Page 49 of Essa

"Our male needs reassurance," Essa tells me softly, her tail releasing my thigh slowly so I can step away from her.

I don't need her telling me what Seth does and doesn't need, but when I try to muster up the words to tell her as much, I find they don't feel very satisfying. No, I'd much rather share with these two than continue to fight about it as though we aren't inevitable.

Essa telling us that she practically loves us has warmed more of the ice in my heart, and as much as I want to continue pretending like I hate all of this, I need it.

I love Seth. I've loved Seth since we were created, a bond formed in the hell we were created from that turned into more as our lives and minds deviated from those of our originals. And now here I am after telling myself I wouldn't grow attached to anyone else ever again because caring for others is a weakness. It allows others to find ways to hurt you and manipulate you.

But I can't ignore it anymore. I can't ignore the swelling in my chest when Essa looks at me or the way she makes the universe not seem as shitty as it is. She's a beacon of light in the darkness of my own psyche. She reaches different depths that Seth struggles with, and he does the same.

How couldn't I love her? This creature who accepts my sharp bits and my bad attitude, who protects me from myself and my own stupid decisions.

"I'm not little spoon," I tell her without taking my eyes off where Seth is now turned on the bed facing us.

He gives me a small, awkward smile, and I reach out to him in my mind. He's already seen all of the thoughts I just had about him and Essa and how much they mean to me, but passing thoughts aren't enough to remind him of who he is to me.

You're mine. Always. And if you ever need reminding, you tell me. You know I like making you scream out who you belong to.

My smirk only grows as Seth's cheeks burn pink before the flush travels down his neck. Essa huffs as she walks over to him, running her fingers through his red curls.

"You both need to speak out loud instead of sharing secrets only with one another."

"No fun in that," I tell her, swatting her ass as I join her at the bed. "Now, both of you crawl in so I can figure out which of you looks like the better one to spoon."

"Are you seriously trying to pit us against each other for cuddling?" Seth asks, his voice filled with a laugh as Essa lifts the blanket and motions for him to slide underneath. He meltsinto the mattress with a little moan, and I realize it won't matter which of them I spoon because we're all about to pass right out from how long this day has been and how many changes have happened in such a short time.

"There's no need to pit us against one another," Essa says as she joins Seth under the blankets, tugging him close, her tail high on his thigh. "We can have one another, and he can settle for a pillow."

Seth shoots me a look that tells me he's laughing at my expense in his mind, and I don't fault him. The two of them cuddle up with one another, Seth's body molding to hers and vice versa as they relax.

I sigh and already know I'm not done for the night. Essa's hair is still down, her horns aren't wrapped, and she's still wearing all her jewelry. I might not be the most outwardly affectionate man, but I like to help where I can.

I shuffle around the room, ignoring Essa's watchful eyes and instead looking for everything I might need, even if there are about a hundred places where all her things might be. Seth's soft snoring fills the silence around us, and when I finally find everything I need, Essa's still just as suspicious as ever.

"Lift your head," I tell her, my words still harsh because I like how her nostrils flare when I tell her to do something.

She does as I ask, and I gently remove all her chains and jewels before brushing her hair and twisting it into a bun on top of her head. I secure it with a tie I found and then work the soft, satin material of her horn wraps around them. She doesn't speak as I work, but it doesn't bother me.

When her eyes close, I swell with pride at her feeling safe enough. When I finish caring for her, she nuzzles closer to Seth, her eyes never opening. I sit on the bed, legs crossed for a long time, just watching the two of them breathe in their sleep.

I've gotten so fucking soft.

twenty

Seth

The dining room looks the same as yesterday, when we were here for dinner, except this time, the table is filled with what looks like breakfast food. Not that I actually know since nothing except a beige gloop looks like human food. Even the oatmeal looking slop could be something way different.

"What's good?" I ask Essa, eyeing the food on the table like I'm unsure about all of it because I am. None of it looks overly appetizing. At least last night, there was meat and what looked like starchy carbs.

"I can make you a plate if you'd like," Essa says, her eyes widening in almost a sense of anticipation. Sweet female really wants to take care of me, and far be it for me to deny her.

"If it wouldn't be an imposition." I keep my voice light, trying not to smile too hard when she gets to work. Her tail finds my ankle and squeezes tight when she turns her back on me.

"No imposition." She lifts her eyes toward Adam, leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest, a scowl on his face because, of course, he does.

Would it kill him to look like he's enjoying himself? He woke this morning with an arm wrapped around Essa and his cock in my mouth. I would've preferred our activities to continue in other directions, but Essa sleeps like the dead, and we weren't about to wake her just to ask her if she wanted to fuck. It's probably better to wait for it to happen naturally since there's bound to be a fight for dominance between her and Adam when the time comes.

"Do you want me to make your plate as well?" she asks Adam.

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