Between Feather and Fur (Gryphon Melds #1) (12 page)

Chapter Ten

Morning sunlight and shadows played across the car window as Steve easily guided his BMW Grand Coupé through the Melbourne streets on to the freeway heading out of town.

“Our families have used the old cottage at Lake Eildon for a holiday house for many years.” Steve explained, Ben in the back still pouted a little. He wanted her to sit in the back with him, so he could get away with doing naughty things while Steve drove.

They did naughty thing to her last night, using soft ties to keep her wrists bound, competing with each other to see who could make her come faster than the other by using only fingers and tongue.

They competed over whether they could make her come on their cocks without touching her clit. Four orgasms later, they both drove her out of her mind and body.

This morning, she wasn’t sure if she could cope with any more naughty fingers, mouths and tongues in her tender places…well, just yet. The morning was still young, and her body betrayed her with a shudder remembering the intense pleasure.

She called shotgun.

Steve grinned wickedly and Ben pouted, and then shrugged. Ever the gentleman, he opened the passenger door for her, before sliding into the backseat.

“Drive on, James.” Ben called in a snotty tone, waving his hand as if ordering about a chauffeur.

Arial giggled.

“Shut up, bird brain, or you can walk.” Steve grumbled gliding the powerful and expensive car out from their underground car park, where Ben’s car also sat. He owned an Alpha Romero GVT2, but they took Steve’s car, with a four-door car there was more room.

“He’s grumpy because he really would have to walk where I could fly.” She blinked at Ben’s words.
The eagle thing again?

“We have had developers on our backs for years, trying to get their hands on the cottage and land,” Steve added. “You’ll see why when we arrive. Many a fun memory of family holidays have come from here; we hope to continue the tradition when we have our family.”

Steve reached over, taking her free hand in his. She smiled at him, a light giddy feeling of having a family with Steve and Ben. She remembered back to their parents’ home and all the pictures of twin boys.

“When we’re married, will we really have twin boys?” She thought about it for a moment. “What if I’ve always wanted a daughter?”

Steve’s hand tightened on the steering wheel and he didn’t comment. She glanced back to Ben, who looked somewhat haunted.

“It’s still a ways off.” Ben smiled at her. “Don’t worry about such things now, today the sun is...” He glanced out the window, “…somewhat shining. Eh, Melbourne weather. Where else could you get four seasons in a day? Today is going to be special; you’re going to love the old cottage.”

He was right; she would face those worrisome bridges when they came to them.

* * * *

“This is your old cottage?” Awe echoed in her voice along with her jaw dropping while she stared at the building which became bigger the closer they got.

Ben tried to see it from her point of view, the tall Grecian style columns blended with the Victorian architecture of the two story; holiday home. The well maintained gardens added to the glamour of the place.

Steve chuckled. “Guess we failed to tell you ‘The Old Cottage’ is the name of the house, but it isn’t an actual cottage.

“Around the back is better, more rustic and private; there is a nice path leading down to the boat house. Around here, we can let our beasts run free,” Steve told her.

She grinned at him. “That, I don’t doubt. I bet you were little hell raiser and drove your parents to distraction.” Of course, she would misunderstand his words.

Ben caught Steve’s glance in the review mirror, no doubt thinking the same thing. The sooner we get this over with the better.

Ben shrugged. “After a manner.”

Steve pulled the car to a stop out front, Ben sliding out to open Arial’s door before he could. He joined them, taking her other hand, raising it to his lips kissing her skin.

“Welcome to
The Old Cottage
.” They led her inside, smiling as her head turned in all directions to take it all in.

“We’ll take you on a tour later, but there’s something more important to show you now, mermaid.”

The place was already open and lemonade sat on the back patio table, the private hedges were green and thick, ensuring them their usual privacy.

“Is that a maze?”

“Yup, knuckle head here always uses it to get lost in.”

“Ha, you cheated because you used your wings. Lions don’t cheat.”

“I did not cheat! Eagles have better memories than Lions. I did fly over first and memorise the layout.”

Arial glanced between them, and they released her hand to remove their jackets, tossing them on the patio chairs.

“Lion’s and Eagles again? Do you two really believe in this Gryphon stuff, or is it more like symbolism? “

“No, it’s literal. Our physical bodies morph into animals.”

“Who you calling an animal? I’m of the bird family, thank you.” Ben grinned.

“What you two are is crazy; this is all crazy nonsense.”

Steve sighed and nodded at Ben, knowing he would be the first to transition, to prove they weren’t delusional. Ben took Arial’s hand, leading her over to the cushioned love seat. He sat and pulled their one into his lap.

Steve stood before them. “We brought you here to show you the truth, Arial, as we knew you wouldn’t believe our story. Our fathers call it our show and tell place. Our mothers were brought here, too, so on and so forth.”

She swallowed and he saw her fidget nervously. “Trust us, sweetheart, you know we would never hurt you… right?” Ben smoothed his hands down her arms. “The same goes with our animal sides. They know as well as we do you’re our one, our third heart.”

Steve removed his clothes, tossing them onto the seat next to them.

“Y...you need to, uh, take everything off?” Steve grinned, remembering all the wicked carnal things they did to her, so far. The way the blush rose across her skin watching him get naked made her even sexier. She was an intoxicating beauty and with shy innocence, making him fall in love deeper with each rise and fall of her chest.

“Sweetheart, I’m going to hold you still now, okay.” Ben wrapped his arms around her, ready in case of panic, or the sudden urge to flee. They needed to keep her safe, even from herself, if need be.

“I’m a big lion. Try not to panic, okay?” He closed his eyes, breathing deep, the first few cracks always hurt when his bones started to change. The magic of the gods ripping through every atom, allowing the change from flesh to fur, hands to claws, hair to mane. He flicked his formed tail, and then opened his eyes to look down on their one held securely in Ben’s arms, her mouth open and her eyes wide.

* * * *

“Breathe, Arial.” At Ben’s sharp command, she sucked in a deep breath, and could hardly hear anything apart from the pounding of her heart. A lion…not just any lion, but the size of a freaking Clydesdale horse stood before her.

It had to be an illusion. They spiked her water and then dressed up a beige coloured horse and stuck a fake mane to the poor creatures head.

She shrieked and struggled in Ben’s grip when the huge lion horse thing sat his arse down on the patio floor, its tail swishing to and fro, like a normal cat would. She had no idea horses could do that. She jumped further when he nuzzled his big head into her lap.

“Easy Arial, Steve isn’t going to hurt you. He’s the same bossy, stubborn arse he’s always been.”

The lion growled at Ben. “Don’t scare her, buddy.”

“It...it’s Steve?” She managed to blubber. She went from not breathing to hyperventilating.

“Easy, sweetheart, slow even breaths. It’s the same Steve who loves you as much as I do. Remember the story, the lion and the eagle. Watch again, he’ll change back.” It happened again, this time as if someone pressed rewind on a DVD player. The huge lion morphed and changed into the man she grew to know in the past few weeks.

He winked. “Surprise?”

She blinked when he moved down and in front of her.

“Yeah, real smooth, buddy.” Ben said.

“I don’t have your finesse; remember I’m a take charge lion.” His smile was sinful as he remained focused on her. Ben released his grip on her when Steve rubbed her palm along his cheek. “Lion or man, my beautiful Arial, I’m still the same person who loves you.”

“I...I don’t...I don’t know...” Her mind blanked.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything yet, let it soak in. Breathe, in and out, in and out...” She followed Steve’s direction as he stood, taking her with him, swapping places with Ben. Steve pulled her into his arms.

“Now, you have the fun of being blinded by Ben’s lily white arse.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my arse, thank you. I know Arial likes looking. I’m her stud muffin.” He winked flirtatiously at her, and despite everything, she felt crimson heat spread into her cheeks.

They were bantering like they always did, like Steve didn’t turn into a Lion. Ben rolled his eyes and pulled his t-shirt over his head, she giggled a little hysterically. It all felt surreal, even Steve’s hard cock poking into her soft thigh.

They both owned delicious washboard abs and amazing skin. She loved touching, exploring every dip and hollow of their seriously buffed up bodies.

“Ben’s an eagle.” Steve’s voice brought her back to the present, keeping his arm casually around her waist. “Do your thing, buddy.” Steve nodded at Ben. Arial knew he was ready to hold her tight if she suddenly panicked and started screaming from what she witnessed.

Eagle...Ben’s a... With a wink he took several steps back, splaying his arms wide as she watched the magic happen—instead of fur, golden brown feathers sprouted and his face elongated, like some weird special effect television show. She jumped when Ben’s shrill eagle cry pierced the hushed atmosphere of the back patio.

Not that she has seen a lot of eagles other than on documentary shows, but he was as big as the horse of a Lion Steve was.

Lion…Eagle, it rattled around in her brain. How could this be possible? The big bird lowered his head clearly trying to look less intimidating and deadly. His beak and talons looked sharp, and his golden brown plumage shone in the late morning sunlight. A gleam shown in his eagle eyes when he looked at her.

Arial gulped, her body shook as her mind suddenly went back over the story Ben told her.

“You were created by the gods?” she squeaked out, finding her voice.

“Ah, that’s it darlin’, our ancestors used to guard the gods, now it’s only us. We are animals with human hearts and over the years, due to our human mothers, we have become more human and, the shift between Lion or Eagle has become easier. We’re still flesh and blood, we still love, but more intensely and with more loyalty. The goddess’s magic still remains, even if it is hidden under human science and disbelief. Magic or not, we’re like every other creature on this planet, carving out a life for ourselves within the perimeters we’ve been given.”

Ben squawked softly and Steve pushed her to her feet. “Go ahead touch him. He likes to be rubbed between the eyes.

Hesitant, she approached and he gave little trills of approval.  She swallowed hard, trying to keep her breathing even. “Ben?”

He trilled again, moving his head up under her outstretched trembling hand. His feathers were silky soft, she ran her hand as Steve instructed, along his head between his eyes.

“A...are you a golden Eagle?” She turned to ask Steve only to jump again to see he shifted again. Shit, her heart pounded so hard she thought her ribs would crack.

Steve is a majestic golden lion and Ben an equally magnificent golden eagle
. I shouldn’t be afraid, they won’t hurt me.

Steve crept closer to her left while Ben hopped in. She stretched out her hand, one touching Ben’s eagle beak. Her other hand touched Steve’s lion forehead.