Title: Damnation Angels
Author: Morgana
Author’s Email: morganalebeau@yahoo.com
Web page: http://www.paranoid.nl/avalon
Pairing: Caeru/Velaxis
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Velaxis sheds his old skin and grants
Caeru a wish.
Disclaimer: Not mine. No copyright infringement is
intended. All characters belong to Storm Constantine.
Warning: AU of course.
Spoiler warning: Set after book 6.
Beta read by Patricia and DA, thanks sweeties!
All remaining mistakes are mine.
“I am resigning from your service, Thiede. My work
here is done.” Velaxis stood calmly in
front of Thiede and stared him in the eye. “My days of servitude are over.”
Thiede still felt annoyed that he hadn’t realized
just how special Velaxis was at an earlier stage. Not for the first time did he
wonder if he had been masterfully manipulated by Velaxis. “It was all an act,
wasn’t it?”
Velaxis saw no reason to pretend he didn’t understand.
“I played my part, yes.”
“And you let me order you about because that served
you best.”
Nodding his head, Velaxis sensed that Thiede was
trying to draw some sort of explanation from him and indulged him. “Yes. I let
you incept me, allowed you to ‘recruit’ me for your services, and did your
bidding. For decades I whored for you, gathering information that would serve
you, and at the same time, I had a chance to further my own plans. Playing the
whore gave me a chance to be close to all of them and they never thought twice
about answering my questions.”
Thiede blinked. It was rare for him to show
surprise so openly, but he really felt puzzled. “How much of this was
arranged?”
“By me? Everything. I knew I had a part to play in Darq’s life and I
accepted my role. Pellaz still thinks it was you who hinted he should create
Darq, but in reality it was my voice he heard in his head that day.” Velaxis
gave Thiede a stern look. “Don’t think about extracting any revenge on me for
being manipulated, Thiede. You will find me a dangerous opponent.”
That thought of revenge had briefly crossed
Thiede’s mind, but he quickly realized how foolish that would be. “I never
foresaw Darq coming into existence,” he said, curious on how Velaxis would
answer him.
“The Krim Sri did however.” It would be more
accurate however to say that *he* had foreseen Darq’s existence. He’d always
had some clairvoyant abilities.
“Fortunately, everything turned out all right.”
Thiede’s eyes didn’t leave Velaxis’ form. The long platinum hair was braided
back, revealing strong facial features. The blue eyes glowed with knowledge,
knowledge that had been kept from Thiede. “What are your plans now? Will you
leave Phaonica?”
It was none of Thiede’s business, but Velaxis
indulged him again. “I am not sure what I will do. This is the first time in
ages that I am free to act as I will. I am shedding my old skin and must find a
new place in this world. I have no idea what the future will bring, but I do
know I no longer have to humor you or the members of the Hegemony.”
“Caeru will sorely miss you should you leave.”
Thiede had noticed the friendship that had grown between the Tigrina and
Velaxis.
“And I will miss him,” Velaxis admitted. “But his
family has returned to him. He no longer needs me. He has
“I am not so sure that he no longer needs you, but
I won’t stop you if you are set on leaving.” The members of the Hegemony might
be in for a bit of a shock however when they found out that Velaxis’ services
were no longer available. “I *did* always wonder why you never objected to me
giving you to them. Your reputation became that of a whore.”
“It was what I wanted you to do. By giving me to
them, I had free access to them.” Velaxis’ gaze hardened. “You don’t understand
my abilities fully. That’s why you never realized I was one step ahead of you.
Even you, Thiede, do not know the full potential of aruna.” He had gathered
most of the information he had needed from the minds of the hara he had been
taking aruna with. Especially Ashmael who had been a reliable source of
information since both Thiede and Pellaz trusted him unconditionally.
Thiede slowly nodded his head. Darq had confided in
him about that time when Velaxis had possessed Darzu and when the dehar,
Aruhani, had appeared.
Velaxis realized the direction Thiede’s thoughts
were taking and tightened his shields. Aruhani and he had a very special
relationship...one Thiede should know nothing about. “I am leaving now,” he
announced and headed for the doorway.
“But you *will* stay a little longer in Immanion?
You intrigue me, Velaxis.” Thiede wanted to find out more about the exceptional
har. He had never realized exactly *who* he had incepted back then. He had
simply assumed he had been dealing with a human.
A sly grin appeared on Velaxis’ face, but Thiede
couldn’t see it since Velaxis’ back was toward him. He was finally free to be
himself again and the hara who knew him would be in for a few surprises.
~~~
The first thing Velaxis did upon his return to his
rooms was to soak in the bathtub for over an hour. Knowing that he no longer
owed anyhar anything made him relax and he closed his eyes, trying to catch
glimpses of his future. The truth was that he didn’t know what he was going to
do. Although he had said that Caeru wouldn’t miss him, he knew the opposite was
true. Caeru and he had become very close over the years. Caeru was also someone
he had never taken aruna with. The Tigrina had never stooped so low as to order
him into his bed, unlike many other hara. Rue was special to him.
A knock on his door disrupted his peace and, irritated,
he tried to ignore it, but the har then started to call out his name. Only a
few days ago, he would have been bound to answer and comply with the wishes of the
har who had summoned him, but that was no longer the case. From that moment on,
he could choose the hara he wanted to take aruna with.
Velaxis left the tub, shrugged into a silk morning
robe which was embroidered with cranes, and flung the door open, hopefully scaring
the har who was on the other side of it. “What is it?”
Paran had been startled when the door had abruptly
opened, but he quickly composed himself. “The general requires your services.
Get dressed. He wants you now.”
The sly expression returned to Velaxis’ face and he
relished in saying, “You can tell your general to find
himself a new whore. I am retired.” And with that, he closed the door.
Paran stood there in shock. What had Velaxis said?
Had the har really closed the door on him? Paran knocked again, harder this
time. “Velaxis, this isn’t the time to play games! Get dressed!” But to his
frustration the door remained closed and Paran had no other choice than to
return to Ashmael empty-handed.
~~~
Ashmael blinked. “Velaxis refused to accompany
you?” That was unheard of! He had thought that Velaxis had learned his place
through the years!
“He said that he has retired and that you should
find yourself a new whore.” Paran’s features contorted as he delivered Velaxis’
message. He flinched as Ashmael’s eyes darkened. General Aldebaran was one har
he didn’t want for an enemy and he pitied the fool – in this case Velaxis – who
would feel the brunt of Ashmael’s anger.
“Someone needs to be reminded of his place,”
Ashmael snarled and marched toward the doorway. And he was the perfect har to
do that.
~~~
Velaxis slid into the bathtub again and cursed
Paran for disturbing his thoughts. He placed a pillow between the rim of the
bathtub and his head and enjoyed the peace and quiet. He was intelligent enough
to know it wouldn’t last long. Ashmael wouldn’t accept a no for an answer and
was probably already on his way over to his rooms. Velaxis however was looking
forward to putting him in his place. He had been wanting
to do so for a very long time.
~~~
Ashmael didn’t bother with knocking and simply
pushed the door open. Sounds from the bathroom informed him where he would find
Velaxis and he marched in there. Velaxis was relaxing in the bathtub, which was
full of foam. Jasmine filled the air and Ashmael shook his head in
bewilderment. “What do you think you are doing? I summoned you!”
Velaxis didn’t open his eyes yet. Instead he replied,
“Stuff it. I don’t remember giving you permission to enter my rooms.”
Ashmael’s eyes widened. Had
Velaxis really told him to ‘stuff it’ just now? What had gotten into the
har? “I forbid you to talk to me in that manner and did you forget what you
are? You are to service me when I call for you!”
Velaxis lazily opened his eyes and growled. “Those
days are over. I suggest you leave now. You will regret it if I have to leave
my bathtub.”
Ashmael didn’t take the warning very seriously
however. “I will drag you out of there if you don’t start drying yourself off
and getting dressed!” Velaxis’ blue eyes glowed dangerously, but Ashmael didn’t
notice the warning. “And I mean now, Velaxis…”
“Listen very carefully, Ashmael Aldebaran. I told
Paran and I am telling you now. I am no longer at your service. Now leave me
alone. I wish to enjoy my bath.” His eyes flashed with a final warning.
Heading over to the tub, Ashmael prepared himself
to drag Velaxis forcefully from it when something slammed into his mind and froze
him in his tracks, unable to even move his little finger. Shocked, he stared at
Velaxis, who was purring and caressing the foam that floated atop the water
surface.
“I warned you and you didn’t listen. Now you must suffer
the consequences.” He would keep Ashmael in that state until he had finished
his bath. Hopefully doing so would get the message across to Ashmael to stop
bothering him. Velaxis was very much aware of the fact that he had to set an
example so the other members of the Hegemony knew that they couldn’t turn to
him anymore.
Rage bubbled inside Ashmael and he wanted to lash
out at Velaxis, but since he couldn’t move, he was forced to watch the other
har as he washed his hair and then left the tub. Velaxis reached for a towel,
wrapped his hair in it, and then started to dry himself off. How much longer
would Velaxis keep him in this state? And how in Aghama’s name was it possible that Velaxis had this hold on him? Velaxis
had never shown this ability before!
Velaxis dressed in a light-blue kimono and then
advanced on Ashmael. He could tell that the other har was seething and grinned.
“I hope you learned your lesson. Leave me alone or you will find out the other
ways that I can use to restrain you.”
Ashmael felt life slowly return to his fingertips
and toes and flexed them. “How did you do that?” he asked once he was capable
of speech again.
“It is just one of my many hidden talents. Now
kindly leave my rooms, tiahaar.” Velaxis probed Ashmael’s mind undetected by
the other har and, once he was certain that Ashmael wasn’t going to attack him,
turned around and picked up the brush from the vanity. “And please spread the
word that I am retired.”
“I don’t understand any of this,” Ashmael muttered
while still flexing his fingers. “How did you do that? I never realized you had
such powers.” Why had Velaxis never used them to his advantage before? “Does
Thiede know that you are ‘retired’?” He still remembered the day Thiede had
introduced him to Velaxis before suggesting that Ashmael take aruna with the
other har. Ashmael had accepted and had quickly caught on. After that, Velaxis
had slept his way through the Hegemony. Ashmael couldn’t help but wonder why
Velaxis had allowed them to use him given these powers. Velaxis could have
easily dealt with them.
“Thiede knows – not that it matters. Tell them that
if any of them tries to ‘summon’ me into their beds, they will regret it. And
that is the last thing I am going to say regarding this matter. Leave now.”
Ashmael started to turn from Velaxis, but then
halted and cocked his head, studying the har who was brushing his pale hair. For
one moment, he wondered why he had never seen the truth before. “Who are you?” Velaxis
smiled and Ashmael saw the reflection of it in the mirror. It was a mysterious
smile and suddenly he shivered. Who was Velaxis? And how had he managed to fool
him?
Velaxis wasn’t inclined to answer Ashmael though
and simply gestured for him to leave, which the other har did reluctantly. The
question which Ashmael had put to him had unnerved him, even though it hadn’t
shown. He hadn’t wanted Ashmael to know that the question had upset him.
Once he was alone, he looked into the mirror. “Who
am I?” he asked his reflection. “What have I become?” During the last few years
he had been forced to act a certain way and that burden had been lifted from
his shoulders. He could never go back to being ‘Zu’,
he knew that, but who was Velaxis? Who was the har staring back at him from the
mirror?
~~~
“He did what?” Cedony stared at Ashmael in
bewilderment.
“He really said that?” Chrysm couldn’t believe
Velaxis had actually resigned from Thiede’s service. It was unheard of!
“You probably just misunderstood.” Tharmifex fixed
Ashmael with a stare.
Eyra, head of the Listeners, was strangely silent
for a moment. He had picked up on something in the ethers, but at the time, he
hadn’t known what to make of it.
Dree found it hard to believe that Velaxis was no
longer ‘theirs’. The fair-haired har had always been at their disposal. Glave
frowned and looked at Ashmael. “Did he really say those things?”
Ashmael raised his feet and rested them on the
table. He nodded and looked at the other hara. It was another hour before
Pellaz, Caeru, and
Tharmifex shook his head. “I shall talk to Thiede.
I can’t believe he would condone this behavior.”
Ashmael shrugged. “You can try, but I believed
Velaxis when he said that Thiede knew about it and had given him his consent.”
“We should take this matter to the Tigrons,” Cedony
remarked, disappointed that Velaxis would no longer be of service to them.
Velaxis had been a convenient means to quick and uncomplicated aruna.
~~~
“Tiahaara, there is a matter we would like to
discuss with you.” Tharmifex, as chancellor, took the initiative.
“What matter?” Pellaz asked and frowned. Like
“Disturbing information has reached me,” Tharmifex stated
dramatically. “It appears that Velaxis has resigned from your services.” He
eyed Thiede as he spoke. “That can’t be true. You gave him to us.”
The hair at the back of
Thiede shrugged. “I had my reasons.” At the time,
he had told Velaxis to keep an eye on the members of the Hegemony and pry
information from them, but only now realized that Velaxis had only done that
because it had served him too.
Caeru wasn’t quite sure what to make of the
situation. He knew that Velaxis was nothing but a whore in their eyes and that
Tharmifex and the rest despised the har, but Velaxis had always been a good
friend to him. He respected Velaxis and had more than once wished that Velaxis
would stick up for himself and tell them to go to hell
whenever they had sent for his ‘services’. “Is it true?” Caeru asked Thiede.
“Did you let him go?”
Thiede shrugged again. “Velaxis is free to do as he
pleases.”
“Then it is about time, considering all the things
he did for Darq throughout the years.”
Pellaz lifted a hand and everyhar grew silent, even
Thiede. “Each har belongs to himself. There is no
matter to discuss. Velaxis should never have been yours.” But he had closed his
eyes and had looked the other way during the time because he hadn’t liked the
pale-haired har. “Velaxis owes no one.” But the Tigrons and Tigrina of Immanion
owed Velaxis for protecting and teaching Darquiel. “Leave him alone or you will
answer to us.”
Caeru smiled, pleased that Pellaz had included
~~~
“We need to discuss Velaxis,” Pellaz said once the
four of them were alone. Thiede,
Pellaz and Velaxis had never been friends, but Cal
and Darq had strongly urged him to take action where the har was concerned. “If
Tharmifex hadn’t brought it up, I would have. You can’t continue to use Velaxis
that way. Darq was upset when he realized just what kind of work you had ordered
Velaxis to do.” Pellaz slowly paced the room and looked thoughtfully at his old
friend. “Thiede, what you did was wrong.”
Thiede shrugged. “I did what had to be done.” He
hated admitting that he hadn’t known Velaxis’ true identity back then. “He had
to be present at your court so he could watch the three of you.”
Pellaz bowed his head and was momentarily lost in
thought, which gave
“When I had incepted him I thought he was human. He
looked human. I didn’t even know that the Krim Sri existed at that point!”
Thiede knew he had been lax. It was the first time ever that someone had used
him to such a degree. He was angry with himself.
“Can it be that you met your match in Velaxis?”
Caeru asked sweetly. He could get away with saying things like that because
Thiede had always favored him. Thiede’s sole reaction was a heartfelt growl. “I
will take that as a yes.” It pleased him that Velaxis was *more* than he had
always seemed. “I wonder about his secrets though.”
“I know something about him, but not enough,”
“He resigned this morning,” Thiede replied. “And I
didn’t stop him. I let him go.”
“Good. It was about time.” Caeru leaned back into
the comfort of his chair and smiled happily. Their sons and highhar had
returned to them and everything was peaceful for a change. Thiede was *retired*
and Cal, Pellaz, and Caeru had finally come to terms with their living
arrangement. The three of them were as good as chesna, which pleased Caeru
immensely.
“I have the feeling we haven’t seen everything yet
where Velaxis is concerned,”
~~~
That evening, Caeru went to his private apartment
in the hope that Velaxis would visit him there. Hopefully Velaxis felt the same
need as he did. Caeru wasn’t let down. Later that evening, Velaxis knocked on
his door and Caeru opened it in person instead of sending a servant to answer it.
“I’d hoped you would visit tonight. I would like to talk to you.”
“I thought you might.” Velaxis entered the room and
headed for the two chairs set close to the window. Caeru and he had spent many
evenings there just drinking sheh and talking.
The first thing Caeru noticed was the way Velaxis
had dressed. He had become used to seeing the other har in flowing Gelaming
robes, but Velaxis’ attire had changed. Dressed in tight, black jeans and a
grey shirt, Velaxis looked like he was part of a rock band and not as a har who
used to be Thiede’s right hand. “Going somewhere?”
Velaxis grinned as he poured sheh into their
glasses before seating himself. Raising one hand, he offered Caeru the other
glass. “I feel like going out tonight. Want to accompany me?”
Caeru sipped the sheh and sat down. “That is a very
tempting offer. What if I accept?” He eyed Velaxis’ eagerly.
“Then we will go out together tonight,” Velaxis replied
and nodded once. “But before we go out you want to ask me some questions… I can
tell.”
Caeru smiled. “I never managed to conceal things from
you. Who are you, Vel?”
“It is a long story, Rue. Let’s say I wasn’t human
when Thiede incepted me and that I am gifted with special telepathic powers.”
“Is Velaxis your real name?”
Velaxis’ features briefly contorted. “It is the
name I chose to go by. Darq also knows me as Zu, but
that name is part of my past and I no longer use it. I am comfortable going by
Velaxis.”
“I am grateful that you took care of Darq when we
couldn’t.” Caeru placed the glass aside and took one of Velaxis’ hands in his.
“That means a lot to me.”
Velaxis’ eyes started to swim with emotion. “Darq
is important to me and so are you, Rue.”
Caeru swallowed hard and then asked, “Why did we
never take aruna, Vel?” At first, he had wanted to add, ‘I know you took aruna
with all members of the Hegemony because Thiede told you so. Why
not me?’ But he didn’t say them. He wanted to know though.
Velaxis had caught the thought and gave Caeru a
look full of understanding. “Because I care about you, Rue. I didn’t want us to
take aruna because it was something I had to do. I am grateful you never
required my services as the rest of the Hegemony did.”
Caeru perked up at hearing that. “Does that mean
you would consider taking aruna with me for the ‘right’ reasons then?”
A sweet smile surfaced on Velaxis’ lips. “Would you
like that? Do you want to take aruna with me, Rue?”
“One day, yes…for the right reasons…because I care
about you.” Caeru suddenly had a hard time finding the right words. He had
always wanted to take aruna with Velaxis just once. Velaxis cupped his cheek in
the palm of his hand and he leaned into the touch.
“We will take aruna, Rue. I promise you that, but
let me set the time and place.” He’d always had feelings for the Tigrina and
wanted to make this good for Rue. “Trust me.”
“I always did, Vel, although… I never knew why.”
“We are kindred spirits, Rue. I was always drawn to
you too.”
“Will you share breath with me? I want to know you,
Vel.” Caeru eyed Velaxis hungrily.
Velaxis however knew that if they shared breath
now, things would get out of hand. “Not yet, my sweet Rue. Later.
Let’s go out first and enjoy ourselves. I have been locked up for too long.
Show me the clubs tonight.” He wriggled his fingers free of Caeru’s hold and
caressed the back of the Tigrina’s hand. “I don’t care if we go incognito or
dressed up. I just want out and I wanted to spend time with you.”
Caeru wanted to give in to Velaxis, but how would
Cal and Pellaz react to hearing he had left in Velaxis’ company?
“Why don’t you ask them in mind touch? I don’t
mind. I am glad that the three of you are so close.” Velaxis smiled, raised
Caeru’s hand, and pressed a kiss onto the palm.
Caeru nodded his head once. Velaxis’ suggestion
made sense and he reached out to the Tigrons, who had retired onto the balcony
after they had eaten dinner. He told them about his visitor and of Velaxis’
request to hit the nightclubs with him that night. Pellaz reacted with
surprise, but
/Go and enjoy yourself, Rue. You don’t need our
permission./
Pellaz had a better understanding of the way
Caeru’s thoughts worked however. /
Caeru felt relieved and smiled. /Thanks./ He didn’t
know what he had expected them to say.
“And? Did they
give their consent?” Velaxis knew about the complicated relationship between
the Tigrina and the two Tigrons.
Caeru nodded once. “They are very understanding.”
He smiled at the other blond har. “I owe you a lot. Your advice served me well
in the past. If it hadn’t been for you, I would never have tried to befriend
“The only thing that causes me pain is that Darq
was taken away from you like that. That wasn’t supposed to happen.” To a great
degree, Velaxis felt responsible for the pain Caeru had suffered when the pearl
had been cut from his body. “I would have stopped Diablo if I had known he
would attack you. I blame myself for that.”
The expression in the blue eyes revealed just how
sorry Velaxis was and Caeru smiled ruefully. “That is in the past and we must
look toward the future now.” Holding Velaxis’ hands in his, he realized that
something connected them on a very deep level. Maybe taking aruna would heal
the hurt they shared. “I want to dress up tonight.” Caeru decided.
Velaxis happily nodded his head. “I am not stopping
you.”
“Are you going to watch then?” Caeru batted his
eyelashes at Velaxis.
“If you are not going to stop me, I will.” Velaxis
leaned back into the comfort of his chair and sipped his sheh. “I like to
watch,” he added seductively.
It was easy to see why Velaxis had been so wanted
by the members of the Hegemony. When he wanted to, he oozed sensuality and
could drive every har crazy with desire. Not even Caeru was blind to that and
he wondered what role Velaxis would assume during aruna – during *their* aruna.
“Get dressed,” Velaxis whispered conspiratorially.
“And you might find out the answer to that question later...once we return from
visiting the clubs.”
That was enough incentive for Caeru to get moving.
He let go of Velaxis’ hand, rose from his chair, and headed into the bathroom,
curious to find out if the blond har was going to follow him.
Reading Caeru’s thoughts, Velaxis waited a moment
and then walked over to the bathroom where he leaned against the doorway. Caeru
had removed the robes he had been wearing and was naked. “You are a beauty, Rue
– still.” He knew the self-doubt that haunted the Tigrina at times.
Caeru swallowed nervously. “Ever since the attack I
am only half the har I used to be.” His fingers traced the scar that disfigured
his abdomen. Darq’s pearl had been cut out of him there. “If Pell were to meet
with me today for the first time, he wouldn’t even notice me.” A miserable light
shone from his eyes.
“But I *would* notice you, Rue,” Velaxis murmured
and leaned in closer. He hadn’t wanted to share breath just yet, afraid as he
was that things would spin out of control, but he felt that he had no choice at
this point. “I would notice you anywhere – any time.”
Velaxis’ words soothed Rue and suddenly he didn’t
feel so vulnerable anymore. He turned to get dressed and wasn’t expecting
Velaxis to reach for him. Suddenly he was pulled close against the other har’s
chest and soft lips descended onto his. It was just a kiss at first – but what
a kiss! – and after a few seconds Velaxis shared
breath with him.
Velaxis carefully selected the images which he
wanted to share with Caeru. In the end, he opted for showing Caeru images of
Darq growing up and starting on his journey. Once Caeru relaxed in his embrace,
he fed the Tigrina his emotions, showing Caeru his desire, respect, and
affection where the other har was concerned.
Caeru was breathless by the time Velaxis deserted
his lips. A last image floated into his mind and seeing it made him blush as it
depicted the two of them locked in aruna. “Thank you for sharing that with me.
The memories you showed me concerning Darq are precious to me.”
“What about the image I sent you about us taking
aruna?” Velaxis asked wickedly. “Did that please you?” He cocked his head and
dragged the tip of his tongue along Caeru’s top lip. It was up to him to seduce
Caeru. Caeru shivered against him and it would have been easy to abandon their
plans and take aruna right there and then. But Velaxis refused to give in just
yet. “Get dressed, my lovely.” He released Caeru and returned to his chair in
the other room to down the rest of his drink.
Caeru trembled with desire and surprise when he was
suddenly released. He had been convinced that Velaxis would want to take aruna
with him, but then Velaxis had left the bathroom. The other har was full of
surprises. Making haste, Caeru dressed and applied some make-up. He styled his
hair, checked his appearance in the mirror, and stepped into the other room
again. “Will this do?” He had dressed provocatively on purpose to draw a
reaction from Velaxis.
Velaxis licked his lips, fully aware of the effect
it would have on Caeru and the Tigrina didn’t disappoint him as Caeru blushed. “Very nice indeed.” Caeru had dressed in tight leather pants
that were all black with studs on the sides and a black fishnet shirt that left
little to the imagination. Black leather boots and kohl-lined eyes completed
the outfit. “Oh, yeah, that’s perfect for tonight.” Unable to resist
temptation, he made his way over to Caeru and raised a hand to flick a pert
nipple that peeked through the fishnet material. “Very
sensual.”
Moaning under the touch, Caeru thrust his lower
body against Velaxis. He threw back his head and his long, blond hair danced
against the small of his back. “What are you doing to me?” he whispered and quivered
when Velaxis pinched his nipple.
“Getting you hot and bothered,” Velaxis hinted
wickedly. Then he stopped his teasing and pulled Caeru along. “Show me the clubs, Rue. Tonight I want to drink, dance, and party.”
TBC
Part 2
The nightclub they ended up at was called ‘Damnation
Angels’ and had a reputation for being busy and loud. It was an insiders club
and only visited by hara who really loved music and was a diverse establishment
offering a home to musicians and music lovers alike. It wasn’t surprising that
it was Rue’s favorite club to hang out although he couldn’t remember the last
time he had visited. The last few months had been hectic and exhausting.
Lighting a cigarette, Caeru felt like he was slowly
coming alive again. He blew the smoke into the neon lit air and tapped his foot
to the beat. He still missed being able to perform, but it was hardly
appropriate for the Tigrina to take to the stage. Sipping his sheh, Caeru was
surprised to see Velaxis move onto the dance floor, which was still rather
empty at this early hour.
Velaxis’ cat-like movements appealed to Caeru and,
when the other har raised an arm to gesture him closer, he extinguished his
cigarette and walked over to him. Snake-like, Velaxis’ arms curled around his
waist and the blue eyes held Rue captive. There was nothing he could do but
move his hips the same way Velaxis did. Velaxis had always struck him as a
strict advisor, someone who didn’t know how to enjoy himself, but Caeru changed
his mind when he saw the other har lick his lips sinfully. A ripple of lust
coursed through him and he pressed tighter against Velaxis.
Velaxis wasn’t surprised to see Caeru react as he
was. Caeru was a sensual creature and the whole setting appealed to him. It was
part of the reason why he had wanted them to go clubbing for it made Caeru
relax. Grinding their lower bodies together, Velaxis slid a hand into the blond
hair and guided Caeru’s head closer to his so they could share breath again.
He fed Caeru erotic images of taking aruna in the
back room and Rue reacted against him, becoming needy and soume. That would do
for now, but Velaxis would desire something else from Caeru later. “I want
you,” he whispered and pulled Caeru with him.
There were several rooms in the back which were reserved
for hara who wanted to take aruna there. He had visited them often in the past,
but back then, it hadn’t been his choice to take aruna. But with Caeru things
were going to be different.
Feeling breathless, Caeru stared at Velaxis in
disbelief. “You want to take aruna here?”
“Why not?
It is different.” Velaxis continued to pull Caeru along. “When was the last
time you took aruna outside of the palace?” He opened the door to an empty room
and pulled Caeru inside. After quickly closing the door behind him, he leaned
against it and pulled Caeru close.
“You’re something else.” Caeru closed his eyes and
trembled when Velaxis’ hands found their way beneath the fishnet shirt. They
moved down his spine and slipped into his leather pants so they could cup his
buttocks.
Velaxis savored the sight of Caeru reacting to his
caresses so wantonly. He had told Caeru that they had much in common and that
was true. Both of them had been forced to take on the soume aspect of their
race and forsake being ouana. Velaxis wanted to change that for them both. Moving
his hands to Caeru’s front, he unzipped the pants and pushed them down the
slender hips.
Caeru assisted Velaxis as they rid the Tigrina of his
clothes and then moved toward the back of the room where a divan stood. Velaxis’
eyes sparkled in the darkness and Caeru was eager to get the other har out of
his clothes too. Reclining onto the couch, he reached for Velaxis and pulled
him on top of him. The rough fabric of the jeans moved against his thigh and
sent a delicious sensation through his body.
Velaxis watched Caeru quiver with need and
unbuttoned his shirt. He wanted them skin against skin. Latching onto Caeru’s
lips, Velaxis kissed him deeply before releasing a hint of breath into the
Tigrina’s mouth. With his right hand he unbuttoned his jeans and with his left
he explored the moist folds of Caeru’s soume-lam.
Arching his back, Caeru bit his bottom lip when
Velaxis’ fingers explored that intimate part of him. Velaxis looked like a
silver angel of lust and Caeru buried his fingers in the pale hair. “I want you
too,” he whispered in a raw voice.
Smiling, Velaxis nodded. “Give me a moment to rid
myself of my jeans.” He got to his feet and stepped out of his jeans, but then
took a moment to take in Caeru’s gratuitous display of lust. The Tigrina had
parted his legs and pinched one of his nipples until the nub hardened further. “Such a lovely vision.” Velaxis returned to Caeru’s side and
knelt between the parted legs.
Caeru’s breath caught and fully expected Velaxis to
enter him, but the other har surprised him by leaning in closer to lick his
soume-lam. That dexterous tongue was trying to find his center and Caeru clawed
at the fabric beneath him. Velaxis’ hair caressed his inner thighs and the
diabolical tongue was pressing deeper inside. Caeru’s head lolled from the left
to the right and he started to push down and thrust in want.
Velaxis grinned and licked his way down Caeru’s
inner thigh. Caeru surged beneath him and his eyes had clouded with lust. “I always
wanted it to be like this, Rue.”
Caeru nodded lazily and watched Velaxis with
expectation. “Will you grant me release?”
“Soon.” Velaxis ran
his fingers down Caeru’s chest and then licked up the sternum, rolling two hard
nipples between his fingertips. “Are you ready then?”
Caeru had started to pant softly and looked at
Velaxis needingly. “Can’t you feel how ready I am?”
Velaxis nodded as Caeru’s soume-lam quivered around
the finger he had pressed inside. He buried his face against Caeru’s throat
then suckled the skin there. Caeru jerked beneath him and Velaxis grinned. “Of
all the dehara, I prefer to sacrifice to Aruhani the most, don’t you agree?”
Caeru, senseless with unfulfilled need, nodded.
“Please… Vel…”
“I am his high priest, Rue. I know things nohar
else does. Do you wish to sample my powers?” Velaxis fixed the Tigrina with a patient
look. “I will do this for you – only for you.”
Caeru had no idea what Velaxis was talking about.
He just wanted release. “Vel, I need you.”
Velaxis shifted between Caeru’s parted legs and
pushed his hands beneath the Tigrina’s buttocks. “You have no idea, do you?”
Caeru *had* no idea what Velaxis was talking about.
He just felt this overwhelming need and it burned him. He needed Velaxis to
deliver him from it. He gasped when he finally caught sight of Velaxis’
ouana-lim, which shone a blackish-blue. He had never seen those colors in an
ouana-lim before and tried to touch it, but Velaxis was quicker and sheathed
himself in one smooth thrust.
Throwing back his head, Caeru screamed and buried
his fingernails in Velaxis’ back. Velaxis’ hands moved from Caeru’s buttocks to
his knees and encouraged the Tigrina to wrap his long legs around his waist.
Velaxis leaned in closer and shared breath with
Caeru. He saw the surprise in the Tigrina’s eyes and smiled. “I told you…” he
whispered mysteriously. “Aruhani is an unyielding, but rewarding dehar.” Velaxis
wrapped his arms around Caeru and started to move.
Caeru couldn’t remember ever taking aruna that had
felt this intense before. Even with Pellaz he hadn’t felt like this. Velaxis
kept him teetering on the edge for a lengthy time and, each time he threatened
to topple over, his angel of lust pulled him back. The pressure inside him
continued to build until he felt ready to explode. And then the strangest thing
happened. It felt as if his body was rearranging himself from the inside. The
feeling made him yelp helplessly. Although the sensation was pleasant and
caused a trail of fire in his center, he didn’t know what to make of it.
Suddenly, Velaxis, who seemed to tower over him,
changed. His hair became alive and danced around the har’s head, while his eyes
became like stars in a dark sky and the pulsing ouana-lim that was buried deep
inside him impaled him with frightening intensity. It was too much for Caeru
and he trembled against Velaxis, who reacted by sharing breath with him. The
strange sensation continued and, helpless to stop it, Caeru simply accepted what
was happening.
Velaxis sensed the readiness in Caeru’s mind and
released the power they had build during aruna. He guided the power into that
part of the Tigrina’s body which had been damaged during the fateful attack
years ago and then let go.
The bite that brought Caeru release was sharp and
stung more than it normally did. At the moment of his climax, Velaxis became
somehar else. Caeru saw an angel moving above him with silver hair and eyes
that shone like dark sapphire. “Vel!” he screamed and then tumbled toward the
earth again, feeling like Lucifer cast out of heaven. He couldn’t stop falling
and clung to Velaxis for support.
Velaxis instantly soothed Caeru and stroked the
Tigrina’s brow. He had achieved what he had set out to do and collapsed atop of
Caeru. The two hara clung to each other, trying to rebuild their strength and
calm their sped up breathing.
“What…happened…just now?” Caeru had never
experienced aruna like that before. He knew that something had happened, but
what?
“I told you… I am his high priest. Aruhani has
always been with me. He is the one who has guided me all these centuries. He
told me that I had to play a part in Darq’s life and he showed me what to do
when the time came.” Velaxis felt it was only fair that Caeru knew the truth
about him. “Thiede never used me, Rue. I used him.”
Caeru tried to understand what Velaxis was telling
him. “But what about all the years that you whored for him?”
He wrapped Velaxis up in an embrace and guided the pale head against his
shoulder. It touched him deeply that Velaxis was confiding in him. Velaxis
smiled against his shoulder and Caeru felt the other har tremble with laughter.
“Don’t you understand, Rue? Aruna is a part of me
and it served me well. I drew power and knowledge each time they invited me
into their bed. I used them. It wasn’t the other way around.” Velaxis stopped
laughing and rubbed his cheek against Caeru’s shoulder.
Caeru blinked at hearing Velaxis purr. “You are not
quite the har I thought you were. I like you even better this way.”
“Good.” Velaxis grinned and hugged Caeru close. He
planned on resting for another hour and then they would head back to the palace
for round two.
~~~
Caeru still felt dazed as they left the club two
hours later. He had enjoyed holding Velaxis in his arms and mentally replayed
them taking aruna again and again. It was a memory he would cherish forever.
As they made their way back to the palace, Caeru
peeked at Velaxis as he walked beside him. The things Velaxis had told him
still roamed about his head. Velaxis had been using Thiede and the members of
the Hegemony as he had seen fit and none of them had suspected what was going
on.
Velaxis took Caeru’s hand in his and stroked the
knuckles with his thumb. “I hope you are going to invite me in for a night
cap,” he commented and batted his eyelashes at the Tigrina.
“Of course.”
Caeru squeezed Velaxis’ hand and they made their way back to his rooms in
silence.
~~~
Caeru didn’t know exactly why he felt nervous when
Velaxis entered his rooms. They had just taken aruna rather passionately and things
should be more comfortable between them, but it wasn’t. Instead, Caeru felt
alert and cautious. Suddenly, Velaxis embraced him from behind and nuzzled his
neck. “Why do I feel this isn’t over yet?”
“Because it isn’t.”
Velaxis moved in front of Caeru and smiled secretively. “Your bed seems
comfortable,” he whispered and pulled the Tigrina along to his scented lair of
gold and purple. He didn’t release Caeru’s hand when he lay down and pulled the
other har on top of him. “Share breath with me.”
Helpless to stop himself, Caeru did and almost
drowned in the sea of liquid silver that instantly surrounded him. He
questioningly looked at Velaxis, who was busy removing the fishnet shirt once
more. “Are we going to take aruna again then?”
Velaxis pushed the flimsy fabric down Caeru’s
shoulders and growled. “Of course… What did you think?” His hands moved further
down and unzipped Caeru’s leather pants.
Caeru closed his eyes and hoped he had enough
strength left to go another round. His eyes opened with a start when he
realized just what Velaxis’ fingers were doing. They were trying to bring his
ouana-lim alive and he swallowed hard in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?” Velaxis sighed
contentedly. “I have wanted to do this all evening.” But he had needed to put
Caeru’s mind at ease first and that had been easier to do while the Tigrina was
soume.
Caeru suddenly found himself in an embrace and
Velaxis rolled him onto his back. His mouth went dry at seeing the predatory
expression in those blue eyes. Suddenly he wondered what Velaxis was up to.
Velaxis merely grinned and slid off the bed so he
could kneel on the floor. Running his hands over Caeru’s naked torso, he
closely watched the other har’s reaction to his caresses. Only when Caeru’s
ouana-lim shone blue and green did he lean in closer and bestow a lick onto the
stem.
Feeling stunned, Caeru stared at the ceiling.
Velaxis somehow lifted his legs and rested them on the silver haired har’s
shoulders and pulled him close. The things that Velaxis’ lips and tongue did to
his ouana-lim soon had Caeru panting. In the early days right after his
inception and before he had met Pellaz, he had been ouana at times, but none of
the hara he had taken aruna with back then had ever done this for him. Deft
fingers joined a teasing tongue into manipulating his ouana-lim to open and
shine even brighter. He was ready to take aruna, but Velaxis was still fully
clothed.
Velaxis realized the same thing and quickly
rendered that. He got to his feet, removed his clothes, and towered over Caeru.
Standing next to the bed, he looked at Caeru, who lay with parted legs and a
pulsing ouana-lim. “Aruhani chose well when he picked you to host Darq’s pearl.
He knew what he was doing when he guided Pellaz onto your path.” He crawled
onto the bed on all fours next to Caeru and remained like that, cocking his
head at Caeru. “What are you waiting for, Rue?”
It took Caeru a moment to understand what Velaxis
had just said. But the fact that Velaxis was soume and had attained this
particular position spelled everything out to Caeru once he got over his
initial shock. “You want me to be ouana?”
“That’s the way it is, Rue. We are both soume and
ouana. Aruhani made us like that.” Velaxis rested his forearms on the mattress
and placed his head onto them. “Don’t make me wait, Rue.”
Tremors shook Caeru’s body as he knelt behind
Velaxis and placed his hands around the narrow waist. “I can’t believe this is
happening.”
“You had better believe it.” Velaxis closed his
eyes and focused his powers. “Now, Rue…”
Swallowing convulsively, Caeru squeezed the taunt
buttocks in front of him and then drew in a deep breath. Velaxis wanted this
and it wouldn’t do if he disappointed the other har. He slid slowly inside,
savoring each second of the experience and then rested his upper body against
Velaxis’ back. The moment he entered Velaxis, his perception of the world
started to change. They no longer were in the Tigrina’s apartment, but adrift
on a sea that shone silver. “What’s happening?”
“I am soume…that’s what’s happening,” Velaxis replied
and grinned. “Swim in my essence, Rue… Don’t hold back.” He knew precisely what
he was doing.
The sensation of being ouana for Velaxis quickly
overwhelmed Caeru. He tried to make it as good for Velaxis as he could, but he
had so seldom been ouana that he was afraid he wasn’t very good at it. There
was this incredible feeling of being lost – and found. Velaxis’ body had become
the ocean and Caeru was desperately trying to stay afloat. He knew that the moment
he went down, he would lose control and they would be lost to ecstasy. Like
Velaxis had done before, Caeru wanted to make the experience last.
Thrusting into the willing body in front of him,
Caeru wrapped his arms around Velaxis’ upper body and held on tight. His eyes
rolled back in their sockets and Caeru lost his fight to stay afloat. A wave
crashed against him and he drowned in it. Reaching for a life line, a tendril
of his ouana-lim connected with Velaxis’ center and bit hard.
Velaxis closed his eyes in bliss and collapsed onto
the bed, taking Caeru down with him. A moment later, the sea started to calm
down, allowing Caeru to float a few seconds longer, but orgasm had taken the
Tigrina and he was already on his way down from it.
Only a few minutes later after both hara had caught
their breath did Caeru realize that he was pressing Velaxis into the mattress.
He rolled off of the other har’s trembling body and stretched out on his side.
Quickly, he pulled Velaxis close. He felt strange, but in a good way. He felt
whole, something he hadn’t felt in years.
“Don’t say anything,” Velaxis murmured and placed a
finger against Caeru’s lips when the Tigrina tried to speak. “We don’t need
words at the moment.”
In a way, that was true, but Caeru wanted answers
none the less. Something had happened when they had taken aruna...something
very profound, but he had no idea what it was and he needed Velaxis to tell
him.
~~~
Velaxis stretched like a cat and rose from the bed.
Sometime during the night, Caeru had succumbed to fatigue and had fallen
asleep. Leaning in closer, he pressed a kiss onto the Tigrina’s brow.
“I trust you are not trying to sneak out on me,
Vel. That would disappoint me.” Caeru opened his eyes and studied Velaxis
closely. “I feel different and want to know why.”
Velaxis seated himself on the side of the bed and
stroked Caeru’s hair. “You should be able to find the answer to that question
inside yourself, Rue.”
Caeru elbowed himself to a sitting position and then
crossed his legs. “What do you mean?”
“Search yourself, Rue. Go to your core and find
out. You don’t need me to tell you what has happened.” Velaxis placed a hand on
Rue’s knee. “Just try it. I will help if you can’t figure it out.”
Closing his eyes, Caeru descended to his core,
which shone golden. It hadn’t possessed such radiance in a long time. Caeru
blinked a few times in disbelief and then looked Velaxis in the eye. “This
can’t be. Sheeva said that the damage couldn’t be repaired and that I would be
barren for the rest of my life.”
“As I said, there are certain rewards to serving
Aruhani.” Velaxis eyed Caeru closely. “It was partly my fault that you ended up
barren. Aruhani granted me my request to heal you. Aruna is so much more
powerful than you know, Rue.”
Caeru found it hard to grasp the truth. “Do you
mean it? Did you heal me? I can host pearls again?”
“Yes, you can if you want to. Or you can father a
pearl. I repaid my debt to you, but even without it, I would have given this to
you. Healing and aruna go hand in hand, my fair Tigrina. I pray you will accept
this gift.”
Caeru still felt dazed, but he was coherent enough
to nod. “I would be a fool to reject it.”
“Good, for I can’t undo the change.” Velaxis freed
himself of Caeru’s arms and rose from the bed. “I have to be on my way now.”
“Where are you going? You are not leaving, are
you?”
“I honestly don’t know, Rue…” Velaxis picked up his
clothes and dressed. “I need to sort out some things before I can make any
decisions. I need time. Things changed for me. I need to reinvent myself
again.”
“If you ever need me, I will be there for you.”
Caeru gently touched Velaxis’ mind and tried to show the other har just how
much he cared for him. “Please don’t leave Phaonica.”
Velaxis merely inclined his head. “I will think
about it.” He headed for the doorway and stepped into the corridor. Once he had
closed the door behind him, he bowed his head and searched deep within himself.
He loved Caeru – he was finally ready to admit that to himself. The sad thing
was that they could never be. Caeru belonged with Cal and Pellaz and Velaxis
realized that. /I will treasure what happened last night forever, Rue… Thank
you for this gift./ Velaxis walked down the corridor
and wondered if Caeru would ever guess the truth.
The end