Read Forever, After... :: FA - Chapter 09

Chapter 09 - ' Love's Complicated '

Through the confusion of his mind, Raith looked over Qylian's shoulder. A frown creased his face. The hands that clutched Qylian's uniform immediately let go.

"W, w, where are you taking me?" said Raith

"To my room. I think you'll find it more comfortable there," said Qylian.

A fight ensued causing Qylian to drop the extra weight that he carried in his arms. Looking unimpressed he stared at the man that scrambled his way to the wall. The wild look in his eyes caused a deep growl to exit Qylian's chest.

"What for?"

Raith's breathing was far from controlled. He did not trust the man that stood before him. The devil hid behind Qylian's smile. Amethyst eyes lazily trailed Raith's body.

Releasing the lip that was captured between his teeth, Qylian replied, "To deflower you."

Raith did not need to be told twice that it was time to leave. He rushed down the hallway, bumping into several creatures. Angry shouts were heard in his wake. Qylian watched as his flower bud turned the corner at an unbelievable speed. Taking his time, he followed the pull of his mark.

Where are you heading?

The winding corridors took him to a less frequently used portion of The Dome. The chase had ended almost as soon as it started. Qylian had easily caught up to Raith who now had half his body out of a window. Wings extended Raith prepared himself for flight. Qylian leaned on a nearby pillar taking in the show.

"How long til you take the jump?" said Qylian.

The figure on the windowsill shuddered upon hearing his voice. Raith wanted to leave. His freedom was within reach, but the silly connection that bound them made it hard. A hand rough from years of hard work extended itself. Raith looked at Qylian's advancing figure with eyes as wide as saucers.

"I have to report the message stolen. I, I have to go back to the castle and ..."

Qylian didn't wait for him to finish. The clear lines of water that cascaded down those pale cheeks spoke enough to him. Pulling Raith off the ledge he embraced the man in his arms.

"I shouldn't have said that earlier. Please come with me," said Qylian.

"It isn't safe for me here..." True, but it is safer than out there.

A subtle change was felt in Qylian, the haala unfolded its wings encasing that which was important. The tightening of the space drew Raith closer to the warm body that held him. That sweet flowery scent called Raith enveloped Qylian's senses. The tip of his nose trailed along Raith's jaw.

Raith twisted his head away, eliciting a snarl from Qylian's lips. Lighter than a feather, pink lips grazed his cheek in reassurance. Continuing to drown in Raith's touch, Qylian's eyes closed themselves.

The incessant nipping and biting on Raith's neck sent streaks of energy through his body. Tracing the softness of the face next to him, Raith committed each pathway to memory. Letting go of the line that kept him above sea level, a short pull of the most addictive scent rammed into his senses.

In small doses he indulged in that charred woody scent which made his mouth water. The explored areas were grazed over with his lips. Raith could feel the pull of the half done link calling to him. Huffing impatiently Qylian caused the figure in his arms to pull away for only a second. Raith's head dipped in shame.

What am I doing marking him with my scent?

Submerged in the movement, Qylian stole a peck on Raith's lips. In the darkness of their own world a blush appeared on Raith's skin. The need to steal more than just a kiss on the plump red lips mere millimeters away from his was overwhelming. Raith scoffed stubbornly, not willing to give into the temptation laid out before him. He turned his head away to Qylian's annoyance.

A tentative bite on his ear, caused Raith to jolt to attention. The tips of their noses touched, the only thing between them were light puffs of warm air. Showing his vulnerability to Raith, he exposed the blemish free portion of skin to him. A whimper of impatience left his throat.

The energy pulsing beneath Qylian's porcelain skin drew him in, nonetheless a clear mind was kept. This led to a light kiss being placed on Qylian's neck. Raith then pulled the collar of Qylian's shirt back into place.

Disappointment, a force to be reckoned with consumed Qylian's Qilin. Why didn't his flower bud mark him? Knowing full well what crime he commited, Raith looked away, focusing on the patterns found within Qylian's wings.

Calm took over as the involuntary actions of his body reset themselves. His teeth no longer ached to pierce the flesh he denied them. He knew it was wrong to leave Qylian in a position that was equivalent to unrequited love, but he couldn't do it. At least not like this! His parents raised him better than that!

"Stay, even if it's only for tonight," said Qylian.

Not in a position to refuse a nod of approval was seen. Qylian's forceful inhaling, caused the slender figure in his arms to jump. He smirked, feeling pleased with himself.

Unwrapping them from the cocoon of warmth. Zyra's biting night air nipped at their skin. Pupils wide, Qylian followed his protective instinct and guided them away from the window. Raith scoffed but did not follow up with any snide comments.

Loud words slipped under the groove of the door rousing the sleeping body. Long white waves of hair fell ungracefully down Raith's back. Clad in a loose white shirt, Qylian's borrowed underwear and a pair of socks that crossed his knees; a yawn left his lips.

An unusual get up for the man who wore them, but the material was warm and did its job. Eyelids closed, Qylian's light breathing filled the room. The deceptive appearance fooled the one who had just awoken.

Passing his hand on Qylian's cheek, the memories of last night flooded his mind. Thin fingers played with the short white strands a top Qylian's head. With no reason to go, he leaned into the living heater system. Soothing smoked wood cleared his thoughts.

Was I wrong to deny myself of him?

"Low'veta!"

Not expecting the body beneath him to speak, Raith jumped in fright. Sheepishly returning the morning greeting under his breath, he slid off the firm chest. Eyelids half open, Qylian peeked at his future.

The teasing grin sent Raith's way had his eyes darting around the room. Qylian spotted something tempting, that was full and ripe. With intentions to spoil his appetite, he leaned forward. Barely allowed to take a bite, furious knocking on the door stopped him.

"What!" said Qylian.

Relief slackened the tense muscles in Raith's body. He created more distance between them. Seeing the actions of the one next to him, a fuse was sparked in Qylian. The words spoken under the door never reached his ears. He pushed the slender body onto the sheets, willing to take what was his by force.

"Qylian!" A new voice pitched in with the choir that called his name beneath the door.

The sweet pop of his lips leaving Raith's echoed in his ears. Defeated, Qylian buried his face in the pale neck offered to him, hoping to carry with him the alluring scent named Raith. Rising up with swift movements, he answered the door.

An elderly man stood patiently for the moment the door would open. Under normal circumstances he would have boldly entered the room without a problem. However due to the whisperings of the ones who lived on this floor he exercised restraint.

That Quilin better answer this door right ...

The door swung open with great force. Standing in a pair of shorts with a sour expression on his face Qylian was a sight to behold.

"Argon?"

"Qylian," said the elderly man. "He is ready to initiate the second phase. Get dressed." The thick robes he wore fluttered as he turned around. Without looking over his shoulder, the elderly man said, "And he belongs in the pleasure hall. Return him ... promptly." The elderly man continued down the hallway. The curious creatures that had gathered around to see dispersed themselves.

An angle Qylian had forgotten in the moment, reared its ugly head. Raith was technically not his to keep. Rox still hadn't given his approval for them to stay together. Running his hand through his hair he closed the door.

Lying in wait Raith heard all that was spoken in the doorway. The saliva in his mouth was difficult to swallow when the strange man mentioned 'pleasure hall'. He didn't want to return even if it killed him.

Raith could see Qylian had already resigned to taking him, before he could open his lips. He mentally slapped himself. What did he expect? Qylian's allegiance lay with The Order. It was their word over his.

"I'm leaving," said Raith.

"They will find you."

"I'm more afraid of the Crown, than the ones that creep in the shadows."

"Your words are miss matched," said Qylian.

Raith slid off the bed and walked around the breathing wall. A thick hand firmly gripped his waist.

"For your sake, but mostly mine ... stay," said Qylian, "Things would be easier this way."

Things were not easy and Qylian knew it. Everything would have ran much more smoothly if Raith hadn't hesitated to mark him. Now the Head had an argument as to why he shouldn't release Raith onto him. Yet Qylian knew time was on their side, as long as they both lived he'd find a way. He had to find a way.

Though getting them both dressed took some time he got it done. Bound and gagged, Qylian carried a kicking Raith back to his room six floors down. He placed the man onto the sheets.

I'll be back.

It was no easy task running up ten flights of stairs, but he made it. Entering the meeting room. He pulled his hood closer and knelt at the back of the assembly.

Twenty black hoods were focused on the single man that stood in the front of the room. Rox's grey orbs flashed upon seeing his favourite enter at last. Though he was late, he wasn't disrespectfully late and so his actions were overlooked.

"General Report," said Rox.

"Thirty percent was consumed by the everflame. The water nymphs developed a counter enchantment to deal with it sooner than we anticipated. Out of the fifty men sent to retrieve the Queen only one survived..."

"Kill him," said Rox.

The air in the room chilled. The man who was speaking lifted his palm. An enchantment was spoken under his breath. Silence, fell in the room. The figure who had delivered the report dropped to the side. No one needed to see his face to know his death was confirmed.

"Report, someone else," said Rox. The meeting continued. Each person present had successfully done as expected of them, this gave their leader much to think about.

If the arson had been a success the next step would have been most obvious. A strong believer in preparing for the worst Rox already had a plan in place. His focus changed, a pair of deep amethyst eyes held his stare. The perfect solution presented himself to him.

Qylian knew what that gaze meant. Quietly leaving his place he found himself kneeling next to the leader. Soft lips brushed against his ear, pulling and sucking on it as he spoke.

The eyes of those present burned in silent envy. Qylian had learned to ignore such lowly behaviour, if they were in his place they would know that the words spoken intimately were far from pleasing.

Fully understanding what was requested of him he left the room. There was a new mission to be completed.