Torn between mates

67. Spicy

Argo

She was sat on the sofa of our house, distracted by something. Looking intently at a book, probably a new version of ‘Kama Sutra while levitating.’

I walked closer to her. To Nema, the female I’ve shared the last 40 years with. For whom I’ve had, I have, feelings of love, respect, friendship, and partnership. The one who made me smile, laugh hysterically, and filled my life with joy and a renewed sense of purpose. 

But all those feelings felt very small in comparison with what I felt early today just by sharing only some minutes with that sweet brunette witch. 

Nema isn’t my mate. Calista is. But I owe her honesty, a fair and sincere talk. I couldn’t go further with Calista before making things clear with Nema. 

Am I leaving her? Every ounce of my soul is drawn to Calista, to the holder of its other half. My heart and my desire are already bonded to her too. Those hazel eyes are all I want to see. Her soft skin and the electric tingles exploding on my fingers tips every time that our skins make contact, it’s all I want to touch. All I want to feel.

But I loved Nema. I love her. I know that if I leave her, she will be devastated. I can’t do that to her. I can’t hurt any of them, neither can I ignore the call to my very soul that my mate’s existence brings.

I exhaled sharply and ran my finger through my hair for the thousandth time. 

She looked up at me, tilting her chin up, and flashed me a warm smile. A smile that made my chest tightening. 

She read it in my eyes, my worry, conflict, hurt. She knew me well. 

“Is anything wrong? Holy choke, is it about Liv’s baby? Is the tiny bundle okay?” She asked frantically, as her eyes opened widely, and she jumped off the sofa and came towards me. 

I knew how much she cared about Liv and Lea. Her girls. 

“No, no, it’s nothing like that... I just want to discuss something else, Spicy.” I said hesitantly as I put my hands on her shoulders.

She looked at me intently, examining my expression to understand what was happening.

“Spicy.” I used the pet name I gave her long ago.

“Yes.” She answered, looking atypically serious. My Nema is always a bubbly funny wrecking ball. She isn’t mine. I sighed.

“Spicy, something that I didn’t expect happened today and we should talk about it. This afternoon, when I went to King Avalon’s Realm, I’ve met a female... and she happens to be my mate...”

“What?” Her voice was strangled in a gulp. She put some distance between us as tears started to flow freely down her cheeks, she tried to wipe them fast, but it was of no use, they kept coming. I walked towards her, but she raised her palm up making me halt.

“There is nothing to talk about. You found your mate; you should be with her. That’s how it is. It’s simple, she’s the one, I’m not. It was always bound to happen anyway. I’m not sad or surprised. You should go to her, don’t lose more time. You’ve waited long, it’s what you want, Argo. It’s what everyone wants, a mate. There is nothing to talk about, seriously. You don’t even need to bother, just go.” She burst out without even pause to breathe. 

“Spicy, it’s not that simple.” I trailed off. 

It hurt me deeply to see her suffering like this. That isn’t how it should be. She should have been the one to find her mate first, not me. I can’t leave her, not like this. But I also can’t be without Calista. What on the 6 Realms can I do? I scrubbed my face exasperated. I was in the middle of a crossroad and all ways seemed right and wrong at the same time. 

“It’s that simple. It’s the simplest thing ever. Mates are made for each other; they must be together. That’s how it is. End of conversation.”

“Nema, please.”

“Go to her, let’s not linger on it. Okay? I’m okay, I’m peachy like a bitchy.” Her words contradicted her crying face and her faltering voice. 

“Nema, I won’t go anywhere,” I said without thinking. I don’t know what to do. 

“Yes, you are. She’s your mate.” She argued putting even more distance between us.

“But I love you, I also love you,” I said as I scrubbed my face in exasperation again and some stray tears burnt down my eyes.

“That is nonsense! The love you feel for me is a joke, a n****e clamp lost in a sea of an orgy in comparison to what you are meant to feel for her. You can have it, Argo. You found the ultimate G spot of your heart and soul, your mate. There is no competition to a mate. Stop humouring me.” She snapped between muffled sobs.

She was right, nothing, no feeling can be compared to the completion and magic of a mate bond and the strong pull that came together with it. A magnet, divine force draws one to their mate. A force that couldn’t be bent or yield, it was destiny in its thread.

But I wasn’t humouring her. I was being sincere. I couldn’t fight the bond, but I also couldn’t leave her like this. It was wrong.

She walked towards the door. “Nema wait, please,” I asked.

“No. Go to her, don’t lose time. I won’t be in your way.” She said without turning to look at me and simply left.

Everything in me was asking to go after her, talk to her, make her feel better. But I couldn’t, I had to give her what she wants, and that now is time and space. 

I also had to talk to my Calista and sort it out. I promised that I would be with her soon, I couldn’t let her wait and hurt her feelings neither. I sighed deeply in exasperation.  

~ * ~

Cali

“Calista.” My mate said as he knocked on my door and entered my room. My mate. I still couldn’t believe it, I’m so thankful to the Goddess! 

I smiled at him and he came closer, taking me in his embrace. I looked at the sofa to make sure Morgana was there and would behave this time. 

“You are back,” I muttered.

“Of course, I am.” He said as he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. The tingles and sparkles are much stronger than I imagined after hearing it from Liv. His presence, my handsome mate’s presence alone, was enough to make my heart do somersaults. Will he always have this effect on me? If so, I’ll get some cardiac problems.

“I had to talk to someone, before being able to be with you.” I looked at him confused, what did he mean? “I will be totally honest with you, that’s the least you deserve as my mate.” He added caressing my hair and not taking his eyes off mine. I gulped nervously. “In the last few decades, I was in a relationship with a female, and I had to talk to her before being able to come back to you. But the talk, as I expected, didn’t go well. She’s sad and hurt and I don’t want to hurt her. Not at all.”

Oh, my Goddess! What will he do? My breath was caught on my throat and I felt a knot growing in the pit of my stomach. Please don’t leave me, mate! I think he noticed that I was having a series of tiny heart attacks.

“Don’t worry flower.” He soothed me as he cupped my face and caressed my cheeks with his thumbs. “We will be together. But before claiming you, I have to sort the situation with Nema, it’s only fair...”

Wait? Nema? Goddess! Noooooo!

He is Nema’s elf, I’m stealing her guy. Oh no! I need Liv now; I don’t know what to do! 

“Nema?” I asked still half-absently, too busy having a panic attack. If he wouldn’t be holding me, I swear, I would be on the floor now. 

No, no! It can be another Nema. It must be! It’s bad, but not that awful if it’s another female called Nema. 

“Yes, that’s the name of my former partner.” He sounded worried and confused.

“Nema the nympho? The ginger small one?” I asked, hoping to hear a ‘no’ as an answer. 

“Yes. You know her?...” He realized and his handsome face went tense. I put some distance between us.

“Argo, I always wanted a mate and I want you. So bad. Very, very much! But I don’t know how I can do it... how I can do it to Nema! I just don’t know.” I covered my face with my hands and started to cry some fat tears. 

In few hours my biggest dream got some hints of a nightmare. 

He came closer to me and pressed my face against his chest, calmness, and warmness radiated through my body. “We will find a way, my flower. I can’t have her hurt either. We will find a way, we have to.” He cooed me, kissing the top of my head a couple of times.

He was right, we couldn’t start anything before making sure that Nema was okay. Goddess, why is love noteasy just like in the Romantic-comedies I watch with Liv and Lea? Why my love story had to be more on the drama side? 

I had to talk to Liv.

*

I went to talk to Liv, I didn’t want to annoy her now, she just gave birth to her sweet baby girl. But I didn’t know what else to do. 

I went to the infirmary and knocked softly. King Elric opened the door and went out visibly trying to not make any noise.

“Calista are you feeling well?” he asked, probably I was looking just like I felt, lost, confused, and helpless. 

“I… I have to talk to Liv. I know it’s not the best moment and I’m so sorry. But I have to.” I mumbled nervously, even though he was the calmest and nicest of Liv’s mates, I still could feel the power radiating from him, and sometimes it was a bit overwhelming. 

“They have just fallen asleep, my mate and Aurora. She is exhausted, Cali. What is happening to you?” he asked calmly, soothing me a bit just with his voice.

“I found my mate…. He is an Elf. Argo, but Nema… I don’t want to hurt her feelings, and I don’t know what to do…I need Liv.” I mumbled again. He placed a hand on my shoulder and walked to the waiting room with me, away from the room Liv was in.  

“Cali, I’m sorry to hear that you are in such a complicated situation. I truly hope you can find a suitable solution for your issue rapidly. Argo is a very honourable and kind male and a good friend, besides Maximus’ right-hand. I wish you both the best. However, you can’t bother my mate now. She is drained after almost 24 hours of childbirth. I believe someone else will be able to help you, perhaps Mel or Lea.” He told me. 

I sighed deeply; I’m being so selfish even considering bothering Liv now. But Goddess, I need my best friend!

I will go home and try to rest a bit, tomorrow I will talk to Lea or Mel. Mel is great, she is like a second mom to me, but I… I won’t feel comfortable bothering her about this specific issue, maybe I’m being silly, but it would feel awkward. And Lea… I don’t know if she can help me, she is so young and was through so much already, I don’t really know if she has what it takes to handle this situation. She is a fragile, sensitive girl. She is more like me than like Liv, my unbreakable and determined best friend.

“I’m sorry. You are right, I’ll figure it out.” I said. 

“It’s fine. Good luck.” He replied patting my shoulder in reassurance. I’m glad I’ve met him, instead of King Avalon or King Laius, they would for sure kick my poor little ass for trying to bother their precious Liv. 

*

The next day I went to talk to Mel; it would be a bit awkward talking to her about it, but I’m sure she wouldmake me feel okay about it soon, she was always so very kind and understanding.

I looked for her all over Avalon’s Palace, but she wasn’t anywhere to be found. Oh, I think I know where she is and I’ve a feeling she won’t be back anytime soon. I just hope she and Liv’s dad find a way soon; Mel really deserves to be happy. 

Then, I decided to go to see Lea in Aureum. She does have a crazy schedule changing every day from the Werewolf Realm to the Fae one. If I were her, that much moving around would make me dizzy and confused. 

I don’t how she can put up with it. 

~ * ~

Lea 

A very worried and restless Cali came to see me in Aureum. I told her to take a seat and offered her some tea, but she wanted fairy wine instead, which is so typically her. Anyways, here in Aureum we of course had the best fairy wine, so I got her some and she gulped the entire content of her chalice before starting to speak. Oh, Goddess, she didn’t even savour it, just drank. It must be really bad. 

“Lea, my mate, Argo… the mate I’ve waited for since I learned what a mate is when I was a little girl… he is Nema’s Elf. So, my happiness pretty much means destroying hers.” She said gulping hard and pouring herself more wine. I moved the bottle of wine a bit away from her. A sad and drunk Cali is not a beautiful combination, I’ve seen it before and it’s not good. 

Those were shocking news! Poor Nema and poor Cali. Dear Goddess, Nema’s Elf, actually Cali’s Elf, should be so confused now. Poor Argo!

“Oh, Cali! Have you talked? The three of you? It may be hard, but a good idea. Have everything clear and avoid misunderstandings.” I said as I hugged her. 

She is in the same situation I was with Valentin and Daisy, but much worst! I still think that talking is the best solution, even if in the beginning it feels like the hardest thing to do. 

I don’t regret talking to Daisy, I think I did the right thing. Even though If Ainhoa weren’t there with me, I would have had a small meltdown. But now I am stronger and would be able to face the situation by myself, to stand for myself.  Hopefully, it also makes me able to help Cali to face her issue. 

“No, I’ve just talked to him. That is a good idea. Thanks, Lea!” she said as she started to stand up.

“Hold on Cali, it’s not because Liv is not here that you are alone. I’ll help you.” I said as I hold her arm gently signalizing for her to keep siting by my side. 

“Thanks a lot!!” she said hugging me and rocking us both back and forth. 

“Let’s call Sienna, she is one of Nema’s closest friends and I think she can help us,” I suggested as I got my phone and called her. In few minutes she was with us. 

“Argo told me what happened, about Cali being his mate, when I called him looking for Nema last night. Nema and I had the plan to have dinner together, but she never showed up or said anything.” Sienna sighed deeply. “I tried to contact her, I called her, sent her a magical correspondence. Everything possible, but nothing worked. So, a few hours ago, I asked Mel to make a tracking spell using a droplet of Nema’s blood that I had kept for emergencies. But it also didn’t work, she disappeared. She isn’t anywhere in the 6 Realms.” Sienna said looking very worried and tired. Probably she didn’t get any sleep last night. 

“Oh Goddess, noo! Poor Nema.” Cali mumbled gulping hard, crying a little, and reaching for the bottle of fairy wine. 

“How is it possible? Where is she?” I asked very worriedly too. 

“In the Human Realm or maybe somewhere in Limbo. It’s hard to track people in Limbo and impossible to track them in the Human Realm, the realm without magic. She must be so broken, she never did it… disappeared without talking to me.” Sienna said, rubbing her face agitatedly. 

“We have to find her,” I uttered. 

“It’s my fault, I’m breaking homes and hearts.” Cali was having a little meltdown. Sienna reached to Cali’s hand trying to send her some of her healing and soothing energy. 

“Argo, my mate, Astoria, and her mate are looking for Nema in Limbo now,” Sienna said. 

“Someone has to go to the Human Realm,” I muttered thoughtfully.

“It’s impossible to track her there, if she is there, we won’t have a chance. Only very powerful magic work there.” Sienna said, running nervous fingers through her chocolate wavy hair. 

“Powerful magic…” I repeated absently, trying to think about something. So, it’s possible, just hard. The most powerful beings in the Realms are the 6 Kings and probably Laius is the most powerful among them. But he wouldn’t leave Liv and their little baby now for nothing in the 6 Realms.

But my sweet mate could help me. “Valentin…” I muttered. Sienna looked at me and her face lit up. “I’ll ask Valentin to help me tracking Nema in the Human Realm and we will have a chance to find her,” I said. 

“That is a great idea, Lea. I don’t know why I didn’t think about asking my King for help before. Gods, I’m so nervous that I can’t even think straight.” Sienna said with a small smile, as she rubbed her head. 

“We will find her and bring her back home,” I uttered, squeezing Sienna’s hand and trying to reassure my sweet friend a bit. 

“Yes. I will stay with Cali, she needs to calm down, her heart is beating too fast.” Sienna said as she stroked Cali’s hair. The poor Cali is as sensitive as I’m. 

“Cali, sweetie. I’ll look for Nema, please stay well and don’t blame yourself.” I said taking her both hands in mine, she only nodded in response. I went to find my Sun and ask for his help.