From the moment he laid eyes on that demigod, Aries was caught in a thread that pulled him and held him against Cale. Whether by the mystery behind the purple color of his eyes or by the meaning of his birth as a blessing of the universe. There was nothing in that world that would explain to Aries what such attraction was.
Well, finding out to be your Theiodesmos would serve as an explanation. However, that rage and envy he felt when he saw the dragon flake and interaction with Yvaine ran away from his concept of subordination.
A subordinate would not feel that way, would he?
Would it be some kind of curse?
Aries had no control over his body when he saw that hand reaching out in his direction and the smile full of malice was directed at him. He just saw himself rising up from the bank of the river and entering into the water, quickly getting rid of the heaviest pieces of his armor while extending his own hand covered by the glove to hold Cale's.
Even when the water hit his waist, wetting his ordinary clothes underneath, or when he felt the heat radiating from Cale's body, Aries continued without explaining exactly what happened to him.
"That's it, good boy" smiled Cale closing his fingers around Aries' hand.
In a gentle movement, Cale took the glove out of his theiodesmos. The heavy fabric was completely ignored when the coldness of Cale's hand mixed with the heat of Aries. The guardian held his breath, watching him still and fascinated.
"Understand, little dragon, what you consider as weakness, is nothing more than your greatest strength." whispered the demigod.
When their fingers intertwined, Aries pulled the air into his lungs. It was the moment when Cale took a step forward and practically leaned against their bodies. Now, the dragon was unable to escape from his master's clutches.
"Do you really think that would be a force? Don't make me laugh."
"I'm being very honest here. After all, regardless of what you feel, the fact that we are connected by a sacred bond is enough to you never leave me. You aren't even able to see me hurt."
Aries hesitated when Cale shook his hands. The proximity was increasing, Aries could clearly see the brightness of his gaze, the light pink tone on his cheeks, and even feel his warm breath. Even if Cale was only a few inches shorter and physically weaker... Aries was the one unable to move.
Especially when a knot formed in his throat, when he wanted to contradict Cale.
"This is..."
"Shhh" Cale touched the guardian's lip with his index finger "Just be a good boy and obey. We are on a dangerous journey, but I don't mind relieving the stress of my lovely subordinate. It is not a sin to desire my body under your possession."
Cale skillfully held Aries' other arm, making the guardian hold him by the waist. The touch on his skin caused shivers in Aries, who could already feel his own heart accelerate and body warm. It was as if the reason gradually give space for what there was more animalesco inside himself.
As an automatic response, Aries pulled that waist and glued their bodies together. He heard Cale's breath, and it made him happy inside. Still, his expression was a mixture of emotions. Even if he felt his fingertips fire from feeling too much of that soft skin, Aries would not let go.
"Desire my own master? What kind of blasphemy is this?"
"Let's not be hypocritical, that kiss was enough to set us on fire. And even five hundred years later, even far from me... you still wish for more" Cale's voice dropped as he leaned. His lips a mere inchs away, but there was still that provocative tone in his expression that made it clear how much fun he had playing with his subordinate "It is not blasphemy when a master delivers what his subordinate desires. And if you desire me, I will be more than honored to give you."
The pupils dilated. The brightness of the moonlight illuminated the pendant on Cale's neck. That scale that did not belong to him. The fingers sank into Cale's waist, and pulled him hard against his stiff body. The heavy breathing of a dragon already indicated the loss of control.
But Cale didn't seem bothered.
It was the master himself who broke the distance and put his lips on Aries. The instant their skins touched each other, any self-imposed restriction by Aries had been successfully broken.
He kissed Cale with ferocity, desire and possessiveness. A touch where their tongues fought a battle for space while their lips danced in sensuality.
The nostalgia of five hundred years had been healed with that kiss.
Five hundred years he had spent traveling all over the land in search of a portal that could bring his master back. Five hundred years feeding on memories and desires never fulfilled.
Five hundred years where a dragon man waited for the return of his master.
He would not release it.
Aries would not let him go.
Aries' instinct made him grab Cale's thigh and lift it up on his lap. He needed to feel more. He needed more touch, more...
It was noticeable that Cale was being left to be devoured by the desire of Aries under the moonlight. He had pulled the blonde hair of Aries, scratching his neck, a clear sign of his own desire near the limit.
At a certain moment, Aries pushed Cale against a rock, finally being able to hold his thighs with force and kiss his neck. The smell of the demigod... that aroma that made him feel in a plantation enjoying the sun of dawn. Something familiar and cozy that invited him to never leave his master.
"Haa" Cale gasped when Aries bite his neck. The hot, moist tongue licked the bite, and caused more chills in the demigod.
Something involved Cale's right thigh, something with scales and hairs causing tickling on his naked skin. Cale looked down, surprised to see a tail coming out of the ass of Aries. As soon as he stretched his neck to see better, Aries forced him against the rock preventing him from moving.
"Don't... move" growled Aries against his skin.
It was like an overwhelming wave. The fingers of Aries slipped behind Cale's thighs, lifting them up at his waist. The lips did not stop attacking Cale's neck and lap, marking him with an intense hunger. A desire that seemed insatiable.
In the middle of such desire, Aries was literally turning into a dragon. Cale opened a satisfied smile, clinging firmly to the muscular arms.
"Don't be shy and let me see it all, little drag—"
But it was a whistle that made Cale stop and raise his eyes coldly towards the shore. The figure of a Mikhal looking at them with arms crossed made Cale squeeze Aries against his neck.
"Mikhal..." growled Cale, pulling Aries' nape and hiding the face of the dragon "... I hope you have a good reason to get in the way."
"I would love to leave you in your... animal coitus, but I need the dragon there to be rested to go hunting. We have a human to care for, after all."
Would it be a crime to drown Mikhal in that river?
What kind of divine being would disrupt your moment of glory because of a mere hunt! Of course Mikhal was right, but he would die rather than admit it. Not when he had a phenomenon poking his thighs and a draconic syrup making him hostage.
Against his will, Cale moved his hand in a casual gesture to dismiss Mikhal. His attention fell on the dragon, which now used its own fangs to pierce the soft skin of his master.
"Haa... that spoiler. Just when we got so far" muttered Cale raising Aries' chin and biting his lower lip "Little Dragon, just enjoy yourself until exhausted. Your master will receive every drop of your savagery."
For a dragon whose instinct already dominated reason, such words sounded like music. Under that place, Aries devoured his own master in lust.
(...)
The city of Bortoise shone like a living temple, each street overflowing with golden fabrics, flags with ancient coats of arms and altars erected to receive divine blessings. Priests whispered ancient songs, while devotees filled the squares in reverent silence. The flowers of the local field, called shayras, exhaled a sweet aroma that mixed with incense burned in open temples.
It was a celebration for Jandiana — and a veiled warning to any force that would dare to challenge the heavenly order.
In the top of one of temple's balconies, Cale was watching. The hooded tunic hid part of his face, and the passionate marks that still existed on his skin. He looked around with some fascination, considering that it was his first time in such a great city.
Even Linus was by his side watching the beginning of the ceremony, while eating a caramelized apple that Yvaine bought.
"All this pomp just for one more goddess to be born with the blessing of Keonna" he mumbled "And they still say it's about humility."
"Please, my lord, avoid trouble" Yvaine asked, without taking her eyes from the bright spots in the palm of her hand. "It's enough what happened to Aries."
A shiver passed through his spine.
Would not have thought that Aries would avoid him after the night they had. The guardian of warriors, the dragon idolized by many for being fierce on the battlefield... was incredibly shy in intimacy. Although that Cale would not complain of absolutely anything.
Aries was strong, intense and delicious. It was his first experience, considering that Cale always dedicated himself to the priesthood before his ceremony. But now he could say, from stewed breast, that side of life was spectacularly delicious and addictive.
"I did nothing but satisfy him" he muttered, looking across the square "Don't blame me for him running away like a puppy."
Yvaine sighed, raising her head to the roof, where she saw Aries keeping his guard hidden.
"Haa... I would really appreciate it if we followed the original plan."
"Don't worry, I deal with the rebellion of my dragon later. How are the predictions for this pompous ceremony?" Cale asked, the hand automatically touching the head of little Linus.
The bright spots on Yvaine's hands seemed to whisper in her ear. A cosmic secret, perhaps?
"Hm... I can feel the divine energy of Riteun keeping the whole city protected. But still, it seems that Guyel will follow to the point where Alinys is."
Cale's eyes narrowed.
"In the end the protection of the god of life and the sun will fail? This is interesting to watch closely."