Jasmine felt sluggish all day so far. She was slower than usual, reacting slowly and making much more noise than she was used to. Ursa was the only one to really notice how off she was. Everyone else was focused on something else, whether research or each other. But Ursa's hearing let her know.
"You okay?" Ursa asked after catching Jasmine walking close to her. Usually, Jasmine could get a lot closer, but not today. And one examination of her expression gave it away.
"No," Jasmine mumbled into a yawn. She looked tired, but not exhausted. Her eyes were half-shut, and she was sluggish. There were bags under her eyes and all. "I hate this."
Ursa held back a laugh, feeling it'd be rude to laugh at her current state. "Why don't you go back to sleep?"
"Can't," Jasmine snapped back. "I just can't."
"Need som-"
"No." Jasmine exhaled sharply. "No more cum. I'm gonna force Claire to turn it off if she ever leaves her bed."
Ursa couldn't help but giggle at that. "Sorry. I shouldn't be laughing."
"It's okay," Jasmine shook her head and leaned against the wall. "I would be laughing at me too."
"Well, it is pretty funny." Ursa covered her mouth to hide her smile. "Claire's Goddess at least has a sense of humor."
"Mmmm," Jasmine shrugged. "I guess she does. Wish it weren't focused on me."
"Besides that," Ursa shifted to lean against the wall next to Jasmine. "What is the plan in a week?"
Jasmine shrugged. "Victoria didn't tell me shit. Gods, she pisses me off."
Ursa nodded along. "Agreed. Too arrogant."
Jasmine held up her hand. "Don't get me started. I will rant about her."
"Besides her," Ursa straightened up. "Do you have any plans for the upcoming fight?"
"Explore the fort and find ways to use it. Maybe there are old ballistas or something." Jasmine shrugged. "We have a week to get this place ready. Maybe set up traps…"
"If they're all like Astrid, it's going to be quite tough." Ursa fidgeted with her collar. "I could maybe take on one of her, but I don't know about more. My axe can only power me up so far."
"Wouldn't expect you to take them all on." Jasmine smiled at her. "Well, given how we met you that second time."
"Those were small fry." Ursa shrugged. "Nothing compared to Astrid or even a competent warrior."
"I don't know," Jasmine pinched the bridge of her nose. "Between you and Claire's new strength, I have a feeling we're going to be okay. Just glad we stopped here."
"Why's that?" Ursa tilted her head.
"Because we would have made it back to Restol in a week, then they'd be right behind us." Jasmine ran a hand through her hair. "That would have been horrendous…"
"Oh fuck," Ursa hadn't even thought about that. "Might need to fortify that town of yours. These won't be the last people to come after us."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Jasmine sighed. She didn't even have the energy to think about the logistics of that. "Ugh, so much to think about and not enough brain power."
Ursa giggled. She moved in and picked Jasmine up. "Bedtime for you. I think it's best if you at least lie down."
Jasmine didn't even have the energy to playfully, or actually, fight back. She could feel the sluggishness consuming her. "Fuck off, I'm fine."
"Riiight," Ursa ignored her and looked for a quiet room. "Normal you would have dodged. Normal you doesn't make so much noise when you walk. Lie down, please. Get some rest."
"Ehh," Jasmine squirmed. "I don't need it."
Ursa shook her head. She passed by the library and popped her head in. All of them were busy reading. Only Samira looked up at Ursa. "Could have Lily give you one of Samira's sedatives."
"Won't work on her," Lily replied without even looking up. "I've tried."
Ursa was surprised that Lily could hear her, but she stepped into the room. "Any idea on how to get her to lie down?"
"Nope," Lily shook her head and frowned. "Tried everything. Cum is the only thing that's worked."
Ursa couldn't help but burst into laughter. It sounded so ridiculous when said in a serious tone. "Well, can I at least leave her in here? Lay out a few blankets for her to lie down on?"
"Sure," Samira motioned over at an open area. "I'll keep an eye on her and make sure she's laying down."
Samira unraveled her tail and opened her arms for Jasmine. Ursa handed off the sleepy assassin into her warm embrace. Samira wrapped her tail snugly around Jasmine and pulled her close. She parted Jasmine's raven hair from her face.
"Oh my," Samira was shocked to see the bags under her eyes. "Is this how I looked back then?"
"Don't even!" Jasmine groaned and tried to fight. But she felt Samira's tail tighten around her. "I'm not that bad."
Samira chuckled and pulled her closer. She nestled Jasmine's face into her chest. "I only jest. Ursa was right to be worried about you. You look horrible."
"Thanks," Jasmine grumbled into the Lamia's ample chest. "Hate feeling this way, too."
"Well, then you should learn to relax," Lily snapped back with surprising attitude. "I've tried my hardest to help over the years; glad the Goddess found something that worked."
Jasmine struggled against Samira's grip, but failed. The enthralling feel of her tail wrapped around her and the warm, pillowy bust her face was pushed into sapped away what little strength she had left. She couldn't even argue back with Lily, so she had to just lie there.
"Aww," Samira pet Jasmine's head. "Seems you two have some unresolved issues. Wanna talk about it?"
"I've said my piece," Lily shook her head and went back to her book.
"I know," Jasmine mumbled. "I'm trying, okay?"
"That's better than most," Samira smiled down at her. "Most people don't even try to change, so that's commendable."
"Tell that to Lily," Jasmine felt a bit better already. Samira's warm embrace and her smile were brightening her foul mood.
"I will," Samira hummed. She glanced at Lily, who had an uncharacteristic frown on her face. "I'm sure she's just exhausted from trying to get you to change."
"I-I…" Jasmine wanted to fight back and defend herself, but couldn't. Just one glance at Lily was enough to kill her spirit. It was clear from her change in demeanor how annoyed Lily was in that moment. "Yeah, I know. I'm a pain like that."
"Knowing what's wrong is half the battle," Samira whispered to Jasmine. She moved them closer to the ground. "The other half is changing yourself bit by bit. That's what Jolder told me, at least."
It was hard to argue or even speak since Samira had pulled her closer. The grip around Jasmine was quite tight, and her voice was muffled by Samira's breasts. Even if she wanted to, Jasmine doubted her words could be understood. Still, she felt the fatigue and sluggishness take over.
Her vision slowly blurred as her eyes grew heavy. She tried to fight the exhaustion, but it was getting too hard. The last thing she saw was Ursa coming into the library, blankets in hand. For the first time in a very long time, Jasmine took a nap during the day. She was out cold within seconds of Ursa laying the blanket down.
Lily let out a deep sigh and set the book down. She was only putting on a show. She was annoyed, but not that mad. She felt a bit of weight come off her shoulders after the years of effort. "Maybe I should have been coddling her in my bosom all these years…"
Samira giggled softly so as not to wake the woman. "I doubt it is just that. I think she's starting to truly change for the better."
"I know." Lily got up from her seat and walked over to the two. She smiled at Ursa, then knelt beside Samira and Jasmine. "Just annoyed it took so long."
"Could be her finally trusting us," Ursa muttered as she squatted down. "Not that she didn't before. But fully trusting us enough to handle things while she was asleep."
"She had trauma from her last group, right?" Samira asked. She glanced at the twins, who also stopped reading.
"Yeah," Elsie and Ana said in unison.
"Noble types. So rich and spoiled. Said they kept her around because it was funny, and for her class." Elsie continued. She hesitantly walked closer to Ursa and knelt beside her. "Left her pretty scarred."
"A-and," Ana followed her sister. "One of them had her mother…"
Ursa held back a growl. "Rava. I had forgotten that part…"
"When she returned to Restol," Lily continued. She began to run her fingers through Jasmine's black hair. She expected the touch to wake the woman, but it didn't. So she continued. "It was like she reverted back to the little girl who refused to speak or smile. Thank the Gods for Claire and her drive to get her brother back. Their training brought back Jasmine's smile too…"
Samira smiled down at Jasmine. "I'm glad that scar is finally healing."
Lily nodded. "Me too. So I thank the Goddess whenever I can for this punishment. I think it was the last push she needed."