Vows Between Man and Star Ch. 03

With our bellies filled and a cartoon on the screen everyone began to calm down. I'd put together a pillow fort around the entire bed, something Ro seemed to love while she's anxious and Treyna looked much calmer within it. She laid on her belly to face the screen in front of us, her tail swiping along my stomach gently, occasionally her left ear would twitch with her quiet giggles. My mind was on something else though. Trey managed to get to the inn with the clothes on her back, but everything else was back at her ex's place in one of the largest beastman providences and I wasn't ready to face that.

I grabbed my phone and began to sit up to draw the attention of the feline, "Hm? Something wrong, Kain?" She sat up with a quiet yawn as she rubbed her face with her left hand gently. I shook my head and kissed the top of her head, watching her ears twitch as my face brushes against them.

"I'm just gonna get some fresh air." I said as I got off the bed and made my way to the living room. To my left I saw Aurora going about her yoga stretches, a tight-fitting crop top and yoga pants do her curves no justice as she slowly moves into a standing forward bend. I could feel her smiling at me before she stood up to look at me and plant a kiss on my lips. She looked me in the eyes, a look of concern on her face as she held my hands gently.

"Heading out on a walk, babe?" After all these years she knew me so well, knew that my walks were a way to clear my head and blow off steam. I nodded and squeezed her hands firmly, her face softening as she sighs.

"Please don't be out too long, ok?" She offered a gentle smile before I kissed her forehead, slipped on my shoes and hoodie and opened the front door, "I'll try to be home soon." With that I stepped out, a gust of wind closing the door for me as I let out a deep sigh. What the hell was I going to do? With everything going on at home I needed a way to let everything out, every bit of this anger that had been boiling up inside.

My phone buzzed with a message from Alex asking to meet him for some coffee. A half smile formed on my face. The sly demon always knew when something troubled me and had a plan to help me. With my phone in my pocket, I made my way into town towards my usual coffee shop, passing by all manner of person along the way.

I could smell it now, the scent of roasted coffee beans in the air that brought a smile to me even on the wariest of days. Inside the shop I could hear the familiar sounds of latte machines and coffee brewers releasing gentle bits of steam, the earthy scent much stronger with the morning crowd chatting amongst themselves.

Behind the counter stood a dwarf diligently cleaning a mixer, his golden copper blonde beard easily reaching his belly, his jolly smile a sight for sore eyes; he'd been working here long before I was born apparently. He gave a friendly nod to my approach, gesturing quietly towards a table where Alex sat, his own tired yet cheery expression easing my weariness further.

"You look like you've been getting ready for a war. What's on your mind, Kain?" As I sat the dwarf brought over a molten chocolate frappe and a scrap of paper that read 'Your friend paid for this. Enjoy.' And gave a gentle nod before resuming his cleaning. The first sip hit me like a gentle wave, the sweetness bringing my emotions to surface as a tear formed in the corner of my right eye. The taste of chocolate and hot fudge flooded my senses as I drank more and more of the coffee, my eyes closed as I keep myself from openly sobbing.

When I finally set the drink down Alex looked at me with visible concern. "Hey, I knew you were having a rough time mentally but I didn't know it was this bad. What's going on?" I took a deep breath and sighed before wiping the tears from my eyes, "A lot's happened. I can't say much, but Treyna's back."

Alex looked confused for a short moment, his eyes widening in realization before I nod, "Oh, that's how it went down. He was such a good guy too." It was his turn to sigh and I could feel the air warm up around us, a sign of his own emotions rising to the surface. "Want my help with this? As much as I know you can handle yourself in a fight I doubt Lenny's gonna fight alone."

He was right. Lenny was a pack fighter through and through and on my own I wouldn't be able to do much good. Our combined strength would be a good match normally, but these were beastmen. I watch as he pulled out his phone and started tapping at it, the air cooling off again as he began to breathe easy.

"Walk with me." He said as he stood and slowly walked towards the exit. I got up, pulled out five bucks and gave it to the dwarf, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Thanks for always looking out for everyone." I said to him with a smile. His own lips curled into a smile that reached his eyes as I quickly followed Alex.

"What's gotten into you, Al?" He had been walking with purpose, a smirk on his face.

"You'll see when we get there!" As confused as I was, I followed him still. The feel of the early fall breeze against my face was a welcomed feeling, the leaves underfoot crunching as we walked further into the park. I let out a sigh, feeling like I had been holding my breath the whole time. I could hear it now; the sound of a violin being played in the distance sounding so melodic yet somber.

He started leading us closer to the music and it was like he could feel my curiosity building as he turned to look at me over his left shoulder, his tired expression replaced with one of glee

The song had begun to change tune, the strings almost sounding happier the closer I got to them. Suddenly I felt the tingling of magic around me, the trees themselves humming with the mana from the musician. We rounded the path and I couldn't believe my eyes; before me in a pair of deep blue jeans and a jacket that held her tightly was a Dragonkin. Saphentite Morivene stood amidst a cluster of trees that somehow seemed small in comparison to her eight foot tall frame, a smile that reached her closed eyes as she played the elegant instrument in her hands.

I could see a hint of her obsidian scales peeking out from her left jacket sleeve whenever she drew the bow across the strings, a feeling of happiness washing over me as her performance came to an end. Her eyes opened to show the sapphires that were hidden until now, the kindness within seeming to radiate from the area around us.

Her light auburn hair blew across her face with the breeze and made me realize how much it had grown out over the years. How long had it been since she first came to see me? She'd been one of the first people to see me when I'd become a Demon Lord mainly in an effort to ensure I hadn't accidentally blown anything up with my newly acquired power. My mother was rightfully terrified, having seen a giant of a woman rip off our front door before walking in with a look of child-like wonder as she saw me.

In spite of that day we'd become family to each other with her teaching me a great many things from cooking to music and even controlling my magical abilities. Though the one thing I'm most grateful for was when she'd been there when my family passed, their old and withered bodies being lowered to the earth below while I'd wept. At each funeral she'd stay at my side, a silent guardian to keep me steady.

She set her violin aside in its case and pulled me into a hug that instantly popped my back in multiple places. I could hear Alex chuckling to himself off to the side. How much had the devil pulled to get this orchestrated I wondered as Saphi put me down.

"It's been too long, little brother! I've heard how ye've been fairing lately and wanted to come see yer pointy-eared lass and kit." She said. Her Irish lilt had been heavier than I remembered, "Though now I hear ye be having a wee bit of trouble. Care to share with little ol' me?"

I couldn't help but laugh at her choice of words before I looked to her and wiped a tear from my eye. Taking a deep breath to help regain my composure before I spoke, "Treyna's been hurt badly. It's not something I can say myself, but its safe to say we need to go get her things from Lenny's place."

Her right eye twitched and the trees shook as if an invisible wind blew past. "The wolf hurt her, eh?" She inhaled deeply and let out air hot enough that I began to sweat, "A moment please." She walked out of sight as Alex and I looked at each other, visibly shaking as a thunderous roar came from Saphi's direction.

"THAT FUCKING MUTT'LL BE ME NEW DOORMAT!!" Her voice was full of rage I never thought I'd hear from her, the ground vibrating from her outburst. When she came back she was straightening out her jacket and cleared her throat, "Apologies. I haven't the foggiest what came over me."

I reached over to put a hand on her shoulder and watched her tense up a moment before relaxing. Treyna was as much a sibling to her as I was and I can tell she wanted to take her frustrations out on something. A thought occurred and a grin formed on my face as I looked up to the dragonkin.

"Saphi, what do you say to coming with to get Treyna's stuff? More hands makes for less trouble after all." A wicked smile broke across her face, the earth humming ever so slightly as if to try to match her breathing.

"Aye little brother. Aiding ye with this may be what I've been needing a long time coming." Her hands curled into fists, the sounds of her knuckles popping was like rocks cracking and I could tell both her and Alex had been holding in anxieties of their own in this moment.

"We've got everything we need except for a truck and I don't think Saphentite wants to go through the hassle of having a new jacket made." Alex commented. He'd been quiet until now, but now I could feel the warmth from his direction receding as he calmed himself once more. A blush formed on Saphi's face at what he'd meant and I nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry about the truck. I'll have that covered when we're ready to get going." I pulled out my phone seeing it had been an hour since I left home. I didn't want to leave Aurora and Treyna in the dark, but I couldn't bring them with for this; it was far too risky. I didn't want Treyna to have to see the face of her abuser either.

I sent a message to Aurora explaining what's about to happen before putting my phone back in my pocket and letting out a sigh. This was really about to happen and whether I was ready or not didn't matter anymore.

Aurora let out a gentle sigh as she closed her phone. Kain told her about how the he and the others were going to get Treyna's things and that they'd be late home. It bugged her to no end that Kain would be gone so long, but shook her head of the idea. He was helping their kitten with her issues and wouldn't let a few wolves stand in his way.

Especially after what he'd gone through to get her to their home. Her parents weren't exactly thrilled to know she'd be going to live with a human especially Kain. Demon Lord or not they didn't like him in the slightest. He and Aurora met a few years after he'd acquired the Lord's Vessel and stopped aging. She had been through a lot in her life, a lot more than he thought possible even with a nigh immortal race like the elves.

Back then she'd opened up about herself. She'd been attacked by other family members and when she fought back she was made out to be in the wrong, told she had to keep the family pure and had no right to deny them.

When Kain came to them to try to talk them out of their decision her mother had a large kitchen knife ready to attack. Her father though stood back and did nothing, a look of resignation on his face as Kain did his best to keep Aurora and himself safe.

She told him years later that her dad didn't want any of this for her. He didn't want her to be pulled into the same hell that he'd been forced into and even though he couldn't do anything to help her he didn't have to do anything to stop her either. The day when she was moving in with Kain was the first time he'd seen a genuine smile on her dad's face as he helped them clear out everything she owned, putting on a show of faux anger as he sent her away from the home.

With Treyna it was the same yet so very different. She couldn't go with him to get her things otherwise she'd be at risk of another breakdown or worse. Aurora went to the kitchen and pulled out a few knives, reaching out with her magic to pull different vegetables and some chicken from the fridge to start making soup.

She put her hand on a small crystal and pushed mana into it as some punk rock music began to play from all around the room. It'd been discovered a few centuries ago that different crystals with magical properties could be used as things like radios and other technology and even replace the need for wires. Since then, crystals have become a commodity among the races.

The soft sound of feet across the floor and a keen nose sniffing the air was easily drowned out as Treyna walked over to the kitchen. The comforting smell of the chicken broth filled the air and made the feline's stomach grumble though the sight of the elf dancing as she did brought a different hunger forth.

She swallowed hard, a blush crossing her face as her tail swished back and forth gently while she closed the gap between them before placing a hand on either side of Aurora's hips, eliciting a squeak from her. The elf's hearing was good, but the cat's quiet footing made sneaking up on her easier as she purred against her left ear.

"Dinner smells really good Ro. Do you... Do you think I can have a snack before we eat?" Treyna's voice cracked as she finished her question. Her tail drooped down, her hands trembling against Aurora's body as her ears folded forward.

Aurora could feel the anxiety from the feline and slowly turned to wrap her arms around her, having to look up slightly to her as her lips formed into a warm smile. The electric blue locks of the cat were like a set of curtains on either side of her face as her hands moved to squeeze Treyna's plump ass. The kit let out a soft moan before biting her bottom lip, the tension slowly melting as the elf held her body against her own

Aurora's right hand moved along Treyna's back towards her neck slowly, her nails trailing along her spine. The little whines that came from the girl made the elf shiver as she leaned up so her lips were near her left ear.

"You want a snack hm? Well" She grabbed where her fur ended at her neck firmly with her right hand, her left caressing the feline's flank reassuringly as she guided her to her knees. Treyna's eyes seemed to grow larger, a look of playful anticipation as Aurora spoke, "All you have to do is unwrap your treat, kitten."

The feline's ears perked up and her tail swished back and forth in growing excitement as her hands reached for the waistband of Aurora's yoga pants. Her breathing started to quicken sounding more like panting as she slowly slid the fabric down the elf's thighs, exposing her pale skin hidden beneath. Her panties had been damp, the smell of her sex mixing with the meal made both of their mouths water.

By the time Treyna had lowered her elven sister's panties her eyes were fixated on the sight of her moistening outer lips, her own lip trembling as she hesitated for a moment. Aurora smirked at the feline before placing her right hand on her head and brought her closer. It was all the kit needed as she dove in, her tongue rough against the sensitive folds of the elf's pussy.

She let out a gasp of surprise, her left hand moving to brace herself against the counter as her right hand laced her fingers in the feline's hair, letting her have her way with her nether regions. There's always something different about how a beastman pleasures another, the feel of their fur against your skin, the primal sounds they make when in the heat of the moment, it feels closer than with most others.

This was no different as Treyna's mewls and purrs came more frequently, her face buried against the elf's mound as she licked at her sweet honey. All Aurora could do was hold on for dear life and grind out the pleasure she felt, her left hand gripping the counter so hard that her knuckles began to turn white.

The feline's right hand moved into her own panties to strum her clit to the symphony of their combined pleasure, her hips bucking against her hand on their own, the music in the room drowning out the cries of the elf.

Aurora shut her eyes tight as her hips ground against Treyna's face, her hand and thighs holding her in place as she let out squeal of ecstasy. If not for the counter behind her she may as well have fallen back even as the cat in front of her experienced her own orgasm. The noise that came from her was like she was growling while lapping at cream.

It took some time for the two of them to come down from the peak of pleasure and Aurora had crouched down to pull Treyna into her arms, kissing her deeply as Treyna pressed herself against the elf.

Breaking the kiss Aurora smiled warmly to the feline and caressed her cheek, "I told you before Trey. No matter what your needs are we'll do our best to help you."

The feline's eyes watered at her words, her lip quivering again as Aurora kissed her once more. They held each other a bit longer before Treyna sniffed the air.

"Umm did you leave the stove on?" She asked. Aurora's eyes went wide and her face flushed in embarrassment, "Oh fuck! The soup!!" She shot to her feet and tended to their meal.

It had been a couple hours since Alex and I started our ride to the beastman capital of Hargeon. As a favor an acquaintance of mine agreed to drive us with his truck though Saphi hadn't joined us. She despised being in enclosed spaces, but swore she didn't have claustrophobia. I'd dozed off some time ago and was being shaken awake by Alex as we parked.

"Wakey wakey sleeping beauty. We're here and it looks like Lenny's home." I let out a groan as I sat up and looked out the window. The area around us was well kept, the plants healthy as can be yet there wasn't a single person out and about. The only thing out of place was the pounding of music in the building in front of us.

I'd never known the wolf to party. He'd seemed so quiet and reserved when I knew him. Something had definitely changed and I was going to find out one way or another. I got out of the truck with Alex following close behind and with a nod our driver pulled away. We'd agreed he'd wait elsewhere until we signaled him in case things turned violent.

Despite everything looking so well the air stank as if something was rotting. There wasn't any sign of trash or anything that'd give off such a stench and it only got stronger the closer we got to the house.

"You alright? You look like you're ready to-" I put a hand up to stop him.

"If you say it now I will. I don't want to lose my cool more than I already have." I tell him as my magic forms an intangible orb of air around my head. A sigh of relief came from me as the odor was dispersed. He put a hand on my shoulder and waited for me to compose myself before walking with me to the front door.

He brought his fist onto the wood, knocking loudly as he shouted, "Lenny! Get your ass out here you mutt!"

The music came to a halt, stomping feet coming to the door before it opened abruptly. Lenny's light grey fur was disheveled and matted in areas, his breathing heavy as if he'd just finished a marathon and his eyes were wild. Even with the air around me the stench from earlier assaulted me nearly making me gag.

He sneered at us as he stood up straight, "What do you two want?" His eyes were locked on me as he sniffed the air gently before glaring at me. He'd picked up Treyna's scent and I could feel the hostility building with the tension.

"We came to get a feline's belongings. You can let us get them or-"

"Or what?! You two won't do shit here!" His growls grew louder now accompanied by a collective of other wolves. A group of six shown themselves in the doorway, their eyes wild and hungry. We both stepped back as they all stepped out. We were sorely outnumbered and they knew it. I clenched my fists trying to calm myself as my pulse quickened, my mana flowing through me in parallel with my blood.

Looking over I could see Alex grinning. The heat coming from him was becoming unbearable now as he stepped to the pack, "I don't think you want to know what comes of this, little pup." His tone was dangerous, his skin reddening as he got closer. An auburn furred wolf lunged at him only to be side-stepped and pinned to the ground, a howl of agony coming from them as their fur singed at his touch.

The others gathered around them as Alex pressed against assailant, patches of their fur catching fire as he looked to the others. "I haven't had a feast in so long. I'll enjoy this hunt far more than any of you!" With a cry of agony the wolf beneath him went up in flames, the howls dying down as a pair of horns had appeared on Alex's forehead.

The pack growled in anger, stepping away from him and turning their attention to me. My magic danced along my arms begging to be let loose, my breathing now steady as I readied myself for a fight.

In the distance the earth hummed then growled, a large figure walking towards us. I grinned as I made out the jacket on her upper body; Saphi came to help us. As she got closer I could hear her speak, the ground beneath us rumbling as she spoke.

"Do not go gentle into the night. Rage! Rage! Against the dying of the light. For there shall be no mercy for any force that stands blocking this path for his righteousness!" She started to take off her jacket, exposing her scale clad arms to us all, "Leonard Beldona, pick a God and pray! For you may find mercy in them, but you will find none in me." She grabbed onto Lenny by the arm and threw him at the house like a doll, the sound of the wood breaking was agonizing, but a welcomed distraction as she fought the group single handedly.

I looked to Alex who had calmed down considerably, but the heat remained. I could hear a thunderclap in the distance and let out a sigh, opening my hands as I nodded to him, "Let's head in. Everything should be ok now."

We made our way inside and I immediately covered my mouth and nose. Something wreaked in here and I couldn't tell what though Alex looked unfazed.

"What's gotten into you man? There's nothing rancid in here!" He said as we walked further into the house. On the table and counters were different papers and trinkets that I didn't recognize. It was like they'd become obsessed with something and the scent was much worse near the surfaces.

"Let's just get everything and go. I don't like this place one bit." We rounded the corner into the living room where Lenny landed and I could see what looked like a tattoo on his arm. As I got closer an uneasy feeling filled my gut as I looked at the design; a mess of snakes with a pair of wings. A tug on my arm brought me back to my senses as I followed Alex.

It took us a couple hours, but we'd filled the truck with anything of Treyna's we could find. The storm was rolling in quickly and I took a deep breath before sighing. I was light-headed and just as my legs were about to give out I could feel Saphi pick me up in her arms.

"It's ok deartháir beag. Everything is ok now." She said. I gave a smile before passing out, the rain coming down on us as lightning flashed in the sky.