Him warning me not to scream made me a little apprehensive.  He must've seen it on my face.  Oh, wait.  He reads my mind.  “I just said do not scream because I do not know how you will react,” he told me, “can you trust me and do as I say?”  “Yes,” I answered.  “Okay, wait here,” he told me.

He went to the kitchen cabinets, grabbed some dish towels and came back.  He put the dish towels on the table and laid his left arm on them.  He looked at me, “Are you ready?”  I nodded my head yes, not sure of what is happening.  A sword magically appeared in his right hand.  Before I could react he chopped his left hand off right above his wrist.  Blood spurted out of his arm onto the table.  I hopped up out of my seat and backed away.  Aris has gone mad.  The sword disappeared.  I saw a tear trickle down his cheek.

“Aris,” I whispered, not sure what to do or say.  “It is okay,” he told me, hugging his arm to himself, “it hurts at first then gets better.”  Huh?  “Watch my hand,” he told me.  He had stopped bleeding.  I watched his dismembered hand.  The fingers started twitching.  Then the hand flipped over onto the fingers and ran to him like a bug.  He held out his arm and his hand attached to it.  “Come here,” he told me.  I went around the table close to him.  He grabbed a hold of me with his right arm and pulled me closer.  I watched as blood vessels, tendons , muscles and bones were repaired.  Then layers of skin were stitched together.  Then all of his blood that had spilled rushed to him in little rivulets.  He put his hand on the table and soaked it up through his fingertips.  I looked at his face.  His eyes had rolled up into his head and his body tensed up.  Then he relaxed and started to stumble.  I helped him into the chair closest to us.

“Aris,” I whispered again.  “Just give me a minute,” he slumped onto the now clean table.  I sat in a chair next to him and quietly waited.  After a few minutes, he sat up and leaned back in his chair.  He looked at me, ”my whole body can explode then go back together.  Yours can too.  We are the only ones who can do this.”  “So, if someone cut your head off, you would live?” I asked.  “Yes,” he answered, “so would you.”  “Did you share this with me?” I asked.  “No,” he responded, “You already have it.  It is something that can not be shared.”  “Okay.  And why are you showing me this?” I asked.  “I am showing you how hard it would be to kill either of us,” he answered, “it may be useful some day.  I told you that I would train you in dreams.”  “Why didn't you just tell me?” I asked.  “Would you have believed me?” he asked, “Would you have understood?”  “Doubtful,” I answered truthfully.

“So, are you going to chop my arm off?” I smiled.  “No,” he smiled back, “I think that you understood.  Besides, I can not hurt you on purpose.”  “Does your arm still hurt?” I asked.  “A little,” he answered.  I took hold of his arm, lifted it to my mouth and kissed it.  “Thank you,” he whispered.  I left my hand on it to help with pain.

“Where did the sword come from?  Do you do magic?” I asked.  “That is just one of my weapons,” he answered, “I can not show you yours yet.  They are locked until your heat ends.”  There it is.  A reminder of the heat.

“I think that I need a cold bath,” I told him.  “Do you want chocolate?” he asked.  “Yes, but I don't think that it will be enough,” I answered.  He got up as if he didn't just chop his arm off and got two bars out of the refrigerator, “we will try it first.”  He sat back down and opened a bar.  He put the first piece up to my mouth.  I took it with my teeth.  I closed my eyes as he popped a piece into his mouth.  I opened my eyes.  He had another piece waiting for me and I took it.  We ate both chocolate bars.

“It helps while I’m eating it,” I told him after some time, “but I still think that I need the bath.”  “A bath will not help while you are sleep walking,” he told me, “I will wake you.”  He stood up and led me back to the bedroom.  We got into bed with our sleeping bodies.  My hand was on his penis.  “You definitely need the cold bath,” he told me.  We laid down in the same position as our sleeping bodies.

“Jade.”  I woke with a start.  I sat up, “Time for that cold bath,” I crawled over Aris and headed straight  for the bathroom.  I started the bath and got in.  It didn't feel quite as good as usual.  Aris came in to take his cold shower.  “Jade, your heat is getting weaker,” he told me, “I am not feeling it as strongly.”  “Is that why the cold water doesn't feel as good?” I asked.  “Yes,” he answered, “You do not have to get completely wet.  Just sit in a little bit of cold water for a few minutes.  Next time, you could probably just take a cold shower.”

He got in the shower.  I turned off the water and just sat and waited for him to get out.  He didn't stay in more than five minutes.  I stood up.  He took my hand and helped me up out of the tub.  I actually felt cold.  I haven't been cold for days.  He helped me into a robe and I put slippers on, “I’m cold.” “That is a good sign,” he told me, “that means it is ending.”

We went in the bedroom and sat on the bed.  The skin put a sweat suit on me along with socks and fuzzy slippers.  Aris dressed the same, minus the fuzzy slippers.  “Would you like a smoke?” he asked.  I nodded my head yes.  He took my hand and led me to the hot tub room.  We both took seats at the table.  “How is your arm?” I asked as he handed me a lit cigarette.  “It is fine,” he answered, lighting his own, “If I had shown you while I was awake, I would still be healing.”

I noticed that it was getting lighter outside.  The sun must be coming up.  “Are you hungry?” he asked, “I could make us some breakfast.”  “I could eat,” I answered.  We finished our cigarettes and I followed him to the kitchen.  “We are running low on bread.  Are you okay with pancakes?” he asked.  “That sounds good,” I answered.  I lifted myself up to sit on the island.  He started sausage and bacon, then got out the ingredients for pancakes and began mixing them.  I watched as he poured pancakes on the griddle.  “Would you like for me to set the table?” I asked.  “Yes, please,” he answered.  I hopped down off of the island and went about setting the table.  Once the table was set, I took my seat to wait, mouth watering at the delicious aromas.
“Ripley and Lia are coming over for breakfast.  Are you up to it?” Aris asked.  “This early?  I’m fine with it if they are up,” I answered.  The doorbell chimed.  “Can you get the back door?” Aris requested.  I got up, went to the back door and let Ripley, Lia and two women I don't know in.  I waited as they changed out of their winter gear.

“How are you feeling?” Ripley asked, then gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek.  “I’m actually better,” I answered, “Aris thinks that it's almost over.”  He took my hand and led us into the kitchen.  Aris had set four more places while I was gone.  We all took our seats.  Aris started bringing food to the table.  Lia started to get up.  “Stay Lia,” he ordered, “I have got it.”  He made two more trips then sat down to my left.  We started passing the platters around.  “Yaris promised breakfast if we would come and clean,” Lia told me.  I smiled, “Thank you for coming.  We really appreciate it.”  “You are very welcome,” she replied.

I noticed that some of the pancakes are blueberry.  I took one, thinking of Desi and wondering how she is doing.  Lia took three of them.  She must've been the one to request blueberry pancakes.  I took a bite of mine.  It was so good I ate it all and got two more.  “These are wonderful,” I told Aris.  “Thank you,” he accepted the compliment.  As usual, I was first to finish eating.  I pushed my plate away and sat back in my chair, waiting for everyone else to finish eating.  Lia was next to finish.  She got up and collected my and her plates.  “Is there something that I can help with?” I offered.  “No, I have got it?” she smiled.  She went and started cleaning the kitchen.  I just sat and waited for Aris and Ripley to finish.  They finished about the same time.

“Are you ready for a smoke?” Aris asked me.  I nodded my head yes.  We stood and followed Ripley to the hot tub room.  They both took seats and I sat on Aris’ lap.  “We really should bring another chair out here,” I told them.  “I like for you to sit on my lap,” Aris told me, “do you not like it?”  “I like it to,” Ripley agreed with him.  “I’m fine with it,” I told them, “I just don't want to be an imposition.”  I secretly liked it, just felt awkward.  “You are definitely not imposing,” Aris told me, giving me a lit cigarette, “Where we come from, this is widely accepted.  It is sort of a custom.”  “Really?” I asked, “what are some of your other customs?”  “Kissing in public,” he answered, “it let's our people know that all is well between us.  I just have not pushed it because I know that you are shy.”  “Oh,” I didn't know what to say.  He is right, I’m shy.  “Would you be okay if I start kissing you in public?” he asked.  “I guess so,” I answered, sure that my cheeks were red.  He smiled.  “How about me?” Ripley asked.  My cheeks were burning in overdrive now.  I looked at Ripley, “Okay.”  Ripley smiled, “It will not be all of the time, just sometimes.”  “Okay,” I agreed, “do they think that we aren't okay?”  “There have been whispers,” Aris told me, “but it will be okay.”

I didn't ask about any other customs.  That was enough for me for now.  They didn't push any further.
Lia entered the room.  “Are you ready for me?” Ripley asked her.  “Yes, but I have a question first,” she answered.  “Ask away,” Aris told her.  “School is starting back up in a couple of days,” she started, “Could Jade and I take Laura and Marie shopping?  I overheard them whispering about getting picked on because of their clothes.”  “Really?” Aris asked.  I detected a bit of anger in his question.  “Kids!” he exclaimed, “Jade will be better tomorrow.  Do you need to take the younger kids too?”  “For now, I would just like to take Laura and Marie, due to the age difference,” she answered, “we can take the younger kids another time.”

Aris looked at me, “Jade, would you please take the girls shopping with Lia tomorrow?  We can not have our girls getting bullied.  It would be a big favor.”  “I would love to,” I answered.  He gave me a quick kiss.  That wasn't so bad.  I could be okay with PDA.  “I will not be able to take you, but I am sure that Rip's schedule will open up,” he told me.  “It just did,” Ripley commented.  “Thank you so much Jade,” Lia smiled, “The girls will be so excited.”  “You're welcome,” I replied.  “I am ready for your help now Ripley,” Lia said.  Ripley got up and left with her.

“Would you like to sit in the hot tub for a little while?” Aris asked.  “If you think that it's okay,” I answered.  “It should be fine,” he answered.  I changed into a bathing suit and he into swim shorts.  He held my hand as I climbed down and sat in a seat.  He followed me in and sat next to me.  I leaned my head back to relax and started to doze.  What is with this hot tub.  It always puts me to sleep.  I fell asleep again.