Chapter 31 #2
Everest allowed Rathyn to pierce him, but even now I think he believes it as a mark of possession. It was done without ceremony and out of necessity. At the time, Rathyn was too afraid to admit to himself that Everest was more than a supplier of cum. More than a companion.
I wonder if he will pierce Everest again, this time with the reverence, audience, and ritual that act deserves.
“What are you thinking?” Dante asks.
I shake my head. I will approach the topic later. For now, Dante needs to feel his pain so he can begin to heal from it. My chest thrymms, the vibrations soothing him, and eventually he relaxes against me.
“This weekend,” he says, his voice sleep-thick and heavy, “plans.”
“Yes,” I tell him. I rake claws through his hair. The pain in me is still great, but with Dante’s body pressed against mine, it does not feel as bad.
And I know that so long as he wishes to keep me—and so long as I am able to keep him—I will survive anything.
We meet Everest that Saturday, his surprise waiting for us. I do not know what this is, but I eagerly await. I want to make Everest happy again. I have seen Rathyn since speaking with my friend, and he seemed upset at how poorly Everest is faring in the wake of his best
friend being taken.
I do not blame him.
It is not his fault.
But I understand his grief. I would be upset if Brody or Everest were taken away. They are my friends, but I do not think either of them would be able to do anything so terrible. Then again, both human and Vyastil are capable of anything. I have learned this.
“Oh my god, this is amazing,” Dante says as we park the car in the long driveway. “I can’t believe they rented this out for us.”
I can. I believe Everest is trying to make amends, even if it is not for him to do. He cannot right the wrongs Zane has done. Only Zane can do this. But he is trying, and for that I shall appease him.
I appreciate his effort.
My eyes take in the house we will be staying in.
It is massive, rising from the shoreline, gleaming in the sunlight.
It is made of metal and stone, much like the houses in Erethar, but this design is much more primitive.
There is a deck wrapped around the side, stretching over the water, comfortable sofas and chairs lining the edge.
I cannot wait to curl up on one of those with my Dante and watch the waves roll onto the shore.
“Holy shit. This is so nice,” Dante says again and pulls me to the front door. As we approach, the door opens and Everest appears, rushing through and pulling us in for a hug. It is long and tight, and I find myself wrapping my tail around him in reassurance.
But Rathyn’s low growl separates us, and Everest peers up at us, his eyes a little glassy.
He has been sad.
I do not like this, but I cannot reverse it. Dante says we must let him sit with it and just let him know we love him.
I do. Not in the same way I love my Dante, but I do love him as a friend. I have found that these are different feelings, one more intense than the other.
“I’m so glad you’re here. We were waiting.”
“Are his brothers here?” Dante asks, grabbing my hand and pulling me inside. The suitcases we packed are still outside, and Rathyn strides out and grabs them.
“They’re here.”
Just as he says that, I see Alvayn and Zynath appear through the large sliding doors. They look healthier than before, their hair shinier, their skin almost glowing. They no longer look pale and emaciated.
They almost look at peace.
I stride up to them, and our foreheads meet.
“You are well?” I ask in Eretharian.
They both nod. “We are well. There is much to learn. Much to do.”
“Do you enjoy Earth?” I ask, walking with them back onto the deck. All of our gazes shift out to the expansive body of water stretching to the horizon. I have seen it before, but it is just as glorious this time. I still cannot believe that their water is above ground, a seething, roiling thing.
It is alive. Untamed.
I enjoy it very much.
“We enjoy Earth. The language has come easily, and the humans are mostly kind. But this…” Alvayn says, sweeping his hand out. “This is worth it.”
“We would like to live here,” Zynath adds. “It is better than the city.”
I nod and step toward them, the tips of tails touching gently. My brothers are here. Safe. Happy. One day, they will be able to live near the shore, near the expansive body of water. I’m sure of it.
“You look well,” Zynath says. “As does your Dante.”
“He is wonderful.”
They peer over at me, and Alvayn says, “You seem very in tune with each other.”
“We are.”
“He is truly your VySytheh.” It is said as a statement, not a question.
I nod, and they both hum lowly as if understanding the significance. Rathyn, Everest, and Dante approach, and I snake my tail around Dante’s waist and pull him into me, feeling a thrum of pleasure at his closeness. I can tell he is content as well. He has been looking forward to this vacation.
“We’re so glad you’re here,” Everest says.
“Yes,” Rathyn adds. “I am glad to see you all together.”
Everest sniffles, and I see Dante reach over and squeeze his hand.
“I’m so fucking glad you came. I thought I’d lose you all.”
Rathyn growls at that, picking Everest up and nuzzling his nose against him.
“You have me. You do not need anyone else,” I hear him say. Everest nods and then shakes his head.
“Normally, yes. But I love my friends, and losing one has pushed me over the edge. It’s why I wanted you to have some time together. As an apology…and to…” he wets his lips and looks at Dante and then at me. “I wanted to give you a chance to be together without anyone watching, without any fear.”
“Thank you,” I say, inclining my head.
“I also have a message from Luca.” Dante perks up, and his eyes grow wide.
“Is he okay?”
“He’s good. He and Eissa…well, something’s going on there, but he’s healed and making himself at home in the city.”
“Fuck, I’m so glad. Tell him I miss him.”
“I will.”
Everest sniffles and then swipes at his eyes. I reach out and settle a hand on his shoulder, squeezing lightly before removing it.
His eyes meet mine, and he nods toward the inside of the house. “Actually, I want to talk to you and Dante, if you don’t mind.”
When Dante agrees, I follow the two of them into the house, looking at the colorful furniture. It is the color of a warm sunny day. It looks comfortable and large, perfect for a Vyastil. I cannot wait to curl up in this as well.
I should like to relax while I’m here.
And suck my Dante. But that will be done in private.
Everest clears his throat and clasps his hands together before him, returning my focus to him.
“So, you can say no, but I thought today would be a great time for this…”
Dante cocks his head, and I wait silently for him to continue.
“Rathyn was able to procure something from Erethar, something they used on him…hold on.” He holds up a finger and then rushes away, only to return with something clasped in his palm.
My breath stutters as his fingers uncurl.
I know what this is. It is a piercing stone, one that is used for different classes of Vyastil.
I did not have this. My sire used a bone from the syvael.
It is widely available in the Outerlands.
Simple and sharp, but the stone in Everest’s hand…
it is not mine—it is not even of my station. I cannot accept this.
“He cannooot,” I say.
“Yes, I know, but Dante can, yes? And Rathyn said if he offers it, you are able to accept it. An offering. A signal of friendship.”
I swallow and turn to look at Dante, who has reached out a finger and is stroking the stone gently.
“Is this what you use for piercing?” he asks.
Everest nods and then peers at me. “Yes,” I say, and then turn my gaze back to the stone. It almost glimmers in the light, sharp and delicate. If I did this, not many would know that I was pierced by such a sacred stone, but it would mean something to me.
It would bind me to Rathyn in a way.
He must know this, and still, he offered it.
“If you want to use this, you should,” Everest says. “And if you want to pierce him, we can do that. Tonight. Actually, when the sun sets, if you want it to be really beautiful. I can take pictures and everything.”
His eyes are so hopeful, so eager.
I stare at Dante, his eyes shining as well.
“Would you like that, Cielo? Me piercing you with your friends and brothers?”
I would like that very much. I would like to visibly belong to someone once again, to make it visible for all to see.
“Yes.”
“Then you should do it. We should do it.”
I should. I have wanted this for a long time. I should allow it. To belong to Dante in a way.
Dante leans into me, and I feel his lips kissing my skin. It sends tingles up to me. To do this near the lake, the sun setting in the background, my brothers there as witnesses. It is romantic. Perfect. “Yes. We shall.”
The sun is setting, and it is time. Everest and Dante left the house to buy jewelry to adorn me with. While they are gone, I spend time with my brothers and Rathyn, speaking freely in Eretharian.
It is wonderful to hear about how well my brothers are doing. My hearts have never been more content.
I am even happier when Dante returns to this large house. When he does, he shows me the rings that will be placed through my ears. They are gold and silver, a twisting of metals. Different like him and me, but woven together.
It makes my hearts thrum in my chest, eager to get to the ceremony so we can make it known who I belong to.
“Do you approve?” he asks.
“Yes.”
He beams up at me, and I cannot help but lean down and kiss him.
My brothers watch curiously. They have been fed human cum from several humans who have volunteered to be sucked, but they have never been kissed by one.
I only pray to the gods that they find this happiness that I have. I would like to see their hearts bursting with joy and love.
I let Dante go and watch as he helps Everest set up a special place on the deck for the piercing ceremony.
They adorn the banisters with colorful sheets of cloth and candles, and when the sun eventually sets, I watch Everest light the wicks, the flames flickering wildly in the wind. Much like my love for Dante.
It is uncontrolled and untamed.
Then it is time.
Rathyn and my brothers stand to the side, watching as I lower myself to the ground. My legs fold under me, my tail wrapping around my waist.
Rathyn begins to hum low in Eretharian, and my brothers follow suit, an old-age song wrapping around me like a warm hug. I belong to these people—human and Vyastil. But more than that, I belong to him.
To my Dante.
He steps up toward me, my ears fluttering in excitement. I see the piercing stone in his fingers and the tremble in his hands.
“Do not be afraid,” I say.
He blinks, his eyes watering. “I’m not afraid. But I don’t want to hurt you.”
“It will be only a momeeent,” I say as the song around us grows louder. It reminds me of home, the old and the new twining together here on Earth.
I stare up at Dante as he approaches, his body so close to mine. I reach up and touch his waist, steadying him. I feel his fingers against my ears and the rush of love he sends me through our bond.
Then he utters, “Blood and flesh, breath and bones, you are mine, Cielo, until the last fire goes cold. I will not release you, and you will not wander the world alone.” I gasp, the old Outerlander piercing song weaving around me.
Rathyn must have told him the words for this.
It is different in English, but no less beautiful.
It makes my love for Dante grow even more that he would learn this for me.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod, offering myself to him.
I hear his breath stutter and then feel a stab of pain, but I do not move as the stone slides through my ear.
Everest steps up and offers him the jewelry, and I stare at Dante as he threads it through my ear.
His hands are steadier than I expected, but then again, my Dante has surprised me in the best ways.
He repeats the process for my other ear.
“It’s done,” he whispers, his voice raw and rough.
I lean my weight into him, letting my face settle against his stomach.
He holds me to him, his fingers threading through my hair, making my thrymm start.
The song my brothers and Rathyn are singing reaches a crescendo, and then it comes to an abrupt stop.
The ritual is over.
I close my eyes, hearing them leave us alone on this porch, the waves crashing in the background, the candles flickering.
“Look at me,” Dante says softly, his hands on my cheeks, pulling my gaze up to his.
When our eyes meet, something shifts inside of me. I belong to him, fully and for all to see. The piercing is evidence of this.
“I love you, Cielo. Now and always, until my last breath.”
I do not like to think of this. The only consolation is that I will perish with him, the two of us drifting off to the afterlife together.
“I love you too, my Dante,” I reply, and my eyes flutter closed as he leans down, falling into my lap, our lips meeting in a desperate kiss.
I did not know what my life would be like after being banished, but I would not trade this life for the world. For here in his arms, I am happy.
Here, I am complete.