Chapter Twenty-One
Boraleashe
Judgment Day
Boraleashe knelt with his hands clasped in prayer and his head bowed low.
His small canvas pavilion was anchored into the mountain’s solid earth with ten-foot titanium stakes, yet it still struggled to protect him from the palm-sized hail and fatal winds.
He prayed that his people weren’t afraid of the Snow Moon’s dramatic arrival.
He was thankful to the demonic god for sparing Amárach any more wrath, willing to take its vengeance out on only him.
He whispered the name of every god and goddess he knew while his chest ached for Theodor. Boraleashe could feel him everywhere: in his mind, under his skin, and in an unfamiliar area within his core. He ignored another burst of thunder and the sizzling energy of lightning striking around him.
Boraleashe prayed harder, harder than he ever had before.
It wasn’t even a week ago that he had conceded to his curse and was prepared to be judged and executed for his offenses against love and his ungratefulness for dominion over an element.
The snow covered the mountaintop in towering drifts. His wind fled from him, helpless against the Moon God’s power. A cold like he’d never felt before circulated around his makeshift shelter, a sinking feeling invading his chest.
Had he gone too long before accepting love into his core?
Am I too late?
A freezing hand with sharpened blades of ice for fingertips curled around his heart, squeezing it tight.
Boraleashe struggled to inhale, his lungs beginning to freeze from the subzero beast. He pulled his robe tighter over his wool tunic, but nothing could ease the chill that clung to his bones, locking his joints.
It was time to reveal his center and prepare for his penance. Boraleashe spread his arms wide and dropped his chin to his chest. He would not cry or beg for mercy. He’d die with his dignity and pride intact.
Thunder roared and the winds howled, while long streaks of lightning ignited the dismal sky.
Boraleashe was struck in the chest by a freezing cyclone so powerful he was thrown hundreds of feet from his shelter.
He pulled his robe over his head to protect himself from the lethal temperature, icicles forming on the strands of his damp hair.
Boraleashe shivered, gazing up into the clouds. The moon was pitch-black, casting a shadow that threatened to hide the last remnants of their sun for eternity if he didn’t surrender.
Boraleashe had a lot of regrets in his two thousand and fifty years of life and a lot of squandered opportunities because of duty and stubbornness.
But there was nothing he was more sorrowful for than not having Theodor inside him one more time.
To have tasted his warm skin and felt his seductive wind merging with his.
Boraleashe closed his eyes, his breath growing shallower.
An earth-quaking boom shook the mountain beneath his knees. The wind howled, creating a towering mound of snow that threatened to bury him alive. Hundred-year-old pine trees were either uprooted or bent to the moon’s will.
The sleet and hail were falling too hard for Boraleashe to see more than a couple of feet in front of him, but when he squinted his eyes, he was just able to make out a faint amber glow piercing the darkness.
The light began to grow brighter as it got closer, the ground continuing to tremble.
At least he thought it was the earth and not him.
“Boraleashe! Answer me!”
“No,” Boraleashe croaked, his voice weak and far too low to be heard. It is too late, Theodor.
Theodor was close enough for Boraleashe to make out his tall frame and Gold Reaper glowing in his right hand. It was a formidable weapon but useless against a warlock lord with command of a celestial entity. There was no flesh to pierce, no limbs Theodor could sever.
It was a demon powerful enough to wreak havoc on whole worlds, dispensing only pain and judgment.
Theodor
Theodor hollered Boraleashe’s name until his voice was almost gone. Each time he called out, the Snow Moon would maliciously carry the sound away, but he refused to give up hope.
Theodor used his core to heat himself from the inside out while he powered on.
It was almost another hour before Theodor heaved the biggest sigh of relief, running and falling to his knees at Boraleashe’s side.
He yanked him into his arms and thanked the gods, but his reprieve was short-lived when he saw how bad off his betrothed was.
Boraleashe was almost frozen, the ice and snow clinging to his clothes. His beautiful skin was a bluish gray except for the angry red frostbite on his forehead and cheeks. Boraleashe’s lips were a darker hue, his teeth chattering so hard they bloodied the inside of his mouth.
“Theo, no.” Boraleashe’s voice was weak. “Not even your strongest weapon can d-defeat the Moon Demon.”
Theodor cupped Boraleashe’s cheeks, his adrenaline spiking with the urge to protect what was his. “My greatest weapon is not Gold Reaper, Boraleashe… it’s my love for you.”
Boraleashe gazed at him through remorseful eyes that seemed to beg to be understood. A look that said all the things he never did out loud.
It was enough for Theodor to act. He hefted Boraleashe to his feet and walked them back to the shelter, using all of his might to get them secured inside. His lover wanted him to give up, to flee and save himself.
Unthinkable.
Theodor had been raised by Notalus Cavaliere, trained by the most elite swordsman in all the realms, and educated by the greatest mind in the worlds.
He understood there was no joy without first suffering.
Losing was inevitable in life. But he would not be defeated this night.
This was a battle he was destined to win.
“Lie back,” he ordered. Through the violent tremors, Boraleashe managed to recline until his back hit the ground. “Don’t move.”
Theodor fought the force of the gust, reciting the spell Mordred had embedded into his robe.
He balled his fists until his nails dug into his palms and shot both arms out to his sides.
His robe detached from his shoulders with a resounding pop and snapped out to its full length before the edges slammed into the ground, cocooning them inside.
Theodor didn’t waste another second tearing open Boraleashe’s tunic so that he could get to his freezing skin.
“It’s going to be okay, Boraleashe. Have faith in me.
” Theodor pulled Boraleashe’s trousers down his quivering thighs, then did the same with his own.
He surrounded Boraleashe with his entire body.
His teeth were still chattering, and his skin was colder than Theodor thought possible, but his gaze never wavered.
The storm seemed to grow more furious, because of Theodor’s interference, but he wasn’t afraid. His robe battled against the brutal onslaught of the wind, but it held firm to the mountaintop.
“This won’t p-protect us for l-long?” Boraleashe managed.
“It will.”
Boraleashe started again, but Theodor touched his fingertips to his shivering lips. With their foreheads together, he brushed his mouth over Boraleashe’s to reassure him.
“Trust your mind, winter warrior.” Theodor slid his hand to the back of Boraleashe’s neck and gripped it with confidence. “Trust your king.”
With his energy centered on the goddess of the healing flame, Theodor chanted her spell to call upon her restorative fire. “Tyrendio strixixs.” His sword ignited with a heat that filled their confined space.
Bless you, goddess.
For a long time, Theodor rubbed his heated palms from the roots of Boraleashe’s wet hair to his upper thighs while they listened to the fury of the entity still fighting to get to his lover.
Boraleashe’s body temperature was almost returned to normal, feeling refreshing and cool against Theodor’s hot-natured skin.
“Theo,” Boraleashe murmured drunkenly, his face cradled under Theodor’s armpit.
“I’m here.” His voice was gruff from the cold. “How are you feeling?”
“Mmmm, warm.” Boraleashe slipped his thigh between Theodor’s.
“That’s a good thing.”
“It appears you are always having to come to my aid, my lord.”
Theodor groaned, his cock responding to the way Boraleashe made his title sound sexy as hell.
“I will always be your champion, my love.” Theodor was sure to place emphasis on the last word that was going to save them both.
Boraleashe’s breaths came faster, causing the storm to roar back to life.
“Don’t fight it, Boraleashe. Push past the urge to resist.”
Theodor pulled Boraleashe’s naked body underneath him. His dick was half-hard, but he ignored it and focused all of his attention on Boraleashe’s panting mouth.
“The moon wants to feel what I mean to you, Boraleashe… so show it. With zero fear or hesitation. Trust our union.”
Theodor gazed into Boraleashe’s eyes before his own glare traveled down to that perfect mouth. To Theodor’s surprise, Boraleashe was staring at his with just as much hunger. He tucked a swath of stark-white hair behind Boraleashe’s ear, continuing his caress until he was cupping his cheek.
“I’m going to kiss you now,” Theodor whispered, teasing Boraleashe’s lips with two fingers.
“I want to touch my mouth to yours and inhale your taste, your bravery, your fears.” His lips were so tender and soft to the touch.
“I want to bite them until they’re swollen and pink, then suck ’em until they feel better. ”
Theodor’s cock was harder than a brick of gold against Boraleashe’s groin. Strong hands gripped his waist and forced his lower body closer. With his and Boraleashe’s chests touching, the thunder outside calmed.
“Yesss, Boraleashe.” Theodor stared, mesmerized. “I’m going to press my lips to yours until you allow my tongue inside to make love to yours.”
A cool breath rushed over Theodor’s chin.
“I can tell you like the thought of kissing me too. I can feel it right here.” He ground his pelvis into Boraleashe’s weeping cock, earning a delicious moan. “Tell me you want it. That you want me to show you my earthly affection.”
Boraleashe nodded, murmuring a breathy “yes,” his lips dancing ever so lightly against his, ramping up the anticipation to unbearable.
Theodor brushed their lips together, swiping back and forth, becoming familiar.
After a few more delicate passes, Theodor pressed in closer, eyes hooded, cock throbbing.
Boraleashe’s hands roamed up his back, cool fingers digging into his flesh.
Boraleashe rocked his pelvis forward once, twice, then stopped.
“No more holding back,” Theodor stressed.
He slanted his mouth over Boraleashe’s and ran his tongue along the seam of his sinful lips, teasing to be let inside. He gripped Boraleashe’s chin and tilted his head higher.
He would not be denied. Satisfy your king.
Perhaps Boraleashe heard his thoughts because he opened his legs and his mouth wider, and Theodor slid between both. Now he understood why his father and Dustin kissed so damn much. It was a sexy, very passionate way to show affection.
A sweet, curious tongue met his own, and though it made Theodor’s toes curl in his boots, he held back his urge to pounce and allowed Boraleashe a chance to explore.
Allowed him the time to decide if they conformed to the ancient norms and rituals of their lineage, or did they live whatever life pleased them most?