Chapter 60

~Calea~

Being with Ryuu made Calea lighter inside as if he had taken an unseeable weight off her shoulders. She still did the usual things around the castle, but now, she didn't run from Ryuu; she was the one looking for him. The courtyard garden was one of his favorite spots; she guessed it was because of the different kinds of fish they held there, by magic, of course, or else the fish would die. They were fragile and unique. "Ryuu?" Calea walks casually as if she just stumbled upon him. 

Lately, she noticed Ryuu getting taller and more muscular. His psyche would change, and it baffled her. Now, Ryuu almost resembled his father. The way he spoke with her improved, but his accent remained, as it did with his pride. He smirked, looking up at her. "Are you hunting me now, little minnow?" His voice had dropped an octave, and Calea couldn't help but fawn over it. She sits beside him, "Now, why would I do that? I could wait for you to come to me." She says, letting herself be playful and not serious for one. Ryuu's eyes sparkle, and the warm rumble of his chuckle tingles her spine. Ryuu lays a hand on her cheek, and she leans into it, "Is this your way of telling me you miss my presence?" Ryuu leans in and lays his forehead on hers. 

Ryuu has been with his father more often, and she feels it is because of her. Koa and Nye have made clear they want nothing to do with her. "Hm, I can not control my father's personal feelings, but he does not have control over mine, Calea."

Her face stretches in shock as she pulls back from him, "I-I didn't say anything."

"I can hear your thoughts sometimes," Ryuu says, leaning back. He smirks, "Some make me question your innocence, little minnow." He waggles his eyebrows. Calea gasps and slaps him on the shoulder.

"Ryuu!" She shouts, looking around. The flush of embarrassment is prominent on her face, and she harshly whispers, "Don't say such things out loud!" Access to her thoughts, even randomly, made her on edge. Calea recently began having those intimate thoughts, but she feared it was too early in their relationship to do anything about it. "Are you scared I might ravage you?" The look on Ryuu's face is of permanent amusement. Calea clears her throat and crosses her legs, acting the proper lady she's supposed to be. "I wouldn't want that."

"Such a liar." Ryuu leans into Calea, making her back away a few inches, but his face is close enough for her heart to beat a mile a minute. "Come now," the thickness in Ryuu's voice, added by his now glowing eyes, locks her in place, "I've been dying to dive deeper into that wavering innocence of yours to see the vixen inside." His face creeps closer, "Kiss me, Calea."

She used to resist so quickly, but now she didn't bother; Calea gladly kissed him; her hidden passion awakened, and her senses peaked at just the touch of his hands. She deepens the kiss, entangling her fingers in his hair, and his grip on her hips makes her thoughts sinful. They both panted like starved animals; she swore she wouldn't, but it was happening so naturally. Calea finds herself straddling Ryuu, her intentions corrupt as she moans into his mouth. She could feel the smile on Ryuu's lips and the hardness that lay against her core—never had Javall made her feel like this, something that didn't feel forced and pressured. She quickly wanted to be consumed by Ryuu, to feel the heat of his body on hers. Everything about Ryuu drove her mad in a good way, and as Calea reached down to release him from the bondage of his clothes, she heard someone coming around the hedges.

"Calea? Calea?!" Kamari's voice nearly gives her a heart attack; before Kamari can see her on top of Ryuu, she sits down beside him and tries to fix her messy look, but Ryuu does nothing to hide his obvious arousal. Kamari comes around the corner, and she stops mid-stride, "Oh. Am I-uh, interrupting?" Kamari turns sideways from her son for a good reason. "No, no!" Calea gets up, but Ryuu grabs her arm; she looks back at him apologetically, "I'll be back, then she leans into his ear, "I'll hunt you down later." Ryuu smirked at her, and Calea walked towards Kamari. They distanced themselves from Ryuu before they said anything to each other.

Kamari cleared her throat, "I hope you don't think I have a problem with you and Ryuu being intimate." Calea's face got beat red, and she lays her face in her hands, "Oh, Goddess Kamari, I'm sorry. I really should have been more modest…"

Kamari snorts laughter, "What's modesty? I lost that a long time ago." Calea looks at Kamari with relief on her face. "Look, I know you're not used to this feeling. It's more primal, raw, and at times frightening, but I know I wouldn't change for a thing. I'm here for you. Even if my husbands act naughty, tell me." Kamari gives Calea a pinched-eyed smile. Calea presses on the conversation, asking, "So, why did you seek me out?" Kamari stops and looks around to ensure she hasn't been followed. "Oh, Goddess, I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it." Kamari pauses, and it causes a wrinkle in Calea's brow; Kamari continues, "Mael is a Shade Dragon." Calea's eyes widened in response.

"I know, and I went with him to his garden. Calea its unlike anything I've ever seen, I mean, It just called to me, like something I was suppose to see so long ago and I never go the chance." She pauses, her head to the ground, "My husbands know, I assume their pissed off even if they don't go on a rampage, but Calea he's willing to teach me all things I should have known. I can't pass that up."

Calea searches Kamari's eyes, then ponders the information she's given her. Mael has been in the Kingdom for years, and Calea could only assume his reason for being here was for Kamari. Had Kamari's soul called another Dragon? If so, why did Mael not take the chance of sealing that bond with Kamari? Calea had a knot in her gut; she didn't know how to feel about it, the look on Kamari's face told her it took a toll on Kamari for a long time. Calea could remember the girl who got into fights or mediocre things and the spurs of playfulness and passion. Still, beneath it, something sinister lay in Kamari's eyes, and it showed when she murdered her father and late fiance. It reared its ugly head. If Kamari did understand the ways of a Shade, then maybe her friend would feel whole. Calea sighs, "I suppose it's the only way you'll discover more about yourself."

As if not expecting Calea's answer, Kamari's jaw drops, "What? That's it? No, lecturing me on how stupid this is?" Calea shakes her head and smiles, "No, even if I disagreed with you, I know you too well, and you will do it because your determination and curiosity for what you haven't found is unmatched. I will ask that you be extremely careful and bring your husbands with you." Calea can see the relief in Kamari's relaxed features and is suddenly reminded of Kamari's mother. The woman might not have been in her right mind, but she instilled in her daughter a raw type of power that wasn't physical. Something about her mother still dwelled within Kamari, not Shade's blood, but her mother's passion and whimsical nature and the pride she took from being who she indeed was; there was never a fake side of her mother. That part of her mother remained in Kamari.

"Well, I guess I should see what badass stuff I can do, huh?" Kamari entwines her arm in Caleas's, and she happily lets her lead the way. Calea had so much faith in Kamari because of what she'd been through; they both had gone through a lot to protect this Kingdom, and Calea knew they would continue to do so no matter what came at them. Kamari and Calea walk through the vendors until they reach Mael's stand, and not far from it, Calea spies Aneth, his eyes intently locked on Mael, who in turn ignores Aneth whatsoever. Calea's stomach clenches, feeling tension zapping through the air, only something that can be from those who knew what was going on.

Kamari goes to Aneth, who, upon seeing her, embraces her wholesomely and kisses her. Calea found it funny how Kamari's husbands had different ways of leading, and depending on who led, they had a massive say in decisions. That was one of Calea's worries: If Nye or Koa dethroned Aneth, there was no telling what they would try and do with her, despite her being Ryuu's mate. Although Kamari would defend her, and so would Ryuu, she didn't want anyone getting hurt over it. Calea hoped it would never come to that. Calea catches Aneth's attention as she walks over, she briefly stops and dips her head and he looks away from her, Calea goes to Kamari's side. "So when will we leave–"

"I see you've brought an entourage," Mael says as he walks toward them; Aneth pulls Kamari behind him. Mael raises his hands, "Hey now, Big guy, I know the rules, alright? No touching." Kamari steps out from behind Aneth, "Are we leaving now?" Kamari asks with a sparkle in her eyes. Mael gazes at her, on the surface their was such a gentle nature, someone who wanted to do right, but Calea suddenly has a dreadful realization. Kamari held that same look even when she murdered her father and late fiance. Calea swallows hard; she feels all three of her husbands should be here, not just Aneth.

"Wait!" Calea says as they start walking. I um—" She scratches her neck. "Don't you think Nye and Koa should be here as well? They should know what Kamari can do and see it for themselves." Calea takes a daring risk and looks Aneth straight in the eyes, praying he'd get the hint. Aneth looks to Kamari, "Stay here. I will gather them."