"It's about time." I scooted over on the large log to make room, "I think I have enough wood for the night but did you guys bring something for breakfast?"
They exchanged glances.
"What?" I asked.
Alex cleared his throat, "We were sort of hoping…well – if you don't mind…maybe we could—"
"Spit it out, Alex," I said.
"We're going to branch off for the night," Susan said.
"Oh, okay." I tried not to look disappointed. Truth was, I was looking forward to it just being the three of us again.
"We won't go too far – you'll be alright?" She glanced at Bee, still fast asleep.
"Oh, yeah, we'll be fine." I swallowed and forced a smile. "Have fun. Oh, and can you leave the Chalice?" I gestured to the cup tucked into her belt.
She hesitated. "You're going tonight? Maybe we should stay…" She glanced up at Alex as disappointment flickered across both their faces.
"No, no. Just hand it over and go do your…thing." I stood up and held out a small blanket for her to wrap the cup in.
She obliged. "Be careful."
"Yes, mother." I winked at her.
They disappeared into the woods; Susan's giggles floating back to me.
I sighed, and held the wrapped cup up in my hand. It's just you and me, and our male harem. You'd think I'd be more excited.
Bee snored, then sleep-laughed.
And you too, of course.
I passed a few hours by overcooking my food, eating it, tending the fire, checking on Bee, and pacing our campsite. I wasn't ready to visit the men again. They wanted me to release one of them, and I had no idea how to do it.
Eventually, I found a large boulder jutting out of the hill leading up from our campsite. I clawed my way up to find the top smooth and mostly flat. Below, I had a perfect view of Bee. Above, I had a perfect view of the full moon.
I sat, taking off my boots and socks, stretching my bare feet out in front of me. Memories of my saining with Cato, then my handfasting with Micah flashed in front of me. Both had been done in bare feet with a full moon.
The full moon allows us better control over our powers, Cato had once told me. I rubbed the back of my neck and tried to work out the kinks in my shoulders – those days were so easy compared to this. I took off my pack; something inside thumped against the hard rock. I searched through our spare clothes to take out the culprit. I found it in a small pocket on the side of the pack. It was the rock Micah and I had used in the cave on Reunion Island. I had kept it with me all this time; our own personal, inconspicuous sex toy.
I squeezed it in my palm remembering that night. An ache ran through my chest, and I quickly put the rock down beside me. I busied myself with the rest of the bag's contents, folding and refolding our clothes. I brought out my mother's charms, the ones that had protected Bee during our fight at Mammoth Caves. I lay them down beside me, opposite the rock. I unwrapped the Chalice in front of me, standing it upright.
And that was it. There was nothing else left to distract me. With the moon large and bright above me, its light enveloping me like a warm blanket, the tears flowed. I grabbed the rock again, holding it to my chest as if it alone could fill the hole and stop the pain caused by Micah's absence. My blurry view of Bee only caused me to cry harder. He should be here with her, not out gallivanting around, trying to save the world from Shawn.
The rock grew warm in my hand. I placed it against my cheek, drawing strength from its heat. Hiccups replaced tears and memories of that night in the cave with Micah raced through my mind. It had to have been the most gratifying sexual experience of my life, enhanced with elements as it was. Wind blew in, tousling my hair, enticing me. The rock vibrated in response.
Oh, no, I thought, glancing down at Bee. I couldn't.
The rock vibrated harder. If it could talk, it would convince me – Why not? What do you think Susan and Alex are doing this very moment?
Heat blossomed in my stomach.
The rock tried harder, and so did the elements. The wind brought in a female moan from the distance. My womb clenched in response, remembering what it used to feel like to be loved.
A male groan answered, "Hold still."
His mouth was on something. Her lips? Her breasts?
My hand automatically moved to my already hard nipples, pinching them. My body sparked to life with the sensation. I lay down flat on the rock allowing my knees to fall apart. I placed the rock in between my legs. Even through the material of my cargo pants, the vibrating rock was strong enough to cajole my hips into movement.
"Mmmm, faster!" the female voice said.
I obliged, pressing the vibrating rock against me, over and over again. My lips parted in shock as I already felt my climax building. I turned my head to the side. The charms were glowing bright. I squinted then looked away. No time to think about that now.