49. Incubus Alert
Aleiraah
I've been avoiding the broody-husbands-always-on-the-prowl for two days.
After a decade of peace, it was suddenly raining mother-in-laws. Worse, the aftermath left me feeling bad for my husbands, which in turn made me cagey.
It is getting harder to ignore the slow undoing of the arrogant males who nearly destroyed me.
Though staying apathetic feels safer, their relentless pursuit and suffering has thrown me completely off-kilter.
Months of watching them stumble and try again has stripped away my skepticism, forcing me to admit their efforts are genuine.
The despair and remorse they wear like a second skin is chipping away at my resolve to remain aloof.
I haven't forgiven them, but the raw hatred consuming me has abated.
That night no longer haunts my lowest moments.
As a therapeutic advisor, I know that constantly reliving trauma eventually lets it own you, poisoning your mind.
I chose to stop looking back for one simple reason––no one owns me.
Nevertheless, smudges remain on my psyche like dirty fingerprints.
To my utmost horror, I have become averse to carnal touch. Me. A succubus. My reality is both maddening and heartbreaking.
When I snuck off to the orgy for sustenance, my body rebelled at the thought of participating.
Ready to pull my hair out from sheer frustration, I caught my husbands lurking in the shadows and faked an air of insouciance, refusing to let them watch me unravel.
Back when I first escaped, I dealt with the trauma by burying it deep, eventually finding a safe space in the Duat.
There, surrounded by friends, I could finally process the hurt.
I returned feeling somewhat avenged, yet the past continues to cling to me like grime.
I desperately want to move forward, but the task feels insurmountable. Channeling my own professional advice, I break the challenge down into steps for myself on a parchment.
- Let go of the grudge for my own good––I can do it! Maybe in the next hundred years. Hah!
- Get separated from the husbands––failing spectacularly, but will keep trying till the trolls come home!
- Find a new place to live, a fresh start, free from bad memories––Rozalin’s already on it!
- Physically feed from someone other than the husbands, because I can't rely on lust capsules forever––zero progress made! FUCKING HAIRY CENTAUR BALLS!
- Figure out what to do about the babies––procrastination is a bitch, but one day I'll conquer it!
Satisfied with the list, my mind yet again wanders to the shield I manifested. The power surge was odd—rage mixed with a fierce urge to protect wiped me out pretty quick. I had to take another of Anput's capsules to keep myself upright.
Gathering my hair over my shoulder, I admire my mystery tattoo in the mirror again.
Immediately after the ordeal, Baz as expected, started researching the patterns and origin of the tattoo.
Azael had watched me with quiet, unsettling contemplation.
Zien and Alistair vacillated between awe and wariness while Rinn remained unconscious.
Twisting my spine, I watch the stunning, unique design almost swirl on my exposed skin.
It has an iridescent quality to it even though the ink is dark.
Spelled-tattoos are hand-crafted, and ordinary demons don't just manifest spell-marks out of thin air.
It makes me wonder if the essence from Anput evolved my powers, or simply unlocked something hidden.
Off-kilter from the mystery, I head into the gardens for fresh air, only to catch the sound of raised voices. Curious, I move toward the entrance and spot a familiar face.
"Herouk!" Surprise has me gasping loudly.
"Aleiraah Silvraeth––as I debauch and breathe!" My once-upon-a-time partner-in-crime flashes a cocky smile. Herouk spreads his sculpted arms wide looking rakishly handsome as ever.
A broad smile breaks across my face as I rush toward him, easily bypassing the hulking males who look like they’ve swallowed something vile.
Herouk is an old friend I lost touch with over the years—an incubus demon from my old social circles, we attended many orgies together.
He scoops me up in a warm hug and spins me around. I giggle, ignoring the chorus of low growls warning him to be careful with me.
Ugh..the husbands.
"Nymph's bouncy bits! How long has it been, Herouk?" I ask, laughing as he puts me down gently.
"Decades, sweet-Liraah!" He chuckles, his green eyes fondly tracing my features. "Both you and your curses are still cute as fuck."
"Aleiraah." There’s a bite to Azael's voice.
"Is he one of the degenerates you're trying to get rid of?" Herouk tips his chin toward the space behind me, where the seven have gathered. There’s a collective angry aura building up in the air.
"Unsuccessfully so far." I sigh, ignoring Azael and the muttered oaths from others. Tilting my head up, I ask, "What are you doing here? And how did you..."
"I'm here on behalf of the Supernatural Council.
I work with them now. Lady Enithyme is still traveling in the mortal realm and made a written request for me to deliver the separation decree.
The past deliveries have gone unacknowledged.
Good thing that I brought several copies since your soon-to-be-ex-husband torched it without even a second glance.
" He glances behind me with an amused expression.
I whirl around, feeling pissed. "Was it you, Azael? Did you again burn the decree?"
He just cocks an eyebrow, not even giving me a verbal response.
"I need more than an eyebrow-tilt, Azael! You can't keep doing this!" I huff in irritation and his expression turns uncompromising.
"We told you, Moon. We're not letting you go." Archie intervenes gravely, glaring daggers at Herouk, and this time I growl.
Why can't they just give me the fucking space I need?
"Liraah, I can report this back officially to the Council so they can take appropriate measures." Herouk suggests and I open my mouth to enquire what actions they’ll take, when Zien scoffs.
"Yes. Run along and complain to your almighty Council, errand-boy."
Rolling my eyes at the petty posturing, I notice Herouk’s jaw tighten in response.
"Come with me. I want to catch up since it's been ages." I grab his hand and lead him out into the gardens ignoring the loud growls and sour expressions––and realize two things.
One, the husbands are pissed, which is good, because why should I be the only one always feeling pissed? And two, I’m not physically repelled by Herouk.
"Sweet-Liraah, why did you marry those fools?" Herouk asks as we take a seat on the bench below some cherry trees.
"How do you know they are fools?" I counter, curious about his judgement.
"If they fucked up so badly that you are trying to get rid of them, they must be fools." He shrugs his broad shoulders.
I sigh, looking up at the delicate pink blossoms swaying in the breeze.
Despite being an incubus, Herouk is a reliable person.
We lost touch after I moved to the mortal realm for decades but he had been a decent friend.
"They did something unforgivable, Herouk.
And I can't seem to get past that. I thought I had found a forever kind of love.
But I was wrong. Now I'm just trying to find some peace. "
He looks at me thoughtfully for a few seconds and I offer him a sad smile.
His gaze drops to my belly which makes me squirm.
"I'm not going to ask if you are ok, Liraah. Because I can see you have a lot going on. And I'm sorry we lost touch over the years. When Enithyme assigned me this responsibility, I felt happy, thinking I'd get to see you again." His green eyes crinkle at the corners as he grins.
"But if there's any way I can be of help, don't hesitate to tell me. The years in between mean nothing. If you need to get away from here, you need only say, and I'll make it happen." His voice turns serious.
I squeeze his hand, my throat tight with everything I want to say but can't seem to get out. Instead I smile at him wistfully, "Oh, Herouk...you have not changed even a bit."
“And you have changed quite a bit, sweetcheeks.” He winks then smiles fondly. “You attracted a pretty unique harem. An actual fallen angel, Lirah? And a dragon? That’s wild!”
When he continues to look at me expectantly, I try to explain as best as I can.
"It just happened one day. Unexpectedly, they sought me out. And things were great for a while, then went downhill.” I shrug helplessly and he rubs his thumbs soothingly across my knuckles.
“They....they're not mistreating me. Now.
You're right that a lot is happening simultaneously.
I'm also looking for a new place to move into.
But not until the impending threats are taken care of.
" I tell him about the goblin activities and his expression turns grave.
"Have you reported this to the Council?" He asks, sounding worried.
"No. Not yet. I'm mostly operating on theories at the moment.
Except for the attack on the mortals, I don't have concrete evidence for the rest. Besides, you know even the Council finds it almost impossible to track the goblins back to Haalbeg. It’s almost like something or someone is shielding them.
Even when Mother died at their hands, the Council really couldn't do anything. "
"Those fucking scums have been like roaches! Crawling around Mytherra and spreading poison everywhere. Every time the Council eradicates a batch, a new group pops up." He runs his hands through his thick dark hair.
"Enough about me. What have you been up to?" I ask, turning to face him fully.
"You know, the usual. Occasional orgies and working for the Council. Haven't found my mate yet. You came pretty close, sweet-Liraah, only to ditch me for living with monks in the mortal realm." He shakes his head ruefully and I chuckle.