Page 237 of A Soul to Embrace

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Mayumi said with a very small smile, like she was only putting it on for pleasantries. It fell, although her face didn’t appear vexed, just as if it was normal to be stoic.

Faunus gestured to a strange, blobby near-black creature that had been hidden inside his long fur covering his chest beforepointing at a second one clinging to the crook of his neck. “This is sleepy, bitey, annnnd” – he looked over his shoulder, then down the front of his body, sticking his tongue out as he reached under his armpit for a third nestled against his back – “squealy.”

As if to highlight what he’d just called them, the little creature let out a terribly high-pitched shriek as they were grabbed. They held on firmly to his fur but were easily removed, and he cupped the last one under his palm and nestled them to his abdomen.

“They’re our children,” Mayumi stated. She threw her body forward so her hair would flip, then wrangled the long strands into a high ponytail with a piece of ribbon.

“These are Mavka younglings?” Zylah asked, tilting her head as she stepped forward to inspect them just that little bit closer.

When they confirmed, she chittered as excited interest swelled her muscles. She’d always wanted to know what a Mavka youngling looked like, but she hadn’t expected them to be so tiny. Although two were big enough that they’d fit in her palm nicely, the third was very small.

She peeked at Delora, and it now made sense as to how she may have carried her in her little human body.

“Do you want me to explain what they look like to you?” Zylah offered to Raewyn.

“Maybe later. Thank you,” she answered with an appreciative smile. “But you should introduce yourself.”

All excitement breezed out of her like a gust of wind, and she almost wanted to snap at the female for it.

“I’m Zylah,” she muttered quietly.

“Your daughter?” Mayumi asked Delora, who nodded with eyes widening. Mayumi held the end of her chin as she folded an arm across her chest, before she gave a mild laugh. “Well, that explains why you called us here at butt fuck in the morning.” She turned to Reia and pointed. “Ha! You didn’t get changed first.”

Reia’s cheeks pinkened once more, and she threw her hands up. “It’s not my fault! We thought they were in danger, so we left right after getting out of bed. I almost left Kevin behind since I was half asleep.”

“Kevin?” Zylah asked, cocking her head quizzically.

“We have a baby as well,” she answered, before pulling her nightgown to the side and reaching inside it.

Another little Mavka, similar in size to the small one in Faunus’ arms, was revealed. They squeaked, their limbs waving around her palm, until she placed them against her chest. They clung to her dress, and buried an oval-shaped, mostly featureless face against her breast.

They were a lot easier to see against Reia’s bosom since they contrasted against her white gown, and Zylah inspected them as best she could. Their flesh was such a dark grey that they almost appeared black, and they looked kind of... blobby. Then again, she’d never seen a baby anything before, so she didn’t know what to compare them to.

They opened their mouth to yawn and revealed jagged fangs much like those that filled the gaps between Zylah’s cheekbones and jaw.

“They were born in the spring,” Orpheus said, with his orbs morphing bright yellow.

Mayumi placed her hands on her hips and turned to Zylah. “We’re happy to see you’re alive and well. You even have a soul!” She peeked around her to search for its owner. “Where are they?”

Zylah knew it was probably best she didn’t say anything, but she also didn’t want to hold back the truth. He was her mate, she wasn’t ashamed of him at all, and she was prepared for negativity.

“Jabez has gone with Merikh to collect the others,” Zylah stated confidently. “They will be back shortly.”

By the ever-night, she hoped it was shortly! There were so many people here now, and she was growing overwhelmed. Thankfully they had no issue talking to each other naturally, which meant Zylah was able to insert herself as little as possible.

Mayumi’s features hardened, and she lowered her head slightly with harshly tightened lips, whereas Reia’s face did something similar but paled in worry at the same time. They silently shared a glance, before their gazes went to Delora, who instantly looked towards her feet and held Magnar’s hand tighter.

The vibe in the air shifted so swiftly it was almost cold. Zylah felt her fur lifting in alarm in reaction to it.

“Delora told us you were with him when she last saw you. I was hoping that, since you’re alone, you managed to get away from him,” Reia said in a deep, dark tone.

“Are you saying you bonded with that vile fucker?” Faunus growled and stepped back from her while placing his arms around his younglings as best as he could. “Do you have any idea what he did to me?” He became overly protective against Zylah, as if he thoughtshe’dharm them.

Orpheus was quick to place his arm around the front of Reia and draw her to his side, and both his and Faunus’ orbs flared crimson.

Zylah placed her hands over her teal dress, right against her abdomen, when her insides twisted. The mood had darkened so quickly her heart clenched with a tender, painful ache. She stepped back, retreating into Raewyn’s side.

She knew it’d be bad, but notthisbad. Their reaction had been instantaneous, and the hostility coming from them was palpable.

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