Chapter 18

MADELINE

I make my way to the small spring pool, rinsing off quickly before wrapping my hair in a towel. I climb back up to find Hael and Lochness, both dozed off above the covers, having had a quiet conversation earlier about Adara’s surprise event.

The returned satchel catches my eye next to the bed, and I lean down to check if the snake and bat toy are inside. I dig to the bottom and find them wrapped in tissue paper, which brings a sense of contentment.

Deciding to explore the rest of the new items tomorrow, I head to bed, exhausted from the day’s training, the reunion, and the free fall. I dart to the bed, unclothed, because clothing isn’t necessary when you’re with two Twin Dragons.

I leap over the furs and sit between Hael and Lochness. They don’t stir, seemingly more exhausted than I am. When I tentatively reach out to their minds, their thoughts are in what I assume to be a dreaming state.

Hael has fallen asleep with his hands behind his head, but his chin has now slid to the pillow. Lochness has a hand over his face, both still in their leather pants.

I think they’ll stir when I jump on the bed, or at least when they smell me. But they’re fast asleep.

There’s a generous space between them, so I crawl under the covers this time, clutching the pillow close, not wanting to disturb them.

I curl up with damp hair, my mind swirling with thoughts of motherhood and training as much as I can before that happens. I also consider appearing submissive, using that illusion as an advantage.

I smile at the thought. Yes, I can do that! I then daydream about future enemies who might want to kill me. I’m dressed prettily, with a slave collar. They sneak up on me, thinking I’m unaware and naive, but I have a sheath under my robe, or around my thigh.

I grab the weapon. I successfully counter because I’m at my peak— Suddenly, I bolt upright, sensing another presence in the nest.

I gasp in surprise, covering my breasts with my arm when I see movement at the hole… but it’s just wet brown hair dangling down and an upside-down face.

Thea waves at me, dropping down a rope ladder.

She puts a finger to her lips. ~Shh.~

Oh, no. I am ready for bed. I don’t want to upset Hael and Lochness now… but Thea came all this way… she must have run through the forest and hiked up this portion of the terrain. Just to see me again!

I glance back at Hael and Lochness, deeply asleep.

I carefully move out of the covers, then I jump off and pull on an oversized linen shirt, one of Hael’s, and I tiptoe to Thea and the rope.

“I don’t want to go exploring tonight,” I whisper up at Thea. “Maybe tomorrow?”

“They won’t know you even went, you’ll be back by dawn,” Thea whispers back, grinning.

“Is there a special occasion?”

“Yes, come see!” Thea grins.

She moves up and waits for me to climb up the rope ladder.

I look back longingly at my mates… more than anything, I want to curl up and sleep with them. I am truly exhausted.

But I also know if I don’t take this opportunity, it will never come again. And Thea isn’t cursed or under a spell. I would be able to tell if she is acting weird. She is just being a plain old rebel like usual.

I let out a deep breath and I climb the ladder.

Vowing to be back within the hour, no matter the occasion.

I will be good to my mates for the rest of tonight.

***

Thea insists there’s special magic in the air that I can’t miss. The Dragon patrols are very heavy – there’s no threats in the forest near the Horde. We’re safe.

I am nervous at first to follow, but I soon see she’s right.

We’re surrounded by fireflies and the air, which should be cold, is charged with magic to be warm and dry. It at least helps to dry my hair.

Thea finds a magical pool of water and jumps up on a flat rock, sitting down with me.

“I come here every night and watch over this place,” Thea explains, patting the rock next to her.

I sit with her and watch the forest as the glow bugs bounce around.

“What are we waiting for? Or watching?” I ask quietly as she is also whispering, not wanting to disturb the magic.

“It can be anything, really. You just have to look. This rise in magic is related to your pregnancy. Around your nest at night, magic is flowing up to it and into you… and strange beautiful things happen at night because of it. That’s why it rains every night around here, to grow the magic your Twin babies will absorb,” Thea takes a deep breath and then admits, “I dreamed that I had to tell you this – that I had to show you this. I wouldn’t have risked my neck otherwise.”

“W-what did you dream about?” I whisper.

“Shh.” Thea won’t tell me the mystery behind it. “Look.”

I follow her gaze out, and I can see two faded figures, like ghosts almost, talking to one another.

One is a very tall woman, with long orange hair and green eyes. She’s dressed in a black long dress, staring at the man opposite as he moves for her and grabs her close in a hug.

She holds him back and I think they’re both crying.

It makes me teary-eyed, and my vision goes blurry. I wipe my eyes clear and turn to see Thea is in a trance watching them, fascinated.

I look back and see the couple walking toward the pond, hand in hand.

~They are ghosts.~

Nerezza is the tall male. And his nameless mate. They reunited in death.

I reach behind my back, but I didn’t bring the sheath and sword. Damn it.

Hael and Lochness’s parents stand by the pond, the lady looking at me directly. Nerezza only has eyes for her.

“Madeline, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” she introduces herself, her voice whispery and barely present – it’s just a faint sound on the wind. “My name is Halina. I’m Hael, Lochness and Adara’s mother. I’d like to congratulate you on your pregnancy.”

I open my mouth, but Thea squeezes my hand. “Just listen, Madeline,” Thea whispers to me. “You’re not meant to talk with ghosts. They’re very fragile.”

I give a nod, and as Halina lifts her hand, a warm surge of magic rises from the earth and flows towards me. She doesn’t offer any explanation, but I can feel the magic coursing through my legs, filling my belly, enveloping my twins, and seeping into the fluids like an added strength. A profound sense of tranquility washes over me.

With a smile and no further words, she turns and gently pulls Nerezza back into the forest with her. Their spirits fade as she engages him in conversation, but I can’t hear a thing.

Yet, the area is pulsating with positive magic.

“I didn’t see that coming,” I confess.

“I didn’t think you would. Ready to head back now?” Thea asks me. “We could stay out here all night, but I’d rather not die.” She laughs. “You wouldn’t let me die, would you?”

“Even if I vouch for you, I can only try.” I rise to my feet with her. “If they find me missing, it won’t be good. Let’s go. You’re lucky they’re heavy sleepers.”

I hop down from the rock, and Thea follows. But down the path, she veers off to the left, heading back towards the Requiem Mountains.

She gives me a salute and I wave back, realizing she doesn’t want to risk waking them up—they could be up by the time I get back.

I have a short uphill walk. I start to run, but abruptly stop.

“My mother would have been a great Queen,” I hear Adara’s soft voice from my right. She’s wearing the same dress, but this time her eyes are red from crying. “I’m sorry about earlier. I come here every night to see her. Healthy and well, even though she’s just a spirit.”

“I’m sorry—”

“They don’t know she’s here,” Adara interrupts me in a whisper. “Don’t tell my brothers.”

“They can read my mind,” I inform her. “I can’t completely hide it.”

Adara shifts her weight to her other foot, staring into the forest. “I guess that’s true, but still try to keep it a secret.”

“I’m sure they’d love to see their mother,” I suggest. “Do you think it would upset them too much?”

“It would,” Adara nods. “They’ve let her rest in peace, let it stay that way.”

“Are you not at peace with it?” I ask, intrigued.

“No… I was… I was horrible to her while she was dying for years, I couldn’t stand seeing her sick,” Adara blurts out the memories. “I ~hate~ myself for it. I think that’s why I can’t conceive… I cursed myself.”

I’m at a loss for words.

“Go ahead, gloat, tell me I deserve it,” she interprets my silence as judgment.

I walk closer to her, leaning against a tree opposite her. “You did the wrong thing.” Adara’s sneer fades from her face and I see her look vulnerable for a moment. “But you’re not cursed. Nerezza left her.”

“Who’s Nerezza?” Adara whispers.

“The Blackhearted Dragon.” I swallow hard as her eyes widen.

“~That’s my father?~” she asks me. “The bastard that killed her?”

“Yes.” I watch Adara shake her head, overwhelmed, but she asks me, “How—how do you know this, mouse?”

“I killed him,” I explain without any pride or excitement, just stating the facts. “Yesterday, when I was kidnapped, it was he who took me.”

“Oh,” Adara’s lip quivers. “…he never comforted her either when she died…”

“~He~ killed her, they were mates and he left,” I repeat. “It wasn’t your fault—and maybe you are angry and numb because the situation is more complex than just having a sick mother. Maybe you were feeling his absence too.”

“I hate myself for being like him then, I regret how I treated her, she didn’t deserve it, she was a good mother, she gave us everything.” Adara grips a tree branch and crushes it in her fist. It snaps and then she breaks down, unable to hold back her tears.

She turns to hide her tears in the tree, but Hael steps around the trunk, enveloping her in a hug instead. Adara wraps her arms around her brother and sobs uncontrollably.

Hael looks at me but his gaze isn’t as harsh as I expect. He’s in his leather pants, so I assume he followed me down and kept his distance, watching over Thea and me.

I hear a noise behind me and I turn to see Lochness jump onto a low branch and sit down, leaning against the oak trunk.

“Mouse,” Lochness addresses me, too kindly.

I stay where I am, saying nothing.

“It’s all right, Adara,” Hael continues to hold her while her tears gradually subside.

But then another presence joins our circle.

I expect Halina.

I don’t expect Nerezza—and alone.

His spirit watches Adara, as she gasps, pulling away from Hael’s chest, seeing him immediately.

“You. We finally ~meet~,” Adara hisses. “~What do you want to say?~”

“That I love her,” Nerezza confesses. “…too much…”

“~Pathetic excuse~.” Adara tries to lunge at him, but Hael holds her back.

“Words of wisdom from a dead beast, love is the only answer,” Nerezza admits to his children, finally glancing at me. “I’m sorry for scaring you, Slayer. I just wanted to die already. You were my choice to finally go.”

My lip twitches but I don’t smile. That makes me feel strange.

He disappears but Halina doesn’t approach.

I am the only one who sees her in the far distance, far, far back, wiping tears from her eyes.

Only then do I understand what Nerezza means.

Halina right now loves her children so much—she doesn’t want to burden them with her presence after death.

She is a mere shadow of herself.

It is a form of torture being so near someone you can’t touch and she doesn’t want to torture their hearts any longer. But even though she won’t show, her energy fills the entire ground, enveloping all of us in a hug.

“I feel her,” Adara whispers. “She’s here. I’m returning to the mountain now… this area is safe and guarded by our mother, don’t punish your princess.”

“That’s not up to you…” Hael drawls half-heartedly with a smile, crossing his arms over his chest.

Adara looks at me and leaves, transforming into her amethyst dragon. She picks up her dress and takes off.

I run up to Hael and I give him a hug before he can say anything else. He returns it, holding me close.

“I read her mind. The mouse had no ill-intent,” Lochness says, startling me from behind. I’m on edge, but Hael’s embrace soothes me. Lochness strokes my hair, adding, “…she didn’t even ~want~ to leave…”

“I agree,” Hael rumbles. “It’s amusing that when we pretend to sleep, she does exactly what we expect, even without any malice. She disobeys by default.”

“You were pretending?” I mumble into Hael’s chest, looking up at him.

“Absolutely, mouse. What better way to gauge your progress in obedience training than to set you free?” Hael’s tone is so flat and serious, I can only stare.

I glance back at Lochness, his fingers trailing down my borrowed shirt. He despises it. Probably because it belongs to Hael, not him.

“So, what’s the final verdict?” I ask.

Hael chuckles softly. Lochness leans in to inhale the scent of my hair, a mischievous smile hidden.

Then, in unison, Hael takes one hand and Lochness the other, guiding me back up the trail.

“So?” I ask. “What happens now? Now that I… left without permission?”

They remain silent, leading me to the chamber, waiting for me to descend the ladder before following, the rope disappearing in a flash of emerald flame.

I stay quiet, patiently waiting for them to take my hands again, guiding me forward.

Back to bed.

At last.

We walk.

And then we halt.

In the center of the chamber, we face an open door on the golden cage.

I press my lips together.

They usher me in, swiftly removing my dress, picking up a device I hadn’t noticed before—the chastity belt with the metal rod! They help me step into it. The rod fills me and they fasten the belt tight, securing it.

Then my cunning mates retreat. Hael closes the door—Nessy locks it.

My pussy is stretched and warm, gripping the forgotten object I thought I had hidden. I turn around, still not complaining. I’m not. I’m being good. Can’t they see?

It takes all my strength to remain silent.

I spin a few times, waiting for them to say something. Anything.

My Masters ignore me.

They return to the bed and recline on the enormous thing, watching me struggle with the belt on—my pussy clinging to the rod and growing wetter as it stays inside. It feels good. But I’m yearning for them.

I carefully approach the bars and hold them, seeking some mercy. Or words.

Hael and Lochness are smirking together, appearing nonchalant about the punishment, but also captivated by my silence.

“Look… she’s trying,” Hael murmurs. “Isn’t she cute when she tries so hard to please us?”

“Mmmhmm,” Nessy gives me a half-lidded look—their combined gazes are turning me on. ~Sweet dreams, Madeline,~ Nessy kisses my mind with their plan to leave me in here!

They’re going to leave me like this till morning?!

~Oh, and mouse, I know the pleasure is building, you may cum as many times as you like,~ Hael adds, settling comfortably and closing his eyes. ~In fact, you will tell us before you do—so we can watch you try to ride it. It’ll be a beautiful sight, watching you tame yourself.~

“Can I.. just– ?” I whisper out weakly.

“Quiet, rat,” Lochness growls. “This is for your pleasure ~and~ ours.”

“Wait. Mine?”

“Yes,” Lochness smiles when I show anger. “We’ll remove it… when you ask very nicely. We’ll know if it’s the princess or the ~brat~. So don’t try and fake it, little love.”

Damn!

I turn away from them and sit down, but it just pushes the dildo further up, and I feel like cumming so badly—my frustration just makes me squeeze harder. My blood feels like a storm. I’m already so horny being pregnant, I just—I just—

“~Fuck you~!” I yell as I collapse onto my back, venting some steam. I cross my arms over my chest, grinding my teeth.

I’m worn out.

I’m tired.

But I don’t even want to be a brat.

I’m just going to refuse to cum. I will refuse.

Because I’m a Slayer.

They will not win.

~You’ll be fucked in the morning—and that will go straight back in afterwards,~ Hael snarls. ~Just for that outburst, brat.~

I whimper uncontrollably and then bite my tongue, before asking, ~will you ever stop punishing me?~

~One day. When you obey,~ Hael’s tone is stern and tired.

~Aw, princess, don’t be sad now,~ Lochness adds. ~You’ve already practiced and you’re quite good at it.~

~It’s true. You’re almost broken,~ Hael’s laugh is both wicked and sexy as he promises. ~When you do break, you’ll be rewarded and all your wishes will come true.~

That makes me think.

Really hard.

Hmm.

~Do you mean it?~ I whisper.

~Yes, I do, sweetheart. You’re still mortal, though—you belong to us. You must submit—or we’ll fight till the end. I am your Master. I take that role very, very seriously. And I’m far more stubborn than you can be, brat.~

~Nessy?~

~What he said.~

Hmm.

~I give up,~ I whisper. ~I do. I’ll do anything, I’ll be the perfect slave. I am the perfect slave.~

I dare to open my eyes to see Hael sitting up, looking surprised. He stares right into my eyes, reading my turned head. Lochness keeps lounging, just narrowing his eyes at me.

“She meant it,” Lochness growls in satisfaction. “She actually gets it.”

“You understand me, mouse?” Hael looks so puzzled, he’s tilting his head—before grinning widely.

“I’d just prefer your cock, over ~this thing~,” I blush from the floor as I admit it. “I prefer you inside me.”

“Then you’ll get me inside you. Good girl,” Hael jumps up. He looks both rejuvenated and ready to fuck.

I can’t help but laugh—but it makes my insides contract and I wince.

I watch Hael open the cage. I stand up and he works fast to remove the unholy chastity belt. I stand still so it comes off all the quicker.

“Sooo… no more cages necessary, then?” I ask sweetly as I step out of it.

Hael steps back, resting against the cage door with a raised eyebrow. “There will always be a cage, Madeline. I enjoy seeing you in it.”

“It’s a sight I find pleasing. And you’ll still be disciplined for my own amusement when I feel like pushing your boundaries.”

I tilt my head, curious. “And how does that work?”

Hael’s voice is smooth, almost teasing. “It means that your behavior doesn’t matter. I’ll do whatever I want to you, darling.”

“That’s what a Master does. And you’ll love it.”

Heat floods my cheeks.

~Why does hearing that from Hael stir something in me? It feels like it shouldn’t.~

Hael’s gaze is intense, devouring me, particularly the moisture trickling down my thighs. His eyes linger there. “You’ll understand in time…”

“I’ve always been gentle with you.” He gestures towards the bed. “Now it’s time for you to be taken—get moving, mouse. ~You belong to me~ and I demand your complete surrender to both me and my brother!”

His voice turns into a growl at the end, and I react instantly.

I don’t hesitate.

It’s time to submit to the Dragon.