Intertwined: her three mates

29. Who is at fault?

Liv

I was in my room with Cali and Lea, watching Lea's favourite movie, Beauty and the Beast. It, kind of, makes sense she likes this movie so much since her mate is a werewolf. Someone knocked on the door, I could smell his delicious scent, rich forest smell, cedar-wood, and the sea.  Elric.

“Hopefully someone is bringing us food,” Cali said and Lea squealed. 

“It's Elric and I am quite sure he didn't bring food,” I told the girls. “Come in!” I said.

He came in, “Liv, I want to talk to you. Is it a bad time?”

“Nope, it's okay. We already watched this movie 2 times today.” I uttered, glancing at Lea and earning her cute giggling in response.

“I want choco-popcorn!” she pouted while still giggling. 

Elric waves his hands in the air and a huge and pink bucket of popcorn with chocolate appears next to Lea. She looked at first really surprised, she didn't expect it at all, but after a moment she started to jump over-excitedly and giggle. 

“Thank you so much!” she said, smiling at him. 

“This summoning thing is as cool as you said, Liv,” Cali said with a squeal. Elric chuckled. 

“Let's go before they ask you for a unicorn,” I told Elric. 

“Could I have a unicorn? A real one?” Lea asked, her eyes wide and bright. Damnit, I shouldn't have said it out loud, I don't really plan to have to take care of a unicorn pet any time soon. 

“I can't summon living creatures, the best I could do is a stuffed unicorn. Would that be fine?” he asked. She nodded excitedly, jumping again. He made a huge, I mean HUGE stuffed unicorn appear on my bed. Lea squeaked, getting hyper and jumped on it. 

“Liv, I really like him!! Can he live with us? …. Thank you! Thank you!!” my little sister said overjoyed.

He chuckled, “no problem, little Lea.”  I saw Cali drooling for him with the corner of my eyes and shook my head. Poor Cali, she is really needy right now. Elric won those 2 too easily, but with me, it won't be so easy. 

I am still mad at him and quite unsure. Part of me wants to give him a chance, longs for him and maybe even feels something for him, but the other part of me couldn't accept what he did to my mom, to my family. 

I understand his reasons, they're pretty good, actually. I would hate for the secret to be revealed, and Lea to be in danger. But the fact that my mom doesn't know about it makes no sense. I mean, knowing that it would endanger Lea and me, she wouldn't spread the news to the Six Realms. Something in this story just doesn't add up.

We went out of the room and he finally spoke. 

“Liv, there is something I can do for Melinda. I can talk to Maximus to make Melinda take a blood oath and then he could reveal himself to her. I suggested that to him some years ago, but he said it wouldn’t work.”

I was totally astonished. He asked my father to tell Mom the truth. “What?”  

“I could suggest it again,” Elric repeated. 

“You’ve suggested it before?” I asked again, I couldn´t believe it. I thought Elric was the one primarily not allowing my father to tell mom everything. 

“Yes, I did it, when you’re little.” He answered.  

“And he didn’t accept your suggestion...” I muttered more to myself. So, it was mostly my father's fault, not Elric’s. I am kind of relieved to get to know it. 

Honestly, I didn't know what to do if it was mainly Elric's doing. I couldn‘t not hold him accountable for that, but I also feel I couldn‘t be without him. I think I like him, I have feelings for him and it goes beyond the mating pull mojo. There is something about him that I genuinely like. 

“I’ll talk to him about it again immediately. I don't think he will agree, that is why I haven't proposed it before. But I should at least try.” Elric uttered. 

“Take me with you. We can talk to him now.” I said.  

“I’m not sure it will be good if you go with me.” 

“If you take me with you, you could get a reward,” I said with a promising smile.  

One more of my lowest moments, I wouldn’t use kisses or anything s****l as a weapon. Who would do it? That’s so childish... well, actually I would! Heck, I would do pretty much anything for my family and the people I love. Including a hot make-out session with my more than hot and yummy built elf mate. Sometimes a girl needs to make sacrifices and grind against that perfect 8 pack. Sad, I know! 

He shakes his head, “It doesn't work like this, dear.” 

I pout and ask again, “please take me with you. You know how worried about it I am.” 

He sighed, “Fine, dear. But if he says no, you won't insist, you’ll be done with it.” 

I huffed, “Okay.” I agreed, I've got one shot. But better one than none. 

~ * ~

Elric 

My Liv can be very convincing. I didn't let her seduce me by promising me a reward, but I couldn´t resist her adorable pouty face and her gorgeous eyes. She doesn't even need to try or charm me, I would give her anything she asked for. Almost anything. 

I take her in my arms and flash us both to my palace. She smiles at me, and I caress her beautiful face and hair, cupping her cheeks and leaning down to kiss her lavish lips. I only want to have her for myself now and talk to Maximus later, but I know I shouldn't. I must be patient. 

I part the kiss and pull away, her hands are against my chest, she is panting, and her eyes are dark with desire. She looks heavenly like this. 

“You are so beautiful, a chuisle mo chroí.” I said, running my hands through her hair. 

I took her hand and we went to Maximus’ office; the door was semi-open, and he was working on his laptop. All the work in my Realm was digital, computerised. I knocked and entered.

“Elric, Liv.” He said looking a bit surprised, probably to see Liv here as well. 

~ * ~

Maximus

Liv came with Elric to my office, it was the first time it happened. I suspect that it isn't a simple visit and that they didn't come to have a casual conversation and drink Fairy Wine with me. Anyway, I was happy to see that she was indeed giving a chance to the bond and giving up on being so stubborn and rebellious. I am sure my amazing mate had something to do with Liv's change of heart. 

I am also content to see her with Elric, I couldn't imagine anyone better for my daughter, unfortunately, she had other 2 mates, but it’s how the Fates determined it to be. I was also glad for Elric. I was a witness to how much he longed for his mate. 

“Maximus.” Elric greets taking a seat and pulling Liv with him, she was a bit distracted looking around my office. I work part of the time here and part at my own Villa. My office is spacious and has two wide ceiling-to-floor long windows, letting as much light as possible in. Besides that, it has a white chaise longue sofa, a couple of armchairs, my worktable and a shelf with books, maps, crystals and some photos of my 3 girls. Liv stood up and went to look at the photos. 

“How did you get those?” she asks, still looking at the portraits with a pensive expression.

“Your and your mom's mainly from the time you and Cali decided to use social media, Lea's I took the photos myself.” 

She looks at me a bit astonished. She didn't expect me to have photos of my family? She didn't expect me to keep tabs on her, my own daughter? Did she think I didn't care about them?  

“Why did you show yourself to Lea and never to me before the blood oath?” she asked furrowing her brows. I expected that question to come soon or later. I knew she wasn't happy with me and she had plenty of reasons for that. 

“I did show myself to you when you were little, look at the small photo on the corner.” I signalled for her to look at a photo of me holding her when she was a toddler. “When you were a bit older than four, you told me you would tell your mom about me, that you won't keep secrets from her.” I continue

“What?” she asks laughing.

“Yes, you were quite little but very smart and you already had spunk,” I said smiling at the memory of my peppy little girl. My Liv was always a force to be reckoned with. She laughed more and even Elric was chuckling. “You were always very loyal to Melinda.” 

Her laugh died and her face grew serious when she heard Melinda's name, she came back to the chair and sat in front of me. I tried to light the mood up a tad, “don't you remember seeing me when you were little?”

“Quite vaguely, I actually thought it was a dream, a bunch of dreams or my imagination.” She answered. She looks at Elric and clears her throat as if she was cueing him to say something. 

“We are here to talk to you about Princess Melinda…” Elric starts.

“I get why you need to keep it a secret. Okay? I am not as unreasonable as you think.” She says seriously. I didn't think she was always unreasonable, only when she went full-fledged impulsive. “But you shouldn't keep the secret from her, from your damn mate. That makes no sense at all.” She adds.

“It does make sense Liv; she could tell that to someone intentionally or not and ruin it,” I say.

“Why won’t you let her take the blood oath as I did?” she asks. 

“It won’t work, she won’t accept it,” I reply. 

“It’s not for you to decide, you should try first. Ask her.” She insists.  

“My answer is no, Livia!” I said growing annoyed. I have thought about it. I do think about it almost every single day but telling her everything could complicate our situation further and many negative outcomes could arise from it. 

I don't want anyone meddling in my mating affairs. 

I am afraid she won't forgive me if she knows the truth. She could leave me or find a way to reject me since our bond is not 100% complete. I've finally come to a point with her in which she accepts the situation, I can have her, at least a bit of her, and she doesn't fight it anymore. I couldn't go back to the point she was trying to reject me and leave me like it was almost 20 years ago. I can't risk the little I have achieved with her. 

Thus, I prefer to maintain this situation in which I can at least see her, touch her and love her once a week rather than the risk to lose it all. 

~ * ~

Liv

I sigh, why is he being so stubborn and unreasonable?

“You know what? I think you’re afraid that if she knows it, she won’t take it well anymore, that she won't go easy on you and even end up rejecting you. You’re afraid to be dumped!” I said, my voice filled with intensity and emotion.  

“Livia.” He warned, looking pissed off.  

“Are you seriously doing this to her, hurting her out of fear?” I asked, almost yelling. I was pissed off too.  

“Livia, I don’t like your tone! This conversation is over!” he said standing up. 

Elric took my hand saying, “Liv, he already gave his answer.”  

I turned and looked at him, “you are his King, so could you order him to do it?”

Elric shook his head. I could feel the rage rolling off of my father, I looked back at him and he flashed me a burning look. 

“No, I won’t do it. It’s not for me to decide.” Elric said firmly. 

What else could I expect? I knew he wouldn't cross his best friend, but it is always worth a try, no? So, I tried again. 

I pouted and tried to charm him, but he only shook his head once more. I turned to look at my father again, he was throwing daggers at me with his eyes.  

“I can't believe you even proposed that, Livia. We are done here. Leave now or you will be in trouble, young lady.” My father warned, I think I've never seen him so irritated. 

Now my father has decided to parent. It’s too late. “I’m an adult!”

“Liv, let's go now,” Elric said, pulling me out of the office with him and giving my father an apologetic look. I get him, I also wouldn't cross my best friend, but it doesn't mean I am not angry. 

I breathed in and out, trying to calm myself down. All I wanted to do was to go back there and give father another piece of my mind. But it wouldn’t work one bit. 

He is so stubborn! 

Elric gave me a look of understanding and took me in his arms; having him this close calmed me down a bit. 

After a few minutes, I looked up at his blue-silver eyes. “Let’s flash away,” I told him. 

He nodded and tightened his hold on me. I looked around, he didn’t flash me back to my room, as I expected. We were  outdoors, I could hear the soft sound of water falling and smell the forest. I looked around, everything was beautiful and green, numerous tall trees surrounded a large waterfall. 

Elric took my hands in his and led me to a spot where the grass was very green. He took a seat on the ground and motioned for me to do the same. We both stayed there in silence, looking at the beautiful and huge waterfall for a good twenty minutes. I don’t think there are gorgeous places like this in Avalon’s Realm, at least not that I know.

Well, I think Elric’s idea was working, somehow this whole scenario calmed me down. More than that, the wind in my hair and the soothing whisper of the water made me feel lighter and freer.

Elric wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing me closer to him. He didn’t say a word and his eyes were still fixed on the waterfall.

“Sometimes I come to secluded places such as this one to clear my mind and reconnect with my magic, my energy, and ultimately reconnect with nature.” He broke the silence. 

“It’s a beautiful place,” I muttered.

Funny enough some minutes ago, I wanted to say so many things, to scream. But now, I was happy in silence. I guess this was the effect this place had on me, a bit of peace among the chaos.

I breathed deeply and closed my eyes, leaning my head against Elric's side. He placed a kiss on the top of my head and gently brought me to his lap.

I turned around and my eyes met his silver-blue ones, deep and clouded with so many emotions.

We both moved, closing the distance between us in a kiss. I closed my eyes to enjoy it fully, to draw in his kiss. Suddenly, I felt some magic wrap around me and when I opened my eyes again, we were in his room. 

I looked at his sly smile and his thirsty eyes and bit my bottom lip. He waved his hand in the air and when I looked down at my body, I was surprised. I was completely naked. His hold on me got tighter as he took my lips in a sensual and slow kiss. 

Well, isn’t it a good way to cool down and put my mind to something else?

He scooped me up in his arms and carried me to his bed, sitting me on his lap, my back pressed against his hard and toned chest. Elric took his time running his hands down my body, until he opened my legs and muttered in my ear, “look at yourself, dear.” 

His deep and sensual voice was a caress in itself. I followed his eyes and noticed for the first time the two massive mirrors in front of his bed. Were they here before?