46. Chapter 45
Dacias
The dark forest came into view, and Dacias’s chest tightened as a feeling of danger consumed him. He’d always assumed its ominous landscape of rare evergreens resembling twisting appendages had been enough to ward off most beings, but Julen had explained that the fae used wards to protect their home, hence the reason behind the overwhelming fear associated with the forest.
After three days and four nights, they’d finally reached Caligon. During the first day, Dacias braced himself for the worst. With Haligran still alive, he felt sure there would be an attack. Julen feared for the prisoners. Their malnourished bodies looked pitiful, all piled into carts, and the food at the prison did little to nourish them. But with each passing day, their anxiety settled.
Haligran never showed, and Dacias assumed he truly did fear his son, not to mention he had a group of powerful creatures and a couple of Rugireans on his side. For all Haligran knew, Rugiria knew of the mission and might be sending reinforcements.
The Caligoneans took incredible care of the prisoners. Each night, they hunted food for the group and knew exactly where to find fruits and berries. By day three, the prisoners looked infinitely healthier .
Dacias looked at the bizarre trees as he spoke to Julen. “Are we sure about this?”
Julen laughed and shook his head. “ No , but it must be safe, or Anjular wouldn’t be leading us here, right?”
The carts came to a stop, and Anjular spoke to the group. “From here, we must walk. Those who need help can seek assistance from one of the Caligoneans. You will feel danger. I assure you, there is none. The enchanted wards are meant to scare off humans. You will feel discomfort until we cross over them. It is normal.”
The Multarmirus released a soft purr as it began picking up prisoners who still had trouble walking and cradling them with its many arms.
Iacuora slithered ahead and began whipping her tail, cleaning brush, and forming a path. “This way!” she bellowed.
Dacias ran to Klorin, who sat by Souzie and assisted him down from the cart.
Souzie shivered as she gazed at the forest. “All I want to do is run as fast as possible in the opposite direction.”
Dacias nodded in agreement. They followed the group through the trees, and the deeper they traveled, the more intense the feeling of danger became. His body trembled, and his stomach grew queasy as they wove through the brush.
The prisoners murmured nervously, and one called out that they should turn back.
“It’s normal, humans! Stop yammering and keep walking,” Iacuora hollered.
Souzie chuckled. “She’s really mastered the art of bedside manner, hasn’t she?”
“She fucking terrifies me,” Klorin grumbled.
Julen hummed in approval. “Yes, she can be a bit rough around the edges.”
“I HEARD THAT!” Iacuora called out without looking back to see who the culprit was.
The four of them shut up after that.
Dacias bowed his head to avoid a low-hanging branch as they traveled deeper into the forest. Everything about Caligon seemed different. It had a clean scent, similar to a typical forest after the rain, but Caligon possessed a tangy aftertaste. It wasn’t citrusy; it was something different, like licking something made of iron.
The deeper they went into the forest, the more intense the feeling of danger became. The leaves that brushed Dacias’s shoulder left a slimy residue that clung to the skin.
The forest turned black, and that ominous sense of dread became almost unbearable. Dacias’s heart raced, and his skin turned clammy. Pressure in his head intensified so much that he pressed his palms to his temples to try and soothe the pain.
Julen gripped his hand, and Dacias pulled him closer. They clung together as the light around them vanished. Darkness took over, and Dacias began fearing the worst.
Suddenly, the air turned thick. It felt like pushing through the scum that forms over oil or dirty water.
“Just a bit longer,” Anjular called to the group.
Prisoners began whimpering. The air around them thickened to a physical force. Everyone began losing their footing as they continued pushing through the molasses-like atmosphere.
All at once, the feeling stopped, and the forest became bright. They moved through a scattering of trees that opened to a path made with gold pyrite flanked by scarlet sage and towering dark green hemlocks. The air smelled sweet, like honey mixed with cream. Dacias’s feeling of dread vanished, and he felt exuberant. He looked at Julen, whose eyes were wide as he gaped at the surroundings.
“By the Mother Planet…” Julen whispered.
The path continued along the corridor of beautiful blue, red, and purple flowers until they reached another clearing that led to a cobblestone road, revealing the most beautiful place Dacias had ever seen.
He and Julen gasped together, and Souzie whispered, “Fucking lethal!”
An exquisite kingdom stood before them. Stones made of pinkish rose quartz dotted the land. A gleaming castle of deep blue lapis lazuli with spires reaching high into the heavens sat upon a hill overlooking the land. A large crowd had assembled at the city center.
The prisoners gasped in awe. Some began crying. Dacias couldn’t imagine what they thought. After the years some of them spent in that hellish prison, they must have thought they died and were walking toward the great beyond where they’d finally find peace.
The Multarmirus made a horn-like call, and the crowd released a thunderous cheer as they turned and saw the group. Hoards of fae, with pointed ears and skin tones in every possible hue imaginable, threw flowers as they passed.
They made a path for the group, and each fae bowed as Anjular passed.
They finally made their way to the palace, where two grandly dressed fae rushed down the stairs and threw their arms about Anjular.
Julen looked around, his mouth agape. “I can’t believe this…”
Anjular led her parents to the four of them. “Father, Mother, this is Prince Julen of Lapistra. He freed me and the others from the blackness. And these are his friends. They fought bravely alongside us as we liberated the prison.”
The fae king reached his hand out to Julen. His saffron skin shimmered under the sun, and he wore a grand robe that stretched to the floor covered in gold and carnelians. “We are indebted to you all. Thank you for bringing our daughter home.”
The queen approached next. Her blue skin matched Anjular’s, but her hair was white as snow. Tears streamed down her face as she approached. “You are our honored guests and can stay as long as you’d like. Forever, if you wish. Our kingdom would be honored to welcome you all.”
Julen bowed, no doubt used to this kind of pomp and circumstance.
Julen cleared his throat before speaking. “Your generosity is appreciated more than you can know. We can’t thank you enough for your warm welcome. Many of the prisoners we freed are in dire need of aid. Might it be possible to ensure they receive medical attention?”
The king waved his hand in assurance. “Our healers have been informed of your arrival and are awaiting the prisoners’ arrival.”
Julen looked confused for a moment until Anjular smiled slyly and pointed to her temple. Julen smiled back and said, “I’m glad Anjular let you know of our circumstances. Again, we cannot thank you enough for your hospitality and care for our weak.”
The king smiled and waved for them to step aside. A grand speech followed as he proclaimed them heroes for saving his daughter. Anjular and her parents escorted the four of them to their rooms in the palace, which were extravagantly decorated with murals depicting fae in rich shades of orange and gold. Dacias assumed they were past rulers or heroes.
That night, a grand banquet was held in their honor, at which hundreds of fae nobles introduced themselves. They marveled at Julen’s powers. Never had the ancients described a being using the Black Arts for benevolence.
After the commotion, a fae servant escorted them back to their bedchambers. Dacias plopped onto the massive bed.
As Julen stood on the balcony attached to their room, quietly gazing at the moon, Dacias couldn’t help but marvel at his beauty. He strolled over to Julen and caressed his shoulder.
Dacias couldn’t believe it. His sweet, shy Arlo, who turned out to be Prince Julen of Lapistra, who had never even kissed a boy before Dacias, was now very likely the most powerful human on the continent, not to mention a champion at taking cock. And he loves me. Dacias couldn’t help but feel a bit smug about that.
He wanted to tell Julen how much he loved him. To say to him how unfortunate it was for his parents that they would never get to know someone as magnificent as Julen. He wanted to say all this but decided that showing rather than telling would be better.
He looked out into the distance and saw an emerald-green knoll with flowers scattered about it. It was situated in a parting of the evergreens, providing an excellent view of the moon. In time, the sun would rise, and they could watch the celestial bodies they loved so much. Dacias walked to his sack, which he had placed on an ornate table in the corner of the room. He reached inside to retrieve the gift. This was the perfect moment to give it to Julen.
It was a joint gift meant for both of them. Dacias couldn’t believe it when he saw it in Cupidor when he met Souzie and Julen to discuss the escape plan.
The little pouch had managed to stay in his pocket as he fled from the Rugirean guardians and swam across the glen to hide in the alcove. It remained on him as he traversed Lapistra to rescue Julen, and, by some miracle, he still had it.
Dacias leaned down to kiss Julen’s cheek. “How are you feeling, darling?”
Julen turned to kiss Dacias, caressing the hand that rested on his shoulder. “Surprisingly well. Sore, but I’ll survive.” He smiled, and Dacias’s stomach flipped.
He cupped Julen’s cheek as he said, “I saw a beautiful little knoll that will give us an amazing view of the sun and moon.”
Julen’s eyes lit up. “I can’t imagine anything more perfect than watching them with you tonight.”
Julen wrapped his arms around Dacias, gave him a big kiss, and then strolled together to the patch of grass surrounded by flowers.
Julen sat down and looked up at the sky. His face looked so beautiful under the glow of the moon. His dazzling green eyes shimmered as he inhaled the sweet air. Dacias could have crashed his lips to Julen’s right there and then. He knelt beside Julen, reached into his pocket, and retrieved the pendant. “Julen…”
Julen turned to Dacias. Then his eyes caught sight of the gift, and his breath hitched. A beautiful moonstone cut into a crescent shape sat in Dacias’s palm. A pearlescent glaze made the pendant shimmer in the moonlight. The pendant hung from a silver bail etched with swirls connected to a long silver chain.
Dacias gently clasped the necklace around Julen’s neck as he spoke, “I have no home to offer, no riches to support us. All I have is the promise that I will love you forever. That I will be by your side no matter what.”
Dacias reached into his pocket and pulled out a second necklace, a gorgeous orange carnelian carved into the shape of the sun with rays about the circumference. He draped it over his head, then inched closer to Julen so that he could clasp both pendants in his hand. “ You are the moon to my sun, my partner in this life. I love you more than I can describe, and I promise to take care of you, cherish you, and love you. You are my soulmate. I have no doubt about it. I love you so much, Julen, and anyone who doesn’t see how remarkable you are…well…it’s their loss. Because knowing that you are mine and I am yours makes me feel like the luckiest man alive.”
The tears poured down Julen’s face as he looked at the pendants next to each other and then into Dacias’s eyes.
“I love you so much, Dacias. And I know you love me. And knowing that makes every moment of hardship worth it. If I had to live through it to get to you, then it was worth it.”
Julen began to laugh as the tears continued. “Honestly, I’ve been yours since you picked me off the floor in Cupidor. Even as I pushed you away, I knew I’d never meet anyone like you. Each moment with you has brought me more joy than you can imagine. I love you so much.”
Dacias kissed him softly, and Julen pulled him closer and said, “Make love to me.”
Dacias cradled Julen’s body in his arms. “Are you sure? You said you were sore—”
Julen put a finger to Dacias’s lips. “I’m sure. Please make love to me. I’ve missed you so much.”
Julen unbuttoned his shirt, and Dacias helped him pull it off his shoulders. Then he slowly slid down Julen’s pants, his heart racing with anticipation. After rising, he disrobed himself, feeling the moment’s weight between them.
Gently, Dacias laid Julen on the grass and kissed his neck, each touch igniting a fire within him. His lips trailed down to Julen’s chest, savoring how he responded. When he kissed the inside of Julen’s arm and down the side of his ribcage, Dacias couldn’t help but marvel at how vulnerable and beautiful Julen looked beneath him.
Julen pulled his legs up and wrapped them around Dacias. Their faces drew inches apart, and Julen whispered, “Take me.”
Dacias reached for his trousers and retrieved the vial of oil. His hands trembled as the intensity of their connection took over. His yearning for Julen radiated through his body, but he calmed himself and kissed Julen sweetly. Dacias wanted everything to feel like a caress. He wanted Julen to feel treasured. He wanted to make love.
Julen pulled him closer, positioning Dacias and allowing their bodies to join.
Julen gasped as Dacias breached the tight ring of muscle before entering completely. His eyes fluttered, and Dacias leaned closer to suck on Julen’s lower lip.
Dacias wanted to envelop Julen in love. He wanted to inhale every breath Julen released so he could absorb his essence and keep a part of him forever. Julen locked eyes with Dacias. There was so much love and adoration in Julen’s gaze. Dacias wished they could live in this moment forever.
The moon glowed brighter overhead. It illuminated the clearing and reflected off Julen’s beautiful skin, making him sparkle like the necklace around his neck.
Julen looked to the sky and spoke through gasping breaths. “You feel so good. Nothing feels better than having you inside me.”
Dacias pressed another kiss on Julen’s pink lips. Their tongues met in a wild dance.
Dacias could hear his heartbeat—no, he felt it pulse through the air. Slowly, he realized he could also hear Julen’s heart, like two drums beating separately before merging into one rhythm. Their hearts beat in syncopation. He wondered if Julen felt this, too. His questions were answered moments later.
“Do you feel that?” Julen asked.
“Yes! I feel you. I feel your heart, Julen. I love you.”
“I love you too. I love you so much!”
Dacias grabbed the back of Julen’s head and pulled him in for a desperate kiss. Dacias pressed deeper into Julen, who writhed with pleasure—his cry of ecstasy echoing off the trees and awakening the wildlife.
A purple mist wrapped around them, shielding them from the prying eyes of curious forest creatures. The mist formed a soft bed beneath them, growing in size and lifting them off the ground. Dacias pulsed inside of Julen, knowing he was close.
Julen must have felt it, for he said, “Do it! I’m yours. Make me yours. ”
Dacias roared. His claws released, and he nuzzled Julen as he released. He then reached down and stroked Julen until he came as well.
Julen turned to putty under Dacias, grasping onto his back, and Dacias reveled in it. He wanted to be closer. He pressed against him and felt the warmth of Julen’s orgasm against his stomach. The top of their love cloud dissipated just as the sun rose.
Warm light spilled over the trees. They breathed heavily against one another as they slowly descended. Dacias lay beside Julen. They looked to the heavens to see the moon and sun side by side.
Julen
Julen turned his gaze from their beloved celestial bodies and fell into the blue pools of Dacias’s eyes. Never had he felt more at peace or more grateful. He had walked through the trenches of hell and finally found paradise—this person, this moment. Julen felt the tether of love, something he had longed for all his life, strengthening between them. It was better than anything Julen could have imagined. Carnufor couldn’t have been more wrong. Love isn’t a weakness. Love is the strongest, most wonderful thing in the universe. It’s worth fighting for…
Because love is what makes life beautiful.
The End