Lust and Chastity - 18. Chapter 18

Sneaking Finian into the Montcroix estate in a way that the others wouldn't see him was not as complicated as the group had previously thought. Without thinking about it twice, Fin showed them the way through the window of Alistair's childhood room. Raj then led them to a guest room where they wouldn't be disturbed.

Jack approached his friend cautiously.

"You want a shower?" the teen asked. "Maybe some clean clothes? And I'll let Al know we're here. He'll be really glad to see you."

Finian felt as if someone held his heart in a tight grip at the mention of Alistair. He gave a slow nod.

"I'll go find him some of my clothes to change into," Lee suggested as he rushed over to the room he shared with his mates.

Before the young man realized it, he found himself being sprayed by hot water. Despite the temperature and despite how hard he scrubbed himself everywhere, Finian still felt as if Elder Galamin's essence still clung to his body somehow. He would have stayed under the shower long enough for the hot water to be used up, but Lee'en knocked on the bathroom door and called for him.

Finian dried himself off and wrapped a towel around his waist before opening the bathroom door to let the pink-haired Unicorn inside. He was relieved to see that the clothes consisted of a pair of boxers, cargos, and a shirt with a hooded vest attached to it. They felt as comfortable as they looked. Thank you, he signed to the Unicorn.

You're welcome. Lee'en signed back. Though his knowledge of sign language wasn't as advanced as Jack and Fin's, he had learned quite a bit of it during the two years he spent with them. When they first met, he had no other way of communicating with Jack otherwise, after all.

"How is he doing?" Alistair's voice drifted through the door. "Do you think he'll be out soon? I don't want to burst in there. I know he likely needs a little time to wrap his head around everything. Not seeing him is killing me. Are you sure it was right for me not to go to him right away, Jack?"

"Yeah," Fin heard his best friend answer. "Just give him a chance to realize he's safe and get his head wrapped around that. He's not gonna like it if everybody hovers over him."

Once again, Finian felt as if his heart was being squeezed too tightly. He swayed on the spot, unused to the sensation of losing his balance. But, Lee'en was right there to steady him.

"Hey, just say the word, and you don't have to see him," Lee offered. "Do you want him here?"

Finian gave a sharp nod and stepped out of the bathroom.

"Fin!" Alistair stood up from the bed and took two quick steps toward the teen before stopping, clearly wanting to sweep the human into his arms but afraid it wouldn't be welcome. "I can't tell you how good it is to see you."

The Nightmare looked like he hadn't slept in days. His cobalt hair was a mess, and there were dark circles under his eyes.

Finian reached over, before even realizing it, and gently tugged on a section of Alistair’s hair. He then held that lock to the side of his face as tears began to fall from his eyes.

The Nightmare looked torn for a moment, his hands hovering over Finian for long moments before gathering the teen close and tucking him under his chin.

"You're alright now," Alistair soothed. "You're safe. It's going to be alright. I swear it."

Finian's fingers curled into Al's shirt as he clutched the fabric. He merely continued to weep. The sound of Alistair's voice felt like an oasis after being hopelessly lost in a desert.

"I'm so sorry, Fin." Alistair's voice broke. "It's my fault...I should have been there. I should have protected you. I didn't watch over you. I knew the Elders were corrupt. I should have known they would have tried something." The Nightmare's tears made silvery tracks down his cheeks. "They hurt you because of me. This all happened because of me."

The human's eyes widened, and he tugged the shirt down hard. "N-No!" He gasped, speaking out loud for the first time in over 48 hours. "Don't say that..."

"This was HIS fault and his fault only!" Finian suddenly growled. Then, as quickly as the anger rose up, sorrow engulfed him. "A-Al...I lost the promise mark," he confessed in a low whisper.

Lee'en spoke up immediately. "That's impossible. Once a promise mark appears, it doesn't go away. It might fade or hide, but it's still there." He walked over to Jack and shamelessly lifted the green-eyed man's shirt. "See here? It only solidifies into its richest hue after a complete mating or maitings..." He trailed off and frowned when he realized that Jack's mark wasn't the vivid green he had expected after having mated with Raj. The pink-haired unicorn stroked the skin over where the marking was laid, and his lips formed a tight line. "Jack Kierny, you have some explaining to do."

At the sound of slight distress he heard in his peony's voice, Raj walked over and peered at the promise mark over Jack's heart, as well. "Only two of the arrows are a solid, olive hue...the heart should be as deep a hazel as Jack's eyes," he explained. "Are we missing a mate?"

"Raj and I aren't enough!?" Lee huffed, his cheeks poofing up like a child as he folded his arms over his chest and turned away.

"Of course you're enough," Jack answered quickly. "You know I love you guys." The teen looked down at the promise mark and frowned. "I guess I never noticed before." He shook his head. "I'm sure it's nothing big. I'm totally committed to both of you." Jack looked from one of his mates to the other. "You believe me, right?"

Raj reached out to gently grab the back of Jack's neck as he pressed a kiss to the human's forehead. "According to your promise mark, it seems you were destined to have three mates," he began as he reached out to gently tug Lee'en towards them. "But, what our lovely peony hasn't come to terms with yet is the fact that it means that both of us were also destined for three mates. Jack and I couldn't possibly be drawn to someone that you wouldn't be drawn to, as well, Lee."

Lee'en took a sharp breath through his nose as his lower lip lifted his pout further up his face in a rather funny and childish expression. "It just better not be another full-fledged Nightmare..." he grumbled. "I won't be able to stand so much reasoning and logic."

"Pretty sure I balance out most of the reasoning and logic, babe." Jack couldn't help but grin, leaning down to press a kiss to Lee's soft, pouting lips.

Lee'en melted into the kiss. If they were meant to have another mate, then he had to cherish the attention he got from Jack before it divided three ways. He then let out a sigh and turned back towards Finian. "As I was trying to explain, the promise mark can't really go away. But, it can hide whenever the carrier's not ready..." he gazed up at Jack as he continued. "And it can remain faded if the mating's incomplete."

Finian snuggled further against Alistair's chest as he finally relaxed. "I'm so relieved..." he whispered.

"See, love?" Alistair nuzzled Fin's damp hair. "Everything will be fine. I'll wait for when you're ready. Forever, if that's what you need."

Finian nodded. "Can we donate all the white sheets in the estate to charity?" He asked softly. "I don't ever want to see another set of white sheets ever again."

Alistair blinked but didn't question it.

"Of course, I'll have it done immediately." The cobalt Nightmare gave Fin a gentle squeeze. "And whenever you're ready to talk about it, I will always be here." He paused, thinking. "You've been through a lot. It would ease my mind greatly if you would speak to a healer who specializes in the mind and trauma. Would you consider it?"

"Yes...I'd like that very much," Finian agreed as more tears gathered in his eyes. "Thank you."

"I would do anything for you, love." Alistair stroked the teen's cheeks, catching the wetness and wiping it away. "I'd dye my hair pink as Lee'en's and dance around if I thought it might make you smile."

Finian's navy blue eyes widened. "Don't you dare!" He gasped as he reached out to gently tug the ends of Alistair's hair. "It's beautiful as it is."

"Allie, I think both you and Finian should get some rest," Raj suggested. "In fact, we all should. There is much at hand, and we should face it with sobriety and restored strength."

"That sounds like a very good idea," Alistair agreed. He looked down at Finian. "If you're alright with it, I'd like to rest beside you. If you'd be more comfortable, I'm more than happy to sleep on the couch."

"Stay with me, please..." Finian pleaded. He more than trusted Alistair to keep his word. The warmth of his body was also soothing.

"Come on, sweety-pies." Jack threw one arm around Lee's shoulder and the other around Raj's waist. "Five's a crowd."

"And four's not?" Lee'en scoffed as they headed toward their shared room. "You've yet to tell us who this potential new mate is. You had to have come across him recently."

"I don't know!" Jack hunched his shoulders. He hated feeling like he was making one of his mates, or maybe even both of them, unhappy. "I met some new people at the farm. Oh, and that cute little chef..." The human stopped in his tracks. "Crap. Umm, how do you tell if someone's your mate again?"

"Chef?" Lee'en muttered to himself.

Raj, however, placed a supportive hand on Jack's shoulder. "Usually by an irresistible scent," he explained. "Lovely scents, especially strong ones broadcasted by Maidens are quite the lure."

"I...He smelled like food. He was really cute, though." Jack appeared somewhat bewildered as he looked up at Raj. "He was the only reason I got Fin out. Shit, he's still there! What if he's supposed to be with us and I left him behind?"

Raj tugged Jack into a tight embrace. "Then, we'll retrieve him. The three of us...together," he suggested.

"If he helped you and Fin out, I guess we should try to get him out, too," Lee'en grudgingly admitted, as well.

"I love you, both of you." Jack yanked Lee into a group hug, with the human holding Lee'en and Raj holding both of them. "You know that, right?"

A devious smirk formed on Lee's face. "We'd know that even more if you showed us you did," he teased as he tugged Raj and Jack's wrists and dragged them into their room. "Right, Colossus?"

"Absolutely," Raj responded, not missing a beat. "Perhaps by having you between us?"

"Mmm," Jack hummed happily. "I could get behind that, and in front of that. Yum."

Lee'en gracefully leaped onto the bed, pulling his shirt off in the same fluid motion. He drew the gazes of both his mates as he trailed his fingers up his chest and over soft pink nipples. "On my back or all fours?" He asked Jack.

"Ahn," Jack gasped, pushing on the bulge that had suddenly appeared at the front of his pants. "Fuck, baby. You're going to make me cum in my pants and embarrass myself or faint from the blood suddenly rushing to my cock. That would probably be embarrassing, too. Feel free to enjoy my unconscious body, though."

Raj let out a low chuckle. "You could never embarrass yourself in front of us, love," he insisted as he walked over and helped Lee'en tug off his pants. When he returned his heated gaze to the hazel-eyed man, his voice fell another octave. "You should know by now that we'd be up for anything you'd like to do."

"Damn, I'm so taking you up on that sometime. Fuck, you're hot. I think right now I want to do our sweet pinky and have you do me." Jack's cheek flushed, his breaths coming faster as he tore off his shirt, flinging it away from himself before whipping off his pants. "First, I want to lick every inch of both of you."

Lee'en quickly stood up on the bed and all but forcefully tugged Raj's shirt off. "You heard him, get nekkid!"

The mixed Nightmare couldn't help but chuckle once again as he rid himself of the rest of his clothing. As Jack clambered onto the bed and headed towards Lee'en, Raj came up behind him and began to gently rub the human's shoulders and neck.

Jack practically purred at the touch as the human pinned his pink-haired lover beneath him to nibble Lee's throat. It was amazing to him how he felt between them. Lee'en made Jack feel protective, dominant, and somehow tender. Raj brought out the opposite in him. When the human was with both of them, the feelings didn't clash. The combination of submission and dominance, protector and protected, top and bottom left his body and mind thrumming with pleasure and excitement before they had even shucked their clothes.

"God, you're so fucking perfect," Jack moaned as he nibbled south to catch a pert pink nipple in his mouth. "I want to eat you up and make you scream."

Lee's legs were already wrapped around Jack's waist, grinding against him while he still could. "I don't think you'll be able to get me to shut up after you start!" He confessed.

Raj's large hands continued to make their way down his path was blocked by Lee's crossed legs, but one mindful tap urged the Unicorn to spread his legs on either side of them. The mixed Nightmare made his way right down to the human's gorgeous ass, kneading and squeezing the flesh to his heart's content.

Jack groaned, arching his back and rolling his hips, pushing into his larger mate's skilled touch before the human rubbed his dripping length against Lee's, nibbling and nipping the pink Unicorn's nipples hungrily.

The look on Lee's face was of sensual abandon. He breathed through his mouth, and his eyes were low-lidded, the magenta irises nearly darkening to a red hue. His fingers and nails raked through Jack's hair and scalp as he moaned appreciatively after every suck and bite. "Jack!"

Raj bit his lower lip as he watched the interaction with hungry eyes. The two lovely men beneath him belonged to him, just as he belonged to them. He slid his thumb across the Ares crest on Jack's right shoulder blade, sending a shock of sensual pleasure through the human's body.

The human shivered, his cock throbbing. Jack shoved Lee'en upwards on the bed. The human wiggled his ass at Raj as he sucked Lee's perfect pink tip, moaning at the taste.

The mixed Nightmare let out a low growl as he gave one of Jack's cheeks a sharp slap. He shifted into his faun form and drew a finger along his long shaft to gather some of the natural lubrication. Raj then reached down to wrap his hand around Jack's member and began to stroke it ever so slowly.

Lee'en whimpered as he squirmed. He didn't care if he released too early. All he cared about was the sight of his mates before him and the sensation of Jack's lips on his flesh. "More!" He begged.

"Ah, fuck, I'll give you all you can take if Raj will slap my ass some more," Jack gasped out, bucking into Raj's fist while flicking his tongue teasingly up and down Lee's hot shaft. "Think you can convince him, baby?"

The pink-haired Unicorn didn't need to be told twice. "Celestials...Raj, you better slap him till his butt's as red as a strawberry!" He demanded.

Raj snickered. "As you command, my peony," he purred. After every few strokes, his hand came down on one butt cheek and then the other in tandem.

Jack yelped, his eyelids fluttering. The human took a deep breath and threw his mouth onto Lee'en's cock. Every moan and cry vibrated the pink-haired Unicorn in delicious torment. Jack widened his legs wantonly. Every smack seemed to go straight through the human's balls and zinging straight up the teen's shaft. Jack delighted in the lurid sound of Raj's pumping fist getting wetter and wetter from the precum dribbling from the human's tip.

Lee'en could barely take the sound of Raj's hand coming into contact with Jack's plush backside in conjunction with the heat of the human's mouth around his fully hardened cock. "Yes!" He cried out as both his hands clutched the back of Jack's head. "I just...I...ugh!" He gave a thrust into Jack's mouth.

Raj continued his pattern of alternating butt cheeks, but his hand shifted its hold so that his fingers swooped over the tip of Jack's shaft with every upward stroke. "Such lovely sounds, Lee."

Jack sucked hard, moaning as Raj squeezed his shaft tight while delivering a quick series of thudding thwacks to the human's lovely ass. The teen shuddered, clutching Lee'en's thighs as he nearly saw stars as he shot all over Raj's talented fingers.

Lee'en himself all but blasted his seed down the back of Jack's throat. "Ahn!" The Unicorn keened as his fingers tightened against the human's scalp.

"Yes, loves," Raj rumbled, feeling content. "Such a lovely sight." Though he had yet to cum himself, he had more patience than the two of his mates combined.

Jack slumped forward, going immediately into cuddle mode and wrapping his arms around Lee'en's waist as he nuzzled the petite Unicorn's chest.

Lee'en kissed the top of his mate's head. "Mmm...you never answered my earlier question, Jack," he urged. "Do you want me on my back or all fours? Raj's still waiting."

"And I'll wait for as long as it takes, my peony," the mixed Nightmare, who was still in faun form, replied.

"Gah, fuck. Too sexy, gonna die," Jack moaned, his cock twitching with interest despite the orgasm that was still sending delicious aftershocks through his body. "Back, baby. Gotta see your perfect face and kiss that pretty pout some more."

"Then stay where you both are," Raj suggested as he leaned down to press his horn against the heart crest on Lee's forehead. Both their magic mixed for a moment before a wave of intense pleasure rolled over the Unicorn and human. Though they had both released but a moment before, their bodies responded almost immediately to it.

Jack gasped, back arching as he slid up Lee's body to catch the Unicorn's lips. Something hard and hot nudged at Lee'en's thigh.

"You want to shift, sugar?" Jack purred, nipping at the pink-haired man's full lower lip. "Because I'm going to fuck you so hard while Raj is pounding into me..."

Lee'en felt his heart race at the very thought. For once, he said nothing and merely nodded as he shifted into his faun form and once again spread his legs wide for him.

Jack grinned ferally, leaning down to devour Lee's mouth. The human swiped his fingers through the cum smeared across his Unicorn's chest and stomach, then grasped Lee'en's hard shaft. Jack stroked and pumped, gathering his faun lover's precum in his other hand. The human kept stroking as he began slicking Lee's entrance.

By that point, Lee'en was panting. He bucked into Jack's hand eager to have the human inside him. "Please, Jack...I don't need much prepping in this form. Just get in me!" He urged.

The human's cock jumped as a surge of lust shot through him. Jack wasted no time, lining himself up. He caught Lee's eyes, pinning the Unicorn with the intensity of his gaze as he breached the willing body beneath him, not stopping until he was completely buried in Lee'en's hot depths.

It took everything Lee had not to wrap his legs around Jack. He reached over to take hold of the back of Jack's neck, tugging him into a hard kiss.

While his two loves kissed, Raj took some more of the natural lubricant off his cock and gently slid a finger inside Jack. A second and third finger followed as he diligently worked the flesh open. Though the slickness of his shaft eliminated any concerns about friction, it would still be quite the stretch due to its size.

Jack moaned into Lee's mouth, torn between pushing back onto Raj's fingers and holding himself deep inside his pink-haired mate. The human ended up circling his hips, gasping when Raj's fingers skimmed his sweet spot.

A smirk tugged the corner of the mixed Nightmare’s lips as he continued to rake his fingers along the same sensitive area. “How does that feel, my pumpkin?” He asked while Lee’en squirmed beneath them.

"Hnn, not deep enough, hard enough," Jack groaned. "Not enough like your cock."

"What he said!" Lee'en agreed readily. "Get to the shoving so I can have it deep and hard, too!" He practically ordered.

Raj chuckled and continued to stretch the human to his liking. "I think that will be enough to get through," he mused out loud as he gave a few gentle thrusts in order to slip the head of his large faun flesh into Jack's entrance. He waited but a second before sliding further and further into the depths with a low, husky moan.

Jack sucked in a breath, not realizing he was holding it until his head spun. The human groaned as Raj sheathed his impressive length deep inside him. Jack wriggled, trying to tempt his big mate to be a bit less slow and careful with the teen. Jack's chest heaved as he pulled in air and peeked over his shoulder.

"That's a shame," Jack smirked, eyes twinkling and voice rough. "But I understand if you are too tired to fuck me so hard I'll feel it for days. Just take it at your own pace, sweetheart. Do you want me to be on top? Lee could sit in my lap, and we'll do all the work."

Jack had to turn away to hide his ridiculous grin, tipping his head down to whisper in Lee'en's ear.

"Better brace yourself, baby."

Raj let out a low, rumbling growl as he held the headboard with both hands. "You'll feel it for three days, my loves," he warned just before he pulled half out and back in again. The flesh that surrounded him felt so tight that it was a wonder how it gave way for his large rod to pierce its way through.

Jack's brain short-circuited for several heartbeats. His irises rolled toward the ceiling, lost behind half-dropped lids as a ragged moan fell from his lips. He felt strangely languid and electrified at the same time. There was something about Raj's power over him made him feel safe and loved.

And turned on.

If Jack hadn't cum once, already, he'd have been embarrassing himself by going off like a rocket with that first impaling thrust.

"Yes, yes!" Lee keened as he felt Jack move through Raj's momentum. "Harder, Colossus, I wanna feel more of him!" He urged.

The older man complied, his hips snapping with each of his fierce thrusts. His movements were so deep that his balls brushed against Jack's skin.

Lewd gasps and grunts fell from Jack's lips with every slam of Raj's hips. The human's head was floating in a euphoric buzz. He clutched the sheets above Lee'en's head, locking his arms to brace himself, so the pounding didn't throw him forward across the bed. Jack let every thrust transfer to Lee, who was clutching him tightly. Jack wasn't going to simply cum, he thought wildly, he was going to fly apart like a dandelion fluff caught in a tornado.

Lee'en lifted and bent himself enough to be able to catch one of Jack's nipples in his mouth. He gave it a gentle bite and a tug, dragging his tongue over the tip afterward. But, then Raj's thrusts increased in intensity and he was barely able to lift his head through the force of it. "Celestials!" the Unicorn cried out as he suddenly spurted right between his lower body and Jack's.

Raj lifted his broad hand, bringing it down with a loud thwack against Jack's already reddened backside as Lee tightened rhythmically around him. A strangled cry fell from the teen's lips as his cock swelled, twitching and spurting as he followed Lee'en over the edge.

The mixed Nightmare gave a few final rough thrusts that drew forth sounds from both his mates and then released hard into the human beneath him. Raj held his body above theirs for a moment, and then slowly shifted off of Jack. The larger man then placed a kiss on Lee and Jack's foreheads and laid beside his two lovers, draping a long arm around them both.

Jack slipped from Lee'en's warm body with a soft moan, squirming into a comfortable position with his sated lovers. He snuggled in happily, eyes closed.

"Mmmm, love you guys," Jack murmured. "Lots and lots."

"As do I," Raj responded in his deep voice.

Lee'en gave a loud yawn and snuggled closer. "Ditto," he agreed.

::::::

After a shared warm bath in a tub that was plenty large enough for the both of them, Alistair and Finian helped dried each other off. Finian had tensed up for a brief moment, but he relaxed into the Nightmare's touch. The human then dried and brushed out Alistair's long hair. Every time his fingers ran along the lovely indigo strands, he felt at peace.

The Nightmare noted as much, so he allowed Fin to take as long as he wished. When the human finally placed the brush down, the fleur-de-lis marking on Alistair's forehead glowed a bright cobalt as the older man used magic to finish drying his hair. When they were through with the bathroom, they walked over to the bedroom, and the Montcroix laid out a soft set of pajamas for Finian to wear before pulling on a pair of pajama pants himself.

Finian dressed himself quietly, feeling strange moments of guilt and frustration, along with a tiny tendril of fear. But, when the two of them laid down on the bed, Alistair was careful not to brush against Fin. The platinum-haired man turned to look at the Nightmare. With a trembling hand, he took Alistair's hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing a kiss to it. The scent of the older man hit his senses...freshly baked bread, spices, and wine. It soothed him deep inside and caused a burn in his chest.

"Ah!" Finian hissed, which caused Alistair to sit up immediately and look him over.

"Finian! What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" The Nightmare gasped, his hands hovering above Finian's form, as if afraid to touch him and make the pain worse.

The human unbuttoned a few of the buttons on his pajama top, where his navy blue compass promise mark glowed. Tears began to brim in Fin's eyes. "Lee was right," he whispered in awe. "I was just so ashamed of what happened...I wasn't able to keep my promise, so I thought..."

"Finian Fair," Alistair growled as he carefully took hold of one of the human's hands. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Yes, I was able to find you because you were a Maiden. But, that status itself means nothing to me. I love you. I love who you are. Your grace, your kindness, and even your scent will always draw me in."

Finian's tears rolled down his cheek as he sat up, but before he was able to say a word, Alistair pressed Finian's hand against his bare chest, right over his heart.

"Would you please mark me, Finian?" Alistair urged. "Even if we are never able to fully consummate our mating, I want everyone to know that you are the only one for me."

The younger man took a shuddering breath as a warmth seeped through his hand. When he lifted it, his intricate navy blue compass was displayed on Alistair's tanned skin, more solid and saturated than he had ever seen it. He wiped away his tears with the back of his hand and leaned over to press a tender kiss on the marking.

Alistair nearly bit his tongue at the rush of pleasure that permeated from that innocent kiss. He had never realized just how potent a mating mark could be. Matings were such a private manner that no one had ever told him just how powerful the markings could be. So, he held himself as still as possible and hoped to the cosmos that his shaft wouldn't awaken any further.

"Do you mark me now?" Finian asked in a nervous voice as a blush streaked across his nose and cheeks.

But, the older man nodded in affirmation. "Our kind can't overlay a mating mark over one that is already there...so, we usually avoid marking the face," he explained. "But, if a human wears another's mating mark on their forehead as their own crest..." he continued as he gently placed his hand over Finian's forehead. "It is an ancient honor that has long been forgotten. It can only be bestowed by royals to bestow the family name onto a human intended."

Finian felt a tingling warmth on his forehead that lasted even after Alistair removed his hand. Though he couldn't see it, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that a cobalt fleur-de-lis now rested there. He reached up a few fingers to touch it and felt a strange rush of energy.

"Finian Montcroix," Alistair announced. "We are officially mates."

The younger man wrapped his arms around the Nightmare's shoulders in a tight hug. "I love you," he whispered into Alistair's ear. After a moment, he pulled back in a sudden movement and gasped. "Won't Mother Penelope be upset that we did all this without telling her again?"

A shiver rolled down Alistair's spine, but he assured Finian that she would understand...eventually. Still energized from the exchange of markings, the two of them talked of things that Finian had missed. The Nightmare told him of Synan making fast friends with Felix, and how both Synan and Quinton were ready to join them in any of their endeavors. He even told him how Habacuc had crossed over his father, Robert, from Fin's old dimension to theirs. They talked for hours before the human finally gave in to a restful sleep.

Alistair gently rubbed Finian's back, feeling a mixture of amusement and relief when the human subconsciously snuggled up to him. The poor thing was exhausted. Though Al hoped that Finian would rest peacefully the entire night, he was glad to be in a position that allowed him to calm Finian down should he awaken with any fitful dreams. Matings were a mystery in many aspects...it could help ground all the intendeds involved, or it could strain under the pressure of a mating built on hatred. The Nightmare would never regret his decision of asking Finian to mark him that night. A lot would be at stake that following morning, after all.

::::::

Elder Galamin was seated at his cherry wood desk. He held a letter beneath his green lamp. As he continued to read it, the corners of his lips tugged upwards into a vicious smile.

Elder Galamin,

It has come to my attention that you've been untoward with my grandson Alistair's current mate. You know as well as I that Maidens are to be treated with respect, especially humans that have chosen to cross over into our world. It is the one ancient rule that has persisted to this day, and you have dishonored him in the foulest of manners without offering him anything worthwhile in return. Let us speak about this matter in person.

signed

Armand Montcroix

The aged Unicorn stood up and fixed his suit as he walked out of his study. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so pleased. Galamin was quite eager to see Armand Montcroix face to face after so many years.

::::

As he waited for Galamin to meet with him at the restaurant, Armand's concern over his beloved grandson and his mate could be read all over his mature and handsome face. The Nightmare was the tallest of the Montcroix. His shoulders were wide, but his frame was a bit slimmer than in his youth when he sported quite the musculature. His eyes were the same cobalt hue as Alistair's. But, his hair was a non-reflective black with silver tips that fell just below the nape of the neck in straight strands. The crest on his forehead was a cobalt new moon with lines dashing around it as if it were eclipsed. Armand's thoughts drifted to the moments before he set up the meeting in the restaurant's most private room.

-

The retired head of the Montcroix had found Alistair at the door of the Healer who had attended Finian. The Healer was one of the best in all of Zirao Zion and was also a certified therapist...

"Are you sure you don't need me to be in there with you? I would cancel all of my other plans with just a word," Alistair insisted.

"I'll be fine," Fin responded as he stood on the tips of his toes to give the Nightmare a soft kiss. The smile the human gave him was forced as he tried to put on a brave face. Their attention was then drawn to the Healer.

"Master Finian will be in safe hands," Healer Nigel pointed out.

Finian gave Alistair a quick hug before finally walking into the room with the Healer. Alistair watched him go with a torn expression on his face. As Armand looked on, he felt his heart break for his grandson's woes.

"Come with me, Allie," Armand urged as he led them to the library, where many were already gathered

Quinton was there, along with two Elders that were the most loyal to the Montcroix. Armand's three daughters were there, along with their mates. Lucien and Habacuc were also there. They were all pouring over old and new legal documents that would hopefully help them reinstate their royal power.

-

A disturbing expression of cruel joy was firmly planted on Elder Galamin's face as he entered the private room. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" He asked in a nearly gleeful manner.

Armand Montcroix merely frowned.

::::

Lee'en paced around in his empty room. He had awoken to find that both of his mates were gone. They left him a note saying that they'd return soon. But, in the pink Unicorn's gut, he could feel that the two lugheads were doing something dangerous...perhaps somethin like storming Elder Galamin's mansion without him! Feeling frustrated, he barged out of the room they shared and froze in his tracks when he heard some familiar voices down the hall.

"They're not gonna know what to look for!"

"Then we'll have to find our own way of sneaking into that freakshow's mansion!"

The Unicorn puffed up his chest and burst his way into the room, to the surprise of Felix and Synan, who were both gaping openly at him. "Whatever it is you two are doing, I'm so in!" he all but demanded.

::::

Jack didn't expect to be so lucky that the kitchen door would be open again, yet it swung open, and he stepped inside Galamin's home, unseen. He crept carefully, fighting the urge to call for the lovely chef that had helped him before. His absence made worry burn in Jack's gut, though he knew it could simply be Vilas's day off or he could be off doing something else. He frowned, unable to shake the bad feeling, deciding to follow the path Vilas had taken to get to Finian. The human hoped he might come across the chef along the way. He needed Vilas to help him deactivate the alarms so the others could get in without as much trouble.

"Be grateful that the Elder got what he wanted even after you let the human escape!"

"Yeah, we're lettin' ya off easy!"

Jack's eyes widened as he carefully made his way over to the sound of the voices. He peeked his head around the corner just as two of Galamin's thugs marched out of a room and headed towards the yard. The hazel-eyed human let out a sigh of relief that they didn't head his way and quickly rushed over to that same door.

The chef was dangling from the ceiling with ropes, but his ankles were cuffed together. The lovely face was marred with bruises and swelling. Blood trickled down a corner of his swollen lips. Though the rest of his body was covered with his uniform, Jack was certain that there were many more injuries hidden beneath them.

"Shit," the human hissed, sudden rage bubbling in his chest as he rushed over to the young chef. "Vilas, I'll get you out of here. Dammit, I never should have left you behind."

The mixed Unicorn let out a soft grunt as he opened his only un-swollen eye. "The human's thief friend?" He wondered out loud, feeling a bit out of it.

"Yeah, Jack, remember?" The human pulled out a slender dagger Raj had given him and carefully wrapped an arm around Vilas's slender waist. "I've got you, sweetheart," Jack said gently, reaching up to slash the ropes attaching Vilas to the ceiling.

The chef slumped against Jack. He caught the strangest scent of pumpkin pie and the thought of food made him remember a few things. "The soufflé! It's surely charred by now..." He grumbled.

"Damn, honey, fuck the souffle," Jack said in a gentler tone than his words implied. "We'll get you out of here and take you home. I'll get you any ingredients you want to make whatever you want. I promise."

The teen held Vilas to his chest, wanting nothing more than to get the poor chef to a healer then tucked in his bed next to Lee'en. Lee would make Vilas feel better. Seeing the chef so broken made Jack want to shut the petite pair in a room with Raj guarding the door and Jack barring the window.

As the mixed Unicorn's mind slowly regained its senses, Vilas realized something. "I can't walk properly in these," he pointed out with a cough due to his dry throat. "And you can't carry me out of here...the alarm system..."

"Shit, yeah." Jack set Vilas down on a nearby chair as though he were made of glass. "Is there a key to these?" he asked hopefully. "And can you help me disarm the alarm?"

Vilas held onto his knees as if he were using his arms to keep his upper body propped up. He let out a low hiss at the pain that continued to shoot through his arms, since his muscles were stiff from being in the same position for so long with limited blood flow. "Yes, alarm...more important..." He thought about the few times other Elders had to pass through the doors with Nightmares in tow. "The screen is on the wall in the hallway after you make a left. There are symbols on it, crests that look like letters of the alphabet...I know the code."

"Looks like I get to carry you at least a little," Jack announced, carefully lifting Vilas into his arms. "I'm not fucking leaving you behind again. I'll punch in the damn code with my toes if I have to. Help me keep an eye out for assholes until we can get the cavalry in here."

The skinny chef couldn't remember the last time he was carried. When he was a toddler, perhaps? If the situation weren't so dangerous, he'd openly argue. "There's the screen over there," he whispered when they approached. "I can stand, just set me down near the wall."

Vilas leaned back against the wall, trying his best to fight the odd dizzy moments of lost equilibrium he felt. "Alright, the letters should be displayed on the screen already, A through Z. Just press the letters in the order A-r-m-a-n-d and that should do it."

"That's it? The alarms are off?" Jack asked. When Vilas nodded, the human scooped him up again and hurried furtively toward the kitchen, eyes and ears peeled for anyone who might try to stop them. "Then I'm getting you the fuck out of here. Our people are watching the building, just waiting for my signal."

"Your people?" Vilas questioned as he was once again picked up.

Their luck ran out when a group of Elder Galamin's men headed back into the mansion after their lunch break. They rushed over to them immediately. Jack quickly sat Vilas down on the ground behind him and turned back around to defend him. Both of Hazeth's sisters immediately began to attack two of the Unicorn guards, and Raj punched out the Unicorn that was the closest to Jack and Vilas.

"My pumpkin, are you alright?" Raj questioned as he took Jack's face in his hands and assessed him for damage.

Jack's eyes widened when he saw yet another Unicorn guard rushing towards Raj. "Watch-!" But, before he was able to finish his warning, he was treated to the glorious sight of an airborne Lee'en smashing the bottom of his combat boot against the side of the attacker's face in an incredibly high kick. Jack never knew that the pink-haired unicorn could even jump that high.

Though the chef could barely see through his only un-swollen eye, goosebumps rolled over his skin at what he was hearing and sensing around him. Vilas heard more than he saw two wild women defending their brother. The only reason he knew they were related was because they kept declaring things like 'leave my vagabond brother alone!' On the other side, Vil could have sworn that he heard the sound of men fighting for their lives.

"Are you crazy?" Lee'en chastised his tallest mate. "I'm glad you protected Jack, but you have to watch your own back as well, you big lug!"

"My deepest apologies, my peony," Raj responded.

"Wait, what are you even doing here?" Jack asked aloud.

Lee'en snorted. "Oh please. Like I would really allow the two of you to leave me behind just like that." He pointed out a bush several yards away from the group's original hiding spot. "Sy, Felix, and I were right over there the whole time."

"Felix, you say?" Lucien asked in an icy tone of voice as he approached them. The area behind the Scholar was littered with unconscious men. "And just where is my young, careless mate?"

Lee'en rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. "Right, about that..."

::::

"If my memory's not all fucked up, I think Galamin's study is down this hall," Synan whispered to Felix. The two of them had snuck into the mansion from a side entrance while the rest of the gang distracted the Elder's thugs.

Felix looked around before scooting over to a desk and yanking open the first drawer he touched. "What are we looking for?" he asked, holding up a packet of papers and flipping through it.

"Anything that sounds real shifty," Synan responded as he dug through his own pile. "Found one! Look at this...a contract that actually allows Elders to pick off Nightmares off the streets for their own enjoyment!" He growled as he clutched the sheets tightly enough to wrinkle them.

The two of them managed to find other nefarious contracts and receipts and gathered them all up. Just as they were heading out the door, they walked right into a very tall and handsome Nightmare. Lucien Montrcroix hefted Felix over his shoulder.

"It's time to evacuate," The Scholar insisted. "We found a valuable witness that will make taking the Elders down an easy process."

"And we found these documents!" Synan added as he held up several file folders.

"Lucy!" Felix hissed, struggling. "You're embarrassing me in front of all the hot fighty-type guys!"

Lucien didn't hesitate to give the younger Nightmare a slap on the backside. "You have much to answer for, Felix Elliocutious Montrcroix," he rumbled. "And even more to apologize for, like the damn near heart attack I had when I heard your name fall from Lee's lips out on the field. Do you have any idea of the fear I felt just then?"

"Yeah, I fucking do!" Felix shouted. "That's about how I felt when you just announced that you'd be coming in here as part of the first bastards in!" The teen's voice dropped as he stopped struggling. "You didn't even talk to me about it. You just pretty much said, 'Hey, I'm going to go do this really dangerous thing. See you later. Here, have a kiss, that makes it all okay. Bye.'" Felix rubbed angrily at his stinging eyes. "And Fin is my friend. Nobody will tell me what happened to him, but it was something bad. I'm not stupid, even if everybody older than me seems to think so. You think I could look him in the face if I didn't do something against the fuckers who hurt him?"

Lucien immediately set Felix onto his feet. He wiped away the rest of his tears with his larger thumbs and bent down on one knee to give the younger man an apologetic kiss and to look him in the eye. "I'm sorry. You have every right to be angry. I meant to protect you, not exclude you. Will you forgive me?"

Synan blushed at the sight and focused his attention around them, looking out for any other possible employees under Galamin. He hoped the couple figured things out. He was really getting to like them as friends.

"You'll have to prove you're sorry," Felix pouted, crossing his arms. "And promise you won't do it again." The teen sighed, looking around and seeing Jack and Raj rushing their people out of the building. Most were dragging the unconscious bodies of Galamin's men. "But you can think about the best way to apologize and do it later," Felix announced. "We gotta bounce."

Lucien smiled before lifting Felix back into his arms, this time in bridal style. "Agreed," he affirmed as Synan led the way back out.

Jack waited until the bodies of all of Elder Galamin's Unicorn thugs were hidden inside the mansion. When asked where the rest of Galamin's employees were, Vilas explained that most of them were shopping for supplies and food. When the Montcroix crew was out of range once again, the human snuck back inside to the alarm panel. He entered the code that Vilas had given him to turn all the alarms back on, which was simply Galamin's name spelled out. When it was time to reunite with the crew, Jack didn't spare a backward glance and ran out of the mansion for good.

::::

"For a man in my position, a Maiden is of no use to me," Elder Galamin insisted as he regarded Armand's cobalt blue eyes. He was fascinated with the way the Nightmare's pupils shrank with each of his words. "I knew that your young Alistair, your heir, would gain quite the status with a Maiden at his side. A human Maiden? That would have the public changing their opinions of the royals...enough, perhaps, to give Alistair and his human a higher position."

"So, you admit that you defiled that innocent young man to stop that from happening?" Armand asked calmly, despite the rage that flashed through his eyes.

"Yes," Galamin responded. "However, nothing else will befall your precious grandchildren if you agree to do something for me."

"Something for you?" The Nightmare questioned.

"Spend one night with me in my mansion," the Elder urged. "One is all that I would ever need. Just you alone."

Armand Montcroix's eyes narrowed. "We shall see," he answered.

The Unicorn stood up with a smug expression on his face. "Then, I expect your call," he said in parting as he left the restaurant.

The aged Nightmare let out a long sigh and waited a good few moments before waving his hand over the glass of water on his table. The water changed to a blue hue before forming into an orb. As Armand tipped the glass so that the orb fell into his large hand, images appeared on the surface of the blue sphere. He had recorded their entire interaction, and it would serve as further evidence against Elder Galamin and any other corrupted Elders in Zirao Zion.