49. Incubus Alert #2
"I had a lot of growing up to do, Herouk." I smile and he looks at me with years of nostalgia shaping into something almost tangible.
A sudden breeze sweeps through, raining cherry blossoms upon us. Grinning, I tilt my face to the sky, feeling lighter than I have in days as the pink storm washes over me.
Our eyes connect for a moment, the past unfurling, and then Herouk’s gaze drops to my mouth.
Would it be so bad if I kissed him?
Perhaps it's the familiarity between us that makes him non-repulsive unlike others. I also wish to see how my body reacts to another male. I trust Herouk and he has never let me down before.
We're an incubus and succubus pair, theoretically––perfectly compatible. But I never felt that connection with him––to commit to something more than casual dalliance. Still, I want to prove to myself that I'm not broken. That I can feed.
I lean toward him, searching his eyes, and Herouk takes that as a sign to dip his head slowly.
"Sweet-Liraah, we have an audience." He breathes, our lips almost brushing together, and I notice the seven lurking at a distance. Postures rigid, eyes burning with barely controlled emotions.
But I don't hesitate.
Maybe this will finally push them to accept the separation.
Maybe they will once again show their true colors like on the night of the Veilmoon.
Maybe I can again gain control over my damn body!
I press my lips to Herouk's full ones and feel a slight smile curving his mouth. The shit-stirrer incubus is enjoying this far too much!
The kiss is tentative at first, then our tongues tangle. Akin to finding a forgotten melody and humming along because you know the tune.
As our kiss deepens, it turns pleasant and I begin to enjoy it. I'm proud of myself that I could initiate intimacy and sustain it. My need to feed triumphed. He places one hand on my cheek and covers my hand on his shoulder with his large palm.
I sink into the kiss, closing my eyes as his lust starts building up then flows into me.
Then, in a blink it turns awful.
His energy seeps into my body like an infusion of oily, rancid sludge and I gag at the horrid taste.
What the fuck?
I pull away and wretch on the grass violently. Nothing but bile comes out and my mouth feels bitter.
"Liraah! Are you ok?" Herouk sounding frantic rubs my back gently.
"Move away from her!" Archie yells, pushing Herouk away. He picks me up and settles on the bench with me in his lap.
Azael immediately hovers over me, pouring in his manna. I'm still gagging as Silas and Zien hold back Herouk as Silas snarls, "What the fuck did you do?"
Herouk looks alarmed and tries to shrug off their hold to get to me, only to be pushed back harder.
"Alistair, check if he cast any spells." Azael commands in a low voice tight with tension. Alistair starts chanting under his breath as Rinn rubs the soles of my cold and clammy feet.
Baz sprints toward us with a flask full of water, looking frantic.
"Here, ginger-lime water. It should help." He thrusts the flask at Archie who wipes the traces of vomit from my mouth with his shirt sleeve then gives me a sip of water. "Rise out the taste of bile, Moon." He coaxes patiently and I try but the slimy taste of Herouk's essence still makes me gag.
Archie takes a mouthful of the water and seals his lips over mine, pouring the liquid into my mouth. I grow still at the feel of his lips, my eyes going wide with shock. Then push him away, spitting out the water.
"What the fuck, Archie? I just vomited!" I cough, wiping my mouth with shaking hands.
"Don't care! Baz, break the capsule!" Archie holds me closer, looking marginally relieved, and that's when I notice Baz is holding one of Anput's essence-capsules in his hand.
He breaks it in half and the godly-essence flows into me, immediately replacing the oily, awful taste.
I take a lungful of air feeling the energy settle into my bones.
"Thank fuck!" Rinn exhales.
"Liraah, tell me you're ok!" Herouk yells from a distance, still trying to shove off Silas and Zien.
"Let him go." I whisper between sips of the ginger-lime water.
"He tried to harm you." Rinn grits out, aiming a murderous look at Herouk.
Just then Zien punches Herouk in the gut and he bends over coughing.
"Stop it!" I scramble off Archie's lap and the husbands block my way.
Herouk, Silas and Zien start exchanging blows in earnest and with a wave of my hand I form a shield around Herouk. Silas and Zien's heads snap toward me with an expression of surprise mixed with hurt.
"It's not his fault." I shake my head, still feeling a little unsteady on my feet.
Alistair grabs my elbow, "He didn't cast any spell. But she was running extremely low on energy."
Frowning, a wave of despair rolls over me. "I think I know why."
Poor Herouk appeared confused after I released the shield, but doesn’t give me any grief about the altercation with the overprotective ogres.
"I'm sorry, Herouk. My body couldn't accept your essence. I didn't realize my body was fighting off the lust pouring in from you." I confess in a quiet voice as he studies me carefully.
"You can come with me. We can see the Council healers. Maybe they can help?" He suggests worriedly, flicking a glance at the males who seem to be barely holding back from throwing him out.
Shaking my head, I squeeze his hand. "I'm fine now, as you can see. Besides, believe it or not, I’m safer here at the moment. I have my doubts about the Council. I suspect some members in Council have connections to the goblins. Because every time they get away with murder and mayhem."
"Liraah..." He looks at me with a sad expression and I try to muster up a smile.
"I'm so glad I got to see you again."
"Me too." He says, his voice thick with emotion.
"And I'm sorry I puked after kissing you." I grimace and he chuckles.
"You didn't wound my ego, sweet-Liraah." But then he turns serious. "My offer stands. Any time you need me, just reach out and I'll be there."
I nod and he kisses my forehead, then aims a sharp glare at the seven ogres who are unnaturally quiet. Silas and Zien, especially so.
They stare at me with unreadable expressions as Herouk leaves. He leaves a few copies of the separation decree, which thankfully Azael hasn’t got his hands on yet.