Talia told Keith that in this realm, they will meet witches who were scarcely dressed females. She also warned him that he shouldn't underestimate them because they have powers and magic, but there was no mention of them exploiting men.
Actually, Keith had nothing against sex. He was gifted below the waist, had enviable stamina with a libido to match it, and witches were attractive females, so it's not like they needed to force him into intimacy.
But the words 'breeding stud' made him uncomfortable as he imagined himself being tied up spreadeagled on the bed as females took turns on him until they sucked him dry.
He didn't want Talia to think that he would enjoy such a thing because he was not aroused at the thought of women waiting in line in order to ride him. Nope. Nope. He was not aroused… OK. Maybe a little bit.
Keith exhaled a sharp breath while trying to stabilize his emotions, and he wished that Sandy was there. Sandy's spunk and no-nonsense attitude would distract him and keep those witches at bay. Lulu would be useful also, but he left her behind when she refused to take the blood oath. Actually, Keith had a grudge against Lulu since she made a move on him in the hospital and spoke venomous words when he rejected her.
The reality was that any thoughts about Sandy or Lulu were useless because neither of the two was in this realm.
Keith was on his own, feeling numerous heated gazes on him, and he wished that there was a safe word or an exit strategy because he couldn't allow himself to succumb under that suffocating pressure that a throng of sexually curious witches was creating.
And Damon wanted to send Keith out there on his own! Was Damon set on getting rid of Keith? Was that why Damon allowed Keith to be Talia's guard and to tag along?
A sense of insecurity crept into Keith's bones, and he wanted a hug. But Talia and Damon were there, already hugging each other. Joining them was not an option; Keith had no intention of hugging Damon, and if he asked Talia for a hug, Damon would grant him a painful death without a grave.
After some time, Evanora returned to the receiving room with Yasmin, Axel, Cornelia, and James.
Evanora looked around to see their backpacks.
"Didn't you go to your rooms?", Evanora asked, and before anyone could answer, she asked her next question, "Where is Amelia?" The witch had a task to show them to their rooms and help them settle. Sure, Amelia was in the middle of an important experiment, but it shouldn't take this long. Or did Amelia forget?
After Cornelia left the Coven, Amelia became the next high-ranking witch after Evanora, and Evanora entrusted her with the task of keeping the newcomers busy.
Talia responded with a knowing smile, "Amelia was here, and then she left. Liam is missing as well."
Yasmin was the first one to understand, "They are mates!" Yasmin clapped excitedly. "I'm sure that Amy already took him to her room." And everyone knew why Amelia would take Liam to her room.
James made a face. Liam just met Amelia, and they were already going at it, and here was James, sticking to Cornelia for days with little to no progress.
Sure, Cornelia was not pushing him away, and James loved her proximity, but he wanted to introduce Cornelia to all the joys his joystick could provide, and then he would mark her, and that's that. She would be his, forever.
For that, James needed a new plan because he felt that she will slip through his unless he did something drastic. But what other tactic can he try? He needed help.
Talking to guys about winning over a woman was a dead end.
Talia was the next best candidate as the most reliable and least malicious female around. Unfortunately, it was obvious that Talia was clueless about courting, so James dismissed her as a person who should give him relationship advice.
There was also Evanora, but James had a feeling that the old witch will give him more problems than solutions. Something about her smelled of trickery, and James didn't want to get entangled with her.
James looked at Yasmin while firming his resolve to talk to her about figuring out how to win over Cornelia. He was willing to try using magic if needed. Anything goes in love and war.
Yasmin knew about witches and about Cornelia, and she looked genuinely interested in getting Cornelia mated. She was the perfect person to help him, but James questioned her maturity. Cornelia told him that Jasmin is more than three hundred years old (it was an estimate because witches don't really track time how humans do), but the young witch was bouncing around like an overexcited toddler most of the time.
"This is a great opportunity to arrange a feast!" Yasmin exclaimed and looked at Evanora expectantly. "Can we? Amelia and Cornelia both found their mates, and I have news to share also…" She put her hands on her belly, and Axel was right behind her, and his hands landed over Yasmin's.
Evanora's eyes widened in slow motion as the information sank in. "You are… I will be…"
Yasmin smiled brightly. "You will be a grandmother. We are expecting twins."
Evanora swayed visibly, and Cornelia was quick to grab her hand and help the high priestess to sit.
"Aren't you happy?" Yasmin asked sadly. She expected various reactions, mostly squealing congratulations with plenty of hugs, but Evanora looked like she was about to collapse.
Evanora needed a few moments to compose herself. "Happy? Shocked is the expression. You just got mated…" Her voice trailed, and she glared at Axel. "You… you… beast! She is so young! Why did you tie her up in motherhood!? I should have known. I would keep your balls here so that you can't impregnate her…"
Axel put his hand over his crotch area protectively, and he gave it a little squeeze to ensure all his parts were still there. Surely, the old witch was joking. Right? RIGHT!?
His nugget sack will be staying right where it is, between his legs and not an inch further. His future children are in there!
Axel didn't know how to respond to Evanora's meltdown, and the only good thing was that Yasmin was not sad anymore.
Yasmin was smiling and leaning on him, like Evanora was wishing them an eternity of happiness.
"Mother, don't talk like he forced me", Yasmin said when Evanora paused her shouting in order to inhale.
"It's his fault", Evanora said. "Werewolves are selfish and inconsiderate, only thinking about their impulses." Her eyes fell on James. "Maybe we should castrate this one before he does any damage."
James' eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. If he knew that castration was included in his visit to the realm of witches, he would reconsider.
"No!"
James was startled at the sound of Cornelia's protest. She stood in front of him protectively while facing Evanora.
"I understand that you are shocked by all these sudden changes, but you can't act rashly.", Cornelia said. "James is my soulmate, and if anyone wants to harm him, they will need to go through me."
