Chapter 25

Four years had passed before I even realized it.

Those years were filled with joy for Jekia and me. Our twin boys were growing up to be healthy and happy. They were also incredibly beautiful.

Rayne was the spitting image of his father, with the same golden eyes and white hair, ears, and tail. But his personality was more reserved, even a bit shy.

I was a little worried about this, considering he was the heir to the northern lands, but Jekia wasn’t. He believed Rayne would come into his own with time. After all, he was still just a pup.

Rin, on the other hand, was quite different from his brother. He was a cute little kit, with red hair, ears, and a tail. But I could see a lot of myself in him.

He had golden eyes like Sage, but his facial features were more like mine. He was also a lively little kit, very curious and outgoing.

He wasn’t afraid of anyone and would talk to anyone who visited the palace grounds. If Rayne was known for being shy, Rin was known for being sociable.

During these four years, we didn’t take the boys out of the palace grounds much.

While Jekia and Sage had eliminated most of the lycans, they never found Kamelle, so we remained cautious.

It was only in the last year that Jekia had allowed the boys to accompany us to the fairy glen and the nearby village run by Hamish, but these outings were still rare.

Even then, we were always on guard, as were many of the other creatures in those areas.

No one wanted anything to happen to the children they adored, and they would interrogate anyone who seemed suspicious.

These thoughts were on my mind as I sat in the courtyard, writing notes to send to the Higher Ones with Emelio.

Over the last four years, I had taken on the task of doing this every few days for Jekia.

The notes were simple, just reports of what was happening in the northern lands and how issues were being resolved or addressed.

I enjoyed doing this. It made me feel like I was truly fulfilling my role as a Mistress of the Veil, as Lumae had called me.

I wasn’t just a wife and mother to a ruler’s children, but I was also working alongside him in all areas except combat.

I was interrupted by the sound of rustling in the bushes near me. A smile spread across my face. I knew what was coming.

“Oh dear,” I said aloud. “I hope nothing is going to get me.”

The rustling continued for a moment, then, as expected, two little forms rushed out and pounced on my lap and shoulders.

“Got you, Mommy!” Rayne exclaimed from my lap.

“Did you hear us?” Rin asked, clinging to my shoulders.

Yes, I had expected this. They loved hiding and pouncing on Jekia and me.

Jekia even encouraged it, saying it was good for them to practice stealth, although they still had a long way to go.

Even I, a human, could catch them easily.

“You were rustling, so I did,” I told them.

“Aw, and we tried so hard!” Rin complained as he let go of me.

I smiled at them. They were such beautiful boys. Sometimes it still amazed me that they were my children. It felt like a beautiful dream.

“I know you did, and you’re getting better. I didn’t see or hear you when you first hid,” I reassured them.

Both boys sat down beside me, with Rayne looking at the papers I had been working on.

“What are you writing?” he asked.

“Just a letter to the Higher Ones for your father. I promised him I would do it today,” I replied.

“Are you telling them about Father’s fight with the troll?” Rin asked.

“I mentioned it, but it’s more about what’s happening in the lands. They need to know everything that’s going on, even the small things,” I explained.

“That’s boring. Why would they need to know that?” Rin complained.

I chuckled. “Well, they have to. It’s all important to make sure everything is okay.”

“Father’s meetings aren’t fun either, but he has to do them. I bet we will too one day,” Rayne said.

Rin huffed and crossed his arms. “You probably will. They might not let me.”

I wasn’t surprised by this. Over the last year, I had noticed that Rin was uncomfortable with his place in the world. It was like he was becoming self-aware.

Even at four years old, Rin and Rayne were incredibly intelligent. They picked up on a lot of things, and Rin had realized by the time he was two that he was different from Rayne.

He was a fox, not a Luna Dog, and Jekia wasn’t his birth father, even though he accepted him as his son.

But there had been other complications. Sage had met another human girl in the mortal world and had twins with her. They were raising them there because he didn’t want to expose them to the Veil and slow their growth.

While this was good for Sage, I couldn’t help but wonder where it left Rin.

It had been agreed before Rin was born that Jekia would claim him as his child, but the truth was always there, and we knew Rin would eventually understand it.

What I hadn’t expected were the whispers about him.

Jekia and I weren’t ignorant of them. Some people were saying that only Rayne would be the true heir to the lands.

He was the Luna Dog, after all. A kit could never be a proper ruler and didn’t have Jekia’s prestigious bloodline.

Jekia was livid when he heard the whispers questioning the legitimacy of his sons as his heirs. He made it clear to everyone that both his sons were equally worthy of being his successors. They were his flesh and blood, after all.

Unfortunately, Rin couldn't ignore the implications of the whispers he'd overheard. His perspective had been shaped by these whispers over the past few months, especially with Sage, his biological father, starting a new family.

“Rin,” I said gently, “you know that's not true. You and Rayne will both grow up to protect these lands, just like your father.”

“But my real father isn't here to protect them. He left and started a new family,” Rin countered.

“I know, but that doesn't reflect on you. He's not abandoning you or our home. Your father here loves you very much and is incredibly proud of you, just like I am.”

I tried my best to comfort him, even though I wasn't entirely convinced by my own words. I couldn't help but harbor some resentment towards Sage for his recent actions. He already had a beautiful son here. It felt unfair to Rin and to us that he'd started a new family.

Rayne leaned over and hugged his brother. “It's okay. I love you, and Mommy and Father do too,” he said.

Rin softened a bit, returning his brother's hug with a smile. “I love you too. You're still my brother, no matter what.”

“Yes, you both are. You've always been twins. You were born together and are no less than one another,” I reassured them.

“No, of course, you two aren't,” Edifel chimed in as she descended on her webbing near us. Vishu followed her, sliding down her own strand of the web.

The twins immediately got up and ran over to them, laughing happily.

“Edifel! Vishu! You finally came down!” Rin exclaimed.

“We're so sorry, little ones. Sometimes we get quite busy,” Edifel apologized.

Rayne was already climbing onto Vishu, hugging her shoulders. “Can you play now?” he asked.

“Of course I can. I promised you, didn't I?” Vishu replied cheerfully.

Vishu had blossomed into a beautiful young lady spider over the past four years. She was only slightly smaller than Edifel now, maintaining her white coloring and big blue eyes. Her body had matured, and her face had the look of a teenage girl. She was as sweet as ever, viewing me and Edifel as mother figures and adoring the twins with all her heart. She often played games with them and even helped teach them new things. Jekia appreciated this about her, seeing her as a good role model for the boys.

Edifel moved beside me as Vishu took the twins to play, settling herself on the ground.

“They've grown so much in the past four years. It feels like just yesterday they were born,” she remarked.

“I know. I love seeing them like this, but I do miss them being little babies,” I confessed, touching my cheek as I remembered them as newborns.

“I'm sure every mother feels that way, dear,” Edifel comforted me.

Her expression faltered slightly. “But I've been worried about Rin lately. He's been preoccupied with his identity and the changes Sage has brought.”

I sighed deeply. “I know, and I'm worried too. I don't know how to make Rin feel better about things. And while I know Sage isn't abandoning him and is letting Jekia be his father, I feel it's been hard on Rin to see him move on with another family so soon. I don't want Rin to feel left out or jealous.”

“I don't think that's the intention, but it can be hard to convince a young heart of that,” Edifel admitted.

A soft breeze blew over us as Emelio appeared. “Good afternoon. I trust all is well here?” he greeted us.

“It is,” I replied, handing him the papers. “I've finished these for the Higher Ones, so they can be delivered. Have you heard from Jekia about when he'll be back?”

“I'm afraid it won't be until later this evening at the earliest. There's been a lot of trouble at the southern borders and ongoing disputes over the lines. He's in meetings with the town leaders and Lord Vincent trying to resolve them, but it seems the talks are taking longer than expected,” Emelio explained.

I sighed in frustration. I'd hoped he'd be back earlier today. We'd been discussing taking the boys to the fairy glen for the annual lunar festival, and he hadn't given me a clear answer yet. The boys were excited about the prospect, and I hated having to delay giving them an answer.

“I guess we have no choice but to wait. Hopefully, he'll be able to get home earlier, but we'll see,” I conceded.

“Don't worry, dear. I'm sure Lord Jekia will agree to your request for the children to go to the festival. If not, I can take you there if he can't,” Emelio offered.

“I could also do that. Vishu can handle watching over the palace grounds without me for a few hours,” Edifel added.

“I don't think that would be a problem,” Emelio agreed.

“Alright.” I nodded. “I'll bring it up with him when he gets back.”

I meant what I said. I wanted the boys to experience more of the outside world, especially a festival. Maybe it would help distract Rin from his worries about Sage and his status as Jekia's heir.

The afternoon slipped into evening, and before I knew it, night had descended. Jekia was still not back, and although it wasn't the first time this had happened, it was always a cause for concern.

I stuck to our routine, reading to our boys before bathing them and tucking them into bed. Their room, spacious and filled with two of everything, was directly across from ours. I kissed their foreheads, whispering, “Get some good rest. You need your sleep to grow big and strong.”

“Mommy, can we go to the festival?” Rayne asked, his eyes hopeful.

“I think so. I'll talk to your father when he gets home, and we'll let you know in the morning,” I promised.

“I wish we could stay up and wait for him,” Rin pouted, his disappointment clear.

“I know, sweetheart, but you need your rest. He might be very late, but I promise you'll see him in the morning,” I reassured them.

I wound up the music box on the nightstand between their beds, its gentle melody filling the room. They loved this ritual, and the music always helped them drift off to sleep. I watched them snuggle into their covers, yawning, before quietly exiting the room and closing the door behind me.

Exhaustion washed over me. A warm bath and some rest sounded perfect. The twins usually slept through the night, so it was my time to unwind.

I slipped into the bathroom, shedding my clothes before sinking into the warm water. The heat soothed my nerves, but my mind was still filled with worry about Jekia's late return and thoughts of Sage and his new family.

I hadn't met the woman Sage had chosen, but I'd heard about her from his brother, Musket. He'd mentioned that she had long black hair like mine, but her eyes were a vibrant green. Musket had said she was beautiful, and I couldn't help but notice the similarities between us.

Sage had always had feelings for me, and sometimes I wondered if he'd slept with me in a futile attempt to sway my heart away from Jekia. But while I cared for Sage as a friend, Jekia was my everything.

I wished Jekia was home. The bed felt lonely without him, and it had been a while since we'd made love. My body craved his touch. Maybe I'd leave my nightgown off tonight. If he wasn't too tired when he got home, it might entice him.

After my bath, I padded into our bedroom, leaving my nightgown on the chair near the bed. The sheets felt soft against my skin as I lay down, bringing back memories of when I first arrived here.

Before I became pregnant, I'd developed a bit of an addiction to intimacy, a fact I blamed on Jekia and Sage. They were too handsome, too tempting to resist. I remembered the first time I'd seen Jekia naked, the anticipation it had stirred within me. The same had happened with Sage. After my first time with Jekia, I'd welcomed intimacy with open arms.

I fell asleep with these thoughts, a gentle tingling sensation in my most intimate parts.

My sleep was mostly dreamless, but at some point, I thought I was dreaming. I felt a hand kneading my left breast, a firm body pressing against my back, and soft lips on my shoulder and neck. It felt so real, so good. I leaned back into the body, savoring the sensation.

My eyes fluttered open as the kisses continued, and I realized I wasn't dreaming. Jekia was behind me, his hands and lips exploring my body.

I rolled onto my back, allowing him to lay on top of me and kiss me deeply. We didn't need words to express our desire. I could tell he was eager to lose himself in our lovemaking, perhaps to forget the stress of his day.

Soft moans escaped my lips as he kissed his way down my body, settling between my legs. The sensations were overwhelming, and I was close to climax. But Jekia stopped, moving back up to kiss me. I could taste myself on his lips.

“Not yet,” he whispered. “I want to be inside of you when you climax.”

“Yes. I want that too,” I whispered back.

A gasp escaped me as he slid inside of me, and I clung to him as he began to move. I loved the feeling of him inside of me. There were times when I felt like a wanton woman for craving him so much, but he was my husband, and I loved him.

My hips swayed in rhythm with his thrusts, my body welcoming him completely. His movements quickened, becoming more forceful. I bit back a scream of pleasure, sinking into the pillows and clinging to him. My heart pounded with anticipation, and I was sure his was doing the same.

His pace gradually slowed, his thrusts deep and sensual. We were both lost in the throes of pleasure, and as my climax washed over me, I spread my legs wider, allowing him to plunge deeper. My body felt weightless as he moved within me, grinding as far as he could. A low, sensual moan escaped him, and I felt the warmth of his release fill me.

“Oh yes,” I sighed, reveling in the erotic sensation.

Jekia chuckled, leaning down to kiss me while still inside me.

“I love bringing out this side of you,” he murmured against my lips.

“I could say the same to you,” I replied, a smile playing on my lips. We shared another long, deep kiss. “I was hoping you’d come home and enjoy this with me. Seems like you are.”

“I am. It’s been a while, and I do love the feeling of being inside you,” Jekia teased, rolling his hips slightly.

“You’re as passionate as ever,” I giggled.

“I can’t help myself. You bring out so much desire in me,” Jekia confessed. He leaned down and kissed my neck and collarbone.

“I take it…things…were stressful today?” I managed to ask, even as he began to suckle my breast.

“Very much so. I hate when issues drag on. It keeps me away from my family.

“I didn’t even get to say goodnight to my boys because of that nonsense,” he grumbled, then returned to his ministrations.

It was clear he was pent-up, but I had something I wanted to discuss with him. So, as I often did, I decided to play along and coax him into giving me the answers I sought.

“I understand,” I said softly, sitting up slightly as he pulled out of me. “It’s not fair that you miss out on those moments.

“But you know, the boys have been wanting to go to that festival we talked about. You know they won’t let go of the idea of having fun there.”

“I know, but I’m still not sure if I feel comfortable letting them go to something like that,” Jekia admitted.

I moved onto his lap, straddling him as I kissed him again. “I know, but we can’t keep them cooped up forever, and they haven’t had much outdoor fun yet.

“Wouldn’t it be good for them to mingle there for an hour or two?”

“I wouldn’t argue against that,” Jekia conceded, kissing my collarbone. “But I can’t promise that I can take you and them.

“I still need to sort out this issue with Vincent, and I don’t know how long it’ll take tomorrow.”

“Then maybe we could let Emelio take us, or even Edifel.

“Both have said they’re willing, and Emelio agreed that it would be good for the boys,” I suggested, running my hands over his sculpted chest.

“Please, Jekia, let’s do this for them. Especially Rin. He’s been really upset lately, and it might be a good distraction for him.”

Jekia let out a resigned sigh. “Alright. I guess it wouldn’t hurt for the three of you to go there.

“Lucia would make sure things stay safe, and I know that Emelio or Edifel could help protect you three if I can’t join you.”

“Maybe you will be able to. We don’t know for sure yet.”

“No, we don’t.”

We shared a few more lingering kisses. It felt good being together like this, and I had gotten the answer I wanted. I knew it would be easy once I got him to relax.

“You’re quite amorous tonight,” I teased as he laid me back down.

“It’s been a while, and I’ve been feeling rather pent-up,” Jekia admitted, giving me a knowing smile.

I returned his smile. “Yes, I agree. Let’s enjoy tonight as much as you want,” I suggested.

Jekia gave me another long kiss.

“Believe me, I plan to.”

I had no objections to continuing, and I was looking forward to the next day. I would finally be able to go to an actual event with my children, and hopefully, they would enjoy it.

I also hoped that Jekia would be able to join us. Life for the four of us needed to move forward, not be constantly fearful of what might happen.

But as I was about to learn, when you wish for more freedom, it often comes with a price.