Arthur's Point of View

Pendragon Estate

I soon found the entire room looking at me. The other adults hoping I would answer, and one boy looking confused. Crouching down, Austin was a little taller than me now. My elbows went to my knees as I looked up at him.

After a moment, I put one hand on his head. “Some bad things have happened. Kine dying is one of them. Lucia and Alwin being… ‘Questioned’ is another.” My words were light because I didn’t know what Cass had told him. “When I returned, I was…” A sigh left my lips. “I was very sick, Austin, and I was very upset. It didn’t make for a good combination.”

“Is that why all these Succubae are here?” He asked. “Are ya helpin them?”

“No. Lucia is. I… At this point, I’ll do whatever she wants. She wants to help them.”

“Even though they’re the ones who hurt her?”

“Yeah…” I let out slowly with a sigh.

“Even though they killed Kine?”

“The one who killed Kine is dead. I made sure of that.” My hands went to his shoulders. “Cassidy helped me in my moment of weakness. Floyd, along with the Priestesses and several others, didn’t agree with her decision. She’s here, along with you and Rennal, to make sure you’re safe.” I then stood and shook his shoulders slightly. “Nothing’s gonna hurt you with me around, is it?”

He shook his head. “No.”

I nodded. “That’s right. I owe you and your sister a debt of sorts.” I grabbed his head and shook him more playfully. “Don’t worry, though. I’ve already spoken with Elincia. Hopefully things will go back to normal soon. Then, we’re gonna get your sister better.” Standing back up, my gaze turned to the two on the bed. “Starting with you being on bedrest for the next couple of days.”

Cass rolled her eyes. “Ah’ve been in bed for so long-“

Shaking my head made her stop. “Don’t care. You can move around the room, but no more running errands. Not until I get with Ayda and you together so we can go over things.”

Rennal gave a firm nod to Cass, which made her scoff. “Fine. Not like Ah got anything ta do right now anyway. Harvest is over.”

“We still got some prep work ta do.” Austin reminded her.

“I’ll help with that when it’s needed, so don’t worry about any of that. You stay here and help Cass.”

“Actually, Ah’m kinda hungry. Any chance ya got some food we could eat?”

Marina answered. “After you three went shopping, we do have some supplies. Thankfully, the Succubae do not eat traditional foods or drinks. Still, there are more people than usual in this place. My brothers and I included. Some are wounded.” She then turned to me. “I would suggest getting more.”

I nodded in agreement as I crossed my arms. “I can do that.” Then I looked down to Austin. “Think you can go grab enough food for you three?”

He paused. “Could ah? Probably. Get it back here in one piece? Eh…” Austin trailed off.

A hearty chuckle came from my chest as I started ruffling his hair again. “Marina, would you be a doll?”

She smirked. “I will help him. Come along Austin.” The two left rather quickly to help Cassidy as the door was left cracked open.

Rennal was the one who spoke. “So, I hear you and Priestess Elincia may have had an intimate night together…” I turned back to the two women on the bed. Rennal’s cheeks were rather rosy, but it seemed she was quite interested in some of the juicy details. “Should we expect you to be in the Temple more often after such a night of coitus?”

“That’s the delicate way of putting it. Apparently, almost everyone in that city knew Elincia and I had a long night together.” Was my response. “Not gonna lie, not sure how I was even able to get an erection.” I told them.

“Trouble getting it up? It happens ta more men than ya think?” Cass decided to add unhelpfully.

“Very fuckin funny.” I stared at Cass for a second before I replied. “No. It’s mostly because I had drained quite a bit of my own blood.” While I made a slitting motion against my wrists, I explained. “I slit my own wrists a few hours earlier to try and get some of the poison out my system.” Both women grimaced. “Mix that in with having low energy, being drunk, and you get poor decision-making skills at their finest.”

Cass spoke slowly. “Ah guess it makes sense why ya’d be surprised about even bein able ta…” She coughed shyly. “Use your body in that manner.”

“Guess my erection was too powerful and made its own blood.”

“That’s not how that works.” Rennal pointed out, as tastefully as she could.

“It’s how my dick works!” I said as I gestured to it only for someone to clear their throat behind me. My eyes closed, and I didn’t even want to look, but I did. Her purple eyes were focused on me as one brow rose slowly as she crossed her arms. “…Hi, Lucia.”