“This is the main receiving area,” Phoebe said, her voice soft with respect. “One of the novices, or maybe a lesser priestess, should be here in a moment to guide us where we need.”
“I thought you came here often as a child?” he said, keeping his voice also soft and respectful. No matter what one’s belief was, only a certified fool wouldn’t show the utmost respect for a god and or goddess in their own temple, along with their followers.
“I did,” she agreed, her eyes locking on a door on the other end of the room as it opened, “and I still have my father’s two sisters here, but as I was never fully initiated into the temple, it’s a mark of respect for me to wait to be shown, instead of simply wandering around.”
Michael nodded as he watched a short, slim man come through the doors. The man had a head full of white hair, neatly combed back, and pale, pale blue eyes. He wore a sand-colored set of robes, indicating him one of the postulants of the temple, with gold trimming edging his robe. The man nodded a greeting to Michael, and then bowed low at Phoebe.
“Phoebe,” he said in his soft tone, a genuine warmth and recognition present, “it has been far too long, young lady. The High Priestess is expecting you. Please, both of you follow me.”
Michael placed a hand gently at the bottom of Phoebe’s back and followed them both as they walked back through the door the postulant had entered. Michael gazed around them as they walked through a seemingly endless tunnel. Muted yellow-white light shone from sources he couldn’t see. The torches he could see that were placed sporadically along the corridor gave a warm orange-red glow, but Michael could sense there was more light, a brighter light which lit the corridor, but he couldn’t see where it originated.
Intrigued, even in the dim light, Michael could quite clearly see the carvings etched into almost every available space along the hallway. He could only catch glimpses as they walked steadily down the hall, and wished for a brief moment he could stop and study them more carefully, but from what he could gather the carvings appeared to be documentation of stories, or maybe the history of the temple itself.
Not wanting to speak out of turn though, unsure of the etiquette, he kept his musings to himself and simply followed where he was led. He smiled, amused to see on just a short day’s knowing, how deeply he trusted Phoebe.
Soon the postulant paused outside a large set of double doors. Michael recognized the scene as a number of men and women, all sitting at the feet of a woman who sat on a large throne-like chair. The postulant knocked three times and paused. Michael continued to study the scenes on the doors, interested and curious.
After a number of seconds silence, without a single sound the doors swung open, seemingly of their own volition. Michael tried to look inside the room, but could see very little. He watched as the postulant bowed to Phoebe once again and she bowed in return. Michael and the man nodded at each other respectfully, and Phoebe again led the way inside the cavernous room.
“Ah, Phoebe,” a light and slightly amused female voice sounded from somewhere inside the room. “I told you that you would be returning one day, didn’t I, girl?”
Michael kept his hand protectively at the back of Phoebe as his eyes adjusted to the brighter white light inside the room. He didn’t feel any tension in Phoebe, however, and neither were his own instincts indicating any trouble, so he wasn’t too concerned. Gavreel had always taught him, however, to be aware and cautious in new surroundings, and so for now, until his eyes at least adjusted to the change in lighting, he kept his hand lightly and protectively on Phoebe.
“Yes, you most certainly did, Mother Kindra,” Phoebe replied easily, amusement and a certain affection in her voice.
“And I told you it would be one of Dante’s ancestors whom you would fall in love with and mate with, yet you scoffed at me, you little cub, didn’t you?” the voice continued scolding.
Michael’s eyes adjusted and he saw a strikingly beautiful woman sitting on a throne very similar to that engraved on the doors they had just walked through. She appeared statuesque, but she was seated, her long white robes also embroidered with golden trimming, the same as the male postulant.
Yet the High Priestess also had flowers and leaves embroidered in the same gold trimming over her robes, making it appear as if she had grown somehow into the throne.
The throne itself had golden wrought leaves and carvings of flowers all over it, making it seem as if the chair and woman were molded into one being.
Michael had to smile as he felt a ripple of laughter flow through Phoebe. So the High Priestess had foretold her of their meeting years ago, had she? He felt his respect for the woman rise a number of notches.
“Yes, Mother Kindra, you did indeed warn me and I merely scoffed at you.”
Michael felt a smile cross his face, for Phoebe sounded both resigned and amused at her chastisement. Even so, he could hear the genuine affection and love in Phoebe’s tone.
“And I also told you that you would fully understand Dante and the Goddess Adedenious’ story in time, didn’t I, my child?” the woman continued, smiling brightly at Michael as their eyes met.
The High Priestess had purple eyes, he noticed in shock, eyes almost exactly like Phoebe’s!
“Welcome, Michael,” the High Priestess said warmly, not even waiting for Phoebe’s rueful acceptance that the High Priestess had been seemingly right in all things and predictions, and she simply had refused to listen.
“I can feel your love for my niece from all the way over here. I am so happy the two of you finally found each other. I have been waiting a number of years. I told the stubborn girl how it would happen, but nobody listens to an old lady. She bet Jai, my sister you know, fifty credits and a packet of sugargums she would never fall in love with, let alone merge her soul with, an ancestor of Dante’s. Jai will love meeting you later.”
Michael felt his face split into a grin. He had a feeing the High Priestess would also relish telling this tale a million times over.
He grinned again as the High Priestess nodded happily. “Oh definitely, my boy, not much else to do around here but retell old and interesting tales. A new tale is better than the first breath of warm spring air.”
All three laughed, and the High Priestess stood up from her throne. Michael nodded to himself. He’d been right, she was quite tall and statuesque.
“Now, my darlings, you want to travel to the first temple? Phoebe, you know we have the archway, but you also know there are rules surrounding it. As my kin, you are allowed enter it. But it will not accept Michael until you both make a proper spiritual commitment.”
Michael felt a calming sense of peace and acceptance wash over him. He might not know the intricacies of this particular following, but only a fool would be blind to what a “proper spiritual commitment” would mean.
He felt himself smile softly, wishing he’d been able to articulate his desire and need for Phoebe more clearly before the High Priestess had taken his chance away from him. He felt no real loss, but knew he would want and need to make up for it in many other ways in the future.
Phoebe watched the emotions playing over his face, and he sincerely hoped she could see his genuine desire to do this. They looked at each other for a long minute, their eyes communicating their love and happiness. They both smiled. Dark purple eyes searched his, and he knew they both found what they needed in each other.
“I don’t want to force your hand,” Phoebe said nervously, “I can feel your strength of feeling for me, but I refuse to make you rush this decision. I can always go alone and—”
Michael cut her off, not even wanting to hear the rest of her so-called plan.
“Not a chance,” he said firmly, but without heat. “I will be entering my full heat very soon. I can explain much of that to you later. I’ve been able to keep a large amount of the preliminaries under control due to my age and experience, but I know what’s in my heart very clearly. You are the only woman for me, the only woman who can complete me and make
my soul whole. Do you really think I’d give up a chance like this to bind you to me?”
He smiled as Phoebe laughed and threw her arms around him. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, and hugged her to him as closely as he could. He pressed her slender curves into his body and felt truly as if he had everything he needed right here and now.
“Very well said, Michael,” the High Priestess said happily. “So you have made your decisions then?”
Michael looked down at Phoebe, still holding her close as she lifted her head to his and kissed him tenderly on the lips. She had stars shining in her eyes, and he could see a lifetime of love open up before him. He cocked an eyebrow, wanting her to be sure.
She turned around, wrapped his arms across her front and smiled at her aunt.
“I am sure, High Priestess,” she said formally. “What do we need to do?”
The High Priestess clapped her hands, and a woman shot out from the shadows, raced over to Phoebe and, tugging her from Michael’s arms, embraced her warmly. Phoebe laughed and the woman hugged her even tighter. Michael guessed this was the much-loved Aunt Jai.
“Jai, take Phoebe to the adjoining room, and get her ready. Michael, please follow me.”
Michael looked at Phoebe, who was released by her aunt. She smiled secretively at him and nodded. He felt his heart accelerate at the naughty, knowing look in her eyes. He felt his cock stir to life, and he watched as Phoebe turned and sashayed sexily out of the room.
“Your lust for Phoebe is interesting to watch, but it is the love that shines from your heart and soul for her which is truly beautiful.”
Michael smiled, slightly embarrassed to be caught staring at the swish of Phoebe’s ass by a High Priestess. The woman beckoned him to follow, and she led him to the other end of the room. Another large door could be seen as they approached, this one oddly free from any carvings.
“This door leads to a room that can be many things, and thus no carvings are on it. Door carvings bind a particular door to a particular room, so this one, and others like it serve for entry to multiple places,” the High Priestess said, amused. She opened the door for him and waved him in.
“There is a bathing area, and a clean set of robes for you. Purify your body however you wish. I will come back in a few moments for you.”
Michael entered the room, turning around slowly. He saw a pool of water, and a pile of white robes, just as the High Priestess had said. He nodded to her and thanked her. As she shut the door behind him he turned back to the pool and began to strip. He carefully folded his clothes and piled them together and strode naked toward the pool of clear-looking water.
He dipped a toe into the pool cautiously, pleased and amazed to find it comfortably warm. He quickly walked down the stairs and when he reached the bottom of the pool, warm water lapping up to his waist, he pushed off with his feet and began a lazy crawl-stroke from one end of the pool to the other.
As he reached the far side of the pool, he found a few small, capped bottles. Standing up, he opened and sniffed them all, finally picking the more woodsy scented cleaning lotion and scrubbed it happily over his body. Running his soapy hands through his hair as well, he cleansed himself and then set off up and down the pool again, letting his mind wander aimlessly.
Minutes later, with his muscles warm and stretched from the swimming, he stepped out of the pool and padded, a trail of water dripping, over to where a large stretch of fluffy material lay folded neatly next to what appeared to be similar white robes with gold trimming the postulants had been wearing.
Michael dried himself, surprised at how much he enjoyed the soft fabric rubbing over his skin. He dressed in the robes, shifting at the odd sensation of not wearing briefs. Not wanting to sit still on the couch, Michael found himself walking idly around the room, looking at all the different carvings in the walls.
He paused at a set of erotically explicit scenes, of a man and woman lying on the floor, seemingly in a pool of light. They were both naked, the woman’s large breasts palmed in the man’s hands, her nipples pointed in her aroused state.
The man’s shaft was fully erect, just a thrust away from penetration. The woman arched into him, her back raised from the floor in her eagerness to embrace her lover.
In the next scene, the man had penetrated her fully, and both participants seemed on the verge of ecstasy, yet they had shadow-selves hovering above their physical bodies. The shadow-woman held out her hands, offering a ball of light, the man also offering a ball of light he seemed to be pulling from his chest.
Michael frowned, recalled his father’s explanation of how one completed their soul’s circle. Somehow, the person or people responsible for these etchings understood the ritual for completing the soul, yet it was not exactly the same as the vampiric ritual, as no blood seemed to be exchanged.
Michael turned around as he heard the door behind him opening once again. He watched as the High Priestess entered and smiled at the scene he looked at.
“Ah, you have found our representation of how two souls can unite. Interesting representation, isn’t it?”
Michael merely smiled.
“Is it time?” he asked curiously, enjoying the slow burn in his gut. He knew he would need to touch Phoebe soon, but for now he enjoyed the anticipation building inside him.
He watched as the High Priestess cocked her head to the side, as if she listened for something. When the door opened once more, she smiled and turned to greet the person who entered.
Michael watched the woman Phoebe had greeted and he had assumed was her other great-aunt enter the room. Her white robes seemed slightly wrinkled, as opposed to the High Priestess’ whose were crisp and perfectly white.
“Let me get a look at you, my dear boy,” the elderly woman said fondly. Michael smiled and stood still, amused as the woman’s familiar purple eyes surveyed him as if he were an animal about to be bred. She tilted his head, and circled him, gazing at him from every angle. He wondered why she even bothered, as the robes were vast and hung from him, and none of his physical form could really be seen beneath the tentlike material.
“You have a wonderful soul,” she said happily, glancing over at her sister. The High Priestess nodded. “They are a perfect match, and I get a packet of sugargums from it. How marvelous.”
Michael looked from one lady to the other, smiling his amusement.
“Phoebe is waiting for you in the adjacent room,” the High Priestess said, nodding to a door he hadn’t seen upon his earlier perusal of the room. Michael raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He nodded, and then remembering the postulant who had led them inside the temple, gave each woman a quick, brief bow of respect, and headed to the door.
He opened it slowly, his cock throbbing with need and his mind conjuring a million lightning-quick scenes that could be behind the door. As he opened the door and stepped through, he smiled as none of them turned out to be accurate.
Chapter Ten
Phoebe lay stretched out on a lazing couch, in the middle of what looked to be an oasis. A large, tentlike structure surrounded her, the multicolored silks looking soft enough to touch, and sensual enough to tease. The room seemed endless. Michael couldn’t see the walls in his line of sight, and trees filled the area, every shade of green imaginable.
The ambience was warm, steamy, yet not uncomfortably hot, just the perfect climate to sit around naked, indulging oneself for hours on end.
Phoebe, he noticed, did not wear the similar white and gold robes he and the other postulants wore. She had pure white lingerie, all silk and lace, cupping her breasts and hiding her pussy from him. She waited for him patiently on the couch, her hands idly toying with the lace cups covering and holding her breasts.
Michael realized he’d been standing there gawking like a virgin for a minute or two. He walked into the room, gently moving the fronds of the trees and plants aside as he made his way to her. She finally looked up at him as he approached, her purple eyes dark with lust and wanting.
“Well then, we’d better feed you, hadn’t we?” he replied, smiling. He knelt down beside her, cupped his hand over hers. The white lingerie was startlingly soft, whisper-thin and warm from the heat of her flesh. The lace was delicately spun from the finest of webbing, causing it to be silky-soft instead of scratchy like the lesser quality lace.
As he felt her nipples, pebble-hard beneath the white silk, he ducked his head down and sucked one into his mouth through the bra and all. When he heard her groan he felt a rush of lust and excitement tingle through him. When she cupped his face, drawing him closer to her breast, he could feel her need grow inside her.
He tried to penetrate her mind, forgetting for a moment he couldn’t. As she completed his Soul’s Circle, her mind was naturally blocked from his for now. He grinned, a devilish delight at the thought very soon her mind would be open to him, as his would be to her.
He stretched himself as she began to remove his robes, pulling them over his head with a haste he found himself emulating. He cupped and toyed with her other breast as he continued to suck the one he had, needing to feed on the heat and passion he could feel growing inside her.
He laughed as she pushed him over onto the floor, startled to find it carpeted in a mossy kind of growth he had never seen. Soft and warm, it appeared to be real, but Michael didn’t bother to think too hard about it. Phoebe turned herself upon him, so she straddled him backward. As she bent down to encase his heavy shaft in her mouth, her rounded ass bent and she presented herself to him.
With ease, Michael tore the skimpy panties from her waist, the delicate white silk doing practically nothing to hide her, soaked as they were from her excitement. He bent his head up, pulling her hips slightly down so his mouth aligned perfectly with her damp lips.
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