Kendra's head was throbbing and ached even in a dream like state. She tried to wake up but her eyes wouldn't respond and her body remained limp. She knew she was dead in the water but barely heard Alex calling and yelling to her and then radioing for backup. She thought she heard Drake saying what bad shape Dyson was in and radioed for a medic too. Kendra tried to hold on but then she blacked out with her thoughts on Dyson.
The next thing she heard was Mia nearly yelling indistinct orders over the radio and she had requested for Bo.
Lauren could be heard franticly telling someone, "Julie nicked his carotid artery and Dyson's BP is dropping fast! He's already lost too much blood and the hemostatic clotting agent is taking too long. I need him moved to a trauma unit NOW."
Kendra, with much effort, cracked opened her eyes and saw Drake sprinting back with an AED unit but Lauren just shook her head. Apparently an AED would do no good in his condition. At least she had her full medical kit. Dyson was just laying on the ground, covered in his own blood, breathing shallowly.
She tried hard to say something. ANYTHING. But she blacked out again for what seemed like another minute.
Now she just heard chopped up and disparate chatter around her fading in and out. She still was barely conscious.
"WH… THE FUCK HAPPENED …. ! Kendra just had to….. Just leave it to her to….. Dyson… accomplice ….." Grizzal angrily said in a tirade.
"…. Julie is ok ….. tranquilizer dart…. Effects…. Antidote …. revive her ….." Lauren could be heard saying.
"Back OFF ….. Kill you! …. Beowolf rounds ….. Stand back asshole!" Alex warned probably to Grizzal. 'That's right, I let Alex used my AR for the wedding,' Kendra remembered.
"Where is …." Bo could be heard worried running to them.
"Elder Julie attacked Kend ..… FLAG OF TRUCE! I want Julie revived … BOTH of you OUT!" Mia roared. "I SAID OUT!"
"…. Justice?! NO! 2 Against 1! How dare they attack… AMBUSH one of our most….." Grizzal spat out accusingly.
Dyson coughed strongly several times and at least he was ok.
"Kendra … BODY CAM …..… Julie … unprovoked attack on both Ken ….. How gullible ….. believed in you FATHER!" Mia yelled hurt to the core.
BETRAYAL. Kendra knew that was painful for Mia . That feeling of being betrayed by one's own family had to hit a nerve.
"I keep my word! … NO HARM….. Kendra and Dy….." Grizzal seemed to defend.
All of a sudden she felt a rush of energy and her eyes fluttered open to come face to face with a blue eyed Bo.
"Hey you," Bo smiled stroking her arm. Bo thanked her luck charms Malaya was around to pull chi from. She didn't want to pull from Tamsin after all.
Kendra quickly nodded to Bo to say 'Thanks, I'm ok' but immediately scanned for Dyson. A blood covered grey Dire Wolf was already upon her, whined and came over to kiss her face. At least Bo healed his wounds. Kendra just immediately grabbed and hugged Dyson and held him tight. She was so grateful to still have him in her arms. She nearly lost him again. Lucky for her Alex and Drake responded quickly. She never felt so helpless in a fight before as a ting of guilt pricked her heart. Julie called her 'widow maker'. Sure Kendra joked about it, but her biggest fear overshadowed her that she would be the death of her life mate, directly or indirectly.
"Drake! Have Jessica escort our uninvited guests, Elders Julie and Grizzal out before I do something harsh!" Mia ordered sternly.
Drake just replied crisply, "Yes Ma'am."
It was then Julie shot up taking a deep breath, back into her human form immediately after Lauren administered the antidote via injection.
"I WANT Kendra's and Dyson's exile status rescinded and a bounty put on their HEADS!" Julie dusted herself off. "Look what they did to me!"
"SAVE IT!" Mia shouted, "I reviewed the body cam on Kendra and you just HAD to kick the pooch! You ATTACKED Kendra first! HOW DARE YOU! She was an UNARMED human and protecting the armistice, OUR armistice!"
Jessica and Dimitri walked in with full gear assessing the situation but was there to execute Mia's request.
"As was I Mia! Where's your manners and watch your tongue! KNOW your place HUMAN! EVERYTHING I DO is to protect our kind and uphold the armistice. I have done this for at LEAST 20 of your life times," Julie barked and pointed accusingly at her.
Mia pulled out her baton but didn't expand it wanting Julie to deride her once more but it was Grizzal that stepped in between them.
Grizzal was deeply hurt by Mia's angry tirade directed at him and showed general lack of trust. It seemed that Mia was no longer his but Kendra's. The way she verbally attacked him was as if Kendra was more to her than a friend. Maybe family? He still was her father however and needed to protect her. If she lashed out at Julie, it would also spell her death and he suspected that Kendra and Dyson didn't kill Julie for the same reason. MAYBE.
Kendra stood up with blood all over her dress from Dyson and bellowed, "I *AM* human and there are a lot more of us out there than YOU. You want a war? FINE. Keep the armistice then kill me and find out how fast your kind will become extinct."
Julie and Kendra just stared each other down at the brick of an all out war.
Kendra knew that if Julie attacked now, with all these witnesses, she'd lose even more credibility because right now, Mia had nothing really but Julie's round about admission of her attacking her first. Reason being was that Kendra knew her dress and jewelry had no such body camera on her and this garden had no cameras with a clear view of the fight. Mia bluffed and erred on her side and she played the part well. Love DID count for something after all.
Julie never expected that Kendra would play that card. She made a promise to keep all Fae kind hidden from humans when she was made Dyson's pet, however she was keeping their kind safe even before then and it was maybe her connection with Dyson that kept her from doing so. Killing Kendra now meant that Dyson or even her team would reveal their kind to the humans and a witch hunt would surely follow like in the times past where they were hunted toward the brink of extinction. THIS TIME however, Kendra and her team knew more about them than almost any human and extinction was probably guaranteed.
Julie was angered and spat on the ground seething with distain, "I know your kind. No war means no peace. Face it, you're a warmonger and nothing more! REVENGE and RETRIBUTION is all your about Kendra! You not only MOCK our culture, you corrupt it! First Dyson now Mia. You ARE our extinction the LONGER you are here and you don't see it. The hubris you must have! You boast your accomplishment of killing our kind like some TROPHY! You turn our own against us….. you're worse than a succubus…. and NOW you want us wiped off the map. You're a CANCER that needs to be dealt with before you kill all of Fae kind."
Bo lifted a brow but chose not to say anything but Dyson growled however at the principal of Julie's argument.
Dyson didn't see Kendra like that at all but with the events that happened, it was easy to conclude that. Kendra was now trying to make things right, but was it too little too late?
Julie knew she probably said something to offend Bo so she deadpanned to Bo and appeased, "Please I meant no disrespect, Bo."
Bo just nonchalantly mentioned, "None taken. I not your ordinary succubus but then of course, Kendra may be human but is better …. Much better than what you say she is."
Kendra replied with as much restraint as possible taking in a deep breath, "You demanded I leave DYSON, my life mate, and Mia my best friend? I take my commitments seriously! You just stereotyped all humans as being unfaithful as well has untrustworthy which I'm not."
Julie perked up her brows and challenged, "I smelled Mia's extremely faint scent on you. Do you sleep with her?"
This took Grizzal off guard. He knew Kendra's scent was still hers but there was now an almost faint, nearly undetectable but familiar scent which he couldn't quite place but Julie's olfactory senses were better than most. Then he realized that maybe the reason why he felt as ease with Kendra at the wedding earlier was because his subconscious picked up on Mia's scent.
Kendra was at an impasse. She had no idea how to reply to that until Mia spoke up still upset.
"We LIVE and SHARE Dyson's place. Of course my scent is on Kendra and Kendra's on mine. I bet even Dyson's scent is on us as well."
"You DIDN'T answer the question Kendra," Julie requested sternly challenged Kendra ignoring Mia.
Grizzal gazed and searched Mia eyes.
Mia held a stoic but focused expression glancing quickly back at her god father.
He got his answer without a word and he had NO idea how to process this. Mia was more than a Den Mate to Kendra, they were lovers but to what extent and how much he had no idea. The one person he trusted the most turned out to be his biggest liability.
"I don't answer to you," Kendra crossed her arms defiantly. "Frankly I'm quite insulted at what you are insinuating. DYSON is my one and only life mate. There are no others!"
It was Bo that broke in with Jessica and Dimitri getting in between everyone.
"Please STOP," Bo pleaded. "This is a peaceful wedding. There is no more need to mar this auspicious occasion."
Grizzal side hugged Mia and turned to leave.
As Grizzal left with Julie, he gave his daughter one glace and it spoke volumes.
'Betrayal' and that cut him deep in return.
Julie then partly turned to leave with Jessica and Dimitri leading them away and proclaimed, "If it is what you say. LEAVE with Dyson and NEVER come back. For both your sakes and ours. You CLAIM to uphold the armistice. Now DO it. We all want peace."
"WAIT!" Kendra ordered Jessica and Dimitri then addressed Julie. If a deal needed to be done, it had to be done now before Julie addressed the Dire Wolf council to kill them. "If I agree to leave, give me your word that our exile status will remain in effect indefinitely."
Julie was quick and said glibly, "I will see to it personally that the council votes that way. What of your promise to uphold your vows to both Fae kind and ours. For me to push for your exile status to remain, you may never threaten us with human reprisals ever. You are part of the Fae world Kendra. By you choosing to remain with Dyson means that you freely choose to be with us in the good and even in the darkest of times."
"You have my word. I will uphold all Fae laws without threat of human reprisal," Kendra agreed.
Julie than requested, "I need your blood oath to cease all hostiles to Fae kind. You will never pick up another weapon again or raise up in arms."
Jessica was the first to jump on that and stated, "NO. Unacceptable. Kendra is part of the Burning Cypress Clan and she is required to protect us from enemies from within and externally."
Julie knew Jessica from times past and respected her enough to amend her statement, "When we open our hand to slap the other, we close the door to peace. You are a warrior like Dyson but while you have your place, peace is what we need now. Therefore, you will cease all hostilities to parties under the armistice. You are forbade from all hostile actions verbally or otherwise but more so you will do what it takes to preserve the current but fragile peace. "
Kendra thought about it and asked, "What of you and the Dire Wolf Council, even other parties under the armistice, they will surely try to kill us once I agree."
Julie turned to Grizzal and requested, "Please let it be known to all in our clan that the penalty of engaging Kendra or Dyson in any way is punishable by death. As to the aswangs and vampires, reiterate that engaging Kendra or Dyson in any way violates the terms of the armistice while we deliberate and rule on Kendra's actions at Canal street."
"It will be done," Grizzal was quick to reply but out of the corner off his eye saw hurt on Mia's face even though she covered it well and then he knew why. These terms if agreed to would essentially sequester Mia from Kendra. Mia was really close to Kendra it seemed and this conjured up feelings of ambivalence. On one hand he didn't want to hurt his daughter, on the other hand, Kendra was just too dangerous to be around at any capacity.
Mia felt her heart thud in pain. She knew it had to be done, but she just got use to Kendra, her best friend, being in her life. Now, Kendra was being ripped away from her and that was a bitter pill to swallow after they spent several weeks bedding with one another but more so than that, she knew how much she'd miss her. She now felt loss and the loneliness began to creep in once more.
Alex hated to see Kendra, her mentor, leave but knew that being a leader required hard choices and those hard choices wouldn't be palatable to all. Poor Mia. Things were going all so well with them.
Kendra also saw small glints of pain wash over Mia's calm demeanor. She had to keep Mia safe too and this arrangement hurt her just as much. They did make a great team and oddly enough, Mia knew how just how to please her in bed without taking what was Dyson's. On a personal level, they were the best of friends and now she was driving a wedge between it. Doing what was right demanded sacrifice and Kendra hoped Mia understood.
Kendra knelt down and faced Dyson and brought him in close whispered full of regret, "Dyson? Are you ok with this course of action? You will never be with your kind again…. And even after I am 6 feet under … I don't know if you will be accepted back. I'm sorry that is the best I can do."
Dyson looked deep into Kendra's watery eyes. He knew she felt terrible for permanently severing his ties with his clan, but he knew he made that decision already the moment his teeth sunk into Elder Julie's arm. He however needed something more and had to dig deep down into the recesses of his mind to get the right words in Dire Wolf form. Hopefully Julie would understand.
Dyson then locked onto Julie and then made a series of soft barks and whines.
Grizzal knew Dyson was using an ancient dialect long since extinct when Dire Wolves first learned to communicate in more meaningful terms since they could not shift back then. It went into disuse and was rarely used since if something could not be simply explained, they shifted into a bipedal form. He just barely understood it himself but it had to do with Kendra and being Dyson's life mate.
Julie tilted her head with Kendra looking expectantly at her and translated, "Kendra, Dyson has requested that if he is to be permanently exiled from the clan, he wants it to be for something. As such he is requesting summary judgment by the council as to your official status as his life mate."
Kendra nodded and Julie continued, "Why does that matter?"
Mia then spoke, "Because, right now if Dyson is exiled he would get some protection under both the armistice and protection from harm from his own clan, but not you necessarily …."
Kendra mentioned talking to Grizzal, "I thought I had that same status the last time we talked?"
"As I said," Girzzal clarified, "Unofficially you are commonly accepted as Dyson's life mate, but there is nothing preventing certain factions from changing their mind since there are no real repercussions if they harm you. By Dyson requesting it formally, it will be written in stone."
Julie nodded and spoke, "Dyson you understand you are taking a huge risk. I influence the council but I do not speak for them. If they rule that Bo is your true life mate, Kendra will explicitly have no such protection and may be hunted down."
Dyson nodded and replied in another serious of soft barks and whimpers. He was facing the end of the world anyway in what looked like weeks so what did it matter if they ruled contrary to his wishes?
Julie nodded back but didn't translate it, "I will try Dyson." Julie then addressed Mia, "Please ensure that Kendra has the necessary books that pertain to the duties of a life mate."
Mia nodded. Those books were obsolete and no one really followed them much anymore in the clan. Dire Wolves used the books when there were more defined and rigid caste roles thousands of years ago. She thought they were downright sexist but didn't know what was Dyson's and Julie's spin on this.
After some silence passed Kendra, it looked like and accord was formed and requested, "I need a couple days to ….." She was just about to say 'comply' and that was not like her. "A couple days to finish up here and we will be on our way."
"So be it," Julie nodded and then told Dyson, "The next council meeting is 2 months, but I will request for a special assembly which should be in a few weeks time. I will present your motion to the floor at that then."
Dyson nodded and barked.
Kendra nodded and that was the end of it.
With Julie and Grizzal gone, Mia was stone faced but ordered patrols be tightened.
Kendra could quite literally see the gravity of the situation behind Mia's eyes. She also saw a combination of guilt, anger, pain and failure.
"Alex, you stay glued to Kendra for the rest of this event. Got it?" Mia ordered ready to walk away.
Alex nodded and said formally, "Will do."
Kendra needed to talk to Mia but she was almost running away now.
Bo was the one who slid in front of Mia and asked softly but almost rhetorically, "Why not you? You made up Kendra so well earlier and she needs you too."
Mia froze. She didn't need this. Not now, but one look at Kendra, she saw how needy and vulnerable Kendra was even though she hid it well. They were so close now that reading her was simple. One just had to look for the tells.
Mia then spoke into her radio mounted on her vest, "Mia to Tamsin, please take over the team for 20."
Mia did even wait for a reply nudging her head toward the dressing room and just told Kendra curtly with little emotion, "Come on Kennie, you got a wedding to attend."
Kendra first of all noted how cold Mia was to her, but then she of course she knew what emotional turmoil she was in right now. She did still have a connection with her however, since she noted that Mia called her a pet name for the first time. 'Kennie'.
The radio then blared back, "Copy that Mia. Tamsin out."
Bo went up to Kendra and quickly hugged her and mentioned, "Kendra. You will always be part of happy sunshine gang no matter what."
Kendra smirked and thanked her because even though Bo was really her competition as it pertained to Dyson, Bo made sure that she knew that she was always family.
Dyson looked confused darting his glance between Mia and Drake. He didn't know if Kendra needed privacy or if he needed to stick about for some reason.
Kendra surreptitiously patted and nudged Dyson Drake's way and mentioned, "Hey Drake, can you do me a big favor and have someone clean up Dyson a little."
Drake just replied the affirmative with Dyson pulling his ears back and tail now between his legs. He hated baths unless of course Mia or Kendra or both were in there sans clothing.
Drake just patted Dyson and comforted, "Hey Dyson, I'll just towel you down so you don't take years to dry ok?"
Dyson barked softly in agreement perking up quickly.
Bo hugged Lauren and pecked her on the cheek. "Thanks Laruen."
"No thank you Bo. You saved the day again," Lauren mentioned walking beside Bo with the crowd dispersing but it was Bo that took her arm to her surprise.
"Love your dress doc," Bo cooed. It was a single piece dark green floor length dress with a plunging neckline and an open back.
Lauren blushed, "Well I can't take all the credit. Maura helped me via video chat and Arin approved."
"Well then, they both have a great sense of style. Very elegant and classy. Hey, where is Arin by the way?" Bo looked around.
Lauren found that Bo was walking the garden with her instead of going inside. It was nice to talk to Bo again alone since it was increasingly rare with their hectic schedules. They did have a little time until the wedding started.
"Arin is playing with the other Fae kids. She wants to be a kid, so why not? She only has a little less than four and some odd weeks until she morphs into a teenager," Lauren smirked with a shrug.
"Oh where has the time gone?" Bo pulled her to her as they strolled past some dogwood tress in full bloom.
Lauren noted sheepishly, "Well she already has attitude Bo."
"That she does," Bo noted trying not go anywhere near feed mode, but she did drain herself pretty good since she healed both Dyson and Kendra. Sure Kendra's injuries weren't nearly as bad but Dyson's took a lot out of her.
Lauren chuckled along with Bo.
"Thanks for watching over her most of the time. I know I've been really busy …" Bo mentioned apologetically but was cut off.
"NO Bo. It's FINE. I.. I do enjoy the time I do have with her. I…." Lauren paused and looked up to compose what she needed to say, "I wasn't sure if I'd be a good mother to children, but Arin has renewed my confidence that I can be just that."
Bo stoked her arm and sat down with her, "Of COURSE you are Lauren. You are the best. You take care of us all and I'm not that easy to deal with either."
Lauren held in a laugh, "You are just fine Bo and I wouldn't have it any other way."
Then Tamsin managed to cut in using the link to Bo, 'The wedding is starting in 15. ALSO will you just get it over with! FEED from Lauren and stop beating around the bush!'
'How do you know it's Lauren?' Bo inquired knowing full well that Tamsin could see what she was seeing but for some odd reason, she knew Tamsin didn't do it that often.
'Well JEE. Let me see. A…. I feel like freaking touching myself which is probably from your feelings. B….. It feels like a guilty pleasure from here so it can only mean said feed is an ex flame. C … Dyson is not in his human form, so who is left? I know I'm right and don't test me and I need to concentrate,' Tamsin warned playfully over the link.
'No hard feelings Tammy? You won't be mad at me?' Bo wanted to make sure.
'Ugggggggg. Must we go through this EVERY time you feed from someone I know,' Tamsin clicked over the link. 'Awww right. I give up. I will be VERY VERY infuriated with you if you feed from your Ex since you are MY little slut and I DEMAND you be 100 percent monogamous to your bonded, all powerful Valkyrie. As a matter of fact, you get your succu-paws off her NOW."
'Oh,' Bo frowned loosening her hold around Lauren with a pout.
It was then Lauren knew she was talking to Tamsin via the link and just held her and waited.
'HOWEVER, I MIGHT forgive you THIS… NO … NEXT MONTH … JUST MIGHT… if you give me back my underwear SLAVE. You're BAD BAD succubus. How DARE you cheat on me. With your EX no less! Sooo disappointed in you Succu-tits that out of all the feeds you stooped this low. SHAME ON YOU. WAIT. Are you lusting after Lauren MORE now?! You will be punished! 1 week… no sex… do I hear 2…. We're going for a record, 3!' Tamsin mentioned sarcastically but that did the trick.
Tamsin knew that if she made Lauren off limits her hunger would immediately go into overdrive. That would also satisfy Bo's requirement that Tamsin be mad at her and demand what Bo wanted all along which was a monogamous relationship.
'Pleaseeeeeeeeeeee mistress, I need to feed. I will give you everything you want. PLEASE ANYTHING but taking away my bed time with you!' Bo replied begging and playing along but deep down she wanted Tamsin to be possessive of her.
'THEN feed from me a little afterwards to know what real chi tastes like.'
'Nooooo. Not from you Tamtam. Please. MISTRESS. ANYTHING but feeding my Valkyrie!'
'No sex 3 week or just a tiny after dinner snack from me. CHOOSE Bo.'
'OK. Damn you! A SMALL snack from you. No more,' Bo pouted. She never wanted to taste Tamsin again for fear of sucking her dry. God she just kept tasting better and better as time passed.
Tamsin smirked, 'Deal my little succuboobs. NOW RAVAGE AND DEFILE your Ex. Feed from her without killing her. I need a doctor for the accident prone humans on the team. And you'd better finish in 10 or ELSE my whips, cuffs, collars and ALL my torture tools are coming out tonight! You don't want to make your SPOUSE UNHAPPY right?' Tamsin demanded huffing out a laugh. She had Bo wrapped around her fingers.
Bo eye's turned bright neon blue. Tamsin's description of her punishment was turning her on to no end.
"Fuck it. I need to feed Lauren. STAT!" Bo lips crashed into Lauren's much to her a surprise that Lauren was pushed her back into the bench.
"Uhhhh uhh here Bo?" Lauren was unsure but Bo had already yanked her thong off and heels.
"PLEASE," Bo paused grinning slyly. "I need you now …. You know… hippopotamus oath and all."
"Hippocratic Bo," Lauren corrected but was in deep trouble when Bo yanked off her sheer hose.
Bo snuck her fingers into Lauren's temple with the doctor nerding out.
"Yea, do no harm…. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Lauren knew Bo had her and just complied. She wasn't at a capacity to say no since she had not been bedding with anyone for several weeks.
Bo prowled over her then slid Lauren's shoulder straps off smoothly.
Lauren was actually a little scared since Bo was rapid for her chi. At first she pulled a little to taste and then Bo just said "More!"
Bo then stood up and yanked Lauren dress off to her chagrin.
Lauren now totally nude almost covered up since she was an open book but Bo reassured, "Come on babe, just like old times?"
Bo knew Lauren was ultra sensitive more so than usual and asked, "How long has it been doctor since you touched that stars?"
"Last week!" Lauren shook her head trying to stop her impending crest with Bo crawling over her to kiss her on the lips while continuing to sack and plunder Lauren's temple with her free hand.
"HOW LONG with another person," Bo clarified using 3 digits now hitting home and her tongue swatting her firm tips.
"Ahhhhh! … Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!... 8.25 weeks with youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" Lauren almost yelled biting her lip.
"8? Wow…. I can tell," Bo purred pulling her fingers out of Lauren's tunnel and making her lick them. "All this for me?"
"Yes," Lauren mentioned lost in lust licking Bo's slick fingers tasting her own juices.
Bo then began to ram Lauren's sex hard but made sure to hit her nub and stoke her spot deep inside at the same time. Lauren was going to crest and crest hard.
"Naaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Boooooooooooo!" Lauren yelled in abandonment with Bo counting down huskily in her ear, "8 weeks, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Pop goes the weasel!"
Lauren found a moment later she was yelling in Bo's mouth in a deep kiss as loud as she could cresting. Bo knew how to take her down too well and it looked like Bo had gained some more moves.
Bo fed from Lauren at her peak and she tasted good.
Once in the dressing room, Kendra hastily kicked off her high heels with Mia assisting to undo the top of her 2 piece dress. Kendra unzipped her own skirt peddling out of it tossing it over a chair.
She then strode over to the sink in only her low cut thong and washed her face while Mia hastily wet a face towel to get the dirt and blood off of her arms and legs. Mia just assumed that Kendra was going to change into her original dress. At least that dress could have body armor and weapons.
Kendra was drying her face when she saw Mia in the mirror hesitate with rag in hand about to touch her back. She realized Mia was deciding internally what to do with the Dire Wolf clan logo.
"I want to keep it Mia," Kendra mentioned tossing the her towel on the holder then briskly walking away. "It's not like anyone can see it with my other dress. Help me into it please?"
Mia nodded and helped Kendra step into her simple floor length dress while Kendra pull on her bra and finally spoke, "I'm sorry…" She was stuck since there were so many things to be sorry for.
Kendra quickly cut her off and said without regret, "NO MIA. No. Thank you for taking mine and Dyson's side. There was no body camera on me and by you bluffing, you got the truth. You saved us once again. That more than makes up for anything you have to be sorry about ok?"
Mia zipped the dress part way up to have it ruffle around her waist and demurred once more.
Kendra quickly fed her arms through and slinked into the dress the rest of the way then waiting for Mia to zip it all the way up.
Mia quickly reminded, "Body armor?"
Kendra paused. She didn't feel like she wanted to wear it anymore. Julie stated that she was nothing but a warmonger and she was right and maybe she can just get by as being a guest of honor now.
Mia saw that Kendra waver and knew they had to talk later, but now was not time, but she pleaded to her, "PLEASE Kennie. It'd make me feel better."
"OK," Kendra smiled. "Anything for you," Kendra purred.
Mia chuckled weakly since the gravity of the situation still weighed on her.
Kendra turned around and held Mia at arm's length and boldly told Mia, "Schedule the calendar shoot for tomorrow, AM. I will pose for however many calendars you want to make and if you can clear the room out, we can… can… pose together if you want. OK?"
This astonished Mia. Up to now, Kendra avoided even one picture must less multiple spreads. Also they were going to be posing together?!
"So whatever I suggest you wear, you'll do it?" Mia cautiously clarified.
Kendra had to trust her like she trusted Dyson and nodded. Mia did pick the right dress for the party after all.
"Sooooooo you don't mind that you may have shots with both of us in it?" Mia proceeded forward cautiously since she knew Kendra had serious issues even being seen together in public.
"No I don't," Kendra shook her head with a huge smile. She was reacting to Mia's bright smile for who this was a dream come true.
"And so you're saying that you trust me 100 percent on this?" Mia wanted to verify looking at her with a somewhat wary sideways glance.
Kendra gently cupped Mia's chin to see each other eye to eye just inches from each other and offered, "I love you Mia and I trust you with no strings attached."
Kendra finally gave EVERYTHING to Mia, even a piece of her heart which was suppose to be only for Dyson, but in order to help Mia accept their time apart, she needed to her know that it wasn't a LOSS. It was Mia's gain. The gain for Mia was that she'd get access to her heart without restriction. Kendra had to wonder if there was enough room in her heart for 2 but again, the end of the world was coming, so why not?
Mia melted into a deep sensual kiss and Kendra just kept doing it. From the kisses alone, it WAS love but there was something about it that was different. If she was not mistaken, the love expressed in these kisses was a committed romantic love. The SAME love that Kendra reserved for Dyson it seemed. She felt guilty but wanted more at the same time. All these conflicting emotions were making her go the path of least resistance, which was to make love to Kendra.
After a minute, before things got out of hand, Mia who was out of breath pushed Kendra back a little in between the heated exchange of kisses put forth meekly, "Kennie…. please… I… I want it all but I feel guilty. Dyson … he deserves this…."
Kendra kissed her again, with even more passion pulling her in closer so she couldn't disengage. Then, with her free hand, surreptitiously slid her thong off letting it fall to the floor. She stepped out of them with the grace of a ninja since she was still in her bare feet.
Mia was pleading soft nos through her moans when Kendra purred, "I talked to Dyson already. You can have all of me. I've been too stubborn to let you or anyone else in until it was too late in one way of another. I'm not going to repeat it."
Mia shook her head and this was too good to be true still trying to digest this until Kendra smoothly guided Mia's hand up her leg through the slit inside her floor length skirt.
Kendra noted that Mia quivered to her touch and she was totally enamored and captured in sheer bliss even fully clothed. She also knew the high and mighty Captain Mia Tate would literally crumble if she entered her temple. Mia was already stroking her folds still denying herself. GOD she was good.
Mia loved Kendra in a dress and was still all worked up over dressing her in the other one and stroked Kendra's slick folds apart surprised that she wasn't wearing her thong and now that her field was cut clear, her fingers glided over it with silky smoothness. She wanted MORE; Lots more BUT Kendra was leaving. She was going to give her what she always wanted in her wildest fantasies but if she left, she'd feel the loss even more so. Also, what of her oath of keep Dyson and Kendra relationship above her own?
Mia pushed back and finally separated from Kendra. She was upset and sternly put forth, "NO Kendra. We can't do this. You're leaving and it already hurts. Now you are giving me what you are supposed to give Dyson and as much as I want that, I have to live with the heart ache when you are GONE."
Kendra put her hands up defensively. What Mia said was true. Mia would get what she wanted and Kendra would take it away by leaving. She didn't want to be cruel but let Mia know calmly, "My heart has room for BOTH of you and I do love you."
Mia stumbled back several steps at this admission. Kendra really did just give her everything but she needed time to think. In essence, this was to be a polygamous relationship of EQUALS.
Kendra hesitated then quickly added using Mia's line from months ago, "… with the same quality I give Dyson … as deep as the…. Umm CRAP.. I'm not a poet."
Mia held in a laugh. It was cute, but she did need time to think but that moment alone prevented her from running away.
Mia took a couple of breaths and noted that how nervous Kendra was fidgeting ever so slightly. It was probably the fact that she was exposing her most vulnerable self to Mia. What to do now was the question but first the show needed to go on.
"Kend…. KENNIE. Wedding is in 10 so can we talk later please. I'm in no way rejecting your advances, I just need to adjust my reality ok?" Mia pleaded hugging her once more.
Kendra nodded in the hug and then quickly broke with Kendra donning on her body armor, thigh holster, blades and vest efficiently.
They were about ready to leave when Mia noticed that Kendra left her thong on the floor. She was going to tell Kendra about it, but Mia was pretty sure Kendra knew. She was the more conservative one after all. She surmised that Kendra wanted to ensure that they talked and this was probably an incentive.
Kendra sat down and tried to wiggle her high heels on and grunted. How she hated high heels but an idea came to mind motioning to Mia who had just mounted her rifle across her chest.
"Can I get some help with these Mia?" Kendra frowned but acted a little more needy to reel her in.
Mia was busy thinking tactically about the team when she knelt down to help Kendra slip her shoes on. They were tight but Kendra should have been able to do it until she realized she could see up Kendra's skirt all the way to her budding flower It seemed that Kendra was using her wiles on her and this was a rare; It was normally the reverse.
Mia gulped the lump down in her throat with Kendra standing up to straighten out her dress.
The show did have to go on.
The wedding of Derrick and Erica was uneventful and joyous with all in attendance but the wedding that was the most emotional and heart-warming was Drake and Alex. It was a small with only close family and friends.
Drake and Alex were wed with the blessing of the Burning Cypress clan with Derrick and Erica presiding. Jessica, who was normally composed almost went through a whole box of tissue.
Bo stood clapping shedding some tears of joy as well with Tamsin passing by to hold Bo around her waist briefly before returning to her security role briefly glancing at a red faced Lauren to the other side of Bo. Tamsin huffed out a laugh at the guilt written all over her face that Bo just dominated her just minutes ago.
Mia made sure to break off from Tamsin, her partner for the patrol briefly and slid behind Kendra and cupped her ass with both hands so no one could see.
Kendra taunted and mouthed, turning around slightly, 'Carefully Harbinger, you don't want me to do the Brazilian on you here do you?'
Mia chucked quietly and left with Tamsin to continue their sweep. She just could not get the image out of her head that Kendra was running around without her thong. She just wanted to take her, ALL of her.
Tamsin was a little apprehensive however. Sigun stated over the link that she needed an 'audience' with her and it was unlike Sigun to not go into the reason why. That and Tamsin really felt uncomfortable with being revered as the Missing Valkyrie. Even though the sisterhood now knew they could to talk to her directly, they still held her up on a pedestal.
'Hey, Tamsin. I'm in the main reception area,' Sigun stated over the link.
"Uggggg, my sisterhood calls. This had better be good," Tamsin exhaled drearily. "I need to talk to a friend in the reception area Captain if you don't mind." Tamsin thought it weird that she gave Mia the same respect as Kendra but these humans grew on her.
Mia just nodded and stated, "Go ahead, I think we got it covered Tamsin. If something were to happen, it would have been on or before the wedding of Derrick and Erica."
Tamsin approached Sigun who was wearing boots, dark blue jeans, a white hugging tank with a black leather jacket. She looked harmless and unarmed, but Tamsin knew better. What worried her more however, was the Sigun was pacing quickly wearing a groove into the ground. She was looking down holding her chin. Something really bad must have happened.
Tamsin adjusted her pace to be more cautious on approach to make sure she didn't startle her. Sigun was off her game as well. She wasn't as alert to what was going on around her.
Sigun was almost startled but hesitated on what to do and was going to genuflect before her until Tamsin put her palm forward to stop her and mentioned, "No Sigun. Just TALK to me ok?"
Sigun move her mouth but no words came out and then finally she blurted out, "You got any mead around here? Something strong?"
Tamsin was floored. Sigun DIDN'T drink except socially but it seemed that she needed something to take the edge off. Maybe Bo needed to calm her but Sigun wanted to see HER and her only.
"Yup. Can you say open bar?" Tamsin clicked and took her casually by the arm to the end of the bar with less people and ordered mead. Surprisingly enough, they had it.
Sigun just guzzled 2 glasses began to sip on the third.
Tamsin warily asked, "So how are you Sigun?"
Sigun didn't even look at her, "Shit. HORRIBLE."
Tamsin just huffed out a laugh then scrunched her face and empathized, "Yea, it happens to all of us."
"NOT to me Tamsin. NOT TO ME," Sigun growled.
"What do you mean?" Tamsin pried.
Sigun gave up and said one word, "Thor." She then took another gulp of mead.
'OH SHIT. What did Thor do now?! Did he take her without her consent? OMG. Granted a Valkyrie served the gods, but it was unspoken that if a Valkyrie didn't want to go through with it, not to force them,' Tamsin brooded. Reason being is that in order to keep Valhalla in one piece, it was better to give some respect to those that served you. Tamsin carefully crafted holding her hand, "What happened."
Sigun wouldn't talk about it and looked away taking yet another drink.
Tamsin realized she was in really bad shape but knew she had to initiate and guide the conversation, "Did he hurt you?"
Sigun shrugged and stated, "Yes.. No….. I can't tell Tamsin."
This was new, Tamsin mused. Sigun was confused but carefully asked gripping her hand tighter, "Did he force himself on you?" Tamsin held her breath. If so, this would bring Thor's ethics to an all time low.
Sigun shook her head and finally blurted out, "No Tamsin. He hasn't laid a finger on me. As a matter of fact he asks before he even touches me."
'WTF. Thor was always loose with the women and his hands roamed whenever they he wanted,' Tamsin thought to herself but it was not as bad as she analyzed. If Thor didn't force himself on her that meant, Thor was giving her respect. WAIT. Thor was treating her like and equal which was a precursor to LOVE but to verify gently added, "So I hear from Kara you and Thor are making a pretty good team on the emmmm 'Valhalla Restoration Project'." It was also rumored that Thor also stopped having his all out orgies. Also Bo had been talking to Thor sporadically. It could only mean one thing. Sigun was dealing with Thor and their relationship.
"Yes Missing Valk….. Tamsin. I thought Thor had an agenda of his own concerning just that, but he puts everything into this when he's back from his campaigns. Any spare time he has is with the project and coincidentally me. He was still wounded last time he came to help. He takes direction from me and works with me. He values my opinion and listens. I…. I think…. Tamsin please you need to… you MUST help me… " Sigun rattled off finally grabbing Tamsin firmly by forearm.
"Help you to do what?" Tamsin asked lifting a brow. She needed more information.
Sigun gizzled the other half of her drink and signaled for another in sheer frustration blurted out, "I think he wants to have sex with me, but that's not the problem. I… I have a feeling he want it to be more permanent."
"So how can I help?" Tamsin mentioned curiously. "He seems to be treating you well. Nothing wrong with that right?" Tamsin clicked and scrunched her face.
"I don't WANT to be his. As much as I appreciated it, I'm not into him." Sigun took her new drink and just stared down at it.
"Why not? Other Valkyries would kill to be in his or any gods' favor," Tamsin rebutted to make sure she got Sigun's angle right. This had Bo written all over it.
"Thor and I have history remember? We use to HATE each other. A zebra never changes its stripes. Thor will always be Thor. I can't be with him and maybe if after he conquers me, he'll move on. He probably has some diabolical agenda somewhere. Also we can't be an item. The bond first and foremost, then Freya's creed. Gods this is messed up Tamsin," Sign shook her head talking to her glass.
Tamsin immediately thought to Bo, 'Ohhhhh succubus? I have an exasperated Sigun here and THIS is probably all your fault. AS USUAL. I never asked, but you were taking to Thor over the link every now and then. Let me guess you were giving Thor pointers on how to sweep Sigun off her feet.'
'Yes. He needed some relationship advice and he followed it. It work on you right?'
'Bite me.'
'Oh I intend to Valkyrie, Later,' Bo replied back mingling with Drake and Alex.
'Uggggggg YOU WILL PAY. I have to clean up your mess.'
'Let it happen Tamsin. Let them sort it out. It's not like Thor is forcing their relationship.'
'Well what if she doesn't want it?'
'That may be fear and her initial reaction to the unknown but listen to what she is saying, she may want it deep down.'
'That's it! YOU come here and FIX this. I hate this love stuff.'
'YOU are more qualified than me Tamsin in the field of love.'
'I don't know whether you are fanning my ego which is great by the way, or patronizing me.' Tamsin mentioned rolling her eyes.
'I am being serious. You knew what love was all along and that is how you got me.'
"Well Bo can help with this better than I can….." Tamsin huffed out a laugh but Sign pulled her in by the collar and growled, "NO. I am asking YOU since you are one of us and the Missing Valkyrie; the wisest of all."
Sigun immediately let her go knowing full well that she went too far with Tamsin and immediately genuflected and groveled for forgiveness, "I'm… I'm sorry Tamsin, Missing Valkyrie. I'm not experienced in relationships like you that deal with …. with…. Lo…. Love… and a succubus never the less."
"Get up PLEASE," Tamsin mentioned annoyed and ordered water for herself as well since her daughter was still growing inside of her.
Sigun got back up and cleared her throat. She felt dizzy. This was the first time she said the word 'love' as it pertained her and Thor, a god.
Tamsin took a small sip of water but Sigun took a big gulp. They both drank in silence but Tamsin needed to speak and asked carefully, "Are you sure he just wants to conquer you and move on?"
"I'm not sure," Sigun just kept drinking.
"Do you like him, title and restriction from Freya's creed aside," Tamsin furrowed her brows. How she hated to talk about love.
Sigun concentrated for a long time and finally clarified, "He seems genuine but I don't know if it is some game to him. I am with Freya to protect me from miscreants like him and others in Odin's order. That is one of the reasons why I never left Freya."
Tamsin corrected, "Freya's creed was crafted not to shield us from reality, but to help us deal with events in all aspects of our lives. Is there even a glimmer of hope that you can be around him without kicking his ass?" Oddly enough, Tamsin was now defending Freya's creed.
"I… I don't know," Sigun stuttered taking another drink.
Tamsin immediately reached out to Kara and asked, 'Kara. I got a Sigun here trying to get drunk off her ass for the first time in … gods knows how many of her life times. She is having issues with Thor and his advances. It looks like she's ok with Thor but still questions his intentions. What do you think?'
'Hey Tamsin. I knew she'd go and see you at some point. But cutting to the chase, it's NOT an act. Thor really does only want her. Everyone knows that Thor no longer has his Valkyrie Orgies any more, but even in private, he refused to let anyone enter his quarters EXCEPT for Freya, his dad, the members of his party which includes me and GUESS WHO?'
'Sigun?'
'Yea, heck, he even kicked all the Valkyrie guards outside. Oh and last time I was there to see him, Thor was flying SOLO and guess whose name he grunted that got his afterburners going?'
'OMG Sigun?'
'Yep. So adding up the fact that Thor is really not with anyone, can't stop talking about her to me in confidence of course, and he can't wait to see her again. He's got the love bug and it bit him bad. REAL bad. Oh as for Sigun, she ACCEPTS his advances now and guess what? Just a couple days ago when our party was planning to see the Frost Giants about some mundane trading agreement, Sigun came to his quarters about another matter but Thor asked her to STAY and sit next to him and she did. She also allowed him to hold her hand WITHOUT asking after she warmed up to everyone else. He's got moves. I think THAT is why she is seeing you now. She is at a cross roads.'
'So Sigun just does not know what he does in private right?' Tamsin almost puked but was able to analyze the situation quickly.
'Yep. Have fun Doctor Feel. She's probably an emotional mess right now.'
'So Sigun does like Thor, and you're not pulling my chain 'cus I'll still kick your ass.'
'Yea yea. From what I can tell and the rumor mill, YES. She actually warmed up to him and it really helped when he would ask her rather than tell her what to do.'
'Oh SHIT,' Tamsin took another drink. Sigun was looked as confused as ever.
'Thor and Sigun, planting some trees, Kay Eye Es Es Eye En Gee…. '
'STOP PLEASE!' Tamsin nearly begged. That mental imagery was hard to get out of her head.
'Just let Sigun know Thor's side of the story so she can just bang him already. I am SICK and tired of hearing him yammer on about her and getting her small gifts on EVERY SINGLE mission,' Kara concluded.
'LOVE is not that easy to mention since Sigun really serves Thor in some capacity.'
'Good luck with that Doctor Feel.'
Sigun was so messed up she didn't notice the silence and kept drinking away.
Tamsin finally put her arm around Sigun to get her attention, "Do you FEEL like Thor is being on the level with you as it pertains to your relationship?"
Sigun droned out glancing at the ceiling in thought, "I don't know. I think so but he is a womanizer. I have no idea what he does on missions but Kara is helping. I normally don't talk to her but she's changed ever since she joined the New Order. I don't know how to feel about him if he really wants to be with me. I have to see if I even want to be with him. Kara is his equal now, but I serve all gods."
"And IF Thor requested you to be his equal? Will you be is FRIEND?" Tamsin quizzed.
"Yes. He has already stated that I am as such, but it is Freya that needs to release me. Just like Bo did for Kara. I think we make ok friends," Sigun stated quickly.
That was good Tamsin brooded but needed her to say WHAT brought her here taking a drink then asked, "What brought you here? You could have just remained Thor's friend and just take it slowly."
Sigun confessed to her drink taking a deep breath, "Well Thor has been helping me a lot and when he touches me, I can tell the difference in his touch. Before, I was a THING to be scorned. Now he touches me like a person, someone he respects almost reverently so. Also I am more than welcomed to his strategy meetings even though I have nothing to do with them. He is patient and values my input. He…. He held my hand last time and I think Kara noticed but no one else. And last night… I….."
Tamsin HATED this mushy stuff but just held a neural expression.
"I was the one who patched Thor up after he had a bar brawl in another plane since he summoned for me and only me specifically in his quarters," Kara admitted.
Tamsin knew that a Thor didn't need to be patched up since he was pretty much indestructible and healed quickly. She did however lean forward since the suspense was killing her but knew that love was hard for any Valkyrie to admit. "And?" Tamsin heard herself say with baited breath.
"He was fine with a couple scrapes and after I took care of those, he just needed a bath … I… I never knew taking my night wear off would make me feel so self conscious. Normally I don't care," Sigun looked at Tamsin with a shrugged.
Tamsin knew Sigun was in her slip and quickly empathized to keep her going, "Yea, you were giving at part of your soul to him this time. It wasn't just about your body."
"Yea. He could see the turmoil plastered all over my face and told me it was ok and he could do it, but at the same time I DID care a little and I do my best to serve. It did occur to me to not take my clothes off while giving him a bath, but the water would have made it nearly transparent anyway. Not only that, the guards outside would know I was bathing with Thor if I left with drenched clothes. So stripped and joined him anyway."
"So what happened next?" Tamsin asked like a school kid hiding secrets. The lovey dovey stuff was not really her cup of tea, but THIS story was getting good.
"PROMISE ME Tamsin. No one else, not even Bo will know about this," Sigun sternly stated.
"Promise."
"Well I joined him and he couldn't look at me and when he did I found out why. My leg brushed his emmmm the handle of his hammer and it was a rock. Then I saw the near lust in eyes. He wanted me but he was doing his best to be a gentleman and did nothing. After all was done I toweled off and took a break on his sofa while I fully dried. I… I was so tried I fell asleep," Sigun paused.
"AND THEN…." Tamsin demanded somewhat coyly. This was getting REALLY good. She almost laughed since what Sigun was confessing was nothing compared to any Valkyrie in Odin's order. Rules? What rules? Sigun was just like her sister Arin was once, straight as in arrow but Sigun was a protégé of Freya's creed which only made it that much more laughably ironic.
"I… I….." Sigun hesitated.
"I am the Missing Valkyrie. I will not judge you sister," Tamsin clarified soothingly but pulling rank on her. She knew her status as the Missing Valkyrie and alignment to the old code was superior to all.
"Next thing I knew I woke hours later in Thor's bed naked. I think he carried me there. Thor was good enough to go hunting taking along the guards outside and only when I told him through the link I was out did he return," Sigun blurted out and concluded.
"THAT'S IT?!" Tamsin leaned back a little waving it off. "You are getting ALL worked up OVER NOTHING."
Sigun was insulted and rebutted, "NOTHING! I know Tamsin you've done everything under the sun … with all due respect …. I'm not loose! And I DON'T want to one of Thor's girls in his black book!"
"You're NOT his centerfold ok," Tamsin replied. "He DOES care about you as an equal, as a good friend, and more if and only if you allow it."
"How do you know?! Heck I can't even be sure," Sigun threw her hand in the air exasperated but took another big gulp of mead.
"Just from what you told me," Tamsin rolled her eyes. She didn't want to say she was using the link to talk to Bo and Kara.
Tamsin put her arm around her and soothed, "Did it occur to you to TALK honestly to Thor about your relationship, maybe for once SAY how you FEEL and set boundaries?"
Sigun quickly replied, "But it will tell Thor that I feel for him."
Tamsin wanted to puke with all this relationship advice but quickly replied, "It's a risk, but if you set boundaries, at the very least both of you move together wherever fate takes you as friends or more. Let's put it this way, you have a good friendship now which is pretty cool considering all the life times you knew Thor you wanted to kick his ass and served him grudgingly."
Sigun digested this information and nodded slowly and admitted softly, "I'm in Freya's order because of him."
"Yea you didn't like him before. Make sense," Tamsin took a drink and thought that was that but Sigun surprised her which didn't happen very often.
Sigun amended, "I knew I couldn't resist him if he poured his charms on me."
Tamsin mused that she was right. Sigun was using Freya's creed and staying in her order to AVIOD having to deal with Odin's order and Thor but now it looked like it was the reverse. She was avoiding Thor primarily. No wonder she kept holding herself back from advancing even though through the trails she easily made it to the fourth order. She was the only Valkyrie in history to do to. It was easy before since his is ego was a huge turn off. Now the game was different. Thor had managed to, with the help of Bo, clean up his act go after who he really wanted. Sigun was coincidentally saving a part of herself for him this whole time. They may be star crossed lovers that just so happened to get the timing right and now it made sense how a month or so managed to undue lifetimes worth of squabbling.
Tamsin patted Sigun's knee and kept the conversation light, "Just TALK to him. You both want a relationship with each other. I'm not saying a romantic one. Just tell him what you need and be honest with each other ok? If you can't go any farther, then at least a one night stand won't undo everything both of you have now."
"OK. I guess I never saw it that way. Thanks Tamsin. You are more than what I thought the Missing Valkyrie should personify," Sigun smiled for the first time.
Tamsin's first reaction was to just bask in the light of that compliment, but at the same time, Sigun was one of the good ones. She knew better than to go into Odin's order. It may have been to avoid Thor, but at the same time, she knew the morally questionable deeds she'd have to do.