Chapter Twenty-five

 

Stern woke with a smile on his lips. His memory was happy to replay the previous evening for him. Cyra had taken a major step— not the ultimate one, but a big one. When she joined Trish in using their mouths on him, Stern had thought he finally knew what true bliss was.

 

Cyra had been worried about doing it wrong, but with his encouragement and Trish’s guidance, she was able to relax. Her relaxing made it even better for Stern, and seeing him enjoying it brought her happiness.

 

So close to us all being equal, Stern thought. We’ll have to take the last step or two even slower to be safe for her, but she’s been progressing so quickly... When she let me return the favor, I’m not sure if that was my joy, hers, Trish’s, or all of us, but it was glorious.

 

Cyra murmured as she squeezed him tighter. Her eyes slowly opened and she gave him a sleepy smile. “Morning.”

 

“Hello, beautiful,” Stern whispered back. He tilted his head and kissed her ear beside his head, as her head was pillowed on his chest. “How do you feel?”

 

“Warm,” Cyra murmured and kissed his chest. “Last night… it was wonderful.”

 

“Agreed,” Trish said, clearly just waking up, her voice fuzzy with sleep.

 

“It really was. I was nearly beside myself with happiness last night,” Stern said. He rubbed both of their backs as they pressed into his sides. “Before we went to bed, I couldn’t tell my happiness from either of yours. It just made everything better.”

 

“I wish I could have felt that,” Cyra sighed. “I wouldn’t have been so hesitant at the start if I could feel your happiness.”

 

“You might have been uncertain, but you caught on quickly,” Trish said, reaching over to stroke Cyra’s cheek. “And when he started to make pleased sounds, you became invested.”

 

Cyra’s face burned as she recalled exactly what she’d done last night. “I can’t believe I did that... but I wanted to do more than just use my hand. Seeing you enjoying it and him clearly enraptured... I swallowed my worry and went for it.”

 

“I’m so glad you did,” Stern said, running his hand up and down her spine. “Even happier when you let me return that attention afterward.”

 

Cyra’s face heated further. “Both of you at once was a bit much. When you were dueling over my…” She trailed off, shivering as her body started to grow warm.

 

“Oh?” Trish smirked at Cyra. “Is someone getting worked up thinking about it?”

 

“She’s lustful right now,” Stern said softly. “We know Vulk will be sleeping in, so we could have a little more time for us?”

 

Cyra let out a shuddering breath, then shifted abruptly. Stern was caught by surprise when Cyra was suddenly kissing him, but he gamely returned her attention. Trish murmured appreciatively as she shifted on the bed, intent on getting behind Cyra.

 

~*~*~

 

“Good morning,” Cammie said with a slightly strained smile on her lips as she petted Pawly.

 

“Good morning,” Cyra replied first, her cheeks burning.

 

“How are you today?” Trish asked.

 

“Fine,” Cammie replied. “Just waiting to see if we were having breakfast together. Luckily, Pawly was here to keep me company.”

 

“Should we wake Vulk?” Stern asked, wanting to shift the topic away from why the three of them were up later than normal.

 

“He got in late, but didn’t look as bad as he has before,” Cammie said. “I’ll go get him up if one of you wants to go get the food.”

 

“I’ll go,” Stern said quickly, heading for the door to the suite. “Be back shortly.”

 

When the door shut behind Stern, Cyra spoke up, “Cammie, I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

 

Cammie’s brow furrowed. “What?”

 

“That we kept you waiting,” Cyra said.

 

“It’s all of our faults,” Trish said, gently touching Cyra’s shoulder.

 

“No, it’s mine,” Cyra said, licking her lips. “I have been working through some things, and Trish and Stern have been helping me.”

 

“I... uh, it’s fine,” Cammie said, clearly not knowing what else to say. “I was just a little hungry, is all.”

 

Cyra looked at Trish, who sighed and held her lover. “Cyra has been dealing with the trauma of almost being raped. We’ve been going very slowly for her, and this morning, she felt like she could do more.”

 

“Oh...” Cammie whispered, shocked that they were telling her.

 

“It’s my fault,” Cyra said again, not looking at Cammie. “Sorry.”

 

“No. No need to apologize,” Cammie said quickly. “I had no idea you’d been traumatized like that. The fact you’re working through it is pretty amazing.”

 

“I have the most patient boyfriend and girlfriend,” Cyra said, her cheeks heating again. “I woke up this morning and thought I could take another step… and that delayed us.”

 

Cammie set Pawly down. “It’s fine, really. I won’t say anything again. Sorry for making this awkward. I just heard the muted noises, and…” She trailed off, clearly not wanting to say more.

 

“We’ll be more mindful in the future,” Trish said. “Thanks for being understanding.”

 

“Of course,” Cammie said, stepping away from the pair. “I’ll go wake my brother so we can get on with the day.”

 

“Thank you,” Cyra said, glancing up, “for being understanding.”

 

Cammie stopped retreating, seeing the vulnerability in Cyra’s face. “Cyra, you’re a friend. You three are my only friends at this point. I felt just as grateful for you all understanding my story last night.” She stepped forward, just inside arms’ reach of Cyra. “Friends?”

 

Cyra sniffled and reached out, and Cammie went forward into the hug, sandwiching Cyra between Cammie and Trish.

 

Trish chuckled. “Good thing Stern left. He might get the wrong idea, otherwise.”

 

Cyra snorted. “You’re so bad.”

 

Cammie coughed, breaking the hug and quickly heading to Vulk’s room. “I’ll get him. Be right back.”

 

Trish’s eyebrow went up and her lips pursed as she watched Cammie flee.

 

“Trish, she ran away.”

 

“She did, but what was she running from?” Trish murmured.

 

“What?” Cyra asked.

 

“Nothing important right now,” Trish said. “Can you try something for me?”

 

“Anything.”

 

“When Vulk does come out to join us, use your healing on him. I want to see if it can flush the hangover out of his system.”

 

“Okay. Will that work?”

 

“Alcohol is a type of poison, which is why people get drunk. I think it might.”

 

~*~*~

 

Stern came back to the room with a barmaid and a tray. “Sorry for the wait.”

 

Cammie, Trish, Cyra, and Pawly were all seated at the table.

 

“It’s fine,” Cammie said. “Vulk should be out shortly.”

 

Stern helped the maid set the table, thanking her and seeing her out, but not before giving her a copper for her help. He was just taking his own seat when Vulk’s door opened. The dwarf looked hungover as he headed for the table.

 

Cyra focused and used one of her healing spells on Vulk, watching him intently.

 

Vulk stopped suddenly, blinking in confusion, before looking up. “What just happened?”

 

“I healed you. Did it work?” Cyra asked.

 

“Uh... yeah,” Vulk said. “The headache is gone, and I don’t feel woozy.”

 

“Good. You can eat without getting sick, then,” Trish said.

 

“Thanks,” Vulk said as he made it to the table and took his seat. “I didn’t think that would work.”

 

“I asked her to try it,” Trish said. “I’d like to be able to train as well as we can today, after the rebirth.”

 

Vulk nodded. “Training, right. About yesterday… sorry.”

 

“None of us got hurt enough for it to be a problem,” Stern said. “Did you get the aggression worked out?”

 

Vulk looked at his plate. “Yeah.”

 

“Will you be okay for another rebirth?” Cyra asked, clearly concerned for him.

 

Vulk glanced at her, then back down at his plate. “I should be.”

 

“If not, we’ll help as much as we can,” Stern said, “even if it means being a punching bag for a bit.”

 

Vulk looked up, seeing everyone but Pawly, who was already eating, watching him. “Ah... It shouldn’t be a problem.”

 

“Okay,” Stern said. “Let’s eat.”

 

~*~*~

 

The temple was the same as the day before— Louis was there, but not his son or wife. Amelia’s golden figure declared her heritage easily— she was a rhinoceros lykian. The horn jutting out of her head was prominent.

 

“Good to see you all again,” Louis greeted them.

 

“Did your son enjoy the sugar cone?” Cyra asked.

 

“He did. We had a big meal, and I stayed up with him well into the night, reading him a story.” Louis swallowed hard, giving them a tight smile. “It was good.”

 

“Just do what you can,” Stern said. “Spend time with him and your wife and get your life straightened out. Those two things are all that matter. My parents said that after their rebirths.”

 

When the time came, the sisters went to the altar to sing and welcome Amelia back. Everyone felt the overwhelming presence in the room as the rebirth happened. A minute later, Amelia was standing on her own two legs and looking around.

 

“Mel!” Louis called to her.

 

Amelia jerked, her eyes focusing on him. “Louis,” she smiled. “Where are the others?”

 

“They aren’t here,” Louis said. “Mel, it’s been years.”

 

“Years?” Amelia asked.

 

“My son is this tall,” Louis said, holding up a hand.

 

“Son?” Amelia whispered. “Stephanie?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The large woman exhaled slowly. “I see. It’s over, then.”

 

“It is for me,” Louis said. “Let me introduce you to Pawsitively Irregular. They brought out our last shards.”

 

Amelia looked at the group, her eyes going a little round when she saw Stern. “Thank you...”

 

“It was our pleasure,” Stern said. “I’m always happy to bring others back out.”

 

“Stephanie said I should bring you home for dinner, Mel,” Louis said. “We have room, so you can get your bearings.”

 

Amelia exhaled a long, rough breath. “Thanks, Louis. I could use the help.”

 

The groups said their goodbyes before they went their separate ways.

 

Vulk was subdued, but clearly better than he’d been the day before.

 

“Feeling better?” Stern asked as they headed for the dojo.

 

“Better than yesterday,” Vulk admitted. “Still going to pound you in sparring, though.”

 

“You mean try to,” Stern smirked. “I recall you losing most of our fights.”

 

“Only because you’re a damned monkey,” Vulk snorted. “I win all our fights that don’t devolve into kicking and grappling.”

 

“You mean you win all the boxing matches,” Stern scoffed. “I’ll get better, and then you won’t win those, either.”

 

“You’ll never be good enough to beat me at boxing,” Vulk laughed.

 

The women followed them, happy to see the two men bonding.