Fan Fiction ❯ Shielded in Broken Armours ❯ Part 2: Dance of the Dragons ( Chapter 15 )
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy / Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.30.2004 | Pages: 2 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 172 | Status: Completed
by Alice Montrose
completed July 31, 2004
Chapter Fifteen
They lay together a little longer, Ignis' arms circling his lover's waist tightly, his face buried in the golden fall of Marzio's hair. The Angelian could feel his hardness pressed against his thigh, but Ignis made no reference to that whatsoever. Instead, he offered, "Beloved... We don't have to do this if you don't want to. I'm more than happy with all the things we have had together so far."
"It's alright." The general ran his fingers up his lover's back, and sighed. "It's been a long time since someone took me, that's all. I guess I've gotten too used to being the dominant part of the equation. But I want to do this. With you. To me, that makes all the difference."
Fingers turned his face so he could see Ignis' expression; it was extremely serious. "Marzio, if at any point you want me to stop, just say so. Understood?"
The Angelian nodded, and watched Ignis as he stood up and removed the rest of his clothes. He let his eyes roam over the slim, sculptured body, his mind still trying to cope with the astonishing idea that he had been the only man allowed to possess it.
Possess. Such a dominant word... still, was it not what he had felt when he and Ignis had first met?
The prince finally finished and moved towards Marzio with natural grace. He pulled his lover up so he could lean against the back of the sofa, and sat down in his lap resuming his explorations once more, a little more fervently and not missing one inch of dampened flesh in his way. He firmly spread Marzio's wings and then unfolded his. He then leaned over so that their chests could touch, and their feathers mingled together in what looked like a strange ritual.
Marzio buried his face in the pale skin, breathing in his lover's scent. He had the fleeting impression he could feel Ignis' mind brushing his, foreign thoughts invading him. 'Only my body. They only want my body. You asked for something else.' But it was gone as soon as it had begun, and Ignis' soft smile as he looked at him was the only reality he could see now.
He focused on his body's response as Ignis slowly ran his hands up his sides. His right one, supernaturally healed, held no scar from the wound he had received, but was considerably more sensitive than he remembered. The warmth spread through his limbs again, and he quivered slightly under the Demon's touch.
Ignis rubbed his body against Marzio's and claimed his lips once more. The Angelian permitted the clever tongue to explore his mouth, and the kiss seemed to go on forever. The prince allowed both of them short intakes of breath from time to time, but his mouth would remain fastened on his lover's. His right hand descended to explore lower zones, stroking his lover into hardness once more. The Angelian felt he was being pulled down by a vortex of emotions, the young prince's body the only support that was offered to him.
Ignis slowly pulled away, and drew Marzio down just a little, spreading his legs. His fingers were now touching the delicate area right under his testicles, searching for the small pucker of flesh behind. He ran his fingers over Marzio's opening, trying to ignore his pulsing need a little while longer. Making small circles with the tip of the digit, he slowly slipped his index finger inside, coated only in his lover's pre-cum. He knew he needed to be careful if he didn't want to hurt his lover, for this time they could not count on any lubrication.
The blond arched his back at the pressure, gripping at the expensive plush the couch was made of. In an attempt to lessen his lover's discomfort, Ignis began pumping his manhood, moving in sync with the in-out motion of his finger.
At this, Marzio seemed to relax visibly, and when he started to push on his lover's hand, Ignis' proceed to add a second finger, exploring and stretching, trying to make the penetration as painless as possible.
He hesitantly pulled out. "Beloved? I don't think I have any..."
Marzio groaned in frustration. "Oh, it doesn't matter. I can take it!"
"But I don't think we should -"
"... your spit," gasped Marzio, urgency blurring his words.
"My wha... oh!" Taking the meaning of the words, Ignis spit-coated his shaft as thoroughly as he could manage without giving his long neglected erection the little push it needed to explode then and there. Sensing his lack of decision, Marzio could take it no more, and wrapping his long legs across the slim waist, he took his partner's erection and guided it to the pulse of his entrance.
Ignis' eyes widened like two full moons. But before he got a chance to protest, Marzio pleaded through clenched teeth "Shut up love, and fuck me!"
It was all it took to put the Demon's fears at bay; clasping the back of the sofa with his right hand for better leverage, he entered his lover's body, painfully slow for both of them.
The Angelian let out a growl that had been building inside him ever since he had learned about the red-haired prince's intentions. Whatever pain he might have experienced was not comparable to the exquisite rapture he felt at being connected to his beautiful seraph in such an intimate embrace.
Ignis' left hand circled Marzio's torso and crushed their bodies together once more. He tried to focus on giving his lover the utmost pleasure he had been able to feel when it had been Marzio moving inside him. He relaxed his grip and gradually began to move his hips, steadily at first but increasing his tempo when he felt Marzio's inner muscles tighten around his throbbing erection.
It was in the middle of their carnal dance when something he had read somewhere hit the back of his mind. He had felt it several times when Marzio's thrusts had threaten to split the mattress in two. An all-jolting sensation that seemed to originate in some point deep inside him. Those moments had surely been the highlights of their lovemaking, that and the fact he was loosing his 'virginity' in the arms of the man he loved.
With that in mind, he slightly altered his position once, twice... "Ahhhh!" His lover's cry told him he had finally found that sensitive spot he'd been looking for. Marzio's moans of pleasure increased in sound and tempo, and he tried to force his body down so he could prolong the incredible feelings Ignis' motions inside him were giving him. His own erection, tightly trapped between the heat of their bodies, was gratefully accepting the friction of the Demon's increasing rhythm dictated to both of them. He almost could feel the prince letting go as his own control completely abandoned his body, and biting desperately into the Demon's shoulder he came hard between their fevered bodies, spilling his seed all over both their abdomens, sensual cries of pleasure escorting his fall into climax. From some distant part of his post-orgasmic brain he could feel his lover's warm liquids sating the thirst of his body.
They remained into that embrace for long minutes, violently panting with exhaustion. It was Ignis who finally let go of the wood backrest and pulled Marzio's head to his chest with both hands. His heart was beating wildly, mute witness to what had just transpired between them. He buried his hands and face into the damp yellow locks, kissing them lightly.
"Perfect," he whispered. "It was perfect." And the general could not argue with that.
The Demon let his hands slide to his lover's face, pulling it up so that he could look into the green eyes. They burned as Marzio smiled up at him. The man seemed utterly content, and a lot more self-assured that he had been before.
"Are you certain you have never done this before?" he asked teasingly, his voice a little raw. There was no accusation in his words.
"Not with a man. Not once," Ignis honestly replied. "But you are a good teacher."
The general chuckled. "Only when I have such a beautiful pupil."
The prince blushed and tried to direct the conversation towards more important matters. "How are you feeling? I didn't hurt you, did I?" he asked with almost child-like vulnerability.
Marzio almost wept at the naked concern he saw in those large, expressive eyes. "No, my heart, you did not. I couldn't be better. Though I think the bed would provide better comfort for us to rest, don't you agree?"
The Demon didn't pause to think it over. "Completely. Come along." As the blond took the extended delicate hand into his, his lover guided them both to the bed.
Once they were tucked under the fluffy cover of the blankets, Ignis proceed to wrap himself around the general's hardened body. This relaxed young man, with a soft, dreamy expression on his face bore little resemblance to the powerful, petulant prince that had dared General Zain-Reil to display his sword skills in front of his fierce, devoted soldiers.
Here, in his lover's arms, he was no more than a fragile heart.
Tempesta woke up at the sound of Owen's voice calling her. Her neck hurt; she looked around to see that she had fallen asleep in one of the armchairs in Ignis' rooms.
She pushed away the hand still shaking her. "All right, all right, I'm up!" She stood up, stretched her body and looked at the captain. His worried face instantly pushed away whatever sleep was still left in her.
"Where is Ignis?" Owen asked her.
She frowned. "Is he not in the bedroom?"
"No. Nor is he in his study, the bath or on the balcony. And his bed was not slept in either."
"I know. But he should be back by now." Tempesta rubbed her temples. There was something she had to remember...
"Where did he go?"
"Pardon?"
"Where did he go last night?" Owen repeated. It was his duty, as Captain of the Prince's Guard, to watch over Ignis' safety. Of course, Ignis always seemed to find a way to elude surveillance, but he never disappeared without letting anyone know where he had gone.
"Hmm... let me see..." Tempesta thought out loud. "He left the banquet hall and came back here. Then he went into General Zain-Reil's room, and..."
She paused. Now she remembered it.
"... and what?" Owen inquired.
For the first time in years, Tempesta blushed furiously. She coughed, trying to hide her embarrassment. That night was something she would not easily forget.
She had waited in vain for Ignis to return to his suite. After about an hour or so, she became suspicious and followed his tracks down the corridor, to the door of the rooms Ignis had occupied as Prince Heir, and that had been generously offered to the Angelian General during his stay in Aquiline. She had not seen anything suspicious at the time, given Ignis' clear infatuation with the man; but now she saw it as dangerously close to the Prince's apartment, the only thing separating the two being the Consort's suite, currently unoccupied.
She tried the door handle, and it opened with no effort. She stepped into the dark room, ready to draw her weapons at any time. The living room was empty, but there was light coming from the bedroom, and whispered voices that she could not recognize. She hesitantly took another step in that direction, reassuring herself she was doing this for Ignis' security. If all was in order, she would not make her presence known.
A stifled cry made her close the distance that separated her from the half-opened door. Hand on the pommel of her sword, she carefully looked inside the room.
She froze into place, not being able to look away from the sight that met her eyes.
This was not the first time she had accidentally walked in on the young sovereign while he was having intercourse, and most certainly not the first time she had seen him completely naked - a glorious sight few had been permitted to see, if one would ask her. She had also known that he and General Zain-Reil would eventually end up in bed. (Well, sofa actually, but who was looking?) What she had definitely not been counting on was that she would actually see them in the middle of that act.
She should have turned away instantly, but she just couldn't do it. She allowed herself that sinful vision for a little longer, knowing that a second occasion would not present itself. And she confessed to herself that they actually looked perfect together. Whatever animosity she might have still held towards the Angelian disappeared; Ignis was very exigent when it came to his bed partners, and would not sleep with just anyone.
She had finally left, not willing to risk Ignis' wrath if he discovered her presence. She had returned to the prince's suite and waited for him there, finally falling asleep in an armchair.
She looked up at Owen, who now seemed worried both for Ignis and her. "Neri, what is wrong?" he asked softly.
"Nothing. All is great. Don't worry, Ignis is fine. Better than fine, actually. It's just that..." She tried to find the right words to say, and stumbled in her own thoughts. "When was the last time he spent the whole night with one of his affairs?"
Owen raised a brow. "After Rasya's death? Never, as far as I can recall. Did he and the general...?"
"What do you think?! But he really should be back by now. It's well past dawn."
"Well, one of us has to go check if he is still there." He looked straight at her.
"Absolutely not! I am not going in there..." '... again,' she almost said, but stopped just in time. "You go!"
Owen had never seen Tempesta this troubled before. There was something she was not telling him, and it was driving him mad to find out what that was. "Alright. We both go," he offered, reaching out his hand gallantly. "Shall we?"
So Tempesta sneaked into the room again, this time accompanied by Owen. She remembered that the door had not been locked, as Ignis always did when he wanted privacy. She wondered if he had forgotten, or he had simply not been planning for things to happen as they did. Was he suddenly doing something spontaneous for a change?
She had half-expected to find them still in bed, but they were not. There was laughter coming from the bathing room though, and this time she recognized both voices.
She sighed in relief. "We are done here, let's go," she whispered to her companion.
"Not a chance," he whispered back. "I am not going anywhere until I make sure he is perfectly safe."
Tempesta suspected he was more curious than she had been, and pulled him away from the door. There was no way she would let him see something like that - he would enjoy it far too much for her taste. "I'll look," she whispered. She glanced past the open door, taking great care not to be discovered.
Apparently she had nothing to fear; Ignis and Marzio had other things on their mind than look after possible intruders. The Angelian did not seem to care about such things in the first place, and Ignis must have probably just forgotten the doors were unlocked.
They were both inside the large bath, drops of sweat and warm vapours clinging to their bodies. The Angelian had his back to the door, and was nibbling at Ignis' neck - or at least that's what it looked like to her. Ignis' eyes were closed, and the expression on his face pure rapture. It looked like he was enjoying this greatly.
A chill ran down her spine; this was not just another one of the prince's regular affairs. And as if that was not sufficient, she was getting turned on by the quite erotic image in front of her eyes.
For an instant, she actually believed she would get away with the intrusion, but in a split second the prince's eyes snapped open and fixed on her, as if he had known she was there all along. A wide, utterly wicked grin spread across his face. He winked, like he dared her to interrupt them.
She drew back immediately and was out of the suite in less than a minute, dragging Owen along. She closed the heavy door and rested against it, closing her eyes and taking short breaths.
"What did you see?" the young Captain asked her.
Tempesta looked right at him. No use denying your feelings; wasn't that what Ignis had told her once?
She stepped away from the door. "Nothing that I haven't seen before. Come along," she gestured towards the stairs. "Let us return to my quarters. I feel... inspired," she whispered seductively. And she knew fully well Owen would never refuse such an offer, when coming from her.
Marzio decided one never truly sneaked out of a palace unless one did it in the company of royalty. After a truly glorious night, and a very refreshing start excessively late that morning, the prince had made up his mind it was time for the Angelian general to get his glimpse of Aquiline, and Marzio was not one to complain. So they dressed in merchant grab and, having left a note of their whereabouts Tempesta was to receive from Kheerah later that afternoon, somehow managed to end up into the crowd filling the streets of Aquiline undetected by the guards. Having more experience at this than the general, Ignis naturally chose the safest way out: to the servants' buildings and then out the back gate, where there was only one guard posted. The prince told him something and the man let them pass without a second thought, just nodding slightly in acknowledgement of his sovereign, a minimal gesture both Ignis and Marzio appreciated.
For the Angelian it was strange to find himself in the city with only the prince, walking through the crowd as if they belonged there. He had heard of nobility going out incognito, but he did not think Princess Selena had ever gone out on such occasions without at least three bodyguards accompanying her. Of course, she was not the warrior Ignis was. And from what he had heard, the prince had gone out alone and come back in one piece. He really didn't know why he was worried.
Ignis warned him to stay close; the streets were a maze packed with people that had come from all over the country for the Harvest Festival. Merchants and peddlers, actors and musicians, simple country folk and even some noblemen, all could be found on the streets of Aquiline. No one paid any attention to either of them, though Marzio had expected the guards that had passed them to recognize at least their prince if not him as well.
Through the mixed crowd it seemed they were all but invisible. Various other Angelians greeted Marzio out of courtesy; he knew none of them. He thought he'd seen some familiar faces in a group of Royal Guards, but Ignis had avoided that one for obvious reasons. The others, from the City Guard, he had no ways of knowing, although he easily recognized their uniform from the descriptions he had read and heard.
They walked through streets and markets, stopping in front of this and that stall; Ignis bought sweet-mead and some apple pie for them both, waving away Marzio's offer to pay his own share with an annoyed air. "You are my guest, remember? I would feel offended. Besides, it's not like I'm trying to buy something really expensive here!" Later they stopped for a performance on an improvised stage, with the topic that was on everybody's lips, the recent crash between the Angelian and Demon army. They laughed heartedly at seeing themselves portrayed on the stage, Ignis by a man twice his size and a hand-span shorter, and Marzio not much better off. The prince softly cursed his people's vivid imagination, and Marzio mentioned the image his own countrymen had of the Prince of Demonis, which sent them both in another fit of mirth and grasping for breath five minutes later.
By the time they entered a tavern, early in the evening, Marzio was already a little tipsy. The prince - who had shamelessly held his lover's hand and casually brushed against Marzio's body all the time, for who was to know their real identities? - said it was not a problem. Besides, Ignis was flushed with drink himself. How many mugs of mead had they had, anyway? More than five each, that was for sure.
The servant girl led them to a free table, rare occurrence in a packed place like that, flirting with both of them as she did with all the patrons, but a little more interested in Marzio in particular which made him feel awkward. But it passed. They were joined by none other than Tempesta and Owen, both in civil clothing but not hiding their faces. From then on, the evening turned into a pleasant conversation over dinner and enjoying the Demon dancers that entertained the crowd.
Marzio had his eyes on a particular dancer, a girl moving gracefully to the sound of the lute. He was not attracted to her in a physical way, but rather to the intoxicating way in which she moved. It was splendid.
"A good dancer, that one," Tempesta commented over the table, following his gaze.
"She is," Ignis confirmed, sliding one hand under the table to rest it on Marzio's thigh.
Marzio sighed and squeezed it with his own. "I'm sure you would do much better than she," he told his lover.
The prince chuckled. "Your faith in my talents is remarkable. Do you want me to give it a try?"
"What? In a tavern!?" Owen could barely maintain his countenance. "Why don't you two go get a room, hmm?" he said just as Tempesta's elbow landed in his stomach, but could not stop his grinning.
"You've had too much wine tonight, captain," the woman admonished him. Then she turned and pointed a finger at the prince, "And you... While you're at it, why don't you try that Dreak dance you do so well? I am sure the crowd would be overjoyed!"
Ignis leaned heavily into Marzio, increasing the pressure on his lover's leg. "Why general, what a splendid idea. An erotic dance is all they need!" Naturally, it was clear he would not do it, but rather toyed with the idea of having the freedom to do so.
"The Dreak have such dances?" Marzio asked him. "I was under the impression you only did warrior dances."
Tempesta shrugged. "We have a dance to honour Drako and his lover Seleh."
That did it. "Seleh and Drako? Lovers? Why, there's an idea!" the Angelian burst out, just as Ignis' hand clasped over his mouth all too quickly.
"Do not mock these things," he said after he was sure he could release Marzio safely. "I know it may sound a little strange to you, but it is common faith here. And it makes perfect sense, if you think about it. Our people were named after two men who in their turn got their names from Seleh and Drako's minions."
"Angel and daimon..." Marzio whispered. "You know, there is a certain logic in this. We worship Seleh, therefore our main trade is agriculture. You worship Drako, so obviously you make good warriors. All those legends explaining our physical differences - air and water for Seleh, earth and fire for Drako." It was amazing what connections his inebriated mind made. It was as if he had opened his eyes to a new world of possibilities. "This is madness... and it sounds so true. But what of the wars, 'Nis? What of those?"
The prince kissed his cheek. "All lovers have their fights, beloved. But peace will come, you'll see. Peace will come very soon."
"Oh, come on!" Owen burst out indignantly. "Don't tell me you believe all that crap about the Prophecy!"
Ignis went silent all of a sudden. He turned to his Captain of the Guards and fixed him with narrowed eyes until the man was forced to turn his head away. "Owen, what I may or may not believe about the Prophecy is none of your concern, nor will it be for a good while. Understood?"
Intrigued by the unexpected chill that had awoken in his lover, Marzio asked him just as Owen was assuring Ignis he had understood, "Prophecy? You never mentioned anything of the sort. What's it about?"
Ignis' hand tightened in Marzio's as the red-haired man turned to him. "It is an old legend. It says that there will come a prince who will bring peace between Angelia and Demonis, and that prince will be a chosen of Drako. It is one of the few religious myths my people still believe in."
"Let me guess. Some people think you're the one." Marzio smiled at his lover and caressed the back of his hand with his thumb. "And no wonder, considering all the things you have accomplished so far. Sign this peace treaty and you will be their hero!"
But Ignis shook his head, smiling sadly. "Even I cannot work miracles. If King Teh-Kai is not willing to sign this treaty, those who believe in me will be very disappointed. And what will happen then?"
"Stop being such a fatalist!" Tempesta exclaimed. "I thought we were going to have fun tonight, not brood over the treaty. Besides, even with another war coming, you have full support of the army!"
"Yeah, and you can kick my ass anytime you want!" Marzio backed her up, earning himself three dubious glances from the Demons. In fact, it seemed to him that he was being sized up. "Anything else I should know?"
"The Prophecy also speaks about the prince's lover, a red-winged angel. But clearly it is not the case here, so we can all go to bed happy tonight. Right, Ignis?"
Ignis looked down at his fingers, intertwined with Marzio's, and long moments of silence passed before his eyes cut through Owen again. "I am going to pretend this discussion never took place, Owen. I suggest you try doing the same." He then smiled gently at Marzio. "When I take you to visit Drako's Sanctuary - and I will take you there - look at the altar's right wall. You'll find a mural of the Prophecy there. It will probably answer those questions that need to be answered. As for the rest, only the gods can know."
Marzio agreed, sensing for a moment Ignis was trying to hide something so ominous it could have led the prince to self-destruction if revealed. But he had learned to respect the Demon and his secrets, and he was not about to upset him even more than Owen had. It seemed the rivalry between the two still led to some disputes, and Marzio had just witnessed one. The fact that Ignis was willing to forget all about it said much about his self-control, even if it was weakened by a few pints of alcohol.
Thankfully Tempesta was cautious enough to put an end to any future disagreement. "You two look tired. Maybe you should head for the palace; I don't want to have to carry you back."
Ignis shook his head. "I should think I can handle my drinks better than this. But Marzio is not used to our strong spirits. Come beloved, her ladyship has ordered us to leave, and we don't want to upset her." The Demon general waved her hand to dismiss his mockery, but helped Marzio as he swayed on his legs when standing up.
Of course, this meant that Ignis would have to support him while walking, which was fine with both. It was also a good excuse when they passed through the palace gates again, for the Angelian clung to his lover with all he had, rejoicing in the pleasantness of Ignis' proximity and the warmth inside him.
The guards had a good laugh at this; but why had they not made any lewd comments? Ah, but Ignis was supposed to only take women into his bed.
"Prince Sagni-Dor, your palace is enormous," the Angelian declared solemnly while they were climbing the stairs to the third floor.
He stumbled and threatened to lose balance, but Ignis held him firmly. "Oh no, you don't!" he laughed. "You're going to bed on your own feet. Come, it's not far now."
He was undressed and put to bed in less than ten minutes, and Ignis promised to send him an infusion to cure his hangover first thing in the morning. Fuzzy and tired, Marzio offered a mumbled "thank you" and was asleep in no time at all.