Once Dead Twice Bound Ch. 02

Without care for decorum or politeness, I sat at one of the three open seats, taking the one to the right of Diana, and promptly began shoveling food into my mouth. It wasn't until I was on my third chicken leg, seasoned deliciously with rosemary, that I regained control over myself. Looking around nervously, I saw Opal digging into the meal with the same gusto that'd just possessed me. She paused, arching a brow at me questioningly before shrugging her shoulders and resuming her meal. Tara and Diana, had nearly identical looks of amusement, and I found myself shrinking under their stares. I took a dainty bite of chicken and averted my gaze, landing on the six armored guardians that were equally spaced around the table. Most of the guards wore the bored expression of someone doing a job. One, however, only had eyes for Tara, his expression promising illicit thoughts and activities. I growled, the sound rumbling from deep in my throat. The table cloth bunched, my fingers pulling it into a tangled ball as I went to stand. The sudden appearance of the possessive emotion threw me off.

What the fuck was that?

I shook off the feeling, and forced myself to relax back into my seat. A part of me kept an eye on the guardian as I resumed my meal. Tara was concerned while Diana wore an amused smile. Opal had stopped her feral consumption and was staring at the offending guardian with open anger.

Feeling like it was my fault, somehow, I tried to diffuse the situation. "Sorry about that. I don't quite know what came over me," I said, referring to both my manners and posturing. Truly contrite, I dropped my head toward the table.

The safe, comfortable, non judgmental table.

Diana, laughed. But it was a gentle laugh, full of mirth, surprisingly girly considering her normal speaking voice. Risking a peek, I saw her looking at me with soft amusement, covering her mouth with a silken gloved hand. I tried, and failed, not to take it personally.

She noticed how uncomfortable I was and stopped laughing; apparently apologetic at my unease. "I'm sorry that was quite rude of me. Especially considering what I know about your current state of general... uncertainty." She seemed to grasp my confusion and sighed. "It's probably only fair that I inform you about your situation before I tell you why I brought you here. I saved you, from your, rather spectacular, spiritual supernova by taking all the energy you'd collected into your otherwise standard human matrix, and incorporating it into your essence. Essentially fooling your body, coercing into accepting energy it otherwise wouldn't. Every living species has a signature energy type, that energy determines all sorts of things. From their appearance," she said, gesturing to her scales. "To their abilities." She exhaled and a trio of dancing sprites made out of pure light danced out of her mouth, spinning gayly through their to alight on my head for a moment before dissolving into sparkles. "In order to save you, I convinced your matrix to accept the multitudes of energy that warred within you. You'd already started this process when I first got to you, but you weren't doing it fast enough. Using my mastery of my own energy, and not insignificant talent," she said, preening a bit. "I smoothed out the process and brought you to your now stable state. I laughed because you're experiencing a state of perpetual mutability, an almost constant puberty."

"That doesn't sound very pleasant."

"It probably won't be, until you learn to control both your energy draw and your soul matrix configuration. As energy passes naturally through our bodies and souls we affect it, change it almost imperceptibly. It gains a portion of our personality, our unique flavor. You pick up on this flavor, and it influences the way you think and act. This would explain your gluttony," she said, gesturing at Opal.

Hardly offended, Opal, her mouth still stuffed with food, gave a half wave before returning to eating.

Diana continued talking. "This problem presumably kicked off when you received a glut of energy, over that what your body would normally process. Can you think of any action that could've done that?" she said, giving Tara a significant glance.

Tara glowered at her and I sunk deeper into my seat, wanting to disappear. A fluffy length brushed up against my tail and I stiffened. The feeling continued and I looked up to see my lover staring at me with warmth and compassion, her anger gone.

"Regardless of how it happened. Can you think of anything that happened after that event that was unusual for you?" Diana asked.

My mind went back to the last couple of days that possessed more than a few unusual actions.

First there was my unusual friendliness in the cafeteria. Then I fought with Opal. Then I... I had sex with Opal!

"I cheated on you!" I shouted. "I mean, I knew Opal needed it to save her... How did I know that?" A nearly overwhelming mix of guilt and confusion washed over me.

"What?" Tara said, sounding surprised.

"I'm so sorry. How could I do that? I would never do that. We'd just had sex and, I know we didn't really cement our relationship but I'd thought it was kind of implied-"

Tara cut off my babbling with a finger to her tantalizing lips, not making a sound. "Jack, it's okay. If I'm understanding Lady Diana correctly, then I am as much at fault as you. Not that you actually made any mistakes from what I understand."

My brain practically short circuited trying to figure out that particular brand of mental gymnastics.

"What you don't know about me is... Well, you actually probably don't know enough about me and that is my fault. I'll fix that oversight later. In private," she said, giving Diana a peculiar look. "The relevant thing I need to tell you about is my job. I'm something similar to a social worker. Tasked with finding those people abusing their powers, or stepping in to help injured parties heal. My task is facilitated by my natural empathy, which helps me understand what is needed to assist these wounded people. I think that this ability was what you accessed when you desired to help Opal."

"That is what I would presume," Diana supplied helpfully.

"You also threw that spirit fire at me master. During our fight."

"Did he now?" Lady Diana seemed intrigued by this new information.

With a flick of her wrist, Tara produced a small sullen ball of green flame that sputtered in her hand. She dismissed it with a similar flick.

"But that doesn't dismiss the fact the I slept with her," I said, finally getting a word in, pointing at Opal, who gave another wave.

"Yes but-"

"Tara dear, if you don't mind, I'll field this one, it pertains with what I asked you all here to discuss."

Tara nodded, folding her hands over her waist. Her tail continued to distract me by waving against my own but I felt her love through our bond, and it bolstering me.

"Thank you. Haven't you wondered why you've just now discovered this world that we," Diana said, indicating Opal, Tara, and herself. "Live in?"

"I haven't really had time. Everything has happened so fast." I spoke timidly, feeling like I was failing a pop quiz.

"Which is fair. The sundering occured one hundred and forty two years ago when the conclave of all living mages gave their lives to raise the veil, a global enchantment that prevented those that cannot access their spiritual energy, humans, from those that can. Humans perceive us as we would appear if our energy were not influenced by our base matrix."

Tara shimmered for a moment and she lost her fluffy ears and tail, appearing exactly as she had when she went on her first date with me.

"Exactly so. Additionally, the veil is so encompassing that it alters the way humans see their written history and our magical homes, even their memories are not spared, the sundering confines us to myth and legend, safely ensconced in a bubble of disbelief. Now, when a human sees something supernatural, they either dismiss it as a delusion, or they see it as something explainable. The veil also had another, more unfortunate, unforeseen, consequence. The biology of the enlightened was, and is, a delicate thing. While barely perceptible, the veil is still around us at every moment, touching and teasing. For most of us, this affects our biology, just enough to make already infrequent conceptions, even more rare .Lower fertility rates has lead to a slow decline of nearly every supernatural species. This is where you come in, the reason I requested this meeting. With your more... fluid nature, you might be able to help some of us that are seeking alternative methods of procreation." She arched a brow and it finally clicked.

"Hold the phone... You want me to... You know. With you?" I asked, looking incredulously between Tara and Diana. "But I'm with..." I stared at Tara, hoping for some reinforcement that this was crazy.

Tara showed no anger or disgust at Dian's proposal.

"Right, culture clash," Diana said, mostly to herself. "Our relative infertility and disease resistant nature led to us developing a rather more promiscuous society than you experienced amongst the humans. It is not unusual for a group of people to share pleasure amongst one another."

"Lover, I'm not mad that you had sex with Opal or if you wish to have sex with Lady Diana. You wouldn't begrudge me if I wished to do the same, right?" She asked, giving Opal's hand a scorching kiss.

Opals, eyes flashed red and I could smell her arousal as her body prepared for intercourse.

My brain was momentarily thrown off track by decidedly sexy thoughts. "Ummm. No... Yes. I don't know. Aren't we supposed to be monogamous?" I asked, looking for a lifeline.

"Only if its what we both want. As long as we're on the same page and happy... The rest of the world can think whatever they want."

Diana give me a smile that held an entirely new set of meanings and I was thoroughly intimidated.

"Don't you have other dragons who could give you a baby?"

"Yes..." she said slowly, as if she didn't necessarily like that fact. "But they are on the whole, insufferable assholes. So full of their own ego that they have no room for any intelligent thought. Look, no one is going to force you to sleep with me, if that's what you're fearing. My favor for saving you is merely that you entertain the idea, if you find me agreeable then we can proceed naturally and see what happens."

"None of this is natural to me," I said honestly.

"I know. And I'm sorry for that."

"Why the rush? I mean, you don't even know me, I could also be 'an insufferable asshole'."

She laughed again, and again I retreated into my shell. "Trust me. You are definitely leagues better than my peers. Of that I have no doubt. Also, regardless of Tara's influence, you were still the one who saved Opal. The actions she spoke of were not those of an egotistical asshole. Please, take your time considering this affair. What's a few more days after three hundred years?" she said pleasantly as if that was a reasonable frame of time, taking a sip from her wine glass.

The conversation halted for a bit as we all returned to our meals. I managed to stave off the desire to shovel the food into my mouth, eating more reasonably. Probably failing all sorts of rules of decorum, but I couldn't bring myself to care, my mind too full of other things. I was the last to finish eating, reaching a state where it felt uncomfortable to swallow, and my hunger receded.

"If that is all-" Diana began.

"Actually," Tara said, cutting her off with an unusually serious expression. "I have an accusation to level against the liches of this province."

Diana sat up straighter in her seat, a mask of indifference falling over her face. "Oh. Please proceed."

"An unlawful taking of blood was witness by Opal. Along with a presumed kidnapping and imprisonment."

"That is unusual. There is only one master lich that I'm aware of in this province. Antonion Montoya. He runs a clothing shop in the west district. He tends to keep mostly to himself, doesn't make trouble or waves. About four months ago he was approved to take on an apprentice. I can't recall her name at the moment but should be able to find it with a little digging. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Tara met Diana's gaze with an intense stare. "They threatened my mate," she said, her eyes softening when she glanced at me.

"It is within your rights to level said accusations and I will proceed with the paperwork." She paused for a moment. "This is unlike you, Tara," Diana said, her emotionless mask slipping with concern. "You almost pathologically avoided conflict before... I'm glad to see that change."

"I've found something worth fight for. Worth protecting," she said, an undercurrent of steel in her tone reinforcing her belief in her words.

"She told me her name is Olivia," I said. "She contacted me a while back about going on a date, but she..." I swallowed around a lump in my throat. "She never showed." The embarrassment and regret that the memory brought me was still sharp and painful to my already miniscule ego.

"Interesting. I wonder if they had some inkling of your unusual nature before approaching you..." Diana mused.

Great. So it's basically confirmed that she had no interest in me.

Filled with self loathing, I glanced at Tara. A sheen of tears covered my eyes and I knotted my fingers in my lap.

I bet this whole bond thing is the only reason that Tara is with me. She probably doesn't even like me, it's just this mystical juju that tells her she has to be with me. She wouldn't want anything to do with me if she had a choice.

Dully, I heard Tara excuse us from the table. Woodenly, I trailed after Opal and Tara as we returned to our room. I was in a dull haze the entire time.

"If you have time, I would like to spar with you later, master," Opal called out while Tara used her back to close the door.

Bedroom eyes greeted me from across the room. Calves flexing beautifully, she strutted on the balls of her feet, showing off her lovely legs as she approached me. I turned my head away, still possessed with self loathing. Hips shimmying, she peeled off her clothing as she used her body to crowd me backward onto the bed.

Without a word she took my hand and brought it to her bare pussy. Her arousal slicked flesh were warm and puffy, engorged with blood. Lashes fluttering under the sensations of my hand, she successfully disarmed my pity party as she pressed forward, pressing me more fully onto the bed with her luscious curves.

"Is that the feeling of someone who is faking her desire for you?" she asked softly.

My throat was suddenly drier than a rainstorm on the moon. The comforter bunched in my fist as I stopped myself from falling over, a poor substitute for her lovely breasts my hands ached to hold. I could feel my dick stiffen, uncomfortable within me for a moment before it slid free from its hiding place. I shifted my knees underneath me, trying, and failing, to hide my boner.

"You've had a hard day," she said overly sweetly, leaning in next to my throat.

I felt vulnerable as her breath tickled my skin.

Vulnerable and extremely aroused.

Using her hand, she forced me deeper onto the bed, until my knees were on the edge. Having successfully positioned me, she climbed on top, her soft thighs pinning mine to the bed. Shaking off the haze, I divested myself of the sweatshirt, realizing I should probably be naked as well. Her fingers teased my chest hair as she worked her way toward my genitals. Slipping beneath the waistband of my sweats, her hands curled around my feverishly sensitive dick. Pulling with a couple dry exploratory strokes, she tested my reaction. Finding it acceptable, she smiled, showing hint of fang as she licked her hand, her pink tongue covering her skin in lubricating saliva. Eager to resume her fondling, the hand returned to the overly tight sweatpants, which showed off how very erect I was. She continued her previous caresses, methodically tugging at my flesh, drawing me higher. Occasionally she would rub her palm on my tip, gathering the lubricating pre before returning to the unhurried handjob.

I gasped and she smiled wider, obviously delighting in the pleasure she was giving me. Her lips nibbled at my neck while her free hand teased the folds of her sex, on the verge of, but never quite, fully penetrating. Moaning into her breasts, I retained just enough of my mind to tease her nipple with my lips. Her flesh tasted sweet and I felt our pleasure building, bouncing between us in an ever growing wave. Building into a tsunami. Almost before I was aware of it, my orgasm consumed me, forcing me to spill my seed into her still stroking hand. She murmured pleasantly into my shoulder as my hips bucked, her hand not on my sex curled around my neck, holding our bodies close together.

"Feeling better?" she asked teasingly. Her easy manner cut through my mind before any shame could fully form about the unexpected ejaculation.

I nodded.

"Good. I know this is all very strange but we'll get through this. Together. Always together."

I nodded.

She placed her forehead against mine, our ears twitching as they tickled each other with fuzz. I felt her joy though our bond, and it gave me an unfamiliar warmth deep in my chest. .Still dazed by post orgasm satisfaction, I observed dully as Tara sauntered into the bathroom, returning shortly, her soiled hand now cleaned of my seed. I scratched idly at my stomach. Something got stuck into the space under my fingernail, pinching strangely on my scales. Scales which were currently peeling away from my chest in waves, falling to the floor and evaporating after I'd shed them, revealing my usual pale human skin beneath the pleated pattern.

"Tara!" I cried, scooting with my feet until my back hit the headboard. Worried, she hopped off one foot, floating gracefully through the air and landing next to me. She saw the scales as the fell of my flesh like leaves from autumn trees.

"Does it hurt?" she asked, reaching out and probing the problem are carefully.

I had to think about that for a moment, the sight strange enough to make me cringe instinctively. "...No. It actually doesn't," I said with surprise. My skin continued to ripple and transform before my very eyes. The metamorphosis spread down to my genitals and they writhed sensitively, but not painful, as they twisted back into my familiar looking dick and balls.

Welcome back boys, it's good to have you.

The changes appeared to stop there, my abs looking more pronounced than they had been but they were now decidedly human looking. The my purple and cream scales now only speckled the top of my shoulder and pecs, following that coverage to the back where my wings fluttered nervously against the headboard.

"Why though?"

"I have an idea on that," she said, her foxy ears flicking lightly as she sat down next to me. Her tail flopped out from behind her to land in my lap. My nervous hand began gently combing through her so fur, brushing it as a way to relieve my tension.

She shivered before beginning to speak again. "Along with the foxfire and empathy another ability kitsune possess is shapeshifting. I'll show you if you promise to remain calm."

"I'll try my best."

The scent of woodsmoke and citrus that was Tara's particular flavor grew stronger almost overwhelming my senses. Blinking, my second scet of lids descended, revealing the smoky swirls of energy that drew around tighter and tighter around her body in an ever shrinking spiral. Then, between one blink and the next, where once a humanoid kitsune sat was now an adorable auburn fox. She retained her eyes, the same entrancing gold that blinked at me curiously as she climbed into my lap. Her tail swished around behind me and I brought a cautious hand up to her face. She leaned into the touch, petting her head against me like a cat. She let me stroke my hand along her lucious fur for a time before she dislodged my hand by shaking her head. The smell gathered again, and then she was my Tara once more.