36. Peace Is Not Overrated
Aleiraah
Sitting by the lake on Ispahan’s sprawling castle grounds, I’m watching a bevy of crimson swans lazily treading water when I hear footsteps approaching.
The bench I’m seated on is warm from the sun. Placing my palms on the wooden slats, I turn toward the incoming disruptor of my peaceful reverie.
Zenith draws nearer with a self-assured gait, coming to standstill a few paces away. His hair, a blend of ash and red, shines in the bright sunlight. The deep blue uniform contrasts brilliantly with the surrounding golden aspen trees.
“Hope you’re enjoying your day so far, Aleiraah?” His voice holds a hint of amusement.
“It’s a beautiful sunny day to be outside. Peaceful.” I comment neutrally.
“Peace is overrated.” He glances at the crimson swans who've started a water fight.
“What do you mean?”
“How long do you plan to sustain yourself only on indirect lust?” He asks pointedly.
“How’s that any of your business?” Not caring for his tone, I narrow my eyes.
“It is when your safety is at stake and if anything happens to you, Han will be upset for eternity. Butterball will scream down the castle. And Zahara will berate me for negligence. I don’t like seeing my mates and daughter upset.”
His comment makes me feel defensive even though his voice softens a bit toward the end. “The pact between me and Ispahan doesn’t make him responsible for my wellbeing, if you must know.”
“But we care, Aleiraah. And more so since you're not alone anymore. You have to worry about the life growing inside you.”
My mouth falls open in shock for a moment but I quickly recover my wits. “How did you know? I haven’t even told Ispahan yet!”
“It wasn't that difficult to guess. And you just confirmed it." He shrugs, making me want to slap myself for being so gullible.
"I’ve seen succubi eating their weight in food during pregnancy and the way you hog the dishes with meat during our meals made it pretty evident.” He smirks, all causal grace, while my world just implodes.
“I do not hog the meat! Wait, are you saying that I eat a lot? How dare you? I don’t even prefer meat!
And now all I’m forced to eat is meat! This baby is turning me into a T-Rex day by day!
And you're saying that’s what gave me away?
! You–you disrespectful, over-observant, nosy moth-man!
” I yell in indignation, feeling angry yet embarrassed at the same time.
“Well, the mood swings also corroborate my theory.” Zenith observes coolly, making me stomp my foot.
“And, it’s practically a requirement for friends to insult each other in times of need to make them see reason." He ambles forth and takes a seat beside me on the bench.
"What’s your strategy though? You’re a succubus, Aleiraah, in case you have forgotten. You need a direct source of carnal nourishment, to be at the peak of your strength.” He chides like an exasperated elder.
“Are you offering?” I snark to throw him off his high-horse, hoping he’ll take offense and walk away.
“No, thank you. I've got my hands full with two mates who drive me crazy day and night.” He smiles fondly and I suddenly feel bad for my snide remarks.
“I shouldn’t have said that, Zenith. You’ve been nothing but kind.
You even helped me hone my combat skills ever since I arrived here.
I just need to catch a break, ok? It’s been a rough ride on a stormy sea ever since the night of the Veilmoon, and I just want to be at peace for a few days so I can plan ahead with a clear mind.
I watched you both get all hot and bothered earlier.
Your popsicle-party ensured my quota of nourishment.
It should hopefully last me a few days.” I side-eye him, gauging his reaction.
“I know, Aleiraah. I was there." He side-eyes me teasingly. "Han knows too, and we enjoyed putting on a show for you.” He winks.
“We want to help you in whichever way we can, since you pretty much saved our marriage and have been counseling Han for years. What we don’t want is to put you or your baby’s life at risk.
If you decide to take on a lover here, we can ask for volunteers.
I’m sure our people would be happy to oblige.
But if that's not what you want, then consider your husbands.”
I must have scowled because he sighs heavily and rolls his pretty green eyes.
“Until the separation documents are officially processed by the Council, they are still your husbands. If you’d like to partake from them we can make that happen too.
I can imagine them falling over themselves trying to get in your good books with their seed. ”
“Nope! That's the last thing I want right now. Their super-seed broke through my contraceptive spell, aided by that cursed Veilmoon! And they’d be the last person I’d want to sleep with after what they did.
I have unresolved trauma from that night.
” I rub my suddenly sweaty palms over my linen-covered thighs.
Zenith remains quiet as I study the lake once more, noticing that the bickering swans are nowhere in sight. The empty surface of the lake makes me feel sad and I sigh heavily, making my shoulders droop. “Thank you, Zenith, for caring enough. I didn’t realize you all were worried about me so much.”
I swallow to speak past the lump in my throat. Damn hormones! Maybe I should look for a spell to control these blasted agents of chaos.
“I’ve never really had friends I could lean on like this—it’s all new to me.
I’m still learning how to rely on people outside of my husbands.
Honestly, even with them, I kept most of my problems to myself.
And now? It feels like I’m drowning in them.
One wave after another. I can’t stand the thought of sleeping with those assholes again.
But even the idea of having sex with someone else makes me want to hurl.
” I grimace, angry tears spilling down my cheeks.
I wipe them off on my sleeve, frustrated with myself. “Uggh, I'm like a leaky faucet! Usually I’m stronger than this.”
“It’s ok to cry sometimes, Aleiraah. You being a supernatural therapist, know that better than anyone else.
”—Zenith patiently pats my shoulder—“You’ve been through a lot in the past couple of weeks.
I’d be surprised if you didn’t cry. If you ever want to talk about that night, I’m here for you.
So are Han and Hara. Whoever makes you feel most comfortable, you can talk to them.
Even therapists need therapy sometimes.”
I gaze up at him as he stands and offers his arm. “There’s strength in tears too. Now come on. I didn’t mean to distress you. You can mooch off of our sexual energy all you want while you're staying with us.”
“I resent that!” I sniff while putting my hand in the crook of his elbow.
He chuckles and I add, “Ispahan is lucky to have you.”
“I’m the lucky one.” Zenith smiles, then launches into a detailed explanation about a new weapon he wants me to train with—a razor-sharp, crescent-edged throwing disc forged from enchanted metal—when a Nephilim guard comes sprinting toward us.
“General! There’s a group of seven supernaturals at our gate demanding to see Lady Aleiraah. King Ispahan has gone to confront them and they are throwing insults at each other. Please hurry as the situation is escalating!” The guard reports in a harried voice.
Great gorgon’s hairy legs!
Even while cloaked by a spell, those sneaky bastards figured out my location.
Peace is so not overrated!