Chapter 8.

Finn woke to a cramping, empty stomach and unbearable thirst. He slid an eye open and stared at a veil of long turquoise hair sliding across a pale yellow neck.

He carefully eased an arm out from under the hair to wipe a few strands off his cheek.

"Mmm." Iadin turned at the gentle pull and blinked down at the Human practically buried in his hair.

The alien lifted his head a fraction and smoothed an arm beneath his head, sending the locks flowing down his back.

Finn opened his mouth to ask for water but stilled when he saw those glowing eyes watching him intently.

Iadin had no discernible pupil, just a startling canary yellow orb shielded by heavy turquoise lashes. His fine brows were sharply arched and gave him a permanently fierce look that was more than a little intimidating. In contrast his bow shaped lips and oval face were incredibly feminine and if it wasn't for the flat chest, with gold piercings, Finn would have thought Acitu was beside him.

It was hard to read his foreign features, but Finn thought there was a quizzical tilt to the alien's head.

Long fingers ran down Finn's side, slid around his waist and pulled him closer.

Iadin's lips brushed up the smaller boy's jaw and Finn's heart stuttered painfully. His neck, that had felt healed a moment ago, suddenly ached.

He made a noise of protest and tucked his chin down towards his chest.

"Stop that." Iadin's firm tone immediately had the Human flinching and his heart pounding.

The alien watched him a moment, brows furrowed, then hefted the smaller boy's leg around his waist and closed his free hand on Finn's nape.

"It's just a kiss." Iadin said in a gentler voice. "Nothing to fear."

The hand on his neck turned his head and Iadin slowly brushed his full mouth over each of Finn's eyelids.

"You're safe." The taller boy murmured and ran his lips softly towards the Human's mouth. When their lips met Finn couldn't suppress a whine and pushed against Iadin's chest.

The alien huffed but drew back a fraction to nuzzle their noses together.

"See? Nothing to fear." Iadin whispered.

The Human's breaths came fast and his body remained taut. Iadin simply held him close and watched him with those bright eyes.

Eventually the gentle caresses had Finn's muscles softening, while hunger and adrenaline left his head pounding. He slumped against the taller boy with a defeated sigh.

Iadin brushed a curl from Finn's cheek and pressed their mouths together again. Gold painted fingers cupped Finn's jaw and tilted his face to a better angle.

He made a small, apprehensive sound at the first slip of tongue across the seam of his lips. Iadin just smoothed his hand into the Human's curls and kneaded gently.

The tension eased from Finn's jaw and his mouth was coaxed open. The alien's tongue slid smoothly inside and Iadin sighed contentedly. The rhythm was slow and lazy as the taller boy pressed Finn impossibly closer.

When the Human's heart calmed and his mind went hazy - every part of him focusing on the gentle, slippery warmth in his mouth - Iadin slowly pulled back. He smoothed his thumb across Finn's bottom lip and smiled at him for the first time.

It transformed his haughty demeanor completely; his burning eyes became simply warm and his full mouth, now a peach color from their kisses, curled sweetly at the corners.

"I'll figure this out." The alien said and sat up, stretching his long arms above his head.

Finn's stomach chose that moment to growl loudly and he flushed. Iadin glanced down at him.

"Oh, right. I haven't fed you."

The doors to his chamber opened and a grey female with lavender hair stepped into the room and started tidying the little mess there was.

Iadin never glanced her way as he threw back the covers and stepped out the bed. The sheer wrap he had worn yesterday was gone and Finn's eyes went wide at the multiple piercings adorning his groin. He unconsciously drew his knees together at the sight.

As the alien passed him he swept an arm beneath Finn's waist and lifted him.

Finn yelped as the world spun. He hurriedly wrapped his arms around Iadin's neck and scrambled to lock his knees around the slender waist.

Iadin strode into the adjoining room and slipped into the pool. He left Finn clinging like a monkey while he washed his hair with soaps smelling like cloves and vanilla.

When he ducked to remove the soap Finn went under and the Human coughed and spluttered when they resurfaced.

Iadin laughed, his face transforming and Finn stared in awe. He was truly beautiful.

The alien looked down, remnants of mirth still warming his eyes.

"I was wondering if you would let go. Are you stuck to me now?"

Finn felt his face flame and released the taller boy so fast he dunked beneath the water.

Before he could reach the surface Iadin hoisted him up and smoothed the soaking curls back from his face.

"It's fine." Iadin said, laughing again as Finn sputtered. "I don't mind."

Finn knew he was acting ridiculous, clinging to the taller boy like an overgrown child. He was nearly an adult himself. He'd never been this needy back when...when.

The Human frowned as his mind fogged over and was suddenly lost. Like a recently forgotten dream, he knew there was more to his past than Keafule. He just couldn't seem to remember it.

"What's this reaction?" His chin was tilted up and he stared into Iadin's now frowning visage.

"I..." Finn licked his dry lips and blinked soapy water from his eyes. "I can't seem to remember...my home. I don't know where...I'm from...I..." He lowered his eyes and felt them burn with frustratingly familiar tears. How to explain all these emotions he couldn't sort through himself. He wasn't supposed to be here. Was he?

A tap on his cheek had Finn reluctantly glancing up. Iadin looked pleased.

"You're mine." The alien said. "You belong to me. This is your home." His face dipped down and kissed the Human softly, thumb stroking Finn's jaw in the same languid rhythm as his tongue.

He drew away and Finn's heart ached with loss and confusion. He pushed his face into that warm hand and squeezed his eyes shut.

He heard Iadin's low hum as the long fingers cradled his head almost tenderly. It felt good. If his mind was a scattered mess the hands on him were firm and steady.

He wasn't ok. Something in his life had definitely shattered and he had no idea how it happened or how to fix it. He intuitively knew how to eat with a knife and fork, to be polite and to brush his teeth, but the origin of that knowledge was gone.

Was this how a home was supposed to be? Did he have a family somewhere? All he remembered were his blurred memories from Keafule - with Noni, Liler and Anargi. His hands clenched tight at the thought of the felines. Regret and fear battled with emptiness.

To hell with it, Finn thought and leaned forwards again, pushing his face into that long neck, as was quickly becoming a habit.

Warm arms instantly surrounded him, providing the illusion of safety and he sighed, pressing into the taller boy.

"Mmm. This is nice." Iadin mumbled into his curls and Finn had to agree.

One hand left the Human's spine and he heard a clink of glass before soap poured over his back. Iadin washed him and Finn carefully shifted to allow the alien's hands access, not even flinching when they passed over his backside and crotch.

Iadin stood and finished washing himself before tipping them both into the water to rinse off the suds.

He stepped onto the crate and the scent of vanilla and cloves surrounded them. They smelled the same. The knowledge made Finn feel a little less alone and the small warmth it kindled had his lips brushing against Iadin's neck.

The alien smoothed his hand over Finn's spine and buttocks.

"A soft touch." Iadin murmured. "That's what you need."

Finn kissed his neck a second time and tucked himself close in lieu of answering. Iadin hummed, a low musical note Finn couldn't produce but he very much enjoyed the sound of it.

Iadin stepped out the bathing chamber and placed Finn on the bed. He then wrapped a sheer fabric around his hips and gathered his hair into a high ponytail that fell midway down his back.

He slipped the gold cuffs back onto his arms and added a pair to his slim ankles as well. Next came a pair of large gold earrings in the shape of upside down triangles and a beaded choker.

He started to wrap the choker around his long throat, then paused, sweeping a look at Finn beneath turquoise lashes. He seemed to come to a decision and tossed the choker back on the dresser.

Finn thought the ensemble was somewhat scarce. But considering his own nude state, he wasn't sure where the assessment came from.

Iadin knelt before him and looked him over critically.

"I need to decorate you." The alien muttered, clearly thinking out loud. "Here definitely." He swept a hand over Finn's nipples and belly button.

Finn gulped and eased back a fraction. He hated needles. He didn't know why. He just did.

Their eyes met and Iadin smiled thinly.

"But not right now."

Finn eased out a relieved breath and rubbed his growling stomach. Iadin selected a delicate, shimmering gold chain and wrapped it loosely around the Human's neck, then traced it down his chest to drape around his waist, and clasped it at the back.

He then selected two small cuffs and hooked them around Finn's wrists. Iadin leaned back on his hands and tilted his head.

"Hm. It's better, but I hate this." He flicked Finn's Keafule transmitter. "We're removing that today."

Finn was beginning to see spots from hunger and only nodded his head weakly. Iadin leaned forward.

"Come here."

Finn didn't hesitate this time and wrapped his arms around the alien's neck. Iadin stood and the Human's legs curled around his waist.

"Good boy." Long fingers stroked his scalp and Finn pushed into the movement.

Iadin stepped out the room and swept down a flight of dark blue stone stairs, each step was lit with a gold lantern and a grey skinned male, with lavender hair, was finishing lighting them at the bottom.

Iadin passed the servant and strode through the lounge area, that Finn recognized from the previous day.

The dining room had a high stone roof and walls covered in a myriad of blue and earthy patterned tiles. Gold lanterns glinted from the ceiling and a large jade table sat in the center.

Lord Ferrer and Acitu were already seated, along with a mature female with dark blue hair and the same coldly beautiful features that echoed in Acitu and Iadin.

"You're late." The older female said, without looking up from her plate and the Human felt Iadin tense against him.

"I was busy." The young alien replied and sat with Finn still curled around him.

"Yes, because of your new toy." The female glanced up and speared Finn with a brief, heavy-lidded stare. He shivered.

"Can't you remove that from the table?" Acitu snapped, as a servant placed a steaming bowl in front of her brother.

Iadin raised his brows at his sister, then dipped his spoon into the dish and lifted it to the Human's lips. Finn opened instantly and a heavenly taste, reminding him of sweet rice and cinnamon, bloomed in his mouth.

Acitu slammed her palm on the table and Finn jolted.

"Stop being disgusting!" She frowned hard and pushed her bowl away.

"Serenity, my daughter. Isn't that what you're mastering as a Zithan priestess?" Lord Ferrer drawled and settled his gold ringed hand on top of hers.

Acitu's cheeks warmed to a pretty peach and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She breathed out slowly and looked up.

Iadin slid the spoon from Finn's mouth and licked it obscenely, staring right at her.

"Ugh!" Acitu's face scrunched up in revulsion and she kicked her chair back and stormed from the room.

Ferrer sighed, but there was an amused tilt to his mouth.

"That was beneath you, Iadin." The lord commented.

Iadin shrugged and fed the Human a second bite.

"She's too easy to rile and she annoyed me yesterday."

"Did she." Ferrer murmured and a warning stillness settled in his eyes.

Iadin paused in his ministrations and glanced up at his father. The female took a sip of her cup and spoke lightly.

"Using forces not an hour after you receive your gifts. That's not very promising."

Finn felt Iadin tense against him a second time. The taller boy licked his lips.

"I was caring for the Human. I needed to prioritize the source of the problem." Iadin said.

Ferrer glanced down at Finn, who was leaning back against Iadin's stomach, his small hand over the pale yellow one holding him steady around the waist.

"And you have. Most impressively I might add." The lord commented.

Iadin's thumb lightly stroked the Human's belly and Finn thought he could sense the taller boy's pleasure.

"But that doesn't excuse your lack of control." The female drawled and she stared at Iadin with icy blankness beneath her blue lashes.

"Indeed." Ferrer finished his cup and stood, when the female pushed back from the table. She was wearing little more than shimmering oil and slips of fabric. Lord Ferrer cupped her chin and kissed her tenderly.

Iadin lifted a cup to Finn's lips and the Human drank thirstily of a sweet juice, with a hint of tartness like pomegranate.

"You'll be attending your sister's ceremony tomorrow and you'll perform alongside her in front of the committee." The female spoke breezily over her shoulder, as she walked towards the door.

Iadin gasped and Finn scrambled to catch the cup falling from his lips.

"But mother!" Iadin wailed, staring pleadingly at her. "You said I wouldn't have to attend another ceremony!"

His mother paused in the doorway and looked back at him, face bored and unrelenting.

"I changed my mind. I can do that any time. Don't use forces again." She stepped out.

Iadin groaned loudly and buried his face in Finn's hair. Ferrer chuckled.

"I must say," the father soothed, "I truly am pleased with your progress. Your pet has taken to you, but have you disciplined the others? Fed them?"

Iadin rested his chin against Finn's curls and glanced sullenly up at his father.

"Yes. I sent a servant to see to them last night. I'll deal with them today." He muttered and Ferrer smiled fondly.

"I look forward to seeing that." The lord tilted his son's chin up and brushed their lips lightly together before he left.

Iadin sighed loudly and spun Finn around so fast the Human yelped. The alien then lifted his feet up on the stool, bracketing Finn between his knees, and clutched the smaller boy close.

"I don't want to go!" Iadin whisper-shouted into Finn's hair, then clasped his jaw and kissed him hard.

Finn clung to Iadin's shoulders and struggled to keep up with the kiss.

The taller boy's lips gradually slowed and he drew back with a sigh.

"But I have to." Iadin muttered sourly, stroking his hands down Finn's sides. "Have you eaten your fill?"

Finn nodded dazedly and Iadin nodded, gathering up the Human.

"Let's begin the day." Iadin grumbled.

A/N - Hehe. I absolutely love the contrasts in Iadin. Mature but childish. Harsh but soft. Very human. Ironically! I'd love to hear your thoughts <3 now I must zzzzzzzzzzzzz