A faux angelic choir flooded Mikhailo and Ayden’s senses. They tried to resist, but it was in vain. A false sense of security and calm washed over them as the world fell silent. Only the now hauntingly enchanting melody remained, echoing through the silence. The sinking feeling of standing in the eye of a storm settled into the pit of Ayden’s stomach as Mikhailo rose unsteadily, his feet finding purchase upon the uneven ground. Ayden surveyed the scene laid out before him, his gaze meticulously tracing the contours of Mikhailo’s wound, where crimson blood oozed forth, painting a stark contrast against his skin. The indents of the teeth were excruciatingly visible. His mind throbbed within the confines of his skull. The flickering shadows that danced along the cave walls whispered of impending peril, a silent warning that danger lurked nearby.

Ayden twirled his index and middle fingers, casting a shadow over Mikhailo. The shadow spoke to him in his ear, “Don’t move a single muscle.”

Mikhailo tensed, his eyes searching for Ayden, his body unmoving.

“Ayden, what’s going on?” He whispered. “I can’t remember anything.”

“Me neither.” Ayden pressed his index finger to his lips in a hushing motion. “We’re being stalked.” The shadow spoke for Ayden as if to not alert whatever was out there. His mind tried to put together context clues of their current situation. Dark, creepy cave. Memory loss. Giant gnawing teeth marks. The smell of death and decay. A sickeningly sweet melody that rattles your brain in the most hauntingly blissful way. The understanding of the predicament they were in hit Ayden like a bolt of lightning as soon as he heard a rock shift as a result of movement. As a howling head of terror dove in for the kill strike, he dove in towards Mikhailo and delivered a tackle that pinned him against the cave wall out of harm’s way.

“Fuck!” Mikhailo exclaimed with a winded gasp as their bodies crushed up against each other.

Ayden flashed a grin. “Your dirty mouth is hot.”

“Monster, Ayden!”

“Forgive me.” Ayden said before he ripped off his mask, and he aggressively consumed Mikhailo’s lips. The veins surrounding Ayden’s eyes were blackened, and the skin was bruised. Another price of necromancy. Though he might have wished to claim it was for enjoyment in this instant, the true intention was solely to harness a fraction of Mikhailo’s succulent power and combine it with his own, creating something formidable. Ayden swallowed Mikhailo’s moan along with the energy. It nestled into his chest and ignited a blazing fire deep within him. He allowed the warmth to surge through his fingertips, gathering energetic fire in the center of his palm. As the hydra lunged forward for yet another attack, he hurled the crackling firemote straight into its gaping maw. The creature let out a piercing scream, a haunting echo of its torment as flames consumed its very being. Its heads slamming against the walls in agonizing pain. Within moments, the creature exploded from a ball of roaring fire, bursting from its core. Ayden and Mikhailo were splattered with visera and almost boiling dark ichor blood. Their hearts were beating frantically, adrenaline rushing through their bodies. Ayden reached for Mikhailo just as he stepped into his space. Their bodies immediately collided once again. It was hard to tell who initiated the kiss this time; their hearts were pounding like war drums as their tongues battled each other. The gore that was covering their bodies completely destroyed their clothes. 

The shadows danced with appreciation at the display. Their memories of everything that happened up to this point began to return at the death of the monster of legends. Mikhailo was unable to fight his own battle of personal restraint. Everything in his being had given into the moment and into Ayden. His tormented groan was a heady invitation. Ayden’s hands roamed his body like a blind man searching for brail to see. Mikhailo detached his hands from the Unseelie, and with a few swift movements, a portal opened behind them, causing them to stumble into Mikhailo’s green stone bathroom. It was a wet room with plants of all kinds hanging from the ceiling, lining the walls, and in pots. Inside the shower was a waterfall; it was like its own alcove within the bathroom. There was a green toilet and matching sink with a black wooden mirror hanging above. With the flick of a wrist, Mikhailo activated the rainforest showerhead, a cascade of water enveloping them as they navigated their way inside. The exchange of energy between them was nothing short of exhilarating and utterly captivating. Mikhailo was instantly addicted. Ayden slammed Mikhailo up against the waterfall wall, causing him to gasp roughly. He carefully reached above the Seelie’s head and plucked some leaves from a medicinal-looking plant. Ayden took the leaves and slid them into Mikhailo’s mouth, brushing against his tongue. Mikhailo moaned at the sensation. Ayden slowly removed his fingers and watched carefully as he slightly chewed then swallowed. Immediately, hungrily, he dove back into Mikhailo’s lips, causing him to grunt. Aided by the leaves, Ayden’s hands trailed over Mikhailo’s wounds, the shadows following closely behind as he released healing energy from his palms.

“Ayden.” Mikhailo exhaled out.

Ayden’s eyes met Mikhailo's. “I’m far from done.” His voice was filled with a ravenous yearning. He promptly tore off Mikhailo’s shirt, it falling to the floor with the gore that was washing down the drain. Ayden smirked lustfully as his eyes wandered past Mikhailo’s waist. “Look at you, so hard.” It sounded like a tease. Mikhailo’s eyes flickered with a heat that was sinful. “Me too.” Ayden’s words were almost breathless. Before long, both of them found themselves utterly soaked and without a stitch of clothing. Their forms were intertwined in a passionate embrace. Mikhailo found himself adrift in a tumultuous whirlpool, where the intoxicating blend of power and pleasure consumed his thoughts and reason. In an instant, reality crashed back in when Ayden eased himself inside of him, causing a thunderstorm to ignite within both of them. It was ecstasy unlike anything either of them had ever experienced before. Tears streamed from Mikhailo’s eyes but were indistinguishable from the water that was still raining down on them. He dug his nails into Ayden’s back, leaving what looked like claw marks. Something had awoken inside of him—something that would never be able to be dormant ever again.