Forgotten Fates

by S J Doran

  “Well, there is no denying he has warlock in him....” Mara muttered under her breath.

  “Yet that sucker punch is definitely gargoyle inherited.” She rolled her eyes at Malachi’s chuffed bolster. “What? It was a solid punch”

  “Laugh it up Dominus, just know that if he gets expelled, I’m making you his babysitter.”

  Her attention was caught by Agate’s return, excitement returning at seeing the stack of books she carried in her arms. It wasn’t until she saw Agate’s own shocked expression that she turned around to follow her attendant’s gaze, to find Maleficus himself standing right in front of her, arms stubbornly to his sides.

  “Sarratum, I knew you would come to see me!”

  Mara’s brows shot up, shock making way for amusement when seeing the too smug expression on the small boy. “Did you then, young warlock?”

  When she addressed him by the title, he beamed up at her with pride. “Yes, because I am your ward.”

  “Clever boy indeed.” How could anyone ever mistake such a marvelous creature for an abomination?

  “For you Sarratum sa,” his small hand shot out, holding up the toy he had pilfered in offering to her.

  She glowered at both Malachi and Kadeon when hearing the soft sniggers of laughter behind her back. Then hunched down to tentatively take the dirty toy he offered. “Thank you Maleficus, you did very well against those bullies.”

  He gave her a nonchalant shrug, “I know,” yet his smile twisted into a prideful grin. His attitude was so similar to that of her demon when he had been just a boy, stubbornly refusing to accept her pleas to stay away from the dungeons and from her.

  “You are sad, who made you sad?”

  She hadn’t realized her attention had drifted off until his angry tone pulled her back into the moment, only to find him staring up at her with a murderous expression.

  “You’re imagining things...” Placing her hand upon his small shoulders she turned him around, facing him in the direction of the beaten girl. She had curled into herself, refusing to move despite the caregivers who were trying to comfort her, her tear-filled eyes fixated upon the doll held in Amara’s hand. “Maleficus, did you truly want this toy?”

  He shook his head “No, I just wanted them to stop fighting. Their screaming messes up my circles.”

  Mara couldn't stop herself from running her fingers through wild looking curls of his hair. “See how sad she is? There is no reason for her to remain that way. Go make it right, Maleficus”

  He stared at her for a long time, that stubborn expression turning to understanding. “Who’s gonna make it right with you?”

  “Cheeky warlock, go do as I say. And if you can get her to smile, I will have a reward for you.”

  Without further need for encouragement he grabbed the toy from her opened hand and sped off towards the forlorn looking girl. All of them watching intently as he placed the toy at her feet. When realizing he was returning her precious toy to her, her tears dried up and Maleficus was rewarded with a beaming smile.

  Headmagister Kadeon came to stand at her side, “The girl is homesick, that stuffed doll was a parting gift from her mother. The caretakers have been trying to pry it away from her for weeks to have it washed, without much success it would seem”

  It only took a few moments before an overly excited Maleficus returned to her side. “I did it, gimmie!”

  “Am I to assume you are referring to your reward?”

  He practically bounced as he nodded, and from the corner of her eye Amara caught the young girl curiously approaching, holding the dirty and torn toy clutched to her chest.

  Agate came to stand on her other side, handing her one of the of books she had retrieved.

  “These once belonged to my sister Calista, she was very smart, just like you. She used to read them to me in the hopes of making me fall asleep, it worked. I suspect you will enjoy them as much as she did.”

  He stared awestruck at the leather-bound volume she placed in his shaking hands, causing him to nearly drop it when a second pair of hands quickly reached out, saving the book from tumbling onto the ground.

  “And what is your name then young lady?”

  She flustered and stumbled, and it was only after a nudge from Maleficus that she found her courage. “Cora.”

  Mara moved to hunch down to eye level with both. “I will expect you to make some progress with these books, warlock. And as for you young Cora, I believe your doll is in desperate need of a bath and repair. If you love something you need to take care of it, even if that means letting go”

  The bell tower in the distance chimed once more, announcing that recess had come to an end.

  “Isn’t there a class you two should be attending at this time? If you run late, you will both be put on cleaning duty.” The headmagister’s stern tone was belied by the smile he wore when accepting the remaining books from Agate.

  At the threat of manual labor both children bolted off to join their class, one clutching a heavy but much cherished book in his arms, the other holding a torn and dirty but much-loved toy to her chest.

  Maleficus glanced back at her “I will study a lot, and I will make it right, I promise!”

  As soon as they were out of sight, her head dropped into her hands, as she let out a frustrated groan, “that certainly didn’t go as planned.”

  She caught Agate’s snort of laughter and Dominus Malachi’s bemused tone “Indeed, I think it went much better.”

  She let out a breath, deciding to focus on the small piece of happiness this day had offered, rather than focus on the fears which always accompanied her.

  “Yes, I dare say it did...”

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

  where'd you learn to do that?

  “Please,” Leira gave him a pretty pout, holding the ropes up. “I want to try new things, Cassius. Unless,” her gaze turned calculating, “you want me to go to someone else?”

  All the Hells and he didn’t really care. Something inside of him was dead. He was numb, walking around observing his life from somewhere outside of his body. The nightmares and memories were relentless, blue eyes and bars imprinted in his mind’s eye, his craving for his priestess going hand-in-hand with the intensity of the memories, blaring with urgency- something he was forgetting, something his mind was trying to remind him of.

  But she belonged to him. This one female he had that was all his.

  “Okay, you can tie my hands up, but loosely. And when I say enough that will be it.” The thought of it had dread churning up. He didn’t like to be restrained. “But no blindfold. Just- no.”

  She was untutored and had been a virgin when she came to him, it wouldn’t be as bad as… he shook his head and put a firm clamp on those memories.

  He lay on the bed, body stiff. He wasn’t even sure if he could get hard at this point. Then her soft thighs straddled his waist- and there it was. His body clearly disagreed with his racing mind.

  She tied the rough ropes around his wrists, loosely, like he’d asked. He should have thought to tell her to use something other than hemp- the slightest struggle and he’d have rope burns.

  Her eyes gleamed with mischief, and something darker, forgotten once her naked body slid down his. She pressed soft kisses down his chest, over his abs, her tongue dipping to caress the hollows, his body relaxing and tensing all at once.

  He wanted to feel her wetness- all he felt was the frustration of not being able to move his hands.

  “I think there will be payback for this, love.” He said, a bit breathless as her tongue met the tip of his cock. “...fuck you without mercy.”

  She smiled up at him as her lips wrapped around him. Fucking erotic is what it was. Her long pale hair spilled over his hips, her ruby shaded lips stretched over his throbbing erection.

  He wanted to bury his fingers in her. He wanted his mouth sucking up her juices- that he could see gathering at the tops of her thighs…

  Her cheeks hollowed as she pulled her mo
uth back, sucking so hard his hips shot up to follow.

  “Fuck.” He groaned roughly. “Yes. Just like that.”

  Her mouth was gone, replaced by her tongue. “Shh. You’re not supposed to talk.” Her eyes lit up, “can I gag you?”

  “Hells, love- why?” Cass’s heart was already picking up speed, every time he moved and felt the restraints- a sick feeling tearing at his guts.

  “Your words make me lose concentration, I’m going to be in control tonight.” She licked up the valley between his abs. “Please?” she kissed him gently before pressing her finger to his lips.

  “Touch yourself first.” Cass whispered against her finger. “I need to taste you. Then I’ll let you…”

  Her eyelids dropped heavily, and her breath came out on a gusty sigh. He couldn’t see her hand, couldn’t move to adjust her so he could see…

  She held her fingers to his lips, quieting his racing heart as he lost himself in the scent of her- a lick and a suck- and the taste of her. She pressed her cheek against his, her fingers easing out of his mouth. She kissed his jaw, then his chin, finally his lips.

  He dipped his tongue into her mouth, running it along the inside of her bottom lip, where the skin was slippery silk, and over her tongue, enough to taste her desire.

  She broke the kiss suddenly, panting, and gave him a wicked grin before plucking up the scrap of material she had intended to blindfold him with.

  He held his breath and lifted his head to give her enough access to tie a knot.

  He had immediate regrets.

  A cold sweat prickled across his skin, his heart trying to beat out of his chest. And fuck it all, he was still hard as a rock.

  “I love how wicked you are,” she whispered as she sat up and trailed her fingers down his chest. “I want to make you lose your mind for me.”

  Her dagger-sharp claws sunk into his chest.

  He growled out a warning against the flimsy material binding his mouth.

  His chest burned. His heart raced. His hips were rocking up, seeking her wet heat.

  Damned traitorous body.

  “Oh yes,” she sighed as she eased down onto his erection, his body screaming from the blurred lines of pain and ecstasy. “I figured out how to make you lose it completely, my King.” Her words came out as pants as he filled her completely.

  She took him in fully. He always held himself back, he knew he was large enough to hit the wrong spots, but she spread her thighs and sunk down onto him, shifting herself until she was sitting flush on his hips, his balls touching her ass.

  He groaned, a ragged sound tore from his chest, then she lifted herself an inch- another inch- and slammed back down.

  “Mmph.” His roar came out muffled against the gag.

  “Yes. I want to feel all of you,” she moaned out just as raggedly-

  Then her claws tore down his chest.

  His vision went white. Agony ripped through him, so intense that every nerve in his body screamed to life.

  She slammed down again.

  His mind blanked.

  She took out her buried claws and he cried out- he wasn’t sure if it was from the pain- or the pleasure. Adrenaline spiked through him, his body hitting that state of bliss, the one he constantly chased.

  Then her palms came down on the gouges, pressing hard and running up the length.

  Too much.

  Without thought, his hands flew down, only to be stopped up short. The ropes tightened around his wrists- he felt something pop-

  The damned female had used slipknots-

  Agony blinded him, overriding the bliss.

  Pain shot from his wrist to his shoulder, pounding through his chest.

  “You’ll remember this,” his father was saying, “you know why, Cassius?”

  Basileus held him. kissing him. Fondling him as his bones snapped.

  His father’s face loomed over his, “because pain is the best teacher. The memory of pain lingers long after other lessons are forgotten.”

  Bas gripped his cock tightly, and to his shame he felt himself spend, all over his own stomach, his body a broken, shameful mess.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Jez’s voice roared through the room, and Cass’s mind blinked back.

  “Get off him. Get out.” Jez yelled, pulling the pretty girl from his lap.

  “Cassius, your sister…” Levistus flung open the door as Jez pulled the Erinyes toward it.

  “What in all the nine hells?” Levistus ran up to the bed and ripped the gag out of Cass’s mouth.

  Then Jez was back, working at the bindings at his wrists.

  “I’ll always have mastery over this body, my lord.” Basileus held him gently, whispering in his ear, ignoring the tears of self-recrimination that ran down Cass’s face. “I’ve taught you to respond to me, always to me.”

  His cheek burned.

  “Cass?” Jez yelled, slapping his face again. “Lord save us all, he’s lost it.”

  “I have to cut these.” Levistus spoke, “what in all the hells the boy was thinking…”

  “Don’t.” Cass tried to sit up, panic flooding his body. “Don’t cut…”

  “Shh, no. Cass.” The Angel’s voice was heartbroken, he hugged Cass’s head to his chest, “just the ropes. No one is going to hurt you. You’re safe. Shh.”

  “We have to get him cleaned up,” Levistus said as he eased Cass’s wrists free. “Cassius stay with us.”

  “Am I here?” Cass mumbled, “when?”

  Jez hissed. “I don’t like her.”

  “They were just having some bed sport,” Levistus chuffed. “Hells knows what this boy is accustomed to.”

  “I felt his pain- no, his fucking agony- in my sleep. It woke me up.” Jez growled out. “That isn’t playful. This isn’t okay.”

  “Jez’Piel.” Levistus sighed, “he was groomed to this. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to accept its part of who he is. Unfortunately.”

  “Don’t worry, Cassius.” Basileus whispered in his ear, then ran his tongue down his neck. “you’ll grow to love this…”

  He didn’t. It hurt. He didn’t like it at all-

  “Cass.” Jez was shaking him again. “Pull yourself together.”

  When had he gotten into the shower?

  And why the fuck was Jez in here with him?

  “Glasya has sent soldiers. They’re in your hall, making themselves comfortable, with orders to report back to her.”

  Cass snarled with outrage. Oh no she fucking didn’t.

  “Let me go,” he said, trying to shake off the angel’s grip. “I have to deal with this.”

  “Your wrist.” Jez grabbed his arm, stopping him mid-step. “Let me try to heal it? I might have that much left.”

  Jez looked ridiculous. Water poured over his face, his pants soaked through. Cass stopped and took in a breath. Then smiled.

  “You’re showering with your clothes on?” His smiled dropped as he looked down at himself. Deep cuts- six of which were very deep- ran the length of his torso. Blood was pooling at his feet, turning pink as it swirled to blend with the water.

  Jez looked at him with pity. Cass straightened his shoulders, holding back the wince. He was not pitiable. He was strong. Forged in the Hells.

  He wasn’t fucking breakable.

  The heat from Jez’s hand warmed his wrist.

  He was bandaged, dressed, and furious by the time he walked back out into his room. Levistus paced, looking harried and angry.

  “Let’s go. She’ll not be invading my territories.” Cass spoke, the coldness in his tone echoed through his entire body.

  He walked into the hall, flanked by Jez on his left, Levistus on his right, heading straight for his throne.

  The pigs she’d sent were all higher demons, already making sport of his servants. No, this would not be tolerated.

  “Who speaks for you?” Cass called out over the din.

  The soldiers gathered in formation, spread out in a
V with their leader right at the bottom of Cass’s dais.

  “I am the general. I report directly to the Arch-Duchess who gives us leave to post here.”

  “Does she.” Cass didn’t sit. His power seethed with cold rage.

  “Seems she doesn’t feel the so-called-king is worthy of his throne.” The general sneered.

  Cass’s power blasted out, he felt the heavy wings flare out of his back, he noted Jez and Levistus shifting to make room.

  “Does she then.” Cass’s power burned with a raw icy edge, swelling from somewhere deep inside, anchored as he’d never felt before.

  “We’re here to monitor how things are run. So far, we are unimpressed.” The general gave an ironic bow of his head.

  And Cass snapped.

  His vision blurred with the force of his rage, his body shuddering.

  As one, he reached into them, seeking out their souls, his power a tumultuous beast of its own. His power sussed out their very essence, distilling each into mindless lust, they groaned in agonized bliss, crumpling into heaps, starting with the back, like a wave. Their hands tore at their clothing, reaching and grasping for the feel of flesh, for relief.

  Relief he would never let them achieve. His inherent power, his control of Lust would ensure they remained in a suspended state of hunger, craving more, willing to seek release wherever and however they could.

  He wouldn’t take their lives, just leave them wishing he would.

  “Is there a cell large enough to hold them all?” Cass turned to his simpering major-domo.

  “You mean to house them together when they’re like this?” Baal side-eyed the writhing mass of bodies.

  “I do.” Cass looked on. His sister would do well with a reminder of what he was capable of, even without the power of the Hells to call upon.

  “They’ll fuck each other to death.” Baal paled, flinching back.

  “Oh, they won’t die.” Cass said, turning on his heel and storming back to his rooms.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

  what's a little prophecy among friends