Title: Winds of Change
Pairing: Jane/ Maura
Rating: M
Summary: We follow along with our girls as they finish their first day in Undrehiel. The story will most likely pick up speed as we go along in the next chapters. I am not going to rush it, but we do have four years in Undrehiel to cover. I hope you stick with me through the entire journey. Again italics denotes mind speaking in body of story.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review. Also a big thanks to those of you who have favorited and followed. It really makes my day to receive feedback from my readers. Now on to the story. Happy Reading!
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CHAPTER 21
Maura and her new friends had been shopping for a while. She may have purchased too much, but she had seen entirely too many things she loved. Also the fact that she now had every right to buy things for her wife was thrilling. The doctor had stuck with things that would suit her mate's taste, but of a quality and cut that the detective usually didn't own. Maura was determined that Jane's wardrobe would always be of high quality and excellent fit. The fact that her warrior woman had grown at least six inches in height and had filled out dramatically from head to toe with gloriously sexy muscles aided the healers cause. All of the dark haired woman's old clothes would no longer fit her and could be gotten rid of.
Everything that had been purchased was sent directly to the ship. There was only a little more than an hour before they were to meet at the pub with the rest of their group.
"Evie time is growing short and I would like to stop by a reputable shop for that item I spoke with you about earlier."
"Ah, yes. I spoke with Jaden, who knows a lot more about that subject than I do and she knows right where to take you to get the best since price isn't a factor."
"No it's not. I want the best like before. I was disappointed we couldn't bring it with us."
"Jaden says what can be purchased here is giant leaps and bounds better than anything you could get in the human realm."
"Excellent, let's get going then. I don't want to be rushed."
Evie laughed. Maura was different than anyone she had ever met before, but she truly liked the unique woman. She had a rare view of the world around her. "Jaden take us to that shop we discussed earlier. Maura wants plenty of time to examine the merchandise."
Jaden chuckled and led the way. They came to a shop with delicate ivory curtains in the windows. The sign hanging out front said Claudia's Intimate Treasures. Alexi instructed Ethan and Hector to stand guard outside knowing they might make Maura uncomfortable while shopping in the store. Apparently Tony had been with her when she had visited at a similar place in the human realm.
Maura took a few moments to peruse the intimate apparel, but didn't find anything that she liked more than what she had already purchased.
The shopkeeper and owner Claudia greeted Jaden warmly. "Well hello there gorgeous. It has been a while since I've seen you in here. You got a new girl you're buying for?"
"No Claudia. I have a new friend visiting Undrehiel for the first time and would like to look at the absolute best you have in your Stallion collection. Money is no object, however quality is, and I know you create the best."
Claudia's smile grew. "Now that makes my afternoon. Well introduce me to your friend so I can show her my latest and greatest."
Jaden did and she and the others gave Maura room to inspect and speak freely with the shopkeeper.
The two got on well and Claudia liked the straight talking woman. "Is this for you to wear, honey?"
"Usually, no, though I might occasionally, but mostly it is for my mate. She will be the one to wear it most of the time."
The shopkeeper nodded. "Is she a small woman or large?"
"Well she is about five or six inches past six feet and muscular. She is fit, but not overly large. Very strong in all aspects."
"Ah, sounds like you're a lucky woman and I know just what to show you. It is the absolute best I have and I think it will suit your mate just fine." The woman escorted Maura to a small table behind the counter. The women sat across from one another as Claudia showed Maura her latest creation designed exclusively to be worn by a woman. She also showed the young beauty a few other items she might like.
Maura was very excited about what she was hearing and after learning how everything worked on it and inspecting the quality she picked the top of the line. The doctor also picked up a few other things she thought they might like to try at some point.
Maura was making arrangements for delivery, adding specific instructions for the purchase to go directly to her cabin and not into storage as she had with a few of the other things she had bought. The bells chimed over the door as a brunette with flouncy shoulder length hair and large breasts bounced into the shop.
She greeted Lauren. "Hey, Laur. I saw your boyfriend a couple of hours ago heading into the pig races with some other security types. I also saw the woman of my dreams. You gotta tell me she is single and introduce us."
Lauren laughed at her dramatically bubbly friend. "If she is single, I will introduce you. There were only three women in their party and I think two of the three are free."
"Well this one was dressed similar to you guys, but she wore black and purple instead. She had this totally Alpha presence that really got my motor running. The woman has this total butch femme thing going on that rocks." The woman fanned herself. "Oh please, tell me she is single."
Lauren smiled shaking her head. "Afraid not my friend. That woman is one of the most well mated people I've ever met and her lovely wife is behind you at the counter finishing up arrangements for her purchases."
The brunette's head whipped around. "Damn, she's fine, but a little to femme for my tastes. So they are very tightly mated, huh?"
Maura turned around at that. "VERY tightly mated." She smiled at the other woman.
The brunette wasn't stupid, she had a feeling that if she ever attempted to touch the other woman's mate she would soon have her hands removed. "Understood. You are a lucky lady though. I gotta tell you that."
"Yes, I am." Maura smiled once more before thanking Claudia again and heading out of the shop.
"Good thing you didn't pursue that any further. She might look all feminine, but that woman would have made mincemeat out of you." Lauren said before following the others out.
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There was a long line of trolleys and wagons dropping off race fans. Jane had no idea watching pigs run around in a circle could be exciting enough to draw such crowds. "You say this is a regular event?" The ones she had seen on the internet were annual events usually at local and state fairs.
"Yes, the races are held once or twice a week from spring to fall. Winter is the only off season." Grady was easily the biggest fan of the group.
Marcus leaned out of the trolley car as he surveyed the area. "I think we are close enough that it would be faster if we walked."
"I agree." Zeon sat on Jane's other side.
They all exited the trolley. Zeon once again arranging for it to pick them all up afterwards. Nolan ran ahead to get the tickets that had been purchased earlier in the day.
The atmosphere in the large area outside the arena was almost like a street fair. Food, games, and souvenirs were among the many vendors trying to separate spectators from their coins.
Jane marveled at the variety of creatures around her. It was not a family atmosphere at all. As they entered the doors after having their tickets stamped and each receiving a map and schedule of races, Jane saw even more vendors, as well as, booths set-up to place bets on the races.
Scantily clad creatures were dancing around among the throng holding signs advertising certain bars and pubs inside the arena or the best places to place your bets. So far it wasn't exactly what she had expected.
Jane saw a tote board giving odds on the first few races and was surprised again by some of the names of the pigs. Razor Tooth, Kill Streak, and Bloody Bacon to name a few.
"Our section is this way!" Grady sounded excited and many others in the group seemed more eager since they arrived.
"Lead on." The dark haired woman smiled.
They had a small box with ten seats all to themselves, but they were still in the middle of the crowd. Small boxes like theirs were scattered around the stadium. They had a good view of the dirt track below. No seating was at ground level. A thick reinforced stone wall surrounded the track, all seating was above the wall. Their box was close to the ledge the wall created.
Four gated stalls were in the far corner of the track. It seemed like the pigs would run out of the large stationary shoots onto a straight section of track, the shoots would then be blocked off after the race began to form the completed roundness of the track.
Upon seeing the size of the stalls Jane knew the little pigs she had seen online were not what she would soon be seeing.
A small podium rose from the center of the stadium as a plump purple manlike creature wearing a red top coat with tails and a black top hat, reminding her of a circus ringleader, welcomed everyone to the arena, before announcing the first race. A loud horn rang out indicating the end of betting for the first race. A momentary hush came over the crowd as they waited for the solid gates to open.
The crowd roared when the gates went flying. Giant Razorback hogs the size of a rhino with very powerful and scary builds shot out of the gates like their tales were on fire. Riders were actually saddled on the dangerous looking creatures that had huge tusks sticking out of either side of their mouths and two more tusks looked to be coming out of their snouts high up, not far below their eyes. All four animals had scarring on their hides and the riders were heavily armored.
"You jerks. You totally misled me on purpose." She was smirking after she popped Marcus on the shoulder causing him to flinch.
Her friends laughed. "We wanted to see your face when you saw the pigs for the first time." Warren grinned at her.
The races were sometimes brutal and the dark haired woman was glad her wife had not came with them. The hawkers came around and Jane was talked into trying some kind of smoked meat on a stick and a thick ale she thought she was going to have to chew.
"I'm really glad Maura didn't come with us." The Laird stated after one particularly violent race where medics had to run out on the track and get a couple riders to safety while other crazy beings distracted the giant hogs. "Maura would like these races about as much as I like going to the opera."
"I take it you are not an Opera fan." Nina's eyes danced with merriment.
"I can handle going to the theatre, the symphony, and even the ballet. However, I would rather get a full Brazilian wax job in the middle of Times Square, than go to the opera."
Several of her friends chocked on their ale and a few spewed it. Jane supposed she didn't say outrageous things often enough if she garnered that kind of reaction.
"You must really hate them." Max laughed while dabbing ale off her arm which Nolan had spewed on her from behind. "I mean Ouch!" Her legs unconsciously crossed.
It was a rowdy afternoon, but no one had over two ales. The atmosphere was quite charged and several fights broke out over bets, winners, losers, and lovers. The crowd was almost as interesting to watch as the races.
They were working their way to the exit when Jane felt the call. The sensation ran through her mind. Somewhere close by a child was very scared and in danger. Not just any child, but one of Lycan descent. The Alpha stopped dead in her tracks trying to pin point the location, then a second child joined the first and they were both in severe danger.
The dark warrior turned back towards the arena. "Come on we have a couple of children to find." Without waiting she sprinted off towards the railing at the top of the arena wall and barreled over it. The others hot on her trail.
Jane jumped over the gates of the hog chutes and entered the underbelly of the arena. Large burly creatures with three eyes and hairy ears were corralling up each of the hogs into their own individual pens. Jane heard the cries of a girl to her right and headed in that direction.
They saw a little girl of about five in a worn sack dress and a boy, maybe 10 wearing a worn shirt and trousers, huddled together waiting to be mauled to death by a huge hog. Two of the three eyed creatures were pulling on the enraged and injured animal. Its only focus was to get at its prey.
The Laird ran faster than she thought she ever had, scooping the children up moments before the hog charged smashing head long into the wall. She placed the children around a corner, hopefully out of harm's way as she and her friends helped corral the dangerous animal into its pen.
"What now?" Jane thought as she felt distress coming from the children again. The woman made it around the corner in time to see a large neatly dressed man push the little girl into the wall and smack the boy hard across the face. One beefy hand holding tightly to his small arm.
"I told you not to feed them till they were all penned. I don't have to let you use one of the storerooms above the pens to live in. I can easily throw you back out on the street and find me some more little beggars to feed the hogs and clean out the pens between race days. You don't know what it's like out there. I took you on straight after you were kicked out of your little house after your whore of a mother died." He said cruelly.
"Our mother wasn't a whore! She was a seamstress!" The little girl cried.
Before the man could kick the girl he found himself ripped away from the children and smashed into a wall. A large strong clawed hand held him pinned there by his throat. He found himself looking into the glowing eyes of a very pissed off Alpha Lycan.
"Do you want to live?" Growled the woman.
"Y...Yes." The Alpha had to be powerful to so easily partially shift.
"The children are no longer yours. They are part of my pack. However, you piece of scum will only find other children to harm. I curse you. Any harm you attempt to cause a child will cause you to feel as though your entire body has been dropped into a lava pit. Mental or physical abuse of children by you or ordered by you will cause this. I suggest asshole, you learn to become a better man or stay away from children all together." Jane tossed the man down the hall where he landed with a thud. She read from his mind he had no legal hold on the children.
Jane took a moment to calm herself and let her hands and eyes shift back to normal, before approaching the children.
As she neared them she sent her will out soothing the young ones and surrounding them in the warmth of safety.
The boy and girl stood together each had old and new bruises and the boy had a split lip. Jane laid a hand on each child's soft cheek before sending healing energy throughout their bodies. She didn't have a gift anywhere near as strong as Maura's, but healing the aches and bruises of the children and one split lip the Laird could easily do.
"My name is Jane. What are yours?"
"I'm Jeremy and this is my sister Emily." The boy had light brown hair and his sister blonde, but they both had the same sky blue eyes. They were in need of a good scrubbing, but even with all the dirt she could tell they were cute kids.
"Well Jeremy and Emily how would you like to go to Hecation. It will take us about a week or so to get there. Once we do I am sure we can find you a much better home with much better people who will care for you as if you were their own. What do you say? Are you two up for a little adventure?" She smiled at the two still surrounding the children in the warmth of safety.
They both nodded. "We don't want to be here anymore." The little girl spoke.
"I don't blame you." Jane stood. "Now why don't you show my friends Max, Grady, and Warren here where your things are? They can help you pack and we can be on our way."
Again they nodded and led the way up a set of old wooden stairs leading to the storage rooms above the pens. She watched till they disappeared from sight. "Nina do you personally know of any families who would take them in. I don't want them used as labor again. They need a home, a loving caring one."
"I know of at least five Hecation families off the top of my head, but I think Cornelius and Jarvis would be the best for them. They are lifemates, one man's Fae, the other man Elf. They currently have no small children. The couple has taken in orphans and runaways offering them a loving family for over a hundred years. All their kids are grown now. I know they would love those two and could give them the attention they need right now."
"Sounds good. When we get back to the ship, if you have a way to contact them do so and see if they are willing before we speak to the children about it."
"Yes, ma'am. I will."
Jane looked up to see the children already coming down the stairs. Each had a small shabby rucksack on their backs. The girl had a tattered teddy bear with a missing eye and ear under her arm. Grady, Max, and Warren each carried a large wooden box. It was obvious they had not been opened in a while.
"Is that everything?"
The children nodded. "We only have a few things for ourselves in our packs. That stuff is all we were allowed to keep from our home and of our mom's." Jeremy pointed to the boxes.
"We will take good care of them then."
Jane had seen Zeon fiddling with a small mirror with all kinds of symbols engraved on the frame around it. He looked up after sliding it into his pocket. "The Captain will meet us at the marina to escort our new friends on board and get them settled."
The dark haired woman nodded. "Okay, let's get out of here."
They were soon at the corner waiting for the trolley. The group was standing in front of a variety store that seemed to hold anything from clothes, toys, to household goods. The children had each taken one of her hands upon leaving the arena. Jane looked to see what had so captured the girl's attention. The little girl had turned completely around looking in the shop window. It was a pretty little blonde doll with blue eyes.
"She looks sorta like you."
The girl nodded.
"Do you like her?"
More nodding.
"Silas, Nolan, Grady watch the boxes and bags, please. The rest of us are going to do a little shopping." Jane headed into the large store.
A couple of clerks rushed over to help them. Jane told them she wanted three sets of clothes for each child, something for them to sleep in, and at least five pairs of socks and underthings for each, as well as, a warm coat and good shoes. She also told them to add two toothbrushes with cleaner suitable for children, brushes, and combs and two back packs."
Jeremy went with Warren and Marcus as the clerk helped him quickly pick out what he liked in the correct sizes. Jane, Nina, and Max went with the little girl as another clerk assisted them to do the same. The clerk added some special kid friendly shampoo and conditioner and some hair ribbons to the list and Jane tossed a couple of robes and house shoes into the basket as she passed by them. She picked pink with bears for the Emily and solid dark blue with red pockets and sash for Jeremy. The slippers matched the robes.
While the clerks were bagging everything up. The dark haired woman took the kids over to the toy section where she spotted the dolls. "Is she the one you want?" Jane picked up the same doll as the one in the window.
Emily looked at her with wide eyes. "I can really have her?"
"Yes, if she is the one you like best."
"Oh! She is!" The little girl grinned.
The woman was about to hand it to her when she noticed the same doll on a higher shelf, but she came with a little pack on her back with little brushes, ribbons, and spare clothes. She exchanged dolls, handing the girl the one with accessories to play with.
Her gaze drifted to Jeremy. "See anything you like?"
He nodded and pointed behind Jane to a different section. It was like a miniature armory. However, the dangerous items were locked away. Jeremy walked up to a barrel full of wooden practice swords, most likely set so close to the toy section for that very reason. The boy pulled out a sword very similar to the one on Jane's hip except without the wolf and magic stuff going on.
The woman smiled nodding and found him a scabbard and belt for him to wear with it. She also tossed in a small wooden dagger and sheath to go with it.
The warrior also picked up a couple of coloring books, game books, and drawing pads along with an art set that held crayons, pencils, and colorful chalks. Surprisingly they were in the shop a very short amount of time. Jane and her party didn't browse like Maura and hers usually did unless weapons were involved. When they arrived at the trolley Jeremy strapped his new wooden weapons to his skinny waist and Emily introduced her bear to her new doll as she hugged them close.
The Captain along with a few of the crew were waiting for them by the steps up to the marina. The children's eyes were very heavy lidded.
The Captain had three Fae women with him. Cookie was a plumb cheerful older gal with lots of curly red hair. The two younger woman were her daughters Maddy and Millie. They gushed over the children and promised to get them cleaned up and fed before tucking them into a nice warm bed.
Jane told the woman about the new things and promised the children she would look in on them when she returned.
Cookie scooped up little Emily, who snuggled her head onto one soft shoulder falling almost instantly asleep. Jeremy leaned heavily against Maddy almost asleep as well as she led him up to the ship.
"We will take good care of them for you." Captain Donovan said as the other crew members gathered up the children's belongings.
"I know you will." Jane looked at her escort. "We better get going or we're going to be late."
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Jane and her party arrived about ten minutes before the set meeting time. They all scattered around a lounge area by a large fireplace while Nolan went to set-up seating for their large party. He was an old friend of the owner and manager of the place.
Jane sat in the corner of a deep sofa with Max beside her and Marcus on the other end. Nina was directly across from her on another sofa with Warren and Zeon next to her. Grady, and Sirus sat in chairs around the lounge.
"I wonder how long it'll be before the others get here?" Warren said as he looked around.
Jane shrugged as she took in the mix of being around them. "I don't know."
"We didn't get a chance to talk about it after with everything going on, but how did you like the races?" Max inquired.
The dark haired woman shifted to speak more directly. "I can honestly say I have never been to anything like it."
That got them all laughing and sharing tales about their first times at the races.
Caught up in the conversation Jane didn't see when Maura and her friends entered the Pub from a different entrance than Jane's group had and started weaving her way across the boisterous crowd toward them.
"Max, baby! Who's the new hunk? She working for Wolfe Sec. too?"
That was all Jane heard before a very well-endowed woman plopped down in her lap thrusting her large endowments towards her face. She felt her marks flaring bright gold in disinterest, but with the cut of her shirt none were really visible.
"Hi, I'm Mandy. I absolutely love tough guys and you have the definite bad ass vibe rockin' around you, baby."
Jane's hands were up trying to fend off the woman who she thought might have been part octopus, her hands were everywhere. "I'm supremely not interested and would appreciate you getting off my lap." The dark haired warrior didn't want to hurt the woman, but she was seconds away from tossing her on her slutty ass.
"You better listen quick Mandy. Get off of her now!" Max warned her. The sight of a very ticked off Maura baring down on them was scary. The woman looked like a vengeful angel. "She has a mate and isn't interested. Hurry, get-up!" She was pushing at the woman.
"Oh come on handsome. I can make you forget that mate of yours and give you the ride of your life."
"I'm not interested. Now get off me and keep all these hands to yourself before I dump you on your nasty ass." Authority rang in her voice, however the woman seemed to like it.
"Oh yes, I love the whole dominate thing. I could play submissive for you, sir."
Thoroughly creeped out Jane was in the process of tossing the woman to the floor, no longer caring if the woman got a few bruises, when the need to do so was taken out of her hands.
Mandy was plucked from Jane's lap by her hair and flung to the opposite sofa that was now vacant as the others had scrambled up to assist before they saw Maura approach.
Maura moved with lightning speed pressing the woman in the corner of the sofa with her anger alone. "Listen to me bitch. If you so much as think about looking at my mate again I will pluck your eyes out. She told you at least twice she wasn't interested, even Max warned you she had a mate. I warn you to stay away from mated beings before you run into someone not as nice as I. Now disappear. I don't want you here."
The angry beauty stood waiting for the skanky woman to do the same and leave. Maura kept her body between the handsy slut and her mate.
Mandy stood keeping her eyes down and posture submissive, she felt the danger her rampant hormones had gotten her into. "I was supposed to take your drink orders."
"Then find someone else to do it, but you aren't coming anywhere near our party the rest of the night."
"Yes, ma'am." The busty woman hightailed it away as fast as she could swearing to herself to not listen to her hormones so much.
Maura's gaze swung to her mate's as she stepped close. "They simply flock to you don't they?"
A dark brow shot up. "They? That was only one and I swear I didn't even know she was near. She spoke to Max and the next thing I know octopus woman is in my lap. I swear she had more than two hands." She shivered. "You wouldn't happen to have any disinfectant spray on you, would you? I feel the distinct need to be doused in it."
Maura laughed along with the others. "Yes, they! My poor baby. That is the second woman today that I know of who wanted you. The first one came into a shop I was in and begged Lauren to introduce her to the woman of her dreams, that woman being you."
"I haven't been looking or paying attention to any woman, but you. Your my one and only love for life."
The smaller woman plopped herself down into the dark beauties lap. "I know sweetheart, but you are just so hot that some women and men too will just lose their heads over you. But don't worry, I will protect you."
"Same goes for you, babe." Jane found herself being deeply kissed by her wife and not caring one iota about those around them. "You are very hot when you go all Alpha mate on someone. I can't wait to get you alone later." The dark haired woman mentally purred.
"I can't wait either. I bought something I think you will very much enjoy."
They broke apart panting.
Max laughed. "I guess the lady staked her claim good and proper."
Jane smiled. "No complaints here." She pulled Maura close keeping her right where she was, happy with the current seating arrangement.
It wasn't long till they were shown to a large table that had been put together in the back of the pub. The meal was a companionable affair with much laughter as they shared the happenings of their day.
"So that's what pig racing is. I wondered what the draw was. I would like to see what one of the giant hogs looks like, but I don't think I would enjoy the races much." Maura commented while they waited for their dessert to arrive.
"I know I was surprised by them. They were very vicious animals. I could hardly believe anyone would ride them." Jane said as three large Kuchen were put along the table. They were rich cakes with several layers and crème.
They were pre-sliced. Jane took a piece for Maura, then herself. All the while a waiter delivered after dinner beverages. She and Maura had both chosen Keoke coffee which had a kick to it and whipped topping.
Grady wiped cream off of his lip. "They may be vicious, but that didn't stop you from running in front of an injured and enraged one to save those children. I don't think I have ever seen anyone move so fast before."
The hand on Jane's leg tightened. "I was called to help children like when Bethany was hurt. The children are at least part Lycan, because I recognized them as pack. I couldn't let that hog kill them or leave them in that awful place."
That sparked a whole other conversation as the rest of her party filled in what all had happened after the races.
"You are such a sweetheart. You bought that little girl a doll and the boy a wooden sword. You made sure they had everything they needed, but without going overboard. Those children will always remember the strong caring Alpha that saved them. That woman earlier today had no idea how right she was when she said I was one lucky lady to have you as my mate."
"I think I'm the lucky one." They shared a quick kiss.
It wasn't long before they were on their way back to the ship.
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Upon arrival to the Raven's Lady, the Royal couple's first stop was a small chamber nearby Cookie and her daughters' berths. The two now clean children were cuddled up together sleeping in their new pajamas. Emily had both her new doll and her old tattered bear with her and Jeremy had his sword nearby and they could see the hilt of his wooden dagger sticking out from under his pillow.
Jane straightened the covers around the two before joining her mate and Cookie in the walkway. She slid the door shut behind her.
"It's a good thing you did there Laird. They told me how you healed them of all their injuries that awful man gave them. The kids also said it was the first time they had been injury free since their momma died, bless their souls. I've been hearing tales about how dangerous you are, but you have a good heart inside you. It will serve you well." Cookie didn't seem to be too intimidated by Jane's position.
"Thank you, Cookie. I appreciate you and your daughters taking care of them. What have you done with all of their old things?"
"The clothes they were wearing weren't more than rags as are the things in those old rucksacks and they are all filthy. I haven't decided what to do with them yet."
"You will wash and neatly fold them. Also clean up the old rucksacks. Those things belong to those children and though old and worn they may mean something to them. We throw nothing away of theirs without their say so. Those two have had enough taken from them in their young lives. We will try not to take anything more except for maybe their fear and insecurity."
The large woman smiled. "Yes, Laird. I will see it is done. Do you need anything more?"
"No, thank you Cookie. It has been a very long day for us. We are going to enjoy some peace and quiet for the rest of the evening. Goodnight."
Maura smiled at the woman. "Goodnight, Cookie." She took her mates hand as they made their way towards their cabin.
The Captain met them as they reached the quarterdeck. "We will be departing soon. I plan on flying through the night and all of tomorrow. It would be an excellent time for you two to catch up on your rest and to finish adjusting to the time shift. I have already informed Marcus so he can tell the others who came in realm with you."
"Thank you Captain, that sounds like a fine idea." The Laird nodded. "Goodnight."
Her lady did the same as they were finally able to disappear behind closed doors and simply be alone.
Their wish was granted for the amount of time it took them to cross their receiving room and enter their private sitting room.
Lady Vivienne was sitting in one of the chairs with a book. The Goddess smiled at them as they entered. "You ladies have had a busy day. You started the day in the human realm, traveled through the in-between, met with Council members upon arrival in a new realm, explored the city of Vardinia, fought a troll, enjoyed much shopping, saved children, and rescued ones mate from unwanted amorous attentions. A very busy day indeed." Her trilling laughter filled the room.
"Please sit. There is something we neglected to speak with you about and I thought I should be the one to talk with you alone on this subject. I believe having Fenrir present would only make you uncomfortable."
The couple sat together on the sofa. "What is this about?" Jane asked bluntly.
"I am here to discuss babies. That is your abilities to get pregnant and the precautions to take to prevent pregnancy until you are both ready."
"But my lady, we are both women. We can't accidentally get pregnant." Maura was certain of that, well as long as they didn't bring a man into their lives, which she knew they never would.
"If you were human, I would agree. However, you are Lycan females, a mated pair. Your genetic make-up is now different. Magic you will learn makes many things possible." The Goddess shifted forward in her seat. "First you should know that as a couple you can have children, but that individually you cannot. Any child conceived is entirely reliant upon the two of you together. No mated pair can conceive outside of their pairing." She held up her hand for quiet and patience when she saw both women about to speak.
"Lycans generally go into heat approximately every 4-6 months. However, you two will only go into heat once a year and it will always be cycled together. Lycans can only conceive during a heat phase. The two of you will be coming into your first heat phase shortly after you arrive at your home in Hecation. Then it will happen every twelve months. If precautions are not taken Maura will get with child at every heat phase, something I would not recommend. I think it would be wise for you to wait a few years until you have settled into your roles and the upheavals to come have calmed before you even think about children. It would be even more dangerous at the moment. You are both untrained and will be targets yourselves soon and your children would be more vulnerable now when you are both still unknown and untried in the new world you now live."
"How come only I will get pregnant and not Jane?" Maura snuggled closer to her wife.
"In a mated female pair, one woman's eggs change in such a way that they can only be receptive to the DNA of the woman's mate. The other woman's eggs change into a substance that is only present during heat and this substance will enter the other woman's body to join with the egg or eggs and create a child or children. Maura you are the carrier of the children of your pairing and Jane is the protector of you and your children. The children you carry will be wholly yours and Jane's. No outside help will ever be needed."
"How?" Was all Jane could say. She had never imagined being able to knock her wife up the old fashioned way.
"Do you both remember when you first claimed one another and it felt like your womanhood's had somehow locked together at the time of completion?"
Both women nodded, it had been incredibly intense.
"Well in a way that is exactly what they did, lock together. You two have already managed to lock yourselves together several times since then, however only during heat will Jane's completing inside of her mate result in the two of you creating a child."
"You mean when we lock together like that she is actually finishing inside me?" Maura was having no problem speaking freely with the Goddess.
"Yes. To prevent pregnancy there is a spell an earth witch with talent in midwifery can perform to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, I can easily perform the spell and guarantee 100% effectiveness until it is taken from each of you. The spell is put on you both and must be removed from both mates for future pregnancies to occur."
Jane sat stunned, she had been coming inside Maura and could get her pregnant with their child, no donor sperm or expensive science needed. She thought it was totally awesome, but agreed with Lady Vivienne it was not time to have children, at least not yet. They had many centuries ahead of them, plenty of time to have kids. She turned to her wife. "I think we should have the spell performed and wait to have children, but I will abide by any decision you make sweetheart. I will always love any kids we create."
Maura kissed her incredible woman. "I too think we should wait, but I do look forward to someday carrying our child." They kissed again, not caring that the Goddess looked on.
They parted, both turning to the Goddess. "What do we need to do to receive the spell?" Maura inquired.
The Goddess stood waving them both to do the same. She then stepped up to the couple placing each of her hands over their wombs. Both woman felt warmth and magic flood their wombs. When the sensation ended Lady Vivienne stepped away.
"It is done. You may now enjoy your heat phase to the fullest without worry of pregnancy. You will simply have to call out to me with your request when you want me to remove the spell and I will do so. Now enjoy the next few weeks, because your very intense study and training begins soon and down time will not be as prevalent."
She hugged Jane. "You are doing a wonderful job as King, my dear. Follow your instincts and don't doubt yourself." The Goddess privately sent before turning to also hug Maura.
"Maura you are doing marvelously, continue on as you are and you will do fine. Also that device you picked up earlier will work the same way during a heat phase as locking together. Thought I would give you something to think about for the future. Enjoy seducing your mate, dear."
The ethereal woman smiled at them both before vanishing in a shimmer of sparkles.
Jane smiled at her mate. "Our children will be truly ours that is so cool!"
"You're not upset that you can't carry them?"
"No, honestly the thought of being pregnant has always frightened me. I have never had the urge or desire to actually be pregnant. Are you upset because you have to be the one of us to carry our children?"
"No sweetheart. I think it will be an interesting experience to feel a child growing inside me. It's a dream come true that the child will be completely ours." Maura pulled back. "Come let's go take a bath together and unwind before I seduce you with what I bought today." The smaller woman led her more than willing wife to their bedchamber and the large tub within.
R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I
I know I left you hanging before we got to the good stuff! LOL That just means the next chapter will start out with a Bang! ;-D This chapter simply became long quicker than I originally thought. I appreciate you reading and please let me know what you think. Thanks again for reading Winds of Change, the next chapter is not far away. Until Next Time…Holly