To be Claimed by Her

Chapter 100

Silas's POV

Axel and I had gone to the Irish sea to seek out Triton. It had taken a bit, but Ninura was able to find us a secluded shore where we could safely transition. Neither of us had used our tails since that first day at the aquarium. Being in the sea was so different, it was almost intoxicating - the pull of the sea. I have no idea how far we had swum, or how deep before he found us.

"Enjoying the view, boys?" Triton smirked. "I told you, didn't I? Nothing better than the freedom of the sea. Too bad we can't give Starfish a tail. Then you three could live here and give me grandbabies," he snickered. By the look on Axel's face, I knew we both liked the sound of that. "So what can I do for you boys?" He asked.

"Phineas pulled Seirína into a dream pocket and cracked the stone. It's now leaking shadow essence. According to Quin, it is attracting shadows and demons to try and capture her for Erebus," I said with a growl.

"Then Dove was attacked at the Council Headquarters yesterday," Axel said, a frown creasing his forehead. "The wizard, Orak, was apparently a shade or working for Erebus. He attacked her in the chambers. If Helios hadn't claimed Brandon and Corey right then, he might have gotten her."

The water around us began to churn as Triton's anger poured off of him. "This is getting fucking ridiculous!" Triton roared. "Where is she now?"

"Still at the headquarters. Loki and Helios put up new wards," Axel responded. "She stayed with Corey and Raven last night. Everyone except Owen has been claimed now."

"What about her bondings?"

"I think everyone except Luke and Owen," I mused.

"Assuming that's all there are," Axel commented. I gave him a confused look. "Man, you can't tell me you haven't seen the way Loki and she are together?"

Triton and I both looked at him like he was crazy. "No," he scowled, "they wouldn't do that, would they?"

"Do what?" I asked. He wasn't making sense.

He looked at both of us, a mix of confusion and frustration in his expression. "They can't be bonded. It goes against every rule the Fates have ever established, but..." he sputtered, "but why would they connect them? It makes no sense."

"Okay, I'm confused," I said. "So are they connected or not? Because if they are, then what about her Fae powers, I thought she had to bond with all of her soulmates to gain her full powers." If Loki is one of her bonds, but they can't complete the bond, then what? Does that mean Seirína can't be saved?

"I don't know," Triton said, shaking his head. "I need to talk with the others and maybe even the Council of the Gods about this. Do you think either of them has figured it out?"

Axel gave a sad laugh, "Oh yeah, they both know. Loki has avoided any physical contact like the plague."

He nodded thoughtfully, "That's probably for the best. Can you imagine feeling what you did when you and Starfish touched, and then going all of eternity never being able to have her, never love her, or be loved by her? That would be pure torture."

Damn, I couldn't even go a day without her touch, I'd go insane if someone had told me I couldn't be with her. I have a whole new level of respect for Loki now, and my Seirína. This must be a nightmare for both of them, but more so for Loki. At least she has all of us to help her and love her. He has no one.

Triton placed a hand on both our shoulders. "Let me worry about this, boys. You have enough on your plates already," he tried to reassure us. "But, you know, I really wouldn't object to grandbabies. It'd be a fifty-fifty chance they'd be merfolk, and even if they weren't, I'd spoil them rotten," he chuckled. We both rolled our eyes at his teasing, before saying our farewells and heading back to the shore. It was amazing how we instinctively knew where to go despite being hundreds of miles out to sea.

"So should we say anything to the others, or do you think they already know," I asked Axel as we got dressed.

He wrapped his arms around my neck and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. "I think some know or at least suspect, but not everyone. Let's wait to see what Triton can find out first. I don't want to cause Dove any more grief, especially after yesterday." I nodded and pulled his mouth back to mine. I still find it crazy that after all this time, we admitted our attraction to each other. I sometimes wonder if we ever would have without Titan's claim.

Intertwining our fingers, we began the walk back to the headquarters, talking about our lives before the Academy. Being with Axel was comfortable. Our shared passions and careers made it easier to make meaningful conversations outside of the current turmoil we were all experiencing, and I was thankful for that small sense of normalcy.

Author's Notes:  A short transition chapter.  I'll try for a longer and/or double update tomorrow.  Dealing with a sick baby today :(

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