Torn between mates

2. Her blood

*8 months later *

Unknown point of view 

That girl’s blood smells different, it has the most appealing aroma that I’ve ever caught, and I crave it. I have craved it since the first time I saw her, years ago, when she was only a child. Now that she has grown up, she has become a beautiful woman. 

She has a small and delicate frame. She shouldn’t be taller than 5.4 feet. Her amber innocent eyes smile at her Fairy friend, her long black hair falls down her pale shoulders, the dim light of the early evening hours caresses her skin. Other strands of hair fall to her waist, dancing around her delectable curves as the wind blows them lightly. And her vessels pulse rhythmically, attracting me like a siren’s song. 

I must have her blood and I must have her. 

I've been following her for the last couple of weeks, waiting for the moment when she is alone, vulnerable, like a good little prey. But she is always surrounded by other witches, or with a brunette fairy. 

I will answer to your blood’s call little witch and have your blood flowing down my throat. 

You will be mine. 

~ * ~ *~ * ~

3rd Person's Point of view

Lea is at Maximus’, her father's place in the Elf Realm, where she used to go every week with her mother, Mel. For the rest of the days, she lives in the Wizard King’s palace with her mom. 

After she finishes one of her lessons with her 3 teachers, she tries to convince her Nympho teacher and friend to take her to the Human Realm. She knew Nema had been there many times, the Nympho told her that she met her partner, who isn’t her mate, there. 

Lea always wanted to see this Realm. Humans fascinated her, she and her sister love to watch their movies, listen to their songs, and imagine how they feel. She was quite puzzled by humans, they didn’t have mates like the supernatural beings, so they had to choose their lovers based on something other than Destiny. This idea seemed so strange and interesting to her.  

It was very hard to convince Nema to take her there, Lea was trying it for a couple of years, but the Nympho always said she was too young, and humans could be unpredictable. But now she was almost 18. She wasn’t that young anymore and she couldn’t imagine humans to be that dangerous, they don’t even have magic powers. 

“Please Nema, you promised me that you would take me there one day.” Lea pleads after Astoria and Sienna leave the room and she is finally alone with Nema. 

She was sure her playing by the book and very strict aunt Astoria wouldn’t ever agree with it. She didn’t know what Sienna, the sweet fairy, would say about it. However, she knew Sienna would get worried, she wasn’t as chill and carefree as Nema. Besides that, Supernatural beings didn’t use to go to the Human Realm, like ever. But Lea was curious as a cat and she was so looking forward to it. 

“I promised I would take you there one day. I never said it would be today.” Nema answers. Lea flashes her an adorable puppy look. 

“Please. That is what I want most…. There is so long I am waiting for it.” She says with a cute pout.

Lea normally didn’t insist on things, she was a very good-natured teenage witch, so Nema knew how important it was, for her to insist that much. Besides that, it was hard to resist her adorable doe eyes. Her big amber doe eyes, full of innocence and curiosity.

Nema sighs deeply, “Fine, Lea. But just for a little bit. And no one shall know about it, okay? Why didn’t you ask Liv to go with you? Your reckless sister would do it without blinking?” she asks flashing Lea a confused look.

“Her mates are always on her heels, especially lately. They would figure it out and oppose it. If we could escape them and sneak there, they would realize it sooner than later and wreak havoc half of the Realms.” Lea reasons. 

“Yeah, I guess you are right, and I don’t want to irk those hot males… if only I could make up to them using my body….” 

“Nema, stop!! Goddess, control yourself, these are Liv’s mates we are talking about.” Lea replies, shaking her head at the Nympho. 

“Yeah, yeah… I still can have dreams, you know. A chick can always imagine stuff.” Nema says, sighing. Lea chuckles. “Okay, let’s go soon. Before that skinny peacock shows up and realizes you are not here.” Nema says referring to the annoying doorman of the household, Cordy, and that makes Lea laugh.

“You are mean, Nema.” She says shaking her head, but still chuckling a bit.

“Don’t tell me you like him. That man is obnoxious, not even I would do him if I wouldn’t have my Elf and that is a big deal.” Nema utters with a wicked smile. 

Lea didn’t even want to think about Nema’s lack of standards, especially in the times before she met her current lover. Nema said that at those times she had a great variety of males and even females around. She is a Nympho and that was her nature, but she really didn’t need to overshare much of that totally uncalled for information as she often did, making Lea blush in many different shades of red. 

“Okay, let’s go,” Lea utters excited. Nema doesn’t react, she just looks deep in thought. 

“We better not... if we go from here, we will attract too much attention. Cordy will notice for sure. He doesn’t do anything else in his annoying life, aside from stalking and tell on people, like a stuck-up robot.”  The ginger Nympho says.

Lea covers her chuckle with her hand and asks the Nympho, “What do you have in mind then? Please don’t tell me you changed your mind.”

Nema beams her a sneaky smile, her face says she’s up to no good. “Just say you’ve stuff to do at the Wizard Realm and go back there, I’ll meet you in the back garden of the castle in one hour. I’ll find a way to get my butt there. Your mom will be here with Lord Maximus, so no one will notice you are away for a couple of hours.” 

Lea giggles, “You are an evil genius, Nema.”

Nema laughs, proud of herself, “Watch and learn little apprentice.” She winks at Lea. 

~ * ~*~ * ~

Lea

I went back to the Wizard King’s Realm. Nema’s plan was actually much better. 

After getting some runes to open the portal to the Human Realm easily, I was on my way to meet Nema, when I saw my friends Ainhoa and Fred walking across one of the castle's long halls. 

Ainhoa and Fred are my best friends and a couple. They are confident that they are mates, but they have to wait until Ainhoa’s 18th birthday next week to be totally sure of it. After that, when Fred also comes to age, they can finally be the mates they dream to be. 

I really hope they are actually true mates; I don’t want to see them as heartbroken and lonely, as Cali is. Cali is my sister’s best friend, and she has become my close friend as well. She was waiting for a mate for an entire decade and her hope to find him was fading each day a bit more. Thanks, Goddess, I was very lucky to find Richard even before being 18.

It Would be great to be mated to one of your best friends. But I am very happy to have Richard as my future mate. He is nice, sweet to me, and completely handsome. Although the fact that he is a centuries-old King, and a werewolf makes me a bit worried. How could I keep up with him? Be the mate he needs and wants? We seem to be from two different worlds. Our habits, life, and surroundings couldn’t be more different. 

But I wouldn’t exchange him for a wizard mate of my age, even if I could. Something inside me knows that he is the one. The one who is supposed to have his soul merged to mine. It couldn’t be anyone else, he is my one and only soulmate.

Anyway, my sister Liv is also mated not to one, but 3, old as dust Kings as she uses to say, and she is doing great. But Liv is quite something, she could tame the wind if she was up to it. 

“Hi, Lea, what are you up to?” Fred asks. 

“I thought you would be at your father’s place now, having extra classes with the Nympho and the Fairy.” 

“Change of plans,” I answer with a wide smile. I was super excited to finally go seeing some humans! I motioned to them to come closer and look around to make sure no one else was near and could hear it. 

“Nema and I are sneaking to the Human Realm,” I whisper.

“Holy Goddess Lea! You're supposed to be the good girl.” Ainhoa says, looking at me with an amused face. Fred only shakes his head and laughs as he wraps his arms around Ainhoa’s waist from behind. 

“Do you guys want to join me?”

“No way, if King Avalon catches us, we are in big trouble. Going to the Human Realm is to act in violation of his rules.” Fred says in a much more serious tone of voice. 

“He would whip our asses and we can’t use my sister is your mate card as you can. So, it’s a big NO. But tell me everything when you’re back! I’m excited for you!” Ainhoa adds with a low squeal as a smile crosses her face.

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you everything!!” I utter with my own low squeal. Goddess! I am looking forward to doing it so much! I will run to meet Nema now!  

~ * ~

“Before you do your thing and open the Portal, I will picture a nice place in the Human Realm in my mind, you hold my hand and let my thoughts guide you,” Nema instructs me. 

“Sure, but please choose a nice place where people are wearing clothes, Nema.” 

I was legit afraid of the kind of place she has in mind. 

“Sure, don’t worry. I won’t take you to any creepy place, baby chick.” She laughs. 

I do what Nema said, we walk through the portal and arrive at what I think is called an amusement park. I could peep at it from behind some bushes. 

“You see, I think about everything! We just arrived at the bushes to don’t attract attention. Oh, those bushes bring me so many good memories…” Nema grins. 

I don’t even want to know what she is talking about. 

I take some steps away from the bushes and look around the place fascinated. Wow, so many people of different ages and sizes; parents with children, teenage couples holding hands, and even some older humans are walking around. The place is crowded and very colorful. Many food stands, attractions, games, and balloons everywhere. It is like a dream! 

“Nema, I love it!” I squeal as I walk even further. I have to see it, all of it! Try the different things, see the different people and maybe even talk to them. 

“Slow down, girl,” Nema says as she catches up with me. 

I continue to roam so fascinated by everything, the ferry-wheel and the roller coaster being the main focus of my eyes. “Humans seem so nice and happy,” I say almost dancing around, overwhelmed with joy. 

You know when you are so thrilled that you want to dance and jump? That is exactly what I’m feeling now. 

Nema sighs, “Please just don’t start to dance and sing with some birds, there is a limit of what I can take, little princess.” She says with a laugh. 

I have a huge smile on my face and my eyes are wide open to don’t miss a thing. They are drinking in every detail, every color. I keep wandering quite distracted until I crash into a teenager. 

“Watch where you are going, i***t!” the teenaged boy barks out, as he walks away.

“Oh.” I gasp, snapping back from my haze. Rude.

“Not always nice, Lea,” Nema says laughing. “Let’s get a bit far from the crowd before someone tell you some colorful words.” 

I nod and follow her, we go to a green park behind the amusement park, where some humans are running or walking their dogs.

“It is so cool to have a pet, just like Cali and her chinchilla.” Cali has a very fluffy and chubby chinchilla pet, Morgana.

“Yeah… I am glad you like furry things.” Nema chuckles. 

I know well what she means, who she means, Richard. I shake my head at Nema, as I feel my cheeks getting warmer, for sure I am blushing a bit. 

“Come on, don’t be shy! In 2 months, you will be of age and climb that huge and delicious mountain of a man…. of a wolf, I mean” Nema says with a wink, making me blush furiously. I look down, suddenly finding my own shoes very interesting. 

“Just chill Lea, mates are a blessing. Embrace the bond and enjoy all it can bring you. Don’t do what Liv did, okay?” Nema says as we sit on a park bench, where we both could relax and look at the humans. 

I look back at her, “I won’t. I like Richard and to be near him… he is… I…” I trail off blushing again. Nema laughs in response. 

I wouldn’t do what my older sister did. Liv tried to break the bond with her 3 mates and get rid of them. I’m not a rebel like my sister, fighting the bond hasn’t ever occurred to me and I know Richard since I was nine. It wasn’t like I knew nothing about him, it wasn’t also like I had 3 mates like Liv does. 

My situation is much easier, just the typical one, one female is mated to a male. The only unusual thing is the fact that I am a hybrid, half Witch and half-Elf, and hybrids don’t exist, except my sister and me. Besides that, my mate isn’t of the same species as me, which also isn’t common at all. 

“I heard mated life is amazing. Liv can tell you about that if she is not too busy enjoying all the perks of it.” She winks and flashes me another naughty smile. 

Nema’s goal is to kill me of embarrassment and make my face flush in all shades of red known and maybe even new ones. I am quite sure of that. 

I eye her. “Nema please, stop.” 

“Come on, don’t be a prude like your aunt Astoria.” 

“I am not a prude… I am just… a bit shy.” I mutter, trying to hide my pink face with my hands. I try to change the topic and save myself from a Nema-level of utter embarrassment. “Nema, tell me again how humans find their beloved.” 

“Oh, Lea, you are so cute! Some of them find a partner, some not; like the mate-less supernatural beings, like me, sometimes find a lover and sometimes not. Most of the time they try to find someone special, but they don’t.”

“That is quite sad.” I sigh.

“It is but it’s not so different from the mate-less beings. Looking for someone and never finding them…” Nema says, her normally playful and smiling face loses its light and she looks away. 

I know that finding a mate is a very sensitive topic for those who spent decades, even centuries, looking for theirs without succeeding. I knew that it was more or less Nema’s case, even though she was happy with her Elf lover. 

Finding mates has been quite hard, especially in the last centuries. The Goddess seems to still be punishing the supernatural species for the centuries of bloody and cruel wars we had, by making it almost impossible for us to find the ones who hold the other part of our souls, our mates.  

“You will find him Nema.” I place my hand on top of Nema’s to comfort her and give her some reassurance, and she flashes me a sad smile.

“I am happy with Argo, my Elf. We have been together for almost 40 years now. But it’s not the same. I don’t know what I would do without him though.” Nema trails off and sighs, looking at the humans instead of at me.  

“Hey, you won’t lose him. Don’t think about it, for what you always say he is mad about you and you guys have too much fun together.” I smile at Nema, and she smiles back.  

“Well, back to the topic. Some humans, just like some supernatural beings, give up on finding the right person for them and just date around.” 

“Right person?” I asked, confused. Did humans have a right person? I didn’t see it in the movies. 

“Not a right person as a mate, what I mean is someone that they really like, or even love and that makes them happy. Finding it can be as hard, as finding mates is for us. Some of them are lucky and some not.” Nema mutters.

“That seems complicated. Having mates is much easier, at least we know for sure who is the right one. We have someone that is made for us.” I reply as I look at the humans, wishing they can find their ‘right person’ soon. 

“Yeah, the Goddess was very generous giving us such a gift. She could be much less ironic though and stop hiding mates from each other like in a big game. It is so not funny.” Nema mutters frowning at the blue summer sky. I smile at her. 

~ * ~*~ * ~

Unknown P.O.V.

It is high time to catch my prey. She came back to the Wizard’s Realm earlier than usual, by stalking her for quite some time, I’ve learned all her habits and schedules. She follows the same weekly routine, going somewhere on Fridays and returning to the Wizard’s Realm on Saturdays afternoon. Very predictable. 

I tracked her to the back garden of the castle, she was alone with a Nympho, it was the first time I saw her with this redhead and short female. It has been quite some time since I saw one of those entertaining creatures, but my aim is much higher than a simple Nympho. I held my ground behind a tree and kept observing them, waiting and watching are part of the thrill of any hunt, finding the perfect moment to launch, creating the perfect moment to attack. 

The security in this Realm is just lousy, I have gone in and out undetected many times, almost on a daily basis lately. Their overconfident fool of a King put too much faith in the protection spells he cast around his territory, but a good hunter and tracker always knows how to hack the system and break in. That is much easier when one has the support of a person who knows everything from the inside.

I heard them saying they are going to the Human Realm and soon the little witch of mine opened a portal and the 2 females disappeared into it. I just have to track her there, figure out where exactly she is going. This is not hard, I just have to get a hint of the portal spell’s signature to be able to locate their destination. That will be just easy and perfect, to capture her unprotected in the Human Realm. 

With a little help, I got their location easily; then I used my Portal device to transport myself to her. This witch is begging to be caught, I follow the alluring smell of her blood to a park. So much noise and light, Humans are obnoxious. But she is there, sitting relaxed with the Nympho. 

She doesn’t know what is waiting for her.  

***

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