12. Chapter 11
12
Chapter 11
Julen
The soft glow of the Cupidorean crystals came into view, dappling the edge of the tunnel floor with that beautiful mix of purple and red Julen had come to love.
It didn’t feel real. How could life in Lapistra be so bleak and his visits to Cupidor a whirlwind of beauty? The tunnel leading to Cupidor felt like entering a portal to another dimension where he’d turn into Arlo, a boy falling head over heels for the boy of his dreams.
They had gone on several outings, and Julen had yet to tell Dacias his real name. He faltered each time he tried. He knew he should tell Dacias. It was wrong to lie like this, but Julen had to admit that he liked being Arlo better.
As Julen, his days in Lapistra were a blur of wedding preparation. Forced gatherings where he had to endure standing next to Glacia, her gaze as harsh as ever.
His parents diverted their attention entirely from power manifestation to the wedding. Haligran barely spoke to Julen, and his mother’s anxiety increased as Haligran’s disdain for the child she bore became stronger by the day. That anxiety manifested itself into an obsession with the wedding.
Queen Lauta carted Julen and Glacia about the territory, portraying them as a royal fairytale romance for the ogling onlookers. He and Glacia would arrive wherever on Vexora his mother had arranged a royal welcome, always making sure to hold hands—they’d forgotten once, and Lauta nearly had an aneurysm—and Julen’s stomach would churn. He hated it, but he’d grown accustomed to constant discomfort over the years.
Julen’s youth had been a string of sunrises tinted with a lingering dread. No matter how hard he tried to play the part of the ultra masculine Lapistrean male, he could never do it, yet he tried nonetheless. He monitored how he walked, talked, moved— anything to avoid unwanted attention. The hypervigilance evolved into a ceaseless dull throb of anxiety, and his engagement with Glacia had become just another experience to endure.
But all of that faded away as soon as he emerged from the tunnel and stepped into Cupidor. The remarkable city center would appear, bombarding Julen with light, color, and a host of outlandish characters. The city bubbled with frenetic activity. It made him feel connected to something yet simultaneously allowed for complete anonymity. He’d even stopped wearing scarves and headbands to mask his identity because, frankly, nobody cared. Anyone who lived in Cupidor had decided to leave behind the mire of territory lunacy long ago, and the revelers from Rugiria and Lapistra could hardly see ten paces in front of them, soused beyond recognition or distracted by the alluring sheen of debauchery.
Julen used his research at the archives as an excuse for his frequent disappearances, hoping his parents would never know he was sneaking off to Cupidor, where he became Arlo.
It dawned on Julen just how much he truly hated being a prince. He spent every waking moment agonizing over living up to impossible expectations. What did Julen want? Did he want to be king? Did he even want to stay in Lapistra? The answers became increasingly clear with each visit to Cupidor: he wanted Dacias, who leaned against a lamppost beneath the glow of a red stone, arms crossed over his chest as Julen exited the tunnel.
Julen sauntered over to his strawberry-blond hero, whose smile brightened, and a look of lust twinkled in his eye. He had a bag hanging off one arm.
“I never tire of seeing you walk out of that tunnel.” Dacias leaned over and kissed Julen’s cheek.
“I never tire of seeing you—period. Where are we off to tonight?”
Julen continued to marvel at all the secret little dens and hovels Dacias knew about. Each time felt like a mysterious adventure. Dacias led the way with his steadiness and warm hands. They’d never kissed, and while Julen appreciated Dacias’s cautious pace, he had to admit he was feeling…antsy. He wanted to kiss Dacias so badly.
Dacias smiled and whispered, “I have something pretty extravagant planned for tonight, but you have to trust me. Do you trust me?”
Julen was taken aback by that but nodded as he brushed a bit of hair from Dacias’s face. “Yes, I trust you.”
“Good. Follow me.”
Dacias led Julen to an alleyway. He reached into his bag and pulled out an outfit. “Put this on.”
Julen looked at the garment: a bright green shirt and gold harem pants. “What is this?”
“Put them on. You’ll understand soon.”
“Here? Somebody will see!”
Dacias stretched his arms and legs, attempting to shield Julen from people passing by. “I’ll stand guard. Put them on. Quick!”
Julen did, and Dacias turned around to look at him. “Beautiful.”
Julen laughed and rubbed his hands along Dacias’s shoulders. “What is this all about?”
“Shh…no questions. Not yet, anyway.”
Dacias took Julen’s clothes, tossed them into the bag, then pulled out a small tin and a brush. He opened the tin, turned Julen’s head, and began painting Julen’s neck.
“Dacias. What are you doing?”
Julen could see Dacias’s smirk out of the corner of his eye. “You’ll see…just one more…perfect!”
Dacias reached into the bag and pulled out a UIN. “Tonight, your name is Klorin Validar. A trainee in the Rugirean Fighting Forces, with the green claws on your neck to prove it, on leave with his brother Dacias and heading to a summer festival called Callorum in the southern tip of Rugiria.”
The air left Julen’s body like a punch to the gut. A cold shiver ran up his spine. His chest constricted, and he thought he might faint. “What?”
“You’ve seen everything there is to see in Cupidor. You always ask about Rugiria, so I thought I’d show you.” He waggled his eyebrows at Julen.
This is it. The night I die.
“Dacias. This is a terrible, terrible, terrible idea. What’s the punishment for smuggling a Lapistrean into your territory?” Not to mention the son of Haligran.
Dacias rubbed Julen’s arms. “There will be no punishment because nobody is going to find out. You said you trust me, right?”
Julen’s heart pounded, and his knees wobbled. You shouldn’t trust me. “Of course, but Dacias, this is such a bad idea. Someone will catch us.”
“They won’t. Klorin’s on leave, so records will show he isn’t supposed to be on duty. He also gave his permission and assured me he’d stay home. He wants to meet you, though.”
I’m going to throw up.
Dacias continued, “Ferrean and my father are away. The festival is so far from the city center that we must take a horse. My family never goes that far south, so nobody will suspect a thing because nobody will know who the Validars are. I’ve thought this through, Arlo. I wouldn’t put you in jeopardy.”
He closed the distance between him and Julen. “Please. I’m excited to show you my home. Do you trust me?”
Julen looked at Dacias. He did trust him. He wanted to go to Rugiria. It sounded glorious. Would this be the dumbest decision he ever made? Yes. Most likely. He should tell Dacias the truth now, but that look in his eyes…
Julen swallowed and nodded. “Just…if things get hairy, please run. Don’t worry about me. You need to protect yourself, Dacias.”
Dacias shook his head. “Arlo. If you need me to agree to that to convince you to come, then I will, but you know I would never just run away if—”
Julen put his hand over Dacias’s mouth. “Look at me. If something happens at the checkpoint or the festival or anything that would jeopardize you, I will say I have no idea who you are. I will toss the UIN so they can’t connect you to this, and you will run. Look me in the eyes and promise you will run, or I won’t come.”
Dacias stared intently at Julen, then kissed his forehead. “Fine. I promise I will obey if you need to hear this.”
Not the answer I wanted, but one I’ll accept. Julen took a deep breath and nodded. “We won’t linger in the city center? We’ll go to the festival far from the city, right?”
“Yes, it’s out there. It’s very rustic, and the people can get wild, but in a good way. They lack the polish of the urban folk, but it is refreshing.”
Julen smiled. He loved everything about Dacias. He was so unpretentious. So different from everyone in Lapistra.
He took another breath. Julen had to admit he desperately wanted to see Rugiria, and it seemed like this was important to Dacias. “All right. Lead the way.”
???
Julen’s hands trembled as they approached the Rugirean border, and the guardians asked to see their UINs.
This is it. The guardians glanced at the numbers, matched them to their records, and waved them along. It couldn’t have been more anticlimactic.
Dacias nudged Julen’s shoulder. “See? I told you this would be fine.”
Julen’s mind swirled, fixating on how easy it had been to get past the checkpoint when the Rugirean capital appeared.
The entire city looked like a stained glass window come to life. Three-story buildings made of what looked like giant opals bordered the winding roads. Hibiscus and ixora grew everywhere, and the trees had seafoam-green leaves he had never seen before.
As Dacias led him down the cobblestone road, Julen brushed his hands along the low-hanging leaves. They had a velvety texture and smelled incredibly fresh. Dacias bent down to pick an orange hibiscus and placed it over Julen’s ear.
“Looks good on you. Welcome to Rugiria. ”
A group of children chased a duck through the cobblestone streets, running between Dacias and Julen. The duck hid behind a shrub and emerged as a young woman about Dacias’s age.
The chase continued, the little children squealing with delight.
The glowing crystals illuminated the streets in hues of yellow and orange. The colors, the smells, the people—it was all magical.
Julen looked at Dacias, barely able to hide the wonder he knew was all over his face. “It’s so beautiful. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Dacias, you are so lucky!”
Dacias approached and wrapped his arms around Julen. “I am. Especially now that you are here.”
Julen could barely speak. The combination of being with this boy in this place felt like a dream—a dream he never wanted to wake up from.
Guilt gnawed at Julen’s belly. Dacias had no idea how dangerous this indeed was. He had just smuggled Haligran’s son into Rugiria. He should have told Dacias before they left, but it had all been so overwhelming. I have to. I can’t lie anymore.
“Dacias, I need to tell you…” Julen looked at Dacias. His blue eyes met Julen’s. The thought of losing Dacias was like a knife into the heart. He couldn’t imagine it.
He wanted to confess, but he felt so afraid of losing this moment and losing this boy by his side. Not yet. “I feel so lucky to have met you. You have no idea how much…”
Dacias kissed him on the forehead. “I’m thrilled Souzie told me you’d be in that bookshop.”
Julen almost fell over. “What?!”
“Don’t be mad! I had to find you somehow. I made her help me. I cornered her at the Crag. She had no choice.”
Julen rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you had to twist her arm. I’ll have to talk with her about that.”
“You absolutely cannot because she told me she’d kill me if I told you. Don’t mention it, please. I wanted you to know that you are welcome here, and so is your friend. If you ever want to bring her, you should. I can try to snag another UIN.” He leaned in and spoke in a whisper. “I’m pretty sure my brother is seeing her, but he won’t confirm it.”
Julen’s breath hitched. “No! Really? She didn’t mention it!”
Dacias put his finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. “It’s very lowkey. Klorin is very private about these things. Ferrean once stole one of his lovers, so we don’t discuss these matters much. I don’t know for certain, but I know him well enough to know that he is seeing someone in Cupidor.”
Julen giggled. “Look at us. We’re on our way to a four-way wedding.”
Julen felt like an idiot the minute he said it. I’m so dumb.
Dacias’s eyes widened, and then he smiled. “Come on. I’ll take you home. We need a horse to get to the festival.”
The boughs of the trees hung like a canopy above the road, and Dacias threaded his fingers with Julen’s.
The cobblestone roads ended at the city center, and the dirt pathway leading to Dacias’s home had a strong musty smell. Julen couldn’t believe how rustic it felt only a short distance from the city.
They rounded a corner, and the most precious house Julen had ever seen appeared. It was built with blue stones, with white trimming and a giant porch wrapping around the entire home. The house was on a massive patch of land covered in flowers.
“Home sweet home,” Dacias said.
Julen gasped. “Dacias. This is your home? It’s lovely!”
Dacias looked at Julen, his face beaming. “Thank you.”
They strolled along the path to the home when Dacias said, “We’ll just snag a horse from the stables out back and be on our way—”
“Not until I meet the man of the hour,” a voice called from the house.
A tall man with a closely cut beard, tan skin, and ruby-red hair exited the home. “Well, well, well. This must be the famous Arlo. Otherwise known as Klorin Validar, at least for this evening.”
Dacias wrapped his arm around Julen. “Arlo, this is my brother Klorin.”
The anxiety of meeting Dacias’s brother had Julen reeling. “Thank you so much for the UIN. Rugiria is so beautiful. I am beyond envious.”
Klorin smiled and held his hand out to Julen. “Not so pretty in Lapistra?”
Julen laughed and shook his head. “Not even close.”
“Well, thank you for the warm compliments. Maybe other Lapistreans will visit and convince that asshole of a king to lift the embargos—”
Dacias held up a finger, wagging it at Klorin. “Uh uh. What did I say? No politics tonight.” Dacias turned to Julen. “Forgive my brother. He provides sage advice yet lacks social grace. It’s an interesting conundrum for him.”
Klorin huffed. “Hey! He’s using MY UIN. Be nice to me.”
Julen couldn’t help but ask, “Are you coming to the festival?”
Klorin shook his head. “No. It’s safer if I hide out here. You’re the only Klorin Validar as far as Rugirean guardians are concerned. I shall stay here and read by my lonesome.”
Dacias rolled his eyes. “So dramatic.”
Klorin laughed. “You boys have fun. Don’t get into too much trouble.”
Julen swallowed loudly. Dacias must have noticed because he said, “There will be no trouble. ” Then he turned to Julen. “I promise, Arlo. I won’t let anything happen.”
Julen took a deep breath and smiled. They said their goodbyes to Klorin and made their way to the stables.
???
Julen could barely hide his arousal as he latched onto Dacias during the ride to the festival. The galloping horse bounded along winding paths, but Dacias’s body held firm as he anchored the two of them. The sturdy muscles along his back pressed into Julen, releasing a warmth that made him hot all over.
The festival lay deep in the Rugirean forest. It took longer than Julen expected to get there. He knew he should be concerned about going deeper into a forest in enemy territory, but he just didn’t care anymore. It all felt so wonderful. For once, he didn’t let his racing mind get the best of him. Whether foolish or not, Julen knew so few moments of pure, unadulterated bliss, and he decided to ignore his better judgment and just lean into Dacias. He’d already followed him here; he had to endure whatever lay ahead. Something in his gut told him not to worry.
When they reached their destination, Dacias leaped off, tied up the horse, and helped Julen down. Julen could already hear the commotion of the festival as they made their way down the dark path, which soon opened up, revealing a massive clearing bordered by trees with hundreds of people.
Julen took in the scene before him. The vastness of the field allowed multiple bands to play, each in a different area. People ran about with strange sticks, releasing colorful smoke. Everyone carried a mug of something, undoubtedly an intoxin, and some inhaled smoke from a long, sinuous wand. Their laughter afterward alluded to it being some kind of hallucinogen.
Dacias gripped Julen’s hand. “Welcome to Callorum! The Summer Festival of the South.”
Julen couldn’t believe how much fun the rest of the continent seemed to have. Whether Cupidor or Rugiria, everyone lived a better life than in Lapistra.
They began to walk deeper into the festival, causing Julen to shout over the music. “This is insane! It’s so kind of your brother. I feel guilty!”
Dacias shook his head. “Don’t! He suggested it. He says he’s too old for festivals like this. He’s only a year older than me, but I won’t argue.”
Julen still marveled over the gesture. “I’ll have to write him a thank you note. Would you give it to him for me?”
Dacias released a hearty laugh. “Arlo, you’re just adorable, you know that?” He leaned down and kissed Julen on the head, and Julen couldn’t help but wish the kiss had landed somewhere else.
Dacias motioned to a stand, handing out mugs. “Let’s get a drink and dance! There are two types of dancing at Callorum: wild and slow. Let’s start wild, then go slow.”
Julen laughed. “That feels like the reverse order of how most things should go, but I’m fine with it.”
Dacias handed Julen a mug, and they strolled over to an area of the field where people thrashed about like wild animals. A fast-playing fiddle band played raucous music, and the dancers matched their energy.
Julen leaned into Dacias and shouted, “Goodness, they’re dancing like maniacs! Aren’t they afraid of passing out in this heat?”
Dacias took a long gulp of his drink and said, “I don’t think they care! Are you ready?”
Julen looked wide-eyed at Dacias. “What? We just got our drinks!”
Dacias set the two mugs on a table, took Julen by the hand, and whisked him into the frenzy.
Dacias began whipping his head like a wild horse. His fiery hair flopped from side to side, launching beads of sweat off his head. He started jumping like a lunatic and grabbed Julen’s hands.
He swung Julen around in a circle, and Julen bellowed with laughter. “JUMP! START JUMPING!”
Julen obeyed. “WHAT ARE WE DOING?” Julen asked.
“HAVING FUN!”
Someone grabbed Julen’s hand and pulled him into a ring dance. He seized Dacias’s hand, and soon, the entire group danced in circles around the band.
The tempo shifted, accelerating rapidly, and the circle dance stopped. A ring formed away from the band, and couples began taking turns dancing in the center, with everyone clapping around the perimeter.
As the latest couple finished, Dacias grabbed Julen’s hand and dragged him to the center. Before Julen could protest, Dacias lifted him into his arms and hoisted him over his head. Julen yelled and demanded to be put down but couldn’t stop laughing. Dacias began spinning in a circle, the two of them like some human weathervane. Julen cackled and screamed as the world spun around him.
The fiddlers approached a crescendo, and Dacias bent his knees and tossed Julen into the air. Julen, completely airborne, shrieked as he descended and landed in Dacias’s outstretched arms. Holy Vexora, he is so strong!
As the music stopped, Dacias finished by grandly dipping Julen. The ring around them applauded and laughed. Dacias took a grand bow and then motioned to Julen. The crowd cheered louder, and Julen bowed, giggling from embarrassment.
Julen couldn’t help but notice the response to two men dancing together. Rugiria is just…pe rfect.
A new song began, and Dacias walked Julen back to the table, grabbed their mugs, and handed Julen his.
“You are crazy! You could have broken an arm or thrown out your back!”
“Would have been worth it.” Dacias wrapped his arm around Julen’s shoulder. The two of them stared at each other for a moment. Dacias nuzzled his head into Julen’s, then led him away from the wild dancing.
They walked to another part of the field where a band played a slower tune.
Dacias looked at Julen. “Well, now I think we’ve earned a slow dance, no?”
Julen cackled and shook his head. “We’ve earned a nap, but a slow dance sounds lovely.”
Dacias led them to another long table to set their drinks down. He gripped Julen’s hand and took him to the slower dance area.
Julen wrapped his arms around Dacias’s neck. He looked into those gorgeous blue eyes and melted. The giant glowing crystals hanging on strands tied between wooden posts illuminated the highlights of Dacias’s hair. Julen’s eyes traveled down to Dacias’s plush lips with their peachy hue. He smiled at Julen and closed his eyes. Julen felt Dacias’s arms travel down, resting at the small of his back. Julen couldn’t help himself. He took Dacias’s hands and placed them on his ass. Dacias looked wide-eyed at Julen, who chuckled and winked in response.
Dacias smirked. “Well, well, well.”
Julen blushed and turned his gaze away from Dacias. “Sorry.”
Julen could feel Dacias rest his head on his. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not.”
Julen sighed into Dacias’s muscular chest, intoxicated by the citrus smell radiating off him. Julen could barely hold back his yearning to kiss this man. It was more potent than anything he’d ever felt.
Julen could feel Dacias’s smile form as he asked, “How do you like Rugiria so far?”
Julen peered back up at him. “I didn’t think it could get better than Cupidor, but your home has proven me wrong. It’s magnificent, Dacias. It’s everything a territory should be. I love it.”
Dacias’s smile stretched from ear to ear. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. It means a lot to me that you came, Arlo. I know it was a shock, and you were nervous, but you came, and I can’t thank you enough.”
Dacias turned Julen’s head toward his own. Their eyes locked. “My home is everything to me. My brother asked me many questions about you and your heritage. I could tell he was nervous and wanted to ensure you disagreed with Haligran’s embargo. I told him I could see how opposed you were to Haligran’s policies. I trust you, Arlo, and I let him know he can trust you too.”
Julen felt his stomach sink. He should know . Dacias should be allowed to decide if he can see past my family.
The words crept into Julen’s mouth. The confession was right on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t do it. The words would poison this moment. They would shatter the intimacy they shared. That soft look in Dacias’s eyes would vanish to shock. Then, it might morph into something worse. Rage. Bitterness. Coldness. Expressions Julen had grown accustomed to in Lapistra. He couldn’t bear to see Dacias look at him that way.
What if I never tell him? What if I leave for Cupidor and just become Arlo? No.
Julen cursed himself for being a liar. He leaned into Dacias’s chest, trying to hide the tears that welled in his eyes.
I’ll tell him. Just not now. I can’t do it now.
All at once, the music stopped, and a loud horn wailed across the field. The people at the festival began cheering and making odd guttural sounds.
Julen looked around as the festival began chanting and carrying on. “What’s happening?”
Dacias smiled. “So…you wanted to see my animal form?” He waggled his eyebrows at Julen.
Julen gasped. He gripped Dacias’s arms and nearly squealed. “What? I get to see? Now?”
Dacias nodded. “My animal form and pretty much everyone else’s. That’s what that horn means. It’s fairly common at a Rugirean festival for everyone to shift at some point. Blow off a little steam, you know?”
Blow off a little steam?! Julen couldn’t believe it. Words escaped him. He tried to think of a response when someone next to them sprouted a long, bushy tail. The nose extended from his body, and he began to grow fur. He brought his hands to his head and cracked his neck as one would do if they were working out a kink, and with that single move, he became a fox. Julen assumed the animals would be bigger, the size of humans or something, but that wasn’t the case. This fox looked exactly like, well, a fox! Remarkable…
Julen nearly fainted. He grabbed Dacias’s shoulders, who chuckled. “How are you, Arlo? We can leave if this is too much.”
Julen looked at him. No. He couldn’t imagine doing that. Julen had to embrace it. If he couldn’t confess tonight, he wanted to show Dacias how much he loved and supported him and Rugiria.
“No. I can’t wait.” He swallowed. His body shook as excitement took over. “Show me.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure. I’m dying to know. Please.”
Dacias smirked at Julen. “Very well, Arlo. As long as you are…” Dacias gave Julen a thumbs up, and a claw sprouted from it.
Julen screeched and then giggled like a little child. “You are going to kill me. I am dying with anticipation, please!”
Dacias cackled and distanced himself from Julen. He gently closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and the rest of his fingers sprouted claws one at a time. He bent forward, and his arms and legs began to adjust in length. It looked as if his body sucked in Dacias’s clothing. It didn’t tear and fall to the ground; it just vanished within as the animal form took over.
Beautiful golden fur grew all over his body, and the fiery hair on his head grew longer and longer to become a dazzling mane.
By the Mother Fucking Planet. He’s a LION!
Dacias’s face elongated as his nose and mouth extended, forming a snout. He stretched his front legs, and Julen could hear the cracks of his bones reshaping. Dacias released a sound that morphed from a human wail into a full roar, signaling the completion of his transformation.
Julen looked at him with wonder. He is beautiful . Dacias turned to face Julen. He lowered his head and released an ominous growl.
His eyes possessed a predatory gaze, and his ears flattened. Julen began to feel uneasy. How much of the animal took over when Rugireans manifested? Did they lose the human version of themselves entirely?
Dacias crept towards Julen, his lips slowly parting to reveal his razor-sharp teeth. His low growl morphed into a snarl. Julen’s heart raced. He knew his eyes were bugging out of his head. Is this a trap? Was this a trick the whole time?
He looked at Dacias and swallowed the fear. “If you’re playing around with me, I will yank that tail right off and use it as a belt, Dacias!”
Dacias leaped on top of Julen, the force knocking Julen to the ground. Julen screamed, then stopped as Dacias rubbed his head against the side of Julen’s. He made adorable little gurgling sounds and began licking Julen’s hair between bumping his head sweetly against Julen’s. His ears stood erect, and his tail flicked from side to side.
Dacias plopped down next to Julen and nuzzled the side of his head, continuing his sweet little gurgles. His tail draped across Julen’s body. Julen’s heart nearly burst when he felt the soft tuff of Dacias’s tale brushing against his skin.
Julen calmed his breathing. “Holy Vexora, you scared me!”
Julen sat up, amazed that most of the festival had transformed into various animal forms. He marveled at the array of species scattered across the field, including alligators, tigers, bears, wolves, foxes, gorillas, zebras, and more. The animals ranged from those that might leap out to attack you in the jungle to those you’d commonly see on a farm.
As soon as someone changed, they pranced about the field. The similar animals wrestled in playful ways. Some would roll about the ground, and others raced each other. Flocks of birds whipped across the field, circling bears and tigers in a teasing manner.
Julen’s mind raced with questions. Can anyone shift into any kind of animal? What about insects? Are fearsome creatures compelled to join the Fighting Forces? And what if a big, robust man shifts into a tiny mouse? Is that even possible?
He looked back and realized the answers to his questions weren’t coming anytime soon. Dacias, the lion, lowered his front half to the ground. He shook his mane and made a sound that seemed like he was trying to communicate with Julen.
“Are you…are you trying to say something?”
Dacias shook his mane again. Then his head started swaying, almost like he was motioning Julen to get close.
Julen trusted his gut and approached. Dacias dipped lower.
Julen squinted at him, then asked, “Do you want me to…get on top of you?”
The shaking grew wilder, and Dacias began pouncing his front paws on the ground as he dipped lower.
“Dacias, what on Vexora—”
Dacias pranced again, growling more and dipping again.
“All right, all right.” Julen straddled Dacias. “Oh, gracious, what are you doing? Should I…hold on?”
Another shake of his head. Julen gripped onto Dacias’s mane and said, “I don’t want to hurt ahhhhh—”
And they were off! Dacias zipped along the field, darting around animals scattered about, then veered out of the clearing and down a long, narrow path through the woods.
Julen crouched low, gripping Dacias and screaming the entire time. Julen had to duck to avoid getting snagged by low-hanging branches.
They emerged from the forest and ran into a massive field bordered by a great cliff that overlooked the Rugirean Sea. Dacias veered closer and slowed his pace.
The waxing crescent moon shimmered in the sky, reflecting on the sea like jewels. A breeze rushed through Julen’s curls as he inhaled the fresh scent of the ocean.
“Dacias! This is magnificent!”
Dacias slowed more, and Julen held out his arms as if he were flying. This is what freedom feels like.
Dacias went to a spot where the cliff overlooked the beach below. The crashing waves calmed the adrenaline still coursing through Julen.
Dacias lowered himself to the ground, and Julen hopped off. He knelt and kissed Dacias on the nose.
“That was the most amazing and terrifying thing I’ve ever experienced.”
Dacias shook his head and released a thunderous roar. The sound morphed from lion to human, followed by Dacias’s shift to human form.
He looked at Julen with a mischievous grin before rising to his feet and strolling to Julen.
Dacias wrapped his arms around Julen and said, “I like surprising you. You make the cutest sounds when you’re startled.”
Julen play-punched his chest. “That’s not fair! I can’t do anything that would startle you. I want to hear your sounds.”
Dacias smirked. “I don’t make startled sounds.”
Julen rolled his eyes hard at that. “Oh, please …”
Dacias’s hearty laugh tickled Julen’s belly. He loved hearing Dacias’s deep, bellowing laugh.
“That was incredible. You’re a lion. A. Lion. I should have known.”
Dacias leaned down and pressed his forehead to Julen’s. “Are you kicking yourself for not guessing sooner?”
Julen placed his hands on Dacias’s chest. “I am. It should have been obvious from the start. Still, I can’t believe how beautiful you are as a lion. Almost as beautiful as you are right now.”
Dacias took a deep breath. “Arlo…you’re making me crazy, you know that?”
He inched closer, and the two held each other, swaying in each other’s embrace, dancing to a song that existed only in their heads. Julen looked up at Dacias and said, “You make me so happy, Dacias. So, so, happy.”
“There was a reason why I brought you here.”
Julen cocked his head. “Oh?”
“Mmhm. And you’ll find out in a few moments.”
Julen narrowed his gaze on Dacias. “Is this another crazy surprise? Will you sprout wings next and fly me back to Cupidor? My heart can’t handle more surprises.”
Dacias smiled and shook his head. “Nothing like that, but hopefully, your heart can handle the next reveal… ”
As he spoke, the sun began to rise. The cliff opened to a perfect view of the celestial bodies, and Julen gasped at their beauty.
Julen had always been fascinated by the sun and moon passing each other at dawn and dusk. He clutched his chest as he gasped. “Dacias. Oh my…”
Julen felt the heat of Dacias’s warm embrace. He turned to face him, the sun highlighting Dacias’s beautiful blue eyes.
Dacias looked at Julen, running his fingers through his hair as he said, “I’ve always loved seeing this. It’s so romantic. Not many people consider how magnificent it is that they pass each other like this. It’s magical.”
Julen met Dacias’s gaze. “I’ve always thought that. It’s incredible. I used to draw this when I was a boy. It gave me hope.”
“Hope for what?”
Julen gripped Dacias’s arms, trying desperately to control the trembling in his voice. “That I’d find someone. Someday. That I wouldn’t feel so alone.”
Dacias held him tighter. “I told my brother you’re like the moon: beautiful and mysterious, and I only see you at night during our getaways to Cupidor.” He chuckled, looking down at his feet. “ I’m sure I sound like a sap, but that’s how I feel.”
Julen’s heart exploded into a thousand butterflies, taking flight at once. “Kiss me, Dacias…”
He lunged at Dacias, crashing his mouth to his like it was his only source of air.
His heartbeat nearly shattered his chest. Waves of pleasure rippled over him as he felt Dacias’s lips pressed against his.
Self-consciousness took over. This was Julen’s first kiss, and he wanted to be good but also needed it. He tried to control his frantic pace, slowing down and allowing the kiss to ebb and flow naturally.
The warmth of Dacias’s hands against his head sent a soothing sensation down his body like warm honey dripping over him. He wrapped his arms around Dacias’s neck and breathed him in. That beautiful citrus smell overwhelmed him. He felt weightless.
Dacias’s full lips clasped onto his. He tugged on Julen’s lower lip. A mewling sound escaped Julen. Their tongues met, and Julen could finally taste this man.
They paused for a moment and looked at each other. Julen fell into the blue of Dacias’s eyes. The color swirled about him like the mist that hovers over a lagoon in the early morning.
The sound of his heartbeat was the only thing Julen could hear. He felt a lightness, a giddiness he hadn’t experienced since childhood when youthful naivety gave way to unadulterated joy.
He leaned in and kissed Dacias again. He never wanted it to end. Julen closed his eyes and felt the cool breeze of the sea wash over him as the kiss grew more passionate. His body quaked with desire. He wanted to pull Dacias to the ground and rip his clothes off until Dacias pulled away.
“Arlo…Arlo, what’s happening?”
Julen looked up at Dacias with a questioning gaze. Dacias motioned to the ground, and Julen saw it.
They were… floating ? Hovering? The two of them levitated about a foot off the ground. The wind encircled them like they were in the eye of a cyclone that had formed into something solid at the base. A platform they now stood upon.
Julen looked up at Dacias, then down again, back up, and squealed. The cyclone vanished, causing them to plummet.
They landed on the ground in a heap. Julen looked about the field. “What? What was that? What were you doing?”
Dacias laughed. “Me? I didn’t do that. That was you! Your Lapistrean wind . We’re not in Cupidor anymore, remember?” He laughed some more, then said, “Now you’re the one with surprises. You didn’t warn me you could do that !”
“I…I can’t. I…” Julen felt his body shake. He patted his hands over his torso and limbs. Did he do that? What on Vexora just happened? “I…I’m so sorry. I guess I just—I don’t know.”
Dacias shook his head. “You’re funny, you know that? Come here.”
He scooped Julen off the ground and gave him another kiss. “Our first kiss. How was it?” He winked at Julen.
Julen couldn’t help himself. He kissed him again, slower this time, savoring every moment. He wanted to remember the taste of Dacias forever.
“I loved it.” Julen paused to collect himself, closing his eyes to check in with his feelings before continuing. “Dacias… I… I want more.”