In spite of his lack of magical experience, he knew when the danger passed. He lowered his shield and Aurus did the same with his. He could hardly see a thing in the sudden darkness, but in his heart, he knew what to do. He focused on the connection he sensed inside, and the gloom began to dissipate. Chrys gaped as he watched the black dragon appear once more in the depths of the sea.
* * * *
Out of all the possible things that could have happened, Vaar had never expected something like this. The two mer he'd come in search of climbed off the saurion, giving Vaar a wary look.
Chrys's eyes widened and Vaar realized the young mer must have spotted Jaden.
"Jaden!" Chrys cried out. He looked like he wanted to swim toward them, but Aurus held him back. Vaar was thankful for the prince's intervention. The situation was quite volatile, and Vaar needed to make sure they were all safe before proceeding to figure out their complicated emotional dilemma.
Jaden protested, hitting at his chest with tight fists. "Let me go. Chrys is down there."
"Give me a minute, treasure," Vaar replied.
Jaden had briefly blacked out during their journey and Vaar figured it happened due to Chrys's meeting with the saurion. He didn't want to take a chance with his treasure's life.
"Greetings, friend," he rumbled to the sea snake.
"Greetings," the saurion hissed back. "I found two things that belong to you."
"I see that," Vaar replied. "You have my thanks."
The voice sounded familiar to Vaar's ears and he knew he'd heard it before. Truth be told, it was very likely that Vaar had once known this sea snake. Saurions used to belong to dragon kind but, due to their peculiar form, they had been shunned by their people. Of course, the real reason lay deeper, in the same court intrigues that led to Vaar's own exile. This was the main reason behind the enmity between the now distinct races.
Black dragons were the only ones excluded from this vendetta, as they suffered from the same treatment. Upon their exile, they had formed a pact with the saurions, to aid each other in any way they could. Vaar had never thought it would one day help him so much.
Vaar remembered a time when things had been different. Perhaps, once, he'd even seen this particular saurion on a daily basis. He couldn't exactly ask, as many dragons had abandoned their identities after leaving their former homes. Vaar had been one of them, and he wouldn't have come out of his slumber if not for the appearance of the two young mer in his life.
"It is as we once promised," the saurion answered.
Reassured the sea snake remembered as well, Vaar released Jaden from his grip. Jaden immediately shot toward his twin. Vaar watched the reunion between the two brothers and felt a pang of distress. He could never have Jaden all to himself. How would the two other mer react to his new relationship with Jaden?
Mentally shaking himself, Vaar directed his attention toward the saurion. "I trust you are well," he said.
"As well as can be expected," the snake responded. "I just came out of hibernation, so I'm quite hungry. I have to say, your friends are quite interesting."
Vaar understood what went unsaid. The saurion had almost eaten Chrys and Aurus. Chrys and Jaden's ability to understand Vaar seemed to extend to all dragons, saurions included, and it had saved them from certain death. "If you like, you can come with us to my island," he offered. "There is plenty of food."
"Thank you, but no. You know my kind are not comfortable on land. I will find my own prey."
Vaar took that as the opportunity to say his goodbyes. As much as he'd have liked to find out more about the saurion, his priority was the three mer. "You are always welcome with us."
"Thank you. Perhaps we will meet again soon."
With that simple farewell, the saurion departed, leaving Vaar with more questions than answers. Meeting the sea snake brought back many memories he'd have preferred to forget.
"Come," he told Jaden and the others. "We should return home."
"Home?" Chrys repeated. "Where is home?" Chrys looked doubtful, but Vaar wasn't insulted. After all, Chrys didn't know him.
"My island," he replied.
"It's okay, Chrys," Jaden coaxed. "It's perfectly safe."
Aurus looked like he wanted to protest, but this time, he didn't get the chance. Jaden pulled Chrys toward Vaar, the smile on his face so wide it made Vaar's heart hurt. "Chrys, this is Vaar. Vaar, my twin, Chrys."
"We've met before," Vaar replied. "But it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance officially."
He grabbed the two mermen in one paw, mentally chuckling when Chrys yelped. On the ground, Aurus summoned his magic. "Do stop fretting, Prince," he told the older mer. He took Aurus in his other paw and held the three mer against his chest. "Now close your eyes and hold on tight."
The mer silently obeyed and Vaar propelled himself toward the surface. The ground shook and the water rippled with the whirlpool of power. This time, though, Vaar swam more slowly, no longer in a rush. He had three mer to protect and didn't want any harm to come to them.
He burst to the surface and launched himself into the air, his wings quickly taking him up into the clouds. Chrys let out a shocked sound, much like Jaden had when Vaar first stole him from the sea. This time, Aurus spoke, "Don't look at the sun, love. You'll get used to it in time."
Vaar felt a bit amused that Aurus said exactly the same thing Vaar had a few days back. Jaden must have realized it as well and let out a soft laugh.
"What's so funny?" Chrys asked, outraged.
"Nothing," Jaden replied, still chuckling. "Nothing at all."
As he reached the island, Vaar took notice of the fact that the vegetation showed no signs of withering. In the Forbidden Zone, Vaar's powers had killed off every living thing. Even here on the island, it had always happened. But not anymore.
He'd noticed this phenomenon just that morning, when he'd been out to hunt. The darkness inside him no longer seeped out. It had been tamed by Jaden's love. He only hoped that now, with Aurus and Chrys here, he'd be able to keep hold of this love.
Chapter Eight
They reached the dragon's cave in record time. The two other times Jaden had flown with Vaar, he'd blacked out. Now, he admired the beauty of the Windswept Sea and Vaar's island from up above. His twin's warmth by his side made it all better, both of them now in Vaar's strong hold.
Once they landed reality began to settle in. Vaar released them and shifted. Aurus followed the dragon's example, exchanging his tail for the golden-clad legs. The shock hit Jaden when he started to turn into his legged form and felt his twin do the same. He understood they'd both learned how to shift, which meant, like Jaden, Chrys had bonded with someone. Of course, a part of Jaden had known already, since the moment he'd first consummated his union with Vaar. He'd felt Chrys's pleasure as well as his own, and accepted it. Seeing it, right in front of him was, however, very different.
As realization struck, they both stopped their shifting and stared at each other, uncertain what to do next. Vaar noticed the slight awkwardness and gestured for Aurus to take Chrys. "Why don't we go inside and talk there? You'll probably be more comfortable in the water."
Not to mention Jaden wouldn't be forced to change shapes and present his nudity to his twin. Unlike Aurus, he hadn't figured out how to preserve his clothing in between shifts. Vaar claimed it would all come in time, at least for Jaden. Apparently, dragons didn't bother with things like that.
"This is one of the lairs I kept for when I would find my fated mate," Vaar explained. "The land has belonged to my kind since ancient times, although black dragons were rare even back then. I'm not sure what happened to the rest of us."
"It's very beautiful," Chrys offered.
Vaar led them through the corridor and pointed out several chambers. "There is a sleeping area, as well as a chamber that serves as a kitchen of sorts. The bathing room is this way."
They entered the now familiar pool room and Vaar gently placed Jaden in the warm water. "Would you like
anything to eat or drink?"
Jaden almost laughed at the sight of his reclusive lover playing host. He wished he could help Vaar, but he had no idea what to say. Now that they were together, Jaden quite honestly didn't know what to do. He'd been so happy about the reunion with his twin he'd practically forgotten the root of all his problems, his inappropriate affection for Chrys and Aurus.
Aurus placed Chrys in the water then turned toward Vaar. "Actually, I'd like to see your kitchen for a minute, if that's all right with you."
Jaden gaped at the older mer. He was even more surprised when Vaar agreed. "Certainly. Right this way." After throwing a comforting smile toward Jaden, Vaar led Aurus out of the pool room. Jaden and Chrys were now all alone.
"They left on purpose," Chrys said, "to give us time together."
Jaden gritted his teeth, annoyance warring with fear inside him. His twin would ask him what he'd been hiding all this time. Jaden didn't think he could wall himself up again. His magic had broken free, and the bond between the two of them had grown even stronger.
With a flash of insight, Jaden understood. He figured out why they'd been powerless in the first place, why their magic refused to manifest. It had been his fault, for pushing Chrys away, for shielding himself from the one mer who was basically the other half of him.
No longer able to contain his emotions, Jaden lunged for his twin and wrapped his arms around Chrys. "I'm so sorry. They rejected us because of me. And the saurion could have eaten you and Aurus because of my thoughtlessness. I'm sorry. So sorry."
Chrys gently caressed his hair, murmuring in his ear, "Stop talking nonsense. How could you possibly be to blame? Our power simply took time to appear, that's all. And you're not thoughtless. You couldn't have been expected to come after us when you were still overcome with accepting your emotions for Vaar."
Jaden tensed. So his twin had sensed his confusion. How much did Chrys know, exactly? Did he realize the reason for the rift between them? Jaden didn't think so. At the same time, he was somehow certain Chrys did indeed understand that Jaden had once set a barrier between them. After all, how could he not? The difference in the intensity of their connection was staggering.
He broke away from the embrace and met Chrys's blue eyes. "Chrys, listen to me. It really was my fault, and you know it. You realize it now, don't you? You can tell that I pushed you away."
Chrys winced, but nodded. "I don't care about what happened, about what everyone said about us. I just want to know why. We were so close. Why did you shut me out? Was it because of Aurus?"
Jaden saw a flash of doubt in his sibling's eyes. He didn't know if he should take the chance to explain. It meant risking their whole relationship, throwing away the one chance he had to keep seeing Chrys. A different time, Jaden would have shied away from it. But now, he couldn't lie. Chrys would see right through him.
"Because of him, and more," Jaden replied hesitantly. How could he explain what he felt for his twin without disgusting him?
"M-More?" Chrys's voice trembled and his nervousness made Jaden even more anxious. He had to say or do something now, before he lost every ounce of courage he'd mustered.
Jaden looked at his twin's face, so much like his own, yet ten times more beautiful. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. They were so close now and Jaden could smell Chrys's intoxicating scent, mingled with a tinge of Aurus and Vaar's. Sea, sun, and darkness, all mingled together.
His element whispered in his mind and Jaden realized no words would convey the emotions in his heart. He pulled Chrys close and pressed his mouth to his twin's.
Sensations and feelings exploded in Jaden's mind, a whirlpool of confusion, fear, and want. Jaden couldn't tell which were his and which belonged to Chrys. His twin tensed and Jaden began to pull away. His secret out now, he braced himself for the rejection that would follow.
To Jaden's shock, Chrys hauled him back. The other mer parted his lips and his tongue prodded at Jaden's lips. What had begun as a chaste kiss turned into a frantic meeting of mouths and Jaden surrendered to the desire he'd suppressed for so long.
Their tails rubbed together, driving Jaden wild with lust. His twin seemed just as excited and their tongues tangled in a sweet battle for domination. Neither won, or maybe both did. It didn't matter. Jaden had just received the greatest prize of all, his brother's heart.
* * * *
Vaar stood in the hallway, silently watching the twins in the pool. He should have been jealous. Instead, arousal singed him, hot as hell. He wanted to touch his treasure, touch both young mer, take them in his arms and possess them. His aching cock demanded action.
But Jaden and Chrys needed to be alone, at least for a little while, and Vaar needed to deal with Aurus.
"Did you know about this?" Aurus asked darkly.
Vaar arched a brow. "I knew about Jaden's feelings, yes. Why? Does it bother you?"
"Maybe," Aurus replied. "I don't know."
Vaar mused over the mer's reply. There was something more there, he could feel it. If nothing else, Vaar could try and figure out. "Come on," he told Aurus. "Let's leave them alone for a bit."
He led Aurus toward his bedroom and laughed when the other man gave him an ugly look. Apparently, Aurus preferred to call the shots. "Give me a second. I still need to put something on."
The mer looked away, but not before Vaar noticed a blush staining Aurus's cheeks. Smirking, Vaar scanned through the room to find a pair of rough cloth pants. He rarely used clothing, and the few items that had survived the passage of time no longer qualified as appropriate wear. Vaar thanked the gods for even having those. Hard enough to keep his arousal in check, being naked in the presence of a very handsome mer did not help his resolve.
Once decent, he gestured Aurus toward the kitchen. He found a couple of apples and offered them to the mer. Together they sat on two rocky ledges that served as chairs. "Tell me," Vaar urged the mer.
Aurus bit down into the apple and glared. "Why should I?"
Vaar arched a brow at him. "Perhaps because I may be the only one who can understand?"
Fruit juice seeped down Aurus's chin, drawing Vaar's gaze. Vaar forced himself to focus on the matter at hand and not on how much his body needed release.
Thankfully, Aurus seemed to believe him. "The thing is, I've known both of them since we were kids. As we grew up, I started to feel attracted to Chrys. I loved Jaden, but like a brother. Or so I thought." He paused and bit down on the apple once again, gathering his thoughts. "When we met again, after years of being separated, things were so different. And then, you came along and took Jaden. I was crushed. I had no idea, until that moment, how much he meant to me. It's so odd, so confusing."
Vaar nodded in understanding. It was, indeed, very confusing. Vaar had only wished to find one person, one soul who could understand him, accept him, and complete him. Now, he felt this peculiar attraction for three people. Even with all the centuries he'd lived, he couldn't fathom it.
"I know what you mean," he offered. "Black dragons aren't affectionate by nature. Meeting Jaden was strange enough. I never thought I'd actually find my mate." Vaar stopped speaking, uncomfortable with how much he revealed. The words seemed to pour out of him, like a dam had been broken. "I knew you and Chrys were special as well, but you loved each other, while Jaden and I were all alone. I didn't realize how much I'd like for things to be different until Jaden told me you were in danger." Aurus looked shocked, and the embarrassment Vaar felt over saying such things became overrun by satisfaction.
"Oh…" the mer said.
"It's all right if you don't feel the same," Vaar hastened to add. "We just have to find a way to make Jaden and Chrys happy."
"They can't live without each other, I know that now," Aurus confirmed.
Vaar considered the situation, fighting to come up with a plan. He'd have very much liked to keep the three mer to himself, but that would be greedy, and he didn't think it would make the others happy.
A mo
an sounded from the direction of the pool area, effectively dissipating Vaar's good intentions. Aurus's groan echoed Vaar's every thought. "Oh, sweet Sea Mother. They aren't helping my resolve."
Vaar met the mer's eyes, silently asking him for permission and advice. He rarely questioned himself or relied on the wisdom of others. He'd lived for so long, and learned so much in his many years. But this time, he admitted Aurus knew the twins better. He couldn't take any chances with hurting the two mer.
Aurus got up and took a deep breath. "You really do care, don't you?" he asked, his golden gaze unreadable.
The sudden shift in conversation surprised Vaar, but he nodded. The mer made his way to him and seated himself on Vaar's lap. "What are you doing?" Vaar managed to ask, proud when his voice sounded calm.
"It's clear enough," Aurus whispered, "that all of us feel this weird bond. We should get to know each other a little better, don't you agree?"
Aurus's hand massaged Vaar's dick through the coarse material of the pants. Vaar cursed, bolts of lust shooting through him. They shouldn't do this, not until they'd straightened everything out. It would only add to the confusion. "Aurus…"
The mer prince nuzzled his neck, sending ripples of pleasure through Vaar. "It's the first time you ever said my name. I like how it sounds on your lips. Vaar…"
Vaar could no longer hold back. He was, to a certain extent, an animal, and therefore a creature of passions and instincts. Growling, he wrapped his arms around the mer and crushed his lips to Aurus's.
With Aurus, he didn't need to take it slow. He could tell his partner had sexual experience. While Jaden had been shy and uncertain, Aurus knew exactly what to do. Vaar didn't hesitate. He plundered the mer's mouth, relishing the addictive kiss of the prince.
His hands traveled over Aurus's muscled back, clutching the other man's buttocks and pulling him closer. Aurus moaned when Vaar's fingers rubbed against his crease. Vaar wanted to tear apart the material of Aurus's pants and bury himself inside the mer's hot body.
Awakenings Page 12