The warm and electric sensation of someone caressing my face stirs me to my senses. The moment I begin to awaken I feel aches and pains radiating all over my body like someone went a few rounds with a boxing bag, and I was the boxing bag. A groan slips out and I try to will my body to sit up when I suddenly feel two strong hands lay on my chest and gently push me back down sending more currents of electricity through my body, making the aching in my body subside.
“Easy there, don’t try and move, you had a nasty fall,” a warm Grecian voice says softly, sending tingles to my groin. What the fuck?
I force my eyes open and have to blink several times before I can process that the man sitting beside me is real. Intense cerulean eyes are staring down at me with so much concern that it’s making me uneasy. Why is he looking at me like that? I discreetly look him over taking in his appearance and I must begrudgingly admit he is rather gorgeous. Smooth-tanned skin and dark brown hair that’s looking like a sexy mess right now. His square jaw is covered in stubble and some dormant instinct inside me is wanting to reach out and feel how rough it is, but I quickly tap it down. I haven’t entertained those thoughts in a very long time and I’m not starting now. He’s wearing a tight black t-shirt that is accenting every muscular feature of his torso, and I can only imagine what features his denim jeans would showcase.
“You’re safe, I promise,” he says softly reaching up and brushing his thumb against my cheek. Despite the pleasurable sensation it gives me, I instinctively jolt out of the bed I just realised I’m in and try to put some distance between us as I wait for the intense pain to follow… but it doesn’t. I stare at my body in confusion, only now noticing I’m in nothing but my white briefs. I glance at my left wrist and am shocked to find a new link around my wrist, but it’s not like any visum link I’ve ever seen before. Usually, they’re made of black shadow, a reminder of the Goddess who did this to me, but now it’s like some strange brand embedded in my skin. The links of the chain shift from electric blue to electric purple just like my eyes.
I glance over at the man who is watching me cautiously, and I can see the exact same link around his wrist, but no chain tying us together. I groan and scrub my hands down my face, but as I do I finally notice the room I’m in… what the fuck?
It appears to be a luxury suite of some kind. The room is decked out in shades of cream, gold, and a splash of purple, with the king-sized bed I was in covered by a large goldish purple quilt with a purple cushioned headboard with gold framework. Even the bed has a golden brown cushioned feature wall. The room is circular with gold and cream marble floors and a white seashell-shaped carpet at the foot of the bed under the ottoman. The bed is framed by two pillars holding up a feature ceiling that looks like purple satin dipping into a crystal chandelier. There’s a large TV on another feature wall opposite the bed, there’s a seating area, cabinets, a vanity, and windows framed by gold ruffled curtains. There’s so much luxury and beauty to take in it’s starting to overwhelm me.
The man who was touching me – and has now bound himself to me – gets up from the bed and approaches me with that concerned look on his face again.
“Do you speak English?” he gently asks.
“Do you?” I retort.
He hits me with this ridiculously bright smile that leaves me momentarily stunned. “Perfect! I was a little concerned since I found you off the coast of Italy, but I wasn’t too worried as I am very proficient in Italian,” he boasts.
“Found me?” I ask in confusion.
“You were drowning, and I saved you,” he says proudly, but then looks concerned again. Would he cut that out? “You don’t have to answer, but… how did you fall from the cliff?” he carefully asks.
Cliff? Oh, now I remember. I granted that asshole his wish and the fucker pushed me. Jokes on him, I can’t die.
“I didn’t fall, I was pushed,” I say acerbically, “Now can we address the matter at hand?”
“WHAT?!” he screams; a ring of cobalt blue now glowing brightly around his cerulean eyes as his face contorts in rage. Ah, so he’s a sirna. That should make this easier. “Who?! Who tried to kill my animai?” he asks through gritted teeth, my brain instantly short-circuiting as I take in his words.
“I’m sorry, did you just call me your animai?” I ask in bewilderment. I surely misheard, or he has made one hell of a mistake.
His eyes stop glowing and his face relaxes, “I did. I still can’t believe I found you,” he says softly, reaching for my hand which I slowly move out of his grasp and almost feel bad the moment I see the hurt on his face. Almost.
“No offence, but I think you’ve made a big mistake. I’m a visum, I can’t have an animai.”
“Visum!” he shouts, snapping his fingers, “That’s what you are. It’s been nagging at me all night. I knew I’d read those eyes described somewhere, but it just wasn’t coming to me,” he smiles brightly, “Wow, my first visum is also my animai, lucky me,” he chirps.
“For the last time, I cannot be your animai,” I groan in frustration, “Look, I’ll make this easier. What’s your name?”
“Sebastian Balaskas. PRINCE Sebastian Balaskas,” he winks. I resist the urge to snort. Right, I’m supposed to believe I’ve been fated to a prince? Yeah, right.
“In that case, I, Lemuel Andilet, against the will of Goddess Zarseti, reject you, Prince Sebastian Balaskas as my animai,” I say in a strong voice. Sebastian stumbles back, his face full of hurt and shock as I wait for him to collapse in pain, but nothing happens. I did say it right, didn’t I? I’ve seen rejections done before, I’m certain I got it right.
Instead of Sebastian buckling in pain, a groan of pain escapes me as I clutch my wrist feeling as though something is tightening around it. I glance at my wrist to see the brand lighting up angrily. What the fuck is going on?
Sebastian folds his arms smugly, but there is still hurt in his eyes, “I guess it didn’t work.”
I glare at the infuriating Prince and proceed to storm out of the room. I have no idea where I’m going, I just want to be away from him. An animai? Does Zarseti even realise what I am? Who the fuck gives a visum an animai? Do the Gods just sit on their lofty clouds thinking about new and fucked up ways to hurt people?
I continue to storm through an elaborate suite, out a long corridor and weave my way around a variety of people who are all looking at me in shock. I race through unfamiliar hallways and stairways only to be hit by sharp pain as the chain around my wrist glows brightly and suddenly I’m zapped right back in front of Sebastian.
“FUCK!” I scream in frustration.
“Just couldn’t stay away, huh?” Sebastian gloats.
“Look,” I start to say.
Sebastian’s eyes rake over me hungrily, “I’m looking.”
I throw him a dirty look, “I’m a visum, okay? And since you touched me I’m now bound to you. I can’t leave your side until you make a wish, and while I can’t be sure, I think my visum link is tied to… our bond,” I say through clenched teeth, “So, I think I am unable to reject you, or you me, until you make a wish,” I state belligerently.
“Why are you so determined to reject me? You don’t even know me,” he asks sadly.
“I don’t have to know you and I don’t want to know you. Do you not understand what a visum is? I can’t have an animai, I don’t want an animai. I’m sorry the Goddess was stupid enough to bond you to me but trust me, this is a huge mistake and you’ll be happier once I’m gone. So please, do us both a favour and let me grant you your wish,” I plead.
Sebastian looks at me for a moment and then slowly begins pacing the room. I take a moment to look around for some clothes I can wear, but I don’t see anything, so I’m stuck having this conversation in my briefs.
“So, let me get this straight,” Sebastian says, coming to a stop, “You’re bound to me until you grant me a wish.”
I nod, “This,” I say, pointing to the brand on my wrist, “Is a visum link, it binds me to anyone who touches me and won’t be removed until I grant their wish. I am also unable to travel more than a certain distance away from my master. The moment I go too far, or they travel too far away from me, I’m pulled back to their side. I’m literally chained to you,” I say bitterly.
“So… as long as I don’t make a wish, you can’t reject me,” he says slyly.
I frown as a bad feeling settles into my stomach, “Where are you going with this?”
“Well, the solution is obvious,” he says, “I simply won’t make a wish,” he says with a victorious smile.
My mouth drops open in shock. He can’t be fucking serious?
“You can’t do that.”
“It’s my wish, and I don’t see a rule that says I have to make it,” he says, his tone and demeanour suddenly turning from playful to authoritative.
“I’m stuck here until you do!”
“Good, it’ll give us a chance to get to know each other better,” he nods.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?! You can’t just keep me prisoner!” I shout, aghast at what he’s implying.
He rolls his eyes, “I would hardly call getting to live in a palace with free rein to do as you please, and have staff wait on you hand and foot, the same as being held prisoner.”
“I’m unable to leave, and I’m chained to you. That’s not just imprisonment, that’s slavery,” I point out.
“Don’t try the white guilty on me, it won’t work,” he snorts, “Though the idea of you in a sexy maid unfirm tending to my every need is very appealing,” he smirks.
“Sebastian!” I shout in frustration.
“Lemuel!” he shouts back, shocking me. I haven’t heard someone say my name in years. Not even those I grant wishes to ask for my name, they don’t give a flying fuck.
I fold my arms and turn away from him. I’m practically naked and now I’m being held captive by some Prince who thinks I’m his soulmate. What the fuck has my life become?
I freeze in place as I feel warm breath tickle the back of my neck and I have to do my best to suppress a shudder from how good it feels.
“You’re not my slave or my prisoner, but this is my wish to make, and I don’t want to make it. Not when it comes at such high a cost. I’ll give you some space and time to think. I just want us to get to know each other, is that so wrong?” he sighs. I glance back to see him walking to the door, “I’ve had the closet fully stocked with clothes for you. Bathroom is attached to the closet, and if you want anything to eat just dial 2 and the kitchen staff will get you anything you need,” he says softly before leaving the room.
I let out a deep exhale and feel my shoulders relax. I walk over and sit on the bed as I examine the mark around my wrist. It’s more beautiful than those horrible links I’m used to, but it still means the same thing. It’s a constant reminder of the one mistake I can’t forget. I’m cursed to be punished for all eternity. Of course, Sebastian can be excited to meet his animai, and if I was in his shoes I would probably feel the same, but I’m not. I’m a cursed man doomed to a life of loneliness and misery. An animai isn’t a blessing for me, it’s the worst thing imaginable.
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I make my way to Eisa’s room, trying to shake off the adrenaline coursing through me. My animai, my soulmate; tried to reject me. I saved his life, and I didn’t even get so much as a thank you. Instead, I got a grown man throwing a hissy fit and trying to break our bond before he even took the time to know me. This is not how my dream scenario went. Growing up with parents who refused to accept me, I found comfort in knowing that one day I’d find my soulmate and at least he would accept me as I am, but instead, I get an attempted rejection. I guess I should thank Zarseti for finding a way to stop him from doing so because if you ask me, he’s being childish. You know what? Not just childish, but selfish. What about my feelings? What was that crap about me being happier once he’s gone? Why the fuck would I be happier being rejected by my perfect person? Why are all the drop-dead gorgeous guys, jerks? Is it hardcoded into their DNA or something? And yet people think being gay is a choic
Together, Eisa and I make our way through the palace and find my parents in the courtyard. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the palace. Exotic trees stand tall and proud against the structure of the palace walls, while vibrant green vines weave their way around every piece of stone. Fountains of dancing water are scattered throughout the courtyard separated by gardens of birds of paradise, burgundy gladiolus, blue hyacinth, pink crocus and… fuck, dandelions. Shit on a brick! I completely forgot. Note to self, have the gardeners remove all the dandelions, and keep Lemuel as far away from them as I can. As I recall, dandelions are an excruciating poison to visums. No tacky flower is killing my animai, no ma’am pam. We make our way through the stone path and find my parents happily embracing my least favourite person on planet Earth. The ever-annoying and perpetual pain in my ass, Circe Sarkis. A high-born sirna who has been obsessed with me since she was old enough to walk. At f
After spending a little bit of time reflecting on my current predicament, I get up and walk across the room to the aforementioned closet and as I open the door I become still as a statue. When he said he had the closet fully stocked I thought he meant a hotel-sized closet with a few essentials, I didn’t think he bought an entire mall. I cautiously step in, afraid somehow the gargantuan closet will swallow me whole, and slowly wander around the room. I’ve lived in apartments smaller than this. The room is all white on white with bright white lights, a large counter with draws in the centre of the room flanked by ottomans. An incredibly exquisite pearl chandelier hanging from the ceiling with hangers and draws and racks around the room filled with clothes, they even still have the tags on them. One side of the room is just a giant mirror that reflects the entire closet making it look twice as big. I can see the clothes I was wearing earlier hanging in another section of the closet appe
“CIRCE! Get the fuck away from him,” he says menacingly, moving between her and me. I’m not sure what’s going on, but the sound of his voice is sending delightful chills down my spine, and I’d rather it didn’t. “So he’s the one you’re claiming is your animai,” she says, glancing at me with disgust. “You have no business in the Royal Suite, and I don’t ever want to see you up here again, now get the fuck out,” he spits harshly. I see he hates this woman’s guts, which I won’t ever admit out loud is actually very comforting to know. “It’ll break your parent’s hearts when they learn of how you’re treating me,” she says sadly. “Cry me a fucking river, now get out,” he says through clenched teeth, “Cole!” he shouts. In an instant, a figure covered head to toe in exquisite armour enters the room, “You called for me, Your Highness,” he greets. “See to it that Circe is escorted away from the suite, and I don’t want to see her back here, near me or my animai, is that clear?” he orders. “
I’m pulled from the most peaceful night's sleep I’ve had in centuries as a stream of bright light hits my eyes. I instinctively turn away in an attempt to hide from it, but it would seem the light isn’t the only intrusion to my sleep. “Good morning!” cheers a familiar voice. How can a voice be both comforting and grating at the same time? “Hése mas,” I grumble into my pillow. “You speak Greek?!” he shrieks as I hear something being placed down on the nightstand, forcing me to give up on sleep and sit up. As my eyes adjust I now realise Sebastian is standing by the bed in nothing but grey track pants that are hanging dangerously low on his hips. I swallow down the lump in my throat as my eyes trace over the dusting of hair circling his nipples and going across his chest, as well as the hairs trailing down between his eight-pack, over his belly button and down past the waistband of his track pants. I can make out a very impressive bulge through his pants that has my mouth going comp
I continue to eat this delicious food and take a sip of my coffee when it is placed in front of me. I’m swallowing down another sip of coffee when I hear someone enter the room and everyone gives their attention to them. “Good morning everyone,” says a friendly voice. “Good morning Eisa,” they all sing in unison. I glance up as this Eisa person pulls up a stool next to me and I can finally take a look at her. Intense emerald-green eyes are staring at me, but they feel warm and friendly as opposed to threatening, unlike that woman yesterday. Her strawberry-blonde curls are tied up in a high ponytail and her peachy skin is practically glowing. Her slender frame is wearing a royal blue pencil skirt while her toned legs are accentuated by white satin pumps with diamond brooches on the toes. She’s pulled the look together with a long-sleeved white satin blouse that billows at the front. She radiates elegance and sophistication. “Eisa Nomikos,” she introduces herself, extending her hand
I sign another document and move it to the out tray on my desk, then lean back and stretch out my arms hearing a pop in my shoulder that feels fantastic. Technically Eisa should be handling my paperwork since she lost our deal, but there are some papers I want to go over personally, specifically the documents regarding the upgrades to Atlesper Academy. Atlesper Academy is the school that resides in our kingdom for those parents or students who don’t feel comfortable going to school among humans. We offer plenty of courses and encourage the students to explore all the knowledge they can. The science department hadn’t had an upgrade in the last ten years, which was really slack on my part. Science is expanding every day, and by not upgrading the department at the school we were depriving the students of a better education. I personally have been seeing to the upgrades, and I’m going to head down to the school today to see how they’re looking now that everything is complete. I just hav
I put on my jacket, fix my collar, and feel my eyes heat up, glowing as I draw on the energy inside me now awakening from its slumber. I feel weightless as my body reaches out for the nearest body of water, and as soon as the energy detects the water in the large fish tank along the wall in my office, my body takes the form of water, travels through the air and dives into the water. While High-Born sirna possess water magic, not all of them are capable of water teleportation. It’s rather tricky to master. Through this ability, we can not only become water itself but travel through any body of water on the planet, provided we know where it is. If you don’t know where you’re going it can become a disaster and a huge pain in the ass, so it’s really not something to do on a whim. Think of water like a gateway to another world. Each source of water, even a small puddle from afternoon rain can act as a door to any surface of water that exists. It’s such a fast way to travel, and good for t
I walk over and lay down on the blanket and prop myself against the pillows and pat the spot next to me. He takes a step forward and I raise my hand to halt him, “Wait. You’re overdressed,” I say slyly. He smiles down at me and slowly pulls his shirt off over his head and my eyes quickly drink up his perfectly muscled physique. He slips off his loafers, unbuttons his pants and pushes them down along with his briefs until he’s completely naked in front of me. I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as I eye him with desire as I feel my cock get rock hard once again. “May I join you now?” He asks in a low voice. I nod, unable to find the words I want. He lowers himself to his knees and crawls along the blanket until he’s hovering over me. He slowly sinks down on top of him, the feel of his skin on mine sending currents of electricity through my entire body. His arms wrap around my head caging me between his arms as his lips descend on my neck. His soft full lips nip and caress my flesh as
I stare at him incredulously, “That’s a joke right?” He quirks an eyebrow at me, “Why would it be a joke?” “You’ve never been on a date?! And you’re just telling me now?!” I screech like a damn howler monkey. “It didn’t seem relevant,” he shrugs. “Didn’t seem relevant?!” I screech again, placing my glass down. “Would you cut that out, you’re going to disturb the sea life,” he chastises, taking another sip of his drink. “Lemuel, had you told me I would have done something extravagant,” I pout. He chuckles, “THIS doesn’t qualify as extravagant in your mind? You’ve set up a beautiful romantic date on a fucking yacht. Most first dates from what I hear these days are just dinner and a movie. Many would consider this extravagant, and I already love this date so stop having a meltdown and drink your drink,” he says, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me close as he kisses my neck making me take a laboured breath. I pick up my drink and take another sip, “I still can’t believe you
I wasn’t nervous about Circe’s execution. I wasn’t even nervous about being given charge over a monolithic magical crystal now living in the oceanic version of my basement. But my first date with my soulmate? That has me nervous as fuck. Seems weird that I’m basically the supernatural equivalent of married and yet we’ve never been on a date. I mean, that night at the club does not count and that did not end well. I want… no, I NEED tonight to be perfect. That’s why I called in reinforcements. I’ve just finished setting the table on my family's yacht. Lemuel said he always felt at peace when he was on a boat on the water, so I want to give him an updated version of that, and no one has used the yacht in ages, so I figured it was time to dust off the cobwebs. The yacht is a Black Pearl and is one of the most eco-friendly yachts on the market. It’s 106.7 metres long and can reach speeds of up to 30 knots under sail and with a top cruising speed of 17.5 knots by motor. It has the ability
As I reconstitute I walk over to my desk, moving things around until I find the large stone tablet with scribble on it, or glyphs as everyone is claiming. I grab the block of stone and immediately teleport back to the throne room. “Is this is?” I ask, holding up the piece of stone. Aiyla’s eyes widen in disbelief and Isolde looks like she’s about to pass out. I walk over and place the piece of stone in Isolde’s hands and watch as she reverently traces her fingers over the carvings. “You were using part of an ancient prophecy, written by the Goddess Fretez herself… as a paperweight?” She asks in a low and slow voice. Wait, that thing was written by the Goddess Fretez?! Well, how the hell was I supposed to know that? It’s not like it came with a warning label that reads: ‘made by Goddess, do not touch’. I shrug feebly, “I didn’t know what it was. I thought it was just scribble,” I say defensively. Obviously, if I had known it was a sacred magical relic I would have been more respectf
“How much longer do you think?” I ask as I continue to pace across the throne room. “Aiyla said mid-day. It’s now mid-day, so I would assume any minute now,” says Lemuel casually while leaning leisurely against the wall. “What do you think the Orraikam looks like? Maybe an amulet? A mystical orb of some kind?” I ask enthusiastically. After Aiyla told us we would be placed in charge of protecting the magic of a Goddess, I combed the library for hours. I could not find a single reference to the Orraikam in any of our books, not even in our vault which is to protect ancient works from damage. It was a long shot, but I figured it was worth a look, but I guess the Delegation did a damn fine job of keeping this thing hidden, until now. “I’m sure whatever it looks like, is nothing either of us can comprehend,” he says in a very blasé manner. “Aren’t you the least bit excited?” “This isn’t about fun or excitement. We’re being entrusted with a sacred duty; I’m treating this with the level
“You, on the other hand, will not be so lucky.” “Your Majesty, wait!” Shouts a man from the crowd as he rushes forward falling to his knees. Tears fill his eyes, and he looks as though he hasn’t slept in years. “King Sebastian, I beg of you to show mercy on my daughter. She made a mistake. That shouldn’t cost her, her life,” the man pleads. I glance over at Sebastian who has gone from enraged to full-blown furious and I don’t blame him. “Mistake? Did you really just say she made a mistake?” Sebastian says through gritted teeth, walking over to the broken man. “Accidentally using salt instead of sugar when baking, that’s a mistake. Slipping on the gas when you mean to hit the brakes; those are mistakes. Your daughter actively and intentionally harassed me for nearly a century. Lied and deceived the former King and Queen.” Haemon and Callista both look sick with guilt over that comment. “Conspired with a known criminal. Organised a coup. Endangered the kingdom. Brutally murdered two p
I’ve been waiting weeks for this day to finally arrive. From the moment I met Circe, I wanted to slap the mouth right from her face. Back then I never imagined we’d be here – I never imagined anything until I met Sebastian. I certainly never imagined some deranged woman would try to tear us apart, and I never imagined we’d be getting ready for her execution, but I can say with complete honesty that I couldn’t be happier. A life sentence is too good for her, and I hate the thought of her still living in the kingdom, even if it is as a prisoner, so the sooner she’s gone, the sooner I can rest easy. Sebastian walks over and buttons up my shirt leaving the first few buttons undone while I pull on my jacket. He places a gentle kiss on my sternum, and I lean forward pecking his nose. “Even though I know how you’re feeling, I’m still going to ask anyway,” I say, placing my hands on his hips. “I just want this over with so we can leave this mess in the past and move on with our lives,” he
“It is my deepest honour to introduce for the first time, our new King and Queen, Sebastian and Lemuel!” I hear Eisa cheer through the microphone as Lemuel and I make our way into the ballroom. Everyone is gathered and cheering, still carrying the same excitement from earlier. I smile at Lemuel, tightening my hold on his arm and watch as he takes in the wonderfully decorated room. The decor is much the same as the throne room, only on a much larger scale. Glittering purple water pours from the fountains and waiters walk around serving drinks, but all that is tuned out the moment I hear ‘Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?’ begin to play. I grin at Lemuel as I bounce with excitement. Dimitra deserves a big fat raise after this. Lemuel smiles and extends his hand to me, “May I have this dance, my King?” I smile and bat my eyelashes, “I thought you’d never ask.” I place my hand in his, smiling wider when he pulls me close by my waist and begins twirling me around the dancefloor.
Lemuel and I slowly walk up the steps and gracefully drop to our knees before my parents. My father takes in a deep breath and adjusts his jacket. A mesmerizing glittering royal blue that merges into black satin from the waist down, with an indigo belt wrapped around his midsection. Black lapels cross over and allow just a hint of his white ruffled shirt to peek out from the neck and ends of his sleeves, giving definition to the ensemble. Black satin slacks appear to move in the light and cut down exposing royal blue shimmering oxfords at his feet. A stunning floor-length cobalt blue cape hangs from his right shoulder and gathers across the floor like the surface water of a beautiful oasis. It’s only when the music stops, and the room falls silent that I realise how long I’ve been staring at the inspiring image of my parents. A ring of cobalt blue glows around my father’s grey eyes, and with a wave of his hand, the surface water of the nearest fountain begins to bubble, acting as a m