Aether's Guard

by Schinhofen, Daniel

  Hours passed as they were fed additives and trained. Gregory was feeling the strain when Dia called them to a stop. Panting as he tried to regain his breath, Gregory was slick with sweat when he stopped.

  “You all did wonderfully. You’ll see the difference tomorrow morning. Tonight, we need to make sure that you weren’t overtly harmed by what just happened. It’s time for the yuzuyu bath.”

  Trailing Dia, the three of them came to the baths. Gregory stopped before the men’s side, giving Yukiko a smile as she stepped into the woman’s side. Stripping off his soaked clothing, Gregory was surprised to see that some of the other baskets already had clothes in them.

  “There he is,” Gin said. “How was the forced growth?”

  “Difficult,” Gregory said. His aether was still burning high and hot, with a lot of sparks.

  “Glad that you didn’t pass out,” Steva said. “We’ve heard stories from previous years.”

  “Yes,” Zenim nodded. “If you’re weaker than the additive, it can hurt your aether.”

  “Dia wouldn’t do that to them,” Ravol said as he stepped out of the tub.

  “It’s time,” Quilet said softly. “Enjoy the bath, Gregory.”

  “Greg,” Gregory said. “My friends call me Greg. You can all call me Greg.”

  “Greg,” Quilet said, bowing his head to him. “We are honored. Let the yuzu purify you.”

  The scent of the fruit in the bath made his aether start to spin in a lazy circle. “What is it?”

  “Yuzu? A fruit that helps a person with health problems,” Gin said. “For magi, it’s similar to a purity plum. It will seep the impurities from you. It’s why we’re getting out.”

  Gregory eyed the bath with some trepidation. “Like the purity plums?”

  “But not as sludgy,” Gin chuckled as he began to dry off.

  Gregory went over to the washing area and took his time cleaning up. The idea of black sludge seeping out of him into the tub mildly horrified him.

  “Greg, how did you get those scars?” Zenim asked as he dried off.

  His hands faltered as the memory hit him. “Bane wolf,” he said softly. “Day of my ascension to an adult and magi.”

  “A bane wolf?” Steva asked with shock. “A young one?”

  “It stood higher than my waist,” Gregory said, looking down at the scars on his arm. “It was stalking a friend of mine. When it saw me, it changed its mind and charged me. I shoved my arm into its mouth to save my throat.”

  “You’re lucky it didn’t bite clean through… some of them can,” Gin said. “Still, lodging your forearm into the back of its jaw was a smart move.”

  “My best friend lost a couple of fingers before Bishop showed up and finished it off.”

  “To face a full bane wolf and survive...” Ravol said with a hushed tone. “There’s a reason you won the tournament. I can’t think of another novice or apprentice who would have survived.”

  “Greg has good instincts in combat,” Gin said. “Now, let’s leave him to clean and soak. Take your time. Until your aether settles down, don’t leave the tub. That’s what Dia told me to tell you.”

  “Yes, Sensei,” Gregory said, going back to cleaning himself.

  Once he was clean and alone, Gregory slid into the tub. A calm peacefulness settled over him as the yellow sections of yuzu floated around him. His aether spun a tighter circle and bits of debris were thrown from it. Gregory’s eyebrows rose when he watched the closest yuzu fruit start to blacken. The water stayed perfectly clear, but the fruit was somehow absorbing the impurities that his aether was giving off.

  By the time he felt his aether calm, the majority of the yuzu fruit slices had changed color. Feeling like he was done, Gregory stepped out of the bath and reached for a towel.

  “Gregory, it’s almost time,” Dia said from the dressing area. “Please don’t dawdle too much longer.”

  Panting while his heart rate started to settle from the sudden shock, Gregory coughed. “I’m drying off right now.”

  “Good. Your change of clothing is waiting for you. Dress, then meet us in the dining room.”

  “Yes, Dia.”

  Once he was dry, he checked the dressing room first and found it empty. Breathing a sigh of relief, he stepped out to get the outfit that had been left for him. Finding his normal novice kimono, he smiled and was quickly changed and on his way to the dining room.

  The last one to arrive, Gregory bowed to the others. “I’m sorry for my delay.”

  “You stayed in until your aether was calm?” Dia asked.

  “Yes, Dia.”

  “Then there’s no need to apologize. Sit, and we may partake of the evening meal.”

  Gregory took his seat beside Yukiko, giving her and Jenn a smile. “That was different.”

  “I’ve had yuzu baths before, but never seen the fruit change,” Yukiko said. “It’s a solstice tradition in the empire. Yuzu fruit is only grown and used for the bath during the winter solstice. The Han clan has a stranglehold on its production and transportation.”

  “It’s one of the ways they rose to power,” Dia added as dinner was uncovered. “Eat as much as you’d like.”

  Gregory smiled at the food in front of him; soba noodles in dashi broth with scallions and fish cakes. “This reminds me of home.”

  “The fish cake is salmon with pieces of koi mixed together,” Dia told them. “Your aether will stir again, but it shouldn’t cause any problems.”

  “Thank you for all the wonderful food today,” Gregory said, directing his praise to the cooks.

  “It’s our pleasure,” Velma said for them.

  When the meal came to an end, Dia smiled. “The evening is upon us... it’s time for the saying of goodbyes and welcoming the new year. The fire awaits us, as well as the lanterns.”

  To the side of the clan hall, a bonfire had been built. Dia got it lit, and benches were pulled over for them to sit and relax. They chatted about the things that happened during the last year.

  “The lanterns are ready,” Quilet said, bringing over a dozen paper lanterns to the benches.

  Dia took the first one and, using the ink brush, wrote a single word on the rice paper side before lighting the inside and letting it drift into the air. “I always find this time of year uplifting, as old burdens are set aside.”

  Yukiko took one and wrote out two words on hers before Dia lit it for her. “Regrets can burden you if you don’t let them go.”

  One by one, everyone stepped forward, writing a word or two on their lantern before setting it free. Gregory watched them with curiosity. The tradition wasn’t practiced in Alturis, as a forest fire could start from such a display. As he watched, he saw more and more lanterns climbing into the sky.

  “The other clans are also unburdening themselves,” Dia said softly from beside him. “Do you have nothing to let go of?”

  Gregory swallowed and thought of a few things. Taking the last remaining lantern, he wrote onto all four sides. “If you will, please, Dia?”

  Dia bowed her head as she lit the small wick inside the lantern. Gregory watched it with sadness as the light began to climb into the sky. When a warm hand took his, he blinked, finding Yukiko beside him.

  “It’s okay to regret, dear one,” she said softly. “Even we will have moments we regret in the years ahead of us. Holding onto them and letting them choke you would be far worse.”

  “You’re right,” Gregory said, feeling the burdens start to lift from him.

  The sudden crack and boom made Gregory jerk slightly. The flash of light in the sky above him disoriented him as he tried to figure out what had happened.

  Yukiko giggled and squeezed his hand. “Look up.”

  Gregory did just as another crack happened. A second later, the boom was accompanied by a burst of glittering color. “What is that?”

  “Fireworks,” Yukiko told him. “They’re used to celebrate the solstices. You’ve never seen them?”

  “No... Even the
lanterns were new to me,” Gregory told her.

  “It’ll be a night of new experiences,” Yukiko whispered, leaning into his side slightly. “Darkness told me that tonight, we can dream together. Please, dear one, be kind to me as I learn.”

  Gregory’s face felt like it was roasting as what she had said and the implications sunk in. “Tonight?”

  “Yes. We’ve both grown tonight.”

  Gregory’s smile was big as he stood in the night, watching the fireworks with his beloved.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  The bedroom was as it always appeared— the floor was black marble, shot through with gold veins. There were silk tapestries on the walls, depicting eurtiks and humans using aether side by side. The bed dominated the room, large enough for a dozen people to lay on comfortably. One corner of the room grabbed his attention; a well-padded chair with a footstool sat in it. That explains where you are most of the time, Darkness.

  Shaking his head, he took a moment to look over his outfit. He was wearing a black silk kimono with a blue flame pattern on it. I don’t own an outfit like this, Gregory mused to himself.

  “Greg?” Yukiko called out to him.

  Spinning around, he saw Yukiko in a red kimono with a white snow owl pattern. Smile growing, he took a step toward her. “You look lovely, Yuki.”

  “This is what I’ll wear when we marry,” Yukiko said softly. “Do you really like it?”

  “I do.”

  “Thank you, dear one. I like your outfit, too.”

  Gregory looked away. “I don’t own anything like this, Yuki. I assume that Darkness did this before she left to give us privacy.”

  Yukiko’s eyes took in the details of his kimono. “You look very handsome... Aether’s flame suits you.”

  Gregory stopped a foot away from her. “Yuki, are you sure? This might make things even harder for us.”

  Swallowing hard, Yukiko met his eyes with hers. “Yes, I’m sure, dear one.”

  Taking Yukiko in his arms, Gregory kissed her softly. Yukiko returned the kiss as she put her arms around his waist, drawing them against each other. The kiss slowly deepened, gradually building. Reaching the point where they normally had to stop, Gregory didn’t this time. Since it was a shared dream, they could go further.

  Yukiko let out a soft pleased sigh, her lips parting so her tongue could dart out to meet his for a moment. That sigh turned to disappointment when Gregory drew away from her. The disappointment vanished as quickly as it came when Gregory began to kiss along her neck. Yukiko gasped lightly when his lips grazed her earlobe. Hearing her gasp, he made sure to revisit her earlobe as he continued his exploration of her neck.

  Yukiko was leaning into him when he finally pulled his mouth from her heated skin. “Greg, my legs are getting weak...”

  “Let me help you, then,” Gregory said as he gently scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

  Yukiko buried her face in his neck, her soft lips returning his earlier attention, kissing his skin. Gregory smiled as she kissed him, his footsteps steady and sure as he carried the most precious thing in the world to him.

  Laying her down on the bed, Gregory leaned over her, his eyes locked on hers. “I’m going to take my time, Yuki. This will take a while… I want to explore every inch of you.”

  Breath catching in her throat, Yukiko nodded. “I want my own turn to do the same, please.”

  “As my heart wishes,” Gregory replied before kissing her.

  Time slipped away from them as Gregory did as he promised. His lips, hands, and tongue roved over every pale inch of skin Yukiko had. Every time her breath caught, Gregory would go back to the area, making sure he knew what brought her the most pleasure. With his exploration done, he gave her a soft smile as he kissed his way down her body again.

  Heavy-lidded eyes fluttered open, watching him as her breath grew faster the closer he got to her sex. “Greg, you’ve already teased that part of me.”

  “I know... now, I want to savor you,” Gregory replied as his tongue traced a lazy line over her wet mound.

  Yukiko stroked his hair. “I’m yours, dear one. I still want to explore you, though…” She trailed off in a moan when his tongue found her clitoris.

  Her moan lit a fire inside of Gregory— he wanted to hear it again and again. Driven, his tongue lashed her sex, making her moan louder. It turned into a long wail as she gripped his hair tight and pulled his face into her.

  Surprised by her sudden aggression, Gregory almost stopped, but instead, he drove his tongue faster and harder against her. Legs locking, Yukiko’s body quivered, her orgasm controlling her as she kept him pinned to her. Just as the orgasm started to abate, another wave hit her, and her wail of pleasure cut off in a guttural growl as her hips ground into his face.

  Both of them were gasping for breath when Yukiko let go of his head. “Well, I think you enjoyed that,” Gregory chuckled, kissing her thigh.

  “Oh, Aether... it was wonderful,” Yukiko murmured as small aftershocks traveled along her spine. “It’s my turn...” With a languid smile on her face, she patted the bed beside her. “Please?”

  Gregory moved to lay on his back where she indicated. “I’m in your hands, dear one.”

  It took her a minute to move, but she did, shifting to begin slowly caressing and touching him like he had with her. Yukiko giggled when she found that a kiss and lick at the hollow of his throat made him shiver. Again, time was lost to them as Yukiko took her time exploring his body.

  When he laughed and jerked his leg away from her, she giggled. “Your knee is ticklish?”

  “It seems so,” Gregory said.

  “I’ll leave it be,” Yukiko said.

  “Thanks. You’re lucky... no ticklish spots at all.”

  Yukiko just smiled as she went back to touching him. She’d bypassed his stiff cock when she moved down his body, but she kept looking at it as she went. When she’d gone over every part of him but that, she took a deep breath.

  Chewing her lip, her hands gently wrapped around his straining shaft. Gregory’s deep inhale made her smile. Her delicate hands stroked and rubbed both his cock and balls. “Am I doing this right, dear one?”

  “Feels very nice...” Gregory exhaled.

  “Can I do for you what you did for me?” Yukiko asked, uncertain how it would work.

  Gregory’s whole body tightened up for a second, the thought of her doing that pushing him closer to the edge. “Yes... Lips and tongue to start with.”

  Shifting her position on the bed, her mouth was inches from his twitching cock, her warm breath making him breathe faster. Tentatively, she leaned in and began to kiss and lick at the underside of his flesh.

  “That feels amazing,” Gregory moaned, his toes curling.

  Watching his face as she continued, she ran her hand up and down his length, the saliva-coated shaft sliding smoothly in her hand. His hips bucked lightly, making her smile. She began alternating between licking him and stroking him, slowly working him into a frenzy.

  “Yuki, if you keep going... I… I...” Gregory panted, his whole body vibrating with need.

  “I want you to,” Yukiko whispered as she planted kisses up his length.

  Gregory moaned when she kissed the tip of his cock. Grabbing her head, he pushed himself into her mouth. He tensed up, his hips bucking as he started to come and fill her mouth. Moaning her name, he held her in place.

  Yukiko was shocked when he forced her to swallow the head of his shaft. Her surprise grew when she felt the hot, thick, salty fluid that began to fill her mouth. Swallowing, she let him hold her in place as he moaned her name. The pleasure in his tone made her eager to repeat this moment.

  When he let go of her head, panting and feeling wrung out, he found her looking up at him, his cock still in her mouth as she continued to suckle gently on him. “That…” He trailed off, unable to put what he felt into words.

  Smiling, she bobbed her head and took in another inch. Gregory’s eyes rolled
up as another pulse of pleasure coursed through him. Seeing him enjoying it, she worked on his shaft, slowly taking more and more of him with each downward bob. She only managed half when she came up quickly, coughing.

  “Yuki!?” Gregory asked in panic.

  “It’s… it’s okay,” Yukiko coughed. “I took too much.”

  “You did amazing.”

  “I wasn’t expecting the flood,” Yukiko said. “It was very salty. I don’t mind it, though, because you were obviously enjoying it.”