The Witch's Brew

Chapter Ten: Iris

When I got back home, Silas and Kai were still there. They looked over when the door opened, and I walked in. The television was on a reality television show. I flopped down on the couch and cuddled into them.

“How’d it go, baby?” Kai asked with an arched brow.

“Terrible… Manman basically said she had no idea what I was talking about, and my sister, I guess, is engaged and I’m not invited to the celebration.”

Silas looked over at Kai before he engulfed me in a tight hug. I sniffled, and tears had begun to fall. f**k why the hell was I crying? I sniffled again and buried my face in his chest. His large calloused hands rubbed my back in slow circles.

Kai growled. “Your family pisses me off. Like how can the act like you don’t exist…”

“Because they don’t care, never have, and probably never will…”

I had known that already, but saying it out loud felt more real. It finally had hit me square in the face like a brick. I started to sob. All I’ve ever wanted was my family to love me… to f*****g care, and I know deep down that will never happen.

“Why can’t they just love me for me?”

“I don’t know, baby… I don’t know.” Kai’s voice was soft spoken.

I sigh and cuddle further into Silas’ chest. Kai’s hand rested low on my back as he moved his thumb in slow circles. I could feel the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I felt broken and hopeless. The way my mother just ignored me like I didn’t even f*****g matter.

Silas scooped me up and carried me to the bedroom. I sighed heavily as he lay me down on the soft mattress. I curled up into myself, like I was a baby trying to shield myself from the dark. I sniffled as I tried to fight back the tears. Kai and Silas flanked my sides, their large hands pulled me into a tight embrace.

“Hey, baby, it’s okay… we got you,” Kai whispered against my temple.

His words were soothing, but I still couldn’t keep the tears from falling. All I could think about was Mon Manman and how disappointed she always looked at me. How she would try to beat magic into my veins. How the elixirs made me sick and how I’d throw up for days trying to get the toxins out of my system.

I curled up tighter like that would save me from my memories or my trauma from growing up. Kai’s breathing hitched as if he could almost read my mind. It’s probably from his inner wolf wanting to protect me from myself. I wiped at my face and smiled at them.

“Thanks, I feel a little better. Just brought back a lot of hard memories…”

I stretched out my legs, which were draped over Silas’ legs, and my head was resting on Kai’s chest. I felt at peace with them next to me, as if their bodies were a soothing balm to my overworked and racing brain.

“You promise you feel better, darling?” Silas asked as he rubbed my thigh.

I nodded and smiled bigger. I poked Kai’s cheek. “I love you both so much… thank you for being here for me. Even if I’m a mess sometimes.”

“You ain’t no mess, darling,” Silas patted my thigh.

I laughed and shook my head. I need to stop having negative thoughts about myself, but it’s been too hard at times. I was so used to degrading myself that it was second nature to me. I could feel both of their gazes on me.

It seemed like they were trying to bore into my soul to see if I’m being truthful. To be honest, was I being truthful even to myself? Probably not, but I didn’t need them worrying about me. I smiled up at them, a wide grin. I couldn’t and wouldn’t let them see the fissure cracks in my psyche. I start to sit up, but Kai pulls me back down.

“Stay… just f*****g relax, got it?” Kai’s voice was demanding, and I wasn’t gonna argue.

I lay back down as his grip tightened around my torso. I could feel my eyelids getting heavy as the warmth from both bodies soothed me. The last thing I remembered before drifting off was that they both kissed me.

I woke up to the smell of chicken cooking and vegetables being roasted with onion and sage. f**k that smells good! I thought to myself as I forced myself out of bed. My feet hit the wooden floorboards and creaked slightly from age and the weight of my body. I padded down the hallway and into the kitchen.

“Whatcha guys cooking?”

“Pan-seared chicken and roasted vegetables,” Silas said matter-of-factly.

I nodded and sat at the small table in the attached dining room. I watched as both Silas and Kai moved around the kitchen in sync. I couldn’t help but smile and giggle as they started arguing about the best spices to cook with.

“What’s so funny, Iris?” Kai barked and crossed his arms over his toned chest.

“Yeah? You know I’m right! Kai doesn’t know what he’s talking about!” Silas huffed and glared at Kai.

“I ain’t getting into the middle of your argument about spices.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head even though I was still giggling. Kai stuck his tongue out at Silas, and Silas grabbed him, pulled him into his chest.

“Keep doing that, and I might have to nip it!”

Kai sputtered and tried to pull away. “Hey! No f**k… stop!”

He was blushing as Silas leaned in with his canine teeth bared. “Or what, Kai, gonna make me?” he purred.

Kai’s face went crimson, and he tried to pull away, but Silas pinned him against the counter with a sly smile. Silas’ hand trailed up to Kai’s throat and squeezed lightly just enough to make Kai whimper and submit.

“f**k, you two need to get a room!” I shook my head as I giggled.

“You gonna join us, princess?”

I squeaked and looked down at my hands in my lap. “Maybe…”

I could feel my face flush, and I looked up and stuck my tongue out. Silas smirked and pulled away from Kai as he stalked towards me.

“Non! Stay back, you fiend!” I gasped as he scooped me up and placed me on the counter next to Kai.

Kai shook his head. “You did it now, Iris, and I wont help ya out this time cuz I’m gonna join.”

I squealed and playfully smacked both of them in the chest. Silas’ hand flew to his chest and scoffed playfully.

“What was that for?” Both Kai and Silas said in unison.

“For being ass hats and trying to distract me with your guys’ good looks while the food is cooking.”

Kai shakes his head as he turns off the burners. “Food just got done lets eat and maybe indulge in something else for dessert?” He purred as he plated food for all three of us.