Three Queens of Cerberus

Chapter 7

Three Queens of Cerberus

Chapter 7

Ulysses’s POV

“Just bend and stretch, nothing fancy.”, Tie orders, releasing his grip on the now standing Ray. Doc said if he can walk this afternoon, we can go home in the morning.

Ray stretches, arms way up over his head. “Don’t…”, Tie warns, catching his arm when he teeters. “Not so fast.”

“It feels good.”, Ray defends.

Tie releases him once he’s regained his balance. “Yes, well a fractured skull won’t, you’re making yourself lightheaded. Just take it easy.”

Ray grins but moves a little slower. Stretching his arms and legs, before his back. He squats a few times, under Tie’s close monitoring, before being told he can attempt to walk across the room to Doc. He’s slow, but he manages. His heart rate elevated enough to make him want to sit down, but not to prevent him from walking back over to the bed.

“Very good. Tomorrow morning, I’ll come back around to check on you. If we’re still on an upward trend, you’re headed home, Sir Klarevol.”, Doc congratulates, scribbling something in the notebook he carries around.

“I appreciate it, Doc.”, Ray returns, happy with his assessment.

Doc pats Ray’s shoulder and gives me a wink, “Take care of them for me.”, before exiting the room as quickly as he’d come. Did he say ‘them’, or ‘him”? Does Tie need looking after? He seems quite well.

“What is it, beauty?”, Tie asks, taking his seat by the door.

“Nothing…”, I lie without thought, forgetting to make it sound truthful. He raises a brow but doesn’t call me on it.

“I’m on rotation. Luka will sit with you this evening. He’s quiet, you’ll hardly notice him.”, he changes the subject.

“Why? When will you be back?”, I ask, wanting to know what’s pulling him away.

Ray’s chuckle as he closes himself in the bathroom, and Tie’s knowing grin makes me blush. I failed miserably at making that sound like a passing question. “Making sure those hoards aren’t moving into the villages under Cerberus. I’ll be back by morning. Most likely before you wake.”

He leans toward me, against the arm of his chair. “You could kiss me goodbye, beauty. Those lips surely bring luck.”, his low deep voice bleeds sensuality. How could I possibly deny him?

I turn to meet him, brushing over his full lips. He cups my jaw, deepening the kiss and stirring this desperate need for more. I lean further into him, climbing over the chair arms between us, into his lap. His hands gliding over my thighs embolden me, as he pulls me against him.

He pulls back a little, swiping his thumb under my lower lip. Keeping me captive with the heat in his gaze, and his cool fingertips brushing under my shirt against my lower back. “Your brother wants out of the bathroom, beauty.”, he links.

Embarrassment floods me, once again. “None of that.”, he strokes my cheek. “You can blame me, if he comments. I’ll not deny wanting you.”

He pecks my lips again, wrapping his arm around my waist as he stands; in no way pinned beneath me. I’m not cute and tiny like Melody, but the ease he maneuvers me with makes me feel as if I were. Ray exits the bathroom as Tie places me back on my feet, though without releasing me fully.

Luka enters the room, hardly paying us any mind; he speaks directly to Ray. “Look who’s up and moving.”

“It feels amazing, I’d begun to believe I never would again.”, Ray returns. Their conversation fades out as I focus on Tie’s words in my mind. “Try to eat a little more, and rest. I’ll be back, beauty. Luka will watch over Ray.”

I brush my lips against his once more, before releasing him. He grins at me, bows his head slightly to Luka, then leaves the room. Luka has taken the seat at the foot of Ray’s bed. Their conversation has moved to guard positions and training days. I sit on the sofa, adjusting to Tie’s absence. It all feels different without him nearby.

“Melody had offered Sissy a place on her foundling monitoring teams.”, I hear Ray just before I feel Luka’s gaze.

“You’re both capable of much more, but I won’t object if you choose to start there. It’s laid back, fairly calm under monitoring. You’ll eventually grow restless in it. When that happens, let me know. I can always reassign you.”

“I will stick with her choice. I could go for calm for a bit.”, Ray concedes. He knows my true age, making him completely against leaving me unattended. I’m surprised he hasn’t scolded me yet for pursuing Tie.

“Fair enough.”, Luka accepts. “I’ll let you both rest. It’s getting late. You’ll need your energy tomorrow.”

Luka’s POV

Watching over the pair makes time drag on. I scroll through contracts and requests. Then switch to reviewing schedules Bax has lined out for next week. Tie is back on full rotation, but Bax has either himself, or me, on Ulysses in his absence. Tie only has tonight and tomorrow night left, before it switches back to Bax.

Ulysses sudden jerk draws my attention from schedules. She appears to still be sleeping, but her heart rate has spiked, and her breathing has become labored. I wave away the laptop, crossing the room to her.

“Ulysses.”, I touch her shoulder.

She jumps, swinging wildly at me. I dodge, narrowly missing her sharp claws. “Ulysses, you’re safe.”, I speak softly, giving her a second to wake more before I get near her.

She stares blankly. I can see the recognition in her eyes after a moment. “Are you okay?”, I ask.

She nods, sitting up. Her heart rate slows a little, as she comes back to reality. “Do you want to talk about it?”, I ask, looking back to see Ray is still sleeping peacefully.

“I just… I don’t…”, she babbles, not quite awake yet.

“That’s alright.”, I tell her, sitting on the couch, turned to face her.

“I’m sorry.”, she wipes the tears forming in her eyes.

“Nothing to apologize for, little one. It happens to the best of us.”, I assure her. I’ve had dreams so real, I’ve woken in fight. She hasn’t offended me. “Do you want to talk about it?”, I offer again.

She looks over at Ray, at first I believed she wanted to talk to him. When her eyes return to me, I realize it was to make sure he wouldn’t know. I force open a link to her, “I will keep your confidence, Ulysses. Nothing you say to me will ever leave me. What’s upset you?”

“I just don’t want him to know.”, she sighs in my mind.

“Know what, little one?”, I prompt.

“What happened… he’ll blame himself. He did all he could.”, she defends her brother.

“I won’t mention it to him, nor blame him. You can tell me anything you wish.”

“He was here. I felt him here.”, she shakes her head. I wait patiently for her to continue. She’s still working it out in her mind.

“He touched my arm…”, she looks around the room.

“I touched your arm, to gain your attention.”, I correct. “No one is here, but the three of us. I’d not allow anyone to enter here.”

She nods, searching over me. “Did I hurt you?”, she asks.

“Not quite. Reptilian are agile creatures, it would take much more than a blind swing.”, I smile, assuring her she’s caused no harm.

She returns it, before wiping her face again. “I just felt him.”

“Felt who?”

“Elder Louise.”

“He lives only in your memory, little one. You killed him, remember?”, I ask, trying to help her wake enough to realize none of it was real.

She nods again, taking a deep breath and stretching. “No one will ever touch you like that again. You are the body of Cerberus now. Much too large and too powerful to be overtaken.”

“It’s never happened before.”, she shakes her head.

“What’s never happened?”

“The dreams… I didn’t have them there, haven’t had them here. It just…”, she drops off. It’s Tie. She’s had him near since she fled the coven. She doesn’t feel what he is to her yet, but her body knows. In the absence of her mate, the fears surface.

“Stress brings it about. Look…”, I pull my medallions from my shirt, easily finding Tie’s. His power is held within. Maybe it will be enough. “You won’t be able to use it properly, but perhaps feeling it’s power will help keep you grounded.” I separate Tie’s from my chain, conjuring another for her. I help her put it on. She closes her hand around the medallion as it rests against her chest.

“Better?”, I ask, sensing her calm significantly.

She nods, “What is it?”

“It’s an oath, little one; used for summoning. That one holds Tie’s power.”, I answer honestly.

“He can be summoned with it?”, she asks, looking over the engraving.

“If you have the power to use it, yes.”, I confirm.

“Don’t you need it?”, she asks.

“I’ll be here with you, until he returns. He can conjure me another. You may keep that one.”

“Thank you.”, she speaks aloud.

“I claim no debt, little one.”, I stroke her hair back, and kiss the top of her head as I stand. “Rest now.”

She nods, readjusting herself on the sofa. I reclaim my seat.

I watch her settle and listen to the sounds of her breathing as it softens. It’s too soon to tell, but I think the medallion will work for her. She calmed immediately and is starting to drift back off to sleep.

I conjure my laptop, absentmindedly scrolling through shifter reports. My mind entirely occupied with thoughts of my brother’s mate. I’d take it from her, the memories. That wouldn’t help her though.

Hours pass by before Tie enters. The pair still sleep. “Conjure me another medallion. I’ve given mine to your mate.”, I link, waving away my laptop and standing to stretch.

He conjures another, passing it to me. I conjure a clip and connect it to my chain. “What happened?”

“She’s alright, no harm done. She feels your absence, the medallion helps. She should keep it.”, I offer what I’m able. Tie bows his head slightly; he won’t push me to violate her trust.

Ulysses’s POV

I stretch, rolling over to find Tie has replaced Luka. He smiles, “Good morning, beauty.”

I return it easily, my smile being automatic. “Good morning.”, I sit up to find Ray dressed in his bed, drinking coffee.

“Now, if Doc would just come through, we could get out of here.”, Ray comments impatiently.

Tie smirks but says nothing in response. I feel his medallion against my chest as I sit up, my hand goes to it instinctively. Tie’s eyes follow that movement, registering what it is, then locking on mine. “Are you alright?”, he links.

“I’m fine. I need to give this back to Luka.”, I answer, feeling guilty for taking it.

“I’ve given him another. You may keep it.”, Tie answers.

“He told you what happened?”, I ask, not really wanting him to know.

“Only that you needed the medallion. Did something happen?”, he doesn’t know, I could feel it if he were hiding something. Luka kept his word, it all stayed with him.

“Just a bad dream, I’m fine.”, I assure him.

“Well, what do we have here? My patient is ready to escape, I see.”, Doc says as he enters the room.

“More than ready, Doc. I’ve been caged far too long. I need out.”, Ray returns.

“I imagine so. Just let me get a look at you, boy.”, Doc chuckles, placing his hand against Ray’s chest. I stand, accepting the clothes Tie has conjured for me, then go into the bathroom to get cleaned up and changed.

“Right as rain, son. You’re ready to go. Take it easy. Don’t rush yourself. It will still take a little time for you to get back to normal.”, I hear Doc advising.

“I appreciate it, Doc. I’m free to shift now?”, Ray asks.

“Yes, outside, mind you. If you feel up to it, you’re healthy enough to attempt it. Don’t be disheartened if you can’t maintain that long, it’s been months since you’ve shifted.”, Doc returns, as I pull the t-shirt down over my breasts, and button the jean shorts.

I step out, carrying my pajamas. Tie waves them away, along with the blankets and pillows he’d conjured in the room. His eyes wander over my body, heating my skin. His scent thickens in response to mine. How he remains completely unashamed of it is beyond me. I flush, looking away.

“I’m off then. See you around, Doc.”, Ray shakes Doc’s hand and wastes no time escaping the room. Tie takes my hand and pulls me to follow. Ray paces impatiently in the elevator, while Tie stands perfectly still.

The elevator pings and Ray bolts out. His speed only slowing when we cross the room Courtier lounges in. Ray freezes, turning to face him. His eyes glow as he looks him over. Courtier rises, his beady eyes fixed on Ray.

“What is he?”, Ray asks.

“A nuisance, mostly.”, Tie answers. “Just ignore him. That’s what the rest of us do.”

I feel the pull, that must have been what stopped Ray. He’s healthy enough now to use his power. He can feel Courtier too.

“I don’t like it.”, Ray says, more to himself.

Tie chuckles, “You’ll be joining every other creature that’s had the misfortune of meeting him, Ray. Just let him be. He’s no threat to you.”

Ray nods slowly, studying the snake a moment longer before continuing to the door.

We follow Ray out, I’m excited to run with him. Our first shift and run together. It should’ve been with our mother too, the night I shifted. Ray allows Tie to take the lead from the courtyard. He guides us down toward the river, more secluded on the trails by the dense forest. “Shift, run. You’ll find you’re enclosed by the manor walls, and the river. Stay within the manor, for now. You may venture further when you’re stronger.”, Tie advises Ray.

Needing little encouragement, Ray shifts through his clothes. Tie waves them away. I’ve seen Ray shifted many times in my life. It shouldn’t bring forth the emotions it does. The tears well in my eyes as I watch him stretch. He turns to me, lowering his head to nudge my hip. He purrs at me as I run my fingers through his thick silky fur, like I have since I was a little girl. “Shift, Sissy.”, he links, nudging me again.

I look up at Tie, he searches my eyes. “Shift, beauty. Go run with him.”, he encourages. “I’ll remove your clothing once your shift starts. No one will see you. Is that what’s wrong?”

I shake my head, I’m just so happy Ray’s here, that he can shift… that I can run with him. I shift, and Tie does as he’d promised. I don’t feel the clothing digging in, and there’s no shredded clothing left behind.

Ray nuzzles into me, rubbing his head against my shoulder. “Let’s go!”, he suddenly jumps away from me excitedly, waiting for me to give chase before sprinting off through the woods.

Tie’s POV

I watch my mate dart through the forest with her brother, moving much too quickly for anyone to have any hope of catching.

Continuing down the path toward the river, I head to Ulysses’s cabin. Scenting Sena, before I see her. She leans over the railing, looking down into the river. Her thigh length dress reaches to barely covering her. “Don’t fall, Sena. That current is much stronger than it looks right now.”, I warn her.

She grins back at me and hops down from the railing. “I was watching for caiman.”, she answers.

“They tend to move toward the swamps this time of year. They prefer slower flows than what rainy season provides.”, I offer. It’s unlikely she’d find one here right now. “There’s some swamp land near the East wall. You could look there…”, I look over her thin wrap dress and flip flops, “After you change. Jeans and closed toe shoes, preferably.”

“Would you come with me?”, she asks, falling in step with me down the trail.

“I have other obligations. You could ask Zach, I believe he is at the training grounds.”, I provide an alternative. She and Zach have an odd relationship, but they’re sexually compatible, it would appear.

“I don’t really talk to him that often… I don’t know if he would come?”, she replies truthfully. So odd, she carries his scent often. I’ve scented her on him. If she’s mating with him, why wouldn’t she be able to ask him to escort her?

“Be cautious then. Caiman aren’t harmless, and there are other swamp inhabitants pixie should be mindful of.”, I remind. She knows, she’s lived near the lowlands long enough.

She walks with me, all the way to Ulysses’s cabin. She tells me about her day, and what plans she has for this evening. I listen but stop her when we reach my destination. “This is where we part ways, Sena. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”, I dismiss myself from the conversation. She’s bored and lonely. She’ll surely find one of her friends to go with her or pick a guard along the way.

“Oh… okay. I’ll see you later then.”, she hugs me, then bites her lower lip, and shies away from me some.

I bow my head slightly, then go up the stairs to Ulysses’s cabin. It’s entirely of my conjuring, it takes no time to wave away what is necessary to add Ray’s room. Having seen some of his memories to cut his hair, I conjure clothes for him; filling his closet and drawers. I conjure a few things to fit his smaller frame now, but they won’t be needed long. He’ll pack weight on and thicken back out pretty quickly. Ulysses will have to take him to a*****e with her later for hygiene products.

“What time are we leaving?”, Jax links me. I check my watch. “Unless something happens, you can have dinner with Helena. We’ll leave out closer to eight.” He knows we are the on-call team until tomorrow. I try to give as much time as I’m able between assignments, coming home whenever it’s possible on our rotation. Several on my team have mates, some have offspring.