25. Chapter 24
25
Chapter 24
Dacias
Despite everything that had happened the night before, Dacias felt a sense of relief. Mindel gave them a change of clothes and led them to a tunnel hidden in the brush of the Cupidorean forest. The tunnel led to a system of cisterns with access hatches in Lapistra. Mindel informed them that a vast network of Lapistrean merchants sold goods on the black market to Cupidoreans.
While it wasn’t illegal to do business with Cupidor, the merchants banded together to ensure that Cupidor had to purchase through the black market, as it was far more lucrative. Mindel cursed the merchants for overcharging, especially since they didn’t report these black market sales and avoided Haligran’s taxes. The tunnels ensured that the delivery of goods went undetected by border patrol.
Dacias was delighted. The tunnel system would be the perfect way to get Julen out and much safer than escaping through the forest.
He tempered his happiness with the knowledge that they didn’t have valid Lapistrean UINs and that trespassing in the territory was punishable by death. They had to be smart and keep a low profile.
Dacias squinted at the glimmer of light up ahead, casting a ladder aglow.
“Is that an exit?” Dacias asked .
Mindel shushed him. “Keep quiet. Whispers only. Yes, that’s an access hatch. I’ll climb up first and signal if it’s safe to follow. I’ve never been to Souzie’s, but she told me where it is. I can get us there, but we need to move fast . I’m out of here the minute you arrive.”
Mindel had been reluctant to help until Dacias explained everything. Looking sympathetic, he revealed that he had left Lapistra and understood why Julen wanted to start a new life in Cupidor.
They arrived at the access hatch, and Mindel climbed the rope ladder. After a peak outside, he signaled for them to follow, and they scurried from the merchant’s estate once they reached the top.
As they hurried to Souzie’s, making sure to be as surreptitious as possible, Dacias couldn’t quite get over the stark contrast between Lapistra and Rugiria. The nondescript buildings, the abundance of grey, and the black clothing most residents wore painted a depressing picture. He couldn’t wait to get Julen out of there.
When Souzie opened the door and saw the three of them, she looked like someone had punched her in the gut.
Mindel departed when Souzie confirmed leaving Dacias and Klorin with her was all right.
They entered her home, and Klorin scratched his neck with a sheepish expression. “Hello…”
Souzie folded her arms over her chest. “So, moving in, huh?”
Klorin groaned as he scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m sorry. This is all so unbelievable. I didn’t know—”
Souzie closed the distance between them and gave Klorin a big, sloppy kiss. “You’re cute, you know that?”
Klorin blinked a few times before pulling her in for an even more passionate kiss, which probably would have continued until Dacias cleared his throat.
The lovebirds pulled away from each other, looking very embarrassed.
“Sorry.” Klorin shrugged.
“I’ll send a message to Julen,” Souzie added.
?? ?
Julen ran in not long after their arrival, fully out of breath.
“What happened—oh!”
He squealed at the sight of Dacias’s face.
“No. Oh, no, what happened? You’re hurt!” Dacias touched the cut on his face. “Just a scratch. You should see the other guy.” He forced a chuckle.
Julen turned to Klorin, lying on Souzie’s bed with an ice pack on his head. He looked worse for wear as well.
Julen shook his head. “Tell me what happened!”
Dacias recounted the events from the night before. He also discussed the tunnels Mindel showed them and explained that this would be the best way to leave Lapistra once they executed their plan.
Julen’s eyes brimmed with tears, and his lips trembled. “Dacias, I am so sorry.”
Dacias wrapped his arms around him. “This is all Ferrean’s doing. You have nothing to be sorry about.”
Julen shook his head. “He wouldn’t have done this if it weren’t for me. ”
Dacias leaned in and looked deep into Julen’s eyes. “Julen, I chose to be with you. I don’t want to hear that this is your fault. It’s not. Don’t say that.”
Julen rubbed his hands on Dacias’s muscular chest. “You love Rugiria. This isn’t right. You shouldn’t have to leave because of me.”
“I love you— Rugiria’s a place. We’ll make a new home in Cupidor that will be just as wonderful as Rugiria. I’m not upset about this, Julen. I could have stayed and gone through the trial. I chose to leave. I want to be with you, and I want to use that damn heart tonight . The sooner you’re out of here, the happier I will be.”
Julen threw his arms around Dacias and kissed him, then rested his head on Dacias’s shoulder. Julen turned his gaze to Klorin and said, “I’m sorry this happened, Klorin.”
Klorin waved him off. “It’s fine. It’s an excuse to get this one to take care of me.”
Souzie shook her head with a grumble. “You’re lucky you’re already injured, or I’d kick your ass.”
Klorin continued, “Julen, Ferrean had it out for Dacias. More so than we thought. He’s too far gone with his rage. It pickled his brain.” He sat up so he could look at Julen. “If he were smart, he would have let us get you in Rugiria and then told the Royal Palace so they could get information from you about Haligran. But, that would have required forward-thinking, not one of Ferrean’s stronger traits.”
“Lie down! Keep this damn ice on your head,” Souzie scolded.
Klorin huffed and winced at the pain laughing caused him. “As much as I want to help tonight, friends, I might slow you down. I think I need to recuperate.”
Souzie grabbed a glass of water from her bedside table and made Klorin drink. “You are absolutely not helping tonight. If you pass out along the way or, worse, at the castle, we’re all heading to Vinculux.” She turned to Dacias and said, “Though I can’t help but be relieved that you are here, Dacias. Three people will ensure we get things done as quickly as possible, then get the fuck out of there.”
Dacias nodded. “Agreed. Once we’re finished, Julen and I will go straight to the access hatch. Klorin, you can hide out here for a bit if you want to recover in the arms of Lady Souzie.”
“Don’t need to tell me twice.” Klorin smiled at Souzie, who approached and planted a sweet kiss on him.
She turned to Dacias and Julen with a smirk on her face. “All right, loves. Klorin and I need a moment, please.”
Dacias chuckled and led Julen out of Souzie’s bedroom. Julen spoke the moment Dacias shut the door behind them. “Dacias, I hate that this happened. You don’t have to do this. You can go back and fight. That way, you might be able to stay in Rugiria.”
Dacias shook his head. “Julen, we’re getting you out of here. You’re not staying here anymore. It’s taking everything I have not to walk to that castle and gut your father like a fish. I’m not going anywhere without you. We’re in this together.”
Julen’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. That adorable red blush bloomed on his cheeks and neck. He wrapped his arms around Dacias and crushed their lips together.
Dacias moaned in Julen’s mouth, and Julen shuddered.
Julen ripped his face away from Dacias, his eyes glassy with emotion. “I love you. I love you so much.”
He pulled Dacias toward a door in the kitchen. He opened it, revealing a pantry, and pushed Dacias in.
Dacias laughed and asked, “What are we doing?”
Julen grabbed a candle from a table, entered the pantry with Dacias, and closed the door behind him. The candle cast a warm glow on Julen’s face as he looked up at him with a level of heat in his eyes that Dacias had never seen. “I can’t wait anymore. I can’t wait until after we finish the plan. I need you now.”
Julen set the candle on a shelf, then dropped to his knees and unbuttoned Dacias’s pants. “Julen, you don’t—”
His breath hitched as Julen swallowed his cock. Julen massaged Dacias with his tongue in long, slow strokes, then started tugging at his cock.
Dacias became hard, and Julen hummed at the sight. “Your cock is so beautiful, Dacias. It’s perfect.”
Julen traced his tongue along the veins, then licked the slit of Dacias’s cock head. “Fuck, Julen…”
Julen released a devious laugh and then sucked him down fully, his face pressed against Dacias’s pelvic area.
Dacias could feel Julen’s throat flex around his cock, and he moaned at how good it felt. The pressure against his head was so rough. So intense. Julen was pushing Dacias as far down his throat as he could.
Dacias looked down to see Julen staring up at him, his eyes hungry as he worshiped Dacias. They locked eyes, and Julen slid his mouth off Dacias, then slapped the cock against his face. He rubbed his lips along Dacias’s head, then circled his tongue around it.
Dacias was almost in hysterics at this point. His animal form started growing restless. He realized Julen had never seen his animal form emerge during intimate moments since they mostly stayed in Cupidor. He gripped onto the shelves that hung around them, knocking over a broom and bucket as his arms flailed.
Dacias sprouted claws and started scratching at the wooden shelves. He released a low snarl, and Julen looked up at him.
“Dacias! Oh my goodness…”
Dacias swallowed. He didn’t want to startle Julen. “I’m sorry. I’ve heard this happens sometimes when it’s…it’s…”
“What?” Julen asked.
Dacias locked eyes with Julen. He knew his eyes must be a glowing amber by how Julen looked at him. “It happens when it’s this good. When a shifter feels this much for the other person.” His voice trailed off before he found the courage to say, “When it’s love. This is the first time it’s ever happened to me.”
Julen’s eyes glistened as a big grin stretched across his face. Then, he took a deep breath and swallowed Dacias down to the base of his cock. Julen became a machine, sucking Dacias with a rhythm, pushing him as deep as his throat could handle.
Julen’s hands wrapped around Dacias’s length, and he stroked him while rubbing his tongue around Dacias’s cockhead.
“Julen…F-fuuuuck.”
“Are you going to come for me? Are you going to shoot it down my throat?” Julen asked as he stroked Dacias even faster.
“Yes…yes…I’m coming… Fuck…”
Dacias’s testicles clenched, and that glorious feeling at the root of his cock began throbbing, sending ripples of pleasure so intense Dacias thought his knees might buckle.
Julen wrapped his mouth around Dacias, catching his release just in time, and swallowed every last drop. He hummed with pleasure as Dacias pumped his orgasm inside Julen’s throat. Julen’s eyes rolled in the back of his head, and he grinned around Dacias’s shaft.
Julen rose from the ground, and Dacias wrapped his arms around him.
“I want to taste me on your lips,” Dacias whispered.
He pulled Julen in for a kiss, tasting the salty release on Julen’s lips. Their tongues brushed against one another, and Julen moaned in Dacias’s mouth. This time, Dacias shuddered at the sound.
Dacias leaned back and looked at Julen. “My Julen. I love you so much. You’re mine.”
Julen nodded. “I am. And you’re mine.”
They slanted their lips and kissed until they heard Souzie say, “I would be loving this if it weren’t my pantry.”