Tusks and Dagger Part Fifty-Five: A Dry Life.

Boran:

Tapping my chin, the demon lords decided it was going to be a boys’ night while we were hunting some kind of monster in the woods nearby. Wishing that I could drink with them, I thought it would be better to give up the juice. It wasn’t becoming a problem in that sense but it was doing nothing for me, a long sigh pouring from my lips. The boys sipped on a glass of beer, both of them laughing with each other. Donning matching black armor, I felt out of place in my blouse and black pants combination.  Not to mention how tiny they made me feel.

“I get that you are taking the first shift but you look like you are seconds from losing your mind with that empty stare.” Lakmia inquired with a look of deep concern. Rolling my eyes, I ran my hand through my curls. Messing with his own hair, a piece of bread hitting his shoulder shutting him up. 

“We don’t dig into people’s problems unless we are asked.” He snapped, Lakmia leaning back. “We are here to find the monster!” Going to his tent, Lakmia did the same. Poking the fire, a howl had chills running up my spine. That wasn’t wasn’t the usual wolves that roamed the area, ruby eyes glowing in my direction. Disappearing into the treeline, the energy wasn’t evil. Rising to my feet, the branches crunched with every step towards the creature. Another howl called me, hesitation resting in my eyes. This didn’t feel dark but sad, hot breath bathing the back of my neck. Feeling the hair on the back of my neck rise, a slow spin on my heels revealed a hairy dragon like creature. Standing in silence, the creature bowed its head. Petting the black fur, its ruby horns curled into the sky. Letting out a huff of ruby smoke, his inky claw pointed towards the east. Climbing onto its back, branches scratched my face as he crashed through the trees. Skidding to a stop, a pregnant female version of him was crying out for help. Rolling up my sleeves, the years of helping people with animals' births were about to come in handy. Sliding off of him, the rustling of the grass had us staring into the sea of swaying blades. Darwin popped out of the grass, his hand resting on the hip of his matching outfit. His hair bounced in the breeze, adventure twinkling in his eyes. Rolling up his sleeves, he looked as eager as me to help out. 

“I am here to help, father.” He announced with a cheerful smile, his face falling at the sudden tears staining my cheeks. “Did I do something wrong?” Shaking my head, he reminded me of myself as a child. Leaping into my arms, he laughed as I spun him around in the area. The poor fellow nudged my shoulder as I lowered Darwin to the ground, the mother crying out. Working through the night to help her push out her children, Darwin kept blooming healing flowers to make tea for the mother. Manifesting a pot, pieces of wood floated over his head. Arranging them into a pile, his flames blasted the wood. Flames roared to life, a spell giving the pot enough energy to float over the fire. Summoning water, wonder brightened my eyes as I checked the pulse of her babies. Whimpering behind me, the mother was losing a lot of blood. Brewing the petals in the boiling water, the father nudged my shoulders. The lords were coming our way with their weapons drawn, another spell had my hands clean. Assuring him with a pat on the head, the branches cracked with every jump to the next one. Sniffing the air, the quick left nearly had me on my face. One skid in front of them had them pushing me to the dirt. 

“We have to save you.” They shouted together as they leapt over me, Lottie appearing next to me. Clearing her throat, the running became a jog back to her. A cut lined her cheek, a snarl echoing behind her. Fear rounded her eyes, a shadow bear towering behind her. Knocking her into a rock, cracks rang out as her bones broke. 

“This is the monster. He made it to the village.” She wheezed, coughing up blood. “I did my best to fend it off. Heal, damn it!”  Her bones clicked back into place, the lords blocked every attack with ease. Their weapons spun in their palms, a second one brushed past me. Lottie cracked her neck as she rose to her feet, popping into the tree. The branches groaned with each jump, her hand grabbing mine. Yanking me onto the branch with her, determination glistened in her eyes. The surface wounds remained, her real smile flashing in my direction. Hopping after her, a loud roar burst from her lips as she swung onto the bear’s shoulder. Pressing the handle of her scythe into its neck, her strength was wearing thin. Spinning my club over my head, lightning crackled to life. 

“Jump off when I tell you to!” I bellowed over the strangled snarls, her wet eyes meeting mine. Sliding off of his back, three bloody claw marks lined her side. The healing spell earlier merely fixed her bones. Crawling away, the branch creaked the moment I leapt off. Flipping off the branch, the crack of its skull caused a wave of relief to escape my lips. Darwin popped his head from behind a tree, Lottie yelling at him to run. Another bear towered over him, her body struggling to her feet. Pushing off the dirt, she covered him with her trembling body. Taking the swipes, fresh blood poured down her back. Pressing her palm on the ground, silver vines burst from the dirt. Curling around the bears, her shaky voice rattled my composure. 

“This is going to hurt but you need to hit the ground with all of your powers at once.” She ordered with tears streaming down her cheeks, all of hesitating. “I said do it! Darwin, run back home.” Refusing to leave her arms, she let out a long breath as she summoned a portal. Sending him through, he cried out in protest as it shut. Coughing up blood, we stepped back from our battles. Summoning the most power we could, our weapons hit the dirt. Energy built up, our hair floating up as her vines absorbed the energy. Changing into ivory energy, her howls made it hard to watch. Whines mixed with her howls, the bears decaying to ash. Collapsing into a heap, my arms scooped her up. Her pulse was weak, her real smile flashing up at me. 

“Sorry. I hope those poor creatures are okay.” She laughed with blood spraying my face, the creatures we helped walking up to us with their babies. Passing out, a strained fuck escaped my lips. The father scooped me up, his claws tearing through the trees. Time slowed down, her life force seemed to be leaking into the air. Our pleasant memories played out in my mind, the grunting of my new friend waking me out of my trance. Sliding down his back, my boots splashed through the streets. Crashing into Somata’s home, the corner of his lip trembling at the sight of Lottie. Taking her from my arms, his orders fell on deaf ears. Terror was a light way to describe my state of mind, Darwin brushing past me with the required herbs. Somy paused for a moment, his slender hands pushing me out.  

“I need you out of here to concentrate. We are close to losing her.” He snapped, his brothers taking me into the hall. Sitting me down on the bench outside the door, they took seats next to me. Staring numbly ahead with me, the rest of our companions piled in. Waiting in strained silence, no one dare breathe. Trapped in the perpetual cycle of panicking internally and assuring everyone else that we would be fine, none of us really knew what the outcome would be. The hours dragged on like this, Darwin poking his head out with a sad smile before stepping into the hall. 

“We managed to save her but the scars are pretty bad. She is resting.” He explained sweetly, all of us letting out the breath we had been holding. His eyes fell on me with that last sentence, his hand reaching for mine. Accepting it with wet eyes, his smile never left as he guided me into the room. A healed up Lottie was curled into a ball, her snores sounding like music to my ears. Getting on my knees next to her, my hand took hers. Glancing behind me, the others were fighting to see how she was doing through the window. Stirring awake, her beautiful eyes had me weeping. 

“Sorry for that. “ She apologized once more, my head shaking. “I suppose I behaved a little recklessly.” Clutching her close to my chest, Somy looked seconds from having a heart attack with the visible panic on my face. Kissing the top of her head, no apology was needed. Lottie was stubborn and whatever plan she came up with was going to be the plan. Rubbing her back, I couldn’t help but to kiss her dry lips feverishly. Darwin smashed into her, her arm letting him in. 

“I love you, my good boy. The world will always be better with you in it.” She whispered with love, scarlet painting his cheeks. “I sent you back because you could get the herbs ready for me. Also, I didn’t want you to die. I think I love you way too much.” Smothering him with kisses, their laughter twinkled in the air. The back of dress had torn considerably, the claw marks had become angry scars. No, they weren’t scars but reminders of how much she loved Darwin. Rising to my feet, I let them have their moment. 

“I have to go check on our other boys but I will be right back.” I announced with a hearty laugh, the three of them blasting me odd looks as I stepped out. "Follow me.” Taking them out of the house, an idea had struck me.   

“I say we make a big dinner where we can all celebrate her being alive.” I suggested with a crooked grin, everyone perking up. “Let’s get to cooking her favorite things.”  Tommy and Helios padded past us to see their owner, a small chuckle leaving my lips at Sir. Acorn and his mate were riding on the back of Helios. Sir. Acorn winked in my direction, a train horn echoing in the distance. Chugging to a stop, Viktor hopped off in a nice suit. His jacket fluttered in the wind, worry dotting his features. Walking past us without saying a word, sobs could be heard from the outside of to the house. Judging by the afternoon sun, we had a couple of hours. Wrathia began to set up the community kitchen, the townsfolk coming out to help. Working through the afternoon, all of our eyes rested on a feast fit for a king. Piles of all kinds of food lined the table, the only thing missing was the guest of honor. Speaking of the guest of honor, Lottie covered her lips the moment she saw all of our hard work. Mishal toddled next to her, Darwin helping him stay on his feet. Viktor gushed over the twins, his twinkle never leaving his eyes. The train whistled in the distance, Lottie taking her boys. Hugging him with tears sliding down her cheeks, he wished her a lovely evening as the train chugged to a halt. Climbing on, he waved with a sad smile as the train whistled away.  Turning towards us, she bowed in our direction. 

“I am so grateful for this.” She choked out through a wall of tears, her hands resting on her hips. Taking her seat at the head of the table, she dropped a couple of pieces of fried meat down to Helios and Tommy. Wincing with every moment, Lust took the boys from her arms so that she could eat. Mishal walked clumsily over to me, my arms scooping him up. Chatting with everyone like her body wasn’t screaming in protest, Darwin kept warning her to take it slow for a couple of days. Climbing onto her lap, it soon became clear that he was a mixture of the two of us. He may not be blood but he was my son, their real smiles making my cheeks burn bright. Finishing up late, exhaustion weighed heavily on our boys’ eyelids. Excusing ourselves, the town deserved to drink and have fun. Carrying the twins back, Darwin hummed with every step towards home. Whistling with him, their song was light and happy. Unlocking the door for her, Darwin spun in. Putting them to bed wasn’t too hard, the boys were soon slumbering in their soft pajamas. Collapsing at our kitchen table, she giggled as I yanked her onto my lap. Looking the happiest she had in a long time, her gentle gaze fell on me. Color remained on her cheek, the bags she usually bore were gone. 

“Thank you for inviting my father to visit.” She sang beautifully, confusion dawning on my features. “You didn’t do that, did you? He was mad at me for getting so hurt. His daughter got hurt for being stupid. There was no other way to do it.” Working through who could have done, I had noticed her silky silver dress hugged her in all of the right ways. Her weight was healthy and the muscles must have come from some recent training. 

“I don’t know but we thank them once we find out who they are.” I returned with a smile, a yawn pouring from her lips. “Time for you to go to bed." Giving in, she stumbled into our bedroom. Snores sounded like music as I locked the door behind me, my boots echoing through the streets. The dishes had been cleaned up, a tired Somy sat on the counter. 

“I called her father a couple of months ago. Only one could make it due to some big meeting so he came. She needed a morale boost and I noticed she is visibly happier when your parents visit.” He admitted sheepishly, his finger fiddling with his scarlet blouse. “We need to move to the castle soon. This town is nice but the castle is calling for her. What happened?" Grunting as I sat down next to him, a mixture of guilt and sadness dimmed my eyes. 

“Her vines absorbed all of our powers to kill those pesky bears.” I answered simply, an understanding smile made him look more approachable than ever. “I couldn’t do much and I feel like an idiot. Thank you for inviting them. We owe you everything. Have you been training her? Her weight is healthy and she has muscles.” Staring up at the diamond studded inky sky, his eyes rested on my anxious grimace. 

“Yes.” He expressed with a nervous grin, his hands resting on his lap. “She came to me and has been practicing with those demon giants. I have to say that she has improved magnificently since we began. I was hoping if I helped her, I wouldn’t have to heal her so much. I did get her to start eating as one of the conditions. She won’t train with me if she hasn’t eaten a good sized meal.” Running my hand through my hair, Somy had a way of getting to her when the rest of us couldn’t.  

“What is your trick? I tried to get her to eat and nothing stuck.” I joked blithely, a touch of seriousness dampening the edge of my words. Laughing softly to himself, he let out a quick fuck. Wondering what he was going to say, I understood their relationship now. He had adopted her as his little sister and he was going to do his best to make sure she got where she needed to be. 

“My life is owed to her and I think she is amazing. The previous queen couldn’t hold a flame to her." He gushed with an honest grin, a long sigh escaping his lips. “Everyone tried to hunt me down instead of trying to save me. Her heart is so golden that I think we are spoiled. Sorry for dragging on. From what I gathered, you give her a goal and she will stop at nothing to achieve it. While eating regularly would help with training, it was also my way to get her to actually eat. I hate tricking her but she looks so much healthier now. I don’t regret my decision.” Chewing on my lips, he had nothing to worry about. 

“Can I tell you something?” He asked politely, his hands crossing on his lap. “I want to create her world of peace with her. The other queen couldn’t inspire half the kingdom including me. I want a bigger family with Avy. Something about her steals my heart away. I want to get married to her. How do I make it what you guys have? I watch you guys and I think that is what I want. No, that is what I want.” Laughing quietly, it was his turn to be vulnerable. 

“Just ask if you haven’t. If she loves you, she'll put that dress on faster than you finish that question.” I assured him with a wink, my eyes falling on our house in the distance. “I know she loves you. Gather your courage and take a deep breath. I probably should head back and you should as well. I like talking with you. You don’t make me feel tiny like those demon lords.” A fit of laughter burst from our lips, both of us hopping down. Humming to myself, life was going to be okay.