Taming Her Beastly Mate

Rhea, Titus, Cody, and Kelsie walked the well-lit path towards the Coral Palace. Kelsie had shifted into a kelpie to transport everyone to the underwater palace. In the distance there were familiar looking guards just outside the entrance. They had the upper body of a human but had a deep forest green tail fin. They wore golden helmets over their blocky heads. And they gripped silver tridents with their webbed fingers. These were the merrow guards. They have all seen them before… a long time ago.

“I swear they look like the same guards we saw last time.” Titus chuckled under his breath.

“I’m not sure how I feel about this place.” Cody shrugged a bit and looked at Kelsie. “I mean I sort of died here.”

“You are alive because of here.” Rhea reminded him with a soft smile.

“We are getting too old for these types of adventures. Let’s retire.” Cody chuckled and wrapped his arm around Kelsie.

“We can’t go anywhere. We are going to be grandparents!” Kelsie leaned into Cody’s side as Titus chuckled.

“Grandpa Cody.” Titus turned and grinned at his friend. “Can you believe it? When we first came here Kelsie was pregnant. This time you are expecting your first grandchild. Thank goodness we aren’t humans, or we would have to feel old.”

“Things have changed so much since then…” Rhea reflected back and smiled. So much time has passed but standing here again it didn’t seem like that long ago. She looked up as they finally stood in front of the guards.

“I am the queen of the fairies who is yet to reign. I am here to seek an audience with your queen, Olga.”

“Proceed your majesty.” The merrow guards parted to the side with their head bowed.

Rhea looked at the familiar white spongy texture walls as they walked into the building. Even the floor was the same white tile. It felt so nostalgic walking through the palace again. They reached a set of familiar bronze doors that two guards opened for them.

Rhea looked ahead at the woman sitting on a stone throne. Her deep blue sea hair curled around her body just like the first time she saw the merrow queen. Her green eyes stared at her as she moved her light green fin slightly. Her top half was covered by a gold-plated chest armor. She looked the same. Exactly the same.

“Welcome your majesty. It’s been a long time.” Olga smiled baring her white, pointed teeth.

“Yes, it has. Once again I am here because I need your help.” Rhea watched as her lips curled upwards with a slight nod.

“I figured as much. Well Rhea, what is it that you need?” Olga looked down at her pointed nails as she waited to hear what was requested of her.

“We have been dealing with nembrant glass. And it seems there is something that was created by merrow magic that can prevent the glass—” Rhea didn’t get to finish as Olga was already nodding her head.

“Yes, yes, yes. I know exactly what you are talking about.” Olga pursed her lips together as she stared at Rhea. She frowned slightly and nodded her head. “I actually already know about it. About everything.” She licked her lips nervously and inhaled deeply. “There is a price for what you ask. You know this is how my magic works. I saved your guardian by taking the hellhounds life. My magic is made with deals and compromises. This is what makes it strong. The nullifying scale is no different. It was created the first time by a nycrops who wanted something in return. And once again… it will be done by a nycrops who wants something in return… I’m sorry. But she is already here—”

“Yes, that is right. I’ve been waiting for you.” A woman with long gray straggly hair walked out into view. Her dull lifeless skin sagged from her body. She lifted her gaze up to reveal solid white eyes. “I am Meryl. I’m sure you’ve heard of me.”

Rhea gasped as Titus pulled her back while Cody stepped forward. “What the hell is all of this?!” Cody growled out.

“Easy there.” Meryl cackled. “I’m afraid you need me. The only one who can protect against the nembrant glass is the one who created it. And fortunately for you I didn’t create it because I wanted to. I needed something… Because of that I am willing to help you for a price. The merrow queen here is the catalyst. She can take my power that I trade and create a scale that prevents the glass from working. But this has to be a trade. And something I am only willing to trade for one thing only…” Meryl tilted her head to the side. “That is if the fairy queen isn’t too afraid to speak to me?”

Rhea clicked her tongue and pushed herself forward. Cody growled and stood next to her protectively glaring at Meryl.

“I’m not afraid of you. What do you want?” Rhea held her chin high as she stared at pure evil.

“I will give Olga enough power to make more nullifying scales than you’ll be able to use. Practically an unlimited supply. In return, I want something simple from you. Life.” Meryl watched as Rhea’s eyes widened and her lips curled upwards. “Not for myself of course.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a purple vial. “But for my granddaughter. I want her soul to be put into the body of a fairy and to be raised among fairy kind.”

“Beryl… you are taking about Beryl.” Rhea watched as Meryl nodded her head.

“I want my granddaughter to have another chance at life. This time I want her away from the world of demons and witches. I want her to live among the fairies. I have brought Olga an infant that I froze right at death. I will implant Beryl’s soul into the baby. And you will give me your word she will be raised in Elysium. Among the fairies.” Meryl tilted her head to the side. “Do this and you will have your defense against the nembrant glass. It is that simple. What do you say, your highness?”

Rhea turned and looked at Cody, Kelsie, and Titus. They both shook their heads and frowned. “No Rhea. She’s pure evil.” Titus whispered to her.

“Beryl was the child that injected the b***d curse into our brother. And she terrorized Lucy and Derek. You can’t take that child into Elysium.” Cody spat out in a harsh whisper.

“What choice do we have?” Rhea looked at them and shook her head. “We don’t have a choice here. Besides, we will be raising Beryl as a child. This will be her chance. Abaddon changed. Maybe Beryl will too…”

“You could argue that Abaddon was never evil to begin with. He was lead into that path of darkness.” Cody snorted shaking his head. He didn’t agree with this at all.

“Perhaps this is Beryl’s case too. What choice did she have as a child? She didn’t know another life.” Rhea lifted her head up to look at Meryl. “Elysium can give Beryl a new fresh start. Then it is up to her to choose her path. At least this time she will be given the best chance to start out right.” She turned and looked at Cody, Kelsie and Titus. She smiled at them and nodded her head. “This is a trade I am willing to make… one we have to make.”

Rhea stepped forward and breathed in slowly while looking at Meryl. “The fairies will raise Beryl. She will be ours and we will raise her as our own.” She watched as Meryl’s lips curled upwards. She wondered what thoughts and plans she was hiding behind her smile. In either case, it didn’t matter. They didn’t have a choice and Meryl knew it. They couldn’t live without the nullifying scale. They couldn’t constantly worry about someone being controlled.

“That’s all I want. You’ve got yourself a deal.” Meryl turned and looked at Olga. “Get the preparations ready. We have struck a deal.”

__

Alexis walked behind Erebus outside on a gravel walkway. The salty wind swirled around them as the waves rolled across the ocean. The last few days Erebus had been quiet. She could see he was battling against himself. The storm seemed to hit him in surges.

She had managed to disarm the magical cuffs. She was a demigod and it couldn’t handle the constant strain from her powers. She was trying to be patient and wait until she knew more. But she wasn’t going to just stay there quietly while he tried to take control of her body again. It was time for her to start getting the answers she needed. She breathed in her resolve and watched as Erebus stared out at the ocean.

“Why are you working with the demons? I can’t figure it out. You don’t seem like the type who really wants to cooperate with them.” Alexis watched as his body tensed. He turned his head and looked at her as if he was shocked to see her there. In that moment she could see the wild animal in his eyes, and she regretted saying anything.

“How could YOU possibly understand?” Erebus’ voice dripped with venom as he turned his gaze upon her. “You are the darling in your world. The fairy princess that everyone loves and desires. You even have a da.mn deity wrapped around your dainty little finger.” His lips curled up as he sneered at her. “I’ll give it to you. You are beautiful. You have a kind nature that even soothes the most tainted of souls. I can see why he is so attracted to you even without the mate pull.” He stepped towards her staring into her eyes.

She wanted to step back, but she stood her ground. His eyes were filled with fury and rage. He had never looked at her like that before, and she didn’t like it. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides. She could see his chest heaving up and down with each breath he took. “So, you are working with the demons because you want to be accepted?”

Erebus scoffed loudly as his fingers tilted her chin up to him. “You don’t know loneliness. You don’t know what it is like to want someone so badly… someone you can never have. And not just a fleeting moment. Eternity. I will never have the one person I want for all eternity.” He then rubbed his thumb over her cheek as he stared at the mark on her neck.

“I’ll ask you this and don’t lie. You will not be punished for speaking the truth, but I will punish you for lying to me.” He leaned in close to her face and she could feel his breath on her neck. “Did he have you?” She froze. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t look away from the burning gaze that was boring into her eyes. “Did he take you?” Alexis felt her cheeks flush. She couldn’t bring herself to answer. “Did he have s*x with you?” His voice was so close to her she could feel his lips brush against her ear. “Did he lay you down and thrust into you until you couldn’t breathe? How many times did he take you? Did you satisfy him as well?”

Alexis lips parted as she tried to step away from him. “Answer me, Alexis!”

“Why do you care? Of course we have been together. He is my mate… he is my soul mate.” Alexis watched as his eyes widened with a menacing look.

“He’s kind to you, huh? Is he a considerate lover?” Erebus clicked his tongue as he gripped her chin harder. His eyes then caught the shine of something on her neck. He quickly reached out and ripped the necklace off of Alexis’ neck.

“That’s mine!” Alexis reached out frantically to retrieve the necklace. It was her lifeline to Aken.

Erebus sneered as he held it up. Inside the clear sparkling gem were the words ‘You’ve always had it.’ The gem radiated with a familiar aura that he recognized immediately. “A gift… he gave you a gift.” He shook his head angrily and snapped his head to look at Alexis. “What a sweet gesture of his love for you. You know… he gave me a gift once too. I thought it was a token of his affection. But you know what it was?! It was a trick! It was a cruel trick that I am reminded of EVERYTIME I see my hair color. It isn’t the color of my hair that is the problem. It is the reminder that I was never good enough! It is the constant reminder that I was only a joke to him!”

Wait a minute. Alexis’ eyes widened as her mouth parted in shock. She wasn’t hearing this right, was she? Because it sounded to her like Erebus wanted Aken. His eyes flickered at her widely as he shook the necklace at her.

“Is it that shocking for you too? Is the idea that absurd?!” Erebus growled angrily.

“Does he know? Did you ever tell him?” Alexis whispered out in a ragged breath.

“Why? So he could laugh at me? So he could make fun of me for eternity? I— My feelings used to be…” He shook his head slowly. “I only ever wanted him to look my way. Do you know how happy I was when he gave me a present? I thought finally he had noticed me. I was a fool. I was deceived.” He ran his fingers through his white hair. “His cruel joke put a poisonous thorn in my heart. And your sweet kind mate… he laughed! I tried to forget. I tried to move on with Ivory… but she betrayed me too by going to Aken. Aken. Aken. Aken. Aken! He was always causing me pain. Mocking me and my feelings.” He glared at Alexis. “I want him to know despair. I want him to feel this type of pain. Which brings me to my impasse…. Do I take you for myself? Or do I kill you? Such a tough decision and I just don’t know what to do.” A maddening smile crept over lips as he stared at Alexis.

Alexis looked at his menacing eyes. Was this it? Was this why he had been so quiet? He was deciding if he should kill her to hurt Aken or put the nembrant glass in her eye. She tightened her fingers together and glared back at Erebus. Did he think she would tremble with this knowledge? All of this because of an unrequited love?

“Wow. You are ridiculous. For one you were too afraid to ever voice your real feelings. At least be man enough to confess. Then your feelings would have been out there instead of the guessing game you played. If you get rejected, you get rejected. Then you at least have the closure you need to move on. Instead you dwelled on a relationship you never had to courage to reach out for.” Alexis watched his eyes grow dark looking at her. And she scoffed and folded her arms across her chest. “What? Did you think I would pity you? After what you have done to everyone? What you did to my cousin?! You have caused your own pain. You have brought upon your own loneliness. My uncle was rejected by his mate. He didn’t crumble. He moved on and found a second chance mate. It was the best thing that ever happened to him. You never even found a mate. You never even confessed your feelings. You had your chance. But you were too much of a coward to take it. You failed yourself. You failed to be honest with yourself. And because of that you never found happiness. You have made the decision to stay in pain.”

Erebus grew pale as his lips retreated back into a thin line. His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed down at Alexis. Erebus’ eyes flashed at Alexis and with a vicious snarl his body jerked to move beside her. Alexis was prepared for this reaction, and she swung a black icy sword she instantly manifested in her hand. The sword sliced across the front of Erebus pulsating with energy that sent him flying in the air.

The wind roared tossing Alexis’ hair wildly behind her as she watched Erebus stumbled back to his feet. “I’m not in a dream world here. If you are going to fight me, be prepared to lose your life!” She watched as he curled his lips up at her. His eyes were narrowed in on her and were dark. A few drops of b***d trickled below him from the wound she had inflicted on him. She felt the dark aura coming out of him as his feet shifted below him. She wasn’t sure if she could win this fight, but she was going to give him hell. And hopefully send him there.

In a blur, he sprinted towards her. She raised her sword and lunged back at him. The world lit up around them as two powerful lights collided in a thunderous crash.