by Eden Redd
“You know we only want to protect and help you,” William said with a small smile.
“I know, Dad. I know it comes from the heart, but as you saw on the news, I can protect myself and those I love.”
“We do not doubt it but there are other things at play and we thought you should know,” Sandra said with an even tone.
Jon lifted an eyebrow. “What should I know?”
William and Sandra looked at each other again before Sandra leaned forward next to her husband. Their eyes were calm but intense, as they mentally tried to find the right words.
“Son,” William began, “Skorp was released from prison a few days ago.”
Jon kept his gaze, his heartbeat steady.
“It was quiet and kept out of the media, but people we know thought it was the right thing to tell us. Once he was released from prison, he disappeared and no one knows exactly where he is,” Sandra added.
“Do you think he is coming for me?”
Jon’s parents lowered their heads.
“We don’t know,” William answered. “Despite being in prison, he managed to keep his assets and businesses. He is wealthy and may have paid off a number of people to be released early and keep it quiet. We are being cautious.”
“Which brings us to another reason why we had to see you,” Sandra said and she looked at her son fondly. “We thought it was time to help you grow your power.”
“Grow my power?” Jon said with a slightly confused look.
William and Sandra nodded.
“We know you never truly forgave us for that time Skorp kidnapped you,” William said with a touch of sadness.
Jon’s heart sank in his chest. “We don’t have to talk about it.”
“We have to, for your benefit,” Sandra said.
“Jon, we know it was traumatic, that is why we didn’t push you to develop your ability. We tried a little as you were taught to defend yourself, but you stopped us when it came to talking about abilities and what they can do.
“You took on a sea serpent and we’re very proud, but you understand how much it scared us. Your power is underdeveloped and you were truly lucky, but we know your luck isn’t constant. It has its ebbs and flows like all of our abilities.”
Jon’s eyes narrowed. “My luck is constant as long as I don’t push it. Every time I push it, bad luck comes back and hurts me or teaches me a lesson. As long as I don’t push it, I’m fine.”
“I’m guessing you’ve pushed your luck in dire circumstances,” William said.
Jon was silent and looked to the side.
“With Skorp free, there is a greater chance he will hunt you down. He is an obsessive-compulsive psychopath. He doesn’t understand our abilities and it drives him to the edge. He won’t stop until he understands us or kills us,” Sandra said with a pleading tone.
“He might do both,” William said with a dark edge.
Jon leaned forward, elbows on the table and looked at his parents. “I cannot return to Spiral City and go through the training. I have a life here and…” Jon trailed off.
William smiled. “We know and don’t think you need to go back to Spiral City. We only wanted to give you some advice that may help you, in case you need it.”
“It helped us in the beginning and it may help you too,” Sandra smiled at her son.
Jon kept his gaze, unsure what to say.
William continued, “Our abilities get stronger the more we use them. It took decades for your mother and I to reach the height of power we have today.”
“We don’t expect you to become stronger overnight, but if you follow our advice, it may help.”
William and Sandra reached out with a hand. Jon looked to their open hands for a long moment. Heart cracking, he pushed down his past pain, reached out and took hold of each hand.
Jon’s father spoke, “Our abilities are elemental, based on forces that we manage to tap into. We know, if you push your luck, bad luck will follow to right the balance. The only thing you have to know is, you don’t have to let that bad luck affect you.”
Sandra lifted her other hand, energy arcing between fingers. “Everyone who has the gift goes through a clumsy phase. In my beginning, I was randomly struck by lightning until I realized I could harness and control it. It took time and the lightning strikes slowed and stopped unless I called upon them.”
“Your luck ability is passive, but it can be so much more. If you find yourself pushing your luck, do not let the bad luck bounce back onto you. Channel it elsewhere and you won’t be at its mercy,” William smiled.
Jon listened to his parents, drinking in their words.
William bowed his head, shadows covering his eyes. “We will forever be sorry for what you went through as a child. We know words are sometimes not enough. We’re not here for forgiveness, but here to help you.”
“Your father speaks our truth.”
Jon squeezed their hands. “Thank you for coming here and telling me everything. I know I’m working through what happened when I was younger, but don’t ever think I love you both any less.”
The three of them stood up. William circled around one side of the table as Sandra circled from the other. Both parents crashed into Jon with a big, family hug. Jon couldn’t stop himself from hugging them back. A distant pain crawled along his soul, but it was soon blasted to dust to his family’s embrace.
Soon, the family parted. Jon smiled as his parents told him they were going to stay in a nearby swanky hotel. They promised to call first before dropping in again, his father chuckling and saying he didn’t want to walk in and interrupt something.
Jon saw them to the door and gave them long hugs before saying goodbye. His parents walked arm in arm to their car in the driveway.
Closing the door, Jon let out a long exhale. Mind spinning, the tendrils of exhaustion began to sink into spent muscles. The day was a busy one and all he could think about was sleeping for a thousand years.
Walking like a zombie, he turned off the lights throughout the main floor and shambled to his bedroom door. Slipping in, he shed his clothes like a lizard losing its skin until he was in his boxers. Syndra lay on one side of the bed, snuggled to a pillow and blankets. Jon slipped in and settled into his spot. His eyelids grew heavy as sleep whispered to his soul. A hand reached over, Syndra’s arms laying on his chest as she moved closer. The pillow was discarded as the shadow elf melded her body to his.
“Are they gone?” Syndra asked with a whisper.
“Yes, but they are staying a while. You’ll meet them soon,” Jon whispered.
Syndra nodded and pressed her face to his chest and arm. “That’s good.”
The two held each other before sleep washed over them, sending their hearts and minds to dreamland.
Four
Sunlight poured into the bedroom. Cora’s eyes slowly opened. A comforting sigh rose from between parted lips before she turned her head to the side. The room she was in was plain except for the stuffed, coiled purple snake in the corner. Her eyes barely blinked as she stared at it, a pleasant memory of the boardwalk cascading over her thoughts.
Slowly, the thin elf sat up. Memories washed on the shores of her mind of her royal bedroom. It was filled with extravagant dolls from all across the thirteen seas. Her father spared no expense on his journeys, picking one up every time he returned home.
The memory caused a faint smile before it quickly faded away. Dark thoughts clawed to the surface, a madness in his eyes when she was fully grown, telling her she will be one of his wives and the date set. The love she felt for him died on that day, seeing the monster he had become, drunk on his own power. She didn’t want to believe the rumors from her older sisters and brothers. Her brothers talked little but they did warn her. Her sisters who were now married to their father, spoke of his growing madness, pleading for her to leave if she could.
Cora remembered not showing any emotion as they spoke, but inside, her soul cringed at the prospect of becoming her fathe
r’s newest bride. A shadow whispered, a painful memory touching her mind and the princess quickly pushed it away. What followed next was the handling of gold and speaking to those she trusted to plan her escape.
Cora’s mind settled the longer she stared at the purple stuffed snake. Seeing it gave her hope and she wasn’t about to let her father’s madness take her against her will.
The thin elf was up. Taking hold of her clothes, she began to dress. When she was finished, she left her room and made her way downstairs to the living room. The house was quiet and dawn’s early light had just begun. Stepping to the couch, she sat down and picked up the remote. Pressing the button, she turned on the flatscreen and lowered the volume so it wouldn’t wake the rest of the household.
The news played and Cora was about to settle in when something on the coffee table caught her eye. Reaching over, she picked up a book titled “500 Basic Things, Traditions and Cultures of Urth.” Curiosity piqued as she opened it and began to read. The words were a little unusual and blockish. Cora knew how to read and write in Urth Common, but it was difficult because their written word lacked the elven flow she was used to. It was worse than orc writings, but she pushed through, taking in the strange cultures of this realm.
The news changed as a reporter began talking while standing in front of two closed doors in downtown Southvale.
“It’s with unhappy news that we must report the final night of an iconic Southvale club. Due to poor business and a growing family environment here in downtown, The Temptation will be shuttering its doors after tonight.
“If you wish to see it one last time, tonight is the night. Leave the kids at home and enjoy this little piece of history before it’s gone forever,” the reporter smiled.
Cora looked down from the TV to the book in her hands. A page dedicated to dating glowed in her mind as she read intently, the morning sun filtering in through the deck windows.
***
Jon’s eyes opened. Eyes sliding, he looked to Syndra’s white hair in his face. The witch was snuggled to his side, her head on his chest and breathing softly. Jon’s arms were around her, holding the shadow elf to him.
Yes! She didn’t disappear before I woke up!
Jon smiled to himself, remembering that each of his elven girlfriends seemed to be up before he was. He wondered if Syndra was too exhausted or maybe she was simply comfortable around him.
The door to the bedroom opened, Zelda sliding in and closing the door behind her. Jon watched silently as the sea elf made eye contact and crossed the room. Kneeling by the side of the bed, her eyes glowed with curious joy. Jon didn’t move, his arms still firmly around the sleeping Syndra.
“I’m sorry for coming in so early, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I had to tell you how wonderful it was to meet your parents,” Zelda whispered.
Jon smiled as his arm pulled away from the sleeping witch, slid across the bed and held it out, palm up. Zelda reached over and took his hand into her webbed hand. The connection glowed, thumbs caressing each other’s hands.
“They were glad to meet you as well. After you went to bed, they told me they couldn’t be happier for us,” Jon whispered.
Zelda nodded before her gaze shifted to the side. “Seeing them showed me how much I miss my clan. I spent half the night lying in bed, thinking about them. It’s been years and I miss them terribly.”
Jon’s brow wrinkled in concern. “I know our family isn’t the same as the one you grew up with, but I’m here if you need me. I’m sure we are all here for you.”
Zelda gave a light nod, her eyes glistening. “I know. It helps with the painful memories.”
Syndra’s eyes opened and she looked across Jon’s chest to Zelda’s pensive expression. The witch was silent, but her gaze was that of understanding and patience.
Zelda shifted her thoughts and her expression as she looked to the shadow elf. “Did you sleep well?”
Syndra gave a slight nod and snuggled more into Jon. “His spirit has rejuvenated my life force. I feel drunk and I just want to lie here for days.”
“Sounds fun, but we wouldn’t get anything done,” Jon smirked.
Syndra shifted her gaze and looked up to Jon’s smirking face. “I’m sure we can think of a few things to do during that time.”
Jon’s lips parted to speak when a hand under the blanket touched his morning wood. Fingers slid over the thin fabric of his boxers and his manhood bounced to the delicate touch.
Zelda watched with warm eyes as Syndra’s hand moved under the blanket. The witch kept looking at Jon as her hand moved with a skilled touch. Heat bloomed between the young man and the witch. It seemed to grow more as Zelda stayed by the edge of the bed. The sea elf watched for a few more moments before she crawled onto the bed and laid next to the close couple.
Logic fell apart as familiar urges rose to the top of his spirit. Seeing Zelda next to him and Syndra’s touch only exasperated the situation. The sea elf’s eyes betrayed that she wanted more. She was wearing her clothes, but they were a little disheveled as if she got up and dressed in a hurry.
Syndra’s fingers hooked into the waistband of Jon’s boxers and pulled them down from under the blanket. Jon looked down at his covered manhood as Syndra’s hand wrapped around the shaft and began to stroke slowly. The motion eased his already relaxed muscles.
Zelda snuggled closer, her eyes bright. “Jon, you know what happened to my family. It’s something I can never forgive myself, running away when my pod was captured. I just want you to know, I’ll never run from you.”
Jon studied Zelda’s innocent expression. She was laying her soul bare to him, declaring she would never run. The pain of losing her blood family continued to burn at her, but she seemed excited to be part of a new family. Excited enough to see him and be close.
Syndra continued stroking Jon as she looked to Zelda, “My sister, we will always be your family.”
The sea elf gave a small, shy smile. Jon found it endearing and unusual. Zelda was often strong and angry, but this was a new side. He caught glimpses before, but she seemed to let her guard down further, revealing a tender side she didn’t show too often.
Zelda sat up and looked down on Jon and Syndra. A moment later, she pulled off her top and tossed it aside. The comfortable, simple motion set Jon’s needs on fire. His gaze falling to her bare breasts, he lingered on her erect dark blue nipples. Zelda looked down with a small, sharp smile.
“She needs you,” Syndra whispered before pulling her hand away.
Jon took hold of the blanket and threw it off the bed. Zelda looked down to Jon’s throbbing member and took in a sharp inhale. A loving madness took hold of all three as Jon grabbed at Zelda’s leather leggings. The sea elf helped him along, snaking her hips out of the restrictive clothes and tossing them aside. When she was naked, Jon turned on his side, Syndra slipping off of him.
Zelda moved closer until Jon’s fingers touched her wet valley. The sudden touch sent a tremble along her long body. A hand reached out and clutched at Jon’s shoulder. The thrill of the loving moment caused the room to become warmer. Jon let his fingers dance along her pink folds before grazing her clit. Zelda gasped, her hand squeezing Jon’s shoulder. Her eyes half-closed, but didn’t look away as Jon moved closer, their bodies touching.
Syndra breathed in the growing scent of sex, her body squirming on her back. Taking hold of her shoulder straps, she peeled them down. The shadow elf snaked out of her own outfit as small gasps and moans rose up from Zelda. Syndra sighed as she parted her thighs and touched herself to the growing ardor in the bedroom.
“Jon… please… I want to feel your love,” Zelda said in a desperate whisper.
Jon could barely contain himself. Taking control, he pushed the tall sea elf onto her back and she relented with ease, her hips moving and her needs filling every cell of her body. The hunger reached a flashpoint as Jon was on her. His cock lay against her wet valley, but he didn’t invade, not yet. Instead, he nibbled on her breast
before licking her nipple.
Zelda’s eyes closed, resisting her own urges to force his cock into her. “Please… stop… playing with me.”
Jon ignored her, building up the tension as his lips, mouth, and tongue ran along her smooth skin. Cock nearly vibrating, he wanted nothing more than to take her, but his affection and love stayed his hand for the moment.
Syndra turned onto her side, watching Jon slather his tongue on Zelda. The intimate moment forced her hand between her thighs, rubbing her clit in small circles and watching with intense, red eyes. Her hips moved to her own touch, milking out greater amounts of bliss. Her lips parted, her breathing grew as Jon seemed to be more demon than man.
“Jon?” Zelda whispered before her eyes widened.
The moment the words left her mouth, Jon’s cock pushed against her thin valley entrance. Her world opened to accommodate him. Thick inches pushed slowly as wetness flooded along the intimate connection. Zelda lay still, Jon’s cock slowly filling the empty place in her soul. His hips worked, driving inches deep until he reached the hilt. Once there, he stayed, enjoying the tightness between them.
Zelda’s body betrayed her, her hips moving slightly as Jon’s manhood impaled her. Moans rose up as Jon began pushing his urges, his hips moving to her rhythm. The couple reached a natural flow and the tempo grew between them.
Wetness dripped down Syndra’s thighs as she watched Jon and Zelda. Her breathing matched their tempo as she rubbed with greater passion. The mood swamped the entire room, gasps and small moans forming into a symphony of tender lust. Jon explored Zelda’s curves before grabbing her and driving his hips deep between her parted thighs. Zelda moaned her delight as she felt his power between them.
“I will never leave your side,” Jon said in a low, dark tone.
Zelda’s eyes widened as her body betrayed her again. The moment swept her spirit and lit the match. Her nerves tightened to the breaking point before another thrust sent her over the edge. Reality blazed bright before inner magical explosions assaulted her senses. Zelda grunted before a long moan filled the air. Her chest arching upwards, her body trembled to the sudden burst of ecstasy. Wetness bloomed, making the connection between their bodies slick, but neither slowed down. Another orgasm blasted her frayed nerves, followed by another.
