Summoner 20, page 18
“I’ve never really thought about this before… but what would we even do if monsters weren’t able to come over to our realm anymore?” Cyra mused. “What would we even do with our magic? Would us summoners just go back to tasks like construction and rebuilding?”
“That’s a good question.” I raised an eyebrow as I considered it. “One I don’t have a good answer for. I suppose we’d have to find something else to do with our magic, something that would enrich our lives instead of destroying monsters. I’d like to hope summoners wouldn’t go back to the old way of doing things, especially since we’ve proven we can do so much more with our magic than just rebuild houses. I don’t know what we could use our monsters to do if not battle other monsters, but there has to be something out there that could use a summoner’s skillset.”
“I like the idea of doing something more than just rebuilding,” Cyra agreed, and her hypnotic dark eyes were calm and thoughtful. “I’ve never given much thought to what would happen in the future, but I want to find some way to help people. Really help them.”
We let the conversation linger in the air for a few minutes, and the room fell silent, but not in an awkward kind of way. There were a lot of things to think about, all of which were hypothetical, of course, but still important to think on nonetheless.
I kissed the top of Olivir’s head, and my son rested his fair, freckle-dusted cheek against me. I felt his mouth contort into the shape of a tiny yawn and knew his window-watching minutes were numbered.
“Someone’s ready for a nap,” I whispered so as not to disturb him, and sure enough, he grew slightly heavier in my arms, so I cuddled him close to me and gently rocked back and forth. “Shhh… Daddy’s got you.”
“You’re so good with them,” Cyra sighed with a soft smile. “You always look so natural with a baby in your arms. It’s incredibly sexy.”
“You are indeed a natural father,” Freya agreed with the curly-haired summoner from across the cabin. The hawk-princess lowered Lahrra down into her lap and then offered me a small smile. “Just as I always knew you would be. Strong warriors always have a talent for fatherhood, and you are no exception. You do not coddle, but you do not deny your affection to your children. It is a fine line to walk, but so far, you have done it well.”
“Thank you both.” I smiled at my wives. “That means a lot to hear from the two of you.”
“So, now that we have all either birthed your children or become swollen from your seed in our bellies, we should be ready to begin the lovemaking again,” Freya said with a perfectly straight face, and she stroked Lahrra’s golden hair as she tilted her head in a bird-like way. “If we are to grow our clan to a suitable size, we must start the next cycle--”
“I think we might be a little full at the moment,” I chuckled, but Freya’s face remained unyielding.
“We must give you as many children as possible,” she insisted, and her gold-flecked brown eyes were sharp and focused as they stared into mine. “It is our duty as your wives to bear all that our wombs will allow us to bear. I hope to give you at least two or three more after Lahrra.”
“Two or three?” I asked, and the blood left my cheeks as the mental image popped into my mind. I loved the idea of having a large family, but this felt like it was too premature of a discussion. Our children weren’t even a year old yet, and Ashla and Arwyn still had a while to go before my children with them were even born.
“Yes.” Freya nodded curtly. “I want you to fill me with as many children as your heart desires. It is the way of Hawk Clan.”
I took a deep breath and shared a glance with Cyra, but the summoner blushed and looked down with a smirk on her face, so I was completely alone here. I didn’t want to give Freya the wrong idea, so I needed to consider my words carefully to keep her from getting upset.
“I love the idea of having an enormous family and making even more adorable children with all of you, but I want to make sure we’re all comfortable and ready before we add a few more mouths to feed, you know? But once the babies are just a little older, I would love to try again, Freya.”
“I suppose that is fair enough,” Freya relented, but I could tell this wasn’t the only time this conversation was going to come up. “Okay. We will revisit the idea later.”
I would need to have a talk with the rest of my women at some point and see how they felt on the matter of more children. I knew Nia was probably content with the twins, and Layla and Erin had given birth too recently to even consider the idea of more kids. Arwyn and Ashla had yet to give birth, so their minds were likely far away from the idea of creating more. That only left Cyra and Freya. The pair were the first to get pregnant, so out of anyone, they would be the readiest to try again, but I didn’t know where Cyra’s mind was on the matter.
Thankfully, my train of thought fell off the rails as the ship suddenly began to experience some turbulence. I had to strengthen my stance to keep from falling over, and I tightened my grip around Olivir to keep him from slipping.
“And that’s our cue to sit back down,” I gulped.
Cyra, Freya, and I took the children back to our seats, but the airship bumped around and thudded in midair.
Olivir awoke with a start, and as the strawberry-blond infant began to fuss, I knew we were mere moments away from a crying baby, which would avalanche to three crying babies.
“Shh, shh, shhhh… ” I cooed at my son as I rocked him in place. “Daddy’s got you. Don’t worry.”
“What was that?” Cyra asked as she cradled Milo to her chest. The olive-skinned baby looked like he was moments away from crying, and the way his little mouth quivered made me sad.
“Hard to say,” I replied as I glanced around us at a frantic pace. “Hopefully, it’s just the weather--”
“Sorry, guys, we have some bad storms creeping in,” Erin said over the intercom system. “It’s probably a good idea to get everyone strapped in. It might get a little bumpy.
We did as instructed and fastened the children back into their seats. Once they were properly buckled up, Cyra, Freya, and I got into our own seats and spoke in soft, reassuring voices to the children.
The turbulence lasted for about an hour or so, and the light that streamed in from the windows darkened into a deep gray as we navigated through the storm. With all of the shaking and bumping around, it took a little while to get the babies calm, but finally, they settled into a calmer state.
Once we finally got past the severe weather and the sun set, we made sure the kids were fed and prepared to get them to bed for the evening. They’d had a long day, so I knew they’d fall asleep pretty quickly, except for Milo, who’d slept for a good duration of the day. He needed some extra soothing, but after some time, his dark-brown eyes struggled to remain open, and he fell into a deep sleep.
We were all pretty blessed when it came to the behaviors of our children, especially sleep. There were few restless nights with the little ones, and that really paid off when we were so high above Mistral.
I gave Olivir a bottle, and after he sucked down the contents, I laid him down in one of the portable cribs we’d brought with us. The little beds locked into the floor so they wouldn’t slip and slide around when the ship veered, and the kids were relieved to have something so comfortable to lay in.
Then Cyra, Freya, and I spread out our bedrolls beside the cribs so we could keep an eye on the kids, but before I turned in for the evening, I decided to check in with Erin and make sure she was doing alright.
The orange-haired pilot was just as chipper as ever when I entered the cockpit, and she greeted me enthusiastically.
“Hello, there, handsome.” The mimic grinned at me. “How’s our little man?”
“He’s just fine,” I replied. “He’s definitely inherited your love of flying.”
“Aww, that’s so cute!” Erin gushed, and her amber eyes sparkled just as Olivir’s had earlier. “I’m glad he’s having a good time. I’ve been worried he’s been an absolute terror this entire time.”
“I don’t even think that’s possible.” I grinned. “Olivir is too cute and too good to be a terror.”
“It’s always the cute ones you have to look out for,” Erin pointed out. The mimic’s pink-painted lips curved up into a cute smile, and I wanted to swoop her into my arms and never let go of her.
“And what about you, Miss Lindblum?” I prompted her with a suggestive waggle of my eyebrows. “Are you also having a good time?”
“I haven’t flown in quite some time,” she remarked as she peered around the cockpit. “It’s been a bit of an experience. I don’t exactly feel out of practice, since it all came back to me pretty quickly, but it’s strange to be away from Olivir. This is the longest amount of time we’ve ever been separated since he was born.”
“Do you want me to bring him in?” I asked her.
“If he’s already down for the evening, that’s alright,” Erin insisted, and the orange-haired mimic shook her head at me vigorously. “You gave him a bottle?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I confirmed.
“Then he’ll be fine.” She waved her dainty hand in the air. “I’m not too worried. You’re a great father. You know what you’re doing.”
“I only know how to make it look like I am,” I joked as I sat down in the co-pilot’s seat and studied my copper-haired lover.
Erin’s amber eyes were bright and focused. Her short orange hair had been plaited back into a pair of braids, and their short, stubby appearance gave the pilot a cute, almost schoolgirl-ish look. It suited the mimic well, especially when it was paired with her short navy-blue miniskirt and skin-tight black turtleneck. A pair of thigh-high black boots encased her porcelain legs, and she looked so gorgeous I wanted to eat her up right then and there.
“See something you like?” Erin asked me in a playful tone.
“Always,” I replied as I stared at her perfect chest and struggled to behave myself. Erin’s breasts were perfectly proportional to her frame, and through the thin material of her blouse, I could see the outlines of the barbells that pierced her pert nipples. The jewelry was super sexy, and my mouth watered as I imagined the taste of Erin on my tongue.
“Careful, Gryff,” she warned me. “I know that look in your eyes.”
“What look is that?” I dared her to answer.
“The kind that usually gets us in trouble.” She grinned. “The last time I saw that look, we conceived Olivir. Unless you’re ready to give him a brother or sister…”
“Freya seems to think it’s time for us to start the next round of baby-making,” I laughed lightly. “We had a whole discussion about it earlier.”
“Oh?” The pilot raised a ginger eyebrow. “And how did that go?”
“I told her we’d have to revisit that another time,” I replied.
“That’s probably smart,” Erin agreed. “I love the idea of having another one of your babies, but I’m gonna need some time. Maybe after another year or two?”
“That’s perfectly fine by me.” I shrugged.
“Good.” Erin nodded decisively, and then her eyes returned to the sky. “Now, as much as I would love for you to ravage me, I should probably concentrate on keeping this ship on track. I don’t think the others would take too kindly to me killing us all because I have no impulse control.”
“Fiiiiiiiine,” I drawled. “But once we’re on dry land, we’re going to revisit this. You can’t banish me to the cabin until you agree.”
“Sold,” Erin laughed, and the sound was like music to my ears.
“I mean it,” I warned her.
The mimic’s eyebrows raised high onto her forehead. “Trust me, Gryff. Freya, Cyra, and I have something extra special in store for you.”
The seductive tone of her voice was so sexy, I could feel something stir in my lower half, and it took all of my restraint to keep from taking the pilot then and there.
“I look forward to it,” I said instead, and after I gave Erin one last peck on the lips, I stepped out of the cockpit and enjoyed the lingering taste of her magic on my tongue.
“How’s Erin?” Cyra teased me once I reentered the cabin, and heat spread to my cheeks as the curly-haired summoner flashed me a knowing smile.
“She’s perfect.” I grinned, and that was as far as the conversation went.
After Cyra, Freya, and I were sure the kids were settled in their portable cribs, I decided it was time for me to get some rest as well, so I took off my coat, bandolier, thick-knit trousers, and sweater. I’d dressed for the weather, but the temperature in the cabin was surprisingly toasty, and beneath my heavier garments, I wore a short-sleeved shirt and a pair of thin, boxer-like briefs. Normally, I didn’t bother with things like undershirts, but the Southern Continent was much colder than Mistral, and I wanted to be prepared.
I can think of a few more ways to keep you warm, Sera whispered in the back of my mind. Let me wrap myself around you.
“Hush,” I replied with a roll of my eyes, though, not so secretly, I wouldn’t have minded curling up with the beautiful dark-winged Archon.
Suit yourself, she pouted, and I felt the goddess retreat back into the corner of my consciousness.
Once my clothes and belt full of essence crystals were neatly stashed away, I laid down on top of my sleeping bag and stared up at the ceiling of the craft.
I was excited for this break and excited to see Chief Fenrir and the rest of Hawk Clan again, but I couldn’t shake this feeling of dread that something would go wrong in my absence, and my Mistral lovers and friends would have to fight off the Archons alone. Hunnah and Quilla had been quiet, and I knew it was unlikely they would conveniently attack the week I was away, but the possibility still hung in the air and flooded my consciousness.
“Gryff?” Cyra whispered from the comfort of her own sleeping bag. The summoner’s dark ocher eyes were wide with concern, but her eyelids betrayed her sleepiness. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I assured her with a warm smile. “I’m just… thinking about things. That’s all.”
“Things?” she repeated back. “Good or bad?”
“Both,” I replied. “And yet neither. It’s not anything in particular, though. It’s just been a long day.”
“It definitely has.” The curly-haired mage nodded. “Well, try to get some rest, my love.”
“You, too.” I gave her a small smile.
Cyra rolled over onto her side, and I settled into the comfortable surface of my sleeping bag. I was worn out from the day, and my eyelids were impossibly heavy. I needed to get some rest if I wanted to be completely prepared to see my in-laws, so I closed my eyes and gave in to the tiredness.
I dreamt I was trapped in a black hole.
Or at least a cave.
Something so dark, foul, and unnatural that every one of my senses was on high-alert as I tried to find a shape in the darkness.
I turned around, but I was so incredibly disoriented I couldn’t tell which direction I moved in. The air around me was thick, and with every motion my body made, I felt as if I were slogging through deep water.
Where was I?
I tried to reach in front of me, but the effort was so difficult and taxing on my muscles that I had to put my hands back to their place at my side.
“Hello?” I called out, and my voice echoed in pulsating waves throughout the dreamscape. “Is anyone there?”
I paused and waited for a response, but received none. Was I alone in this hell?
Give in to me, Beastmaker.
A chill ran down my spine as the voice echoed through the dreamscape, and I tried to locate the source, but it was impossible in the endless expanse of darkness.
“Where are you?” I called out, and my hands curled into fists at my sides. I clenched them once and then laboriously brought them to my bandolier. The tone of the voice was more foe than friend, and I didn’t trust the being to fight fair, so I needed to be prepared for an ambush.
Don’t fight me, the voice continued on. There’s no use for it, anyway. It would be in your best interest to surrender yourself to the shadows.
Suddenly, I remembered why the voice sounded so familiar.
When I’d had my final confrontation against Carth, I’d used all of the magic I possessed and succumbed to mana depletion. Mana depletion was the most dangerous thing that could affect a mage, and more often than not, it had consequences as severe as death.
Needless to say, I hadn’t died, but a disembodied voice had called out to me. It was a strange being, neither distinctly male nor female, and even though I’d lived to tell the tale, I was certain the voice was trying to lure me to my death.
“You again,” I addressed the voice. “Why is it that you want me to concede so bad? Who are you, and what do you want from me?”
All will be revealed in time. That time could come far sooner if you released yourself from the mortal coil and slipped away from the constraints of your human body.
“No offense, but that sounds a little hoaky,” I snorted. “You’re trying so hard to intimidate me, but your vague threats don’t scare me.”
You may mock me to your heart’s desire, but it does not change the facts. You have fought for so long, and even now, a battle looms on the horizon. When will you simply give up and give in?
“You know about Hunnah and Quilla?”
I know all.
“Who. Are. You?” I repeated, and each word was more staccato than the next. My agitation surged through me with every second that passed,
All will be revealed in time, Beastmaker.
“I’m getting pretty fucking sick of that response,” I grumbled. “I think you’re nothing but a coward who hides behind shadows.”
My retreat into the shadows is for your benefit. If I were to reveal my true form to you, you would go mad from the sight. My form is not meant for mortal eyes.
“That sounds pretty convenient to me,” I scoffed.
You will not be able to joke your way out of your fate. There is a destiny for you, Gryff Porter, and no amount of mockery will stave it away.
