by Black, Jaid
He lifted a round loaf of dense bread from the platter, tore it in two and handed her half. “Tear off a piece and feed it to me.” A note of hope lifted his voice. “Please.”
She tore a small chunk of bread from the loaf and cautiously brought it to his lips. “Why did you appear as a bull within the labyrinth?”
He took the piece of bread from her fingertips and carefully chewed and swallowed. “When the Asterions first came to Earth many generations ago, we took the form of animals that humans would admire, covet and make use of. Living among you as animals was the easiest way to become accustomed to Earthly bodies and observe humanity without causing conflict.
“Many of us found adapting to the complex emotions of the human mind, and the conflicting needs of a body, extremely challenging. Most Asterions were only able to make half the transition toward becoming human. Over time, the Asterion council lost interest in trying to master physical bodies, but a few persisted and became adept as Earthlings. A traditional animal such as a bull is still the simplest and most comfortable form to take; it’s large, powerful and, on this small island, only a human would dare challenge it.”
A little shiver of apprehension raced through her. She knew “Asterion” was an ancient word, older than stone, which meant “starry master” or “ruler of stars”. She leaned closer. “Are you a god?”
“No.” He reached for more wine. “Don’t be intimidated by the word ‘Asterion’. I’m physically different from you but our souls are similar. I envy all that you have, and all that you can enjoy on Earth. I begged the council for the chance to live a single lifetime as a man.” He gently pushed the platter toward her. “Share with me. Eat and drink your fill. Afterward, there’s something I want to show you.”
Larisa helped herself to a little of everything and washed it all down with a generous serving of wine. Darron ate and drank also. His gaze carefully watched her every choice from the platter. He ate whichever items she chose, following her lead. When she was finished eating the simple but delicious fare, she sighed contently.
“Come here.” He kicked free of the bed covers and stretched across the mattress, exposing perfectly formed, muscular legs that were now faintly dusted with a few silky hairs instead of a brushy animal pelt.
She admired the long legs and swept her gaze toward the deeply flushed shaft of his thick cock, its tip glistening.
“Lie with me.” His hand slowly stroked the mattress, inviting her near. “I need you beside me.”
She slowly reclined and stretched across the mattress at his side. She gazed into his strongly angled face, thinking him to be the masculine ideal, if still a bit too animal-like with the horns. Her fingertips stroked against the soft strands of hair on his broad chest as her body nestled against him.
“What do you think of me?” He brushed a curl from her face.
“Don’t you already know?” She lightly kissed the warm skin on his chest. “You’re the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen.” The uncensored words blurted past her lips.
He smiled. “I think the same about you.” He gently slid on top of her, carefully taking his weight on his elbows. His legs parted her own as he settled between her thighs. His lips lightly brushed against Larisa’s.
A breathless thrill raced through her as she parted her lips and allowed his tongue to glide across hers.
His hand lowered to tenderly stroke the side of her thigh and gently nudge her tunic higher. “I want you,” he whispered. “Do you want me?”
“Yes.” A rising wave of lust overtook her as she helped Darron lift the hem of her tunic to her hips. Her skin tingled in anticipation of sharing more pleasure with him. She forgot about the horns on his head and could hardly wait for the thrilling sensations of having his strong body moving inside hers, making her feel good again.
His hands cradled the back of her head and held her close in a sweetly demanding kiss. She loved his touch. It was raw lust tempered with gentleness. She sensed how careful he was being to not rush or startle her. A flood of excitement raced through her as his mouth covered hers with hungry kisses.
His cock pressed between her thighs, brushing against her wet sex. He almost held his breath as his gaze met hers and waited.
Larisa reached down, took hold of the shaft and slowly rubbed the wet crown against her bud, loving the shivers of arousal that zipped through her. As soon as the crown was thoroughly slick, she guided him inside.
He slid into her with ease, exhaling a ragged breath as he sank deeper. “Wrap your arms around me,” he pleaded.
She locked her arms around his shoulders and squeezed his lean hips between her thighs. It was pure pleasure to twine her limbs around his solid frame, as his body slowly moved between her legs. As his motions gradually sped, he grew more excited, and so did she. Larisa arched against the furs as they moved together in perfectly matched rhythm.
His breath panted in harsh bursts and she knew he was reaching climax. She was on fire too and tilted her hips upward to rub her bud against the fast-stroking shaft. Her hands slid across the solid curves of his buttocks and clutched to anchor him against her as she came. Her skin flushed with heat and for a fleeting moment, even the soles of her feet tingled before the full, stunning release rippled through her core. She collapsed beneath him with a sigh.
Darron’s hips pumped faster before a violent shudder passed through his body. He threw his head back, thrust deep and groaned as he released a long, drenching rush of hot seed inside her. His hips slowly rocked for several long strokes as he finished.
While his breathing calmed, she continued to hold him close and smooth her fingers through his hair.
When he was finally capable of speaking, he whispered, “Larisa.” The next words were spoken just as softly. “Would you welcome a child that belonged to both my world and yours?”
His words were so serious, her skin pebbled with tension. “Do you know I’m with child, or are you just asking?” She shifted beneath him. “Would the child be more like me?” She hesitated. “Or you?”
He smiled. “It would be an equal blend of Asterion and Earthling.”
Her hand sank lower on his back, until she felt… “I meant…would the child have a tail and horns?”
“Would it be a disgrace if that happened?” he asked innocently.
“The child could never pass for human.”
His brow furrowed. “The child would be half Asterion and no doubt a very valuable member of any group. Several of Hathor’s daughters were born with cow’s heads and they are absolutely beloved in Egypt, and considered to be very desirable…”
She gulped a deep breath. “Let’s discuss this later. There may be nothing to worry about.”
“That’s right.” His fingertips lightly stroked the sides of her face. “With your help and love, I can fully become a man and live above in the sunlight. I want that more than anything.”
“I don’t understand,” she whispered.
Darron smiled at her with a sweet, slightly crooked grin. “You don’t like my tail, do you?”
She shifted uncomfortably, not knowing what to say.
“Please be honest,” He glanced over his shoulder at the offending appendage.
She gazed at his strong profile lit by flickering torchlight. There was plenty to appreciate about him. His face was ruggedly handsome and his solid warrior’s body made her feel wonderful. Even his ivory horns had an air of majesty. Why did he have to bring up the one thing that troubled her? “It’s not that I dislike it…” She hesitated. “It’s just so—animal.”
He stood and offered his hand. “Come with me.”
She grasped his hand and rose, smoothing her rumpled tunic with her other palm. “Where are we going?”
“Deeper into the heart of the labyrinth.”
“Why?”
“For me, the only way out is by going inward. On Asteria, a labyrinth is considered the ideal safe place to begin life on Earth. Some visiting Asterions never fully attaine
d human form, or even left the labyrinth. I want more. I want to live above as a man, but to do that I must have the permission of the Asterion council and a specific purpose to fulfill on Earth. Perhaps we can find that purpose together.” He glanced over his shoulder at his flicking tail then smiled. “Don’t worry—it will be gone soon.”
He reached for the torch with his free hand, removing it from a niche in the wall. “Follow me.”
They left the small chamber and walked into a passageway that split into three narrower paths. Darron chose one that barely accommodated the width of his horns. “I hope I picked the right passageway,” he mumbled. “It’s a lot easier navigating a labyrinth as a formless spirit. I usually just floated through obstacles, instead of walking around them.”
“You don’t know your way around down here? You said you were here for years.”
“I was, but being in a physical body makes it an entirely new experience. Now five physical senses are involved. There are features to the labyrinth that simply did not register with my spirit-self, such as textures and smells…even shadows, if you can image, were something I never had to cope with.” The tip of one horn scraped the wall and he winced and pulled away. “See? I’m still learning. Before, I simply followed a thought and the thought would take me directly where I wanted to go. It was much easier.”
He glanced at her. “But I have no regrets about taking a physical body. This is the best adventure I’ve ever had.”
“What exactly were you?”
“Light, is the easiest answer. I had far less substance than the priest you met upon your arrival.”
“Is the priest an Asterion too?”
“No, he’s from another race of beings who are also interested in the denser physical realms, but they have yet to master the art of taking on any sort of physical form. These beings, like the Asterions, are in awe of Earth and all that is possible here. They’re here simply to assist our work and observe.”
“Why did you wait so long to take form?”
“I had no choice. I had to be physically initiated into your realm. I couldn’t simply will myself through the portal, though I did try.” He laughed quietly. “Someone had to come to the labyrinth and offer a few drops of blood in order for me to take physical form.”
Larisa became disoriented as they negotiated the many twisting turns, and was convinced they were wandering in circles. At every corner she expected to see the straw mattress and half-eaten platter of food, but eventually they came to a rounded chamber with a large, sparkling silver mirror embedded in the wall.
As they approached the mirror, it rippled to life as if it were the calm surface of a pool.
“Go ahead,” Darron encouraged. “Look into the mirror; it’s the past made clear. Of course you can’t go back, but you can see it for what it was.”
A chill skittered over her skin. “What will I see?”
“I don’t know.” Darron released Larisa’s hand and allowed her to approach the mirror alone. “It’s not my past.”
She cautiously stood before the mirror, at first seeing only her reflection of long curls and large brown eyes—then the surface rippled and the image of her dead fiancé Alecto shimmered into form.
Alecto looked back at her in death as he had in life, with restless fire burning is his dark eyes. He was a man of action and quick temper who was always ready to fight. At the slightest hint of battle, he was the first to gather his weapons and sound the call. A great warrior, inspiring and brave, Alecto was the son her father never had, and he had been her father’s first choice of a husband. Larisa’s father had arranged her marriage to Alecto shortly before their deaths.
Alecto had clearly been the right man to follow in her father’s footsteps as warrior chief, but had he been the right man to provide a loving household for Larisa? That question had never been broached.
Alecto continued to stare back at her with narrowed eyes. His stern expression almost dared her to entertain warm thoughts about him. He was from another tribe, and he and Larisa had known very little about each other, a fact that didn’t matter to Alecto. She was a chief’s daughter and therefore a worthy prize. That was all he required in a wife. She had only been alone with him on the rare occasion. All she truly knew about Alecto was what she had gathered with her eyes or overheard while they were in the company of others. Alecto and her father had mostly shared detailed conversations about weapons and battle strategies.
In the mirror, beyond Alecto, the faint image of a flickering campfire crackled and she was reminded of the single sweet thing they had shared. One night, beside a campfire when no one was looking, he’d grabbed her wrist, pulled her onto his lap and kissed her deliriously.
Larisa had loved it. The kiss had left her breathless and proved to be an exciting invitation to a new world of desire. She’d instantly wanted to experience more, but aside from the stolen kiss by the fire, they’d been strangers. She’d been left wondering about all the things she didn’t know about Alecto and never would.
The mirror darkened and Alecto’s image faded. Larisa had wanted love, a home and children of her own, and Alecto had been the one chosen to provide those things. But she realized Alecto would never have been happy staying home with a wife and children. He’d been forever on the march. When he died, she’d felt great sorrow for his unlived life—but she now felt deeper sorrow for the narrowness of that life.
“What are you thinking?” Darron whispered.
“I was thinking how tragic it is that the people of my village spend all their energy and lives fighting with our neighbors and achieving so little. When our boat washed ashore, I was awestruck by the Palace of Asterion. I never dreamed such splendor existed. My village is made of mud thatch and each cottage is so tiny you can barely spread your arms without striking a wall. When I saw what the Minoans could build, I wanted to shout, ‘Why can’t we achieve that? Why must we spend all our time fighting?’
“My father and Alecto were obsessed with battle. They were brave men. I respect them both but what a waste it all was. They left little of value behind. During their lives, not a moment was spent on making the future better or more beautiful.”
Darron gazed at her. “Do you think the people of your village would be interested in learning new ways?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “I would hope so. I want to learn to paint the images I saw on the Minoan palace walls…”
He picked up the torch, took her hand and led her out of the mirror chamber. They walked another twisting passageway, this time coming upon a dripping grotto. The air was warm and humid. Steam rose from a natural hot spring.
Darron set the torch into the wall and waded into the spring. He motioned for Larisa to follow. “Bathe with me.” He walked to the middle of the clear spring until the water reached his shoulders.
She stood nervously at the edge. “I can’t swim.”
He held his arms open. “I’ll hold you. You’re safe with me.”
She did feel safe with him. Her hands tugged the tunic over her head and tossed it aside. She waded waist-deep into the warm water.
Darron approached and scooped her into his arms, moving them deeper.
Larisa wrapped her arms securely around his neck and enjoyed pressing her body against the warm expanse of his chest. He felt so solid and secure, she could fully appreciate the spring and allow herself to gently float. “This feels wonderful.”
He showered the side of her face with kisses. His hands roamed lovingly over her skin. “I want to do something for you.” He walked toward the far edge of the spring and sat her on a smooth rock.
“What are you doing?” She noticed a bright glint in his eyes.
“You’ve given me so much pleasure, I wish to return the favor.” He parted her thighs. “Wrap your legs around my neck so I can taste you.”
A blush warmed her cheeks. He was putting her first? The thought of his beautiful mouth kissing her sex was terrifically exciting. She lifted her legs and
slid them over his shoulders, then leaned back on her elbows and watched as he carefully positioned his face in front of her sex.
His lips lightly brushed against her bud. “I’ve been dreaming of this.” He pressed a soft kiss to her mons. His long, wavy hair tickled her inner thighs as his face slowly moved from side to side. His tongue gently stroked between her lips, searching for her bud with languorous circles, causing thrilling sensations that built in intensity.
Larisa relaxed the grip of her thighs to make herself more accessible. The warm caress of his mouth was stunning.
Darron teased her with light flicking motions—before bearing down to fiercely suck.
She gasped. Her hips arched upward from the overwhelming pleasure.
He lifted his face. “Too hard?”
She shook her head. “It’s perfect.” She guided his head lower and held him captive between her thighs, desperately needing him to continue. “Don’t stop.” Larisa rocked her hips.
As his mouth worked her bud, he slid a long finger inside her and stroked.
She wanted to go wild from the tremendous amount of energy building inside her body and almost needed to scream. Her thighs pressed against the sides of his face as she rubbed her bud hard against his lips.
His lips slowly drew her bud to a peak. He made a gentle coaxing motion with his crooked finger that lured her closer to the edge of climax.
Larisa tensed. For a startling moment she felt as if she were floating, weightless. Her stomach muscles clenched as a strong climax broke and left her face flushed. She panted shallow breaths and rode the sensation for as long as possible. As the last rolling waves of pleasure passed, she had to will herself to relax and release him from her tensed legs.