Chapter 14: Revelations

Tali

I wake up and open my eyes. I'm so tired, but I usually am. I notice something on my wrist and see a symbol.

I nudge Simion, "Simion, there's something on my wrist, do you know what this is?"

He sleepily pulls me into him while kissing my shoulder. I lightly hit his arm and hold up my wrist.

He chuckles, "I'm sorry, baby, yet another thing we failed to explain. As my mate, you'll wear my sigil on your wrist. I have yours on mine as well, and as you mate the others, theirs will appear below mine."

He holds up his wrist, and sure enough, there's a symbol on his skin, like a tattoo. It's blue and rather more complicated than the simple black symbol, or sigil, on mine.

"Hu, I've never seen a blue one, but that was the color of your armor yesterday, so maybe that color is just representative of you or hybrids. We'll do some research soon. Good morning, by the way." He smiles and gently kisses me.

Last night was both amazing and a bit nerve-racking. I, of course, have never slept next to people, and sure as hell never in someone's embrace. The nightmares were still there, and Simion got woken up a couple of times.

I'm usually so careful about no one seeing me like that, and it was hard not to pull away. Yeah, he was actually in my dream the other night, but it's still hard. I'm glad I didn't pull him in with me, though, so there's that.

"I can see different emotions playing on your face. What's wrong?" He gently turns me so I'm facing him.

"I guess I'm still processing. Last night, what we did was amazing. Then the nightmares were brutal, and I'm sorry I woke you up, so I was thinking about all that."

He nods, "I'm glad I was here. Do you have nightmares like that a lot?"

"Yeah, it's pretty much a nightly occurrence," I tell him factually.

He frowns, "How long does it take for you to calm down and be able to go back to sleep, and do you have multiple nightmares like you did last night?"

"It depends on the content of the nightmare as to how long it takes me, usually an hour at least. Some nights, if it's especially hard, I don't go back to sleep. Yes, usually if I'm asleep, I can know a nightmare is coming."

"Well, I know you were worried about waking me up, but it seemed that with me being here and helping to comfort and ground you, you recovered and went back to sleep faster. You also only had two, but I guess we didn't sleep much." He grins cheekily at me when he says that, and I duck my head, leaning my forehead against his chest.

"Hey, none of that. We talked last night. I want you to always know that anything between us is normal and natural, and you should enjoy it, and shame has absolutely no place in our relationship. Not about making love, not about nightmares, not about differences, not about your feelings, wants, desires, and dreams. Never in any part of our life, okay."

I take a deep breath and look into his eyes. I run my fingers through his long, dark brown hair and enjoy the feel of the shaved patches on the temple areas and his scruffy beard. Then I kiss his soft lips and trace the scar by his eye, and kiss that.

"We should get up and get some breakfast, unless you are interested in another round, because I'm getting very turned on by you, as I'm sure you can feel."

I think about it, but decide we should get up. I have other mates who deserve my attention today. I try very hard not to be embarrassed by my nakedness before I put his shirt on. I've been much more naked in front of people lots of times, so I'm not really sure why this feels different.

I go to my room to get dressed before heading to the kitchen. Everyone is in here, and I'm determined not to be embarrassed, but I do wonder if the others heard us last night.

I walk over, and Balkalor is leaning on the counter by the coffee machine. As I approach, he snags me by the hip and pulls me to him. Then he cups the back of my head and kisses me. I startle for a moment before kissing him back.

Then he turns me, and Meliyan is there and gently cups my face before thoroughly kissing me. Then he passes me to Zahaine, who hugs me to him and kisses me. Then they all say good morning to me.

"Ah, is this going to be normal? I need to know that. Will you all kiss me?" I am sure I look a little puzzled.

"Yesterday was Tali's first kiss. She didn't even know what I was doing at first, but she likes it now." Simion grinned at me.

"Well, damn, in that case." Meliyan walks back up to me, grips the back of my neck gently while tangling his fingers in my hair.

His mouth descends upon mine and ravages my mouth very thoroughly. Then he pulls back and kisses my nose and my forehead. Then he pulls me in for a good hug.

I am sure I look flushed and a little shocked. The guys are all grinning, so it looks like no jealousy, so that's good. I walk over and get a cup of coffee.

I sit down and fix it as I like it, and Zahaine puts a plate with a blueberry pancake in front of me. I grin and thank him.

"So, I found a couple of books that might hold some information about Lilith's bloodline and her son, so I will check some of that out for clues today." Zahaine looks at both Simion and me.

I nod, and Meliyan adds, "We found a couple of books that are for teaching young about protectors, so I hope they will have some good information regarding different possible powers."

Balkalor looks at Simion, "I have let the council know that Tali has made her decision and chosen us as mates. They also know that you have completed everything, and the rest of us will over the next few days."

Simion nodded, "So how was it received?"

"Well, I did a video call specifically because I wanted to gauge reactions. Gabriel seemed pleased, but the women didn't seem to have much of a reaction; they're all mated already. The one I'm worried about."

I interrupted Balkalor, "Gregory."

They all looked at me, surprised, "I was honest when I said I'd met his kind a lot. He hoped to have power over me because he wanted to bend me to his will. He likes to dominate. I wouldn't be surprised if he's hurt women before. Some men are misogynistic, but he's more; he's got a violent streak."

They all looked at me, assessing what I said, "Perhaps I will see what I can find out about his activities." Simion had a thoughtful look on his face.

We finished breakfast, and I went to take another shower. I had things to do today, and another mate to take.