7º - Aimi´s Story
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Aimi looked upon Kagome and started telling her, her story.
"Three hundred years ago, when I was your age, more or less, my father was a noble. He didn´t belong to the ruling house, but he was second in line to inherit. However, I was an only child, and the fact that my father was unable to have a son, our family was in a very precarious position. Without a strong male of our blood, our family would soon fall in disgrace between other nobles and became a common family.
"My father was very greedy at the time, and not only for money, but for power and position. He was willing to do anything to ensure that our family would maintain its position in society. At that time, the ruler of our lands was looking for a female that could mate his elder son. That said ruler was feeling weak, and his son needed a mate before he was allowed to succeed his father.
"My father, at that time, saw the perfect opportunity to save our family from disgrace and misery. He was able to arrange a mating between me and the heir of the lands. My family´s position would be assured, and the young lord would be able to succeed his father. However, I was being forced to mate a powerful demon for political and monetary reasons, and no one saw how miserable I was becoming. Obviously, I didn´t like the idea; I hated it from the very begging. But I couldn´t go against my father's orders.
"A few days before the mating, I was supposed to meet my future mate and see if we were compatible with each other. Not that it would change anything. The mating would still happen.
" While I was sitting in the garden, near a lake, waiting to be called by my father, something… unexpected happened. It started by some weird noises coming from a distance. Intrigued, I stood up, and I tried to find the source, and then I started feeling like I was being watched. Without any warning, I heard a purring in my ear; next, I felt a nose buried in my neck and a chest pressed against my back, making a delicious vibration. Strong arms were then around my waist. I stood quiet for a few seconds without really knowing what to do. It was a demon, a very powerful one, and he was keeping me in place. Everytime I tried to turn, he would get closer to me, blocking my movements. After a few minutes of adjusting, I was finally able to see him… and fall in love with him on sight.
"He was my soul mate, my destined male. I could see in his eyes that his beast had chosen me, and my beast had accepted. Our union would be perfect. But I had a mate to be. I was getting ready to meet him. What was I to do?
"My thoughts were interrupted when he grabbed my hand and pulled me to where my father was talking to the ruler of the land concerning my impending mating. Only then did we realize that we were each other's future mates, politically speaking. We were lucky, I guess.
"Our first mating was something from another world, and we wanted to fully enjoy our first years as mates. About one hundred years later, we decided it was time to get me pupped. After we started trying, it only took a few months until we succeeded. My mate wanted to have me pupped at all costs.
"You probably are not aware of this, but when a demoness is expecting a new child, her body releases a toxin that will make her horny all the time, which is, in fact, a defense mechanism. Mates instantly recognize when this toxin is released by the scent it gives off. If the female is horny, the male will feel compelled to satisfy her needs, marking her in the process. Others will also be able to detect this scent, and when she is carrying a child. A pregnant mate will be protected at all costs by the mated male, so few would dare attack the female at such a precarious time.
"A couple of years later, we had our second son. Another male. However, I always wanted a girl. A cute little thing to put dresses on. A daughter to share my secrets with. And so, we agreed to try a third time. But that was not in the gods plan. After five months of pregnancy, I lost the pup. However, the doctor explained that there was no reason for the abortion, that I was healthy and that my body was fully capable of baring more pups." Aimi took a deep breath before continuing. Even after so many years, it was still painful to talk about.
"However, there were complications with the aborted child, and my womb was extensively damaged. The fact that I´m a full blood demon made sure that I wouldn´t die from it. However, it wasn´t enough to repair my reproductive organs…"
That took Kagome by surprise. She hadn´t known that demoness could surfer problems during pregnancies. Nor that they could lose their pups and never have one again. She was at the brink of tears at this point. This woman, this demoness, had such a pure heart, perfect for motherhood, and yet, she could no longer have pups of her own. Life was unfair.
"So you see, little pup, I never got to have the daughter I so longed for, and the worst part was that I was never given a reason as to why I was put in that situation. Now, and without me realizing it, you appeared in my life. Small, alone and unprotected. I see in you the daughter I will never have. Maybe I´m being foolish, but instinct is a powerful thing, pup, and right now, I cannot avoid the feelings that I have for you."
Aimi couldn´t stop the tears from falling now. It still hurt. After so many years, it was still painful. To think about it, let alone to talk about it…
It was too much, and so Aimi decided to leave the room. It was unfitting of a lady to be seen crying, even in the presence of her pack. However, before she could even move, Kagome grabbed her shoulders, halting her movements. She didn´t say anything; she didn´t need to. She just grabbed the demoness and hugged her. The tears were overflowing her eyes now. It was too hard to control them.
And so, Aimi buried her face in Kagome´s neck and cried. She cried for her lost pup, for her mate, and for her barren womb. Kagome didn´t say anything. She just remained there with a heartbroken demoness. It was hard to see the lady lose all her posture, but it was even harder to watch her leave, to cry her pain alone. In that moment, Kagome made the decision to do everything in her power to mend this woman´s heart.
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After ten minutes, Aimi wasn´t getting any calmer. The tears were still in her eyes and her body was still trembling. So Kagome started petting her head and sang. As a slave, she didn´t know many, and her options were limited. However, when she was but a child, during her dream, the woman holding her was singing, and for some reason, Kagome was never able to forget that melody. It was a very soothing, very relaxing tune. Kagome thought that, if she sang that song, it would help Aimi, and it did. As a matter of fact, Aimi stopped her crying almost instantly, raised her head and looked at Kagome.
"How do you know that song?" her voice was urgent, almost demanding. It wasn´t a threat, but it send chills down Kagome´s back.
"I had a dream about a demoness singing this song. I don't know why, though. I was never able to figure it out." Kagome was scared. What was wrong with the song? Afraid that this song had bad connections, and that she would be spanked for singing it, Kagome lowered her arms, releasing Aimi of her embrace. However, Aimi didn´t seem upset anymore. Only… concerned?
"It's strange… Unless… No… It can´t be… But…" Aimi´s thoughts were running wild. In fact, she was so distracted, that she missed Kagome movements. There were many possibilities, none of them good.
"Little pup, stay here. I need to have a word with my mate. Please, do not leave this bed. You are still weak. I will be right back." Aimi raised herself and almost run to the door of the bedroom. She was still cleaning her eyes when Kagome spoke again, making her stop in her tracks.
"Kagome…" Aimi turned slowly to Kagome again. "My name is Kagome," she said with a smile. It was just like Aimi said. They were family now, and for once, Kagome really felt at home. So, it couldn't do much harm to tell them her name. Right?
"Kagome… Bird in a cage. Who gave you that name?" If her pup was willing to share some information, Aimi would not hesitate to listen.
"The man who saved me two hundred years ago also raised me for twenty years, before he sold me to a nobleman." Kagome lowered her head, avoiding Aimi. She was embarrassed, for admitting that she was nothing more than a runaway slave. What would Aimi do now; send her back? "While he was raising me, I became curious about my name, and I asked him. Apparently, I looked like a bird, beautiful and helpless. He told me that the only way to save me was to put me in a cage. And the name stuck."
'Sold her? That would mean that this girl was a slave.' Aimi´s thoughts were running wild again. They would need more information about her past. But now was not the time. Now her mate needed to know her theory, and fast.
"You know, Kagome, our names don´t tell us who we are. We are the ones to give them their meaning," Aimi said with a smile. "I have to go. But I will be right back." Kagome was expecting a lot of different reactions… But that was definitely one of them.
Before she could add anything else, Aimi left the room, leaving Kagome alone in that big room. It wasn´t for long, though. But she didn´t know that. If she had, she would have left before the new visitor arrived; probably…
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*This chapter had a beta reader BelovedStranger! Thank you so much! :3
