"We are staying here because it has the best sight advantage. You are supposed to have learned this already, Cathy." Silas mocked before letting out a sigh. "Look, that is the only entrance. Gunther built this cave this high to make sure our pursuer could not see us, and I have us shielded from any potential attackers. Our presence here cannot be sensed, so there is no need to continue running."
She understood that. That was not what she was asking, and she was sure Silas knew it. Especially since Zion left her alone with Silas and Gunther earlier. Why here? Why were they hiding? What was Zion doing? Why had Gunther disappeared? After what happened earlier, she trusted Silas even less than before, and part of her waited impatiently for Zion to return. Or she would even take Gunther by this point. She was not the type to show weakness, though his minor attack earlier scared her a little. Zion was by far the warmest of her three Intirmates, but he barely spoke.
"I will never harm you, so you may relax. Though I suppose I should apologize for my behavior before." He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Though I do not believe I did anything wrong. Zion should be more wary of who he trusts. You are an unknown. We do not know yet if you will harm us, or her body."
He noticed she was feeling tense? Catherine stared at him in wonder, her purple eyes shimmering in amazement. How had Cathy dealt with looking at him in those beautiful orbs? She wondered, her face flushing at her thoughts. He was ethereal, so handsome she wondered how he could be so cold. But one thing she learned on Earth was no one was as they appeared on the outside. Despite his cool beauty, he was like ice to her. Did Cathy not fall for him on looks alone? Though as Queen of Queens, Cathy would have to be careful of who she trusted.
"Look, I get you and Gunther do not trust me, but just so you know, I hardly trust you either." Catherine countered, her own eyes narrowing as his jaw fell. "I'm well aware this is not my body, and I want to treat it respectfully. No matter what, though, I am not the Cathy you knew. You can't just snap at me and expect her to come running back and kick my ass back to Germany." She continued, coming to a stand and poking his chest with her finger. "Keep in mind, I didn't ask for this either! I passed out, woke up in this strange world with three husbands who don't have a clue either! I'm just as lost and confused, but I DON'T have anyone holding my hand to help me unlock the clues either!"
By the time she finished her rant, Zion stood in the cavern's entrance staring at her and Gunther appeared from near the back. Three pairs of eyes stared at her in unconcealed shock, but she crossed her arms over her chest. They had a million other things to worry themselves about, not sit here arguing like children. So, either they needed to get on board with the facts, or they needed to leave. That was the point she reached, although it would not remove their marriages in her mind. She would still claim them married to prevent their deaths if she had to.
"So, for now, I'm here. For now, I'm your Cathy, but I will not STAND here while you disrespect me. Are we clear, Silas?" When he swallowed with his face pale and nodded, she smiled. "Good. Now. Why are we here?"
"Training." Zion answered simply, and that was when she finally noticed the bear-sized buck thrown over his shoulder and shivered when he slammed it on the cave floor. "You need your powers."
Oh. That was what Silas mentioned before. Training. What did that mean? Silas sighed before holding out his hand. Catherine glanced at Zion, who nodded, and she accepted his hand. He directed her to sit and the pair took a seat on the cave floor where they stood. Silas raised his hands before him, fists closed and knuckles and palms touching. Silas crossed his legs under himself before his eyes slid closed. Catherine followed his lead, crossing her legs, and raising her hands in the same pose as his. She relaxed into the pose and let her thoughts drift a little.
"Good. Feel the Majyk around you, Love." Silas's voice whispered almost in her ear, making her spine tingle. "You are looking for Erlias' energy. It is what feeds your powers. We call it Lias. Your Lias is what lets us sense you. It also is the base for Majyk used across Erlias."
Lias. Ugh, she hated how similar it was to this world's name, although she understood it. It was the planet's energy, which remained constant. Some could tap more into this Majyk than others, though the Tatiana had the closest link to it. She was the protector of all the creatures and people who existed in this world, and Catherine understood how someone so young could feel pressured by the responsibility. But Catherine had years of experience running a business. Perhaps if she remained here, she could help the other three rule forever. If she could learn to put up with Silas, that is.
"It's too much." Slightly chilled hands wrapped around her, and she felt his lips press against her neck, against his mark. "Slow down, Love. You are rushing."
His voice was a gentle growl against her neck, and she let out a moan. With such a man before her, how could she resist? The blues of his robes against his fair skin, the gentle point of his elvish ears. Even his oddly colored eyes were beyond beautiful. And though some of his qualities, like his slim head, were a little feminine, his colossal frame and massive, hard length pressing against her stomach made it clear he was very male. His lips continued to stroke and tease at the flesh of her neck before he pulled back with a slight haze in his eyes. It was as though he became intoxicated by her touch.
"Apologies." He mumbled, taking a seat again. "You look so much like her."
~~~~~
Since then, Silas kept his distance, so Catherine went to check on Zion. He was preparing the strange bear sized buck, and the closer she got to the strange but new creature, the weirder it seemed. This world was full of mysteries, she thought as she leaned down to look closer at it. When the shuffle of footsteps approached, she almost screamed when Gunther appeared in front of her, a claw extending from one of his fingers. What was the issue was he immediately moved that claw close to his mouth; even worse was on that claw. She covered her left eye, wincing as though she were the one attacked in her death.
"Cathy used to cry when I did that." Gunther mentioned, and she covered her mouth, averting her gaze. "At least we know you're a female soul."
How that proved her female status was unknown to her, but she refused to look at Gunther as he continued eating. His exotic clothing shifted into her sight and he sat in front of her, licking his fingers. She turned away from him again, only to find him staring at her no matter what way she turned. His red eyes would lock with hers until she finally shut them against it. Catherine still had yet to understand the DragoShif, but she did not enjoy the thought of his face as he ate the other creature's eyeballs. When she heard him shift, she did not expect his hands to pull at the top of her dress.
The sound of a slap echoed throughout the cavern, and the other two turned to look at the pair in curiosity. Though he looked hurt by her response, she crossed her arms over her chest, as though trying to hide her breasts from his sight. It was embarrassing enough Silas and Zion could reduce her to a melted puddle of desire, when she did not know them. Now Gunther was trying to do the same thing. When he reached for her again, however, he simply put a hand on her shoulder before walking away. Catherine watched after him for a bit before looking at Zion.
'He wanted to show you his mark. It is his way of trying to communicate. DragoShifs are like that.' Zion said, and she looked down at her chest. 'For someone who preaches understanding, you misunderstood his intentions.'
"No way am I going to feel sorry for responding the way I did. You can't just reach out to a woman and feel her up." Catherine stated, crossing her arms. "If he explained…"
"DragoShifs are not good at talking to people. Cathy tried her best to understand the need for communication without words, but always failed him too." Silas supplied, his eyes sliding closed. "Dragons are much more physical because of their inability to communicate when in their Drago Forms."
Oh. Now that he mentioned it, she noticed Gunther touched her a lot. Nothing inappropriate, just a brush of her cheek, or touch of her hand. Gunther's affection was hard to see. She almost laughed at his textbook tsundere personality, the way he hid his kindness behind fake anger, before she stood, drawing their gaze. If she wanted to earn his trust, she needed to understand him. To him, he lost his wife. Catherine followed Gunther, finding him staring at a glowing pool of blue water deeper in the cave. He looked forlorn from a distance, but scowled when she approached.
"You were trying to show me your mark, right?" She wondered, taking a seat next to him, her hand reaching up to her breast. "Can you show me without touching my chest?"
He said nothing, but pointed at her chest above her heart. When she lifted her hand to pull the dress down herself, she noticed him avert his gaze with reddened cheeks on his face. Catherine giggled a little before looking down at the 'mark' on her chest. It was bright red, matching Gunther's eyes, and looked similar to a traditional Chinese Dragon. Its form curled up on the top of her left breast as though it were asleep. What made it even more beautiful was the glowing white that seemed to emanate when his hand drew nearer the intricate design.
"It looks stupid." He said, his fingers barely grazing the flesh. "I thought it faded."
"Why would it fade?" She questioned, but he did not answer, only gazed at it before his red eyes heated with passion.
"Let me kiss it once." Gunther begged, leaning closer. "Just once. Like you let Zion and Silas."
Despite her best efforts to stay neutral concerning the men, she could not help but arch her spine when those fingertips grazed the flesh near the base of her neck. Catherine's teeth sank into her lip as his handsome face moved closer to her breasts. Part of her was also curious about how his touch differed from the fiery touch of Zion, and the cool touch of Silas. They kept saying the three of them were her husbands, so this was just her trying to adjust to that idea. When his breath ghosted over the soft skin of her chest, her stomach tensed in anticipation.
"MMM!" Her teeth sank deeper as she bit back her moan at the first touch.
Though his lips were the perfect warmth, they felt dry against her flesh, yet it made her spine arch, her arms tightening around his neck. Here, near the glowing water, with his earthen scent in her nose, she threw her head back, a moan parting her lips. Desire curled thickly in the air, and her body fell back until Gunther shifted up over her, his body coming to rest between her thighs. Yet another massive length pressed against her core and she shivered, her body getting hotter as she held onto his shoulders. Before anything else could happen, though, Gunther pulled away while wiping his mouth.
How many days passed since her arrival here? She wondered, watching the four moons rise again. A month? Two? The other world, Earth, seemed to fade from her memory the longer she spent here. Yet, she still was no closer to solving anything. They were still living in a cave, hiding from some unknown pursuer, and she knew very little about the situation. Gunther, Silas, and Zion all took turns leaving the cave for food, though she assumed they also checked on their situation. She felt as though she were going insane, especially with their recent avoidance. 'You worry the other two hate you.' Catherine grew used to his 'presence' in her head and they often talked to each other using their link, though she still hardly understood how it worked. 'They do not know what to say. It has been a month since your arrival in this world, yet you do not seem any closer to unlocking your powers as Cathy was.' This annoyed her. No matter how many times she meditated with Silas, Gunth
She still had yet to open her eyes. The link between them strummed to life when his massive hands gripped her shoulders, and she finally lifted her lids to lock with his hazel orbs. He was closer than she expected, but it did not startle her. His cocoa skin flexed over his muscles as he lowered her to the pillows beneath them. There was something methodical in his touch, a gentleness she knew did not fit Zion’s image, despite his scary expression. Zion was the first of the men she trusted, but he also was her type. The strong, silent kind of man.His warmth pressed ever closer until he leaned over her, his eyes narrowed in desire. It was a gaze that set her body aflame, and she automatically reached out to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders, feeling the muscles flex beneath her fingertips. Zion seemed to grow hotter under the feel of her hands on his back, and he locked eyes with her. Part of Catherine felt it was too soon to trust herself to him like this, but sh
He first met his arranged bride fifteen years prior, before she became the Tatiana. Her father, determined to find someone who would accept his strange daughter for forever, searched across the kingdom of the Fae until he happened upon Silas. And what was strange about Cathy? She was far smaller than the other women. While most women were closer to the males in height, Cathy was slim, with beautiful white hair, shining purple eyes, and for Silas, it was love at first sight. She was so small he wanted to protect her. So beautiful when she smiled, that when her father offered her hand, Silas was the first to accept."I have been searching for an Intirmate for her for as long as I can remember. Someone who would love her as soon as they met." The older Fae said in a shaky voice. "I do not care if you are a Dark Fae. Please make her happy.""Of course." Silas replied coolly, glancing over the old man's shoulder at the young Cathy. "May I introduce myself?"Silas ste
Gunther remembered when he agreed to the marriage. His father demanded he marry the Tatiana, the only woman who could bear him strong heirs. Then he met her three days before their Intirmating Ceremony, as was tradition for his people. She was beautiful, with pointed ears, glowing purple eyes, and long white tresses down her spine. Flawless skin, a beautiful pale white, with long white eyelashes. She wore such innocence in her eyes, something he found agreeable since he was not interested in a woman who was not. Cathy was ethereal, and Gunther was proud he won the approval of Silas and Zion.“Tatiana, I am honored to stand before you, a Dragon who has won mating rights.” Gunther bowed, but slipped and landed right on his face before her. “Uh…”“Haha…” She giggled, making him look up at her flushed face, and his heart throbbed. “Are you okay?”~~~~~Catherine was noth
~~~~~Catherine rarely found herself impressed by someone’s consideration before. But she could not help but be in awe of her youngest husband. Though he pretended to hate every second, he still helped her to the bathroom. And maybe he thought she did not notice, but she could tell his soap was homemade. It smelled of soft lavender and reminded her of her baths back on Earth. A tear rolled down her cheek, and Gunther appeared from nowhere, making her cover her chest under the bubbling hot water. Clear panic was written all over his face, and his distressed appearance almost made up for his nearly seeing her naked. No matter if he was her husband or not, he was still a stranger to her.“Is the water too hot?!” He cried out, and she felt his Lias swell. “Sorry, I was thinking back to when you first looked at me.”“Huh?” she wondered dumbly, before shouting in embarrassment. “No! The water’s fine!&
“Silas…” Catherine started, but Gunther interrupted.“Do we need to move out?” He asked, not glancing at her. “How close are Queen Susanne and her allies?”“Gunther…” she tried, but Silas ignored her outcry.“Too close.” Zion nodded, scooping Catherine into his arms. “Gather Catherine’s things. We’re leaving.”“Zion…” But he did not spare her a glance, so she crossed her arms in a huff. “I see how things are. Fine, I’ll shut up.”Without another word, she found herself on the enormous back of Zion as the sight of the cave disappeared behind her. Catherine felt a little nostalgic as she watched the mouth of her home for the past two months disappear, but she startled when she realized it, and shook the thoughts from her head. For now, the focus needed to be on staying alive. If someone was after them, they likely not
Gunther felt it was his job to protect her, yet here she was, shielding him against Zion’s and Silas’s glares. He failed her, yet she proclaimed his innocence. Why was she always surpassing his expectations? Catherine was nothing like the Cathy he remembered. She was always crying out for help, pretending she was in danger, and acting like a spoiled child. Catherine did her best to make him comfortable, and it was for that he could find her easing into his heart. His Lias leaked, moving towards his Intirmate, but he blocked it, still unable to face almost hurting her.“While we were in the sky, he activated his Lias to make sure I was comfortable. Doing so alerted our enemies, and he took the hit they intended for me.” Catherine spoke softly, using her bare hand to wipe at the sweat on his forehead. “So, he did not FAIL you. I failed him.”He weakly opened his eyes to look into her concerned purple eyes. Even though he knew he messed
Silence met his ears first. Then the soft chirp of birds in the distance and the crackle of a fire nearby. Gunther could feel pillows under his body, and he clenched his eyes before opening them. He was on his back under the swaying branches of some tall trees. His red eyes looked around to find the back of Catherine near the fire, Silas reading some parchment in a branch on one of the tall trees, and Zion was stalking the perimeter in the distance, but Gunther could still sense his Lias. As if sensing his movements, Catherine turned to look at him before she looked up into the trees, her purple eyes shimmering.Gunther watched Silas leave, and she approached the pillows with an apologetic expression on her face. Was she going to abandon him? He failed her, so he could not blame her. But when she sat and lifted his head into her lap, he froze. What was she doing? Gentle fingertips stroked through his hair, making his horns appear. This was something only Intirmates could do.