“Are you kidding?” Alyssa said shaking her head. “Rolian is passed out nearly half of the day, and the other half she’s stumbling over all eight of her legs. It’s a miracle she’s not dead from drinking as much as she does.”
“Arachne don’t have to worry about such things,” Sheal mentioned, earning curious looks from them. “I learned that from the arachne I met in The Sisterhood. They have three stomachs and an absurdly high constitution for liquor. Rolian may get tipsy from drinking so much, but she’s not in any danger of getting ill from it. She can’t succumb to alcohol poisoning no matter how hard she may try. Arachne can even eat foods that are normally considered poisonous to us without any cause for concern; their stomachs can handle almost anything.”
“No wonder she drinks like she’s trying to kill herself,” Specca muttered with a cringe. “She has no reason to fear doing so.”
“Daniel?” Luna said, walking out of the carriage with her sister. “Rolian took down her webs in the bedroom. She wants to know if she can still keep them in the dining hall for her to sleep in.”
“Are we seriously going to let her keep that stuff in our home?” Falla tiredly asked.
“I’m still not sure how we’re going to handle her living with us,” Daniel admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. “For now, she can keep her nest in one of the upper corners in the dining hall. Tell her she has to take the rest down.”
“Fantastic,” Falla sighed. “We’re letting the natural predator of giant butterflies live in our dining hall. That is so grimly ironic.”
“We’ll work something out,” Alyssa said waving it off. “We’re stuck with her now; we’ll just have to make the best of it somehow.”
“And whose fault is that?” Specca flatly quizzed her.
“Don’t start with me right now, Specca. This morning is already testing my patience well enough.”
The butterfly sisters went back into their home while Doku walked out past them, the harpy hopping along while dragging a large bundle of sheets all wrapped in a ball that she held onto with her foot. She fluttered over next to the carriage, set the bundle down, and then walked over to the group while flexing her foot a little with each step.
“The spare coverings are set,” she announced before turning her hidden gaze to Specca. “Are you feeling better now, Specca?”
“Yes. Sorry about what happened.”
“It’s no trouble. That pile of laundry was overdue for a wash anyway.”
“Sorry,” Specca moped, lowering her head in shame. “I honestly don’t know what got into me last night.”
“Based on what came out of you this morning, I think we have a pretty good idea what it may have been,” Doku reasoned, with Specca covering her face out of embarrassment. The nixie moved behind Daniel and buried her face in his back, her tail slowly coiling around his leg as she tried in vain to hide from everyone.
“Well, I’d best get to work this morning,” Sheal said with a small bow. “I’ll go help Rolian take down her webs. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you, master.”
“I’d tell you to just call me by my name,” Daniel remarked, shaking his head a little. “Though I feel as though that’s an order you won’t comply with.”
“Sorry, master,” Sheal quipped, a small smile coming across her. She made her way back inside their home with her tail slowly swaying behind, a fleeting glance back to her master being made before she vanished inside.
“Aside from her… panicking the way she did this morning, I feel she’s going to fit in just fine in our home,” Doku complimented, moving beside Daniel and letting him gently take hold of her around the waist.
“Sheal? I’m sure she will,” Alyssa commented. “And provided Rolian learns to stop spreading her webs everywhere, I think she’ll do okay as well. It’s Felucia I’m worried about.”
“I’m more worried about what Triska will say when she hears of this arrangement,” Specca spoke up. “You know how easy it is to set that woman off. She certainly does not share Daniel’s incredible amount of patience. Oh, I can just imagine her yelling about it already.”
“Daniel?” Doku wondered. “You spoke with Twilight this morning in her communal chamber, didn’t you? Any word on how the girls are doing with their investigation?”
“Nothing yet,” Daniel answered, shaking his head. “Twilight isn’t able to keep constant watch on Stonegate from her prison, but during the times she’s peered through the veil she hasn’t seen the girls in or around the city. I’m sure if she spots them she’ll let us know what they found.”
“I hope Calam wasn’t lying,” Specca worried.
“All we can do now is hope for the best,” Doku softly said. “And keep faith that our family will return to us soon.”
“Hey, I see something,” an elf called out. Daniel and the girls spun around to see the elf peering into the distance over the forest, they along with the elven rangers nearby taking notice of a figure flying towards them over the nearby woodland.
“What is that?” a ranger cautioned, priming her bow just as the others did.
“Something’s coming,” another warned, with all of them taking aim. After a moment of peering sharply at the approaching figure they showed surprise and quickly lowered their bows, all eyes watching in awe as a winged demon flew over the nearby trees and swooped down towards them. Landing softly on her feet before Daniel and the girls was Kitten, the cambion arching her wings back while in her arms was Clover, the elf appearing to be sleeping quietly with her twintails gently flowing in the breeze beneath her.
“Master,” Kitten said with a daring smile. “Your demon has returned.”
“Kitten,” Daniel said, rushing up to her along with his girls. “You’re back, that’s great to see. But what happened to Clover? Is she okay?”
“Her? She’s fine,” Kitten replied with a shrug. “She was up all night riding to Stonegate, she was pretty tired this morning after the long trip. I brought her back myself as that would be the fastest way to return her to you while letting her rest. I figured you would appreciate it if I took proper care of your property.”
“Again…” Alyssa groaned with a tired glare at her. “We are not property!”
Daniel gently brushed Clover’s hair away from her face, admiring his elf who was sleeping peacefully in the arms of the demon. Smiling at seeing she was perfectly fine he then looked around the area before turning to Kitten in question.
“Kitten, what happened? Where are the others? What did you find in Stonegate?”
“Where’s Kroanette?” Alyssa asked. “Was she there like Calam said?”
“What did you see there?” Specca wondered. “What were they trying to hide from everyone?”
Kitten smirked at them before glancing back over her shoulder. The group turned towards the approaching trail through the nearby forest as galloping hooves were heard running along it. Slowly Daniel stepped forward from the group and waited with bated breath, hearing the sound growing louder and echoing against the trees before a figure ran up over the bend and into the sunlight.
Standing at the edge of the campsite was Kroanette, the centaur catching her breath while on her back was Star. The jinx was holding onto the centaur’s waist with Reiko hovering beside them, with all eyes focusing on Kroanette who started to become choked up with tears and whimpering gasps from seeing her family standing before her.
“Kroanette,” Daniel breathed out. “Is it really you? Please tell me I’m not dreaming.”
“Daniel,” Kroanette whined with a teary-eyed smile. Star hopped off her back and stepped aside, watching with a warm smile as the centaur started to take a few shaky steps forward before she ran towards her man with a loud cry.
“Daniel!” she wailed, rushing forward and embracing the man, shoving him headfirst into her large bosom as she hugged him tightly.
“Kroanette!” the girls cheered, running forward and hugging their co-mate. The centaur slowly lowered onto her leg
s as she broke down sobbing, the woman being swarmed by similar affections from the girls while Daniel managed to pull his head out of her cleavage and breathe again. He then returned the gesture by pulling her close to his chest and holding her close, tears of joy forming in his eyes as he held his beloved centaur once again.
“Kroanette! You finally came back to us! Thank the heavens!”
Clover stirred then slowly opened her eyes, seeing Kitten smiling at something nearby before she turned to see. The demon set her down on her feet, with the elf smiling and wiping a tear away as she saw Kroanette reunited with her family.
“It’s about fucking time,” Clover said, half laughing and half crying. Shaking it off she glanced to see Kitten showing an approving smile at her master and his harem, then returning the elf’s look with a raised eyebrow as Clover straightened her outfit and quiver on her back.
“You’re welcome,” Kitten said.
“I was just going to thank you for the lift,” Clover smirked back. Looking her over the elf shook her head a bit as something was striking her as odd still. “Not that I’m complaining you’re here, but is Triska coming back out anytime soon? You’ve been in control of your body ever since last night.”
“Soon,” Kitten replied, turning her eyes onto Daniel. “We just had to wait until we got back.”
“Why?”
“You’ll understand soon enough,” Kitten answered, a sly smile forming on her face.
“Where in Eden were you?” Daniel yelled at Kroanette, half angry and half relieved. “Do you have any idea how worried we were about you?”
“Don’t you ever run off like that again!” Alyssa whined, holding onto the centaur’s side. “You stupid centaur, you had us all scared to death! I’m so going to make you sorry for doing that!”
“Thank the heavens you’re alright,” Doku sniveled. “We’ve been so worried about you, dear. You mustn’t run off like that again, I don’t believe we could take it.”
“Don’t ever leave us like that again,” Specca whined. “I don’t care if you’re a centaur, you can’t just take off like that and leave us behind.”
“I’m sorry,” Kroanette sobbed, clutching Daniel’s shirt as she felt smothered by her family’s love. “I’m so sorry. I promise I’ll never run off again. I promise. I’m just so thankful I’m back with you again. Oh my god, I’ve missed you all so much!”
Daniel held his centaur close with a shaky cry before he grabbed her head and pulled her up to kiss him, the two locking into their embrace with Kroanette feeling tears still squeezing out from her closed eyes. For her, she felt the warmth of his love filling her like she always did when her beloved kissed her. For Daniel, he felt her aura in his mind growing strong once again, the burning yellow star in his mind representing her love for him igniting with passion that had been bottled up for days now. In fact it seemed to be resonating with him even more strongly than usual, a strange and unique sensation being felt by Daniel as the centaur’s love appeared to be so blindingly hot and bright for him now, it was almost burning with the same strength Daniel had often felt from being empowered by Synergy from his entire harem in the past.
The world all but stopped for Daniel and Kroanette, the two becoming lost in their moment as their kiss sparked overwhelming emotions in them both while the bond they felt between them pulled them ever closer to one another. After finally parting from their kiss, the two gazed into each other’s eyes, each taking in the image of the other as if they were memorizing it all over again for the first time. Kroanette blushed and slowly looked over Daniel’s appearance, seeing all too well a bolder and braver side of her beloved knight that only further fanned the flames of love and lust burning within her. Daniel however was captivated by his centaur’s beauty, his eyes focusing on every detail of Kroanette’s face, long flowing hair, gorgeous eyes, and of course her oversized assets that also ignited the fires of passion within him.
“Kroanette,” he gently said, brushing aside her hair and caressing her cheek.
“Daniel,” she wept, smiling at her mate while her tail slowly swayed behind her.
“Kroanette!” Rolian suddenly cried out, the arachne hugging the centaur and bobbing her abdomen atop her legs in excitement. Daniel and the girls blinked before realizing that Rolian had jumped into their moment and was now crying on Kroanette’s shoulder while hugging her close.
“You finally came back me! I was so worried about you! I was beginning to think I would never see you again! I’m so happy you’re back, I’ve been waiting and waiting forever for you! Oh, Kroanette! My best friend in the whole world besides Juggy who will always be my favorite best friend in the world but still one of my best bestest friends in the whole wide world! Kroanette! I’m so happy you’re okay! Oh, Kroanette! Waaaaaaaah!”
“Oh, hello again, Rolian,” Kroanette said with a weak smile. “So good to see you again too. Um, do you mind? I was sort of sharing a tender moment with my mate and… um… there there, it’s okay. You can stop crying on me now. Really. I’m alright.”
“Kroanette?” Luna gasped. The group turned to see Falla, Luna, Cindy, and Felucia standing outside the carriage doorway while Pip was fluttering over the giant butterfly’s shoulder. In Cindy’s arms was Snapper, the young swarm cawing and waving her hands towards the centaur in the campsite.
“Is… is that really you?” Falla wondered.
“Did you and your boobies finally come back to us?” Pip whimpered. “Or am I imagining you and your boobies again because I miss you and your boobies so much?”
“I’m really back, girls,” Kroanette said, holding out her hand to them. “I’m home, and it’s so good to see you all again.”
“Kroanette!” Falla cried out, with the girls rushing towards their co-mate while Felucia merely watched with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms. The butterfly sisters swarmed Kroanette with hugs while Pip dove into the centaur’s cleavage with overjoyed delight. Cindy quickly handed Snapper off into her mother’s arms then ran over and hugged the centaur too, with Daniel displaying a warm smile as he saw his mate being held by all the girls. Star warped over beside Kitten and Clover while Reiko floated around through the air after her, them along with the elven rangers watching as Kroanette was blanketed by her loving family.
“You’re okay! You’re really okay!” Luna cheered out in relief. “I was so worried about you!”
“Don’t scare us like that ever again!” Falla reprimanded the centaur. “We were pulling our hair out fearing the worst for you! If you ever run off like that again I swear I’ll break your legs!”
“Don’t leave me ever again!” Pip whined, hugging Kroanette’s chest. “I love you! I love you so much! And you too, Kroanette! I love you too! Please don’t ever leave me again! You and your boobies can’t leave Pip like that again!”
“I’m so happy you’re back, Kroanette,” Cindy whined, holding the centaur’s head against her chest. “Don’t run away from us like you did. I would be sad if you didn’t come back.”
“Girls,” Kroanette whimpered, being smothered by their affections and feeling their love swathing her like a thick blanket. She smiled around at her family, showed a puzzled smile at Rolian who was dressed in a maid’s outfit while she whimpered with eight watery eyes, then turned to Daniel with teary eyes of her own as the man was trying to hold his in the best he could. The centaur gradually broke free from the girls and their overzealous embraces and stood up, gently pulling Pip out from her bosom and hopping the tiny fairy into the air, then stepping closer to Daniel who again graced her cheek with a gentle hand. Kroanette whimpered with a shaky smile at finally being able to see him again, her gaze then moving around at the other girls and nearby elven rangers, before finally looking out over the countryside that caused her smile to begin to fade.
Slowly she walked over to the edge of the hill, her saddened eyes surveying the scar in Eden where her kingdom used to be. Standing there with her hair and tail swaying in the breeze, she witnessed with h
er own eyes the sight of Ruhelia having been completely wiped out, her voice faltering in her throat as memories of her former home painted the image of Ruhelia still standing before her, in all its glory with its people running about the nearby fields that served as their beloved homeland, before it all faded away to reveal it was truly gone.
“Kroanette…” Daniel started to say, and then fell silent as everyone saw the centaur taking in the view of her homeland having been eradicated. The centaur slowly looked down to see the elven encampment below them, the women and children moving about in their camps while residing on the outskirts of what was once her proud home.
“I already knew,” she distantly said. “When I met Rolian, she told me… she told me something I didn’t want to believe. She told me what Cindy had already seen with her own eyes. I knew… I knew what had happened to my home before I even got here. I knew I already lost my home… my sisters… and my mother.”
“Kroanette… I’m sorry,” Doku softly said.
“I heard what happened to Ruhelia. I also heard what happened to Green Haven. I heard what The Sisterhood has done out here. All the lives they’ve ruined. The homes they’ve burned down. The families they’ve slain.”
Wiping a tear from her eye she turned to see her family watching her with remorse, all except for one who was absent, and brought more tears to her eyes.
“And I heard… about Squeak,” she whimpered.
Daniel and the girls lowered their heads, voicing no corrections to what Kroanette already knew and feared to be real.
“The last thing I said to her,” Kroanette sniveled. “The last thing I said to her that day before I ran off… it wasn’t goodbye, or how much I cared about her, or how much she meant to me as a member of my own family. The last thing I said to Squeak before I left that day… was ‘Get out of the mirror, I need to fix my hair.’ The last thing I said to Squeak was a vain request because I was worried I wouldn’t look my best for Daniel. Those were the last words I directly spoke to her. And they were horrible ones.”
Chronicles of Eden - Season II - Act II Page 38