Of Thorns and Glamour

Harpy

I am sitting across from Caleb having light conversation as he asks me questions and tells me about what happened while I slept. Inchiki stated he had something to take care of at some point while we spoke and left us alone. I find myself staring at Caleb's glasses as he cleans them, they were very sparkly.

I was doing it again and I stand up, "I need to go for a walk," Caleb starts to get out of his chair but I touch his shoulder, "alone."

He smiles at me but it doesn't reach his eyes, "Of course."

I take a stroll through Oberon's forest, and make small talk with those living here. It helps me stabilize, as I did not want to isolate, and thankfully most do not ask me too many questions about my pregnancy.

I see Oberon speaking with Lyra in the distance, and she turns first to look at me. I wave at them, but I see Oberon's smile falter as he sees my belly. Lyra says something to him and he looks at her then looks at me and quickly walks over.

"You're with a child already?" Lyra comes up behind him and coughs, "I am sorry mother that was disrespectful of me."

Lyra holds onto his arm, "What he meant was how are you and how exciting to see you." She smiles at me and I laugh gently at them both.

"This is temporary, sadly not an egg that will hatch." I touch my belly and smile sadly, "Your father can explain more Oberon."

His eyes darken, "Did he force this upon you?"

I can see Lyra stomp on his foot, "Oberon," she scolds him. "I am sure your mother doesn't wish to speak on this in public"

"I promise after this one you will have siblings Oberon." I smile gently and come up to him to hold his cheek. He smiles down at me, "I am so happy you grew up so strong, but remember it is okay to be soft."

Lyra smiles and leaves us both to talk about his life, and catch up with the years that I missed. It soon becomes the evening and I feel hungry again. I grip down on my arm as it changes into feathers and excuse myself. "Mother? Are you alright?"

"I will be my child, I-" my words become gibberish again as my arms start changing. Inchiki appears suddenly and picks me up, my white feathers fall around us.

"What did you do to her?" Oberon growls at Inchiki, "I thought she was fixed."

"It's the madness that settles in sometimes to shattered souls. She did well keeping it away but when she becomes hungry she reverts back." My teeth become sharp again and I flap my wings in his arms.

"Hungry!" I rasps out as my horns grow, and Inchiki calms me with a spell while hushing me. I nestle into his arms and turn my head to his chest.

"Oberon can you be a good boy and find a deer for her?" Inchiki asks him while smiling with a wicked grin. Oberon frowns but flies off, and I try to flap my wings to follow.

"He will come back with food shortly my love," Inchiki says and sits down on the grass with me while we wait. He turns my head and kisses me on my lips. I blink and turn to kiss him back, and he kisses me on the cheek. I repeat what he does until he's kissing me down my neck and onto my chest. I tilt my head back and he rubs one of my breast as he kisses me more. It's a good distraction from the hunger but I hear something flying towards us.