Casen
I was exhausted by the time I got back home. I’ve had the driving instructor teaching me every day after class now. I’ve been worried about Tana for these past two weeks. Especially these past few days. She is sobbing crying at everything. I know it’s the hormones. Michael has been monitoring her, but we may need to take her soon to a hospital or one of the clans nearby to their clinic. Robyn can’t heal Tana’s emotional hormonal state.
We agreed we couldn’t tell her what happened that night with Valac, or Ornias. Whoever that creature is. We know Tana knows something, but it's something she didn’t reveal to us after her visit with Ayne. I know she’s upset, but we don’t want to open the door for him to possess her again. Robyn has been dream visiting with Tana a lot, especially at night to help protect her. She’s been altering her form from what she says so Tana won’t suspect a thing.
I opened the door to our sitting room, and I spied Michael on the couch and Tana was curled into him using him as a bed. He put a finger to his mouth to mimic being quiet. I nodded.
“What was it this time?” “Something on tv about a baby falling on their b*tt. She was hysterically sobbing. I just got her to fall asleep about ten minutes ago. It seems like as soon as any one of us brothers leaves her side, she can’t handle it.” “Ugh, I know. I felt so guilty leaving her yesterday for class. She was clinging and sobbing so badly. If it weren’t for Brayon letting her wrap herself around him, I don’t think she would have let me leave, though she encouraged me to go to class.”
“We’re up for this challenge. She is literally carrying the future of us. She is the first of us to carry our future. Robyn has only given birth to each of us over her lifetimes. She hasn’t brought new life to us yet. I fully believe what Tana said is true and Adrian will get her pregnant with twins, but something is nagging at me.” “What?” “I’ve been plagued with dreams of my daughters with both Tana and Juno. Our brothers are just as happy because they both give birth to daughters for all of us. I saw sons too, but our daughters will change everything for us. We’ll be revered as kings. I know it doesn’t make much sense.”
“I believe it. I dreamed last night that Juno gave birth to a daughter for me too. It was a long time from now, but we welcomed her into our growing family with all the love we have. I think that our daughters now are just the tipping point.” “I hope so. I have always wanted a daughter and to know I will get at least two from the two females I love more than anything. It’s indescribable.”
“Now, we just have to find out if there’s any information on this Ornias. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him. I think Tana knows, but it’s one of the things Ayne told her about and she didn’t tell us.” “Is Robyn still dream visiting?” “Yeah, as far as I know.” “She may need to see if she can manipulate the information out of Tana. We need to know what Tana knows and the sooner the better.” I nodded at Michael. He’s right.
“I’m going to shower and change. It’s been a long day so far. Are you good with her? Do you need anything? I’m going to go talk with Robyn after.” “I’m fine. I know it’s a little awkward, but I love having her cuddled to me. I know they’re your babies, but I feel possessive like they are mine too. It soothes me to have her close and protect her even if she is only sleeping.” “I feel you. I’m just glad she has you all to comfort her while I have to be away. Though I get the feeling you may lose her if Orien gets to her before I’m done talking with Robyn. He feels like he’s on edge and I think it is because he hasn’t been able to do much to help her.” Michael chuckled in our link. “He’ll have to pry her from me.”
I chuckled softly as I shook my head and went to our room to get some clean clothes to change into after my shower. I showered and dressed fast. I had to shake my head when I went back into the living room. Orien had lifted Tana’s legs and he was sitting on Michael’s lower legs with Tana’s draped over his as he rubbed them. Tana had called her flame around her as she slept. It was a little chilly and I noticed it had started to snow outside.
Orien snuggled in behind Tana’s legs and adjusted his hand to caress her belly like he was protecting the babies. Michael’s face grimaced, but quickly turned to a broad smile. I don’t think he cares that Orien is using him a little like a bed now too. I moved to the thermostat and raised the temperature in here a little though I’m sure my brothers will keep her warm while they snuggle her.
I found Robyn in the kitchen with the staff that Oisin left with us, and ones Callum had hired from clans close to us that were looking for a change. “Can I speak with you?” She was rolling out dough with a rolling pin. “Sure. What’s on your mind?” “Tana.” She nodded in understanding. “Ornias.” I added. Her eyes shot to mine.
“Michael and I were talking, and we think Tana knows something about him.” “Yeah, I think we all can agree on that. I certainly never heard of him at court with my father before Arosan found me so long ago.” I rubbed my hand over my face with my weariness over how much we don’t know. “Michael thinks you should manipulate the information out of Tana during one of your dream visits. I have to say I’m in agreement. I don’t want her to know though. I just feel like something horrible could happen if we don’t have all the information.”
Robyn sighed and rolled the dough in slow strokes a few times, probably trying to work out what she is thinking. She looked back up at me. “I think we all need to be a part of this. When Tana goes to sleep tonight, we all need to crowd into your bed. I’d rather you all witness whatever is revealed first hand and more eyes and ears on this dream visit may be helpful.” “Great. I’ll tell the brothers.” “I already did.” “Okay, cool.”
~~~
After dinner, I ran a bath for Tana. She had started sobbing when I was going to let her bathe alone, so I stripped and joined her. She had turned herself to straddle me in the bath and I let her make love to me. She seemed to need it. It wasn’t as frantic as she’s been needing of late.
I tucked her into bed with a soft pajama set on her to help keep her warm. It has been getting colder as it has continued to snow. I’m just glad it’s the weekend and we don’t have class. I adjusted us to the center of the bed. She was largely lying on me as she began to snore in a deep soft snore.
“She’s asleep.”
I heard the door open quietly. I had left our bedroom door open. Robyn and Adrian appeared first. Robyn climbed into my left side as Tana was facing that way. I hooked my arm around her back. I know she won’t touch Tana until we are all situated. Adrian wrapped himself close and tightly around Robyn’s back. He settled Chase on the pillow between Robyn, his, and my head.
Orien curled up to my right side and snug to Tana. She murmured and we froze, but she seemed to snuggle deeper into me and a little into Orien. He had a huge goofy grin I wanted to smack off his face at the moment, but not at the same time. Michael spooned Orien and Brayon wiggled his way between Robyn and my legs, resting his head on my th*gh.
“Comfy?” I asked.
“As best as we can be,” Michael replied.
I gave a quick glance and we all just barely fit on the bed, but we did it.
“Gently touch each other if you aren’t already like before. I will fall into the dream first before I pull you all in. I can only bring you in if you are asleep, so think soothing thoughts and try to find your sleep.” Robyn instructed.
It felt like it took me forever to fall asleep, but once I let the snuggling of Tana and Robyn especially seep into me, I was free falling it seemed.
“Casen!” Tana called out to me with a huge grin. “Daddy!” A trio of gorgeous little girls with hair like their mom’s and varying shades of green and gray mixed eyes started running towards me. My heart swelled. I crouched down with my arms wide open and the three of them crashed into them. I wrapped them in my arms and lifted them in a tight bear hug. They giggled with such infectious laughter. They seem to only be around five, but I was ecstatic.
Tana leaned over our daughters to plant a kiss on my lips. “Eww!” Our daughters all exclaimed as one. Tana and I laughed. “Grandpa said we could have ice cream today.” Our daughter in the center said. “Well, it is Chase’s and the twin’s birthday. Auntie Robyn and Auntie Solay, I’m certain, are going to have ice cream and cake too.” “Yay!” They exclaimed and wiggled their way out of my arms, sliding down my legs.
I looked at the surroundings now and there was a massive building with cliffs in the background and a waterfall. We walked towards the doors of the building. The girls started running to them when Adrian opened them and held his arms open as I did for them. Our girls shrieked with glee at seeing him. “There’s my little angels.” He said as he pulled them up in a big hug as well.
Robyn appeared at their side, and she was holding twin girls hands in hers. They looked to be two or three. They were not completely identical. There was a difference in their hair that was obvious. One had jet black hair and the other had a mixture of the black and auburn of both of Adrian and Robyn’s hair. Both had bright green eyes though.
I have never felt happier. I held Tana’s hand as we walked through the door. Everything shifted though as soon as we walked through the door. I was standing in the corner of a dark wet cave with what looked like checkered bars across the opening. It was dark and dank. I moved slowly to the opening and started to reach out my hand to touch the bar to lean out and see better.
“Don’t touch it.” I heard whispered at my side. I turned and all of us were crowded in the dark. “They can’t see us, we are invisible to her, but these surroundings can still affect us.” Robyn whispered. I started to turn and take in the surroundings more. I sensed movement in the opposite corner of the cave.
We all moved towards it. I saw Tana then. She looked awful. Her hair was matted and clumped. It was filled with dirt. She was naked with dirt smeared all over her frail body. She had a massive pregnant belly, and she was using her body to hide something behind her. Tana looked so much older. The light had gone out of her eyes.
“No, no.” Robyn gasped and held her hands to her mouth. She was looking behind Tana. I stepped to her side, and I looked upon my daughters. They looked just as desolate as Tana. One of them whimpered.
“Shh, don’t let him hear you cry.” Tana whispered so low I barely heard her. Tana heard a noise coming from the bars and she caressed each of our daughters on their cheeks. “Stay quiet.” She warned them. She stood and walked towards the opening, offering herself up for whatever was coming.
She stood defiantly as the bars seemed to disappear and a massive dark figure entered. I couldn’t quite catch what the figure looked like as the form changed fast into my image. “How does my daughter fair in your womb?” “She still lives though I haven’t encouraged it.” Tana spat at my imposter.
“Why so venomous? I took the form of your beloved mate.” “You will never be Comet. It doesn’t matter how many times you force your babies upon me with his image. You are still a vile demon, Ornias, and I never will submit to you willingly.” Ornias laughed a deep demonic laugh like Tana had in the bathroom. “But you could be my queen Tana. We can rule all of existence.” “Wasn’t Juno supposed to be your queen? Look what you did to her. No, kill us if you must, but we’ll never be yours.”
“Juno should’ve given herself to me instead of the brothers. No matter, because I found you the fire bearer. You are a fire goddess as your father so rightly named you. Too bad Ayne didn’t choose someone stronger to bear his fire.” “We could have defeated you if only Juno had let us help. But no. You killed her and decimated the brothers in their grief. You only captured me because I’m not strong enough by myself, but I still managed to damage you regardless, and that damage will never be erased from here into eternity. You will bear my scars, demon.”
Ornias’ image shifted and soon a massive black-winged demonic celestial being stood towering over her. Tana looked up into his face. His hand was a massive claw and he moved to strike her. Her body was engulfed in a flame so black you couldn’t see through it. “Go ahead try.” She goaded him. He struck at her, and his clawed hand was engulfed in the fire. He shrieked an ungodly shriek. She chuckled.
“You may keep us prisoner. You may make me bear your children, but…” She smirked a defiant smirk. “No matter what flame I have I will always burn you. Even your power is not immune to it. I only wish I could kill you with it, and maybe I could have if I had Ravi to help, but that will never happen now that you wiped the brothers and Juno out of all existence. One day, though, my daughters and I will find a way to stop you. You should remember any child I bear for you still has a part of me in them. Now, leave us alone. I no longer wish to look upon you.”
Tana turned her back on him. He looked like he was going to strike her with her back turned. She engorged her flame on her back and you could see fear in his eyes even in the slightest.