed gates, other times she watched from afar, the King’s arm locked about her waist, holding her trapped against him even as she screamed for the others. 

No matter how she raged, how she fought, the others always died, leaving her alone in the King’s grasp as the dying world outside of Paradise slowly came back to life. She didn't understand why she was getting these dreams but she couldn't shake the sense that someone was trying to warn her of something.

She sighed, shaking her head. She longed to ask Xavier about it, to see if he could name the other woman she became in her dreams. But she feared that doing so would alert him to what she had done in the menagerie. Something had entered her body when she had pulled out that sword. Something bright and sharp that burned deep within her chest. She feared he would recognize it and take it from her. 

A sharp rap on the door drew her out of her thoughts. She lifted her chin, watching warily as the maid hurried towards the door, opening it a crack to peer through before stepping back, dipping down into a quick bob as Caleb brushed past her. Caleb caught sight of her and froze, his lips parting slightly as he stilled. 

He was dressed in military finery. A heavily brocaded jacket hung off his left shoulder, held in place by a golden braid. Beneath it he wore a carefully tailed tunic, less decorated than the jacket draped over his shoulder but impeccably tailored to highlight his broad shoulders and chest before curving in towards his waist. 

She plucked at the edges of her dress nervously, feeling a bit out of place. 

She’d grown up an orphan, picked up and carted off to a small fishing village in the middle of nowhere. She had never danced or been to a ball before. Heck, she barely understood the concept of one outside of knowing they were things that happened in stories where the heroine would finally meet her prince. 

“Hey, none of that now.” Caleb murmured, stepping closer to tap her lowered chin with his knuckle, forcing her to lift her face to meet his. 

She shook her head, daring to reach up to run her fingers along the golden braiding of his uniform. “I don’t even know how to dance.” She admitted, flushing slightly. 

Caleb chuckled, catching her wrist and pulling her closer. “It’ll be fine.” He assured her. 

She gasped as his free hand wrapped about her waist, pulling her closer still, though her skirts kept their hips a respectable distance apart. She stumbled a bit as he stepped back slightly, pulling her forward before nudging her to the side, mimicking the motions of dancing. 

Her gaze flicked towards the maid in the corner of the room, doing her best to pretend like she wasn’t there. 

“Caleb ...” She began to protest. 

Caleb simply chuckled, making her yelp as he practically twirled her to the side. “Just relax.” He urged her, drawing her closer again, his hands warm and steadying as he began to sway, forcing her to sway along with him. “See? It’s not so hard.”

She resisted the urge to stomp on his foot, realizing that there was little her slippered shoe was going to do against the thick, gleaming leather of his boots. 

Reluctantly she forced herself to relax into his hold, letting him swing her about gently as he moved to some melody in his mind. Her hand brushed against his back and she frowned, her fingers lingering over a pair of items tucked into the thick band about his waist. 

Curiosity got the better of her and she plucked them from his waist band, stepping to the left as he swayed into the other direction, peering down at what she had swiped from him. 

A pair of masks sat upon her hand. They were mirror images of one another, though one had clearly been made for a smaller face. The carved wood was bird like, with stylized feathers curving up and away from the eyes. The nose mimicked the sharp curved beak of some raptor, reminding her of the hawks that sometimes hunted the seagulls that swarmed the shore. 

Caleb snatched them from her hands, tsking her playfully as he set the larger mask aside. She held still as he settled the smaller mask upon her face, carefully tying it in place. 

“How does that feel?” He inquired, carefully adjusting it so that it sat just so.

“Fine.” She replied, reaching out to catch the larger one. 

Caleb bent at the waist, bringing his face closer to hers as she settled the mask upon his own face. She murmured a quick thanks as he reached up, holding it in place as she struggled to tie it securely, careful not to catch any hair in the knot she made. 

Satisfied that it would remain in place she stepped back, watching as he straightened, his hand falling away. 

For a terrifying moment she was no longer in the room. Rather she was crouching among the trees, laughing as another crouched at her side, his eyes glittering in amusement behind the golden mask he wore.

Just as quickly as the false memory came it disappeared, leaving her slightly disoriented. 

Despite the quickness of the episode, Caleb immediately stepped to her side, his hands closing about her arms as he urged her down onto the sofa, kneeling before her in concern. 

“What is it?” He demanded. 

She blinked slowly, grounding herself back in the moment. “Nothing.” She replied, forcing a reassuring smile. “Just ... lost my breath there for a minute. This thing wasn’t exactly made for easy breathing.” She lied, tugging gently at the bodice of her dress. 

Though the mask made it hard for her to gauge his expression, she noticed the way his lips curled downwards. 

“It’ll be fine.” She insisted, pushing herself back up and moving towards the door, dragging him along by his hand. “Let’s just put in our appearance and then I’ll wander back here to get a bit of rest before the morning.”

Caleb hesitated a moment longer, as though debating whether or not to argue with her but she knew that if she wanted to sneak back into the menagerie, she would need him at the ball where he would hopefully be too distracted to notice her slipping away. 

The hallways were crowded as they made their way down to the main entrance which would be hosting the ball itself but Caleb’s uniform made it obvious who he was, despite the mask, and, to her relief the crowd drifted apart at their approach, allowing them to pass through with minimal effort. 

The festivities seem to have already started and she allowed herself to drift closer to Caleb, taking shelter against his side as she peered about nervously. 

In the past such crowds were exciting. A chance for them both to challenge one another to see who could filch the most, the days afterwards guaranteed to be ones of full bellies as they used their ill gotten gains to survive. But now, she had no idea what to do with herself as they were swallowed up by the crowd. 

Every now and then someone would approach Caleb, though how they knew who he was behind the mask she had no idea. He was hardly the only one wearing a military-esque uniform and yet they recognized him all the same. She lingered at his side awkwardly as he accepted their greetings, grateful that he kept their discussions short and to the point before nudging her along. 

Finally the crowd stilled and Caleb’s arm snaked about her waist, turning her towards the staircase. She watched as a privileged few fanned out on the balcony above, staring down at the gathered crowd, their masks making them look predatory. Xavier, clad in his familiar white uniform ghosted past them, the simple mask he wore unable to hide his silvery hair or bright, slashing gaze, as he made his way down to walk among the gathered crowd.

The audience waited a moment longer but when the King failed to make his expected appearance they refocused their attention on the single royal in their midst. She stepped back as the crowd seemed to step forward, finding a quiet corner to linger in as her gaze returned to the door that Xavier had entered from. 

“The King’s been gone for a while now.” She murmured softly, careful to keep her voice low.

“It happens now and then.” Caleb offered, his fingers tightening about her waist. “Especially around this time of the year. He’ll be back to his normal strength sooner or later. Probably sooner now that he has Zayne to tend to him.”

She hummed thoughtfully, considering the last time she had seen the King. Walking had clearly pained him and yet he’d insisted on taking her to the menagerie himself. The two times she had seen him before that, he had remained seated, though the first time he had risen to confront Caleb, though he’d kept a strong grip on the back of the chair. She hadn’t thought anything of it at the time but now ...

“What happened to him?” She dared to ask, catching sight of Xavier, a bright figure amongst the dark crowd as he worked his way towards a roped off area of the room. “It must have been devastating, if he hasn’t been able to cure it from draining his captives.”

Caleb was silent for a long while and she sighed, preparing to let the question drop. 

“He was attacked.” Caleb finally offered, making her still. “I don’t know much about it. But I overheard the Prince mention it once, during an argument between the two when he accused the King of being reckless concerning something.”

She hummed softly in acknowledgement, considering the implications. “So he can be hurt by things.” 

Caleb’s hand tightened about her hip, squeezing almost painfully. “Don’t say such things.” He warned, causing her to glance up at him. 

She opened her mouth to retort but hesitated, her gaze slipping down to where she knew that hateful collar about his neck was hidden. For all their history together, he could never truly be her ally in this as long as it was there, she realized. “Okay.” She murmured, dipping her head as Caleb’s grip loosened. 

The music started up and she gasped as Caleb caught her hand, pulling her out to dance with him along the edges of the crowd. The people in the center all moved together, like possessed puppets. She watched them in dismay but, to her relief, Caleb kept their dance simple and slow, content to allow her to sway against him as she learned to follow the melody of the music. 

By the third song she began to realize that the little lives within her seemed to be focused on something, a few of the quieter ones reaching out clumsily with their undeveloped Evol, tapping and tugging at her own, as though excitedly trying to nudge her closer to the musicians and the music they were playing. She stepped back, watching as Caleb stilled, his gaze focusing on her. 

“I just need a bit of a break.” She explained. 

“I’ll get you some water.” Caleb promptly offered. “There are seats along the wall, wait for me there.”

She nodded, watching as he headed towards the back of the room. Brushing her fingers over the firm corset about her stomach she ignored the seats he had indicated, instead circling the crowd to move closer to the musicians. She smiled as her children’s Evol became more excited, as though eager to hear more of the music surrounding them. 

“Like that, do you?” She murmured softly, chuckling as she felt even the weakest of the six seem to suddenly perk up as a new instrument picked up the melody, carrying along with a dreamy, airy quality that made her sigh as she perched herself next to the roped off section near the orchestra, her gaze drifting over the gathered musicians. 

Her fingers tapped out the rhythm on the corset and she smiled as she felt one of the little Evols tap against her own, matching the rhythm perfectly. She laughed to herself, her gaze flicking over the gathered crowd. Xavier had managed to work his way to the less crowded area, a couple of guards stationed about to keep the never ending line of well wishers orderly as Xavier patiently greeted each one.

For the first time it struck her just who Xavier was. For all of his efforts to distance himself from the City and his father, Xavier was still intricately linked to everything. And should his father die,  control of the City and its vast resources and army would fall to Xavier.

A feeling of unease washed through her as she contemplated that thought. What would the City be like under his rule? The people were happy and prosperous but at what cost? Would he continue his father’s quest of power and eternity to keep it that way? 

Her gaze flicked to the windows, gauging the darkness beyond. It was still far too early for her to make her attempt at the menagerie. There were too many eyes and the guards were still too alert. Besides, if she left now Caleb would undoubtedly hunt her down. Better, she mused, to feign exhaustion and make him think she had returned to her room. That would buy her a few hours before he began to realize she was being deceptive with him. 

The current song ended and she breathed in deeply as the first notes of the new song began to ring out. No matter where she had lived, music had been a common enough way for people to pass the time. Back in the village they favored percussion type instruments. The musicians in the City were more inclined towards string instruments. 

This was a blend of both and, despite the burning need to focus on the problem at hand, to find her way back into the menagerie to confront the dragon she had freed to get the answers she needed, she found herself enjoying the music. The notes wormed their way into her mind, melting the tension from her shoulders and even teasing the barest hint of a smile from her as her children seemed to quiver in excitement at this new diversion. 

Suddenly that high, airy sound once again pierced her mind, drawing her attention from the dancers before her, back towards the musicians as she sought out the source of that strange sound. In the back, a young man held a long tube-like instrument to his lips, breathing into it as his long fingers played over holes along its length. 

As though sensing her gaze his eyelids lifted and she gasped, recognizing those eyes instantly. 

She pressed a hand to her chest, glancing quickly to her side, relieved to see that Caleb had yet to return.

Taking in a deep breath she forced herself to relax and pretend like she didn’t recognize Rafayel as he played. He’d slicked back his hair, adding something that had darkened the mauve color, making the color more subdued and harder to notice. He wore a high collared tunic, ribbons hiding the crude silver collar about his neck but her gaze lingered nervously on Xavier across the room, fearful that he might be able to feel the thing, as his father could. 

To her relief, Xavier’s attention seemed to remain locked on the endless stream of well wishers, his face a careful mask of boredom, even as the song came to an end and the audience clapped politely. 

She clapped as well, her gaze returning to the musicians before her as they shifted, preparing for the next song. Rafayel caught and held her gaze as she met his own, her pulse quickening as he once more touched the instrument to his lips. She didn’t know what song it was they were playing but all she could hear was the low, seductive melody he played, her eyelids slipping downwards as it seemed to tug at her very soul, washing over her like the tide, pulling her further and further out into the deep ...

“Are you alright?” 

She blinked, the spell broken as Caleb’s hand tightened about her wrist, dragging her back to the present. 

“What?” She murmured, shaking her head slightly to rid it of the last vestiges of the strange waking dream Rafayel’s melody had drawn her into. 

She glanced down, frowning to realize that Caleb was kneeling before her, his mask pushed up so that he could see her better, his fingers lingering along her pulse point. 

“I’m fine.” She assured him quietly, resting her hand on his own. “Just tired.”

Caleb frowned, his gaze turning guarded as though he didn’t fully believe her. 

“Did you bring me water?” She asked, desperate to distract him. 

He hesitated a moment longer but, to her relief, lifted a glass, offering it to her before rising and settling in a chair at her side. 

She cradled the glass in her hands, her gaze flicking nervously back towards the musicians. Rafayel’s gaze had narrowed, fixed firmly on the man at her side. Caleb’s mask was up, she recalled with a start, revealing his face. 

She hastily took a swallow of the cool water, frantically trying to figure out what to do next. 

She’d intended to find Rafayel among the creatures of the menagerie and hopefully use the information the dragon could give her to escape from there with him. How he had managed to escape on his own, however … 

“Close your eyes and relax.” Caleb offered softly, his hand slipping down to catch her own, entwining their fingers together.” I’ll wake you when the performance is finished.” 

She glanced down at their clasped hands, shivering slightly at the realization that surely Rafayel would have seen the movement. Unable to bring herself to lift her gaze to gauge his reaction she did as Caleb had instructed, closing her eyes as she settled back further into the seat. 

She was exhausted. 

Rafayel’s music worked its way into her mind once again, gently pushing and tugging at her consciousness. She felt herself slipping to the side slightly, only to bump against Caleb’s shoulder. She murmured softly as he helped support her, keeping her upright as she let Rafayel’s music paint a fantastical realm for just the two of them. 

She found herself sitting on the edge of a pier, her bare feet dangling into cool, shallow waters. The waters were peacefully calm. Rafayel was a warm presence at her side, his tail lazily flicking at the still water. Small shadows darted between them, little hands gripping at Rafayel’s fins or lingering on her ankles as their children played around them, their laughter bright and gay as they splashed about on the surface before darting back down to skim clumsily along the sandy bottom. She laughed as a pair of chubby arms broke the surface, demanding she pick them up. She obliged, settling the small form on her lap, laughing as Rafayel reached out, brushing his fingers lovingly over their daughter’s chin while their sons tugged at the fins of their father’s tail, demanding he come swim with them.

All too soon she became aware of Caleb jostling her gently, jerking her out of her dreams with a sharp gasp. 

She blinked in confusion, peering down at her empty lap, momentarily confused as to where she was. 

Around her people were milling about, moving to greet one another. Next to her the musicians were packing away their instruments and filtering towards the edges of the room, making room for a new batch to take their place. 

Shaking off the last vestiges of sleep she forced a thankful smile as Caleb helped her stand, his hand lingering lightly at the edge of her elbow, as though ready to catch her if she should stumble or fall. Her gaze slipped over the musicians, seeking out Rafayel as he nodded absently to whatever a musician at his side was saying. His attention, however, was clearly on her. She watched as his face turned slightly as Caleb nudged her away from the musicians and towards the tables laden with food, his eyes narrowing as though he wished to stop them. 

She reached out, gripping Caleb’s arm tightly as she pretended to stumble, drawing him to a standstill as his attention focused on her in concern. 

“Sorry.” She murmured, taking the moment to pull out of his grasp. “I just need some fresh air ... to catch my breath.”

She noted the way Caleb’s gaze narrowed but she ignored it, needing to put some distance between them before Rafayel’s jealousy got the better of him and Caleb recognized his Lemurian adversary. 

“Can you grab me something to eat? I’ll meet up with you in a few minutes.” She inquired, moving away from Caleb and out through one of the open doors. To her relief he didn’t follow and she moved quickly down the long porch, tucking herself in a corner. She gripped the wooden railing, taking in a few deep, cleansing breaths, allowing the cold winter’s air to burn in her lungs as she tried to figure out what to do next. 

She needed to get Rafayel out of there first, she decided. Before Caleb or Xavier ran into him and realized who he was. Xavier may not be inclined to return him to the menagerie but Caleb seemed to have some deep seated hatred of the Lemurian due to her current ... condition ... and she didn’t trust that Caleb wouldn’t drag him back there no matter how much she protested it. 

She couldn’t understand how Rafayel had escaped the menagerie. He claimed he hadn’t been able to sense water outside of the menagerie, nor could he sense the collars as the King had done. And yet, here he was. 

Her hand came up, clutching at her chest as she worried over the implications of that. Rafayel had nearly destroyed her village in a rage over the loss of a single Lemurian child. He’d finished the job after Caleb and his men had dared to use her as bait to lure Rafayel out. 

What might he do here and now, believing his own children were in danger?

Steeling her courage she turned, stalking back towards the ballroom, intent on first finding Rafayel and convincing him to hide before returning to Caleb’s side. She caught sight of Rafayel lurking near the seat she had initially been sitting in, his gaze slowly scanning over the crowd. She gathered her skirts, moving towards him. But before she reached him something grabbed onto her wrist, dragging her sideways and into the crowd of dancers. 

She scowled, thinking it was Caleb but when she turned she found herself face to face with a different mask. She gasped, pushing back away from this unknown individual but his hands tightened, holding her against him as he twirled, dragging her further away from the edge of the room and the Lemurian she had been heading towards. 

She noticed that man's strangely pale hair, a silvery-white that seemed painfully familiar and for a moment thought that it was Xavier but where he had been wearing white, this person was clad in shadowy blacks. 

“Let go ...” She demanded, trying once more to jerk away but the other merely chuckled. She froze, recognizing that laugh. 

“You ...” She hissed, her gaze snapping back towards the man that had haunted her dreams of the labyrinthian menagerie.

“Me.” The dragon replied, his grin toothy as he pulled her closer, making her gasp as he drew her into a sharp turn. 

“What are you doing here?” She demanded, desperately trying to peer around his broad shoulders, fearful that either Rafayel or Caleb would notice. 

The man in her arms hummed playfully, his eyes amused behind the crow mask he wore. “Our deal remains unfinished. I thought perhaps you might wish to rectify that.”

She hesitated, her gaze darting back to meet his own. “I do.” She insisted. “But this is hardly the place.”

“Oh?” The man replied, his lips curling upwards, his glittering eyes telling her that he seemed to think this was exactly the place to have this conversation. 

She huffed, tugging uselessly at his grasp. “Meet me later. Outside.” She demanded. 

He shook his head, his gaze sliding towards the front of the room where Xavier was finally nearing the end of the line of well wishers. “And why would I do that?” He murmured. 

She gasped as he drew to a stop, his hand tight about her waist. “Let’s go give our greetings to the Prince, shall we?” He stated, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he began to stalk towards the front of the room. 

She dug her heels in, her heart beating frantically in her chest as she tried to slow his movements. “No!” She protested, practically clawing at his arm to stop him. “Not until you tell me what I need to know. Then you can do whatever it is you plan on doing”

To her relief he stilled, his jaw tightening slightly as she felt him struggling to reeling in his roiling Evol. To her relief, he relented. “Fine.” He finally growled out, making her gasp as he suddenly turned on his heel, pushing her towards a pair of open doors and the balcony beyond. She noted Rafayel lingering near the doorways and frowned as he met the dragon’s gaze and nodded, drifting past them and deeper into the room. 

She leaned back, watching as Rafayel was swallowed up in the crowd. 

“What are you two planning?” She demanded. 

The dragon chuckled, pushing her towards the wide stairs that led down into the garden beyond. 

“A distraction.” He offered vaguely. 

She scowled but allowed him to lead her deeper into the garden. Finally he stilled, his gaze fixing on her as he stepped back, hands folded behind his back as he waited. 

She felt her nerves flutter in her chest as she realized that this was her moment. She took her time, considering what she needed from him. This was the end of the transaction between them and she did not trust him to tell her everything unless she was very specific. 

Drawing in a deep breath she met his gaze evenly. 

“How do I remove the silver collars the King is using to control those with Evol and the creatures of the menagerie?” She finally demanded. 

The man glanced away from her, his gaze lingering on the high walls of the menagerie just beyond them. 

“Come.” He finally replied, gesturing towards her. 

She followed silently, hesitating for only a moment as she felt his Evol stir, dark shadows hurrying before them. As they approached the gates to the menagerie her gaze lingered on the still forms of the guards as they lay splayed out upon the ground, the shadows skirting over them. As she passed by their still forms and followed the dragon into the menagerie she hoped that they were still alive. 

They walked for what seemed an eternity, their path twisting and turning until she was thoroughly lost. Still, she forced herself onward, needing the answer she sought. 

Finally the walls parted and she froze, met with a large open area. 

It spread out far to touch the horizon beyond, an unending wasteland that stretched out past the towering walls of the menagerie. 

“Where are we?” She whispered in confusion, trying to understand where they could be. 

She and Caleb had been all over the City that surrounded this palace as children. There was no way a piece of land this large could possibly exist within its confines. 

The man before her paused, pulling off the mask he wore and tossing it aside. “Come along.” He demanded, waving her forward. 

Hesitantly she stepped forward, the rocky ground cutting into her slippered feet as she slowly picked her way closer to him. 

“So do you have a name or something?” She finally asked as she neared, reaching out to take his offered hand. 

He hesitated, as though caught off guard by her question. “Sylus.” He finally offered. 

She nodded, watching as he turned away from her, slowly leading her further along the rocky ground. 

The trees about them were twisted and blackened, the rocks beneath her feet scorched and gouged, as though a fire had torn through this place. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Sylus stilled, his gaze fixed on a large sloping form before them. 

She frowned, trying to understand what she was seeing. Sylus dropped her hand as she slowly made her way closer to it, reaching out to touch a thick, curved column that jutted up overhead. It felt strange under her fingertips and she peered at it closer, noting a strange series of small, porous holes along its surface. 

It took her a long moment to realize the column was not stone as she had first thought but bone. 

Gasping she pulled back, her gaze snapping towards Sylus. 

He met her gaze evenly for a long moment before pacing forward, reaching up to gently brush his fingertips lovingly over the bone before passing by, his gaze fixed downwards, as though searching for something. 

She watched silently as he moved about, kicking lightly at the bare dirt beneath his feet. Finally he bent, prying something from the ground. She watched as he dusted the flat disc off, gasping as the dirt fell away, revealing a silver surface. 

Hurrying forward she took it from him, turning it over. 

“A scale?” She finally guessed, recognizing its shape as similar to the scale Rafayel had plucked from his tail and forced her to swallow. 

Sylus nodded. 

Her gaze flicked up, tracing the curve of bone high overhead, finally recognizing the shape. 

“A dragon’s scale ...” She realized, flipping it over and watching the moonlight flicker off its silvery surface. “The collars are made from these?” She guessed, holding it up.

Sylus’s hands slipped into his pockets as he rocked back a bit on his heels, his gaze turning distant. 

She frowned, her gaze returning to the large scale in her hands. It was thick and sturdy, she was unable to bend it or break it, even as she twisted it between her hands. 

“But how is the King using it to drain Evol?” She demanded. 

Sylus shifted, his gaze refocusing as he turned towards her. His hand came up, brushing against the front of his shirt, right over his breastbone. Her gaze lingered on the spot he gestured to. 

“I don’t ...” She froze, her mind casting back to her dreams and the silver dragon that had come and destroyed Paradise. 

Gasping she pushed past him, searching over the great skeleton that towered above her until she came to its head. It lay peacefully upon the ground, its snout tilted slightly skyward, as though it had watched the sky as it died. 

Hesitantly she stepped past it, following the long, snake-like bones of its neck down to where the rib cage started. 

There, where the long rib bones curled downwards she found the first hints of trauma, her fingers lingering over the deep gouges that had been carved into the pointed edges of the rib cage. 

“What was here?” She demanded, turning to stare back at Sylus, who was watching her a few paces away.

He cocked his head. “I thought you wanted to know how to remove the collars.” He drawled. 

She scowled, resisting the urge to stomp in frustration. Something had been there. Something that had been carved out of the dragon’s flesh. Clearly Sylus wanted her to know about it. So why was he being so vague over it now. 

Her gaze refocused on the skeletal remains under her hand. 

The dragon in her dreams had been clad in the silver scales. But whatever it carried had been carved out of it by the time it had come to Paradise. 

It was important. It had to be. 

And yet ... she let her hand drop away, her fingers brushing over her stomach, the memory of the dream of holding her daughter in her arms lingering in her mind. There was no more time. She had to free Rafayel and the others. As much as she wanted to watch the King burn for what he had done, she needed to put the lives of her children first. They couldn’t be born here, not into this nightmare. 

Swallowing back the urge to demand he tell her more about the wound dragon in her dreams she forced her attention away from it, meeting Sylus’s gaze evenly. 

“How do I remove the collars?” She demanded once more. 

Something flickered in his gaze, his features turning cold as though she had somehow disappointed him. Still, she swallowed back her ego. This was no longer about her or her wants. Her children came first. Even if it meant the King lived on.

“You already know how.” Sylus finally replied, drifting closer, reaching out to take the scale from her. 

She hesitated, watching as he turned it over in his hands. 

“Spell it out for me.” She demanded, earning an exasperated chuckle from the man at her side. 

“The collars are made of dragon scale.” Sylus reminded her, tossing the scale aside. “Surely you can think of something you have encountered recently that managed to rend them.”

She frowned, her brow furrowing as she met his gaze. 

Then she blinked, realizing what he was talking about. The memory of Sylus's heaving side, his black scales split by a weapon made of light. “The sword ...” She murmured. 

Sylus inclined his head. “Indeed.”

She touched her chest, reaching for that strange bit of power that had sliced into it. Glancing up at Sylus she turned, letting her gaze fall towards the scale that he had tossed away. 

Breathing in deeply she clenched her hand, reaching for that bit of power within her and pulling it free. She gasped as something formed between her fingers, a delicate hilt solidifying within her grasp. Licking lips gone dry, she lifted the sword and then slashed it downwards, watching as the glowing blade easily pierced the scale, rending it in twain. 

Sylus chuckled as she leaned against it, panting. “Perhaps, something a bit more ... delicate is warranted.” He suggested, reaching out to wrap his hand about hers. “Unless, of course, you’d prefer to take their heads off with the collars.” 

She watched as the blade flickered, shrinking as the hilt shifted between her fingers, reforming into a dagger. 

He released her hand and she lifted it, turning it carefully to inspect it. 

“Thank you.” She finally offered, opening her hand and watching as the dagger faded, the strange Evol slotting back within her chest. 

Sylus shrugged, his gaze sweeping back the way they had come. She followed his gaze, meeting Rafayel’s as he lingered a respectful distance away, watching them both. She gathered her skirts, making her way to his side. He slipped an arm about her waist, making her gasp as he lifted her, sparing her aching feet the walk back over the rocky ground. 

It was on her tongue to protest but she bit it back, choosing instead to loop her arms about his neck, letting her cheek rest against his shoulder as he carried her. 

“They liked your music.” She offered softly. “The children.”

Rafayel snorted softly, though she noted the way his lips curled ever so slightly, as though pleased.

Chapter Text

Rafayel shifted, carefully lowering her down as they neared the menagerie gates. She kept her hold about his neck for a long moment as her feet touched the broken cobblestone and she struggled to find her balance in the ridiculous dress the King had chosen for her. Rafayel, to her relief, didn’t seem to mind, simply waiting until she felt confident enough in her balance to release him. 

Sylus was a quiet, if slightly unsettling presence at their backs. 

She glanced towards the open gates of the menagerie, noting that the bodies of the guards still lay splayed out on the pathway, unnoticed. 

Taking in a deep breath she focused on her hands, pulling on that bit of foreign power that lurked within her. The dagger formed quickly enough, a bright light amidst the dark of the night. Reaching up she brushed back the ribbons that hung about Rafayel’s neck, pulling his tunic open to bare his chest and the crude collar. 

She hesitated, her fingers lingering over his skin, noting the strange grayness of his flesh.

She glanced over his shoulder, at the dark maze beyond. 

She shouldn’t. She didn’t have the time. 

And yet ... she couldn’t bring herself to be as selfish as she knew her children needed her to be. 

“How many creatures are trapped here?” She finally demanded, her gaze fixing on Sylus. 

Rafayel hissed in displeasure, one hand catching her wrist, urging her to refocus on freeing him but she ignored him in favor of obtaining the answer she sought from the dragon. 

Sylus cocked his head, his gaze turning distant for a moment. “Twenty or so.” He finally offered. 

She sighed, her eyes closing for a moment. “If I freed them all, how long until the King would notice?” She pushed. 

Sylus shrugged, glancing down at his nails. “I could make it so that he never notices ...” He offered, a dark smile tugging at the edges of his lips. 

“No.” She snapped. “Not yet.”

The faint smile left Sylus's face as he let his hand drop, his gaze turning mildly annoyed. “He doesn’t come here often. But he feeds once a day or so, more when the years begin to weigh heavily on what little soul he has left. If I had to guess, he would probably notice the drop in available energy to drain within a few hours. If you wish to keep his mind off of it then you’ll need something to distract him from the urge to consume.”

She glanced up at Rafayel, meeting his frustrated gaze. “We can’t leave them here. Not like this.” She insisted. 

Rafayel huffed, his gaze sweeping past her towards the Palace beyond. “If I allow this ... you will come back to the sea with me. No more arguments or threats, no more stalling.” He finally grit out, his gaze firm. 

She hesitated, wincing as his hand tightened almost painfully about her wrist. “Alright.” She finally agreed. “But we have to free the others too before we go. Even Caleb.”

Rafayel growled low and deep at her insistence but she held her ground. 

“If I do not remove the collar, the King will order Caleb to hunt us down. We’ll never be safe as long as the King has him on a leash.” She reasoned. 

She watched as Rafayel grit his teeth. “He can’t hunt us if he’s dead.” He pointed out petulantly. 

She shook her head, waiting.

Finally Rafayel relented, giving her a curt nod. 

Breathing a bit easier she glanced back at Sylus. “I need to free Xavier as well.” She added. 

Unlike Rafayel, Sylus kept whatever he felt about her declaration to himself, simply meeting her gaze evenly. 

“The King wishes him to find and bring him the Bai Ze. I don’t know why but Xavier doesn’t wish to do so. If freeing him from the collar saves him from doing it, I think it’s in our best interest to do so.” She pushed. "Besides, someone will need to take over as King once you're done."

Sylus snorted, shaking his head, the ghost of a smile returning to his face. “As you like.” He offered. 

She reached up, carefully slipping the dagger between Rafayel’s chest and the collar. She pulled, grunting softly as the dagger began to slip through the remnants of the scale before getting stuck. Scowling she adjusted her hold on the hilt, tugging harder but failing to make much heady. To her relief, Rafayel reached up, wrapping his hand about hers. With their combined strength they managed to slowly work the glowing blade through the collar. She gasped as it finally slipped free, sending her stumbling back as Rafayel bent the broken collar back and tossed it off in disgust. 

“Alright, we have a few more hours before dawn.” She murmured, glancing up to gauge where the moon hung in the sky. “Sylus, can you take me to the creatures?”

Sylus considered her for a long while. “And what will you do with them once you free them?” He asked, making her pause. “Are you planning on allowing them to run free through the streets of the City?”

She hesitated, realizing what he was getting at. “We can leave them here, for now.” She mused. “After Rafayel and I have left, you can free them once you’ve done what you plan to do.”

Sylus shook his head, chuckling. “And what makes you think I have any intention of cleaning up after I’m done?”

She tsked in frustration, glaring at him. “Fine, what do you want for it?” She finally demanded, reaching out to stall Rafayel’s protest. 

Sylus cocked his head, his gaze turning amused. “I think we can all agree we don’t have the time for proper negotiations right now. We can discuss what you owe me later.”

She hesitated, disliking the idea of owing the dragon anything but he was right. They didn’t have time. 

“Fine.” She forced out, ignoring the faint growl of anger from the Lemurian at her side. 

Sylus chuckled, his face turning upwards as he studied the Palace. A crow dropped down, its nails clicking against the stone of the wall as it settled, watching them with glittering eyes. 

“Follow him.” Sylus instructed. “He will take you to each enclosure.”

“And you?” She demanded.

Sylus moved towards the open gates of the menagerie. “You wish the King to be distracted from your actions, do you not?” He asked pointedly. 

She took a step towards him, her hand raised slightly. “The Palace is full of people.” She protested, fearful for their safety. 

Sylus waved her off. “Calm yourself. I’m simply going to ... stir the pot ... a little. The hallways won’t need to run with blood for this bit of diversion. Though ...” He paused, his hands slipping into his pockets as he glanced back at her. “The longer it takes you to complete your mission, the more chance that things might have to get more deadly. So I suggest you get to it.”

She scowled as he dissolved into shadows, skirting away back towards the palace. 

“Well?” She finally demanded, glancing up at the crow that stared down at her blandly. 

Large wings opened and it glided down, leading them deeper into the menagerie.

********************

She watched in exhaustion as Rafayel cut the last of the bands, gasping as the otter-like creature swiped at him before squirming away and disappearing into the little burrow with a flick of its tail. He rose, brushing the dirt and fur off his pants as he padded back towards her, easily scaling the rocky wall and joining her back on the main path. 

At her side the crow greeted him with a sharp caw, its wings flapping lazily as Rafayel passed her back the dagger. She let it bleed back into her palm, scooting over to let him drop dramatically down next to her. 

“Thanks.” She offered with a wry smile, earning a snort as he studied the scratches that covered both of their arms. 

She peered over at the crow. “That is the last of them?” She inquired. 

The crow cawed, its wings flapping lazily before it settled back down. 

“I’m going to assume that means yes.” She guessed, glancing back at the man at her side. Rafayel shrugged, tucking her under his arm. 

“I’ll need to head back soon.” She mused. “Caleb has to have noticed I’ve gone missing by now.”

Rafayel’s arm about her tightened, holding her practically pinned against his side in silent rebuke. 

“Soon.” She promised, tucking her head under his chin, allowing her eyes to drift closed, taking a few quiet moments for herself. “We’ll leave this place soon.”

Rafayel shifted, allowing her to lean more of her weight against him. She murmured softly, breathing deeper as Rafayel’s fingers ghosted over her stomach. She felt Rafayel slip down her Evol channels, brushing against their children, checking on them. The response he received was sleepy but content. 

She closed her eyes, nuzzling more into the rough fabric of his shirt. Rafayel’s fingers slipped away from her stomach, rubbing against her back. With a sigh she let herself slip into sleep, trusting that he would wake her when it was time. 

She drifted in sleep, warm and content. Her dreams, if there were any, were quick, ephemeral things that slipped away the moment Rafayel shifted, gently pushing her upright. Yawning she rubbed her eyes, glancing at him curiously. He gestured towards the cobblestone pathway, though his expression still held a hint of censure at her continued refusal to just leave the City. 

She rose, wrapping her arm about his and tugging him along. “Just three more.” She promised. “If we can get to them quickly we can be out of here by dawn.”

Rafayel shook his head in exasperation but, to her relief, kept his complaints to himself, simply leading her back towards the palace. They slipped unseen through the dark garden, following the sound of music back towards the open ballroom. The moment she stepped back into the large room she paused, noting the thick tension that seemed to have taken over the space. 

To her left the musicians played on dutifully but not a single couple danced. Instead, the crowd had broken into small anxious groups, masks tilted as people whispered urgently behind fans and gloved hands. 

She knew immediately that something had happened, though she supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised. Sylus had informed her that he would make sure the King stayed distracted while she did what needed to be done in the menagerie. At least she couldn’t catch the scent of spilled blood.

“We should go. This place is not safe.” Rafayel murmured as his fingers tightened about her own, his body tense. 

“Not without the others.” She insisted, stepped away from him, forcing him to follow as she slowly began to carve a path through the clustered crowd. 

As they moved deeper into the room the crowd finally parted enough for her to catch sight of what everyone was watching. Her breath hissed between her teeth as she froze, catching sight of the King, his expression savagely cold as he stared down the pair of men before him. Xavier was a few paces away, seemingly caught between his father and Sylus, whose own slightly slouched posture radiated pure disdain for the King before him. Just behind the King stood Zayne, his face a perfect mask of boredom, as though he were wholly uninterested in whatever was playing out before him. 

“That’s Zayne.” She hissed softly to Rafayel, gesturing towards him. “The one who was helping me in the village. We need to get him away from the group so I can free him.”

Rafayel met her words with a soft snort. 

Assuming he understood she pulled away from him, daring to creep closer to the group, hoping she could catch Zayne’s attention while the King seemed distracted. 

She had only gone a few steps when strong fingers clamped around her arm, jerked her back. She turned quickly, startled to find Caleb gripping her arm. However, her heart dropped as she realized his gaze was not on her but rather fixed over her shoulder. 

“Caleb ...” She protested, tugging urgently at his arm but his gaze remained fixed on what she could only assume was Rafayel as his grip tightened, pulling her closer to him protectively. 

“So that’s where you disappeared to.” Caleb grit out, his gaze narrowing as he tracked Rafayel’s movement as the Lemurian slipped to the right, clearly attempting to circle behind him. 

She shook her head, jerking pointedly against his grasp. “I figured out how to free you.” She hissed at him, careful to keep her voice low. “We just need to get ...”

Her words died off as Caleb suddenly stiffened, his hand spasming against her arm as a hissed curse was driven out of his lungs. Too late she felt the sharp lash of the King’s Evol, jerking the invisible leash that chained Caleb to him. She reached out frantically with her own Evol, shoving the King’s back, desperate to cancel it out. Next to her Caleb stumbled, shaking his head as though trying to clear it. 

People were turning to stare at them and through the crowd she could see the King’s furious gaze slashing her way. 

Swallowing back her panic, she ripped the dagger from her chest with one hand while jerking Caleb’s shirt down with the other. He grunted as the fabric bit into the back of his neck and moved to pull away from her but fear gave her strength she didn’t normally possess, allowing her to hold him still long enough to slip the dagger beneath the silver collar and yank with all of her might. 

Caleb, clearly startled by the sudden touch of a blade at his neck, jerked back, helping the dagger to slice through the band. She stumbled back with a cry as the dagger cleaved the collar and she lost her footing, falling into a pair of soldiers that the King had sent their way. 

“Go!” She shouted, twisting in their grasp as Caleb hesitated, his hand hovering over the broken seam. 

His gaze was furious and for a terrifying moment she thought he might launch himself at the men holding her but he caught sight of something behind her and growled, backing up a few feet before lashing out with his Evol. She winced as a bright light shot down from above, driving Caleb and the rest of the crowd back as Xavier launched himself at Caleb. 

She didn’t need her Evol to know that Xavier was being driven by the King’s power but with the soldiers practically dragging her backwards she couldn’t find a moment to concentrate hard enough to once again lash out at the King to dampen his Evol long enough for Xavier to brush off the effects of his father's command. 

Rafayel managed to skirt Xavier and Caleb, slipping closer to the pair of men dragging her back, a dagger flashing between his fingers as he stalked them. 

Gritting her teeth she kicked backwards, catching one of the soldiers in the shin, making him stumble and curse, allowing her to jerk her arm free. 

Rafayel took the opening to lunge forward, his dagger slipping easily into the one soldier who still held her. She stumbled as she was released, desperate to put some distance between herself and the soldiers, to reorient herself. 

Before she could do so ice ran along her ankles, freezing her in place. She cried out as the ice crept up her bare legs, stinging her flesh as she struggled to free herself. 

“Zayne ... stop.” She gasped. 

A hand wrapped about her neck from behind, gripping her chin and forcing her head up and back painfully. 

“I see we've been playing with things best kept hidden.” The King hissed in her ear. “I tire of these games of yours. It’s time to end this charade.”

She shrieked as something sharp pierced her skull just behind her ear, sending rainbow shards of pain through her vision and dropping her into unconsciousness. 

************************************************

She stirred, groaning as the sharp pain in her head sent nausea racing through her. 

“Shhh.” A voice murmured behind her, hands gathering her loose hair and pulling it back as she kicked lightly at the thick, heavy fabric that covered her. 

“Easy now, you’re still weak. Go back to sleep.” A voice crooned. 

She shook her head but, to her frustration she could feel her consciousness slipping away. 

It was a long while before she woke again. 

She blinked slowly, staring at the bright light that filtered in around the curtains. Her body felt strange, as though it did not belong to her. More disturbing, however, was how completely blank her mind was. She frowned, glancing down at her hand, watching as her fingers clenched and unclenched against the blankets. 

Where was she? Who was she?

She struggled to remember but her mind was completely blank. 

Slowly she pushed herself up, wincing as a warning flare of pain flickered in her head. She reached back, brushing her fingers against the back of her ear. Her fingertips touched something cold and hard and she arched, crying out as the thing seemed to pulse at her touch, driving itself deeper into her skull. 

“Hush now. Leave it be.” Someone scolded as a hand caught her wrist, gently pulling her hand away from the thing. 

“Get it out!” She pleaded through clenched teeth. 

“Just relax.” The other coaxed. “The pain will stop soon.”

She sobbed softly but did as the other insisted, laying still as the throbbing slowly subsided. She murmured appreciatively as fingertips brushed over her face and lips, tracing her features as her body trembled. 

Finally she dared to open her eyes once more, peering curiously at the man at her side. 

He was handsome, she supposed, his features regal, though perhaps his golden gaze was a bit too sharp, almost predatory as he watched her. But when he spared her a faint smile it helped to soften that gaze, making her feel a bit more at ease. 

“Where am I?” She dared to ask. 

The man pulled back, his copper colored hair shimmering as he moved. She watched as he reached down, brushing his fingertips over her bare arm.

“Home and safe.” He replied, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You’ve had quite the adventure, my dear, but all that is over now.”

She frowned, desperately trying to remember but the pain flared once more, shattering her concentration. 

“I can't ... remember ...” She gasped out, gazing at him pleadingly. "My head hurts."

The man’s gaze turned almost sorrowful as he nodded. “I know. Don't try to remember, just leave your mind blank.” He replied. She watched as he struggled to stand, concern creasing her brow as he shuffled slowly towards the end of the bed. 

“You’re hurt too ...” She murmured, struggling to sit up 

The man raised a hand, stilling her. “An old injury. Nothing to worry yourself over.” 

She bit her lip, watching with concern as he grabbed onto a cane that had been propped up at the bottom of the bed, leaning on it heavily as he turned, peering down at her with a wry smile. 

“What happened to me?” She demanded.

He sighed. “You chose to leave and were hurt. It took time but you've finally returned. Unfortunately the outside world was less than kind to you. But it doesn’t matter. You’re here now and just need to focus on resting.”

She frowned, something about that feeling wrong to her. But she kept the thought to herself, unable to dredge up any memory that might explain why something in the man’s explanation seemed off.

Shaking her head she sat up further, gasping when a sharp twinge in her stomach stopped her. She peered down, shocked to realize her stomach was swollen beneath the thin nightgown she wore. 

“I’m with child?” She asked, peering back at the man in confusion. 

He nodded slowly. “Yes. Do not concern yourself over it. It shall be over soon enough.”

She noted the dismissive tone in the man’s words. “You ... don’t want it?” She guessed. 

He laughed humorlessly, shaking his head. “Oh I want them very much. Their essence will sustain us all for a very, very long time.”

She hesitated, her hand resting on her stomach. “Their essence?” She whispered, concern flowing through her.

“Of course.” The man replied, leaning upon his cane as he watched her. “Eternity is a fleeting thing, even for ones such as ourselves. What you carry is a gift. Consuming them will revitalize us, granting us many more years of life.”

She felt her heart clench in panic but forced herself to nod slowly, pretending to understand. The man watched her for a long while, as though trying to see through her but she forced herself to remain calm. Finally he seemed satisfied, turning to go. 

“You’ll remain here until you’ve fully recovered.” He informed her. “I’ll have a servant bring you food. Don’t try to get up.”

She nodded, watching as the door closed behind him. Her fingers tangled in the covers of the bed, peering about the large room. 

Nothing about it seemed familiar. The man had told her she had chosen to leave so surely she should remember something about this place. And yet it was like she was seeing it for the first time. 

She sighed, her hand coming to rest upon her stomach. Something moved under her palm, making her pull back with a gasp. That thing seemed to tap at her from within, as though demanding her attention. She hesitated, unsure of what to do, how to respond. After a brief pause the thing within her seemed to twist, bumping against her demandingly. At the same time she felt something tugging at some strange thread within her.

Hesitantly she reached out to that ephemeral thread the thing was tugging on. However, the moment she touched it that hot, hurtful pain flashed through her head, making her back arch as she cried out silently as waves of pain flooded through her, drowning out that incessant tugging as she was rendered helpless beneath its onslaught. 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the pain released her, leaving her panting and sweating as she struggled to make sense of what had happened. The thing within her had cringed back and though she could still feel it within her, it didn’t attempt to reach out for her again. 

Swallowing back the bile that had built up in the back of her throat she forced herself back up on shaky elbows. She didn’t know what had happened but she’d do anything to make sure it never happened again. 

She rolled onto her side, pushing herself up until she could slide her legs off the edge of the bed. Drawing in a deep breath she stood, clinging to the bedpost as her legs threatened to give out. 

There was something she needed to do. Something important. She was sure of it. 

And yet she couldn’t for the life of her remember what that thing was. 

She forced herself to shuffle towards the window, pushing the heavy fabric back. She blinked in the bright light as she peered out. 

Dark iron bars met her gaze, making her still as she stared at them in confusion. 

She reached out, her fingers lingering on the glass as she eyed the thick bars beyond. 

Frowning she turned, her gaze scanning over the room, seeing it with new eyes. Nothing about it screamed prison but why else would there be bars outside of her window?

She let her hand fall away from the window, unease building within her. 

She perched herself on the edge of the bed, her hand wrapping about the post as she stared at the closed door. 

Eventually a servant arrived. He barely glanced at her as he set a tray down, sparing her a curt bow before slipping out. She didn’t fail to notice the click of the lock as he closed the door behind him. 

The food tasted like ash in her mouth but she forced herself to eat. 

When she had consumed all she could stomach she pushed the tray away and climbed back onto the bed, curling on her side. 

She felt the thing within her reach out once again, though it stopped before tugging on that strange thread within her. As it pulled back she felt a strange sadness well up within her. She longed to reach out to reassure it but resisted, fearful of the pain. 

She must have dozed off because when she woke again it was dark. 

She realized immediately that she wasn’t alone. 

She moved to push herself up but a hand caught her shoulder, pushing her back down. She relented, rolling onto her back to meet the man’s golden gaze. 

“Who are you?” She finally asked. 

He hummed softly, his fingers gently working a small tangle from her hair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “It doesn’t matter.” He replied, tugging gently on her hair. 

She reached out, daring to grasp his wrist, drawing his gaze. “Why can’t I remember anything?” She demanded. 

He leaned back, pulling free of her grasp. “A necessary precaution.” He replied. “Others have sought to use you, to cloud your mind. They tricked you into making deals with them, to convince you that there are debts to be paid. Better for you to start anew here with a clean slate than to be burdened by the past.”

She shook her head. “But I don’t know who I am. Who you are. How is this better?” She argued. 

"You must trust me in this. None of that matters.” He insisted once more.

“It does.” She insisted, reaching up to brush her fingers against that throbbing pain behind her ear. “This thing ... I can’t remember your name, though you act as though we should know one another.”

The man shifted, one leg crossing over the other as he studied her. “I do not have one.” He finally replied, causing her to peer at him in confusion. 

“Everyone has a name.” She protested, finding his words ridiculous. 

The man's golden gaze glittered as a faint chuckle escaping him. “If that is so then tell me ... what is your name?”

She opened her mouth, pausing as her mind remained blank. “This thing ...” She reminded him, reaching up to cup her hand over the painful shard 

“Has nothing to do with it.” The man interrupted. “Even if it were not there it would not matter. You are as nameless as myself, my dear.”

She shut her mouth, despair flooding through her as she began to consider the truth of his words. 

The man at her side reached out, catching her hand in his own. “Still, I suppose you are somewhat correct. I had a name once. However it was stolen from me, long ago. There is only one creature left in this world that might remember it, as well as your own. I have spent a long time searching for the Bai Ze but alas, it has proved elusive and those who can find it have been ... less than helpful in obtaining it for me. Perhaps once you have recovered you might have more success in convincing them to bring the Bai Ze to us than I have.”

She hesitated, the creature’s name sparking a strange sense of familiarity within her. 

The man at her side stilled, his gaze narrowing as he let her hand fall away. “What is it?” He demanded, as though sensing the turmoil within her.

She shook her head and the feeling was gone. “Nothing.” She replied. “Just ... tired, I suppose.”

Silence fell between them. She shifted, lying back among the pillows and closing her eyes, feigning sleep. To her relief, the man finally rose, leaving her to her rest, though she remained awake for a long while later, her mind troubled.  

Chapter Text

She was startled awake by a deafening crash of thunder.

She panted softly, tugging the covers more firmly about herself as she listened to the wind howl outside of her window. The glass panes clacked and squealed under the onslaught and she was grateful for the thick curtains that might protect her should the glass give way.

Shivering, she forced herself up and out of the bed, giving the window a wide berth as she plucked a smaller blanket from the nearby chair, wrapping it about her shoulders as she crept closer to the door. She recalled the sound of the lock clicking behind the servant yesterday but reached for the latch anyway, hoping things would be different now that it was morning.

To her dismay the latch refused to budge.

Gritting her teeth in frustration she banged on the door with her palm.

After a few minutes she heard the click of a key in the lock and stepped back, watching as the sharp eyed servant from before pushed it open.

“I want to go out.” She demanded.

The man shook his head, moving to close the door once more but she stepped forward, blocking its path.

“It's cold and,” She winced as lightening struck close by, the resulting thunder shaking the floor. “I don't like storms. Please.”

The servant scowled, clearly disliking her insistence but when she refused to move he finally relented, stepping back to allow her to step out.

She froze, eyeing the narrow spiraled staircase before her hesitantly.

“Careful.” The servant cautioned. “It's a long way down.”

She pulled the blanket tighter about her shoulders but forced herself to take that first step.

There was no railing to hold onto and the stairs were terrifyingly narrow but she forced herself to keep going, pausing only when the storm made the ground shake. The servant followed behind, a quiet shadow that offered her no help as she slowly worked her way round and round.

Finally the stairs came to an end and she paused, leaning against the wall in relief as she took a moment to catch her breath. She peered upwards, her heart dropping at the thought of having to walk all the way back up again.

Her heart finally settling, she stepped forward and then hesitated, a realization hitting her. The man who had come to her, the one who struggled to stand ... how had he managed the stairs?

The servant brushed past her, picking a key from the bundle at his waist and slotting into the lock on the door before her. He pulled it open, stepping aside to wait.

It was on the tip of her tongue to to ask the servant but she pushed the question aside, forcing herself forward and through the open door instead.

The room beyond was blissfully warm and she moved closer to the fireplace, grateful for its heat even as the storm outside rattled the bank of windows along the back of the room. She could hear the sound of things being dragged across stone by the wind and the cracking of branches beyond. 

“Wait here.” The servant instructed, gesturing towards one of the seats next to the fireplace.

She nodded, sinking down into it happily, sighing as the warmth the chair's cushions had absorbed seeped into her aching back as she leaned back, eyeing the room around her. It was cozy, with older furniture that showed some wear, giving it an almost pleasant, lived in look. 

It did not take long before the servant returned, setting a tray at her side before retreating to a seat near the rattling windows. She picked at the food she had been provided, watching the fire dance merrily in the fireplace.

“I see you managed to charm your way out of captivity once more.” A voice suddenly offered, startling her.

She blinked, pulling herself out of the quiet daze the flames had lured her into, turning to find the man from before seated next to her, as though he had always been there.

“I didn't like the storm.” She offered, figuring that if it had worked on the servant it might work on the man at her side as well.

He shook his head slightly as though amused by her excuse. “It is a rather fierce one, I will admit.” He replied, glancing down at a pocket watch hanging from his waist. “But nothing more than a temper tantrum dredged up by a petulant child playing at being a god. Pay it no mind.”

She frowned at his choice of words, unable to understand them but the man set the watch aside, his golden gaze catching her own.

“How did you manage the stairs to visit me?” She dared to ask.

She had the satisfaction of seeing the man hesitate, clearly caught off guard by her question. After a moment he laughed, the light catching in the copper strands of his hair, giving it a red sheen as he shook his head. “Come now, allow me to have some secrets.”

She scowled. “Everything is a secret with you.” She accused, causing him to laugh once more.

“I suppose so.” He conceded, pushing himself up before offering her his free hand. “Walk with me a bit. I was just about to go meet with someone who is quite eager to see that you've survived your ordeal.”

She was loathed to leave the warmth of the fire but the man at her side seemed insistent. Swallowing down her nervousness she reached out, allowing her fingers to wrap around his hand as he helped her stand. To her annoyance he did not release her hand once she had stood but rather kept it firmly locked in his own as he lead her from the room and down a long hall.

“What is this place?” She inquired, peering at the artwork that lined the walls.

“My home.” He replied simply. “Well, one of them, anyway. After the ... incident ... a few days ago I thought you might prefer somewhere more secluded to recoup.”

She frowned. “How many homes do you have?”

The man shrugged. “The world is a large place, my dear. One should always have a place nearby to rest their head.”

As they neared a pair of doors he released her hand, reaching out to pull one open for her.

She stepped past him, pausing to take in the large room.

Something about it, with its long dinging table and empty chairs seemed familiar. She turned slightly, watching as the man made his way to the head of the table. Her gaze flicked to the seats on either side of him, noting the unicorn and dragon emblems that draped the seats on either side of him.

She was sure something had happened in a room just like this one once. Something bad.

She pulled back slightly, her gaze turning inwards as she desperately tried to remember.

A sharp zing of pain stole her breath, warning her to stop.

“Sit. Before you wear yourself out.” The man ordered, drawing her back to the present.

Swallowing back bile she crept forward, purposely choosing the seat directly across from him, putting herself as far from him as she could.

What the man thought of her choice, he kept to himself, simply waving over a waiting servant and murmuring something into their ear. They nodded, slipping away out a small door set to the side.

“What do those mean?” She inquired, gesturing towards the empty seats on either side of the man.

His gaze flicked towards them, his lip curling slightly.

“A reminder.” He replied, settling back in his seat, gesturing towards the dragon. “There have been two Queens who have ruled at my side. The first was taken out of necessity. A deal struck to ensure that I had the strength needed to end the eternal Winter forced on us by jealous gods. She thought to ensnare me, to use my desperation and hope to save humanity to sweeten my soul before devouring it. She gave me one son before fulfilling her end of our bargain.”

"She took your soul?” She asked warily when he fell silent.

The man before her chuckled, his fingers playing over a strange gem about his wrist. “I killed her before she could obtain it. She took her pound of flesh from my body in her final moments, as you can see, but in the end I survived while she did not.”

“And the second Queen?” She pushed.

The man's eyes softened as he glanced at the empty chair to his right. “She I took for love. Though I was no longer the same person I was when we first met, before the Winter turned me into what our people needed me to be.”

She watched as the man settled back, his fingers brushing against a thin chain that peeked out from behind the dark shirt he wore. “Where is she now?” 

The man sighed, his gaze turning distant. “She did not agree that humanity needed constant guidance to ensure their safety and so, chose to move on.”

She frowned slightly. “And you let her?”

The man, the King, she corrected herself barked out a humorless laugh, his gaze hardening as it locked onto hers. “Of course not.” He spat. “I spent years hunting for her after she was taken from me. I risked my own soul  to free her from the prison her fellow gods had created. But by the time my dragon Queen tore down their precious gates, her mind had been so twisted by their lies that she didn't know what to believe anymore and thought me a monster.”

He paused, clearly struggling to swallow down the rage that had built within him. “I did what I had to do. I gave her a fresh start, a new life free of their incessant interference. Still, it wasn't enough. She couldn't understand what I had done, what I had sacrificed to keep my people alive. She believed I wish to become a new god, to replace those that had died.” He tsked, shaking his head. “In the end she sought to punish my hubris by stealing away my name, taking it into death with her so that no one would remember me once I was gone.”

He raised his hand slightly, gesturing towards the empty seat with its silent unicorn. “And despite all of that, here I still am.”

She glanced down at her her hands considering his words.

Before she could reply, however, the servant returned, leading another. The man was tall, dressed in a simply dark robe, his black hair neatly trimmed as he bowed stiffly towards the King. The King waved the servant off and the man shifted, his emerald gaze flicking towards her, She watched in confusion as the man froze, his attention fully fixed on her.

“As you can see, she is hail and well.” The King offered, sparing the man a sneer she didn't fully understand.

She watched nervously as the man moved closer. When he reached out as though he were going to touch her cheek she shrank back, not understanding what he wanted. Surprise flicked through his gaze, a frown tugging on the corner of his lips as he let his hand fall.

“Now. To the matter at hand.” The King stated, causing the man at her side to pull back, his attention refocusing on the figure at the head of the great table. “I tire of waiting and you, my dear, are probably tired of carrying those things within you.”

She felt her breath catch in her throat. “No ...” She protested, moving to push herself up and away from the table, not trusting where this was going.

She cried out as some strange power wrapped about her wrists, jerking them down and trapping them against the table before her. She yanked at them uselessly, nearly falling as she knocked the chair back in her panic. The man next to her caught her, supporting her as she struggled against the shadowy restraints holding her in place.

“Calm yourself, my dear.” The King instructed, watching her flail uselessly against the power holding her down.

She finally collapsed back against the one who held her, panting as he maneuvered the chair back behind her, helping her to sink down into it.

“It is not yet her time.” The man snapped once he was assured she would not fall, his sharp gaze slashing towards the King.

The King tsked, a shadowy blade appearing between his fingertips before he tossed it. She flinched back as the man at her side caught it, catching sight of her own panicked face reflected in its wicked blade.

“Cut them out of her.” The King ordered coldly.

The man at her side hunched strangely, as though the King's words had punched the air out of him.

“The children won't survive ...” He protested through clenched teeth.

“It doesn't matter.” The King snarled, his patience clearly gone. “They need live only long enough to go in the pot.”

She shrank back, jerking desperately at the ephemeral chains that bound her, panic making her heart race uncontrollably as she tried to put as much distance between herself and the blade the other held .

The dark haired man at her side seemed to be struggling against some invisible chains himself, his temple dampening as his fingers jerked strangely against the hilt of the dagger. Across from them the King watched him closely, his brow furrowing in growing anger.

Finally the King rose, his face twisted in rage. “If you will not do it than I will.” He snarled, the blade reappearing in his hand as the man beside her collapsed down onto one knee, his fingers curling along the edge of the table.

She shrieked as invisible hands seemed to grab her elbows, jerking her up and slamming her down onto her back, splayed out on the table. She shifted, trying to push herself up but the thing behind her ear flared, robbing her of her sight as her body seemed to short circuit.

She felt something cold close about her neck and peered up, watching as the King neared, his gaze fixed on the blade in his hand.

“Since our healer has chosen to disobey, I suppose this task falls to me then. You'll have to forgive me for any missteps I make here, my dear. I'm afraid my previous experiences with this blade have had only deadly outcomes.”

He pushed up her gown, baring her stomach. She twisted as much as she could, stilling only when she felt the cold edge of the blade rest against her flesh. She met the man's golden gaze, pleading with him silently. He smiled coldly and pressed down. She cried out as the blade pierced her stomach. She felt a frantic flare of pain from within, one of the children crying out in agony, she realized. She reached out despite the pain, wrapping the writhing child with her Evol, mentally cradling it to her, trying to soothe it as it writhed within her. 

“Stop!” The man on his knees at their side hissed out, slowly pushing himself back onto his feet, sweat dripping down the sides of his face as he fought whatever strange power the King was using to control him. “I'll do it.”

She met his gaze, shaking her head frantically as the King stepped back, the tip of the blade slipping free of her flesh, balanced between his fingertips as he considered the man at their side as blood began to seep through the small wound the knife had made, slowly dripping down her side to the table beneath her.

“You'll kill her and ruin the eggs.” The man panted, closing his eyes and swallowing as he braced himself against the table.

The King hummed thoughtfully, the fingers of his free hand tracing strange symbols in her blood as he considered the other's words.

“Fine.” He finally replied, passing the knife to the man at her side, though he remained close, his golden gaze watchful as the man took a few moments to steady his hands before straightening.

The dark haired man gave her an apologetic look as he shifted, moving into place over her stomach.

She couldn't, she wouldn't let them do this. Even if cost it her own life.

Gritting her teeth, she reached down, latching onto that strange thread that the child within her had tugged at the day before. Once more pain flooded through her as the thing behind her ear sought to punish her for what she was doing but this time she was ready for it. She let it flow through her, accepting the agony as she latched onto the power, begging it to help her. She felt something form between her fingertips and she lashed out at the power holding her down.

She felt the power shudder under her own onslaught before shattering complete. With a cry she lurched up, ignoring the dark haired man standing over her and focusing all of her attention on the King hovering at his side. Something glowed in her hand and she shoved it towards him, hearing him grunt as he took the blow, stumbling back in surprise. She followed him down as he toppled, clinging to the thing she had shoved into his chest, even as the dark haired man caught her, saving her from slamming into the ground as the King did.

“Don't you touch my children.” She snarled, jerking the dagger from the King's chest and shoving it in again and again, rage blinding her as her hands and arms were stained with his blood.

Amidst the haze of violence she became aware of hands on her, pulling her back and away from the source of all of her pain and anger. She shrieked and fought but the other would not be deterred, pulling her back and trapping her in his arms as she finally released the blade, sobbing as the pain in her head finally sapped the last of her strength.

“Don't hurt them.” She pleaded, clinging to the man's robe. “Please, please don't hurt them.”

“I won't.” He promised, slipping an arm beneath her knees and lifting her up. “It'll be alright.”

She buried her face against his chest, sobbing as the man began to move.

All too soon she heard shouts and the pounding of feet. When she pulled back to see, the man's hand pressed against the back of her head, keeping her face averted even as she felt the flicker of his Evol and heard shouts from those who were approaching.

“The storm outside is fierce, prepare yourself.” The man warned.

She nodded, clinging to him tightly as she heard the door open and felt the first lash of rain sting against the bared flesh of her arms and legs.

It was freezing but even those little pricks of pain were nothing compared to the pain in her head and the silent cries of the child that trembled within her, trying to understand its first experience with pain. It was enough to make her want to vomit but she forced it down, not wishing to leave a trail as the man carried her away from her prison.

**********************

“Give her to me!”

She stirred as hands latched onto her, crying out weakly as she was dragged away from the man who had carried her away from the nightmare.

“Careful!” The dark haired man snapped, causing the one who held her to pause, reluctantly softening his grip, though he continued to cradle her against himself protectively.

“What happened?” Demanded a third voice from somewhere over her shoulder, further disorienting her as she struggled through the pain and nausea to understand what was happening.

“She attacked the King but doing so seems to have caused her pain. Hold her still so I can check her.” The dark haired man reported, causing the one who held her to tighten his hold once more as gentle hands brushed against her arm.

She thrashed as those hands ran over her chest and neck, trying to shove them off as they ventured closer to the thing that pierced her skull.

“Move. I know what's causing it.” Came a fourth voice, this one deep and calming.

The hands checking her neck disappeared as a large form crouched down next to her, taking her from the one who held her.

“Look at me.” He commanded.

She groaned, shaking her head weakly knowing that if she opened her eyes the light would hurt.

Fingers caught her chin, turning her head forcefully. “If you want to finish this ... look at me.” He demanded.

She had no idea what he meant but something in that tone demanded she comply. She steeled herself and then slowly cracked open her eyes, wincing at even the small amount of light that filtered in through the heavy clouds above. For the first time she realized that the rain had stopped ... at least where they were. She could still hear thunder nearby and the woods around them stank of wet leaves but here, at least, the storm seemed to have taken some measure of pity upon them.

The one holding her shifted and she glanced up, meeting his garnet gaze.

When his fingers crept towards the back of her ear she jerked away. “Don't!” She demanded, wincing as the world began to spin.

He sighed, shaking his head slightly. “We don't have time for this.” He scolded, glancing at one of the others a moment before refocusing on her.

She blinked as another knelt at her side, his silver hair wet and slicked back away from his face. “This is going to hurt.” This new arrival warned apologetically as he caught her hands in his own, pressing them against her chest. “Just bare with me a moment, alright?”

She hesitated, not understanding but noting the looks of worry from those around her. Pressing her lips together she nodded slowly, choosing to trust him.

The silver haired man spared her a wane smile before closing his eyes. She felt a brush against that thread within her, similar to the brush she had felt from one of her children the day before. Realizing what he was getting out she nearly sobbed, realizing what he wanted.

“I know.” He murmured, his eyes still closed. “If you can't do this we'll understand." He fell silent, letting it be her choice.

She clenched her eyes closed and reached down, grabbing a hold of the power within her. Immediately she was awash in a sea of pain that she was too exhausted to fight but, to her relief, the moment the power within her flared the other took over, helping to direct it until she felt the blade form once more between her hands.

The moment it was solid she released it, letting one of the others grab it as her back arched and she convulsed under the punishing agony that washed over her.

The others were arguing over her but she couldn't understand their words over the screaming in her head. Jerking onto her side she threw up, nearly falling into it as shards of glass seemed to bury themselves deep into her mind. Something heavy fell to the ground near her and she forced open her eyes, staring at the twisted silver band that lay at the feet of the dark haired man. She reached for it but one of the others, the one who continued to hold her even as she heaved, brushed it out of her reach, his sunset gaze scolding as he kept her from touching it.

A second one soon joined it and she sobbed as she felt that bit of power slot back into place within her, sending a new wave of pain crashing through her.

“Hold her still. We need to get the talon out of her.” The white haired man instructed.

She shuddered as the one with the sunset gaze tightened his arms about her, brushing his cheek against her own. “Give us a moment.” He demanded.

Something began to pierce the haze of pain and she found herself relaxing in his hold, following the gentle sway of his voice as he crooned softly in her ear. She felt her lids begin to slip down as the tension bled from her limbs. She felt the little lives with her push against her, as though trying to tuck themselves around her as the one who held her sang.

All too soon she felt the source of all of her pain being ripped from her skull, jerking her back to reality with a shriek. She arched, her nails digging into soft cloth and the flesh underneath it as her body tried to deal with the sudden action. Strong hands held her head, pressing cloth against the spot behind her ear, as though trying to stymie bleeding. Cold seemed to bleed through the cloth, numbing the area as her body seized, struggling to regain control of itself.

Out of the corner of her eye she watched as the silver haired man, Xavier, her newly freed mind provided, dropped a curved black object into Sylus's hand. Blood, her blood, was smeared along it. She shuddered, turning her face to block out the sight of the thing.

“I want to go home.” She sobbed, burying her face against Rafayel's chest.

He shifted, lifting her easily. She heard the others talking around her but was too exhausted to care.

Time was strange after that. She was aware of Xavier and Sylus slipping away. Of being held tightly in Caleb's arms as a horse strained beneath them. If they stopped to rest or eat ... she could not remember.

She vaguely recalled the sound of paper crinkling, a quick glimpse of Rafayel pointing at a spot on a map as he spoke quietly to Caleb while Zayne carefully checked the small but deep wound the King's knife had left upon her stomach, causing her attention to turn inwards, seeking out the child that had been wounded. The others had gathered around it, seemingly trying to protect and support their sibling, even the normally silent sixth.

It wasn't until she felt the first touch of water brushing against her bare feet that time seemed to start once more, the cold startling her awake as she blinked up into a perfectly blue sky. Rafayel was holding her against his bared chest, moving further out into the waves. Over his shoulder she could make out Zayne and Caleb watching from the shore.

She opened her mouth to protest, not wishing to leave them but Rafayel's mouth closed over her own, his breath pushing into her lungs, filling them as the water closed over their heads.

The reflection of the water on the waves above hurt her head, so she closed her eyes, trusting Rafayel to get her safely to wherever it was he was taking her.

For a long while they swam, through the light, through the dark, and into the light once more.

She shifted as a strange pressure began to build within her stomach, making her gasp as the urge to push became stronger.

“Rafayel ...” She whispered in growing panic, clinging to him tighter as she resisted that urge, even as the cramping grew stronger.

“We'll be there soon.” He assured, his hands brushing against her back soothingly.

“He hurt one of the children.” She blurted out, her fingers clutching around Rafayel's shoulders nervously. “I felt it cry out when he cut into me.”

Rafayel's face turned grim. “I'll check on it when we get to the island.” He finally replied.

She bit her lip and nodded, knowing there was little else she could do but wait.

The cramping was coming more regularly when they finally surfaced, enough so that she feared she wouldn't be able to stand as a sandy shore rose to meet them. To her relief Rafayel seemed content to keep carrying her, though she suspect he too must be exhausted beyond reason.

As he moved farther ashore she heard voices, making her shudder as she buried her face against Rafayel's neck, wishing they were alone.

“Leave us!” He snapped, cause the voices to pause.

She heard the sound of rapid footsteps against the wet sand as the others obeyed, leaving them alone as he carried her up to a sprawling residence.

A pair of others, blue haired and beautiful waited within. They spoke to Rafayel in a language she did not know, eyeing her curiously. 

"Speak so that she can understand." He demanded, breezing past them to a room beyond. 

The pair followed them hesitantly as Rafayel knelt, gently laying her down on a low bed. 

"She's hurt?" One of the pair ventured, the young man.

"Yes. Fetch Talia and keep the others away while I deal with it." Rafayel ordered, sending both the boy and girl scattering. 

Open windows lined the walls, letting in a warm breeze. She breathed in deeply, enjoying the scent of flowers carried on the wind as Rafayel shifted next to the bed, his hands coming to rest on her stomach. She lay still as she felt him reach out to their children, checking each one carefully before settling on the one who had been wounded. To her relief it responded to him immediately, clinging to him as he soothed it. 

"Well?" She demanded as she felt him pull back. 

"We'll have to wait to see the extent of the damage. But it seems determined to survive." He reported, slashing his palm with a sharp nail before pressing the bleeding wound to her own. She watched as he smeared his blood over the spot, letting it pool slightly over the wound before pulling back, his tongue flicking over the cut on his palm as the blue haired girl returned, an older woman following behind. 

The older woman paused as she caught sight of her, her gaze lingering on her bloodied stomach before flicking back towards Rafayel. 

The younger girl set a bowl and cloth down next to Rafayel before bobbing slightly and slipping away. 

“A ship will come soon.” Rafayel informed the woman at his side, dipping the cloth in the bowl. “The ship may bear the flag of the one who has been hunting us. Allow it through.”

The woman hesitated, her gaze slashing towards him sharply. “You're sure?”

Rafayel nodded, wringing out the cloth. “The captain of the ship and I have come to an understanding. He is bringing a healer to help her through the birth. In case there are problems. I'll prepare the laying pool once I'm done here.”

The other woman took in a deep breath, her gaze turning considering. “The child ...”

“They're mine.” Rafayel affirmed, reaching up to brush the damp cloth over her arm, pointedly ignoring the sharp glance the woman sent his way.

The woman's lips parted in surprise before resealing, simply sparing her a quick look before finally slipping away.

“Zayne is coming?” She dared to hope once they were alone.

Rafayel nodded, continuing to run the cloth over her skin, cleaning away the salt and brine. “I could not carry you both so the Hunter is bringing him.”

She breathed out a sigh of relief, letting herself relax back against the blankets, wincing as she felt her stomach begin to clench again. “I don't know how much longer I can wait.” She admitted softly.

Rafayel shrugged. “We have healers here if needed. Lemurian ones. I thought you might be more comfortable with your human one though.”

She forced a faint smile. “Thanks.”

Rafayel did not respond, though she noted the pleased look he tried to hide.

She did her best to help him strip off the wet dress she wore, staring at her hands as he retreated to find something else for her to wear. Though they had been in the sea she could still make out faint traces of the King's blood along her nail beds and in the creases around her wrists.

“What is it?” Rafayel demanded, his gaze sharp as he strode in, a pink shift cradled in his hands.

She swallowed against the lump that formed in her throat. “I think I killed him.” She admitted, letting her hands fall down onto her lap. “He was going to cut out the eggs ... so I turned the knife against him.”

“Good.” Rafayel declared, startling her with the simplicity of his reply.

She lifted her arms, allowing him to settle the shift about her.

“Zayne and Xavier ... they got the collars off, right?” She demanded, vaguely recalling the dull thud of the collars falling to the forest floor.

Rafayel nodded, tugging lightly at the edges of the cloth to make sure it wasn't bunched up underneath her.

She breathed out a sigh of relief, watching as Rafayel caught her wrist, carefully wiping away the last vestiges of the King's blood from her hands.

“You said Caleb and Zayne were coming here. What about the others?” She inquired.

Rafayel turned over her hands, checking them carefully. “They chose to stay behind.”

“Oh.” She replied, brushing her now clean hands against her stomach, wincing as she felt the muscle beneath her hands flutter.

Rafayel's hand came to rest on her own, making her smile.

“Thanks.” She offered, meeting his gaze. “I know I haven't made things easy for you but ... I'm grateful everyone was freed.”

He shook his head with a deep sigh. “I was stupid to allow things to carry on as I did.” He grumbled. “I should have brought you here that first night.”

She smiled, daring to lean over to plant a quick kiss to his cheek, startling him. “Thank you anyway.” She replied, enjoying the faint flush that painted over the tips of his ears.

Chapter Text

For the first time in a long time she was able to sleep peacefully, untroubled by dreams or fear. Rafayel’s breath was warm and soothing, ruffling the fine hairs on the crown of her head, his arms a comforting weight along her sides as they slept. His hand cupped the swell of her stomach, allowing him to feel when a contraction rolled through her, waking him just as assuredly as the building pressure woke her. 

During those times he would distract her from her misery with soft kisses against her brow or eyelids. His fingers brushing against her clammy flesh as she rode out the few painful moments as her body prepared itself for what must inevitably come next.  

“I’m scared.” She finally admitted in the dark of the quietest part of the night, her fingers threading through Rafayel’s. 

“It’ll be alright.” He assured her. “The eggs are smaller than human young and their shape should make them easier to pass.”

She shook her head, desperately wanting to believe him but terrified all the same. “What if something goes wrong?” She demanded, her mind feeding her all sorts of irrational thoughts as her heart clenched. 

Rafayel’s arms tightened about her, nuzzling against her neck and shoulder. “We have healers here.” He assured her. “You’ll be fine. Our children will be fine. Just relax.”

She forced herself to quiet, even if she couldn’t quite convince that tiny, frightened part of herself to believe him. 

Deep inside of her their children were beginning to let her know about their annoyance at the tightening of their living quarters. Even the weakest of the group, the smaller sixth egg sent her occasional pokes of concern, not understanding what was happening. 

She did her best to sooth them, but she suspected they could sense her own lingering fear which only heightened their worry. It wasn’t until Rafayel pushed back against them sternly that they finally quieted, though she could sense the watchfulness of the most active of the bunch, the one she had long suspected was the oldest, if only by a day or so. 

The night was long, but eventually the sky began to streak with the faint pinks and red of the impending morning. She woke as the bed shifted, blinking sleepily as Rafayel brushed a kiss over her brow. 

“Go back to sleep.” He urged, straightening. 

“Where are you going?” She demanded, watching as he brushed back his hair. 

“I need to prepare the nest for our young.” He explained, pausing in the doorway to glance back at her. “The eggs won’t come today.” He assured her. “But I’ll send Talia to help you through until I finish.” 

She reached down, brushing her hand over her stomach nervously. “You’re sure it won't be today?” She pressed, terrified at the thought of having to go through their birth alone. 

He nodded firmly. “I need to swim off shore this morning to gather what I need but I’ll be back by this afternoon. Should anything happen I’ll be within calling range of the others.” He assured. 

She forced herself to nod, disliking the idea that he was leaving her but choosing to trust him. “Okay. Hurry back.” She urged.

He smiled faintly and nodded, slipping out into the darkened room beyond.  

She lay back down, tugging the blanket tighter around her as she forced herself to go back to sleep.

The sun was bright by the time she was woken again, forced to roll onto her side as she groaned as her stomach clenched uncomfortably. 

She heard something move near the foot of the bed and peeled open her eyes, watching as the older Lemurian woman from before crept closer, her face pinched in apologetic commiseration. 

“Just breathe deeply.” The woman, Talia, instructed, kneeling at her side. 

She grunted, pressing her eyes closed as she struggled to do as the woman asked. 

To her relief the moment passed quickly enough, allowing her to stretch back out with a shuddering breath. 

Talia smiled gently. “Do you think you can get up for a bit?” 

She nodded, pushing herself up onto her arms, wincing as she cupped her stomach, mindful of the bandage that covered the spot where the King’s dagger had pierced her flesh. Perhaps it was her imagination but it felt like her stomach had become heavier and more swollen overnight. Her hips too ached fiercely. 

She forced herself up the rest of the way, careful not to straighten too quickly. She remembered the women Zayne had cared for back at the village. Water spilling from their bodies was the sign that it was their time. She wasn’t entirely sure how that worked but she selfishly wanted to wait, to buy as much time as needed for Caleb and Zayne to catch up with them. 

Logically she knew it was probably going to be alright, women had been giving birth since the dawn of time, but privately, she was terrified. She’d carried her children for so long, through so much. To lose them now ...

Talia helped steady her as she stood, waiting patiently as she practically waddled her way to the sitting room just beyond the bedroom. 

One of the walls had been removed, its reeded matting rolled back to allow the occupants to step out onto the shaded boardwalk beyond. Algie, the younger Lemurian, was fiddling with a teapot on a small table set for two in the shade of an overhanging palm tree. 

Talia shooed the younger girl away, seating herself primly, pretending not to notice the way she awkwardly dropped into the seat across from her. 

“I feel I must apologize for what has happened.” Talia offered, drawing her attention. The other woman was staring pointedly out at the calm sea stretched before them. “I had heard about the death of our one our young and I knew Rafayel had gone out to deal with it but ...” She sighed, shaking her head. “He’s never made such a demand before. Though it is his duty to ensure such debts are paid ... it wasn’t right what he asked of you. I’m sorry.”

She flushed slightly, staring down at the empty teacup before her. “It’s fine.” She murmured, her hand resting on her stomach. “He’s done a lot to help me and keep our children safe. And he was right to be angry after what those fishermen did  ...”

Talia shook her head, her lips thinning but, to her relief, the Lemurain kept any further protests to herself. 

Reaching out she poured some of the tea, offering the first cup to Talia who took it politely, though she noted that the other woman simply set it aside, as though uninterested in it. Someone had provided a small plate of biscuits and she took one, grateful for the bland fare as she forced it down, her gaze searching the horizon for any hints of the ship that carried her missing companions. 

She wondered about Xavier and Sylus as well. Had she truly killed the King with her attack? The burn of his blood, hot upon her hands still haunted her. She remembered the sound of two silver collars hitting the ground afterwards, meaning she must have freed Xavier from his father’s control so even if the King had survived surely Xavier or Sylus would finish the job. 

She sighed, her hand rubbing absently against the bandage beneath her dress. 

The King had mentioned having a son by his first wife, the dragon, the one who had wounded him so grievously before he killed her. And yet she was sure that Xavier had informed her that his mother had been the one who had chosen to pass on rather than to consume the creatures in the menagerie to become immortal. Surely that meant that Sylus was the elder son, his mother the first queen, while Xavier was the younger, the son of the second. Would that cause conflict between them if the throne was left barren due to the passing of their father?

She hoped not. 

And yet ... her fingers curled as she recalled the grand fountain outside of the palace, the one of the unicorn and the dragon locked in an eternal battle. A grotesque monument to the moment both brothers had been pitted against once another. She had pulled one of Xavier’s swords from Sylus’s side. Had he sought to bind his brother of his own volition? Or had the King, in his infinite cruelty, forced Xavier’s hand, making him lash out at his own brother?

She shook her head, exhaustion weighing heavily on her shoulders. It was over now, she reminded herself. The King, if not completely gone, was surely too wounded to be a threat.

“Do you wish to go back and rest some more?” Talia asked gently, drawing her out of her dark thoughts. 

She shook her head, forcing herself to sit up straighter. “No. I don’t mind staying out here a bit longer.”

The other woman watched her closely for a long while before nodding, pushing herself up out of the seat. “Walk with me.” She urged. “While I’m not an expert on human physiology it often helps our own kind to keep moving in the days before a laying. It helps ... loosen things up, as it were.”

She sighed, dismayed at the idea of extending more energy but dutifully rose. Talia, to her relief, kept their pace slow as they meandered along the wooden boardwalk that lined the edge of the beach. To their left the waves hissed softly against the white sand, leaving trails of seafoam in their wake as little sprays of water reflected rainbows in the late morning light. 

“Rafayel said he’d be back soon.” She offered, her eyes fixing on a pair of teenage boys further down the beach who were working on a rod under the watchful eye of an older man. 

Talia nodded, her gaze casting out over the sea. “Because he failed to inform any of us that he had passed his eggs onto another, and no one else here is pregnant, I’m afraid the nesting pools are sorely unprepared.” She replied, her voice dipping into slight censure, as though she were exasperated with Rafayel for withholding the information from them. “He’ll need to gather the proper plants and supplies from the edges of the seafloor drop off and transplant them into whichever pool he chooses to use for the children's’ nest.”

She nodded vaguely, not entirely sure she followed what the woman was saying but deciding it wasn't worth asking about. “So Rafayel didn’t tell you all about me?” She ventured, the faint hint of shame beginning to stir at the thought that she was some secret that Rafayel had sought to hide from the others. 

Talia sighed heavily and shook her head. “He mentioned that he had come to an agreement with your village concerning the youngling’s death but we all assumed it had been one of the regular variety and he’d eventually bring another human to live here with the others. Though,” Talia hesitated, sparing her a wry smile, “we did find it odd that he kept coming and going alone rather than simply taking you and being done with it.”

She dipped her chin, her gaze fixing on the boardwalk beneath her feet. 

“There was a lot going on.” Talia offered gently, perhaps noticing her souring mood. “We were dealing with a Hunter in our waters and a new kind of net being strung along the coastline that was entangling our people. And then Rafayel disappeared ...” She fell silent, her gaze sweeping out over the sea, as though to assure herself that Rafayel was still nearby. 

“But those troubles are behind us.” Talia stated firmly after a moment, her voice lilting upwards, drawing her attention up in surprise as the older woman clapped her hands sharply. “Should the eggs prove viable and hatch, we shall welcome them gladly, as we do with all new life.”

She hesitated, her hands brushing against her stomach. “Is there anything I should be doing to make sure they’ll be okay?” She inquired, not really having thought pass the actually laying them part. 

Talia laughed brightly, waving her words off airly. “Nothing. Your part is almost at an end, which I am sure you are quite thankful for. Once you lay them, caring for them until they hatch will become Rafayel’s problem. It is why he went to sea to fetch what is needed.”

She frowned, disliking the implied hint that they would not need her for much longer. “And after that? Once they hatch?” She pushed. 

Talia glanced at her in surprise, her head cocked slightly. “We raise our young as a community.” She explained. “Normally they stay in the nesting pool and stick close to their parents for the first year or so but, as you are a land creature, I suppose Rafayel will have to do. Still, the rest of us will take turns caring for them and teaching them how to navigate the sea. You needn’t worry.”

She stared out at the sea, her heart dropping at the thought of others taking and raising her children. 

At her side Talia shifted, her hands wringing as the woman tried to understand these sudden changes in her mood. “Rafayel informed us a ship would be coming. I assume its connected to you?”

“Its bringing two men. They’re ... part of my family.” She replied.

“That’s wonderful!” Talia replied, her face brightening. “If you wish to go back to your village after the laying ...” The Lemurian began to offer.

She barked out a quick, humorless laugh. “My village is gone.” She replied sharply. “Rafayel destroyed it.”

Talia blinked in surprise, her hands stilling. “Oh ...” She replied softly, her face falling. “Well ... I am sure one of us can help lead you and your companions wherever you would like to go afterwards.” Talia assured. 

She sighed, turning back the way they had come, her heart heavy. “Thanks.” 

****************************

It was past nightfall by the time Rafayel returned. She kept her eyes closed, feigning sleep as she heard his quiet footsteps still at the entrance to her room. She heard him murmur soft and low to someone else, using that strange language of theirs before entering. 

She continued to feign sleep even as the bed shifted under his weight, her heart too heavy at the thought of leaving her children, of being sent away once she had fulfilled her duty to deal with him right now. 

“You’re angry with me.”

Her breath caught, surprised at his words. She shuddered as sharp nails ghosted over her arm, curling about the back of her hand. 

“I’m not angry with you.” She insisted, feeling his fingers slip between her own, his breath hot against her cheek as he curled about her. 

“Hmm.” He murmured, nudging her chin up with the bridge of his nose as he nuzzled against her neck. “ Something has upset you.” 

She gasped softly as he nipped at her neck, the flat of his tongue licking over the tiny hurt. “It’s nothing ...” She insisted. 

He shifted, his teeth closing over her shoulder, slotting into place over the bite mark he’d left there months ago. The flesh there was still sensitive and when he began to apply pressure her back arched as she keened softly. 

“ Rafayel ...” She panted out, squirming beneath his hold as growled softly, refusing to let go. 

Finally she relented, sagging in his grip. “Talia said that someone would take me anywhere I wanted to go ... after I laid the eggs.” 

She felt Rafayel freeze, his teeth loosening, allowing her shoulder to slip free. 

“But where would I go?” She whispered softly, tears stinging the corners of her eyes. “The village is gone and I can’t ... I won’t go back to that accursed City.”

Rafayel pulled back, though his fingers remained locked around her own. “Where do you want to go?” He finally asked, his voice sounding slightly strained. 

She shook her head, blinking back the tears. “I don’t want to give up my children.” She admitted, her voice breaking into a sob as she clutched the covers tugging them to her as she buried her face among them. “I know I agreed to give them back to you as part of the debt and Talia told me that the community would happily help to raise them but ... I don’t want to be sent away while others raise them.”

Rafayel sighed, pulling her closer once more. “Then stay.” He stated simply, licking a long, sinful stripe along the back of her neck, making her heart race. 

She rolled onto her back, pushing against his chest, putting a bit of distance between them. “But Talia said ...”

He shook his head, annoyance flickering in his sunset gaze. “It doesn’t matter.” He insisted, cutting her off. “If you wish to stay and raise our brood, then stay. If you wish to go ...” He hesitated, his face twisting in obvious discomfort at voicing his next words. “... then go.”

She reached up, brushing her fingers over his jaw, noting the tightness of the muscles underneath. “What do you want me to do?” She asked, earning a sharp disproving glance, as though she had insulted him by even asking. 

“I chased you through woods and across mountains.” He griped, his teeth nipping at her fingers. “I let that ridiculous Hunter of yours capture and collar me to stay by your side. I gave you one of my scales. And still you wonder whether I wish for you to stay or go?” He demanded.

She laughed softly, daring to catch his pouting mouth with her own, groaning as Rafayel pushed her back, taking control of the kiss.

She was left thoroughly breathless when Rafayel finally pulled back, her lips swollen and stinging as his face hovered over her own, his gaze lingering lovingly on her face. 

“Have I convinced you?” He murmured, the corners of his lips curling as his eyes glittered with satisfaction. 

She laughed, shaking her head. “I may need more convincing.” She teased, reaching up to trace the corners of his lips. 

Rafayel descended on her once more, his mouth hungry and demanded, pushing her back against the cushions. She clutched his forearms, allowing him to ravage her mouth. 

“Stay with me.” Rafayel pleaded against her mouth. 

She let her head fall back as he peeled away from her, his head dipping down as she stared up at the ceiling as his hands slipped beneath the shift she wore, pushing it up over her head. The moment she settled back, his hands began to roam her body, his fingertips tracing delicate patterns across her stomach before creeping up her ribs to cup her aching breasts. She groaned, her eyes slipping closed as his mouth closed about her nipple. She let her hands drift over his shoulders, her nails leaving small red welts as she worked her way up past his neck to bury her fingers into his hair, tugging firmly when she began to hunger for his kisses once more. 

He obliged, his lips sealing over her own as his fingers ghosted over the swell of her stomach, seeking between her legs. She gasped as he unerringly found that one bright spot of pleasure, his fingertips maddeningly gentle as he worked her, making the world turn fuzzy and warm as she succumbed to the pleasure coursing through her. 

She couldn’t be sure but she swore she could hear him whispering softly as she gave into the pleasure he gave her, just a simple one word plea in his own language repeated over and over. One she was sure she understood.

Stay.

***********************

Sleep was fleeting that evening as her contractions began to come more regularly. 

Rafayel stayed with her through the dark of the night, seeking to distract her as best he could as she rode out the discomfort and pain. There was a strange ache between her legs, one that reminded of her their first night together when he had pierced her womb, warning her that her time was finally up. 

At some point the urge to relieve herself became too much and she slid towards the edge of the bed, doing her best to keep from waking Rafayel as he caught a few minutes of rest between her contractions. It was a testament to his own exhaustion that he didn't wake right away as she carefully lifted his wrist, freeing herself from his grasp as she slid her legs off the bed and pushed herself up. 

She made it all of two steps when she felt one of the children suddenly move within her, as though trying to find a more comfortable position after she had stood. She froze as she felt something pop in response, gasping as a warm liquid began to leak down her legs. She ran her fingers through it in a panic, fearful that she was bleeding. To her relief, her fingers came back glistening with a clear fluid. 

“What is it?” Rafayel demanded, sitting up, his hands patting the spot she had just left as though searching for her. 

“I think my water broke.” She grit out, pressing her hand to her chest as she tried to calm the nerves that flared up within her. 

He was on her in an instant, his hands fluttering hesitantly near her sides as though unsure as to what to do. 

“Give me a few minutes.” She insisted, shooing him off. “I need to deal with something real quick.”

He gave her a slashing glare, clearly disliking the idea of her leaving him alone, if even for a minute or two but she doubted she’d be able to relieve herself with him lurking on top of her. Ignoring his clear annoyance she slowly worked her way around to the chamber pot doing what she needed to before carefully cleaning her legs and hands from the nearby bucket of clean water. 

Rafayel was waiting for her just outside around the corner, clearly on edge. She glanced towards the bedroom but veered away from it, aware that neither of them were going to be able to go back to sleep at this rate. 

“Can you warm up a pot of water?” She asked. "I'd like some tea."

Rafayel’s face lit up as he nodded, hurrying over to a small alcove set into the floor, clearly relieved to have a task to focus on. 

She sat herself at the table, glancing out over the sea as Rafayel urged the fire to life. Caleb and Zayne were going to be too late, she realized with dismay, her eyes searching the empty horizon. Swallowing back her disappointment she forced her attention back to Rafayel as he fetched the tea she requested. 

By late morning there was no more denying that she was in labor. 

She clutched the edge of the table, grunting in pain as her stomach clenched. The children within her were sending her little sparks of panic, not understanding what was happening. She had been doing her best to calm them but the contractions were coming too frequently now and her concentration was shot. The contraction continued so long she ended up on her knees, her head bowed as sweat began to gather at her temples. 

Finally it passed and she reached out, allowing the twins to pull her back up onto her feet and hurry her out of the little home.

They were halfway up the pathway when she heard quick footsteps catching up to them. She gasped as someone caught her under the knees, sweeping her up into strong arms and carrying her forward at a much faster rate. 

She groaned, burying her face against Rafayel’s chest. 

“I’m scared.” She whispered. 

His arms tightened about her. “It’ll be alright.” He promised. “I’ll be with you.”

She sobbed as a new contraction began and demanded all of her attention. As she struggled to keep from pushing, Rafayel dipped low beneath an overhang, holding her tightly as he slipped down into a pool of water. 

She gasped as the cool water splashed against her, clinging to Rafayel tightly as he cradled her, careful to keep her head above the water as they waited out this newest contraction. He caught the wet nightgown she wore, pulling it up over her head and tossing it aside. She shivered slightly in the cool water but his arms were warm as he pulled her back against his chest, holding her tightly. 

When she finally relaxed, he turned her around, nudging her closer to the rocky edge of the pool. She reached out, bracing her elbows against the smooth stone, as she let her head fall forward, her forehead pushing against her crossed forearms as she panted for breath. Rafayel’s arm was still firmly about her, holding her up, his tail nudging her feet forward. 

Her bare toes found purchase against the steep rock and she dared to lean back slightly against Rafayel’s chest as she felt her abdomen begin to tighten once more. 

This time she gave into the urge to push, groaning as the pressure within her midsection built. Rafayel was murmuring encouraging nonsense into her ear, his hand splayed against the upper edge of her rounded stomach, a firm reminder that she wasn’t alone as the contraction finally ended, leaving her limp and quietly sobbing. 

Over and over again she rode the demands of her body as the pressure built only to release fruitlessly, giving her a few precious moments to catch her breath before it all began again. 

Through it all Rafayel was a quiet presence at her back, his cheek brushing against hers in the quieter moments of peace, his grip tightening when the urge to push caused her whole body to tense as she gnashed her teeth and cursed him. 

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, she felt a strange popping sensation that made her freeze. 

“Raf...” She gasped out, terrified that something bad had happened. 

“It's just an egg working free. Push a little more to help guide it out.” He urged, shifting downwards so that his fingers could linger between her legs. 

She shuddered but did as he asked, bearing down, gentle at first but harder as she felt something shift and slip down within her. 

Before it slipped free another strong contraction swept through her, making her snarl as she struggled not to tense up so much that she might crush the delicate egg as it worked its way down. 

There was another strange popping sensation and finally she felt the first egg slip completely free of her body. 

She leaned forward as Rafayel released her, turning to peer over her shoulder as she watched him cradle a milky colored egg in his hand. The thin membrane around it shuddered as she caught sight of tiny fins as the child within shifted. Rafayel closed his free hand over it before diving down, disappearing beneath the dark water. 

He returned empty handed a moment later, surging up behind her as he pressed a kiss against her neck. "You're doing so well." He whispered encouragingly. 

She closed her eyes, preparing for the next bout. 

After the first, the next two eggs slipped free easily enough. Each time, Rafayel gathered them up and slipped back into the dark water, leaving the eggs hidden away before returning to her. 

When it was time for the fourth egg to work itself free she shifted, frowning. “There’s something wrong ...” She insisted, wincing as she felt something hard and angled nudge against her from inside.

“Keep trying.” Rafayel insisted, his fingers probing her body as she pushed, crying out as she felt the child move within her. 

“I don’t think it's an egg ..” She gasped out, pushing harder as she felt the child twist and writhe as it became trapped in the narrower space of her canal. 

“Relax.” Rafayel urged, his fingers slipping deeper as he felt around. After a few moments she felt him catch something, gently tugging with her pushes until the child slipped free with one final panicked thrash. 

She peered down, catching a glimpse of a pale tail between his hands as he gently caught the egg-less child, turning it over as he peered at it critically before darting back down into the dark waters as he had with the others. 

He was gone longer this time, worrying her as she breathed through the next pair of contractions. 

After what seemed an eternity, Rafayel returned and, to her relief, the fifth and sixth egg slipped free with little issue, her body open and more than ready to be free of the little lives it had been protecting for so long. 

She collapsed down onto the rocky ledge as she felt the last of the eggs come, her lashes slipping low as she panted, her heart racing as her body released the last of the fluid that had built up within it during her months of pregnancy. 

“Are they alright?” She demanded when Rafayel finally resurfaced, helping her up and out of the water. 

He nodded, pushing her knee out of the way so he could check her for bleeding. “One is much smaller than the others but it is moving, which is a good sign.” He reported. 

“And the one without an egg?” She demanded. 

Rafayel was silent for a long while, causing her heart to tighten in worry. 

“It’s injured.” He finally admitted, helping her roll onto her side, his fingers brushing the hair from her face. “The dagger must have destroyed its egg and wounded its arm. The egg helps to feed and protect our young but it's possible it may survive without one. As for the arm ... I do not know if it can be saved. Only time will tell.”

She buried her face against the stone beneath her, her stomach twisting in dispair. Their child had been hurt because of her. Because of her refusal to just go and leave the others to their fates.

“Enough of that.” Rafayel scolded, turning her face and brushing a kiss across her brow. “It lives now, as do the others.” Rafayel assured her, pressing a second kiss against her temple. “When you’re ready I’ll take you back to the house and the others will care for you while I stay with our young and ensure their continued survival.”

"So ... the debt between us has been repaid?" She dared to ask.

Some dark expression seemed to flicker over Rafayel's face but he turned away too quickly for her to say if it was real or simply her imagination. When he glanced back at her it was gone. "Yes." He murmured, his fingers lingering over her lips. "The slate is clean between us."

She nodded, the tension bleeding out of her limbs as she stared up at the dark rock above her.  “I want to see them.” She demanded, though her exhaustion stole the bite in her words. 

Rafayel chuckled, pulling himself up out of the pool and scooping her up in his arms. “You’ve done enough for one day.” He replied, carrying her back towards the bright lights of the homes nestled close together along the beach. “When you’re stronger I’ll bring you back to see them.” She nuzzled against his chest, wondering how time had slipped away from her so much that it was now nightfall. The sway of his steps was soothing and she let her eyes slip closed, content to trust him to get her back to a soft bed where she could finally rest.

“Is she alright?” A familiar voice rang out, startling her from her doze. 

She blinked in confusion as someone snatched her from Rafayel’s grasp, earning a snarl from the Lemurian as she was swept away back into the small home.  

“Raf ...” She began to protest as she was gently laid down upon the bed they had shared. The one who had snatched her away stepped back, making room for another who knelt at her side, his sharp gaze flicking over her. 

For the first time she realized she was completely naked and gasped, scrambling to gather up the blankets to try to cover herself as Caleb turned to meet Rafayel’s glare as he lingered in the doorway. 

“I’m fine!” She assured, tucking the blanket up under her chin, hoping to cut off whatever acrimony was building between the pair as they stared each other down. 

Caleb glanced back at her, his gaze confused before suddenly widening, realizing her state of undress. Color flushed along his cheeks and ears as he backed up, stuttering. 

“Both of you, out!” Zayne snapped, his gaze hard and unyielding as Caleb continued to back out, forcing Rafayel back as well. 

Pushing himself up, Zayne tugged the cloth hanging by the doorway, allowing it to drop down to block the entrance, giving them the illusion of privacy as he snatched up one of her discarded nightgowns and returned to kneel at the foot bed. 

“Do you have any pain?” He asked, cutting off her own demand that he head out with the others. She winced as he urged her hips up, slipping the cloth beneath her before helping her to lower back down. 

“No.” She reported. “Things just ... ache a bit.”

He nodded, nudging her legs apart. 

Her first instinct was to kick out at him but he was all business and she ended up forcing herself to lay back, her gaze fixed to the ceiling as he checked her over, doing her best to ignore the feel of him poking and prodding at her. 

Finally he straightened, moving away from the bed to dip his hands in a bowl of water and wiping them clean. 

“Will I live?” She asked, forcing a bit of playfulness into her voice to break the tension in the air. 

He nodded curtly. “It appears so.” He replied. “I don’t see much in the way of tearing but you’ll probably ache for a few days. I’d like you to stay in bed and avoid moving your midsection much until we are sure there is no deeper damage but otherwise, it appears you’ll be alright.”

She felt a strange bit of relief trickle through her. “Good.” She offered, smiling faintly as he chose a thin gown from the pile of clothing that Algie and her brother had gathered up for her upon her arrival, helping her to sit up as she slipped it over her head. 

When he moved to pull away she reached out, stilling him. “One of the children was hurt.” She blurted out. “The egg it was in was destroyed when the King tried to cut me open.” She paused, swallowing back the nausea at the memory of that moment. “Rafayel says it may survive without the egg but its arm was hurt. Can you...?”

He nodded, his hand coming up to wrap about her own. “I’ll check on it when Rafayel feels it's safe to do so.

She breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thanks.” She murmured, letting her hand slip free of his own. 

He reached out, brushing his fingers through her hair, lingering for a moment at that spot behind her ear where the King's talon had pierced her. “Rest.” He finally instructed, his hand falling away. “These last few days have been hard on you.”

She nodded, leaning back against the cushions, watching as Zayne rose. 

As soon as Zayne left, Caleb blew in, pausing at the bedside as he studied her. “Hey.” He finally offered, the tension slowly bleeding out of his shoulders as he moved to kneel at her side. 

She forced a small smile, hoping she didn’t look as exhausted as she felt. “Hey.” She offered back. 

Silence fell between them for a short time, Caleb’s fingers creeping towards hers before stilling, his hand settling a hairsbreadth away from her own. She knew he wanted her to close the distance between them, but she was simply too exhausted, both mentally and physically to deal with everything that still lingered between them. 

“I’m tired.” She finally offered, unsure of what she even wanted from the man at her side. 

He laughed softly. “Yeah, I bet.” He replied, leaning back slightly. “That Lemurian of yours has gone back to wherever you had the eggs. He said he'd come to check on you later. In the meantime, close your eyes. I’ll make sure everyone steers clear so you can get some sleep.”

She hummed softly, letting her eyes slip closed. After a few moments she felt Caleb's fingers nudge ever so slightly against her own. “Thanks.” She murmured, lifting her fingers enough to allow him to slip his own beneath them. “For everything. I’m sorry for calling you a monster ... back at the house. I didn't understand what you were going through with the King and all ...”

She heard the faint hiss of hair along a stiff collar as Caleb squeezed her fingers in a wordless reply before releasing her, his clothing shifting as he left her to her rest.