I didn't dream again the rest of the night. When I woke, the headache was gone, but I was still aching to move, not to mention still dizzy.

The boys mostly stayed by my side all day, not willing to leave for anything. That Nick man stayed nearby in case they needed anything, but he mostly stayed vacant from the house; his house. I thought it was kind of bad to keep him out of his own home, but he insisted and it seemed like Connor and Xain didn't mind it at all.

At that point, I was sure that if Nick wasn't an enemy, he was at least an ally. When he was around, he was kind of funny, always had stories to tell, and kept me smiling when the boys stayed silent.

And that's how it went over the next few days

When I was hungry, they fed me foods that could be easily swallowed. And when Nick mentioned soup, I was all for it. Unfortunately, the soup had to be made inside, at least thirty feet from my resting place. But that was fine. What I hated the most though, was having to take that distasteful medicine.

Thankfully, a few neck and lip kisses persuaded me to take the spoonfuls. By the fourth day, my health was stabilizing.

And I didn't pay attention to it; I was scared to. But slowly, surely, I was falling for the lover boy and the man with a chip on his back.

I was beginning to love hold their hands; breathing in the pine-cone scent of Connor's breath and the honeysuckle aroma of Xain's fur.

I noted the nicknames, their personal caresses and kisses. Xain liked them soft, but Connor liked firm and secure kisses.

Whenever Xain held my hand, he played with my fingertips, kissing them and tickling my palm a little.

Conner, he liked to lock fingers with me, gripping his hand tight enough as if to reassure both of us that he was right next to me, never wavering, never leaving.

When I had to use the restroom, they'd take turns, never making a face if they had to help me out, never complaining; just being there for me.

And at night, when I'd wake up from a nightmare, they'd still be beside me, holding my hands and telling me that they were there. I'd be drenching in sweat, close to crying. They'd nuzzle me, stay close, rest their heads on my body; anything to make me smile, to make me calm down.

I owed them big time. The brothers stayed by my side, helping me get better, feeding me, nurturing me. I owed Nick, of course, but he'd always give the thanks to Connor and Xain. The man was odd, to say the least.

And as for my health, I was almost fully healthy to finish the rest of our journey. It kind of upset me. I really liked Connor and Xain caring for me in the way they did. But at the same time, I knew we had to go.

I could see it in their eyes. They missed home, and they missed being near people they called family.

I understood that all too well.

~*~

On a rainy day, which was the fourth day, Xain had made me a layout of the whole house just so I'd know and because he was rather bored. "Right here, where you are, is near the front door. The doorway on your left leads to the hall, where the kitchen is right across. You make a right, you're leaving the house, you make a left, and that's where you'll find the bathing area and pantry, where he keeps the food. And... Speaking of washing you..."

He blushed a little, and I didn't understand until Connor cleared his throat. "I... can give you a bath if you're willing." There was a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

I almost said yes, but at the same time, I was worried about Xain. He usually wasn't so quiet for me. Or at least, he was less flirting and more of being delicate with me, as if he was afraid I'd break.

I bit my lower lip gently before saying, "If... You don't mind... I'd like Xain to bathe me. And when we get the chance, I want all of us to bathe together. Save Nick."

The man was nearby, and choked on something before he started laughing.

Xain cracked a grin while Connor faintly smiled. The smile then dropped as he said, "As you wish."

He then stood up and said, "I'm going out for a run. I won't be far."

I reached for his hand, stopping him from walking. When he didn't look at me, I said, "Please... Be safe. Don't be gone too long..."

He turned his head, watching me for a moment before smiling softly, turning and leaning down. He then lightly kissed my forehead. "Enjoy your bath," he said softly. I felt a bundle of tension slide off my shoulders.

He wasn't getting jealous or angry. Or at least, that's what I thought. He felt relaxed.

Connor carefully tugged his hand back, giving me the chance to let go. I did, relaxing my hand on my stomach in the process. The white were smiled at me once more before turning and walking away.

Xain suddenly nuzzled my cheek and asked, "Are you alright?" I leaned up against him slightly before saying, "Yes, I'm fine." He smiled softly, kissing my jaw. I raised a hand, resting it on his cheek.

Xain chuckled softly, pulling down the covers and carefully picking me up. He cuddled me, walking me to the bathroom.

I watched him as he walked me towards the back. He then opened a door to the left to reveal a few cloths, soap, and a white metal tub, barely big enough for one. Luckily, I was the right size. Xain set me on my feet gently, holding me close as he studied me.

I looked up at him, my mouth parting a little as I watched him.

He gave me a faint smirk before pushing my chin up, closing my mouth. "Do I amaze you that much?"

I blushed softly and said, "No, it's just-"

"Good," he said, interrupting me. He then turned a knob only to find that Nick had proper pluming. Xain shook his head and said, "That guy must be living the dream down here." He chuckled softly, causing me to smile.

As the water ran, Xain turned to me, shifting uncomfortably to my surprise. "Uh, did you want me to turn around or.."

I blinked. Once. Twice. Five times. I then giggled at him as I said, "Xain, are you alright?"

He scoffed and said, "Of course I'm alright. I'm just making sure you're comfortable."

"Says the man who teased me with his fingers nights ago," I teased, smiling wide.

Xain then frowned softly, looking away a little. My smile disappeared. "Xain? Is everything alright?" He shook his head, his hands suddenly on my shoulders. They then slipped to the back, trailing down past my knees before lifting the gown Nick had given me.

"Xain?" "Shh," he said quietly, lifting it over my head and exposing my body to him. He then silently volunteered on slipping my underwear down. By impulse I moved my feet from the underwear.

He then pulled me to him, kissing my neck repeatedly as his hands rubbed my back gently.

I shuddered in his arms, unable to look at him as his head was buried in my neck. I then gasped sharply when he licked my neck and groaned softly in the process. He held me tighter before murmuring, "Relax... I won't bite you... And even if I did, it wouldn't change you. We'd have to share blood from the source."

I nodded a little, gulping. I could feel him smile up against my neck. "That also means that we could mark you everywhere. Right here." He touched the other side of my neck.

"Here" He touched just above my breast. "And here." His fingertips grazed my breasts teasingly. They then moved to my butt, gripping a cheek hard. "Right here," he growled softly, causing me to shudder up against him.

"And right here," he whispered, caressing my inner thigh. I bit back a moan when he rubbed further up.

"A-and what of there?" I breathed when his finger rubbed my slit.

He chuckled deeply, the reaction vibrating down my neck as I shuddered again. "No, Lyra dear. I will mark there with my seed and my tongue. Again and again." I couldn't hold back a moan this time, my thighs automatically squeezing his hand tightly.

Xain chuckled even more before leaning up and leading me towards the steaming bathtub, turning the water off.

"Come, let's get you cleaned up," Xain said gently.

I pouted, not liking that he caused desire to build up below only to neglect it.

He noticed and kissed my cheek, helping me inside. The water burned at first, but then felt unbelievably wonderful. He chuckled as I groaned. "Don't melt now."

"Too late," I mumbled, sinking to where most of my hair was inside the water.

Xain grinned down at me, leaning over and grabbing a cloth and soap. He then said, "Come on, let's get you washed up."

I nodded, sitting up a little and smiling shyly as he washed me. His hands were gentle, careful, unwilling to scrub too hard. He washed my neck first, leading down to my chest and belly, followed by my sides and back. He then told me to stand, washing my thighs and legs, butt and feet.

He saved my womanhood for last; using his hands to scrub through what little hair I had down there. He grinned up at me, causing me to blush and look away.

Xain then took his time in rinsing me off, dousing every little spot, every curve and crevice with the clear, warm liquid.

He then drained the water, rinsing me off once more.

Xain took me out carefully, drying me up completely. I felt even more pampered when he kissed my feet. I giggled, wiggling my toes. He pretended to bite them before saying, "Careful kid, I do have sharp teeth."

I gasped in fake shock. "I'm a child now?" Xain grinned and said, "Technically, you're still sixteen, love. So..."

I blushed softly, rubbing the back of my hair. I almost glanced elsewhere until I noticed his slight frown.

'Again...'

I grabbed Xain's cheeks gently, studying him and sighing. "Are you sure you're alright?" He smiled softly at me and asked, "Why wouldn't I be?" I frowned and retorted, "Oh I don't know, because you're feeling guilty about taking me again?"

When he didn't look at me, I sighed softly, pulling him close. He blushed softly but I paid it no mind.

"Listen here. I told you, what happened, happened. You're here, and I want you and need you. Don't blame yourself for what Matthew did, and PLEASE stop thinking that you're being unfair to me. You and Connor care about me more than any man or beast ever might. You look after me, see to my needs, and make me feel good. And don't even try and punish yourself for slapping me awake days ago. You did what you thought needed to be done. That's NOTHING to feel guilty about."

Xain gripped my hands gently, lowering them until they reached his chest.

His heart. It was beating wildly.

I looked up at him, frowning lightly only to falter when I saw the happiness in his eyes. "I think I... I think I'm starting to fall in love with you."

My heart almost stopped.

I knew that the connection we had started to create automatic affection, regret, protectiveness, and forgiveness, but I didn't think he'd say those words so soon.

He noticed my confused gaze, chuckling softly as he twirled me around before holding me close.

"You're so cute when you scowl," he murmured up against my ear. I blushed furiously, keeping my voice leveled as I said, "I'm not cute."

"Mmhmm." He bit my ear slightly, causing me to shudder. Xain then pulled me closer, shaking a little. I looked at him to see if he was crying, but he wasn't. He then growled lightly, "Mine."

I blinked in confusion. Was he horny? It was possible, but I couldn't tell.

He suddenly gripped my butt with both hands, squeezing my cheeks roughly. "You'd better feel very lucky that Connor is nearby or that he's even around. If he wasn't tied to you..." His voice lowered and deepened to such a degree that he made me want to bend for him right away.

"I'd fuck you right here. Right now. I'd never stop. Even if those legs of yours went numb. I'd make you mine and bite you everywhere."

I couldn't help but moan at the thought. And then I thought of Connor and how he felt.

He must've wanted to do the same to me.

Maybe. Maybe one day, I'd let them. I'd let them claim me the way they want, bite me, hold me, send me to oblivion. But until then, their simple sex and caressing would have to do. And I didn't mind it.

For now, my body couldn't handle it. I wasn't strong enough to last the past several days. But eventually I could handle it. And they might never let me rest until they are sated.

A part of me wanted to eventually be known as the girl who belonged to them. Not just Lyra, or that human girl.

I wanted everyone to know that loud and proud, I was theirs.

And I hoped to God that such a feeling and silent statement came sooner than later.

~*~

....Sue me, I do have a job, ya know. But hey, Xyra feels so here you go, little smutty, little cute, just the way I like these two.

Until the next Update!

P.S.: Official shipping names: Xyra and Cyra. Who's the better couple?