Satyr Play 02 Pt. 02

Henry turned to Dayshia. "How do you feel about spiders?"

Tish chuckled seeing Sandy's immediate squeamish reaction.

Dayshia saw it and smiled as well. "I'm fine; I love them! Sandy's the one frightened by bugs."

He looked to Sandy. "Is it a phobia?" he asked seriously.

Sandy looked embarrassed. "No! It's just a little aversion. Why?"

"The Hidden Ones are made up of all kinds of people. They come in different shapes and sizes, but all are disguised by glamor spells to appear human. Walter Zhao was an enormous dragon who looked like a dried up old Chinese man when he disguised himself. You need to practice not reacting to the strange beings you're going to see out there. Remember, as far as anyone needs to know, we're all just human. That's how we all survive. Like me, you have the advantage of having grown up as a human, so you know how to behave. You already fit in."

The three ladies nodded at this and seemed to be comforted by the thought then Dayshia's expression soured.

"Fit in except for how we look," she insisted.

Tish rolled her eyes. "Henry said he's going to get us magic disguises of our own. So you can look human too."

"He just has to have sex with a scary, insane Fae Queen first," Dayshia grumbled.

Henry shook his head firmly. "No. She's going to have to do the disguises first."

Tish was looking at him in surprise. "It's true? You'll have to have sex with this Queen?"

Henry shrugged. "I don't truly know what she wants. She'd strongly hinted that she wants sex with a Satyr, but she's linked to an old realm of magic that isn't compatible so it'd be hazardous for her. That doesn't mean she hasn't figured out a way to do it."

"Henry thinks she'll want to keep him," Sandy asserted, and Kesini moved restlessly in her agitation.

"No! She can't have you!" Tish gasped as she clung to his arm.

"It's all guesswork at this point. There's no sense in getting worked up-oomp!"

Tish's mouth was on Henry's, and then her tongue was wrestling his as she clung to his body. She was much stronger! The energy flowing between them was escalating quickly.

"TISH!" Dayshia gasped in annoyance.

The voice jarred Henry from the kiss, and he gently pulled back from the soft lips as his head spun. His heart was pounding, and he could hear his blood rushing to parts of his body he knew he shouldn't be thinking with at the moment. Tish's lovely face captured his attention completely. Her eyes were closed, and she was trembling in his arms. He saw her gently bite her lower lip as she opened her amazing soft brown eyes. His mind flew back to their kiss in the back seat of a cab, and he wanted her so badly- WHOA! Henry released Tish and stood up quickly, the pillow on his lap tumbling to the floor.

"DAMN!" Dayshia gasped as she gawked at his suddenly exposed awakening member.

He turned his eyes towards her and realized what she was seeing. He stumbled out of the room as quick as his legs could carry him. Aiming himself towards the back of the house, he exited the back door to wander out into the large, private yard. He took deep gulps of air to calm himself, and that seemed to be working. He climbed up the three steps on the gazebo in the backyard and sat in one of the chairs.

He closed his eyes and listened to the wind rustling through the leaves in the surrounding forest. He... he needed advice, but he couldn't trust his body... or himself, around these women. He needed male advice.

Henry pulled his cell from his pocket and called his only male friend. After three rings he heard the connection made.

"Hey, buddy! What's up?" Nate said with a friendly tone.

He immediately began to feel better, and that surprised a snort from him. He rushed forward in embarrassment. "Hi, uh, I was wondering if you were free tonight?" he said with a tight throat.

"Yeah... I've got something happening around the dinner hour, but I could get together with you after dinner? Hey, is everything ok?" Nate asked in concern.

Henry shook his head then realized Nate couldn't see the gesture. "No, not really. I've really fucked up, and I could use a little advice."

"My advice is free and worth every penny," Nate said with a smile in his voice. "Where do you want to meet?"

Henry looked around. He couldn't leave. Maybe Nate would come to him? "If I gave you an address and paid for the fare, could you meet me at a mansion we're staying in for a few days north of the city? I can get you a lift back to the city tonight, or you could pack a bag and hang out with us for a few days until we return. There are plenty of rooms." Something popped in his mind. "Oh! If you come up, I'd like you to tell me if the art hanging on the walls is from these masters you mentioned. I've been told one is a Renoir, but I wouldn't know a Renoir from a kid's paint by numbers."

"You had me at hanging out in a mansion upstate. Telling me about the art is just making me salivate. Sure, I could use a little getaway!" Nate sighed. "Text me the details."

Henry smiled in relief. "Will do. Text me when you get here, and I'll come out and pay the driver."

"See you tonight!" Nate said and hung up.

Henry immediately sent the text then put his phone away. He sat back and looked at the trees at the edge of the property line. It was soothing to listen to the wind, so that's what he was going to do. He knew he had to call Ikehorn, but that could wait.

He needed just a little time to breathe.

-=-

Sigrid and Meixiu stepped in the front door with their arms full of shopping bags. These were plunked on the floor just inside the door as they watched Marisa walking back from the kitchen with a sad expression on her face. They followed her into the sitting room.

She addressed the group. "Henry's just getting some air in the backyard. We'll leave him be until he comes back in on his own." She held the eyes of the three ladies until she was sure they got the message. Sigrid and Meixiu looked at Marisa in concern, but she shook her head.

Sigrid frowned. She needed to know. "What happened?"

"We were talking about what Queen Mab wanted from him and... I kissed Henry. Desperately. Passionately. Sorry, I'm not sure what came over me," Tish lamented.

"Lust!" Dayshia exclaimed.

Tish raised an eyebrow at her friend. "Says the woman getting the free peep show and being all noisy about it!"

Dayshia huffed in annoyance and looked at Tish with a frown. In light of what they'd just felt and seen, they couldn't maintain their annoyance with each other, and both burst into giggles.

Then Dayshia suddenly frowned.

"No! I don't want to deny how upset I am that my life's been turned upside down! I never asked for this! I don't want it!" she growled.

Sigrid sighed. "Stanley felt the same way initially. He grew up completely unaware of his true nature and was content to believe magic was foolish nonsense. He had his computers, science, laws, and rules." She shook her head. "When he discovered he was a creature out of myths and legends he had a tough time accepting it. It's only been recently, as Henry, that he's begun to use terms like 'us' and 'we' when he speaks of the Hidden Races. He would never have wished these changes on any of you. If he hadn't been exhausted and under the influence of his pheromones he might have been able to stop you last night."

"Stop us?!?" Dayshia gasped.

Sigrid nodded. "Henry didn't know what it meant to be a Satyr. His Baba only taught him how to be Human. She blocked his development as a Satyr both mentally and physically. Now that he's permanently in Satyr form, hidden by his glamor, we believe his development is catching up. Think of it as late puberty. One of the fun things he discovered is that his body, under certain circumstances, releases clouds of pheromones which drop inhibitions and supercharge the sex drive for nearby Humans and himself. He's working on being able to control this, but it's early days."

"The subway gas attack and the dance club!" Sandy gasped. Sigrid nodded.

Dayshia was looking at her in shock. "Do you mean to tell me he made us have sex with him?!?" she raged.

Sigrid scowled. "No! Of course not! His pheromones don't control your will! They drop inhibitions. They allow you to follow your desires without hesitation. Be honest; you wanted Henry as much as he wanted you!"

Dayshia pouted, but she couldn't deny that truth. She finally nodded. "But... did he know having sex with us would change us?" she asked.

Marisa picked up the conversation from there. "Yes, and he's devastated that he was unable to stop, but he was exhausted and had been suppressing his... heat past the point where it would be denied. It overpowered him.

"Henry goes into heat? What is he, a cat?" Dayshia snapped.

"Dayshia!" Sandy barked back.

The dark beauty put her hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry! I know, that was uncalled for. I'm just... really upset."

Sandy stood and crossed to her friend. She held open her arms. Dayshia looked up into Sandy's loving eyes then stood to accept the hug. Kesini wrapped herself around both of them. Dayshia's eyebrows rose as she felt the affection emanating from the new being.

Tish pranced over to wrap her strong arms around them all.

"Okay, okay, enough with the warm fuzzies," Dayshia complained half-heartedly. She admitted to herself that she did feel better. Tish, Sandy, and Kesini released her, and they smiled at the watching ladies.

"We have new clothes and toiletries if you'd like to freshen up," Sigrid suggested.

Dayshia smiled in relief. "Yes please."

They went through the purchases and divided out the items.

As Meixiu guided the three ladies upstairs to get them towels, Sigrid joined Marisa in the kitchen at the back of the house. They could see the gazebo from there and Henry, sitting in it looking off into the woods.

"Maybe we should go see if he's ok or needs anything?" Marisa asked.

Sigrid shook her head. "No, I think he needs a little space for the moment."

"What are we going to do about Queen Mab?" Marisa asked in a worried tone.

Sigrid gave her a smirk. "What are we going to do? What makes you think we can do anything?"

Marisa's face fell.

"It's Henry's bargain to make. We'll offer him advice beforehand, but you know the Fae are holding all the cards."

"Mother's not going to accept that you know."

Sigrid nodded with a smile. "And I'll ask her the same question. What makes her think she can do anything?"

They both sighed and watched Henry peacefully communing with nature; allowing him this breathing space.

Chapter 39

Nate sent a text to his buddy Joey and let him know he'd see him this afternoon to drop off his luggage. He was going to do something for Jo he should have done a long time ago. Had he known.

Taking one last look around the apartment, he saw no evidence of his having lived there. He'd jammed his stuff into two old army duffle bags.

He let himself out of the apartment, locking it behind himself and pitched the keys through the old mail slot so she'd see them on the living room floor and know it was permanent.

He took a taxi to Joey's place and dropped the bags off in the small second bedroom Joey used as a gym. His buddy was letting him crash there until Nate got himself a new apartment of his own.

He packed his toiletries and a few changes of clothes in his backpack for a visit with Henry. Next, he sent a text to Jo to ensure she was still on for meeting him at their favorite intimate restaurant. He'd called the owner to reserve the booth in the back corner as it had the most privacy. Jo replied she was still up for it and would be there.

The next part was the trickiest step in his plan. He was going to call upon a talent he'd spoken with Camila about but hadn't yet attempted.

He let Joey know he'd be out of town for a few days and took a taxi to a florist shop in Jo's old neighborhood. He walked in and looked around nervously. He was in uncharted territory, and he prayed he wouldn't make matters worse with what he was about to attempt.

A woman approached him with a professional but toothy smile. She was maybe in her late fifties, petite in stature but curvy with extra padding in her boobs, tummy, and ass. She wore her long blonde hair pinned up, but it wasn't a flattering look.

"You look like you might need some help," she chirped with a light British accent.

He smiled at her and saw her posture improve just a little and her already wide smile widen just a little more. "Yes, I'm hoping I might speak with Bev Livingston." His eyes dropped to her name tag and saw her title said store manager. She caught the direction of his eyes, and she lifted her heavy breasts a little higher.

"Oh! Are you a friend of hers?" the woman asked curiously, beginning to preen.

He nodded and turned on the charm. "My name's Nathan. Bev dated my roommate." Here was where he needed to stretch his wings so to speak. He leaned in a little closer to the woman and locked eyes with her. He smiled and felt her attention lock into him. "I need to speak with her, privately." As instructed, he gently pushed the woman mentally with his will and saw her sway slightly as her eyelashes flutter. Too much. He eased off.

"Oh, I think I can arrange something for you," she said quietly and grinned at him with a twinkle in her eye. He nodded gratefully, and she headed into the back room. A moment later, she poked her head back out the door and gestured for him to follow. He did and spotted Bev standing with her back to them. The older woman tilted her head towards the younger woman to indicate he should proceed as she stepped back out into the store, checking out his ass in the process.

"Hello, Bev."

The woman in question squeaked and spun to face him. Tall and slim, auburn hair tied up in a long ponytail, she still had the pretty, girl-next-door wholesomeness he recalled when she was with Jo.

"Nathan! What are you doing back here? It's staff only," she said glancing to the door. Still a stickler for the rules he observed with a small smile.

"Your manager said I could be here."

Bev frowned slightly. She knew he'd charmed his way in and disapproved. She wasn't impressed, but he didn't hold that against her.

"I want to apologize. For my part in... what went wrong."

Her chin came up, and she crossed her arms. Defensive. Not a good sign. Change in tactics. More honesty.

"Truthfully, I want to apologize for being the leading cause," he said sincerely. Bev's frown deepened, but her arms relaxed a little.

"I wouldn't say you were-" she began.

"If you speak to any of the women I dated more than once you'll see how my involvement in their lives has affected them. These used to be sweet, kind, and generous women and now they've become bitter, manipulative, and generally unhappy people. Speak to their friends or former friends. They'll tell you. I did that. The only consistent variable in the equation is me. I'm poison in a relationship."

Now she was shaking her head in denial with her frown still in place. She might have partially believed him, but she denied it even to herself.

"Jo was spared most of that because... we're only friends. But I did have an impact. I paraded an endless stream of women past her, and this poisoned her as well."

"Jo got what she wanted-"

"No. No, she didn't. She's not happy. Not like she was when she was with you. She rarely smiles. Her humor is becoming darker. She's losing hope."

Bev sucked in a breath as, for her, this was a significant loss.

"I've poisoned her mind, but it isn't too late. I've been so selfish for so long. I wanted her friendship no matter the cost to her. But I've seen what that's doing to her and... I love her too much to continue."

Bev's eyes were wide with worry.

"I've moved out of her apartment, and I'm leaving her life. She needs to heal. For her, it's still possible."

Bev gasped. "She's going to be so hurt!"

Nate knew Bev had depths to her he'd never witnessed, but her empathy for her ex took his breath away.

"You can't honestly believe you're responsible for changing those women!" she said.

"I do, but my belief isn't as important as the facts. I spoke to their friends. The ones who would speak to me. The story was the same in every instance. They went from sweet innocence to...." Nate's expression froze as he looked into Bev's gentle eyes, now filled with puzzled concern. "You! Oh my god, I never realized."

"What?"

"I was looking for you!" He caught the stiffening of her posture. "No, not you specifically. What you and Jo had. That's what I've been searching for. I was subconsciously choosing women like you so I could be as happy as Jo was! As happy as my parents are. Something I'll never have."

Bev stepped closer and reached out to touch his arm. "You can't give up!"

Nate's heart felt lighter as he saw the strength of her compassion. He needed to push forward. This visit wasn't for him.

"I'm not important here and now. Is it too late for Jo? Have you moved on?"

Bev's eyes locked on his and he saw the pain there. She shook her head slightly.

"Jo never stopped loving you. I led her from her truth because I wanted her for myself and I wasn't the friend I should have been. Please don't give up on her!"

Bev had tears in her eyes now. "She hurt me!"

"She never would have if it hadn't been for me! I know she regrets that every day! I have to save her from my influence, so I'm leaving. I have to be the friend I should have been before."

"You can't leave her-"

Bev's compassion was swinging his way, and he couldn't have that. He pulled his arm from her gentle grip and gave her a small smile. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I'm missing the important bits that you and Jo have which make long-term relationships last. Jo needs you more than me. She always has. I finally understand that."

Bev pulled him into a fierce hug, and he allowed himself a moment to enjoy the pure emotion. Then he gently pushed her back. He looked into her eyes.

"She's going to be waiting for me at Christov's at 6 pm, in the booth in the back corner. I gave the manager a letter to give to her at 6:30 pm or earlier if she tries to leave. It may seem manipulative for me to say this but she's going to need you more today than she ever has."

"A letter?!? You should tell her in person!" Bev gasped in shocked outrage.

Nate shook his head sadly. "I'm not as strong as you. I'd cave if I had to deal with her tears and she needs this. I love her too much to stay."

"You know you sound crazy when you say that," Bev said with a worried expression.

"She's on a downward spiral. This mercy is going to feel like abandonment. Will you save her?" Nate asked earnestly.

Bev looked into his eyes, seeing his concern. She nodded shakily then looked to the clock on the wall then the door to the shop anxiously.

"I don't get to leave for another hour!" she exclaimed.

Nate felt the weight of the world sliding from his shoulders. "Give me a moment," Nate said and walked back out to the front. The manager immediately approached him with an eager smile once more. Maybe he pushed her a little hard earlier. He looked to her name tag again. Meredith. Right. He could do this.

"Are you finished with Bev?" the woman asked with what she probably thought was a sultry smile.

He glanced out the front windows as if he was looking for someone watching the shop. The manager followed his eyes nervously and squeaked when she looked back to see he was much closer to her.

He dropped his voice to a deep rumble and looked deeply into her eyes. "Yes, Bev will keep an eye on someone important. I have to leave the city, tonight." Meredith watched him with wide eyes. "Before I leave," He moved closer still, brought his lips to her ear, and flexed his will once more to make her accept the words he was about to say. "I have to make love to you, or I'll regret the missed opportunity for the rest of my life!"