Chapter 53 Loose End
Lucius goggled at Dorian, unsure if he heard it right.
Did Dorian just say he loved him, too?
Was this some kind of trick? But that was not something Dorian would have lied about. And what was the point of lying to him? Dorian didn’t know that he had Asmodian’s blood. No one knew. To Dorian, he was just a man returned from death. And if Dorian wanted, he could have kept Julian.
But Dorian didn’t.
Could he really believe it?
Dorian pulled his consort closer, and there was such tenderness and affection on his countenance that softened all his edges and melted away the coldness that used to perfuse his aura. His finger traced the lineaments on Lucius’s face. Brows, eyelids, cheekbones, lips...and the touches silently spoke a thousand words. And the pain and anger in Lucius’s heart were taken away by each tiny touch, morsel by morsel.
“For six years, I had been imagining the moment when my father realized that he had lost in my hand, and I thought I’d relish that moment, savoring his regrets and fear. But when it happened, I felt nothing. Because I thought I lost you, and everything just felt...numb.” Dorian whispered, and his words were coated with barely contained feelings, “And then I finally realized how much you meant to me, but I thought I had lost you and it was too late.”
“You said you love me.”
“I did.”
“Say it again.”
“I love you.”All content is © N0velDrama.Org.
Lucius gulped to suppress the welling-up feelings, but streaks of those sore, tender, pulsating tendrils of joy, pain, doubt, and relief still reached his eyes. His lips trembled as he asked, “Are you sure? What about Julian?”
“You know, for six years, I’ve been yearning to be with him again, and for the longest time, I thought I couldn’t forget him nor give up the feeling I had for him. In the end, it became a story that I told myself. A dream I held to get me through all the lies and hatred that filled my life.” Dorian noticed the disappointment and hurt once again resurfaced in Lucius’s countenance, so he held him tighter and continued with a soft smile, “But since you came, at some time in the past year, I realized that I hadn’t thought about Julian for a long time. And I knew then that he was in the past. And you are my one and only consort.”
Lucius could no longer hold back those gushing feelings. He threw his arms over Dorian’s neck and leaned in to kiss him on the lips. Dorian returned the kiss with ten times more passion and voracity as if he had been starving for a whole month. They clutched at each other so tight, as if trying to rub the other into their flesh so they would never be separated again.
Before either of them could register, their nightshirts were half torn, Dorian’s sculptural, dark body pressed Lucius’s ivory, slander figure deep into the soft mattress, and Lucius’s long legs wrapped around Dorian’s slim waist. Their kiss never stopped as their hands busily explored each other.
Dorian was eager yet attentive. After thorough preparation, Lucius opened himself and received Dorian’s onslaught like melting butter. The sound of their body clashing, their erotic moaning, and the scent of musky amorous passion infused the air, and they made love like there was no tomorrow.
And when Dorian shouted Lucius’s name as he shot his load deep into his consort’s body, Lucius was finally sure that Dorian was telling the truth.
That Dorian indeed loved him back. And that thought by itself was enough to send Lucius to the acme of pleasure.
As they lay on the bed, slowly descending from the heaven of carnality and lust, Lucius suddenly realized something.
“Wait...was this your mother’s old room? They said this was the Queen’s Chamber, and they only have a very short time to prepare it for me.”
“Yes.”
“So...we just had sex in your mom’s bed.”
“Yes.” Dorian laughed, “I’m sure she won’t mind.”
Lucius chortled, “And later, we will probably also have sex in your dad’s bed.”
“We can have sex in any bed you want. Or not on a bed at all.” Dorian turned his head to look at him with a gleaming smirk, “We will have all the time in the world.”
“Perhaps...not all the time.” Lucius muttered, “I will die one day if I don’t become a vampire.”
And that thought cast a gloomy shadow over Dorian’s mind. He hadn’t thought about it. Not in a really long time. Sometimes he forgot that Lucius was still mortal.
“I...I won’t force you to turn. I promise. But if you ever want to, I can give it to you.”
“I don’t know...Won’t it be weird if you are my husband and also my maker?”
“It is somewhat controversial but not uncommon. I don’t trust others to turn you.” Dorian stated quietly, “and I don’t want others to bite you.”
“Didn’t know you are the jealousy type.“Lucius jibed.
Dorian also grinned, revealing his two sharp fangs, “I’m sorry if I gave you any impression that I’m not.”
They then stared at each other deeply in a comfortable silence. Ere long, Lucius said, “I need some time to consider this. I don’t believe being a vampire will damn me to hell or any of that kind of religious stuff. It’s just...feels like betraying my kind.”
Dorian took Lucius’s hand to his lips and kissed gently, “I understand. You can take as long as you need. We will rule Eternia together. We can change the rules and the world. One day...perhaps humans and vampires can live together in peace.”
Lucius smiled gratefully at Dorian and snuggled closer, feeling as if he could finally relax.
Moreover, he could finally be happy.
Lucius was crowned as the Royal Consort of The King one month later, which sparked many strong opinions and debates among not only the aristocratic society but also the whole nation. The more conservative vampires found having a human “Queen” infuriating, ridiculous, and debasing. While others, who held more liberal opinions or were tired of the last animosity, thought it could be an opportunity to reform social values and norms and abolish some outdated customs, including hunting raw meat and slavery.
There were many speculations and conspiracy theories, and the advisors and counselors of The Crown Council were worried about the deepening chasm between the more liberal North Eternia and the overall more conservative South Eternia and the possibility of civil war if Dorian showed any inclination for radical reformation policies.
However, Lucius didn’t pay too much attention to those ruckuses. For about three months, he and Dorian rarely separated. They forwent all their previous reservation and hesitation and expressed their adoration to each other freely. They made love in almost every room they’ve been to in every position possible whenever they got a chance to be alone, and even so, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.
The first time Dorian showed his new wings to Lucius after another of their steamy and sweaty lovemaking, the latter gawked at the majestic Elder wings in awe, “Had I died for this, it was definitely worth it.”
“Nonsense. Nothing is worth your life.” The thought of that eldritch Elder clouded Dorian’s countenance.
Lucius ran his fingers through those silky feathers, and the heavenly sensation made him gasp, “Dude! This feels so damn divine! I wish I could sleep in it!”
Dorian wrapped his gigantic wings around Lucius’s naked body and chuckled when he heard Lucius’s loud, satisfying moan.
However, their life was not just a fluffy fairy tale. Lucius was aware of the perilous current beneath the serene facade of their marriage. Dorian had to fortify his power and show his strength by dealing with Silvan’s supporters.
Since his coronation, the Supreme Court hadn’t been stopping trialing the once powerful noblemen, royal advisors, counselors, and other accomplice or connivance parties who partook in helping Devina, Silvan and their Ducas family beguiling King Cosmos and committed treacherous crimes against Queen Mitra, Aslani family and other numerous victims in that court scheme, as well as war crimes and briberies they engaged in the recent years. Several of them had been sentenced to Death by Fire, including Devina.
Dorian also showed significant mercy to the unwillingly or unwittingly participating parties, which eased the anxiety among the unsettled aristocratic society and harvested much gratuities and loyalty.
Though Silvan was currently imprisoned by The Guardians, Lucius knew Dorian would want to talk to his half-brother once Silvan’s throat was recovered from the poison.
Lucius had to prevent that from happening.
Lucius and Volke had been on friendly terms since he “healed” Volke’s nephew, who he saw as a son. But Lucius wasn’t sure if the werewolf chieftain would be willing to take such a significant risk for him.
He had to make sure before taking further action.
Lucius found his chance during the yearly Werewolves Gladiatorial Game, which was held in Emberton for the first time in history. It was the second time Lucius witnessed the game of honor and blood, but this time, Dorian was the co-host with Chieftain Volke rather than one of the participants.
There had never been so many werewolves in the capital city of Eternia. And The Guardians cheered for Dorian as he appeared on the balcony during the game. Dorian’s last “performance” during the game apparently left an indelible impression. It was rare to see such popularity of a vampire among the werewolves.
Lucius found his chance during the fifth match. Dorian had to leave to attend an urgent matter. Lucius found some excuse to send all the servants away, leaving only him and Volke in the private box.
Lucius intentionally kept quiet and let the silence stretch a little longer. Ere long, Volke leaned toward him slightly on his seat and asked, “How have you been?”
Lucius smiled at him, “Still getting used to the new ‘Royal Consort’ thing. But I think I manage.”
“I still don’t know how you can still be alive after what happened in the desert.” Volke’s studying eyes scanned Lucius from head to toe, “I wondered if you were an imposter. Someone who shapeshifted. But I don’t think many imposters could have fooled the new King.”
“I am a hundred percent myself, the same one you met a year ago.” Lucius leaned back in his chair, his finger tracing the edge of his glass of wine mindlessly, “I guess Asmodian realized I was not such a tasty sacrifice, so he just...spit me out.”
“From the way you smell, I can assure you that you don’t have to worry about your ’taste.’” Volke’s voice went deeper, assuming a husky and flirting tone. Lucius chuckled, “Be careful. Flirting with the Royal Consort will infuriate the King.”
“Who said I was flirting?“Volke winked at him and continued, “But I am curious. After Dorian made his ‘choice,’ why did you still come back to him?”
Lucius took a sip from his glass and replied later, “I guess it’s because I’m in love with him.”
“And you just forgave him like that?”
“Can’t blame him for trying to save my brother.” Lucius shrugged.
“Yes, your brother.” Volke grinned at him, “Are we still pretending that you are the High Priest Julian?”
Lucius gave him a meaningful look but didn’t admit nor deny it. At this point, he couldn’t care less about anyone’s suspicion of his identity. No one could hurt him with it so long as Dorian still loved him.
“How is your nephew?” Lucius changed the topic.
“Anton is doing great.” Mentioning the young man softened the Chieftain’s countenance, “it’s hard to believe that he almost died from the werewolf rabies a year ago. And now that I know more about you, I had a hard time understanding how you saved him.”
“It was a legit miracle.”
“Miracle or not, you will always have my gratitude.”
“I’m glad that he is doing well. A good young man like him shouldn’t have suffered such fate.” Lucius paused momentarily before continuing gingerly, “However, if you see me as a friend, there is a favor I want to ask.”
“Oh?”
Lucius focused his gaze on the Chieftain’s dark eyes, “Before I ask, will you swear on your honor that this is strictly between us?”
The interest thickened in Volke’s eyes, and the words rolled off his tongue like gliding across velvet, “A secret only between us? Delicious.”
Lucius rolled his eyes, “you have to swear!”
“Ok, ok. I swear on mine and my family’s honor that I will not tell another soul.”
Lucius’s lips tightened, quickly considering if this was a wise decision. But this was something he had to ask.
“Will you kill Silvan for me?”