Chapter 4 Barriers

Kyrian lay atop his brother in their new bed, holding Mikor close to him tightly, naked against his nakedness since they had quickly stripped each other the second a lower-caste female demon serving in their uncle's court had shone them to their room for the duration of their visit.

He kissed Mikor then hungrily, growling softly against his mouth before pulling back to stare possessively, longingly into his brother's deep-blue eyes, Mikor staring up into his warm gold ones with obvious want, but also nerves.

They wanted each other desperately, but had not gone far yet, as they had figured out there were also problems with that.

They were both Dominant demons, so they both resisted fiercely restraint of any physical kind.

Also, they had not yet tried for more then heavy kissing and light, only appropriate area touching, expecting problems when they did try to go further.

"Mikor.." Kyrian moaned, panting softly after pulling back from another hot, hungry kiss. "I want you so bad.. Can we try?.. Please?.."

"Yes.." his brother whispered in reply, smiling nervously before kissing him. "No one who hears us will care, any longer. ..But.. Maybe a slow buildup? I do not want to hurt you, Kyr.."

"I do not want to hurt you, either, Mik.."

Kyrian groaned low, the sound tortured with desire and unfulfilled want, placing his gold-skinned right hand on the silky-soft silver white skin of his brother's bare chest, touching him, tenderly sliding his hand up to the shoulder on the same side.

Mikor shuddered at his touch, arching his back a little with a sigh, lips parting slightly, licking his lips and starting to tremble when his brother's hand smoothed through his long black tresses, moving up to caress the tips of his small doggie ears, knowing that contact made him hot.

He centered his attention there for several minutes, keeping Mikor on the edge to try and skirt the barrier between them, but then Kyrian slid his fingers down to his brother's long black tail, which he loved as well, judging by the soft sounds of pleasure that he was making, at least until he got closer to where it joined with his body.

Then Mikor tensed under him, baring his fangs at his brother and snapping threateningly, causing Kyrian to immediately back off with hands up and soft, placating purring sounds to calm him.

"Mik.. I'm sorry, little brother. It's me, Kyr.."

"Kyr.." Mikor said, blinking at first with confusion, then he recognized his brother's golden eyes and matching features, though his long hair, tail and ears were a gorgeous russet brown. "Kyr! Oh, Gods, I'm so sorry! I do not know what came over me.. Forgive me?.."

"Shh, Mikor.." he whispered comfortingly, taking him back into his arms now, kissing him lightly on the mouth. "There is nothing to forgive.. Your inner demon was protecting you from me."

"..But, you're no threat to me."

"No, no threat, sweet brother of mine. But I do intend to claim your hot little virgin ass as my own. You are a Dom-demon, as am I. It senses this and protests our physical union most strongly. I want to make love to you, but I really don't see any way around this problem.."

"I.. Well.. What if I.." Mikor began, suggesting as he flushed hotly at his brother's statement, clearly pleased and embarrassed both. "..give up my demon?.."

"Oh!" Kyrian gasped, his hands moving up to cradle his brother's face in his palms lovingly as he looked at him with suddenly damp golden eyes. "Mikor, no! I could never ask that of you.. This is what we are, brother."

"Not even for us?.." Mikor inquired softly. "You didn't ask, I offered. I need you, Kyrian. ..If this is the only way.."

"NO! No, Mikor. We will find another way. Please, promise me you won't do it. I would never forgive myself for that. The sacrifice is too great. The pain.. You would resent me for it, and it would poison our love.. I love you, so much, so please, please don't.."

"Alright, alright, Kyrian. I promise I won't."

"Good. Thank you."

"Maybe just suppress him for a few hours?.."

"No! No suppressing! I love you, Mikor.. That means I love your inner demon as well. I won't be a part of any action that would hurt either of you."

"..Okay," Mikor said softly, surprised by his brother's emotional response, feeling a rush of emotion in his breast that he hadn't when they were together like this before. "I just.. I want you so much.."

"I know. I feel the same. But we'll figure it out together, Mikor. I promise you.."

"Mistress.. Uh, lady Islah," a voice said softly from behind her.

She turned from where she looked out at the moon and stars from the small, private balcony of her rooms, their light highlighting her soft, cream-toned skin, her waist-length silver hair, doggie ears and tail.

Combined with the fact that she wore an ankle length midnight-blue sleeping gown, the image of his first impression of her was very striking.

Islah blinked her large, leafy-green eyes, staring upward, transfixed by the sight of the tall, male demon with shoulder length blonde hair dressed in loose black robes before her in the moon and starlight.

"..I know that I overstep my bounds-," he continued quietly, his dark black eyes measuring her response to him, clearly pleased when he smiled a dazzling smile as he bowed to her briefly. "-by coming here to you before you have been formally introduced to the court, but I wished to introduce myself. I am Rafael, your cousin. I offer you my assistance and certain services for the duration of your stay here. What say you?"

Islah smiled, shaking her head slightly, patting the alabastor column of her throat lightly in explanation, her green eyes shining nonetheless.

"Oh.. You cannot speak? I.. was not aware. I am sorry. Such 'tis rare in demons. Do you know why? Have you ever been able to speak?"

She shook her head again in answer, shrugging her shoulders with a sad-eyed smile before reaching her left hand toward him palm out in offering.

Rafael smiled, mirroring her pose, pressing the fingertips of his opposite hand to hers lightly, followed by his palm, tenderness filling his dark eyes as they touched each other.

Then he surprised her when he took her in his arms, holding her close against his chest, but she did not protest, even laying her head against his shoulder trustingly and closing her eyes.

"Perhaps there is something that will heal you," Rafael suggested calmly. "It is possible. I have access to all the old legends of our people because of my lineage. So will you. We could research it together?"

Islah nodded, surprising him when she stretched up on tiptoe to press her beautiful, silent lips to his in a gentle kiss.

He did not pull away, however, just continued to hold her close.