Torn between mates

12. The Alchemist

3rd person POV

Lea and her mates went to meet Mama Schawn, to get to know more about their unconventional mate situation. Mama Schwan is an elder sybil, one of the oldest beings of the 6 Realms; she is well-known in Avalon’s Realm for her wisdom, seer powers, and her uncanny ability to communicate with the Goddess and convey Her words. 

The sybil was also the one who helped Liv and her males to understand and deal with their own plural mate situation 9 years ago. Thus, Lea asked Liv to join their conversation, she really wanted her older sister’s support and input. 

Elric and Avalon came along with their mate. Since Liv’s mates found out she was pregnant, they grew even more possessive and protective towards her, not wanting to let her go anywhere without at least one of them. She complained about it but enjoyed their presence a lot. Laius couldn’t come due to some hell business. Hell was very busy at this time of the year, as it was Human summer.  

“Your Majesties, Princess Lea Clemence von Lichtstern of Varhal” Mama Schawn greeted them bowing down slightly and took a seat unceremoniously, before pouring herself some verbena tea. 

“Thank you for coming to meet us. We appreciate your knowledge and assistance.” Avalon bowed down very slightly to Mama Schawn, she nodded and smiled. 

Liv held back a chuckle at her mate’s demeanor, it was a lifetime event to see the proud and pompous Wizard King bending down to anyone. But Avalon held the old sybil in high regard. 

“I was waiting for you to call me. You should be anxious to get some information about your situation.” The old sybil smiled and gazed at Lea with a knowing look, which made the young witch gulp hard. “I see you 3 are doing a good work in sharing and taking care of your bond.” Mama Schawn flashed Liv, Elric, and Avalon a coy smile. 

She turned to face Liv and looked intently into her blue eyes, “I didn’t expect less of you my child. New challenges are coming, I hope you will be prepared.” Now it was Liv’s turn to swallow thickly, as her hand went automatically to her bump in a protective way. 

“About your mate bonds, Princess Lea Clemence.” Mama Schawn turned to look at Lea and her 3 mates. “As it happened to your sister and her mate bonds, your 3 bonds are intertwined. Meaning that if a bond with one of your mates is broken or damaged, the other bonds will suffer the same destiny. Moreover, to don’t break the bonds, the Vampire King, the Werewolf King, and the Fae King will have to mark and mate you simultaneously.” She explained patiently. 

Lea already expected that her situation would be like her sisters’, at least in what came to the intertwined bonds. Apart from that, their situations were quite different, as their personalities and their mates.

Alexus locked his jaw in response to the old sybil’s words. Valentin looked upset, but he imagined that it would be as such. Richard’s wolf growled loudly, his eyes started to glow, and he shot Alexus and Valentin menacing looks. 

He also imagined that Mama Schawn would say those words, but imagining and knowing for sure, listening to it, were different things. It was extremely hard for his wolf and him to even think about sharing what was theirs, their beloved and long-awaited mate, even with Valentin, let alone with his sworn enemy. 

Richard knew that if he was feeling like this now, that would be tenfold worse when Lea comes to age and the pull, he feels towards HIS Lea grows to its full strength; let alone after the bond is solidified by them completing their mating process. That would be impossible, the Goddess was asking him the impossible. 

No wolf could share his mate, it went against their essence, their very nature. Wolves are quite possessive and protective towards their mates, sometimes they had a hard time even sharing their attention with their females’ relatives. 

Those instincts were much stronger in Alphas. Himself being the King, the Alpha of the Alphas, his possessiveness would reach extreme, unseen levels. He couldn’t lose Lea; he loves her already. His wolf loves her already. They couldn’t let their mate go, but they also couldn’t share her, not with Alexus.  

He was trying to convince himself and his wolf that they both would be able to do the unbearable and attempt to share HIS Lea with Valentin. For her own protection, her own good, he would put his instinct to protect her and provide for her needs before his inherent possessiveness. 

But not with the Bloodsucker. Alexus was for sure the being he despised most. Richard couldn’t share his mate with him. He was caught in an impossible situation. 

Lea noticed Richard’s distress, reached for his hand, and traced calm patterns on its back, as she smiled at him. Her touch brought him comfort. His wolf understood touch on his primal level, especially the touch of their mate, he knew that she was theirs and was there with them. His eyes glow decreased.

“It is harder in the beginning. Then you will grow more used to it.” Elric uttered.  

Lea’s mates glared at him, not believing his words. Richard growled again, making Lea squeeze his hand in reassurance. 

“And maybe even enjoy it, sometimes,” Laius added, just after he arrived there in a flash of red light, before shooting Liv a mischievous look. She winked at him.  

Lea blushed, those two are impossible, they never stop flirting and teasing each other. But she also smiled to herself, she can see how Laius loves her sister, how her 3 mates love Liv.

At first, no one could imagine that the King of Hell would be able to love as such, to look so longing and loving at someone and be so devoted as Laius is to Liv. Lea wanted this too, she wanted her mates to love her as Laius, Avalon and Elric love Liv. They all love her in their own way, but everyone could see the intensity and depth of their love. 

Mama Shawn ignored the growls and comments and continued to talk as if nothing has happened, “But of course, you only can go through the mark and mating process after Princess Lea Clemence comes to mating age.”

“What if any of us f**k her before she is of age, would that also break the bond?” Alexus asked.

Mama Shaw nodded. Richard narrowed his eyes at the Vampire, while Lea’s eyes went wide, and she gulped hard. Alexus talked so bluntly about those things.

“How about blow jobs?” Alexus asked. 

Lea’s mouth dropped open in surprise and she blushed furiously, as Richard let out a low menacing growl and stared Alexus a pointed glare, throwing daggers at him. 

“It is important to know everything,” Alexus argued in an emotionless tone, seemingly not affected by Richard’s unspoken threatens.

“He is right. It’s important to know everything, to do it right and don’t endanger the bond, we for example, almost lost our bond when I…” Liv remarked. 

Avalon hissed and placed a hand on Liv’s thigh, trying to stop her to reveal uncalled information at a totally inappropriate time in front of the visitors; like she had the talent to do lately after she got pregnant. 

For his relief, she stopped and said instead, “Hey, I am just trying to help!”

Mama Shaw cleared her throat, attracting everyone’s attention to her again. “If any of your seeds enter her body, it would sever the bonds. Even if it happens before she reaches mating age, Alexandrius Skadislavics King of the Vampires.”

Richard’s wolf growled frustrated inside his head, they won’t be able to make their dream come true and claim their mate, have her only for themselves before she reaches mating age, and they have to share her with Valentin and the Bloodsucker.

“I like when she reveals people’s full names. It is like her superpower.” Liv uttered chuckling quietly. Her mates shook their heads. 

“I’m glad that you can take some entertainment out of this situation, my love,” Elric said softly stroking her hand.

~ * ~

Lea

After our talk, Liv and her mates left, and Alexus did the same. He never stays here for long; I know he is very busy now since he doesn’t have a Second in Command to help him. I just wished I could get to know him like I’m getting to know Valentin and even more about Richard. 

Sometimes I don’t know what to do; I feel drawn to Alexus, I feel the need to be close to him, just like I feel with my other two mates. But he is never there.

Mama Schawn snapped me back from my thoughts by pulling me to the corner. I gasped in surprise. 

Before I could ask her anything she started, “Some ways are more tortuous than others young Alchemist, but it does not mean that trailing such paths is fruitless or flowerless.”

After saying those words, she flashed me a small smile, patted my shoulder, and went away. 

My sister is right, Mama Schawn is the vaguest person in the 6 Realms. What does she even mean? But it doesn’t sound as she means anything good. ‘Tortuous ways’, trouble is probably waiting for me in the corner. 

I sighed. I just wanted a bit of peace after everything that happened lately, so many changes and surprises. I wish my life could be simpler again, but time doesn’t go back, only forward. 

Why did she call me young alchemist? 

What does she mean by that?

All I know about it was what I learned at school; that centuries ago, even before Avalon’s reign, Alchemists were a group of witches and wizards that tried to find the gold of things, inside things. Digging for outer and inner gold. If they end up finding anything, it’s left to the legends. Some say they found the Goddess herself in such a search, others say they ended up frustrated, some others say that they only found themselves.

What does it have to do with me? I just transform flowers into balms, in potions that can bring some peace and joy. I’m not an alchemist, only a crafter.  

I was still thinking about Mama Schawn’s words, lost in thought when Richard’s deep voice brought me back from my contemplation.

“Lea, I want to take you to our Realm, to Helcadia. Everyone is looking forward to meeting their soon-to-be Luna.” Richard said as he pulled me to his arms. 

“I... I don’t know if I’m ready... what if they don’t like me?” I asked nervously. 

“They will like you; no one would dare to say or do anything that displeases their future Luna Queen. And I won’t ever let anyone harm you, not with words, acts, or anything.” Richard’s eyes glowed, I could see that his wolf was in full protective mode and wanted to reassure me.  

I gulped; it was a bit hard for me to get used to Richard’s intensity. “I... thank you. But I want your people, our people, to like me for myself; not because their Alpha says they must.” My face flushed a bit as I said these words. 

Soon, I am supposed to become a queen. A queen of more than one realm and I didn’t feel ready at all. I didn’t have it in me, I’m not a natural like Liv. I have never led anything in my life. 

Richard held my hand and looked intently at me, “They will like you. You’re caring and sweet Lea, you’re everything the pack and myself, wolf and man need; that’s why the Goddess made you our mate.” Richard assured.

I nodded. I was anxious but also excited to get to know Helcadia, see Richard’s wolves and their ways. A new place, another species, new people, is there anything more fascinating? It could seem contradictory that a shy girl like me was looking forward to meeting new people, but I’ve not always been that timid, and maybe it’s contradictory indeed. Everyone is a little box of contractions anyway. So, I was shy and excited at the same to meet new people, especially different people. 

~ * ~

Liv

“Why do you look worried my love? What is bothering you?” I asked Elric. 

Since we met Mama Schawn he is looking a bit distant, lost in thought. His normally serene-breezy expression is wrinkled with tension now. 

He sighed deeply, “I am thinking about Valentin’s situation.” He answered vaguely.

And that answers nothing. “Which means?” I asked, raising a brow.

“He has, or had, a girlfriend for quite some time…” 

“Wait…he has a girlfriend? I thought he was into sleeping around.” How come I’ve never heard about her? We’ve met Valentin in meetings and celebrations at least twice a year. 

I didn’t even see this chick when Elric and I visited the Fae Realm. But well, I was quite busy looking at that crazily beautiful place and then I was too busy making out with Elric.

Elric shook his head. 

“I don’t understand...Why didn’t you say anything before?” I asked confused. Why didn’t Elric tell me that some days ago when we got to know that Valentin is Lea’s mate? 

“I was waiting for Valentin to mention it. I didn’t want to meddle.” He replied and I frowned slightly. I know that Valentin is his friend, but in this house, we all are supposed to be TEAM LEA! 

“Her name is Daisy, and she was even taking some queenly duties, acting as a substitute Queen.”  He added. 

My mouth went agape, they must be something really serious for her to even act like a queen. 

“Did you guys talk about her? Did Valentin say anything? … I mean, that he broke up with her?” I questioned. 

I was starting to get worried for Lea. I saw that even though she doesn’t know much about Valentin, her eyes shine when she looks at him and she has THAT smile; Yes, that silly smile that someone just beams when they are a lost cause.

“Don’t stress yourself, dearest. He didn’t say anything, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t end his relationship with Daisy. I’m confident he will do the right thing.” He replied, taking me in his arms and effectively making me at ease. I let out the breath, I didn’t know I was holding. 

“I hope so. Lea has already been through too much, that Broadrick psycho-monster. Argh!” I muttered. I really hope Alexus kicked his ass big time and banished him from his Realm. 

I need to talk to Lea; she needs to know about this Daisy chick. In my experience doesn’t matter how hard the blow is, not knowing about things isn’t the best option. But before saying a thing, I’ll check out what is Valentin's relationship status with this girl. I already know who can get me this information, our ‘neighborhood fairy’, Sienna. 

“Did you guys have girlfriends or sleep around right before meeting me?” I asked my mates, as my eyes traveled to the three of them. 

“No, since you were born, I haven’t taken any other female. I was waiting for you.” Elric answered. 

My heart swelled at his words. I’m so glad he isn’t like Valentin. 

“Very rarely,” Avalon replied. Yes, as Agatha mentioned once, ‘His Majesty’ was too picky to be able to sleep around. 

I stared at Laius. “In Hell, things are different, Sugar.” He replied with a smirk and I shook my head.

“Let’s make love all night long. It’s a reward for your waiting. Tonight, I’m only yours, love.” I muttered ‘making a sensual voice’, as I enlaced my arm around Elric’s and walked with him to our bedroom, but not before I looked over my shoulder and threw Laius a dirty stare. That slut!