The God and the Healer - RP

I laugh. He's not pushing me away like this. I cross my arms and plop down onto the bed, then give him my hottest glare. "You don't get to eat me out in my childhood home, then dump me. You're clearly stuck with me. It's hard to stay broken up with someone if you're constantly in the same vicinity. Keep your story straight."

I spring back off the bed and advance until we're inches away. "I don't see why my family has to remain so in the dark. Don't you watch television at all? Secrets and miscommunication always lead to bad shit and even worse storylines. Also, back to the dinner table antics, what the fuck? Is the sex rule off the table?"

I lean sit back into my chair and I watch her place her hands on my knees, setting herself down in front of me. I look at her, "what I did tonight, mostly out of boredom and 2, I did not appreciate...feeling awkward. I can't tell them who I am and what my purpose here is for, it's just not a good idea. "

I stop her hands when they reach my belt, "I am playing with you for a reason, trying to show..control, I am in charge, that kind of thing. More important is you, you can kill people with magic. Let's deal with that...instead of sucking my dick," I stand up and she pins me to the wall, I look at her slightly surprised.

Blah blah, power and control. I get that I'm a threat, but I sure as hell don't feel like it. The last time I used my power, I was five. I don't even remember doing it. I prefer to live by the do no harm but take no shit philosophy. I don't want to go around hurting people. I just give them hella sass.

My hands are on his shoulders, pressing firmly, and I know that in an instant he can have me immobilized. Hell, he could teleport and leave me in the middle of a frozen lake for my insolence. I don't care, because I have a point to make.

"The only dangerous part of me right now is my hormones," I reply, my gaze locking in on his lips. "I got the best orgasm I've ever had in the bathroom above my dad's kitchen. Now suddenly you want to be a stickler for the rules? I call bullshit."

I begin to kneel, going slowly, gauging his reaction as I lower myself onto my knees. I undo his belt buckle. There's no hiding the spark of passion in his eyes, nor the raw lust as I lift my hand to his crotch and stroke his erection through his dress pants. If it's this impressive now, I can't wait to take it out of the box and play with it.

"I'll agree to no sex," I offer, my voice quiet, the movements of my hand gentle and unhurried. "But I believe in quid pro quo."

Faster than he can object, I have his pants unbuttoned and my hand is reaching inside. I dance my fingers along a thick, hard cock, my gaze never daring to leave his. He's not giving me the go-ahead, but he isn't pushing me away, either. I go for it, pulling down his pants to mid-thigh, and then his boxers. He springs free the second the elastic waistband is over his hips.

Of course the warrior god who refuses to fuck me would have the cock of a porn star. I can barely wrap my hand around it, and he has the length to match. There go the floodgates. Why did I agree to no sex, again?

I stare up at him, giving him one last chance to object. When he says nothing and holds my hair back instead, I go in for the kill.

Not to brag, but I'm good at giving head. I make it my mission to match and then surpass what he did to me today on that bathroom counter. I drag my tongue from the base to the tip of his cock, and then without warning, I lean forward and take the full length of him down to the back of my throat. My hand reaches up to massage his balls while the other fists his erection, pumping slowly at first while I draw back and suck with the power of a Dyson.

His breathing is picking up. He doesn't need to voice it for me to know he's enjoying it. His eyes drift shut, then open again, almost as if he can't decide whether he wants enjoy the sensation or watch me suck him off. The latter wins. The look in his eyes is so sinful, I'm throbbing between my legs. I can feel the evidence of my arousal soaking through my panties, wetness coating my inner thighs. No other man in my life has ever had me this desperate to watch him come, to make him as happy as he made me.

I pull back as I stroke him, then get to work on his scrotum, blessing his skin with small kisses before pulling it into my mouth and gently suckling. I do the same on the other side, making sure that not an inch is left abandoned by my tongue, before I return my lips to his cock. I work harder then, and faster, stroking and sucking until his grip on my hair tightens, until he lets out a growl and he jerks and pulses inside me, and I swallow every drop, milking him to completion.

He leans back against the wall, his chest heaving, as I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. I, myself, am soaked. My gaze never leaving his, I reach under my skirt and plunge my hand inside. My fingers slip through my folds, find my clit, and I suck in air through my teeth as I finish what I started. If he can't fuck me, I'll do it myself.

I have my eyes closed still. Feeling the release I just did, what am I doing with this girl? It's been awhile since I have had any kind of sex, she's hot. I open my eyes and see what she's doing, I take and pin her to her bed, I reach into drawer next to her bed and pull out her vibrator. I lay down next to her and take the vibrator in my hand, I place onto her pussy and watch her as I do. She looks up at me, fuck it and kiss her while I keep using the vibrator. She moans into my mouth, I keep going until she comes all over it and the bed.

I get up, without another word to her and get dressed. I go over to a small bar area in the room and help myself to a drink, I need one or 10.

Well, that was nice. I take a quick shower and then crawl back into bed in a silky nightgown that ends mid-thigh. It would be sexy if not for the print being scores of cats floating through the galaxy, hence why I love it so much.

Lochlan regards me with a smirk, and I lie back with my head against the pillow. "Today was productive. We got each other off, you met my family, then learned I'm secretly a bad-ass with brain smoothie powers." I think for a second. "I want to see your dimension. Meet your family and all. Parents fucking love me."

I look at her and eye her nightgown, I could keep going but instead another shot. She's going on about my parents, "No, that will not be a the that is happening..., I am planning to visit soon to discuss this new information about you." I lay next to her in the bed, look at her "You're not coming."


Before she can say another word, I get up and have a shower next. I come back out and get dressed, she is fast asleep. Good. Everything looks normal about the room, I promise to not be long. She will be okay.

I take a breathe, close my eyes and just before I teleport away I feel a tug. I open my eyes, not only do I see my dimension but I see Cora, who is no longer in her nightgown, she must have changed while I was in the bathroom, I let go and look at her, "You can't be here!" We are just outside my city.

I look at her, wanting an answer but I know she's lost to me now, I can watch her eyes taking in this dimension. From here, it looks very futuristic and modern, talk buildings surround the city core, which is where I need to go. Son of the general, they live in the heart of the action. "Stay by me and do not talk to anyone." I say firmly, she does as told surprisingly, we walk up to big tall gates that close off the city. Normally, I would teleport right in but this being a military city you need more clearance before doing something like that, I come up to the gates and see a guard approach me, the guard stops and sees who it is "Lochlan, you're back? Whose this?"

"Its a woman with me, need anymore explanation?" I say, pulling Cora towards me. The guard looks at this not sure, "Do I really have to call my father from here and allow or can you just let me in?"

The guard finally nods, the gates are opened and in we walk. You can see a subway zoom by not to far away, it's a lot bigger than you think. We continue on and on, passing a lot of people walking around heading to work or home, mostly work, this city never seems to stop. I come to a house that is set dead in the circle of the city. It has tall windows, once again very modern it's set up high.

I walk up the steps and knock on the door, Cora is very silent next to me when I look at her. I am not pleased she is here, this is not a social visit. The front door opens and a butler stands behind it, we are invited in, "Master Lochlan, welcome...this is a surprise visit. Those are not usually encouraged?" He says to me.

"Hence why it's a surprise, are my parents...particularly my father here?" I ask, I then hear her voice. My mother stands at the top of the staircase in front of us and she looks down to me, she hurries down and embraces me, I oddly embrace back. My mother, both parents were not one for affection yet here she was all over me. She breaks off, patting my cheek and looks to my side at Cora, "You have brought the healer with you, this has to be interesting..."

Thaddeus Marit

Holy opulence, Batman. Everything about this dimension, especially this house, is swanky as hell. The increased security was enough to wreak havoc on my nerves, but now his mother is standing here, she's stunning, and she isn't exactly looking at me like she wants to plan our wedding. She's looking at me like she's being nice because she has to.

Fair enough. I'll grow on her like a benign tumor sooner or later. I put on my most innocent smile, the one that says, 'of course I didn't suck your son dry ten minutes ago,' and extend my hand.

"Mrs..." I stumble over myself. Do they even do last names here? Lochlan never told me his. I clear my throat. "Ma'am. I'm Cora. It's a pleasure. Your place is... wow."

Marit looks at Cora, while l gently elbow her to shut up. My mother sees me do that, "Now, Lochlan, this is no way to treat a guest who is visiting our dimension."

"my father, once again, can someone tell me if he is here?" I ask again, my mother looks to me, "Yes, he is in his office. Go on and see him, Cora can stay with me, you must be starving."

"Considering this is to do with her, she can come with me." I say instead, I take Cora's hand and lead the way to my fathers office, "My parents are..., they are not for anyone who is different even though they adore humans and want to protect them...but just know they mean you know harm, regardless of how they might say something." I look at Cora, no one is around and I want to pin her up to that wall.

These emotions just take over my body, we look at each other and before we can do anything, I hear a cough and see my father coming to join us, he was just leaving his office.

I stop in my tracks when his father exits his office and my nerves skyrocket. I can see how this man commands armies. He's got the intimidating, quirked brow down pat, and he's handsome enough to look like a civil war soldier on a runway.

His gaze pierces me first before he regards his son. My breath catches in my throat. I already feel unwelcome, given what Lochlan just told me. Maybe he's right; I shouldn't have tagged along. Too late now.

My confidence having dwindled considerably, I offer the man my hand. I'll kiss ass if I have to. I don't plan on getting on the bad side of anyone who commands armies of powerful gods for war. "It's nice to meet you, sir. I'm Cora. I realize I'm probably intruding and whatnot, you know, and Lochlan didn't mean for me to come. I just kinda grabbed him and hitched a ride, to be honest." I'm rambling. Abort mission. "It's just, you know, I wanted to get that out. Sorry." I look from his face to Lochlan's, because my own is redder than the paint on the walls. "Carry on."

I can't help but slightly smirk, I look to my father who for sure saw that. " Father, it is good to see you."

My father eyes me, "It is, a lot sooner than I thought...what brings you here and bringing a healer with you?"

"Can we speak in your office about it?"

My father looks at his watch, slightly impatient and I can't help but be annoyed. "Cora, is more than a healer...she has other abilities. I was sent to protect her and I think their is more to it. I want to know what you know, now. I am not wasting my time." My father looks at me to finish my sentence as I always should, "Sir" I add in.

My father leads Cora and I into his office, I indicate Cora to sit and she does.

I'm wearing my most modest dress, my back is straight, my legs are crossed. I feel like I'm doing everything right, but his father is looking at me as if he'd rather be doing practically anything else right now. I usually dive right into every weird situation without so much as a second thought, but this time I'm almost wishing I'd stayed in bed.

No one is speaking, so I begin. "I, uh, so we came across some information recently. So, basically, like, I apparently can hurt people with my mind. But it's not a huge deal, because I can barely remember it. I did it once when I was five, but the guy almost killed my brother, so obviously I was a little angry. So I made him bleed and stuff. Like, you know, my brother stopped me, but I guess he kinda wanted me to forget about it. Which, I did, but he told your son today, and you know, he thought you should know." I'm rambling so much, I outwardly cringe in embarrassment. For myself. I feel hot. Is it hot in here? No, it's probably just me. I look up again, and the bored expression on his father's face hasn't changed one bit.

I wiggle around in my seat, wishing I could dart back out of the room. At least his mother had offered me food. "Sir, I'm sorry. We kinda passed over the introductions here. How do I address you?"

His gaze turns hard. "'Sir' is fine."

My heart is doing jumping jacks inside my chest. That settles that. "Right," I reply, my voice softening. "That's fair."

I really wish she didn't come, the look on my fathers face is not a pleasant one. I simply put my hand on Cora's shoulder to indicate stop talking. I look to my father, " Has this ever happened before, to another a healer?"

"Lochlan, I appreciate the concern. Obviously their was a mix up in this girls DNA, you know the healers were made and went them to earth, send protectors. Our work then is done." He says, looking at me not at all concerned.

I take in what he's said, DNA and I look to Cora if she is thinking what I am. Maybe Elliot is not her father, I should meet her mother. Is Cora dangerous is my question, I don't think she is. She is very compassionate.

"Lochlan, if the girl is a danger....you will know what to do. Use your judgement and if that's all we have to say. Stay for dinner,, send..C-" he looks at Cora, can't remember her name, " The healer back and join us."

"Cora is staying here with me, and we will be staying a couple of nights. I want to show her our dimension." I add, my father looks at me and stands up, he goes close to me and whispers, "Are you sleeping with this healer? Son, I know you like your women but if anyone were to find out you distracted from your duties."

"No, I am not. I just want her to test these new abilities and it's better to do them here, if anything happened, easily stopped." I say, my father nods taking in that suggestion.

"Very well, if you will excuse me." My father starts to leave, suddenly as he exits the office and suddenly soldiers have teleported in front of us, one is holding on to a man who has been wounded. The soldier holding him let's the man fall, "I wanted to get a few papers signed, excuse the boy...I was on my way to dispose, kill two birds with one stone. Hey, Lochlan." I shake hands with the soldier, everyone ignores the soldier bleeding to death on the ground, all except Cora who hurries to save him.

"Cora.." I start to say but she's already in the process.

I dive toward the wounded man and lean over him, my every sense in overdrive. I don't even want to know what kind of weapon did this damage, but it certainly isn't a weapon we'd find on Earth. His stomach is sliced open; his insides are now his outsides, bits and pieces of skin are hanging off, and his shirt is in tatters. He looks like he fought Edward Scissorhands and lost.

I look up at the sea of faces surrounding me. Their total and complete apathy astounds me. Where is the warmth, the compassion? Why are Lochlan's parents so distant and cold? While I greet my father with hugs and casseroles and laughter, his parents are greeting him with cool indifference. My heart sinks in my chest. There's no love to be had here.

That realization is depressing as fuck.

"Excuse me?!" I shriek, my wide eyes imploring these people to care. "Does no one give a shit that you're losing one of your men?"

Silence. Lochlan's gaze lowers until he's staring at the ground. His father stares at me incredulously, as if he can't comprehend my gumption and blatant disrespect.

My white dress is forever ruined, stained with blood as I kneel over the wounded man, my hand on his chest. "What the fuck is wrong with you people?"

I turn back and work on healing the man. I bring forth my energy until it fills every cell, regenerating the skin and restoring his health. His body jerks at the sensation, and I raise my hand to his forehead, gently brushing back stray tendrils of hair, doing what I can to keep him calm. The process isn't all that painful, but it's not entirely comfortable, either.

He stills beneath my touch. Emerald green eyes shoot open and look up at me, and I give him a half-hearted smile and a wave. "Hi. Chopped liver here. Glad to have you back, unlike some people."

My father looks at everything that has happened, looks to me for further explanation. "She's a healer!" is all I can say, I go over and take Cora by the arm and quickly escort her to a room very fast, it happens to mine. I shut the door behind us, I look at her annoyed and go to change my shirt in my room, as I got blood on it from her dress.

"I told you not to come...,even though it's kind of worked out and we can experiment with your abilities. Cora, as you can see, my parent's don't care about you and or let alone me. That is how it is, we fight in wars and come back home, a home I cannot leave until I am married. It's fucked, I get that."

I put on a new shirt from my closet, I look at her " Just, speak as little as possible...while we are here. I don't want to have a big discussion with my parents to defend you, every single time you open your mouth. I am trying to help you." I look at her, being on earth, though I have visited before. I know it must be strange here, soldiers..their are so many, we don't think twice about a life.

The difference between his world and mine refuses to seep into my thick skull. How can people see death and pain and not feel a pang of empathy? How could they leave a man to bleed out onto the floor?

How can his parents not care about him? It's Lochlan. I've known him for only two weeks, and I care. To be honest, I care way, way more than I should.

"How can your parents not care?" I ask, and damned if my eyes aren't a little wet. I can't cry here. Not here, in the land of emotionless assholes. When in Rome, and all that.

I sniff and shake my shoulders, as if that'll make me feel better. "There's no love here, Lochlan. I'm trying, but I don't understand. You're not like them. How can they not... I care, and I barely even know you. No fucking wonder you'd rather be on Earth."

Okay, one tear escapes. That's all I'll allow. I clear my throat and look away, because I don't want to look into his eyes right now. "I'm sorry, you were right. I think you should take me back to the hotel. Drop me off and come back. I don't belong in this kind of place."

I look at her and as much as I want to embrace her, "I am very much like them, I don't think twice about a life. It's either a sacrifice or something that had to happen. It's why I protect you, I know the person you are saving can no longer be living, no matter who it is. Death has to happen to keep a balance."

I finish putting my shirt on, "Do not ever yell or raise your voice to my father again, I whisked you away so fast for him to even think of killing you. You are staying here, you chose to come and now you can deal with the consequence. I also want to see this ability you can do it, tomorrow bright and early we will go down to our training room, try it out on me. I'm a God, so I doubt it will affect me when you were made for humans. I can't get over....how they made a healer like you, this dimension did that? Something doesn't make sense...?"

I look at Cora, I want to ask but not sure. "Cora, is Elliot your real father? I have to be blunt, did your mother ever tell you something...healers are usually planned. Your mother didn't get it, I hear it's because she wasn't worthy, you were. I don't think it was because of Elliot, your real father is someone with magic."

I balk at his suggestion. "My father is my real father. Maybe my mother said things; I don't even remember. I spent half my life tuning her out because she was nuts, but for her to cheat on my father?" I don't like what he's insinuating, but something in the back of my mind is telling me it's something we have to look into. I grit my teeth.

"And you, Lochlan? You care. We're from two vastly different cultures, and yet you care. You wouldn't deign to admit it to me, but you're only lying to yourself."

I know dinner is soon. I have to get my nerves in check before I make my way to the chopping block. I take a deep breath and offer him a promise. "I'll respect your wishes. Nothing but ass kissing and silence when it comes to your father. I didn't mean to... It wasn't my intention..."

Oh, fuck it. I suck at apologies when I barely mean them. His father is a douche, and his only saving grace is that all the gods here seem to be. They're fighters; concern for their fellow man doesn't bog them down. Such is their way of life. I need to keep that in mind.

The butler comes for us, then, and ushers us out of his bedroom and toward the massive dining room table. His parents are coming in at the same time through a different entrance, and they meet me with a thick, heavy silence. If looks could kill, his father's would've reduced me to a heap on the floor at that moment.

Before Lochlan can duct tape my mouth shut, I step forward and bow my head toward his father, hating every second of this exchange. "Sir, I would like to apologize for my actions earlier. There's no excuse for it. I hope that you can forgive me."

I just hold my head down, I am so pissed. It's hard to contain my rage. I simply look at her, and my father finally speaks, "I will have food sent up, you may stay in one of the guest rooms. You speak to me again the way you did, in front of my son and my soldiers, I will not be this forgiving. Come, Lochlan." He walks on, I look back to Cora and nod that she do as he says.

I sit with my parents, watching her walk off.

"I will not have that healer here for more than two days Lochlan" My father finally says, as he starts to eat. My mother chimes in, "Why are you being so kind to her? You already protect, truly that must be sufficient enough?"

"I told father why, she could be dangerous. You don't seem to be at all worried about what I told you she can do." I say, looking at him. My father looks at me, "I told you, I trust you can handle it. You are strong and wise, you will be fine."


They sit in silence, finally I leave and go find Cora who has a food tray not even touched. I look at her, " Okay, let's just start this so we can get back to earth, follow me...no asking me anything about dinner, I told you to shut up." I walk off and she follows me. We make the way to a basement cellar, I turn on some lights and it's a huge obstacle course, work out equipment.

"This is where I am train really, no one else but me. So, I want you to test your abilities on me, don't go too crazy. I just need more of a visual. You do understand this is serious right?" I look at her. "Really my gut says, well, to do something I can't do. So, congratulations, I like you enough to not kill you." I stand up close to her, she starts to move her hands up my chest and I say her name, she suddenly has handcuffs and attaches me to a pole. I look at her, "Really? We have---" she stops me.

I'm so sick of this. I've done my best. I tried to apologize, to start over, and it's clear that his parents will forever hate me. I can only suck up for so long before I just get angry.

Lochlan had told me about these chains. They're supposedly god-proof. Anyone restrained by them is stripped of their powers until they're freed again. Now that he's stuck, I make my move.

"I'm done playing nice," I say, lifting my hand to his chest again. "Your parents think I'm scum, and well, I think they're assholes. What better way to repay the hospitality than to defile their son in their own basement?"

I reach my hand into his jeans and grasp him, my eyes locked onto his. I lower myself to my knees and wait for him to object.

After another amazing blow job, she stands up and I tell her to use her ability. She resists at first but I look at her, "You won't really hurt me, you can heal me after. Go ahead, do I have to insult you to get you going?"

She uses it and my leg breaks, I lose my balance instantly. I look at her eyes, she looks scared herself. "Do you at all..feel anything when you used it? Did you have to tap into it? What exactly happened?" She comes over first and heals me, then answers my question.

I've never broken bones, as far as I can remember. Ryan said I had crippled his friend with pain, that I'd had him bleeding from every orifice in his face, but he hadn't mentioned bones.

I'm shocked, myself, at what I've done. I don't remember what I did at the lake. I'm shaking as I take in what I've done. It takes me a moment to register that he's even asked me a question.

"I- I don't know," I say, taking a step back, wringing my hands together and staring down at the leg I'd broken not a few seconds prior.

"I just focused on bringing you down for a moment. Maybe I can conjure up what exactly I want to do, and then do it. I... I didn't really have to think about it." I hurt him. Granted, he wanted me to, but I hurt him nonetheless. I'm scared of what'll happen if we continue.

"Look, I'm not comfortable with this. Testing on you. Take me home."

I look at her,"No, I want you to push it...push yourself. I am a god Cora, you are not going to hurt me as I keep saying. I will heal. I am the best person to try all of this on."

She turns to leave, I look at her "You talk a big game but I know you're pathetic" she looks at me, "You heard me correctly, you're pathetic, you wanted to see my world and I said no. You came anyways. Here it is, here I am...this is what I do, I train soldiers. I see you as a weapon, are you a good weapon or something else entirely? Yes, you have a great mouth..."

Without another word, I cringe and the pole holding me bends. My head feels like it has daggers drilling into his brain, and a sound escapes my mouth that I have never heard before. It soon stops, I hang sort of limping at the bottom of the bent pole.

I knew he'd been egging me on, but his words stung nonetheless, so I gave him what he wanted. I hurt the man I have feelings for, whom I care for so deeply, who, quite frankly, doesn't deserve it at times. If nothing else, this trip has made it clear to me. We're not supposed to be together. We can't be together.

I don't ever want to return to this dimension. I don't want to know his people. I'll be happy if I never have to encounter another god again, save for him.

To think I had been okay before all of this. My heart hadn't been as full, my days had been dull, but I'd been content. I want to return to my family. I want to feel love and support; I want to heal and to comfort. I want to live in a world where there might be evil, but good always prevails. I want a world where people care, genuinely care, about others.

This place will destroy me if I have to stay much longer.

I kneel beside him, my eyes brimming with tears, my lower lip trembling, and touch my hand to his face. I heal whatever it is that I've broken inside of him, wishing he could do the same for me. "You've made your point. Take me home."

I look at her, a look of fear and uncertainty and I never get scared. I stand up, freed from my restraints. I have nothing really to say, "We will leave tomorrow, you shouldn't be here. If my father saw that, what you can do..."

I leave without another word said, she follows me back in silence and I go to my own room. I shut the door and lean against it, I yell out in frustration. Why am I feeling these things? Natural instinct says to kill her, she's an abomination. She is not a healer. How did my father not know this or the length of it?

I feel like I am being lied to and I have no one to trust, I want to fuck her right now and forget all of it. All together this is too many thoughts, too many thoughts I am not used to having. She makes me think in general, but now she sees it, we are not meant to be together.

I am now going to make that official.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hours after I knew Cora was asleep, I left the house. I needed a distraction. I needed to be reminded of who I am, I am from this dimension and women are simply my distraction when I need it. I call upon an old friend, a beautiful blonde woman. Her husband fights in battles while I fuck his wife, over and over until we can't anymore.

It's near 4am when I return, quietly as I can mostly to not wake up my parents or Cora.

I stand as naked as the day I was born, staring into a shower that could house a professional football team. I see no shower head, no hoses, no dials. I'm shaking, still covered in blood from the soldier I saved earlier today, and all I want is to get clean and go to bed. Apparently I can't even do that.

I resign myself to my helplessness, wishing I didn't have to ask these futuristic assholes how to do something as simple as turn on a shower. I'll have to ask the one person I'd wanted to avoid for the rest of the evening.

I poke the top of my head through the bathroom door and whisper out into the hallway. "Lochlan?"

I hear nothing, then try again, a smidgen louder. "Lochlan, I can't figure out this shower."

A face appears in the crack, and I shriek when I see his mother staring in at me. Before I can cover up, she's pushing the door inward. I stumble backwards, one arm going across my chest and my free hand reaching between my legs. I hunch over, cursing myself for not throwing on a robe first.

Her eyes are cold when she regards me. Her gaze travels the length of me, inspecting every exposed inch. I felt less vulnerable when I lost my virginity in high school. This is a whole new level of awkward.

She steps forward, unconcerned with my nakedness. "You felt it necessary that my son see you in this state, Healer?" she asks, biting out the last word as if it's an insult.

I shake my head. I'm doing my best not to ruffle any more feathers. Maybe I'm angry, maybe I'm tactless, but I do have an ounce of self-preservation left in me. "I just wanted to know how to turn on the shower," I murmur, but I'm pretty sure that she takes me for a liar and a whore now. I'm breaking all kinds of records today.

She marches past me, walks into the shower, and taps a polished brick with her foot. The shower settings are hidden, apparently. Very minimalist. Then, she turns to me.

"Are you sleeping with my son?" Her tone is accusatory.

Goosebumps spread along my extremities. There's no way this day could get any worse. I shake my head, because oral isn't exactly what she's inquiring about. "No, ma'am."

She studies me again, from head to toe, as if my presence disgusts her. I don't think too highly of her, either. "You asked of our names earlier, yes?" I nod. This is the oddest discussion I've had thus far. I don't care about who's who anymore. I care about getting back to Earth.

"I feel it rude, Healer, that we did not indulge you in pleasantries. Humans do so love their titles. Thus, my name is Marit. My husband is Thaddeus, though you will address him as Sir, not that you've any need to converse with him at all. As for me, it is of no importance what you call me, so long as you're gone tomorrow."

Direct and to the point. I used to admire that quality in a person until I met these people. I nod again, trying my hardest to behave. "Yes, ma'am."

She pauses once more, then brushes some invisible dirt off of her perfectly tailored blouse. It's as if I've made the air dirty by just being here. "You'll do well to remember your place. You are an assignment for my son, and nothing more. He is a god; you are a human with a birth defect. We'll gladly send another guard, should you forget such a simple order. It seems to be a talent of yours."

I have nothing to say to that. I step back, my eyes glued to the floor, and hug myself tighter. Marit exits the bathroom, and on the way out, she stops without looking back. "The shower is motion activated. You'll not be needing my son's assistance for the rest of the evening."

With that, she's gone.

---

I feel ten times worse than I did before, but the shower was incredible, to say the least. I'm in a fresh nightgown, I'm lotioned up, and I'm ready to fall into a small coma when I hear quiet footsteps down the hall.

I turn and spot Lochlan. It's four in the morning, and he's just now returned. I wasn't aware he'd been gone.

Anger flares up inside me the second I see him. I've done the walk of shame before, and I know exactly what it looks like. He likely went and fucked the whole town while his mother was giving me a verbal lashing. I step toward him with a scowl, my hands balled into fists at my side. "Really, Lochlan?"