by S J Doran
“Better than either of you, I understand what happens to a being when their soul is displaced.” Clear azure eyes gleamed with unnatural hunger. “As soon as the boy puts together that his soul is gone, it will break the mind and his body will waste away. You are putting the realms in peril. The sin-eater may not be a king, but he remains our best defense against Asmodeus.”
“You doubt because you only see the shell. I’m telling you his soul is not lost to us.” Barbatos grated, “his mother…”
“Was not powerful enough to be playing games with Asmodeus. Neither of you were. And you expect me to place my faith and my forces in the hands of two broken children.” Mephistopheles said, his voice cold.
“The signs are aligned; the Sword heralds the prophecy. Either Cassius and Amara fulfill their destiny together, or the Realms will fall under the reign of Asmodeus,” Elmira said, bringing the subject back to the point.
“You may refuse to believe Mephistopheles, but your queen and my Sarrum are the only hope we have to overturn that destiny.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
I hereby accept your apology
“My lord.” Bas knelt between Cass’s legs, which were sprawled out in front of him as his blank stare faced the revelry in his great hall, absorbing none of it.
The usual pit fiends, his soldiers and guards, lined the walls, lesser demons, Succubi and Erinyes in various states of undress sat at the long table, two of the beautiful demonesses dancing on top of it. Nothing out of the ordinary but his own thoughts.
“I’ve explained my actions. Apologized. Now will you just let me see to your needs? I can feel your hunger— it gnaws at me as well.” Bas was still fucking talking, trying to make his defection to Glasya’s side more palatable.
Thoughts were spinning through his head, his entire existence in question. Had he been groomed to develop a certain way? What was it his mind was trying to tell him— and why could he not place the memories?
“Cassius.” Bas placed his hands on either thigh. “Tell me you accept my apologies. I am on my knees, in front of all, begging for your forgiveness.”
Cass slowly looked down, seeing nothing but the top of Bas’s platinum curls, the demon’s head bowed with proper reverence. He was good at groveling. His father had taught him well. Taught them both well.
However, Cass heard the hollowness of his words, the lack of feeling behind them. They fell from his mouth with utter abandon, honeyed yet lacking flavor. Words meant nothing. Platitudes came cheap.
“If you’re truly remorseful, Bas, show me.” He needed actions. Proof that the words had meaning.
“Anything.” Bas blinked up at him, eyes the color of a pure sunlit sky.
“I promise, one day you’ll crave this.” Bas’s voice rose up from some fragment of a memory. “You’ll thank me for teaching you what pleasure truly is.”
Cass had never thanked him. Nor would he ever.
Cass pulled himself up, grasping Bas at the back of his neck to pull his face close to his own.
“Take me into your mouth. Make me come so hard I see stars.” Feeding was necessary, setting Bas back in his place, more so.
“Giving another pleasure is a pleasure in itself.” The voice from the past again.
He could prove himself. How many times had Cass been made to?
Bas’s eyes darted around the hall before meeting Cass’s own. “Here? My lord? But…”
“Here, Basileus.” Cass tightened his grip. “Show them how much you worship me. Put that beautiful mouth to better use than spewing lies.”
Bas licked his lips, his throat working up and down as he sat back on his heels to work at loosening Cass’s belt.
Cass let his head fall back against his throne, trying to block out the sounds of the room. He wasn’t an exhibitionist- he merely stopped caring. He’d never thought of sex as a sacred act to begin with.
I give you my body, so two might be one.
Assat. The word kept sticking in his brain.
He shook off the intrusive thoughts.
She wasn’t real. A symptom from his diseased mind. She was merely the safe place he retreated to. Not real.
Bas’s tongue tentatively ran up his shaft, the trail of heat cooling, the sensation hardening him to the point of pain. Every thought in his head scattered-
Sounds of sexual pleasure were filling the room now, the scent of lust pervasive, filling all of Cass’s senses, seeping into the void that was forever a part of him. It only made him hungrier.
Bas took the head of his cock into his mouth, peeking up at him as he did, eyes searching Cass’s expression. Of which… there wasn’t one. Cass felt nothing but emptiness.
“I’m doing this for you, young Prince.” Past Bas’s voice intruded once more. “See, there is no shame, it does not matter where you perform these acts. Does not matter who is watching.”
Anger flickered in Bas’s eyes, his mouth clamping down, suction becoming deeper as he took Cass fully into his mouth, the reflexive swallowing tightening his throat around the tip of his cock.
A groan slipped out, his hands wove into Bas’s hair- the room going silent around them. There was some murmuring, a few groans of pleasure- Bas cupped his balls, squeezing them to the point of pain, and Cass moaned, his hips rocking, pushing himself deeper into Bas’s mouth.
“Does that feel good?” Bas mumbled between licks and sucks. “You like me on my knees in front of your throne?”
“You can entreat me on your knees, Cassius. Beg sweetly and I will ensure your father calms down.” He remembered being pushed to the ground, supplication not a choice. Because his body had recently been broken due to one of his father’s ‘lessons’.
“No talking.” Cass growled, pushing Bas’s mouth back onto his cock. “Fuck me with your mouth.” He nudged his head down. “Hard, Bas.”
Bas upped his enthusiasm at the hint that Cass was becoming undone. Teeth grazed, his sucking became wet and sloppy, tongue trailing out to lick him everywhere- spreading moisture so his hand could follow, gripping the base of his shaft, pulling one way as his mouth sucked back the other.
Bas’s long slender fingers trailed from his balls, circling the tightened hole that Cass swore would never be breached again-
“Just relax. You’ll learn to enjoy this.”
Bas sucked harder, pressing his finger in-
Cass pulled Bas’s head back by his hair, his teeth scraping the entire length of Cass’s shaft- causing his orgasm to blast through him. Intense waves of pleasure that had his back bowed- spurts of semen lashing up over Bas’s face, down his chin and neck- he shook with the intensity, bellowing out a roar.
He shoved Bas back, glaring down at him as he stumbled onto his ass, wiping his sleeve across his face, expression shocked as he took in Cass’s anger.
The lust in the room was reaching it’s crescendo- overwhelming Cass with an influx of power nearly as strong as a dedicated sacrifice.
His back bowed again with the ecstasy of it, groans of pleasure ripped from his chest.
When his eyes finally opened, Bas was standing over him, shirtless as he cleaned himself up, then leaned over to fix Cass back into his pants. He was so sated he could barely lift a finger, yet unease settled in his gut. A sense of wrongness. Hell, he couldn’t start getting picky with how he derived sustenance.
“With my abject apologies, my lord.” Bas bowed in an overblown, mocking manner before turning and stalking out of the hall.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
unless you have a virgin or two to sacrifice
Much later that evening Cass was occupying himself, flipping through his novel, his fingers absently running through Bas’s hair, the demon prince settled comfortably across his chest. The pervasive guilt he felt over the ‘Hall Incident’, as he’d deemed it in his mind, had landed the viper back in his bed.
The thought irked, but sense of guilt and the need for company prevailed. The last thing he needed was to be left alone with his thoughts, sure they wou
ld drive him into madness one day. Already he was running low on the poisons his priestess had provided, the only thing which made these moments of solitude bearable.
“Are you going to read all night?” Bas mumbled sleepily.
They weren’t friends, but Bas was the only link he had to his past— and for whatever reason he clung to it. He flipped the page one-handed in order to keep his hand on Bas.
“The light bothering you?” Cass replied, trying to keep his head in the story.
Bas’s fingers trailed down his stomach. “I wanted to have some fun.”
A sad euphemism for what Bas considered sexual acts.
He didn’t consider it fun. It had been leaving him feeling hollow and wrong, with a sense of longing he couldn’t place. Just an overwhelming urge to seek out more.
“I’m reading.” Not that he needed to explain himself. It was obvious due to the book in his hand. He flipped another page, snapping it loudly.
“I found a woman for you.” Bas said, running his fingertips over Cass’s semi-erect shaft. “I know that’s your preference.”
Cass snorted softly, picking up Bas’s hand and moving it back to his belly.
“Another female of station that I can kill off for you?” Cass said, tone snide. He didn’t have the energy to decipher Bas’s games.
“Virgin. Saving herself for you.” Basileus smiled and shook his head as though Cass had just made a ridiculous joke.
“I’m not in need of sex, just lacking sleep.” Bas cut him off by moving over him and pressing his lips to his.
With a grunt, Cass grabbed his face and held him close, delving his tongue into his mouth. It was good. Familiar and good. His cock twitched to life and he sighed with defeat, setting his book on the bedside table.
Bas’s hand gripped his now straining shaft, groaning deep in his throat.
“I’m going to get her,” he said, breath hot against Cass’s lips.
Bas left the room and with one last longing look at his book, Cass stripped off his clothes, giving himself a couple of easy strokes, trying to get his mind in the right place.
Feeding was good. Lust was the best and easiest way to do that.
Bas came back in the room ushering in a young woman. The spiny wings at her back were the only thing telling of her demon status. Erinyes. Angels of retribution— he normally stayed away from them and their notorious possessive streak.
Her body was thin and pale, her hair hung in shining platinum locks, bringing to mind his ghost. For some reason this female brought his imaginings to the forefront. He’d never put a face to the disembodied voice that haunted him, but despite his preference for curvier females, his mind had supplied a waif-thin female for his Assat.
The young female looked frightened, cowed. An unusual state for a Furie. A sick feeling gnawed low in his gut.
He was her king- her leader- and the fact of it didn’t sit well. He tossed a sheet over his now rampant erection. Her eyes followed, tongue trailing across her lips before her silver-blue eyes met his. The hunger in them matched his own.
So, she did want it. Not just another of Bas’s machinations.
He’d been so distracted with her he hadn’t noticed that Bas had also brought in another young demon, a male— though older than Cass had been when he’d started participating in orgies, that sick feeling churned.
It was his eyes. That hollow blank stare… something familiar about it.
“May I touch you my lord king?” Her sweet voice whispered in his ear. She knelt on the bed beside him, hand reaching for him, but Cass’s eyes went back to the young male.
He was kissing Bas with enthusiasm, though his cock had yet to harden.
Her warm hand settled on his chest, touch soft, tentative— experimental.
Cass leaned up on an elbow, reaching out to touch her. Her skin was soft as it looked, trails of gooseflesh racing out from his teasing touches.
“You’re stunning.” He said. And she was. Up close, her pale skin shone with luminescence, wings clung close to her back, looking leathery and slick- he rather wanted to lick them… so he did. He ran his fingers up the main arch and her head fell back, her entire body shuddering.
Why had he never indulged with any of the furies?
He met her eyes, noticing the flames burning in their depths. Like Bas’s when he was worked up— he looked over to Bas, pondering. He was on his knees, his tongue worshipping the young demon’s cock, the demon’s trembling hands resting on Bas’s head.
The Erinyes licked his chest, her hot little tongue swiping over his nipple, the pleasure of it ripping through his body. He moved his head down, taking her mouth with his, a soft kiss, her gasp of pleasure opening her mouth for more. He turned his head, deepening the kiss, taking her slow and deep, her hands grasping his shoulders and pulling him closer.
He broke their kiss, panting, eyes roving over her body. “Can you lay on them?” He was curious about the wings, couldn’t help it.
She giggled softly, “yes, I do prefer to sleep on my back.” She tried pulling his mouth back to hers.
“Good. I want you laying on your back, wings spread, legs wrapped around me as I take you.”
She made a mewling noise in her throat, her nipples tightening.
“My lord, you’re making me come undone with just your words.” Her eyes drifted to half-closed as she lowered herself onto her back, her knees dropping to the sides, leaving her spread open to him.
She was already red and plump- his mouth watered. “Your wings.”
“They’re very sensitive,” she blushed and turned her head to the side. “I don’t know if I can lay on them when they’re opened…”
“Please.” He whispered roughly, lowering himself between her legs.
A rough groan came from beside the bed, snagging his attention. The young demon was in the throes of his orgasm, Bas greedily sucking it down while the demon’s knees shook.
The tableau was off though. Cass had witnessed enough people in climax to note the differences- the demon’s mouth had a hard set to it, his eyes closed tightly, hands pulling Bas back-
Her hips rocked up, pressing her wet mound to his chin, teasing him with the scent of her desire.
With a rough groan he opened his mouth, sucking at her folds, tongue tracing them as they blossomed and pulsed. He looked up to see her wings furling around her sides- he had to touch- he traced his fingers across one as he suckled her throbbing clit. She screamed, panting, her back arching, hips pressing her harder against his mouth.
He plunged a finger into her sheath and she moaned low and long. She was pulsing around him, her orgasm imminent-
He got up to his knees, grabbing his cock, running the crown up and down her folds, preparing her. Her hips kept rocking against him, her wings touching his sides and he felt his own orgasm looming. Already.
He moved his hands under her ass, holding her angled up and pressed into her slowly, remaining aware that she hadn’t done this. With a keening cry, she rocked against him once more, impaling herself on him. Much faster and harder than he’d intended.
With a groan, her body tensed, her orgasm consuming her— nearly taking him along with her.
He thrust again, hard and deep and she cried out. Possibly in pain? But her legs tightened at his waist, a whole new wave of throbbing washing through her.
This time he let it suck him down. Giving into the climax, pulling out at the last moment, shooting off against her wings, his pleasure doubling at the sight of it.
Bas’s moans of pleasure broke through his haze.
He looked over to see the young demon, Bas’s cock in his mouth and tears streaming down his face.
The emotion that had been threatening surface hit him full force. His heart nearly pounding out of his chest, bile rising in his throat.
His Furie’s little sighs of pleasure weren’t even enough to distract him from it.
The blood drained from his face, dizziness swamping him. He looked away from B
as and back down at the beauty below him, his skin clammy, prickled with cold sweat. He had a moment of regret that he couldn’t continue enjoying her- but... he couldn’t.
Something was fucking wrong with him. So fucking wrong. He nearly roared with frustration at the feeling tormenting him with teasing flashes.
“Little beauty.” Cass brushed of the dewy moisture from her forehead. “I’m sorry. I can’t… I have to go.” He kissed the top of one wing then the other. “come back tomorrow- I can’t…”
He jumped from the bed, ran into the bathroom, slamming the door before falling to his knees and emptying his stomach. Over and over. Until there was nothing left, and he was heaving and shaking over the toilet.
In a daze, he got into the shower, the scalding heat of the water pouring over him, his thoughts nothing but white noise fuzz.
Next thing he knew, the water was freezing, his body wracked with shivers. He went through the motions of drying off, pulling on clothes, putting one foot in front of the other. And again. No thought to where he was heading, his mind in a daze he couldn’t shake.
He found himself back in the dungeon, sitting in his chair, red rubber ball in his hand. Why had he wandered down into the dungeons?
Thoughts were starting to float up. Memories that wouldn’t quite form, ambiguous emotions that weren’t grounded by fact.
Bas teaching him. showing him things. Snapping bones in his fingers. His broken body held in his embrace. Begging him to put an end to… what?
He spun the ball in his hand, staring down at it.
“You can toss the ball,” Levistus’s voice startled Cass from his thoughts. “I don’t mind.”
Cass stared at him a moment before blinking and staring back down at his ball.
“Or you can just sit there all creepy and silent.” Levistus shrugged and continued looking through one of the magazines Cass had sent down for him.
Cass had no words for his thoughts. No way to describe his feelings. No idea where they’d come from. No idea what was fucking real anymore.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE