3~14

Julian's body ached by the next day after being trapped between two lamias in heat. His crowning as the new Órnish king was spreading verbally like wildfire and before long the familiar faces of both his mother and his sister showed up at the castle gates with the escort of one of his elvish son's Durante.

"Show them in, prepare guest chambers for them at once."

Julian ordered the staff before rising out of the tub. Water rushed down his body rapidly, tracing the outline of his chiseled muscles and semi hard cock.

The castle staff moved with practiced efficiency, ushering Eira, Kuina, and Durante into the opulent throne room. Eira’s eyes swept over the room, taking in the grandeur of the decorations and the subtle scent of power that permeated the air. She wore a simple travelling dress, but her regal bearing was undeniable. Kuina, still bearing the visible signs of her recent injuries – a silver prosthetic replacing her missing arm – moved with a quiet grace, her expression guarded. Durante, tall and elegant, stood silently behind them, his elven features stoic and watchful. Julian, having quickly dressed in a dark velvet robe, met them halfway, a weary smile gracing his lips.

“Mother.”

He greeted, offering a respectful head bow.

“Eira. And Durante. It’s… good to see you all.”

He paused, glancing at his mother's missing arm with weariness.

Kuina's breath hitched, drinking in the man her son had become in the short few years of them apart.

"You're the spitting image... of your father..."

Kuina muttered. Unable to help herself, she caressed his jaw and leaned in to press a kiss to his lips, savoring the feeling of how soft they were. He even tasted like Lael...

Julian’s green eyes widened momentarily at her unexpected gesture, but he didn’t pull away. He allowed her to caress his jaw, her touch sending a shiver down his spine. The kiss was brief, chaste, yet filled with a potent mix of maternal affection and something else… a flicker of longing, perhaps. He leaned into her touch, savoring the familiar scent of her, the warmth of her presence. When she pulled back, he reached up to cover her hand with his own, his gaze softening with emotion.

“I try to honor his memory in all that I do.”

He replied, his voice husky. He wasn't a fool - many scouts had all confirmed the **** of his father, Queen Lilith even had confirmed it, having said that his father's soul had earned a chance at rebirth in the underworld.

“He was a good man, a brave adventurer… and a loving father.”

Julian glanced at Eira, a silent acknowledgment of their shared grief. Eira stepped forward, her blue eyes assessing Julian with a critical gaze.

“You look…"

"Different?"

Julian muttered dryly. Every woman he'd lain with up to this moment seemed to have formed an unbreakable bond with him and directed some of their power deep inside of his magic core. He could only imagine how he would measure up against his mother in battle. And he prayed that day would never come.

"How is Athan?"

Julian murmured softly. Last he knew, he'd left his newborn son in the care of his sister Eira.

Eira's brow knit together, pursing her lips as her gaze wandered, meeting his green orbs in locked contact.

"He is well... although growing slower than his cousin, more vocal in every way."

She murmured, her tone lowered enough so only those around them could hear. Eira didn't seem to be impressed, appearing to be on guard still. Her wings faded from its normal green colour, a visible sign amongst fairies that the spiritual plains were currently in a state of distress.

"He's in Halston's care right now, with Caliste. Sleeping, last I checked."

Julian chewed the inside of his cheek and nodded slowly.

"I've been crowned king of Órns... through my most recent marriage to this nations queen."

He informed them, turning away to walk towards the crumbling exit. The castle was still sorely being repaired from the attacks, but for the most part a few of the guest rooms had remained intact.

"Mother... both aunt Thaline and aunt Aerith are still nowhere to be found... I've been searching for them but there's no telling how far that celestial has taken them..."

Julian added over his shoulder.

Kuina’s expression darkened, narrowing her icy blue eyes at the surrounding destruction.

"I do not suggest you make any rash attempts in the process."

Just thinking about her first encounter with that celestial bitch gnawed at her very soul. A lasting impression that had killed her husband, and every A-ranked adventurer with a swat of her wrist, treating them like nothing more than insects.

"Not when it comes to her..."

She mumbled under her breath, a fair warning that haunted her.

Julian stopped walking, turning back to face them with a sigh.

“Rash attempts are hardly my style, mother.”

He said, his voice laced with a hint of exasperation.

“I’m well aware of the danger. But I cannot simply sit here and do nothing while my aunts are… held captive. Or worse.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over their faces, searching for understanding.

“I’ve dispatched scouts in every direction, offered rewards for any information, but so far, nothing. It’s like she vanished into thin air.”

He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident.

“I’ve also been… occupied with matters of state. The kingdom is in chaos, morale is low, and there are whispers of rebellion.”

He glanced at Eira, a flicker of concern in his eyes.

“Your presence here is… reassuring, Mother, but it also brings a sense of foreboding. I fear this is not a simple political crisis, but something far more sinister.”

He turned and resumed his walk, gesturing for them to follow.

“Come, let me show you to your chambers. We can discuss this further over dinner later. Perhaps you can offer some insight. You’ve always had a knack for reading people… and situations.”

As they walked, Durante remained silently at Kuina’s side, his keen eyes scanning their surroundings, ever vigilant. The castle staff, though polite, seemed to avoid direct eye contact, their faces etched with apprehension. The weight of the kingdom’s despair was palpable, hanging heavy in the air. They passed through a grand hall, its once-vibrant tapestries now torn and faded, a stark reminder of the recent devastation. Julian paused before a set of ornate double doors.

“These are the guest chambers prepared for you.”

Julian announced, gesturing towards the doors.

“They’re not as lavish as they once were, but they’re comfortable enough. I apologize for the… austerity.”

He pushed open the doors, revealing a spacious suite, though noticeably less opulent than the throne room they had just left. A large bed dominated the room, draped in heavy velvet curtains. A fireplace crackled merrily, offering a small measure of warmth against the chill of the castle. A small table was set with a carafe of wine and a selection of fruits and cheeses.

Julian scanned the room hesitantly before looking at his sister - exhaustion withering his handsome appearance.

"Please... send word to Halston, I'd feel more at ease if our entire family is gathered in one place."

He then looked over to his eldest elvish son Durante, clasping the boy on the shoulder.

"Evacuate the Mondbaie Estate. Have all of your siblings, their mother's and the staff routed to the palace. We will make this the base of operations going forward. Be safe my son."

Julian acknowledged Durante gently, even though the elf soldier was the same age as him.

Eira arched a brow toward Julian, already having an itchy feeling to his request.

"Son? So that's what you've been busy doing?"

She spoke in a hushed but cold tone. Glancing up at the elf soldier, now answering her own thoughts as to why he smelled like her brother. Her eyes were darkening to deep shades of pink, stepping up to Julian with her knuckles going white from restraint. Her suppressed thoughts now unraveling at the scene.

"How many?"

"Stay out of my personal affairs Eira."

Julian replied stiffly. The room was growing tense and reflexively Kuina could sense when her children were about to fight - so she lightly wedged herself between them, placing her hand against Julian's chest and stopping him firmly in place before glancing at Eira.

"Do not rile him up Eira. You aren't children anymore."

"Step off mom, I have every right to ask."

Eira remarked coldly, the pink hues of her eyes shifting to purple and then red, the clear signs of anger building up in the fairy daughter. Her gaze remained fixed on Julian, unwavering even with their mom came between them.

"So, while you had disappeared away from me and Athan, you were just what? Out and about, getting your willy wet and getting high off of sex, all the way up until you became King? What, was being a Duke simply not enough for you?"

She grit her teeth, the sight of her own brother was sickening. Eira was glad that he was safe, unfortunately it was being overshadowed by her weeks of unanswered questions and fear.

Julian’s face flushed crimson, his jaw tightening with fury. He opened his mouth to retort, but Kuina’s firm grip on his chest held him back. He glanced at his mother, his eyes pleading for understanding, but her expression remained impassive. He took a deep breath, attempting to regain control of his emotions.

"I understand your concern, Eira."

Julian said, his voice low and even.

"But this is not the time or place for this discussion. We have more pressing matters to attend to, like finding Thaline and Aerith."

He glanced at his mother, then back at Eira, his green eyes flashing with warning.

"I will not be lectured or judged by you, sister. I am doing what I must to protect our family and this kingdom."

The air in the room grew thicker, the tension between them palpable. Durante, sensing the escalating situation, took a step back, his eyes fixed on Eira and Julian. Kuina's grip on Julian's chest tightened, her eyes darting between her children, searching for a way to defuse the situation.

"I will take my leave then."

Durante hastily turned on his heel and exited the guest bedroom to relay his father's orders to the Mondbaie Estate.

"I do not have time for this, or for you."

Julian sighed in resignation in Eira's direction. He stepped back a few paces and felt the heavy hand of his mother's stance fall away from his chest.

Eira's cold stare lingered on him, registering his words to the absolute fullest before stepping back.

"Go to hell."

She grumbled under her breath before vacating the room, leaving both Kuina and Julian alone. An eerie silence befell the guest bedroom. Kuina folded her arms over her chest, sighing deeply after watching Eira leave.

"What I would give to see you both on the same page for once."

Kuina mumbled to herself before turning her blue gaze back on Julian. Disappointment coupd be seen in her hardened expression.

"Was that really necessary?"

"I will not have her look down on me. My life is my own, as are my choices."

Julian whispered softly - for a moment looking every much the liking of his father at that moment. He exhaled heavily and moved towards the balcony, leaning against the railing silently.

"If only you saw how excited she was to hear that you were okay. Nearly started crying for the umpteenth time after... well your father..."

Kuina silently came up behind him, stepping by his side with one hand raised over his back. She gently pressed against his rigid robes before shifting her hand up onto his head.

"Pride of an older sibling, though not so much older anymore in your case. This is speaking from someone growing up with an older and younger sister."

A weary smile grew on her face, shifting her gaze away from the Kingdom below, to Julian in an attempt to read him as her words sunk in.

Julian pursed his lips into a thin line - his eyes fluttering closed as his mother's fingers massaged the top of his head, providing a missed sense of warmth and comfort.

"I'll try my best to save everyone... that is the only reason I'm in this position of power..."