43. Secrets and Protein Smoothies #2
"What did you mean, Hara?" Zenith asks calmly.
"Han and I've been supplying her with carnal energy, albeit indirectly, by coupling like rabbits around the castle.
But being a succubus in her prime, it hadn't been enough.
Now I realize that for the last week or so she hasn't looked that drained. What did you do, sweetheart?"
Zahara who has been wringing her hands bursts into sudden tears, on brand as the 'fragile little butterfly' and hiccups, "I'm sorry if I overstepped, Zen!
But I couldn't see Aleiraah floating around looking so tired and lost. You think I didn't notice, Aleiraah, but I did!
And I was so worried! I remember my own pregnancy where I was constantly tired and angry at Han.
I know how it feels! One day while taking a stroll in the garden I came across your mates.
They pitched the idea to me where they could provide you with a direct source of nourishment without going near you.
And I agreed. I'm sorry but I was worried you'd wither away!
" She bursts into a fresh batch of tears and collapses onto Zenith's chest, sobbing earnestly.
Fuck my life!
But how would these idiots provide me a direct source of nourishment without touching?
Mentally, I sort through events from the last few weeks. I trace back to whenever I've felt like I got an infusion of energy, and my eyes widen in disbelief, then shock followed by swift anger.
Shifting nervously and rubbing their napes, my husbands look guilty as hell. Only Azael remains calm and collected. My nostrils flare in uncontrolled indignation as a hint of amusement dances in his eyes, and that's when I lose it.
"You, arrogant, selfish, self-serving toads! You think this is how you'll win me? This is how you manipulate me behind my back? This is not caring, this is worse than betrayal! And you have the audacity to gloat! How dare you?" I hiss scathingly.
"What?" Ispahan searches their faces then mine.
"They supplied Zahara with protein smoothies almost every morning for me!
And your mate—" I spit the word in disgust, making Zahara flinch—"made me drink that saying she made it.
After which I felt energized. She lied to me that it's something that kept her energy up during her pregnancy. And I believed her because she or they must have cloaked the taste of their seed with some spell.”
"Hara!" Ispahan stares at her, aghast. Zenith has stopped stroking her back, and holds her away from his body.
“Now Zahara, unless my husbands came into your smoothie while you were pregnant, I don't think we are talking about the same ingredients here!" I shout at her pale and trembling form, burning with ire.
"I trusted you and you lied to me!" I point a claw at her, glowing rings encircling my arm. She has the sense to shrink behind Zenith's tall frame, looking scared since I want to rip out her throat.
"And you!” Pivoting, I screech at the seven males who appear visibly alarmed. “All of you are disgusting scum! You thought I'd be grateful to you for tainting my breakfast with your release? You thought you were taking care of me?” They flinch, wearing guilty expressions but I’ve had it.
“Think again! I'd rather die than drink a single drop of your cum ever again!" I roar, my body thrumming with fury. The luminous rings wrapped around me glow brighter.
The seven try to appeal to me, using endearments, but I cut them off with a single slice of my hand, pinning them to the wall. "Shut your fucking mouths!"
They struggle against my invisible hold as my magic squeezes their throats. Glowing rings appear at their necks that connect to me like a lasso.
"I'll not forgive you for this, Zahara!" I glance at her as she gapes while cowering behind Ispahan. Zenith and Ispahan both appear wary.
"I thought you were my friend. But you colluded with these bastards, keeping me in the dark, in the name of concern. When it was NOT YOUR PLACE!" I yell, pointing at her with a shaking finger. Her expression falls and she mutters pitiful sorrys that I ignore.
Feeling like I'll spiral any moment, I try to calm down my heartbeat. I stare at the ground, until I get my breathing under control, reining in my glowing rings that seemed to have grown brighter.
Once I feel a semblance of calm, I glance up at Ispahan's worried eyes and say with as much dignity as I can muster. "Thank you, for your hospitality, Ispahan. But I can no longer remain here. You’re free from any perceived obligations of taking me to Haalbeg."
He opens and closes his mouth, but doesn't say anything. I see myself reflected in Zenith's eyes, who's watching me cautiously. As if assessing my threat level, slightly positioning his body before Ispahan. Shielding his mate and King.
"And thank you, Zenith. For teaching me new ways to fight. And for being my friend, even though your loyalties were divided toward the end." I offer in a cold voice, making him wince.
Turning to the seven males—still pinned against the wall with ashen complexions—I warn in a tone that could incinerate.
"Don't come near me. I will burn you all down until even ashes are not left.
I feel that power in my veins. You'd be wise to listen, this time.
I'll return to the mansion. Stay here with your new found 'friend'"—I flick my gaze at Zahara who's barely visible behind the wall of muscle—"or end up in hell.
I don't care. But do not show your faces to me. "
"Kitten, please. We just wanted to take care of you. We’re waiting––" Silas croaks in a strangled voice, gasping for air as I tighten the noose.
"We'd be with you every step of the way, Delight, if only you’d include us." Alistair promises, his voice a mere rasp.
"You didn't deserve to know! You all lack basic moral decency! You all raped me!" I cry out, as the deep-seated pain in my chest threatens to bring me to my knees. They seem visibly shaken, faces ashen and deeply unsettled.
"Don't you get that? Don't you get the seriousness of your crimes?" I hate the catch in my voice.
"You forcibly put something inside me that I'm trying to come to terms with every fucking day!" A tear slips down my cheek that I wipe away angrily.
I can hear Zahara's sobs as Zenith and Ispahan both try to take a step toward me, wearing worried expressions. But I shake my head putting up my palm.
"Leave me alone or I will kill you all next time. Immortal or not." I aim the threat at the seven males who don't fight against my hold.
Sudden exhaustion hits me. I head for the door but stop at the threshold to speak in a low voice filled with an emotion I refuse to name. "Tell Butterball that I'll miss her."
Then I rush out of the palace, releasing my hold on the assholes shouting my name. A quick glamour masks my appearance, losing the guards and males hot in pursuit.
I head for the nearest portal to my mansion. Just before I step through, Snow appears and swoops onto my cloaked shoulder.
It's time I returned home.