A/N: Hi everyone. I know it's been more than a month since I posted but the muse ran away and it took some time to track her down. Thanks to the loving support of my Soul Sisters I was able to do so and fingers crossed my updates will be more regular in the future. We're closing in on the end so hopefully she'll stick around until then.
Brief recap. Zen was rescued by Vander, Presca, Safra and Gin and Xally has Cobra pinned to his bunk on the airship headed home from Iceberg.
Cheers!
-Chapter 24-
Cobra tried to listen, he really did. Xally had a way with words, the same calming presence that Cristoff did that made you think everything was going to be alright but after being so cold for so long and in a state of paranoid panic at accidentally stumbling into the woman now so intimately pressed against him he couldn't. She was like a living breathing large hot water bottle and he was so very tired. The heat from her body seeping into him through his nest of blankets, the purring rumble from the dragon soul housed in his own, the past few sleepless days all culminated into finally finding the rest he desperately needed.
Xally blinked, her well thought out and rehearsed speech dying on her lips as she saw all the tension live her mate's body and eyes closed. All that planning, all that aggravation in preparing for this moment and Erik fell asleep on her…under her. Her dark eyes narrowed knowing he'd most likely not heard a single word she'd said and that was unacceptable. She might be the quiet one in the family but she was still very much a Pradesh.
Steal lined her resolve, fire flowed through her veins. When there was something to fight for she'd go to hell and back before she'd even think of backing down.
'Plan B,' she thought as she reached out with her magic and located a vile with an almost clear liquid inside. Her fellow researchers had given it to her as a farewell gift so she might study and harness the benefits of the substance without the negative impacts, Xally's rekindled passion for chemistry evident to her foreign colleagues. The thin sap was common enough in the herbaceous winter plant that grew wild along the roads happily ensconced in the snow and had incredible medical applications, just not in humans, the plant would kill a human if not handled carefully.
Shrugging Xally had the liquid float from her bag to her hand and pulled out the stopper. 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained.' Xally filled her mouth with the sweet and surprisingly spicy liquid, pressed her mouth over Erik's using her tongue to force it into his lax mouth.
-DTRE-
Cobra stiffened, he'd been having a blessedly dreamless sleep when a powerful flavor invaded his mouth and the poison kicked his senses into overdrive. It was an amazing taste and without thought he pulled the body on top of him closer invading the container that had delivered heaven's manna to his tongue. He inventoried 32 teeth, a soft tongue and pillow like lips but it wasn't until a sigh sounded he'd thought of anything other than tasting more.
His eyes flew open, mouth still unwilling to part from the source of his newest addiction, meeting tanned skin and a line of dark thick lashes. He growled instinctively and rolled them trapping the devious woman beneath him with only one thought on his mind, getting his fill of whatever it was she'd given him earning sighs and moans from the beauty now at his mercy.
Her body suddenly stiffened under him as he moved across from her mouth to jaw completely oblivious still riding the high the toxins in his blood were giving him. The convulsions, on the other hand, slammed his instincts to claim her to the side and finally he was able to think. Cobra analyzed the substance still lingering in his mouth, smelled the source in an empty vial laid forgotten on the floor, and listened intently now to the duress his mate's body was under. It all led to one conclusion…she fucking ingested some of the poison that had hit him like a hammer filling him with energy and endorphins he was sure would rival Cristoff and Lucy's lusty pheromones.
"Fuck!" he snarled and ripped the blankets between them away. Dark lines were spreading slowly from her mouth heading directly to her heart completely unimpeded by the healing magic that he knew flowed in her veins.
His shift was almost immediate, the sleeves of his white long coat melted from the acid from the purple scales now covering his arms and claws. Forcing her head to the side Cobra sunk his teeth into the major artery in Xally's neck, hands pressing her shoulders down so her body's sudden convulsions wouldn't rip his fangs from her until he was done. Her blood flooded into his mouth and he could taste whatever the fuck she'd given him laced in it, the metallic sweetness made his stomach roll forever ranking whatever she consumed on the "I will never be able to enjoy this again," list no matter how great the high.
He flooded the anti-agent his body naturally produced into her blood to burn out the toxin. Usually he had time to create a cure or anti-venom to use on a person but the speed at which the lines were spreading down her body had him in a panic, he just hoped she could cope with the faster acting agent and feel the pleasant head rush he got instead of mind numbing pain of it burning through the poison like a wild fire.
The seizing stopped but not the flowing profanities Cobra was spewing in volume at his unconscious mate. She was supposed to be the smart one so why the fuck would she do something so stupid? He was going to listen to her since she somehow knew they were supposed to be mates, she deserved all the fucks he could spare, but he was also going to tell her why they'd never work out, let her live out her promising life and dreams free from his greedy cocky self.
Snarling again he clutched her body tucking her under his chin. That was no longer an option, not when she did stupid life risking shit like this. She just gave up every right she had to live her life autonomously. Cobra knew he was going to need to keep a close eye on his crazy mate, she'd just have to deal and better not complain about living in Fiore to a mage after this shit.
All his senses focused on the woman in his arms. He could hear her muscles contract in a rippling affect as the agent purified her blood, her breathing slowing normalizing. He let his sound magic flow over her taking in the sounds resonating in her soul when it happened.
Only once before had Cobra actually listened so intently to a soul. Usually he kept his listening to the surface of the soul, it reverberated a person's thoughts and gave him that advantage in a fight. But if he pushed deeper like he was now he could experience their memories. It happened during his first fight with Erza on accident, seeing her at the tower of heaven as a child, it had almost lost him the fight and shaken him to his very core at the time. She was a fairy, she wasn't supposed to know what living through hell felt like. It had been like he was her in the memory, feeling everything she felt and he hated her more in the moment for it. He had enough of his own torment in his past to add hers to his as well. After that day he'd been very careful never to do that again, until now.
He easily let his magic slip into Xally's soul, flashes of the accident that killed her parents, meeting her new siblings feeling like an outsider, acing her medical licensing exam so she could graduate. Memories upon memories flooded his mind so quickly he barely had any time to recognize what it was before moving along. He waded through her joys, pains, disappointments and triumphs aimlessly being carried away in the current of her soul. The memories started to fade and slow until Cobra found himself in a green space. He could feel Xally all around him curious but accepting. This was knew for them both he didn't doubt.
"Why are you here?" her soft voice echoed warmly through the space.
Cobra just stood there. He hadn't a fucking clue why the hell he was doing this or even where here was. It's not like he'd done this with anyone else. A light giggle reverberated and his eyes narrowed.
"I see," Xally's voice said again before the space shifted. He was now standing in a beautiful little shop with old exposed brick walls with the front display a mosaic of colored glass. Tall open shelving lined the walls displaying uniquely shaped bottles with little labels.
Hair Regrowth
10,000 J
Spray lightly on desired area twice a day
Results vary
Should see new growth in 1 week
Blemish Be Gone
6,500 J
Drink 1mL every night before bed
Works best paired with Heavenly Moisturizer
Individualized flavors available upon request
"A potions shop," the poison slayer mused as he worked his way around the shop. There was a whole area designated for designer potions behind some pretty heavy enchantments with a small Do Not Touch sign. The postscript made him chuckle.
You have been warned
Violators will lose a limb
The offending appendage with be donated to the local wildlife
Have a nice day
Whosever shop this was he liked them already. His fucking favorite one so far was called Vampire Facial.
Vampire Facial
150,000 J
Wash and cleanse face before applying
Spread liberally over face avoiding eyes
Let sit 30 mins before rubbing in with a damp cloth
Makes skin incredibly soft leaving a warm glow
Cobra knew blood when he smelled it and that "potion" had the distinct smell of vulcan blood. Who the fuck puts blood on their face intentionally, especially vulcan blood? That shit sinks and it's next to impossible to get the smell off. Then again, he'd always had really nice skin and often got blood sprayed on him from his various kills…
Hearing noises from behind the counter Cobra made his way stealthily into the back room. It was well lit but looked more like a hospital lab with equipment and beakers everywhere. Following the noise he rounded a corner and his breath stalled.
Xally, her dark black smooth hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, looked a little older than she should. She was setting a beaker over a flame with a brilliant smile lighting up her aquamarine eyes. Cobra couldn't imagine a more beautiful sight until she took a step away from the counter exposing the obvious bump over her abdomen hand resting over it lovingly. He was having trouble processing the scene. Xally was pregnant but who was the father? This couldn't be a memory so what the fuck was he watching? Dark hands wrapped around her slim figure and Cobra couldn't help the growl escaping his lips. She was his mate, he'd just decided she couldn't be trusted on her own and it looked like if he ever turned his back someone was going to try and take her from him. Hell. Fucking. No.
He looked up glaring and almost choked on his gasp. It was him, that familiar smarmy smile he had that made women's panties drop was on his face but directed at his mate, an unfamiliar softness behind his eyes. It was so startling he instinctively drew back his mage pulling away from the depths of her soul.
"You still going to fight me on this?" Her husky voice was like liquid fire and Cobra was on her, thin lips pressed forcefully onto her mouth. He'd seen that look, it was the look he gave his many conquests he picked up in bars; the, you know you want me to fuck you, look.
Picking up the woman who had, up to this point, more control over Cobra's actions than he liked, he made his way to the top deck. It was time to level this playing field. If she wanted to be mated to him bad enough to pull this kind of shit, fine, he'd mate her but on his terms.
Breaking the mind numbing kiss Xally tried to force her brain to function once again, her lungs heaving for oxygen. Almost three days of a flighty dragon slayer after months of constantly working with the same people in a hyper conservative frozen country had left the water mage unprepared by the sheer force of Cobra's full attention. His face was a mask as he weaved through the airship. She had no idea where he could be taking them.
Cobra took the final stairs that separated him from cool air on the flight deck. It had taken all of 5 seconds to decide he needed to get his mate off the ship and another minute for him to sus out where they were currently flying listening to the air traffic chatter aboard the soaring tin can. They were over the Grass Sea and he meant to make an early departure.
"What are yo-" Cobra's hand pressed over her mouth as they neared the railing around the flight deck. Her eyes narrowed until she screamed, the sound still muffled by his hand, as her mate jumped off the ship taking her with him. The wind beating against their ears buffeted Xally's frightened screech.
"What the fuck Erik?" she seethed as the pair continued to tumble in air.
Cobra's answering smirk was the only answer she got as their fall became more controlled. Her mate didn't look even remotely concerned so Xally took it upon herself to find a way to save their lives. Lucy had warned her that Cobra would hate her manipulating him even just a little bit but she hadn't thought he'd jump off a ship over the Grass…Sea… The thought had a solution fill her mind and already she was stretching her powers. If she could call the waters up enough to form a sort of slide gradually slowing their decent they just might not die a watery death.
Cobra internally smirked. In his little mates anxiety she'd not put up her mental barriers yet so he was privy to all her ranting thoughts. She was the quiet, sweet sibling? Only on the outside. Inside she was just as stubborn and crazy as he was and oh how he was going to enjoy this.
Letting some of his sound magic pulse, the air provided enough resistance that they started to slow and moving toward a large uninhabited island. When they finally landed safely and he set her on her feet he finally spoke.
"Run." It wasn't a suggestion. He needed to prove a point and balance the scales in their relationship and he was going to do it before the mating. He'd been manipulated and abused enough in his life and he would not let Xally, of all people, use their circumstances and relationship to take his freedom to choose away.
"What?" she questioned still a bit indignant not fully understanding why he was doing this.
"You want us to mate? Run."
Those intense eyes bored into her, sending a shiver down her spine but she still stood tall. She met his eyes and stilled, really saw Erik for the first time. He was a strong willed man, a killer, who'd fought hard for his freedom from being used and finally she really understood Lucy's warnings. By trying to force this mating on him, making him choose her death or submission to her will she'd just stolen a bit of his power, his freedom. Her breath hitched and just a tiny bit of fear invaded her mind. Her feet started moving without a conscious decision backing away from her future keeping her eyes trained on him. She knew the second she turned he'd have her and any chance of a real relationship between them would be next to impossible, he was too angry right now to talk.
She wanted a partnership not a yes man but her actions with the poisonous sap crossed a line. In the future she imagined and showed him through her soul they worked together to build a life. What she needed to do now was make whatever this was last long enough his anger was vented and then, hopefully, they could start over.
At the edge of the tree she turned and was off like a flash, twigs and leaves slapping her body as she made her way into the undergrowth.
Cobra let a full grin spread across his face. It was hunting time and maybe, after he'd worn her out enough, she'd know exactly where the line was that no one got to cross.
-DTRE-
"They landed safely," narrowed dark eyes glinted in the setting sun. Cristoff had been worried when the crew had tracked him and Lucy down concerning the odd behavior of the maroon haired slayer. They caught up with the pair right as Cobra had leapt from the ship and it had only been Lucy's hand on his arm that stopped him from going after them. She had been right, Cobra had had a plan to land safely the whole time but it still had his dragon riled up. Xally was his sister and hearing her scream like that was not anything he'd wanted to experience in his life.
"We should call Dad, he needs the good news." Lucy pulled on her mate's arm leading him from the railings back inside. The weather was much warmer here in Bosco but they were high up in the sky and moving a lot quicker than she like so the wind was a bit biting.
-DTRE-
Presca eyed Zen from a safe distance while the reunited brothers sparred. With the use of Safra's skini there was never much work to do to setup camp each night and Ora always took it upon herself to hunt and gather fresh food for their meals so he found himself spending most of his free time gazing at the tall gladiator. Zen, like the rest in this small band save him, did not care for clothing mostly because he'd grown up wearing very little of it for the better part of his life so he found the garments constricting and awkward. All his life Presca tended to prefer women, an odd thing for a born and raised Boscan, but he couldn't help it, it was just one of those things. He liked the gentle curves and the way they softly conformed to his hands and body when he had the opportunity to seek out pleasure. Women tended to be more responsive too but he had on occasion bedded a man. They had all been similarly built like Zen, tall, richly muscled, powerful frames, hard bodies…the almost exact opposite of a female…but each encounter, while not bad by any means, always left him a bit disappointed. There was always some imagined something missing, an expectation never met, which further led his gray eyes seeking women for sex instead.
Now was not any different. Looking at Zen, watching the way his muscles bunched and stretched as he swung his blade down stirred his passions like the other men and it tempted him to think that maybe that undefinable need would be found there with him, held close to his tanned skin of flexing muscles. But how do you proposition your best friend's brother for sex when you're sharing the only bed with three others? Presca knew it was his own desire for privacy more than anything else, Vander had a habit of teasing him about his sexual preferences stating pleasure is pleasure and he knew that if Vander knew about his interest in his brother there would be no end to the mockery.
The hardest part was even though the trio were sharing a bed with him and Zen it hadn't stopped Vander from seducing his fiancés. They'd invited both of them to participate but that was just weird for him. Was he being a prude by denying himself? Watching the others go at it didn't really bother him, they were each attractive and the ideas he got from watching the erotic displays were tempting enough he'd come close to soliciting Zen just for some relief instead of joining the trio.
This whole situation was beyond bizarre but really, he should have anticipated whoever his sex crazed friend settled down with would be just as open and excepting about sex as Vander was. Sex to the fairies was almost like sharing a hug or kiss with someone in Bosco, something to be done with those they cared for instead of reserved for one's fiancé or spouse when in that kind of relationship.
The Archangel mage had taken to studying their interactions with a bit of a distance, vibrant purple eyes focused with curiosity and almost longing. So maybe Presca was being a prude, or maybe he was afraid to continue travelling in close quarters if Zen rejected him.
Zen had grown up in a completely different country where nobles often paid for the right to bed successful gladiators. He'd seen first-hand while on an assassination job the type of abuse those men were forced to endure, being raped until a mixture of blood and semen ran down their thighs, then tossed back among the other gladiators that beat them in their weakened states for revenge. Going through years of that was bound to make even the most open-minded person adverse to bedding a man willingly. His own curiosity was nothing compared to the tension that it would incite if Zen became uncomfortable around him in such close quarters.
"You like him do you not?" the deep female voice significant of Safra interrupted the quiet of nature. He'd felt her approach and unconsciously held out an arm so she could tuck herself into his side. Both she and Gin were always cuddling up to him when they found him alone these days and he found some comfort in the familiar action, his young cousin was a cuddler too.
"I find him attractive." He let his simple answer hang in the air. Safra was looking almost back to normal by now long hair shining with health again and braided in an elaborate design that made it look like a flower and her slim figure filled out a lot more.
She didn't say anything in return just hummed and lightly kissed his cheek as they continued to watch the brothers' mock battle.
-DTRE-
Vander feigned to the right but had to use a dagger to deflect his brother's sword still before ducking and moving in to attack again. It usually took half a dozen mages to spar with him to get this kind of workout but Zen put them all to shame. What he lacked in studied technique he made up with experience and skill in battle. Their blades clashed as Zen blocked his attack.
"Have you thought about what you want to do when you get home?" he asked before pushing away.
"You have spoken of lessons with Sudepah before which I would like to try and I'd like to take time in studying things other than battle." In all his life Zen had never had the opportunity to even learn how to read with any regularity. A few slave women from Bosco had taught him how to speak his milk tongue and how to read some before his favoritism had gotten them sold, raped or beaten. An education at the cost of their suffering was not something he was willing to risk.
Vander rolled his eyes, an action lost on everyone since he was blindfolded, before dodging another blow.
"That's hardly any fun." Zen grunted barely catching Vander's wicked thrust. "You're a free Boscan, I should throw a party."
The brother's fell silent again as their fight got more intense. Zen had much to think on still. He'd was free for the first time in decades and was so ignorant of so many things, including what his magic could do, the future, as bright and pleasant as it looked to be, was still a bit overwhelming so he decided to take small steps. First he was going to learn how to read and write Boscan fluently after that? He hoped with time he'd figure out things a little more.
-DTRE-
The sun was setting and Xally was exhausted. She'd used so much of her magic earlier in the day to sit and wait for Erik then there was recovering from poisoning herself and now she'd been running and moving through the dense vegetation on the island for what felt like hours. She was fucking knackered but forced her body to move. Anytime she stopped to rest something happened, a wild boar attacked her, thick branches from tree fell too close for comfort…she knew it was her mate's way of teasing her, pushing her into actions she'd rather not have made. Dirt covered her body but caked around her feet, small lacerations from branches she'd carelessly hit dotted her mostly exposed skin. She'd been trying to seduce her mate not prepare for a jungle adventure. Distracted by her internal complaints her foot caught on a root and she went down hard, crying out as the sharp pain shot up from her ankle.
Before she could so much as move to inspect the damage a figure dropped from the trees lightly next to her and crouched down. With care she'd not known the man to have he freed her caught foot and firmly but gently run his fingers over her ankle checking for anything broken or torn.
"Just a sprain," he said calmly before picking up her prone form. Xally's eyes were bright with tears barely held a bay. This was the man she knew her mate had to be behind his venomous walls and she swore to herself that she'd help him tear down those walls… but in time…in his time. Her hands fisted in the remains of his white coat pressing herself closer to him.
"I'm sorry, I should have waited for you to sleep then spoken to you about us." Her voice was muffled against his chest but the real emotion and sincerity came through.
Cobra tightened his hold pulling her closer to his chest.
"I wouldn't have listened," he conceded.
"I just…I wanted you to know my being with you…it doesn't mean I can't live my dreams. I…I'm always wanted to be mated to a slayer…To have forever with someone." She let the quiet seep around them listening to the insects and small animals moving through the forest.
"I've only every wanted a family to belong to."
Xally's eyes teared up again with hope. One step forward together, finally.
-DTRE-
Arman sat at his desk in the study of his home going through the documents Xally would need when she and her slayer finally came home from wherever they had ended up landing. His children and their friends had made it home from Iceberg weeks ago and fortunately for him Cristoff had seen sense to warn him that Xally had found a mate and would probably not be home for a while.
He hadn't seen his lovely daughter in months and his only consolation was that when she got home he'd have everything ready for the marriage ceremony. With Erza wanting a huge wedding that would take months to plan and Cristoff stalling on proposing for who knows why, Arman was determined to get one of his children a spouse before the end of the year.
Another thing that vexed the doting father was he'd been unable to convince Lucy and Cristoff to stay with him for Lucy's pregnancy. They wanted to go home and get everything setup, which he couldn't really blame them for. It was just, he'd been looking around Magnolia found a home near theirs that would enable him to stay for nice long visits to see his eventual grandchild, but there just wasn't anything that wouldn't require massive amounts of renovations.
Sighing Arman shuffled the papers on his desk. With Bickslow, Christoff and Xally all wonderfully mated and settling down he could finally focus more on his other children. Farron had been dating Queen Hisui for the past several months in secret, not that they could keep it secret from him, but they were still just "testing the waters", Farron had said, so that match could probably use some more of his encouragement. Vander was seeing his two fairies and Arman prayed every night everything would work out between them.
It had been a long time since Vander had contacted any of them but as long as he was travelling in Pergrande it wasn't safe to call him so he'd have to wait until his youngest saw fit to call in.
That left Kaleb and Emzadi. Emzadi had a mate out there somewhere so, outside of convincing her to take jobs in new places, there was nothing else he could do to help. Kaleb, on the other hand, while not a dragon slayer, was a brilliant boy with a demanding job that left him with very little free time for dating. He also had a tendency to get bored with his lovers so quickly. It was most likely due to his abilities of reading a person's every thought taking all the mystery and excitement out of a knew relationship so Arman would need to find someone equally as brilliant, creative and honest if they were going to have a chance with that son. Preferably they'd be a strong mage too so they could keep up with White Sea's Wizard Saint Guild Master and be able to work together. Yes, he would focus his attention on getting all his mated children married, all his dating children engaged and all his single children dating. The work of a father never ends.
Getting up a pouring himself a drink from his sideboard Arman looked out his window at the glowing sea. His home was so very quiet lately and even though he kept his schedule busy with his day's spent at the consulate, lunches with Farron, daily calls to the rest of his children, maybe he should start dating again himself? His schedule was freer than it had ever been and while he never wanted for physical release he did often, during quiet moments like now, desire a companionship he hadn't felt since his dear Ganier's death. Minda had at one point been an option but as much as he'd cherished her friendship and found her attractive, she was just too closely tied to his memories of his wife. It would never have been fair for Minda to forever live under the shadow of his first wife so he'd ended it shortly after adopting Xally, his eighth and final child.
Learning about her treasonous actions as of late made him feel guilty and relieved at the same time. Guilty that his rejection of her for a second time might have left her vulnerable to influences that led her down the path she was now. Relieved that he'd not tied himself to someone who could be so detrimentally influenced no matter the circumstances for the rest of his life.
It was still frustrating seeing such a good friend fall though. He hoped, for her sake, something like what was in Kurino was in Minda poisoning her to take such actions so when they eventually purged it from her she would not lose everything – including her life. She was a good, honorable woman deep down - he knew her to be – and did not desire all the many accomplishments she'd achieved to be forgotten by this disgrace.
"This has to be a first. I usually can't sneak up on you like this even in my shadows," the voice of his youngest child drolled right next to his ear causing him to start slightly.
"My boy!" Arman exclaimed pulling his son into his arms. "Why didn't you call sooner? I've been worried sick!"
Vander just smirked and hugged his father back tightly. His trip home had been weeks of nothing but relaxing and fun spent teaching Zen so many things, fattening up Safra and teasing the hell out of his best friend. The drawn out worry of his radio silence would soon be forgotten.
-DTRE-
"And you're sure?" a woman's voice cracked with emotion in a darken office.
"Yes, I've sent you the recording to your inbox," a male voice responded coming out a little crackled over the almost ancient radio the woman was using. "You have my condolences for your loss. My mother," the males voice sneered, "should have provided his location ages ago. I am deeply sorry her death came too late."
"Yes, Earthland is better off without them both." The woman ended the transmission and opened up her secret account. The video file was there and cautiously she opened it. Tears streamed freely down her cheeks as she watched her best friend's boy fight for his life and when the flaming beast collapsed on him she feel to the floor.
"Oh, Zen!" she cried out between heart wrenching sobs, "I've failed Garnier and Arman again!"
