Chapter 54:

  New Dynamic

  (Lucas's POV)

  "So, how're you feeling?" I asked with tentative concern, "It's been a few days, but I can't stop thinking about everything that's happened."

  Maya stood next to me where I sat upon the terrace of the penthouse. I had a great view of the city, listening to the hustle and bustle of everything going on around me. Elizabeth sat with me as well, enjoying a cup of warm cocoa while smiling contently. The st couple of days had been retively peaceful, with only the occasional Gate needing to be cleared.

  Hannah was currently staying with us, though she was busy doing something with Denny...who was now living with us. Not that I minded, of course, after all it was my idea. Though, it was to my surprise, Elizabeth, who had offered her a job at Aegis after what happened with The Ptinum Lotus.

  "I'm...okay," Maya answered quietly, pcing a gentle hand upon my left shoulder, "More than okay, really, but...I know what you mean. Now that our story is out there, you're worried about us."

  "Yeah," I nodded, smiling sheepishly, "Hannah's identity was retively hidden, despite being a socialite. Now with recent events, people may be cmoring for her even more, and your identity as Orchid..."

  Maya squeezed my shoulder firmly, as if in appreciation and comfort.

  "You said it yourself, Sir," Maya spoke teasingly, "It's time to stop the facade."

  I blushed, remembering that moment very vividly, gring at both Maya and Elizabeth.

  "I can't believe you let me do something so embarrassing..." I pouted, pretending to sulk, though the feeling of embarrassment was real, "Please don't remind me."

  "If you didn't, we might have lost her," Elizabeth chimed in, hiding a smile behind her cup, "That would have been a shame. Besides...it was quite the speech, my love."

  I grumbled at her and felt Maya's arms slip around my shoulders, pulling me into an embrace from behind as she leaned in.

  "No matter what storm that follows," Maya repeated my words back to me in a whisper with a cat-like smirk, "I'll be holding you to that...Luke~."

  I blushed even harder, sinking out of her arms and into my chair. She said my name so casually and with such sensuality that I couldn't believe she was the same Maya. Elizabeth couldn't hold back her amusement, watching me with those mischievous eyes of hers.

  "Damn you both..." I muttered, receiving a chuckle from them.

  "I understand your concern," Maya continued, softening her tone as she straightened herself, "However, with The Ptinum Lotus now unable to hide, it's only a matter of time before they are completely dismantled. I no longer need to hide with the whole world watching them, and as for Hannah...honestly, I think she's enjoying it a bit too much."

  "At least her identity as a Saintess wasn't revealed," I sighed, adjusting myself though still felt my face burning, "Do you know what her and Denny are working on right now?"

  Elizabeth and Maya shared a knowing gnce, but said nothing.

  "...Well that's not terrifying at all," I mumbled, letting out a soft sigh as I leaned back, "Well, whatever it is, I guess I'll find out, but it would be nice to receive a warning."

  I narrowed by eyes at the both of them accusingly, to which they both avoided eye contact rather bashfully. It was honestly adorable.

  "It's not that we want to hide it from you," Elizabeth rebutted, "It's just..."

  "It's their surprise, not ours," Maya added, clearing her throat, "What I can say is that Miss Denny is helping Hannah's...interests. Though, that's not part of the surprise."

  "Interests, huh?" I raised an eyebrow in confusion before realization suddenly hit, "...Is it Julian?"

  "It's Julian," both Maya and Elizabeth confirmed in unison, with Maya eborating, "Something to do with a special photoshoot."

  "She's almost as bad as you two," I teased, causing Elizabeth to blush slightly.

  "I'd be a little more subtle than her, but-" Elizabeth began, but I interrupted by standing up and walking over to her.

  I looked down at her doubtfully amused.

  "Need I remind you of your wall of photos? The shrine?" I asked, taking her cup and setting it aside on the table, "Or, perhaps this?"

  I held the rope attached to my wrist, pulling her hand up towards me with it. I then took her hand and leaned down to kiss the back of it.

  "Subtlety...isn't in your vocabury, my love," I smirked, gncing up over her hand at her, "Which is perfectly fine by me, but don't lie."

  She blushed heavily, that dangerous obsessive look in her eyes. I smiled, my heart content as I sat upon the arm of her chair, wrapping her arm around my waist where she held me firmly. I then looked towards Maya who fidgeted slightly, perhaps a little jealous. I held my hand out towards her.

  She gnced furtively at it before slowly making her way over. I grabbed her by the hand and pulled her close. I looked up at her with fondness. She shifted, looking a little nervous with a little pink in her cheeks.

  "As for you..." I addressed Maya, feeling my heart flutter, "This is quite new for me, as I'm sure it is for you. Even for Elizabeth..."

  I gnced at Ellie who reached up with her free hand to touch Maya's arm tenderly.

  "Don't worry, Maya," she assured, "Be comfortable. I already know...what you want to do."

  I looked at her a little confused, but then my senses alerted me to the reality of the situation. I had trapped myself between two rather unique individuals with a single obsession. Me.

  I swallowed hard as Maya's entire sheepish demeanor shifted. Her eyes took on a keen focus with a strong desire. She leaned forward into me, arms wrapping around my neck. I could feel the heat of her body and smell the slight aroma of rose. She smiled, embracing my head possessively.

  "I might not be so subtle either...Luke~," she practically purred, gazing into my eyes with a strong intensity.

  "Ha...I might have made a mistake," I chuckled nervously, feeling Elizabeth's hand tighten on my side.

  "Don't bme us," Elizabeth admonished pyfully, "It's your fault."

  "I didn't do anything!" I pleaded my innocence, which only amused them more at my distress.

  I somehow found myself in an even more dangerous war of attrition than ever before. Elizabeth's lips were the first upon my neck, with Maya following soon after. I gasped as I felt her bite me, but it was so tender and gentle that I almost lost myself to the sensation before I got her back, biting the lobe of her ear in retaliation.

  She let out a slight gasp of surprise, and though I did my best to defend myself on two fronts, it was a fact that I was outnumbered. I only hand two hands, and one face...both of which they monopolized expertly, Maya dispying a feverish hunger that I had never seen in her before.

  With Elizabeth assisting, Maya was able to score several critical strikes in tactical locations. My colrbone and just under my jaw to start, and soon I didn't have the breath to carry on. It ended with my total surrender. My complete defeat, though I wouldn't necessarily call it a loss.

  I'd say that we all won, in a manner of speaking. At the very least, they let me breathe...eventually.

  -----

  (Elizabeth's POV)

  Lucas was adorable as ever. He shone brighter than ever before now that him and Maya were official, and Elizabeth couldn't have been happier. Seeing him smile and acclimate to the change was endearing. Many might question her choice, considering how much she loves Lucas, but that's exactly it.

  Her love for Lucas goes beyond all logic and reason. She'd do anything for him, and Lucas...he'd do anything for her. She knows this more than anyone, and thus the signs were there. Maya felt the same way, and Lucas was the same as ever. She'd never deny the simirities between Maya and herself, knowing that she would be a great asset not only in keeping Lucas safe, but the most important thing of all...making him happy.

  Of course, there were limits. Elizabeth would accept no one else. It took her many lifetimes to settle her feelings on the matter, and there was no other room for anyone else. Her fondness for Maya went above and beyond most everyone else. She was a friend, family, and now...mutual lover.

  That was why it was a little bit difficult for her to bring it up to the two of them. Something that they should know...how they had first met.

  "As happy as I am for the both of you," Elizabeth said genuinely, looking at them from where they sat on a couch across from her, "I think it's time to expin why I've come to allow this...and where it all began."

  Lucas looked at her quizzically in that adorable way of his, while Maya remained calm and gave small smile.

  "You don't have to, El," Maya told her, "It's enough to know that we were friends before. You told us that, at least."

  "Yes, but...you weren't always friends," Elizabeth grew a little grim, watching the two of them closely, "I know it's in the past, or at least...my past, but it's something that should be known."

  "You seem sure about this," Lucas became a little serious, looking at her with attentiveness, "If you think we need to know, then...I'll listen."

  Maya gnced at him, seeming to think about it for a moment before taking a slight breath to compose herself.

  "Okay," she said with a nod, "What is it, El?"

  Elizabeth smiled appreciatively at the both of them. She had been curious how they would react, but knowing this would help them understand and perhaps clear any doubts about why she had even allowed this retionship in the first pce. There had been a point in her life where she would have never allowed Maya to be within the same city as him, let alone sitting on the same couch together.

  "Right," Elizabeth took a breath, her gaze darkening slightly with the gravity of this information, "The first time you two met...was when you killed him."

  Maya's expression immediately fell into fearful disbelief, while Lucas..."Of course you'd react like that," Elizabeth mused to herself, her heart melting, for Lucas didn't look surprised at all. In fact, he simply looked to Maya in thought, a slight smile upon his lips.

  "She was a part of The Ptinum Lotus, wasn't she?" Lucas asked, hitting the nail directly on the head.

  His words weren't accusatory, but instead were filled with an unending kindness and understanding that bore no anger or hate.

  "Is that...true?" Maya asked, almost afraid of the answer.

  "It is, yes," Elizabeth nodded, seeing that she was beginning to panic, "They wanted to send a warning to me. To tell me that even I wasn't out of their reach. We ended up killing each other."

  Maya was looking around as if none of it made sense, but she knew that it did. She knew that Elizabeth wouldn't lie to her, not about this. Of course, Elizabeth wasn't surprised that Maya was finding it hard to accept. As composed as Maya usually was, she cared greatly for Elizabeth and even more so for Lucas now. The mere thought of ever having harmed either of them was inconceivable to the current Maya.

  It wasn't until Lucas pced a comforting hand over hers that she began to calm down. Looking surprised at first from his touch, her expression softened as she took his hand. He was telling her that it was okay, and that they should continue to hear Elizabeth out.

  "So...what happened after?" Maya squeezed Lucas's hand for comfort, which he returned gdly, "How did we end up being friends, and now...well..."

  She looked away bashfully, blushing at the thought. It was adorable to see her so open with her emotions now. Even Lucas found it amusing, smiling at her fondly.

  "Well, I did as I always did..." Elizabeth continued, her expression darkening, "I regressed and took my revenge. I killed you and did my best to destroy The Ptinum Lotus, but I wasn't as strong as I am now and did eventually die."

  Elizabeth expined that she had made it a priority to kill Maya the moment she found her in every new life for a while, until one particur life...

  "The Ptinum Lotus, and you, became a priority target," Elizabeth told the two of them, "That was...until you saved him, or I should say...he saved you."

  Elizabeth put emphasis on this, making sure they understood. The two of them were listening intently now, though Elizabeth's eyes wavered to Lucas. She was worried about his migraines, but for now...he appeared to be okay. Still, between her and Maya, the two of them would be ready just in case.

  "At a ga your sister was attending, so was Lucas," Elizabeth eborated, "I was there as well, but was attending to dignitaries and trying to garner resources for a future gate that would open. The two of them met over by the food table. Which didn’t surprise me."

  Lucas looked a little bashful, for he knew it was the truth. If he would attend an event like that, he definitely would hover near the food. He loved finger food as it was easy to eat and often, very delicious. Maya also mused at the thought of it, knowing that Hannah was roughly the same.

  "Naturally, the two of them hit it off," Elizabeth shrugged with a smile, "Hannah began talking about her sister, whom she admired greatly, and Lucas gushed over me."

  She gave Lucas a coy gnce, causing him to blush even more. "So cute."

  "Unfortunately..." Elizabeth's tone grew solemn, "The ga was attacked by those who wanted your sister, having found out about her powers as a Saintess. I'm sure you can imagine what happened next."

  Maya gnced at Lucas knowingly, sighing with tender affection.

  "Yeah, I can imagine," Maya spoke quietly, though Lucas looked a little lost.

  "You sacrificed yourself, my love," Elizabeth informed him, causing the understanding to dawn on him, "As always, you threw yourself in danger to defend someone you had just recently met. When they tried to capture Hannah, you intervened."

  "That...does sound like me, yeah," he admitted, scratching his cheek bashfully, "Did Hannah survive?"

  "...For a time," Elizabeth acknowledged, "You were able to help her get out of the building before her pursuers caught up. Maya had caught wind of her sister being in danger and rushed over, and when I didn't see you anywhere...I panicked and began looking."

  Elizabeth leaned forward, hands csped before her. These memories were seared into her mind, for it was the first time Elizabeth began to see another person as worthy of being saved other than Lucas. The very same person she had long since held a grudge against. It was a very conflicting feeling at the time, but Elizabeth had also been in a rough dark patch, unable to really think rationally.

  It was this event that began to slowly bring her back from the brink of insanity...of which she had been steeped in for many lifetimes. So, she did owe a sort of debt to Maya.

  "When I finally found him, it was too te, but..." Elizabeth took a deep breath, smiling fondly as she locked eyes with Maya, "You should have seen yourself, Maya. You were...dazzling. As I arrived, I saw the fatal blow and was unable to prevent it."

  She touched the center of her chest with two fingers, tapping twice.

  "Arrows," she expined solemnly, her expression saddening, "Meant for Hannah from one of them who broke ranks to kill her rather than capture her. As time seemed to slow for me, the rage inside burning, ready to tear everything down...you appeared."

  Elizabeth locked eyes with Maya, sharing with her a heartfelt gaze that conveyed her sincerity.

  "You were like a radiant star in the night," Elizabeth chuckled softly, "Your bdes rended them from head to toe, screaming at them 'how dare you!' before decring that he was your sisters friend, and thus under your protection."

  Maya seemed embarrassed by this, but Lucas simple smiled amusingly.

  "Sounds familiar," Lucas pondered pyfully, "I think I heard something like that before...oh, right. 'How dare you touch him. You're not fit to.' I believe it was, yes?"

  Maya gred at him, blushing profusely.

  "Shut up..." she grumbled, "I was just doing my job protecting you..."

  She was making excuses, but Elizabeth saw that she was happy. Smiling when he was no longer looking, pleased that he had remembered such a thing.

  "It was very simir, yes," Elizabeth agreed, teasing Maya a little bit as well, "Of course, back then, you were still with The Ptinum Lotus, but one of the attackers made the mistake of mentioning that they were the ones who helped pn this."

  "I can't imagine that went well," Maya stated, clearing her throat and composing herself.

  "No, it didn't," Elizabeth grinned, "It was a massacre. They betrayed you. Targeted your sister. The one thing anyone with half a brain would know not to do."

  "What happened after that?" Lucas inquired, looking at Maya with gentle eyes, "I can't imagine either of you were happy."

  "As you can imagine, my love, I murdered everyone," Elizabeth said bluntly, "Hannah had tried to heal you, but the arrows had an anti-healing effect meant for her. It was to weaken her abilities to transport her. Maya and I, for the first time in my regressions, teamed up."

  "Damn..." he muttered, "I'm sorry."

  "For what?" Elizabeth tilted her head, genuinely not understanding.

  "Well...it couldn't have been easy, right?" he expined, "I mean, you just lost me...again. Not to mention, Maya was betrayed and you were now working with someone you once hated."

  Maya became a little mencholic as he spoke, hearing and understanding his words. It was true, Maya had been someone Elizabeth once hated.

  "At the time, yeah," Elizabeth admitted, "But it was because of that, that I began looking into Maya and her sister more closely. Something I didn't care to do before. I only had murderous intent."

  "I don't bme her for that," Maya chimed in preemptively before Lucas could say anything, appearing thoughtful, "At first, I was definitely surprised to hear I had once killed you...and that El and I were enemies, but that's nothing to be sorry about."

  "I'm just sorry you both had to go through that," Lucas mumbled, attempting to disappear into the couch from slight embarrassment, "I know it was another life, and Maya doesn't remember, but..."

  "Ah..." Elizabeth now understood why he apologized, "Don't worry yourself, my love. It was a long time ago, but yes...it was difficult."

  "Truly, you worry about the strangest things, Sir," Maya chided teasingly.

  "H-Hey!" Lucas excimed, crossing his arms as he pouted adorable, "I didn't know this turned into 'tease me' hour."

  "It's always tease you hour," Elizabeth responded coyly, "But, yes...let's get back to the point."

  Elizabeth smiled lovingly at him as he returned to his normal self, rolling his eyes and leaning his head against Maya's shoulder. Maya smiled warmly, resting her head against the top of his as she listened to Elizabeth. It reminded Elizabeth a lot about herself and Lucas before she first regressed. It was a tender reminder that she had made the right choice choosing Maya.

  "I tell you all of this because it was a turning point," Elizabeth began to finalize, "With each life, I began to see it more and more. The simirities between myself and Maya...and how you two interact."

  Maya and Lucas both looked at each other coyly.

  "Exactly," Elizabeth chuckled, shaking her head amusingly, "The reason I trust Maya so much and the reason she is an exception...is that she helped me take revenge in each life."

  "Wait, what?" Lucas looked like he just had whipsh, "I thought you said she killed me and then...you killed her?"

  "Yes, I did," Elizabeth smiled, finding delight in his surprise, "I never said how, now did I? You see, we killed each other the first time, but...that was because I wanted to die, and she let me kill her."

  "I'm sorry...what!?" Lucas repeated, blinking in disbelief.

  "Honestly, Sir," Maya rolled her eyes pyfully, "It's not that difficult to understand."

  "Are you telling me you knew this?" Lucas looked at her skeptically.

  "Well, I had a feeling," Maya held her hand over her heart tenderly, "I can't imagine, even if I was the tool they used...that I'd have come out unscathed from an interaction with you."

  She looked at him with a silent accusation, something that Elizabeth knew quite well. Yes, there was no way that anyone would come out unscathed from interacting with him.

  "You have more of an impact than you think, Lucas," Elizabeth spoke fondly of him, "It's true that I hated Maya for a long time as the one who killed you, but when she defended you...I was snapped back into reality and forced to look at things rather objectively. I was reminded that in every life I had killed her...she had either let me or helped me to take down The Ptinum Lotus as an amends for taking your life or at the very least, threatening it."

  "You know..." Lucas began, gring at the both of them, but more pointedly at Elizabeth, "This is something you should start out with. I genuinely thought you were telling me that Maya was evil at some point."

  "You really believed that?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow in disbelief, "You're a little too gullible, my love."

  "I'm offended," Maya huffed, feigning offense, "Even if I was their tool, I still have a heart..."

  "Th-That's...!" Lucas grew flustered, quickly looking between them, "I didn't mean it like that! I know you...look, listen. She...you...damn it!"

  Elizabeth and Maya shared a mutual coy smirk as he floundered about.

  "This is unfair!" he decred, waving his fist in the air, "Defamation, I tell you! I've been led astray by the wiles of the wicked!"

  "Oh?" Maya raised an eyebrow in challenge, "Wicked?"

  "If you want wicked," Elizabeth stood from her chair, approaching him menacingly, "We can show you wicked."

  "N-Now wait a minute..." Lucas held a cautionary hand up, looking a little nervous, "We were talking about-"

  Maya leaned towards him, cupping his face as she grazed her thumb along his lips.

  "Yes, we were," Maya said with allure, "It was a shock to be sure, but I'm over it. I'm now thinking of something a bit more...appetizing."

  "My thoughts exactly, Maya," Elizabeth agreed, looking upon Lucas with a ravenous desire, "How about you, darling? Will this information change anything?"

  "N-No..." he uttered breathlessly, "D-Damn it...this is unfair."

  "Don't bme us for you being unprepared," Elizabeth slowly straddled him as Maya pushed him back against the couch.

  "Now that I know the truth..." Maya pressed herself close to the both of them, "It's even more reason for me to show you how grateful I am to have you in my life."

  "Y-You really don't have to," Lucas chuckled, "We can...take it slow. You know. Uhm, not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but...ah~!"

  Maya's lips found the weak spot on his neck again, much to Elizabeth's approval.

  "Just rex, my love..." Elizabeth cooed as passion filled the air, "Just let use handle everything."

  They could feel his heart fluttering wildly, more than ever before as he breathed heavily. They both saw it in his eyes as he looked upon the two of them. He had lost the second battle, but the three of them together...had won.

  -----

  Nikushimi