Ch. 8

Hermione witnessed Lucy's true breakdown. After talking with crux about the temple. Only to find that Lucy could never enter, not without losing her Celestial Powers. But found who Lucy was descended from, not just Scorpio but also Aquarius. Which caused an Earth dropping despair for the Celestial Mage.

Just before Hermione could give Lucy a hug. Gajeel came out of nowhere, wrapping the Blonde in his massive arms. Crux pointed to the trail that would lead her back to camp. Leaving the two alone, just as Crux whisked himself away.

On the way back to the temple area. Hermione glanced down and noticed something flashed to her eyes. Only to see a matching key to her Titanium set, with an image of a red lily. She picked it up and placed it next to Remus' key. Before moving on to the path again.

At the research tent, she found Cobra waiting for her. "Break time," he stated softly, before grabbing her hand. Leading her back to their tents. Where he had soup on the fire for them.

She sat down in her chair, with the sound of defeat leaving her lips. Before she was given a bowl. Cobra sat near her feet, with his back against the fire. Eating from his own bowl.

Once they were done. Hermione sighed, leaning back in her chair. "One of the rare times, I want a drink."

Cobra let out a sigh. "I don't blame you." Before opening an inner pocket of his coat. Handing a flask to her.

She opened the top, before taking a deep swig. Then handed it back to Cobra. He chuckled, "I don't believe you hardly drink, when you know how to take a swig like that."

She grumbled, "I had many male friends. One of them was Sirius." She flashed his key. "One night Sirius had a bit too much to drink. He wouldn't leave me alone, unless I had a drink."

She smiled after a memory came to her. "I agreed that a sip would be enough." Hermione shook her head, chuckling. "Nope, had to take a big swig. Only to find that he wished I was his daughter."

Tears leaked out of her eyes. Seeing an image of a boy with glasses and messy hair. "I felt happy and guilty." More tears left her eyes.

"Guilty that I was taking his love for his Godson, away. The one person who needs all the love in the world. Only for Sirius to die…" A river had started. "Without me being there to help him…"

Cobra shot up, wrapping his arms around her. Leading her head against his shoulder. Feeling her nose near his neck. His nail raking her hair in comfort.

"He is still here," he softly reminded her. "Your very own guardian in this world." His other arm, wrapped around her lower back.

"Cobra," she whispered softly. Causing a shiver to run down his spine.

"Erik," he grumbled softly. "The name I was born with, Erik."

"Erik," fire rushed through his body. Not even alcohol, had ever done. Making him pull back from her, to see her multicolor brown eyes. "Erik…"

Something seemed to have snapped. One minute they were a few inches from each other. The next, they were napped into a heated battle of passionate kisses. Each digging their fingers into each other's back. Neither allowing the other to think of escape.

Each hungry to feel the other's emotion for the other. Erik Feeling himself picking Hermione up. Where she wrapped her legs around his hips. Trying to get relief from some kind of tight thread that was connecting them.

Once, he stumbled into his tent. He pushed her into his bed. Only to grinned himself over her jeans covered, core. Fighting with himself from going into a mating frenzy.

He pulled himself away from her addicted lips. "This was not how I wanted to do this," he rasped out. "I wanted you to think about marriage with me. Before thinking about mating."

Hermione gave a small smile. She rolled her hips, causing the two to hiss. "I..I never felt this way before. I wouldn't push the idea of mating. Knowing I'm your lifeline," she blushed nicely.

He noticed her lips were slightly puffed from his poisoned lips. He liked her lips softly, leaving behind a soft sting of his antidote. "No reason to rush, sweetheart." Hissing as he rubbed against her. "Enjoy the attention, though."

Hermione smiled, but managed to roll them over. Making him lay on his back. His eyes rolled back, as he fought with his hormones. "You fight dirty."

She smirked, causing heat to rush over him. "I'm just fighting with what I have." Before climbing out of his bed. Then out of his tent.

"Why am I a good guy, again?" If he was back to his old ways. He would take anything and everything he wanted, without asking for it. But knew he could never go back. Not with a mate like Hermione.

Once he had gotten his desire for her, under control. He walked out of the tent to see Gajeel, alone, by the fire.

"They went to the shower hut." He gave a grin. "Had a bit of fun?"

Cobra growled, "Don't start with me. Not when you're battling with your inner dragon."

"Yeah, but Bunny Girl hasn't fought dirty with me."

"No," Cobra agreed. "But her choice of clothes haven't helped…" He ran off, before Gajeel used his magic to change his arm to club him.