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You knew your cycle would come eventually. It was only a matter of time before you dealt with it while visiting with your mates. It came the second day of your stay. You didn’t bother to tell them, just declined to sleep in their bed and stayed in your chambers across the hall. They didn’t like it, but they didn’t argue and gave you your space.
The next day, you ended up staying in bed all morning with nausea and a headache. You only got up to use the bathing room and change into a soft green sweater and leggings. Near noon, you requested a servant to retrieve the Healer and have something blander brought in from the kitchens. You should have known they’d also tell your mates you weren’t well. You got back into bed, pressing your fingers to your forehead to try and will away the ache in your skull.
You heard the knob turn and the door was thrown open. You sat up wincing to see Eris wide eyed with panic standing in the doorway. Azriel was right behind him, shadows slinking along the carpet. Eris in his more courtly blue coat and Azriel in (from what you could see) a soft black tunic.
You huffed through your nose, wincing. “What?”
“Isabelle said you were ill and asked for a healer.” Eris’s eyes raked over you but he still didn’t approach.
“I asked for a healer but I’m not ill. I’m fine.” Neither of them responded or moved. “I’m not contagious.”
“You don’t know that,” Azriel muttered.
“I do know that, just go away.”
You really didn’t want to explain it to them. Nor were you in the mood for any more questions. You laid back on your pillows, head throbbing and stomach rolling again.
“Boys. Move.” A female's stern voice came from behind your mates.
You opened an eye and a curly red headed female was beside you. Edith was a younger healer- a few decades older than Eris, but the best in Autumn. She held up a purple vial.
“You’ll want to drink this for the nausea.” She helped you sit up. You downed it quickly- wincing at the taste. She had handed you another vial from her white apron. “This should ease your pain for a few hours.”
“Only a few?” It was Eris who asked with a glare, based on his tone.
Edith ignored him. The other vial tasted a little better.
“Drink you some tea,” she added and held up two extra vials. “I’m going to leave these here. If you still feel unwell by nightfall, take them.”
“Thank you,” you said softly, already feeling the tension in your eyes ease.
“You did not answer my question, Edith.”
“You know as well as I potions only do so much. Think with your mind, not your mating bond.” She walked over to him. Even being over a head shorter, she still looked him up and down, her curly hair swaying as her head moved while she did so. “You could put those hands to use and help your mate instead of fussing at me.”
Eris and Az stepped aside and watched her leave, confusion etched in their faces. It wasn’t until a shadow swirled around Azriel’s head that his expression changed.
“Oh.” His wings tucked in tighter.
“Oh?” Eris turned to him.
“It’s um,” Az peered around at you, looking for permission to continue.
“I’m on my cycle,” you rolled your eyes. “I wasn’t going to bother you both about it.”
“Oh.” Eris’s face scrunched up.
You furrowed your brows. “If you both are disgusted then leave.”
“I’m not disgusted,” Eris replied quickly, clearly offended at the implication. “I only have brothers and a male mate for a decade. I forgot it was something that happened.”
“I wish that was me,” you laughed but it sounded hollow.
“Is it always this bad?” Az asked.
“No,” you laid back, putting your arm over your eyes to block out the light. “Maybe? I never remember.”
You heard soft steps on the carpet. You pulled back your arm and Eris was beside you. He’d shed his coat and was now only in his loose white shirt. He sat on the bed beside you and brushed his fingers along your forehead.
“Do you want me to help?”
“How?” You were getting sleepy with the pain in your head gone.
“Warm hands.”
He put his palm against your forehead, a pleasant warmth radiating from it. You hummed and closed your eyes. After a moment he went back to rubbing his fingers above one of your brows.
You yawned but didn’t open your eyes. “Is it strange if I ask for you to put your hand on my stomach?”
“No. Move over for me.”
You moved to lay on your side in the middle of the bed. You felt the covers lift and Eris curled his body against your own. You sighed once he slipped his hand under the band of your leggings and rested it on your lower stomach.
“Why have I never thought to ask you to do this before?” You whispered. “You’re doing this every time.”
“Gladly.”
After a moment, you heard the door knob turn again.
“Az?” You opened your eyes and sat up a little. “Az, don’t go.”
He was at the door, hand on the knob still. He tucked his wings in tight and looked back at you.
“There isn’t much I can help you with, baby.”
You pouted. “You can still cuddle.”
”That bed is not big enough for the three of us.”
“Please?” You felt Eris let out a soft laugh behind you. “Just for a little bit?”
Even in the dim lighting you could tell Az rolled his eyes. There was silence for a moment, and he sighed. You grinned when he let go of the door knob and walked over to you. You laid your head back down and he lifted the covers to climb into the bed. You put your arm around him when he scooted in close.
“If my wings get a cramp I will hold you responsible,” he said with no bite in his tone. You hummed and he kissed the top of your hair. “Happy?”
”Very.”
You don’t know how long the three of you laid there, but with your nausea gone, you were suddenly very hungry. Az and Eris agreed to have something brought in but only if you moved to their chambers. You also had to promise to never try and hide from them again. You agreed. If anything, it was the easiest trade you’d ever negotiated and very much worth the extra apple tart Az had the shadows sneak out of the kitchens.