Mantle of the Gods [LitRPG / Slow Burn / FTB Harem]

Ether was still asleep when we got back to the room.

I ran my hand up her arm as I walked around the bed. To be honest, I wanted to crawl back in there with her and Ren, who was waiting in the doorway, and sleep until we had to leave. That wasn't an option, since we were going to spend most of the morning getting in our outfits, then we were going to head back to the Dungeon Pocket to give ourselves a lot more time to look around.

Which meant that if I was going to see her before I left, I needed to do it now.

"No." The milky woman swatted at me.

"Ether." I whispered in her ear. "I need to go, and I wanted to tell you bye before I left this time."

"It's too early." Ether's voice was muffled by the pillow in her face. She slapped the empty spot in the bed. "Go back to sleep."

I tickled her just behind her ear. Her shoulders rose to try to defend her neck, but that was all the reaction I got from her. "You get upset when I leave without telling you, and you get upset when I wake you up." I chuckled. "There's no way to please you, is there?"

The sleepy woman rolled onto her back and rubbed her eyes. "Yes."

"Yes what?" I sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Don't leave and come back to bed!" She grabbed my arm and pulled me over her to the middle of the bed.

I hadn't realized how much stronger she was now or how fast. It wasn't like she was strong enough to lift a house or anything, but I had gotten used to a set amount of push and pull from her. Her new strength was different, and that wasn't a bad thing.

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"Okay, you've got me back in bed, now what?" I laid on my back and let her lay across my chest.

"Shhh. Sleep." Ether swatted at my face.

"Who is going to talk to Fooda about the auction?" I ran my fingers through her hair. "They're not sure that he'll work with anyone else."

"He likes Aelin; let her do it." She turned to look at me. "You're evil."

I grinned. "And you love me for it."

"Ugh. Fine! I'm awake! You just had to give me a problem to solve first thing in the morning." Ether rolled onto her back while still lying on my chest.

I cradled her as I sat up and kissed her. "You could go back to bed." I nodded towards her spot.

"It's different when it's empty." She sighed as she rolled out of bed. "I hate that I have to stay here while you go off and do something dangerous."

I glanced at Ren, then looked back at Ether. "I won't be alone. And I know you'd be there if you could."

"That's right." Ether grabbed the front of my shirt and kissed me as I stood up. "Atlas." Her voice was to sing-song to not be scary.

"Yes?" I noticed that her grip on my shirt also hadn't lessened.

"Your harem." She batted her white eyelashes at me. "Does not include my sister."

"We've already talked about this." I swallowed.

"And now you're going somewhere with her and not me." Ether smiled, showing off her shark-like teeth. "She's going to try to make a play, so I'm reminding you."

Ren walked over and pulled my left arm into her chest. "I'll keep an eye on him."

"Why does everyone think I'm some sort of Incubus?" I looked between the two women. "The four of you are more than enough for me."

"Five if you count Jovenna." Ren corrected me.

"You can't forget Bridget either." Ether giggled as she pecked me on the cheek. She wiggled her eyebrows and gave Ren a quick kiss as she walked towards the doorway. "I'm going to find Mister Vowler…" She grinned. "Should I start calling him dad or do you think that's weird?" Ether shrugged. "I'm going to see if he has something I can do."

She paused at the door. "Oh, and Atlas?"

"Yes?" I turned to face her.

"I love you too."