Collars 'N' Cuffs

by Wayward Ink

  “What?”

  They were going to refuse to help. This had been a waste of time. He should have committed an atrocity instead and forced the heavenly host to come to him. It had been foolish to think diplomacy the correct course of action. By the time he got Heaven’s attention, it might be too late for Taharial.

  “I will take you to Heaven. If the deed is deemed good.”

  The angel stepped forward and offered Asmodeus his hand. When Asmodeus took it, the angel shivered and a golden glow suffused his wings. Once it had faded, his feathers were as pure as driven snow. The angel’s smile was one of unadulterated joy.

  “Come.”

  They went out to the alley behind the kitchen and, as soon as the coast was clear, the angel wrapped his arms around Asmodeus, spread his wings, and launched them skyward.

  TAHARIAL KNELT BEFORE the assembly. Examinations were private affairs, so no spectators were present. However, it was far from pleasant to stand alone under the scrutiny of seven archangels.

  As always, Michael headed the inquiry, and it was he who spoke first. “Taharial, you come before us charged with a terrible crime. The accusations against you will be read aloud. You will then have the opportunity to speak before we pass judgment. Do you submit to the decision of this gathering and the will of Heaven?”

  “I do.”

  Michael nodded and resumed his seat. Then Raguel stood and read from a parchment.

  “The charges are as follows. That Taharial, angel of purity, did succumb to lust. Moreover, that he did commit this offense with a demon, and on no less than seven occasions.” He lowered the paper and glowered. “This was no one-time slip but a repeated error. One that involved lies and deceit. On that basis, I say we must impose the harshest possible penalty.”

  “Yes, yes, Raguel.” Michael waved him back down. “We are well aware of your opinion on the matter, but before the rest of us decide, we must hear our brother’s explanation for his actions.” He turned to Taharial. “Speak, Taharial. What have you to say?”

  Taharial took a deep breath and fixed his gaze on the ground. “I refute none of the claims against me, Michael, for they are all true. I gave in to lust and made several trips to Hell to satisfy my desires, gaining access to the lower realm through falsehoods.”

  “But why, Taharial? Others among us have slipped in the past, but always with a mortal. Why would you choose a demon?”

  “It was not planned. I met Asmodeus while on a mission for Heaven. He… he made it easy for me. I swore it would be only once, yet I was drawn back again and again. After a while, it ceased to be about convenience.” He raised his head and met Michael’s eye. “He made me feel things I had never experienced before. Though I regret the lies I told, I cannot repent that.”

  “This is all you wish to say?”

  “It is.”

  “Then we will decide your fate.” Michael turned to the other archangels. “Brothers, the choice is yours. A white token will clear Taharial of his crimes, a black one will condemn him to repentance as a lesser fallen, and red will see him cast from Heaven.”

  One by one, the archangels stepped forward and held their hand over the crystal chalice. It was soon clear which way the vote would fall, and Taharial looked away. When he shivered, the movement rustled his feathers. What would it be like when his wings were gone? How painful would it be to have them stripped? Would that part hurt more or less than the long fall to Hell that followed?

  “The ruling has been made.” Michael stepped down from the dais and approached Taharial. “Taharial, you are sentenced to Hell. Your wings will be taken and you will be cast out of Heaven, never to ret—”

  “Wait!”

  Taharial knew that voice. But it was impossible. Perhaps sentence had already been carried out and this was an illusion his mind had conjured to numb the pain. Then the archangels drew their weapons, and Taharial realized the truth.

  It was no dream; Asmodeus was there.

  Chapter Five

  “HOW DID YOU get here, demon?”

  The archangel Michael raised his sword and pointed the blade at Asmodeus, but Asmodeus noticed that neither he nor any of the others approached. Apparently a demon appearing in their midst was enough to throw even the mighty archangels off their game.

  “Oh, I hitched a lift with one of your brothers.”

  “Who would do such a thing? Who would bring a demon here?”

  “Didn’t catch his name, I’m afraid. Had other things on my mind.” He glanced over at Taharial. “You okay?”

  It seemed Taharial was as flummoxed as his brethren, since he stared, open-mouthed, and didn’t answer. Seeing that pretty little mouth all wide and inviting gave Asmodeus ideas. But that would have to wait. He needed to free his lover before he could ravish him.

  “Are you Asmodeus?”

  Asmodeus turned toward the new speaker. He didn’t recognize the guy. But whoever he was, he had lowered his weapon and looked more reasonable and collected than some of the others, so Asmodeus offered a small bow and put on his best manners.

  “Yes, that’s me. To whom am I speaking?”

  “I am called Raziel.”

  “Nice to meet you, Raziel. I’ve come to testify on Taharial’s behalf. Think of me as his defense counsel, if you like.”

  More gaping. More shock. Asmodeus was beginning to wonder how the angels had held their position of authority for so long. The slightest thing out of the ordinary reduced them all to the status of village idiots.

  “You wish to defend him?” Raziel recovered first, confirming that Asmodeus had been right to single him out.

  “Correct.”

  Raziel frowned. “This is not a trial like those that take place on Earth and in Hell. We do not have such things. We have no need of them. This is an examination to ascertain in what manner and to what extent one of our brothers has erred and to decide what he must do to atone for his flouting of Heaven’s laws.”

  “So he’s not allowed a defense? Doesn’t that seem a bit, I don’t know, unfair, considering the way you all are always harping on about divine justice?”

  “Taharial has been given the chance to explain his actions, and now we are deciding how he is to be punished. That is the way it works here.”

  “Ah, but you see, none of it was Taharial’s fault. He came to my room in the line of duty, but I had these chains and—”

  “Enough, Asmodeus. Please stop.”

  They all turned to Taharial, and the look in his angel’s eyes renewed that icy grasp around Asmodeus’ heart.

  “It is true there were chains, but I asked for them. They are not an excuse. Everything I did, I wanted to do. It was my decision and mine alone. I am the one to blame. Asmodeus followed his nature, nothing more.”

  “Then let us carry out the sentence and be done with it. He and his demon can return to Hell together.”

  Asmodeus scowled at the speaker. The angel’s anger was worthy of any rage demon. It burned so hot Asmodeus wondered if there weren’t a few repressed feelings in there. The guy might benefit from a good fucking, himself. And to think, all these years he’d believed Heaven to be abundant with forgiveness and sickening brotherly love. He was both gratified and aghast to find they didn’t always practice what they preached. When push came to shove, angels weren’t much different from humans. Or demons, for that matter.

  “No, wait.” Raziel stepped between Mr. Angry and Taharial, though he turned to address Asmodeus. “Why did you come here? Why interfere?”

  “You know, the angel who brought me up here asked the same question. Truth is, I’m not certain. All I know is that Taharial is important to me and I can’t bear to see him punished for something we did together. I… care about him.”

  There was a collective gasp—the loudest yet—and Asmodeus began to lose patience. He turned to Taharial, hoping for a little sanity from that corner, only to find him caught up in whatever nonsense had gripped the others. Perhaps it was a sickness. An angel virus.
>
  “Listen, would you all stop with the gaping already? If it’s intended to freak demons out, you’re doing a great job. If it’s an illness, it’d better not be contagious. I can’t afford to take any more time off work. I’m in enough trouble with the Boss at the moment as it is. Dereliction of duty and all that. You know how it is.”

  “Do you see it?” This from Raziel.

  “Yes, but I cannot believe it,” another replied.

  “Asmodeus.” Taharial had tears in his eyes as he reached to cup Asmodeus’ cheek. “I love you, too.”

  The scene descended into chaos as all the archangels started speaking at once; then Michael’s voice rang out, silencing his brothers.

  “In light of the new evidence presented, the sentence will be commuted.”

  “Do you want to invite anarchy into our ranks?” Mr. Angry surged forward and waved his sword at Asmodeus and Taharial. “Our brother must pay for what he has done. You cannot let him walk away unpunished after such a transgression.”

  “I can do as I wish. Or have you forgotten who heads this assembly, Raguel?” Michael knocked the blade aside and stood before Taharial. “I cannot offer full forgiveness, for our rules must be obeyed, but in this case I see a middle ground. You must fall, but it need not be to Hell. Keep your wings. They will be blackened like those of the lesser fallen, though unlike them you have no chance of a return to Heaven. You must remain on Earth for all time.”

  Taharial cast a glance at Asmodeus. “Am I also barred from Hell?”

  Michael smiled. “No, it is only Heaven you must forgo. The path to the lower realm will remain open to you.”

  “Then I accept. Thank you, Michael.”

  Michael waved his hand and murmured words Asmodeus couldn’t make out, and a silvery light enveloped Taharial. When it faded, his wings were coal-black. Then the archangel turned to Asmodeus.

  “You are the second demon we have come across this year capable of love. It gives me hope for the future.”

  “Love? But I’m a demon.”

  “We see its glow around you nonetheless. Take care of my brother, and farewell.” He turned, and the other archangels fell into line behind him. A moment later they disappeared through a golden doorway that closed behind them, leaving Taharial and Asmodeus alone.

  “Asmodeus, we should go. I do not know how much longer the clouds will support either of us. We neither of us belong here. Not anymore.”

  Asmodeus reached out and brushed a hand along Taharial’s wings. They felt the same, despite the change in color. “Is it love, Taharial? Is that even possible?”

  “That is what your aura says. I suppose only time will tell if it will last, and we have plenty of that now.” He paused and hung his head. “If you still wish me to come to you every night now that I am fallen.”

  “I came all the way up to this horrible, cloud-infested place to get you, didn’t I? You don’t honestly think I’d give up my prize after such effort?” He gave a sly smile. “Besides, all that gaping you were doing earlier got me thinking. There are so many better uses for those prettily parted lips than swallowing flies.”

  To his relief, Taharial cast aside his gloomy expression and giggled, and Asmodeus tugged him to his chest and caught the aforementioned lips in a hungry kiss. He didn’t break the contact until he felt himself sinking. When he looked down, his feet were disappearing into the cloud.

  “Uh, Taharial. Looks like our time is up.”

  “Hold on to me.”

  Taharial wrapped his arms around Asmodeus and spread his wings. Then they descended to Earth in lazy spirals that grew ever more erratic once Asmodeus realized he was in the perfect position to grope Taharial’s ass and rub against him.

  AS NIGHT TURNED into day, Taharial lay beside Asmodeus in the demon’s bed. Asmodeus had looked sheepish when Taharial questioned the overturned desk, scorched carpet, and piles of ash, but all such concerns were soon lost in the race to disrobe and the tangle of limbs that followed.

  Taharial rolled over and nestled against Asmodeus’ chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. He shivered and pressed closer as Asmodeus caressed his wings in soft, languid strokes. His pitch-black wings. They felt no different. He felt no different. He had lost Heaven, true, but that was worth it to gain this. What was a land of fluffy clouds compared to the heat of Asmodeus’ body? What was a life of duty and self-sacrifice compared to one of freedom in which he had Asmodeus’ love?

  “I have a surprise for you, little angel.”

  “For me?” Taharial raised his head and caught the mischievous glint in Asmodeus’ eyes.

  “Indeed. Let me up and I’ll fetch it.”

  Taharial shifted and Asmodeus left the bed. He pulled open one of the drawers in the toppled desk and withdrew something from within. Then he returned with his hands behind his back. He waited until Taharial gave an impatient huff before whipping his hands out in front of him, brandishing the item.

  It was a set of interlocking silver chains with four leather cuffs and a studded leather collar. The metal glinted in the lamplight, and Taharial licked his lips. He wasn’t certain how the device worked, but he couldn’t wait to find out. His cock twitched to life at the thought, and he saw Asmodeus’ gaze shift there before returning to his face.

  Asmodeus smirked and jangled the chains, making the metal links tinkle as they bounced against one another. “I thought we could try them out tonight. Or maybe tomorrow.”

  “No. Now.” Taharial crept forward on hands and knees and reached for the closest section of chain, but Asmodeus jerked it out of reach and assumed a mock shocked expression.

  “And you called me insatiable earlier. I have to go to work today, or else the Boss’ll roast me alive. Besides, wouldn’t you like to rest awhile? Surely you’re not up for another round yet, Taharial? A sweet, innocent angel such as yourself couldn’t possibly orgasm three times in as many hours.”

  There was the hint of a challenge in Asmodeus’ tone, and Taharial was determined to meet it. “I am ready now.”

  He wrapped his hand around Asmodeus’ cock and started to pump, gazing up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. The fact that Asmodeus was erect and leaking pre-cum was enough to confirm this was only part of their game. Taharial knew he’d be getting those chains at any moment.

  “Well, I suppose we could take them for a quick test drive before I head out,” Asmodeus conceded with a wicked grin as he leaned forward and fastened the collar around Taharial’s neck. Instead of pulling away once he was done, he dipped his tongue into the hollow of Taharial’s ear, then whispered, “Perhaps once they’re on, I’ll leave you strapped to the bed, hard and untouched, until I get home. If you’re a good little angel and don’t come before I return, you’ll be rewarded.”

  Taharial’s pulse thundered, and when Asmodeus stepped back, he presented his wrists and bowed his head. “I will be so very good.”

  “I was rather hoping that would be the case.”

  Asta Idonea (aka Nicki J Markus) was born in England, but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages.

  Asta launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!

  As a day job, Asta works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theater, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel; all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing.

  ASTA IDONEA can be found at:

  Website: http://www.nickijmarkus.com

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickiJMarkus

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickiJMarkus

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