Requital

CHAPTER 16

Deianira

Once Lorcan left the pack doctors cabin we left as well and Leith did exactly what Lorcan said. He made me a delicious breakfast which consisted of hot cakes and a meat with maple glaze. I was stuffed, so full I passed out in a mountain of pillows and blankets. I don't know how long I was passed out but in my slumber I felt the bed shift and a warm body pressed against me. A little while later another warm body on my other side. I rolled over and wrapped my legs around one of the bodies. "Mouse I have wanted you wrapped around me since I laid eyes upon you." My eyes flew open to Lorcan's ocean blues. "Excuse me did you just call me mouse?!" "Ah yes I did you squeak these little sounds all the time you know like a mouse." I glare at him and say nothing, my eyes speak for themselves. He chuckles, "What you don't like the nickname mate?" "Hell no pick something else?" "Okay how about sweet cheeks?" "No" "Pookie-poo?" "No" "Wifey?" "Better" "Boss Lady?" "Okay I really like that one," I laugh. "It's settled then boss lady, you get some good rest" "Yes actually I did and you?" "I only just recently got here. I just couldn't resist you both looked so cute snuggled up and I wanted a part of this cuddle fest," he says. I laugh again. Out of the two mates I've had thus far Lorcan is the most laid back. He's funny and he's always trying to lighten the mood. I really like that about him. "Well I'm glad you joined then" I say and that brings heat to his eyes. "Are you now, would you like to turn this into more than just cuddles sweet mate, I know this cool trick with my tongue. I could show it to you right now I have been dying to show you just let me..." "Not right now we have things we need to talk about and we really need to get a move on time is not on our side." Leith says facing me awake and putting his hand on my stomach to rub it. Lorcan pouts at us but straightens. "Your right mate brother, I've gotten supplies ready, packed up and waiting for us. I have a map of the kingdoms handy, I also have something for you mate let me run and fetch it." He leaves the room for a few moments and then comes back with a jar full of green liquid with a cork in it. "What's that?" I say "I talked to the packs alchemist about you. Told them we are going on a trip and it could possibly be rough. This is an elixir will keep you and babygirl safe and its also safe for you to ingest. This is specifically made for pregnant women. If you fall or roll down a hill whatever the case may be the baby will be protected at all times." Wow, that was very thoughtful. I should have thought of something like that, I am the pregnant one. Then again being pregnant for a week I hadn't had time to think at all with everything going on as well. "Lor thank you so much." I get up and walk over to him and give him a kiss on his cheek. "Well if I get kisses every time I do something like this be prepared for more. Could I possibly get one of those a little further to the left." "Alright we are getting off track." Leith says "We need to come up with a plan. What routes will we take through Audaquior?" "Well we could take the path closest to the people of stone. They are the safest in the kingdom, their protectors." Lorcan says "The gargoyles, that is a good idea. They shouldn't give us any trouble where as the other species might try to crush us like the giants would." Leith says "Wow there is so much I don't know about our world. I've never ventured out of martimus, all these new species is hard to wrap my head around. Its like I've been living under a rock, pun intended. Both my mates start laughing so hard they fall over. "Boss Lady's funny too I'm in love." I blush, they both sit up. "When do we leave?" I say ,"I think it should be soon honestly because if my pregnancy progresses at this rate I don't have long." "She's right" Lorcan says "We should leave right away with everything happening the way it is. After a few hours of travel we will find a good spot to settle for the night. Do you have everything settled in your kingdom for your departure?" He looks to Lorcan , " Yes my advisor will watch over everything in my absence. He knows I will be gone a while to. My kingdom and my people are strong they can handle it without me for as long as it takes." The pride in his voice, he is proud of his people and love them dearly by the look on his face. That makes me fancy him even more. I stand up and grab the elixir from Lorcan, I pop the cork out and chug. "Well" I say, "Let's get going."

We said our goodbyes to the Therian kingdom about three hours ago. My feet are swollen, my head hurts, and my stomach will not stop gurgling. "Can we stop for the night, I don't know if I can take much more." I cant honestly. If we don't stop soon ill die. Both men turn to look at me. Lorcan rushes forward and scoops me up. "Not much further boss lady. Leith is more familiar with the area and he was just telling me about a hidden cave up ahead about a mile." I groan and he gives me his signature chuckle. "Don't worry mate. I will carry you." "The whole way Lorcan no you will not." I try to get down but he wont budge so I quit struggling and enjoy the big bad wolf carrying me. After a while we come upon thick tall shrubs. Once Leith moves them aside I see the cave. It's pitch black so the men go in to start a fire and get the camp set up. I try to help but they wont allow me to lift a finger so I just stare at the two of them and gawk at how good they look. "We know boss lady you wanna lick us huh." Lorcan says and Leith pushes him. I just blush and laugh not giving his remark a response. Its written on my face he knows. Once they get everything set up I lay down on the big blanket pile they made. "I need food and sleep." I say they both laugh at me. They pull out something to eat, we eat then we all lay down. We must have all been exhausted because the next thing I know its morning and we are on the move again. It's like that a whole six days of travel. We climb, we walk until my legs feel like gelatin, we find some place to sleep, and we are off again. During those days we talk and get to know one another. Lorcan told me all about his family. His mother died when he was young, and his father died protecting Therian from the under. It seems to me the under is where most all problems come from and we are headed right towards it. I have to kill this demon though. I will avenge my father, I will avenge myself for all the pain its caused me. Once finding a spot to rest for our last night I start to feel as though we are being watched. Both men feel it to, they are alert. Watching every thing around us with rapt attention. They sleep closer to me that night. I guess afraid ill be stolen away in the middle of the night. That's exactly what almost happen. I'm awaken by the feeling of my legs being pulled away from my mates. My eyes shoot open and they fall upon Tarkik but not. Its the sulfur smelling asshole by the look of his eyes and his cruel smirk. "Hello w***e mate. I see you've gained another in your harem. You don't deserve Tarkik I'm doing him a favor. I scream, I scream for my men but they wont wake. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!?" I shout. "Just a little sleeping trick I can do" he says. I have to do something but he keeps pulling me further from my men and I still haven't figured out what I am or what my powers are. I'm helpless, I hold my hands out to my mates and scream to the top of the lungs. That's when I feel it, that well again inside me overflowing and some of it shooting out towards them. It knocks into Leith and Lorcan and they go rolling. That just pisses Atahsaia off, he grabs me by the throat and presses his mouth to mine. Whatever he's doing its making me weak. It's like he's sucking my life force right out of me, he's killing me. When I think he just might something slams into him. Lorcan in his wolf form rolls around the rocky grounds trying to grab hold of Tarkiks throat with his massive jaw. "NO" I scream "Tarkik is still in there somewhere" I know I said I hated him but after having time to think none of it was Tarkiks fault. Its the demon, once I get him out of Tarkik he will be himself again. I can have him back. I don't think it would change things. That I could be with him but I love him I wont allow him to die. Lorcan freezes and looks to me. I plead with my eyes and he growls but goes to get off of Tarkik. He doesn't get away quick enough though. The demon pulls out one of Tarkiks daggers and stabs my wolf mate in the gut. "NOOOO" I scream in terror as I get up and run towards Lorcan. All I care about is helping him, keeping him safe. I fall to my knees and put pressure to his wound. He's shifted back is lying in a pool of his blood. "Lorcan I'm so sorry I didn't know he had that on him please no." Leith comes behind me and I look to him for guidance in what to do. "We have to get to the gargoyles they are our only hope of saving him." He says. He makes quick work of making a cot like structure to put Lorcan on. Once he's finished we both haul Lorcan on it and Leith starts to pull Lorcan towards the right direction. I look around and see if I can spot the demon but he's nowhere in sight. He's gone, we lost him and he's still out there. He will be hunting me until the under I just know it. I grab the rest of our supplies and follow Leith. It seems like days before we reach what looks like a gate made of stone. It's dusty and withered with age. They must have seen us coming because the tallest man I have ever seen opens the gate, steps out, and slams it shut. This man is huge, with bulging muscles and long brown hair in a braid down his back. His eyes are a dark brown and he has tattoo on his cheek below his left eye. "Who goes there?" the man says. "Please" I say, "We need help, one of my mates he was hurt and is badly injured we need help." He looks to Lorcan and back at me. He whistles sharp and loud, four more huge men walk out of the gate and walk over to us. One of them picks up Lorcan while the other three follow him. I'm assuming they are a medical team of some sort. "Where are they going with him?" I say , "Why are we still standing here." I demand. The big man just looks to me then to Leith. "Follow me." He says then turns and walks away. Leith and I look at each other then we follow this cold strange gargoyle inside the gates. I have to find Lorcan, he has to be okay because if he isn't I don't know what ill do.....