47. Mother-in-Law from Hell
Vroc
***
Somewhere in Haalbeg
***
“So we have a deal, Vroc?” Raine asks in a haughty tone.
“Seems like we do, my dear Raine.” I smile while baring my teeth, and her lofty expression turns uneasy.
“I’d like you to address me as Queen Raine. And this is a one time offer. Don’t expect any collaboration between us in the future.” She fixes her face into a cool mask, chin tilted up as if speaking to me is entirely beneath her.
She has no idea. Once I rule the realms she’ll be a mere gnat in the grand scheme of things––one I will crush beneath my boot.
“Pity. I thought we were allies.” I sigh, making her flinch. “I’d expect you to address me as King Vroc, if we are adhering to such formalities.”
“I didn’t––” She begins, attempting to smooth things over but I’ve limited patience for arrogant cunts.
“I’ll create a distraction. Make sure you hold up the end of your bargain, Queen Raine.” I smile coldly and she turns pale.
With a wave of my hand, the orb goes dark, severing the connection.
A few more days and I’d no longer need that cock-hungry whore’s services.
Aleiraah
After clearing the air with Archie yesterday I feel lighter. The grudge I held against him has faded, but only time will tell if we can really be happy together.
At some point he shifted back into his wolf. Playing around with the happy beast mended the cracks in my heart a little. We chased fireflies around the lake as he gave me a ride on his back. He weaved around the trees, while staying inside the wards, silvery fur almost glowing in the moonlight.
For those few hours, as Archie sang me a wolf song that settled over my senses like a warm blanket, life was simple.
Sleep eluded me until dawn, and now it is past noon. Rozalin woke me with a basket of whisperberries, adding that Alistair handpicked them himself. He’s busy growing a new fruit graft and sent an invitation through her. To avoid replying, I stuffed my mouth with berries and chewed like a chipmunk.
Taking cue from my non-answer, she made herself scarce.
Soon Helida arrives and helps me dress. Staring listlessly at the sun-drenched gardens, I stuff another handful of sweet, fresh berries into my mouth and sigh.
“Cheer up, Mistress. I’m making you new clothes.” She gushes while weaving my braid. “The Masters bought so many bolts of wonderful fabrics. They even managed to get stardust-lace and merfolk-voile! New tools for me too.”
She looks ready to explode with excitement, but I can’t help rolling my eyes.
Before everything went to hell, I used to grumble about how hard it was to get merfolk-voiles since they’re notoriously stingy with their precious weaves.
Back then, the husbands never bothered with the effort, making excuses that they'd just rip the dress off me anyway when things turned hot and heavy.
Now they got bolts of it. Fucking fantastic!
“They even got matching, rare jewels to go with the dresses. Oh! I was not supposed to say that.” My eyebrows climb up as Helida, usually so stern, covers her mouth and giggles like a gauche nymph.
They have influenced Helida too. Ugh!
Irritated, I chomp on the berries furiously, but stop mid-munch as she brings out two jewelled combs, waving them proudly. “I just couldn’t resist showing these to you. The combs double up as blades. Master Rhazien helped forge them personally. Such fine craftsmanship!”
They’re stunning, blood-red rubies with glowing hearts adorn the spines of the fine combs. For a moment I want to snatch those out of her hands and hoard them, but I mentally shake myself. Don’t act like a greedy dragon!
“Don’t want those.” I look down, avoiding Helida’s disappointed gaze while poking at my swollen stomach. “I can’t wear anything elaborate with this balloon belly.” Two swift, immediate kicks make me gasp.
“Nonsense! You always look pretty as a painting.” She huffs good naturedly.
"Don't worry, the Masters ordered light clothes so you can easily move while sparring with weapons.
They even ordered me to design custom sparring-ensembles and told me to check if you needed anything else––they'll get it for you.”
Despite everything I feel a little touched at their unusual but thoughtful gesture. “Can you make swimwear? I want to swim in the lake,”
She beams, assuring me she already has designs in mind.
After Helida rushes off, I break one of Anput’s transparent capsules in half, and a thin wisp of golden lust floats into the air and pools straight into my mouth. I moan from the infusion of unadulterated power. Hello potent lust!
I slowly roll my shoulders and neck as the essence from literal gods dances through my veins. I wasn’t sure what to expect but it feels like I’ve the strength of ten trolls!
My dark circles vanish in a poof as I stare at myself in the mirror. For a change I look…radiant.
I’m poking my cheek, appreciating the bouncy skin smooth as Butterball’s butt, when I feel excited kicks within my belly.
Rubbing the firm swell absently, my thoughts turn to the tiny buttermoth. What must she be doing now? Probably taking a mid-day nap after fluttering about the castle. I miss her. Patting my bump lightly, I munch a few more berries when there’s a knock on the door.
I open it to find Rinn holding a platter of fragrant meat quiches.
He opens his mouth to speak, but my stomach growls loudly—as if I hadn’t just eaten a whole bush of berries—striking him dumb.
I snatch a small quiche and stuff it in my mouth, sighing as the savory, spicy flavors burst on my tongue.
“Hmmm..” My eyes almost close in contentment. I reach for another one, then another, and by the time I’ve demolished almost half the platter, Rinn is grinning happily.
Licking my fingers, I pat my belly again. I can understand why dinosaurs were meat lovers.
“What do you want? Wait—did you put something in those quiches?” My stomach hollows out. Mentally cursing myself for letting gluttony win, I remember the spiked smoothies.
Rinn, who’s been watching me with riveting intensity, grows serious at once.
Wariness creeps into his dark gaze as he immediately shakes his head.
“No, Flame. These were made under Rozalin’s supervision.
I just wanted to bring them to you. I swear, I'll never deceive you like that again.” He seems sincere, and I didn’t feel any rush of energy while eating so I choose to believe him.
When I stay silent, he continues in a subdued voice. “Zenith came by earlier, while you were sleeping. Archie asked us not to disturb you but Zenith left behind Mooncleaver. As a peace offering.” He holds up the disc-like weapon he had been hiding behind his back.
A low whine emits from the sleek weapon I left behind in haste. It’s strange that Rinn’s the one who brought it over. I watch him closely for any discomfort as I accept Mooncleaver, but he remains unfazed.
If weapons could sigh in contentment, this would be that moment. Mooncleaver’s dull metal gains an instant shine and sharpness.
It missed me!
“I thought you’d be the last person to give this to me.” I remark evenly.
“Flame, you could cut down my tentacles as many times as you want. If it makes you feel any better.” He states in an equally quiet tone.
“I don’t enjoy hurting you or the others, Rinn. I’m not like you!” I hiss, incensed by his offer.
“I know that, Flame! Believe me, I know. I’m not worthy enough.
” His voice rises then cracks. “I just…if it reduces the pain of your memory from that night even by a fraction, I’m willing to go through such severings again and again, until your heart heals.
” His eyes turn misty and he wipes his forearm across them.
“I just miss you. So much that I’m in physical agony.
Even now my blasted tentacles want to just wrap you up and hold you close!
You know, every part of me craves you, Flame.
” He says hoarsely. “I asked Eòlas too, if I can get rid of them permanently. But the mirror didn’t know how.
I’ll keep searching. I––I can’t read well, so I’ve asked Baz to help me too.
” He babbles in a frenzy, but his words leave me stunned.
“You know they’ll just keep growing back if I chop them off. So I’ll just have to find another way.” He says with determination and my mouth parts in surprise, words escaping me for a moment.
Is he crazy?
The tentacles are an extension of him. And he wants to make them disappear forever? It’s like chopping off my tail only a thousand times over.
“I promise––”
“Rinn! Stop! Just stop! Don’t––this is insanity!” I snap, feeling alarmed.
“Flame, please––” He begins earnestly, but his body locks up. I know this stance, he’s getting summoned.
“You said your father couldn’t summon you anymore. What’s happening?” I ask, suspicious.
“He can’t. It’s my mother. And she’s nearby.” He says through gritted teeth, his expression turning thunderous.
“Stay here, Flame. She…she’s outside the wards near the lake? What the fuck?” He mutters to himself incredulously and rushes off.
Like hell am I staying put!
I follow him at a more sedate pace with Mooncleaver still clutched in my hand.
Once I reach the wards near the lake, I notice a demoness and Rinn arguing loudly. She has Rinn’s eyes.
Ifrinn
“Did father put you up to this?” My blood boils with anger as Mother shifts from one foot to another.
“What do you want me to say, Ifrinn? He can’t summon you anymore. He’s become unbearable after you broke off his horn!” She accuses, looking nervous
“After the last stunt he pulled, I warned him. He doesn’t get to summon me anymore. I’m no longer his punching bag.” The protest spills out vehemently.
“I know! You know why? Because, I am!” She cries out and a cold rage sweeps through me. What kind of a mother is she?
“Ever since you maimed him, he’s made my life so difficult! How can you be so selfish?” She spits at me.