Epilogue
Talon
I woke up, wrapped in warm blankets in a soft bed. For a second, I just lay there, surprised. The last thing I remembered was the tower. How had I got here? How long ago had that been?
I opened my eyes and blinked the sleep from them; I was in a small cosy room of what appeared to be a well-kept boarding house. Orange sunlight filtered in from one of the windows, casting a warm glow onto the bed.
I pulled off the blankets, groaning. I was stiff and achy all over. I sat up and stretched before looking around. I was alone right now, but there was a seat by my bed and fine clothes strewn on the dresser. Where were Kaine and Nidori?
I opened my mouth to call for them, but nothing came out but a croak. I was parched. I scooted over to the side of the bed, grabbing a cup of water and drinking it in one gulp. I had to find them. What if they were gone?
I heard a rustle and a smashing noise behind me and whipped around to see Kaine by the door. He was staring, a broken teacup at his foot, but he tamed the shock on his face and replaced it with a familiar smirk.
“There you are. I’ve been waiting for you to join me again.” He said. His silver curls caught the evening light as he settled in next to me. He looked different. I looked at him again- was it just because I’d never seen him in daylight? But no, it was something about the way he held himself seemed relaxed. More free.
“Nidori?” I asked.
“Asleep.” He said, waving his hand. “We’ve been taking turns to watch you. We even had a bet going on who would be there when you woke up. It was getting quite competitive. I couldn’t confirm it but I swear she had started pinching you.”
“Can we wake her?” I asked.
“We will. I think we should let her rest for now, though. You’ve got a lot to answer for, darling. Namely, trying to kill yourself.”
“I did what I knew was right.” I said simply. I could feel the stirrings of a deep power in the words. I had found my new purpose, and so gained my oath magic, but to be able to use it properly, I need to find the right words to capture it.
“You almost left us.” He said, his eyes darkening. “Left me. ”
“I’m sorry.” I said, winding my arm around his. “I… thought it was the only way.”
He paused for a second, looking up at me with his rich, golden eyes.
“Well it all worked out, didn’t it?” He said finally, tracing his finger on my arm, whispering to me. “Now you’re here. I hope you know I’m never letting you go again. You’re to be mine forever.”
The words set my heart pounding, and I couldn’t look away from his hooded eyes. My heart stirred.
“I want you. As long as I live.” I said again. These words were closer to my new purpose, and I could feel the buzz of power in them.
His fingers wound in my collar, tugging it straight, and eyes glinted, showing something new. Possessive .
The way he was looking at me was stirring something else, something more primal. His last words echoed in my head again, sending lighting through my core. To be his. Forever. Everything slid into place; my purpose, a new oath forming in my mind.
His fingers wound around me as he slipped his hands around my shoulders. His fingers traced my dusky skin, trailing along the bony ridges on my upper back, circling where my ruined wings joined my body. He slipped my pale hair over my shoulder.
I turned to face him, the memory of the tower coming back. My stomach flipped as I thought about what I had aligned myself with. It was beautiful and terrible; a path to restoration or to ruin. And it all hinged on him.
“I survived because I found a new purpose just in time. An oath is something that will be as natural as breathing to keep.” My hand reached out, touching his chest. His golden eyes met my blue. “The power of my oath comes from something that holds me truly. Completely.” My fingers went up, trailing his jawline. Interest sparked in his eyes as he got what I was hinting at.
“You can’t possibly… ?” he said, cocking his head. His eyebrow was raised, and it was more of a challenge than a question.
“My new oath…” my voice lowered. I was suddenly nervous to speak it out loud. “Would be an oath of fealty. To you.”
He stopped, regarding me with hunger in his eyes.
“How delicious .” He said, and drew me in for a deep kiss. The torrent of desire welled up within me again, and I pulled him closer, caressing the sculpted muscles in his back. He broke off the kiss abruptly, using a finger to push me back. He slipped off the bed.
“We must do this properly . I want you on… your… knees.” His smile was wicked as he unbuttoned his shirt .
My cock throbbed as I slid off the bed, dropping to my knees and gazing up at him. His lithe torso gleamed in the light, his silver curls framing his round face. Gods, was he beautiful. He took a step towards me, closing the distance. His cock was fully hard, and brushed my face through the fabric of his underwear.
“Take that off.” He breathed, and I obliged, tugging down the last bit of fabric that had covered his glorious figure.
Need throbbed through every inch of my being. His hand caressed my horns, my ears, tucking away a loose strand of hair. I nuzzled his cock but he grabbed one of my horns, holding me back.
“So hasty!” He chided, clicking his tongue and leaning down towards me, whispering in my ear.
“First, your oath… mighty Paladin.”
My head pounded, as I formed the words that would focus my power.
“I swear to Kaine, chosen of Cirae,”
My voice had started weak, but I wanted these words to be strong. I could feel their power wrapping around me, sinking in and renewing my own.
“Nothing shall tempt my sword but for your gain;
Nothing shall stop it but your command. ”
It was hard to think; hard to concentrate as his fingers tangled in my hair and he straightened again, relishing my words. I could feel them settling on my soul. Simple. True. Love was what was right with the world. What was more evil than rejecting love? Fighting it?
“My purpose and path is not to rest
Until you have found your ataraxis.”
Not just of fealty, also a vow to restore him. He had been broken a thousand times over and I wanted to make him whole again.
“My body, blood, and soul is your s
dedicated to your path.
From now until forevermore.”
There was the penance; the catch. Kaine was dedicated to me and Nidori, but I was under no illusion that he was good. I could see it in him; a seed, a potential to be restored. But it could so easily be strangled by the pain and fear he bore. If he continued down the path of blood and destruction, my penance would be bound to obey his every command, forever. But I would rather lose my soul with his than give up on any chance to bring his back.
“…An oath of eternal fealty.”
It was done. He sighed as I spoke the words, a rapturous expression on his face.
“Good boy,” he said, pulling my horn back so I was forced to look up at him.
He teased me again by brushing himself against my lips, but held me back as I tried to taste him. My tail lashed behind me and I slid my tongue free, reaching toward him. He tilted his head at me, tracing his finger along my tongue.
“Here is my promise to you: to cherish you always. You’ll be my right hand.” He paused. “My most beloved treasure.”
He traced his finger up to my lips, parting them. My tail lashed again; his cock was so close and I wanted it so badly; I wanted to hear him moan as I pleasured him to oblivion.
“I promise I’ll never give you-“ He pushed forward, finally sliding into my mouth, further and further until he was into my throat. I was glad I was kneeling because otherwise my legs would have given out in pleasure.
“-more than you can take.” He purred.
He held my horn in one hand, hair in the other, holding me tight to him. My eyes watered as my tongue traced the sensitive underside, curling around his balls. He moaned then, and it was the most perfect noise I had heard. My tail curled around itself in pleasure as I let him please himself in me, letting him go deep as I bore it. Any protest my body made I shoved down; I would be perfect for him. I reached up, gripping his hips and felt his cock swell; I could feel the veins, the tensing as he came, releasing his load and rewarding my labour.
He stepped back, eyes hooded with pleasure as he took me in. I moaned as he stepped away; I was so close.
“Swallow that, won’t you, pet.” He said. I complied, licking my lips clean as well.
I stayed kneeling, trying to keep perfectly still as he regarded me. I couldn’t help but shiver as he looked me up and down, hunger in his eyes. The window cast speckled light on his skin and the candles reflected in his bright eyes. He paused for a few agonizing beats like that, holding my eyes as if daring me to move.
My core was alight with desire, and I could feel my dick throbbing, but I held still, awaiting his cue.
“Such a little slut, aren’t you?” He said, and I nodded. “Tell me what you want, pet.”
“You.” I managed.
He stepped forward finally, coming close to me. His arm reached out as if to caress, but instead he pushed me back forcefully so I was lying on the ground. He then rose above me, straddling me as he gazed down at me, fangs glinting. I whimpered. A smile played on his face.
“Please. Bite me, fuck me, I just need you.”
He grinned as he lunged forwards, hand closing around my throat. His thumb pressed into my skin, his hands cold as he felt my blood pulsing through my veins. Then he sank his fangs deep into my neck. My skin felt like lightning wherever it touched him; his chest pressed to mine, our legs tangled together, my cock finally rewarded with the contact I was so desperate for as it rubbed between his legs. I came, stars spinning in my vision as the sharp pain in my neck turned to pleasure. He lifted his head, pausing for a second.
“You are the most precious thing I’ve ever had. I can’t believe I almost let you slip away. I can promise you I’ll never let that happen again.” He said, gazing at me in adoration before sinking his teeth in.