Anger and Jealousy

The air at the table wasn’t too tense. Both Lexi and Lisbeth had agreed to the meeting and Morgana only looked slightly annoyed. You could tell that your goddess was far more interested in getting you in bed than talking about family matters.

“So, I think we should start by addressing the elephant in the room.” You said in a business tone you typically saved for work meetings.

“I am different. My body is…improved, and my magic is stronger than before. There’s a side effect to that change: I am having a difficult time controlling my urges.”

“Then how about we stop talking and get into the bedroom?” Morgana said, trying to seduce you with her glance. You shuddered. A part of your brain was ready to just follow your goddess into the bedroom and say goodbye to the world for a while. Somehow, you managed to calm yourself down.

“I wanted to say that if at any point I’m going too far, you tell me. Like I said earlier, we are partners. I don’t own you and have no plans on controlling you.”

“I don’t mind being controlled.” Lexi said, raising her hand. It was so sincere you couldn’t help but laugh slightly.

“Second, Lexi did form a devil’s contract with me. She’s been engraved with my mark. It was kind of a heat-of-the-moment thing, but it was what she wanted. The side effect is…” You hesitated. “...Lexi is able to get pregnant right away. It’s possible she already is.”

The tension in the room suddenly increased. You watched as both Morgana and Lisbeth stared daggers into the little devil.

“Pregnant! She better not be! Asmodeus is mine! I’m the first wife! I want his babies first. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine…”

A torrent of possessive and angry thoughts came pouring into your mind from Morgana. You knew this was always a possibility. The look on Lisbeth’s face was what surprised you the most. The brawny minotaur woman appeared to seethe. You could see her knuckles growing white from her grip on the dining table. Lexi, on the other hand, sported a triumphant grin. She was not helping.

“I want everyone to calm down for a minute. Typically there’d be an order to these things, but the circumstances behind devil contracts are complicated. I love all three of you very much. When we get to the point that we can and the spell is lifted from AWIO, we can talk about next steps. Please do not **** Lexi.” You felt like that last line was needed.

Telling them to calm down was definitely not helping with the mood of the two women, but Lexi’s…enthusiasm made it even worse.

“That’s right. Don’t be jealous. I did you all a favor. Don’t you get it? I helped unlock Asmodeus’ power. You think some flimsy contraceptive spell is going to hold up against him now? He is the Lord of Lust! We should all start bearing his children and increase his power base.” Lexi again puffed out her chest in triumph.

At those words, the air of anger changed dramatically. Now, both Morgana and Lisbeth honed their gazes in your direction. You assumed this sudden chill was how prey animals felt when the lions were closing in.

“Hold on! I didn’t know about that! Let’s not do anything too rash here.”

“It’s true. You both could carry my lord’s offspring right now. Of course you’d have to accept being bound to him for eternity. It’s an easy decision in my opinion. Once he binds you, just hearing your name come out of his mouth makes you wet. You both should try it.”

“You’re not helping me, Lexi! I’m trying to calm people down, not start a whole new problem!”

Adding fuel to the fire, Lexi simply moaned when you called her name. You made a mental note that she needed more discipline in her future. You looked at Morgana and Lisbeth.

“We are not making any more contracts until I understand it better. Lexi is going to help me learn a little more about it. I don’t want us rushing into something dangerous without fully understanding it.”

You thought that had worked until Lexi spoke up again.

“Yes. Asmodeus and I will have to spend so many nights alone practicing and learning.”

*CRUNCH*

Lisbeth had managed to grip the hardwood table so tightly that she snapped a portion off.

“Oh god! I’m sorry!” Lisbeth said with startled realization.

“Lisbeth, it’s okay.” You assured her. “Emotions are high. It’s okay.”

Then you turned to Lexi. “Please stop antagonizing people.”

“We need to all relax. We will get to the children when we get there. This is not something to take lightly or compete about. I need all of us to cooperate. Please.”

“Sorry, James.” Lisbeth said softly.

“I’m sorry too.” Lexi replied.

“Fine. We’re all on a holding pattern with the kids talk for now. I promise you all that it will happen if that’s what you want, just not right now while we’re already trying to transition. Lexi has different circumstances at the moment.”

You looked around the room to see Lexi and Lisbeth nod in agreement. Only Morgana did not acknowledge what you said. Instead, the goddess sat with her arms crossed and a stare into your eyes you couldn’t read. She wasn’t happy, that much you could sense from her body language. Her thoughts didn’t seem to be accessible to you at the moment, but she hadn’t closed off so much you couldn’t feel hints of her displeasure.

“Alright. Next up is the move. With Lexi here now, we need to pick up the pace on finding a good home. I’d like it if you all could collaborate with Mom to handle that. I’d also like to ask that we find a place with enough space for 6 adults minimum. Sleeping arrangements can be whatever, but I’d like it if everyone had their own space if they want it.”

“Nope.”

“No.”

“Not a chance.”

The three women spoke in near unison. Their sudden opposition took you back for a moment.

“We will be staying in the same room. Our new home will have a spacious master with room for a custom bed and enough space for us all. There is no chance that I will allow my pet to sleep separately in our own nest.” It was Morgana who took the lead and spoke for the group. Looking around, the other two women nodded as if what she said was common sense.

“Stop spouting nonsense. If the new home is up to us, then you can just sit silently on the subject.” Morgana’s tone was uncharacteristically cold.

“Okay, fine. I’ll butt out. Like we spoke about before inviting Lexi, there’s a good chance we will eventually add Cerena and possibly one other. It really depends on how we manage ourselves now.”

“Fine.” Morgana snapped.

Her tone made you pause and stare at her.

“Do we need to talk separately?” You said to her through the connection to no response. The two of you stared at each other intensely. Lisbeth and Lexi seemed to pick up on the tension.

“W-well, if that’s everything, then I need to get started on dinner.” Lisbeth interjected. “Lexi, can you help me out?”

Lexi looked at you for confirmation. Without breaking your eye contact with Morgana, You nodded.

“Let’s go talk in the bedroom, Morgana.” You said coldly matching her tone.

She did not respond with words, but merely got up and headed in the direction of the bedroom. You got up, following her. You felt frustrated by her behavior, but also because despite the tension, you couldn’t help but leer at her backside as you followed her in.