A/N Thank you to Robin (You know who you are on here) for that PM. Made my day. I hope you're reading this one among all the others. Thank you to all of the readers taking time to leave reviews and send me PMs every day, it's always wonderful to hear from you and get your input!
Desna
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Lucy whirled, arms raising, globes of shimmering power spinning above her and separating, spreading with her arms as her eyes took on a deep dark blue and the whites vanished behind it.
Across the ring the tall man in the black suit with his long blue/black hair tied back smiled, crouching and leaping to the side as the orbs shot at him, dodging them but only just, a couple singed his suit in places they came so close and he launched his own attack, a roar laying a blanket of starfire out across the ring that Lucy leaped into the air to dodge.
She heard the growls of her mate and cast Laxus a hard glance to keep him from stepping in as she landed and leaped again to dodge a wing attack then sent one of her own, grimacing when it hit the wall because her aim was total crap still.
"You have to keep your eyes on him throughout the cast Babe." Laxus called gently, or at least he tried to keep his tone gentle. Lucy was still struggling with the new magic. She had long since gotten everything sorted out with her spirits and her celestial magic was fine, but her Stellar Dragon Slayer magic was a fucking disaster still and she still had terrible problems controlling her dragon and keeping herself from getting overly possessive of Laxus.
He didn't mind, not at all in fact, he liked it when she got greedy over him and aggressive about wanting him, he secretly egged her on so she'd do it at times, but she'd taken a swipe at the newly mated Levy when Levy had growled at her for standing too close to Gajeel. Her talons had flashed out and Levys dress had fallen to the floor right in the middle of the guild hall leaving Levy screeching and trying to cover herself, Gajeel fortunately snickering instead of lashing out as he tucked his little mate against him, yanked his own shirt off and dropped it over her head so he could take her home.
Like Laxus...he liked his mate being possessive of him. Of the other mated mages she handled Freed and Bickslow best and of the male slayers Cristoff stirred both of them least as far as possessiveness and feeling someone was a threat. She and Erza, while they worked at it, still had issues, especially since Erza was now a Dragon Slayers mate herself and had picked up the growls and possessiveness that went with it. Considering Lucys history with Erzas mate, it wasn't surprising things between them could be strained at times.
Zen promised up and down he felt nothing, hadn't since he'd been in the spirit world with Lucy, all of his attention, love, desire, it all belonged to Erza, but Erza had lived a lifetime of loss and protected her happiness aggressively at times, she couldn't help it and Lucy didn't blame her.
She called out Fellus, her cat spirit amplified her attunement to her more feral drives, just like Zen had said it would, and brought out a cunning in her that was pure predatory glory at its finest. When she was out, Lucy got more focused and her next wing attack sent Draco crashing into the back wall of the ring.
She turned her eyes up and sent a roar at Zen, hovering above the ring on the wing and he spun, a long black wing blocking her attack then flicking out, razor sharp feathers shooting down in a hail of deadly darkness Lucy had to leap and twist to dodge them, a few cutting thin lines in her pale skin and blood beaded in places.
Snarling she can up from a roll on her feet and sent a barrage of blazing orbs at him that Zen batted aside with a long wing before dropping to the ground and casting a nasty blast of white fire at her. She dodged it, but felt the heat of it and sent Fellus at him while she regained her feet and threw another wing attack in the direction Fellus was trying to drive him.
The cat jumping at Zens face only to be snatched out of the air by Draco and tossed at Lucy who caught the spirit and fell over.
"Keeping track of two equally large and powerful magic types, separating spells, trying to combine them without letting them cancel each other out, all of it, you're getting better and better, we need to up these training days though, once a week isn't enough even with what you're doing on your own with Laxus." Draco said. At Zens urging, certainly not of his own choosing, the celestial Dragon had agreed to work with Lucy.
It was pretty clear though she needed more work than even he had expected. Zen had endured a hard transition,but he was conditioned, and his born magic not only complimented his Dragon magic, it amplified and increased it and unlike Lucy, Zen came from a lifetime in magic suppression manacles and chains, he had 3 origins open and they were massive with ridiculous refill rates, when he fucked up a spell and over tapped his magic, it had never been something that could hurt him, Lucy, with 2 origins, albeit bigger than an average mages were because she was a celestial mage, when she overtapped there were times she bottomed out her magic reserves and crashed.
She'd passed out during training more times than anyone could count now. Draco had consequently taught Laxus how to help her, and her how to fucking let him. The woman was so proud it annoyed the Dragon at times, her pride caused her to try way too much to silently tough her way through things, and not to lean on her own damn mate.
It was weird. Zen and Erza didn't do it at all, Erza dug into Zens magic reserves during sparring with gusto, thrilled at tapping her mates power and bringing it to bear and Zen didn't hesitate to pull on Erza when he needed to, as mates they were big time heavy hitters now and Draco hadn't had to work with them all that much to get them that way. If anything he had to remind Erza now and then to take it easy and not pull on Zen to the point she distracted him from what he was doing himself during a fight.
Lucy was the opposite, actually closing her link to Laxus at times and Laxus was a damn beast, had immense power for her to tap into, like Zen he had three origins open and tremendous reserves with a well conditioned refill rate that fed into her magic beautifully adding a stun factor to some of her spells they wouldn't have with anything but a lightning dragon slayer as a mate. Still, she tried way too hard not to use it, to rely only on herself, which, for the mate of a Dragon Slayer, was not only foolish, it was harmful, since the bond between her and Laxus needed to be used to strengthen.
When he repeated this to her...again...with a narrow eyed glare Lucy burst into tears.
Dracos eyes flew wide "Wha...wait...Dragon Queens do not CRY!" He said desperately as Laxus gathered his teary eyed mate into his arms and Fellus arched her back and hissed at the dragon spirit.
"Wh...she...I'm right damn it, she needs to…" Draco stammered and Zen clapped a hand over his mouth smiling at his Draconic parent sympathetically.
"She's a human woman before a Dragon Queen Draco, and people cry when they're tired, over stressed and over frustrated like Lucy is." Zen said quietly as Erza hurried past them shooting Draco a withering look before coming up behind Lucy and stroking her hair while Laxus hugged her into his chest.
"She's been busting her ass trying to master this for months now Draco, give her a break." Laxus said in a sigh. He got both sides of this, and knew just like Lucy did Draco was right, but his little mate had a lifetime of feeling inadequate and a powerful need to prove herself capable working against her. Add in the fact her inner dragon was a greedy arrogant bitch and Laxus could only imagine the internal struggles Lucy was going through.
Their wedding had been beautiful, and he was now the Master of Fairy Tail, his grandfather handing the guild over as a "wedding present" with a wicked grin. So, on top of trying to work into a balance with her magic, Lucy was now the wife of the Guildmaster of Fairy Tail. This mini vacation for Freeds wedding had come thanks to Laxus calling in a hefty favor from Kaleb who sent his own first lieutenant Gaza to Magnolia to help Gildarts run things while he and Lucy were gone for a couple of weeks for all the traditional festivities around a Boscan wedding.
Lucy had sorely needed the time away from the guild and her responsibilities there too. She had decided though, once they were in Bosco, to fully avail herself of White Seas huge membership of mages and get all the time she could in the practice rings while she was away from the worried looks of her guildmates.
The mages at White Sea didn't even blink at her chaotic inconsistent control over her magic, and they didn't give her sympathy breaks either while sparring with her, it was exactly what she needed right now, after she was done cuddling with Laxus though, she was thinking about retiring to one of the steam rooms with her mate then lounging in the bath house until she was all wrinkly.
"I think I'm done for today." She admitted quietly, regaining control over herself and viciously kicking her dragon back when it flared wanting to get a shot in on Draco for being such an ass because he really wasn't, no, she was the one fucking up and somehow, some way she had to stop acting like the Lucy Heartfilia who couldn't protect herself and start acting like Lucy Dreyar, wife and mate of the Master of Fairy Tail. She was not alone anymore, she had a mate, a husband, and he loved her and was there, at her side, still patiently working with her every damn day trying to help her gain control of what those researchers had done to her.
The recording lacrima they had implanted when they had done the Dragon implant was now in the hands of Xally, who had, with Cristoff, removed it from her. It was going to be studied, and Xally promised her all the information they gathered from it. Bickslows sister had recently taken a place on the teaching staff for the University of Pelerno in medicine and research of applied magical sciences. Lucys lacrima was going to be the subject of Xallys first research study.
Lucy didn't care to think about all of that though, focusing on her own situation and trying to get back to being a fully functioning mage again. She followed Laxus from the ring, leaving Erza to walk back to Zen. The Redhead smacked Dracos shoulder when she came up and the big spirit rubbed it absently frowning.
"I'm RIGHT." He said sternly "If she doesn't stop trying to do it all herself she will never master her dragon slaying magic, half her stability is Laxus and she sometimes blocks him out completely while she fights. Because of how her inner dragon came into her, caused the whole mating uproar and everything, her power balance hinges on her being mated, it's plain to see, when she keeps her bonds to Laxus wide open, involves him, she fights better, her magic works better and spells don't misfire, but when she tries to do it without him, especially when she blocks him out, her magic goes haywire." He said and Erza sighed, sliding into Zens arms and smiling up into his warm eyes before turning a frown on his spirit.
"We know you're right, Lucy knows you're right, she's trying." She said and Draco heaved a sigh, bowing to the couple. "I shall retire now if that's allright Master Zen. I may have a chat with Lucys spirit Leo." He sighed and Zen nodded, the spirit vanishing as Zen and Erza, arm in arm left the ring. "She'll get it, I know she will." Erza said resolutely. Zen nodded "Of course she will, we just have to help her get it before her stubborn streak gets her or Master Laxus or both of them hurt." Zen replied quietly. Erza nodded, looking up and smiling as they came in to the showers of the locker rooms for the guild. No separation of the sexes, and even very happily mated to someone as gorgeous as Zen she still smirked every time she walked into these locker rooms and saw all the mostly or completely naked flesh on display.
Her own mate had no issues, stopping at the locker beside hers and stripping down without hesitation, Erza nibbling her lips while she requiped out of her own work out clothes, Zen growling low at a mage openly looking over his mates ample curves and gripping her hand to pull her toward the baths. "I'll be happier when you've got more than an engagement ring on your finger." He sighed, the beautiful neckband he'd already gotten her was waiting for their wedding like the wrist band and chains she had gotten for him even though they weren't expecting (yet). Both liked the idea of displaying well they were taken, detering approaches before they started. Saved them both grief neither one wanted, and their bet had lasted for months, their scores now into the hundreds, Zen was still a little ahead of Erza but she wanted to win, once they were married and the bands were on them both they had agreed the score was final and the winner would be declared, alot had been added to that initial bet over the months.
Erza now had some serious motivations too, her lusty Dragon Slayer was typical of his kind and dominant, only willing to indulge her so far in her fantasies. Honestly, he'd go pretty damn far for her, but he'd agreed she could bust out the handcuffs if she won, and that had thrilled her, along with the promise they could have said night with him bound to the bed while in Minstrel sampling cakes from their famous bakeries if she won? She was learning how to get the men and women who looked her way to look harder.
Zen had gotten more flirty as well, because he wanted to visit Enca and bend his gorgeous mate over the rail overlooking one of their famous waterfalls and have his way with her at the remote location in the central part of the country, a waterfall there, Angel Falls, he wanted to visit it, it would be a weeks trek through the Encan mountains to reach it, but he meant to get there, and wanted to take his beautiful mate as many times as possible on top of those falls.
She was the finest woman he'd ever known, and he couldn't deny how proud he was that she was his, he meant to make her happy about it every day too. Like sweeping her up now and carrying her into the steaming bathwater cuddled into his chest, noting Laxus and Lucy were already cuddled close together on the far side of the massive bath and he took Erza elsewhere, letting them have their time together, they deserved every moment they got.
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Freed watched wide eyed as Kaleb, clad in gleaming armor descended the stairs of the huge circular room. Banners featuring the loop headed cross of the Knights of Immaculate light adorned several poles and hung in several places about the room. They were within the tallest central spire of the headquarters for the Order. Inside the temple, this chamber was hundreds of feet up he knew, though the only windows were in the ceiling and they all fed light directly to the massive lacrima at the center of the room that was currently shifting, opening...the top half of it lifting as Kaleb and his uncle Tesso held their hands out, biding it to open.
Both men were clad head to foot in their holy armor and would serve as guard for this ceremony, a requirement for him to marry Cristoff. The first part of their ceremony was complete, and it had been heartwarming, performed on the grand dias before the spire they were now in both he and Cristoff had made their vows to take each other for life. The Boscan ceremony had only a small variation in wording for same sex couples, the country had always viciously protected the rights of its people to love freely without fear.
They would spend the night now encased within the massive lacrima that collected immaculate light for the order, they would be bathed in it until sunrise, using the moons immaculate light because of Cristoff.
From Freeds research it was no less powerful, no less deadly to darkness than sunlight drawn immaculate light, if anything, it was more intense because the light of the stars fed it as well, their contribution not hindered by the suns blanket influence.
He wore nothing but a silver and gold silk robe, ceremonial dress for this event and he would be lying if he tried to claim even to himself that he wasn't frightened. Demonic power flowed inside of him, and he knew it was dark. Cristoff assured him darkness itself was no enemy to the light, it was evil, maliciousness, cruelty, greed, dark intent, that was what immaculate light sought and destroyed.
"You aren't evil Freed, dark intents you may harbor will be burnt out of you by this, and I won't lie,we won't enjoy the process, but we'll feel it equally, I'll share it with you, every bit of it just as any darkness in me will be purged and you'll share that process." He explained. It hadn't made Freed feel much better. He didn't like the idea at all of Cristoff being made to suffer pain for his dark issues and he was afraid it ran deep and there was more to it than Cristoff realized.
People did die inside the lacrima they were walking to. The crown Princess of Bosco had been essentially dead, killed after only 20 minutes inside the Lacrima, she'd been brought back by the priests that were present to witness her induction so she could become the leader of the Knights as was tradition for the future ruler of Bosco. Currently though, Kurinos position as leader of the knights was only honorary, she had to survive three days inside that lacrima in order to become ruler by the current laws of the country. From what Cristoff had told him about Kurino, it wasn't likely that was going to happen, and Kurino had been trying to get her father to change the law but he and the Steel Council and the Knights themselves were all firmly against that.
A popular vote was taken, Kurino initiating it herself with the last session of the council and the people of Bosco themselves had overwhelmingly been against ending the requirement their monarch go through an induction in the immaculate light, so the Princess was stuck, either she made it through or she lost the crown and her younger brother, who had already passed his induction when he was 18 would take the crown.
In theory she was training to clear darkness from her spirit, however, she was also seeking a husband she could manipulate who could pass induction or already had, if she were married to such a man, the crown would pass to him by right of his marriage to her. She had been trying to get Kaleb and Cristoff both to come to heel for her for the last 3 years among some other men in Bosco her people would readily accept, but her brutal twisted methods had the men recoiling and disgusted by her.
Where Kurino ended up remained to be seen, Freed did care, but more than any of that, he cared that the man beside him would never have to serve that woman again once this was done. They had registered as "promised" quietly to avoid Kurinos wrath when she found out her prefered pet, and between him and Kaleb she really did prefer Cristoff because he didn't have the titles Kaleb had to protect him from her forcing him into first a consort position, then marriage once she'd had him in her clutches for a while.
The main obstacle had been Arman, who stood like a wall between Kurino and his son, his close friendship with the King, his political power, she couldn't risk just snatching Cristoff away because Arman wouldn't allow it, she was already pushing limits near breaking with what she'd been doing, forcing Cristoff to her bed several times a year lest she take Kaleb, and when Cristoff had been too far afield working, she would take Kaleb, Vander had been spared her touch because his older brothers both had managed to keep her focused on them and, he'd been kicked out of the Knights, however, he HAD passed induction, and could again if it was demanded, so the interest from Kurino in him remained.
Zens return had been a sensation through Bosco, and he was famous because of all that had happened around freeing him from Pergrande and then ensuring Pergrande left him alone by him killing the King of that country. Like Farron, Zens fame in her country kept him out of her reach, he had friends in high places now because of what he'd done.
So Cristoff was her best bet, and now...after they had gone through this, rested, gone through the part of this Freed was dreading almost as much as this immersion in the light, ie the proving ceremony tomorrow night, followed by a ceremony the following morning, he and Cristoff would be legally married in Bosco and the Lunar Dragon Slayer would be beyond Kurinos reach.
He would also be Freeds, in every way, and Freed would become Freed Pradesh...if he survived this immersion in Immaculate light.
"You will, just hold on to Cristoff, keep your bond open no matter what happens and trust it." Kaleb said suddenly, reaching out a hand to help his brother step up and down into to base of the lacrima. The gigantic white lacrima was unlike any Freed had ever seen, immense and shaped with two lengthening thinning points, one on top one on the bottom, the center being round it was like a double ended teardrop and was pearlescent, radiating light, in a creamy brilliance.
Once he was standing inside the lacrima Cristoff turned and reached for Freed, who drew a deep breath, gave Kaleb a shaky smile and took his mates hand, stepping into the lacrima and gasping faintly feeling the warmth of its smooth surface, that was almost velvety under his bare feet.
"Arms around me love, lean into me when it starts and close your eyes before it closes around us." Cristoff said gently and Freed nodded, arms clamping around Cristoffs waist and he buried himself in his mates arms, feeling his warm soothing presence blanket him.
"Once the lacrima seals and floods with the light, our magic will be beyond our reach, it has no interest in our magic, only our hearts and souls." He said softly, kissing the crown of Freeds head as the top of the crystal descended over them.
"I love you Cris…"Freed said shakily, needing to get that out before he wouldn't be able to speak...possibly ever again. If this killed him, Cristoff would die with him, the light had no mercy and the bond shattering with Freeds death would end Cristoffs life.
The big slayer smiled, holding him tighter "I love you too...relax Freed, you're not evil love...and your magic has no sway here." He whispered "Close your eyes…"
He clamped his eyes shut just as the crystal sealed and the few moments before the tight chamber they were in flooded felt like forever until it hit, the light flooded them and the pain it brought was staggering.
The light, like Cristoff had said, had no interest in their magic, it sought only the truth inside them, Freed was drug through the suffering he had caused, the pain he had inflicted in malice or contempt, he relived it all, most he felt was justified, but when Fantasia came up his mouth opened but he couldn't scream at the pain.
One of the lowest points of his life, he had done it following Laxus, letting his devotion to his friend blind his better judgement and he felt every bit of the pain he had inflicted that day, and so did Cristoff. He was tempted, more than once to try and close the bond, maybe spar Cristoff some of this, the pain of his shame, but he remembered what Kaleb had said and instead leaned more into his mate, seeking him. He couldn't feel anything physical, touch, sounds, smell, everything was beyond him, he was submerged in what the light was doing.
Enduring Fantasia had been horrific, reliving it through the pain he had inflicted, but when it was over his conviction, his loyalties, his love for his guild, he kept thinking about it and was almost rewarded, getting to feel that, and more, the returned affection he had gathered, the love of his team mates, including Laxus, and then, he came to Cristoff, his mates love just enveloping him, soothing every hurt, easing every pain, washing away all of it because, he learned quickly, the love he'd earned far overpowered the pain he'd caused.
His nakama loved him, and his mate...the depth there, the sheer power of it was staggering...his mate loved him beyond description, such was the nature of Dragons and Cristoff himself, with his kind affectionate soul just added to that, the Dragon loved him and so did the man, completely, totally...for all time. Theirs had this tremendous warmth and strength to it, ageless, that was what it was, it would never fade, never lessen, he could feel that and it left him in awe. Especially when he felt, with no hesitation, that his own soul returned it all completely. His soul loved Cristoffs, always had...always would.
The light receded, it was a gentle decrease of its presence thankfully, and Freed felt sensation returning, felt himself shaking, weak, exhausted to the bone, and sagging in thickly muscled arms that had a tremor to them much like his whole body seemed to have.
He tried but couldn't really lift his head, moaning softly and wincing at his dry throat and realized he'd probably been screaming with how it felt. "Deep breaths love...Kaleb and Tesso will help us from the lacrima, it's normal not to be able to walk after this…" He heard Cristoffs voice, rough and raspy and winced again, realizing he'd felt nothing come into him, pain wise, from Cristoffs end of things.
"That's only because he does an overnight in the crystal every other year and had his before we left for Fairy Tail a few months ago, he screamed plenty then I promise you." Kalebs voice came to him, amused as strong hands pulled him from Cristoffs shaking arms.
"Yep, yours sounded about like a lot of our passing recruits, most fail this, have to be removed from it well before the three days they're required to withstand, so you did good, the light has sealed you, approved your joining." Tesso said smiling as he helped Cristoff from the Crystal, staggering a bit under the bigger mans considerable weight until Cristoff got his feet steady and stood on his own.
Freed managed to smile at his mate, who looked probably much like he did, battered and exhausted. "What now?" He croaked.
"Now, you will go to rest for the day, we have a bath and attendants ready to help you clean up, and a meal waiting, the sooner you eat and drink the better you'll feel. Then you two rest until you're cleared for the proving ceremony." Kaleb replied, giving Freed a wicked grin.
The rune mage blushed in spite of himself, he was dreading that, he really was, having to have sex in front of witnesses to prove he and Cristoff truly did want each other, truly would get more than names and position from their marriage. Cristoff chuckled at his expression "You don't need to worry Freed, it's only part of the process to protect people from forced arranged marriages." He said and Freed could only nod and they were taken to chambers back in the main temple.
It was unsettling, more than a little and not in an unpleasant way, to watch Cristoff being bathed by the attendants. Their faintly hopeful eyes kept turning to him, and he saw the same from the attendants bathing his own exhausted body. A single shake of Cristoffs head though ended the odd looks and they were bathed, wrapped in fresh robes and helped to lounges, brought trays loaded with food, fresh fruit, cheeses, sliced meats crackers and breads.
Freed rose from his own spot, carried his tray to Cristoffs and slid down next to him, grinning when his mate set his own tray aside to grab him and settle him better between his long legs so he could lay back against his firm chest while he ate.
Attendants watched over them taking the trays away as they both gradually lost energy and Freed slipped off to sleep, comfortably wrapped in Cristoffs arms, the slayer sliding down the lounge to get them both comfortable and settling, asleep in moments when an attendant laid a thick blanket over them.
When Freed woke he smiled faintly, happily still tucked in against his dragon, their robes had fallen open while they slept so a wall of tanned tattooed skin greeted him he tipped his head back, wriggling to get his mouth on the column of Cristoffs neck. The rumbling growl he got made him smile more.
"You're awake...mmm, in more ways than one" Cristoff hummed, feeling Freeds arousal rising against his hip. Freed just hummed in answer, nipping at warm skin that smelled of midnight breezes and mint. He shifted a little, gripping a thick bicep to keep his position and give him leverage to push in farther, run his tongue over a pierced earlobe, enjoying the cool feel of the saphire there.
Another growl and Cristoffs arm under him shifted so his hand could grip Freeds ass and tug him in hard against Cristoffs hip where he smirked and rotated his hips gaining a gasp of surprise. "Fuck...Freed….we need to get to the bed, I need space…" Cristoff breathed but Freed ignored him shifting a little more so he was a little above his dragon who was laying on his side, back against the back of the lounge, grinding himself against his dragons hip and loving the feel of his smooth skin against his arousal. "Ah!...Freed…" Cristoff growled and Freed wondered how long he'd be allowed to keep this up, Cristoff was a dominant personality the full moon wasn't for another week so he wasn't likely to let it continue but Gods was he enjoying it while he did.
He was smiling, trying to dodge the shifting arm of his slayer when his senses came out of their sleepy, Cristoff focused wickedness and he sensed other people. He sucked in a breath pulling back abruptly and looking wide eyed over the back of the lounge to see two robed attendants.
One, a woman, smiled kindly at him "You seem ready to proceed with the proving, we are here as silent observers, we will not interfere or disturb you from this point on." She said.
Freed lay half on top of Cristoff staring and his mate chuckled, shifting to his back, Freed suddenly straddling him since he'd had a leg up over Cristoffs hip allowing him his wicked fun. Cristoff hand cupped his cheek and brought his gaze down to Midnight blue eyes starting to turn more silver. "You started it love, now….now we'll finish it." He growled and lunged up, arm banding around Freeds torso, Freed gasped as sharp fangs scraped over his shoulder and Cristoff shifted, holding him up crushed against his hard chest as he shifted, bringing his legs under him and sitting back on his heels before Freed felt his hand that was gripping his ass still slide further, magic, oh Gods Cristoffs wonderful magic and Freed felt the soothing damp mists Cristoff controlled so well push into him right before Cristoff brought him down and he was throwing his head back groaning as he was deeply, slowly filled by his mate.
The attendants moving to assure their view was unobstructed went unnoticed by the rune mage as he gripped his mates shoulders and got his feet down just in time to start aiding Cristoffs firm hands on his ass.
His own erection was pressed between them and the friction felt delicious, gliding smoothly on the minted aid of Cristoffs magic. He slid up and down, one of Cristoffs hands shifting to grip his shoulder, pulling him down hard on him and Freed pressed his feet down to slide right back up, riding Cristoffs length and gripping the back of the lounge to improve his leverage as he did.
He completely forgot about the attendants, that, after a few minutes watching them left them and gave them privacy, having seen all they needed to. The entire thing was about assuring the couple wanted each other. Their presence was never an issue when real desire was in the picture.
He was still tired, unsure how long he had slept but it couldn't have been too long, the sun was down, candles lit about the large chamber for light but he didn't notice them until after he'd groaned out his end and Cristoff had cum with him, shuddering beneath him, unconcerned at now having Freeds essence all over his abdomen.
"Gods I love you…" He breathed as Freed slumped against him and he fell back on the lounge. Freed grinned, "enough to give me a bath?" he asked lazily and Cristoff smirked "enough to give you a bath with a happy ending…" he purred back and Freed hummed his approval, sliding from Cristoffs tall frame and wobbling a bit, Cristoffs hand gripping his arm to steady him.
"Easy love, you just spent 14 hours in immaculate light and only had about a 3 hour nap…" Cristoff chuckled, rising to help his mate, though he was probably just as tired, the difference being he was conditioned for this and a Dragon Slayer, so he recovered faster than Freed did.
The bath put Freed back to sleep, something Cristoff wasn't upset about, he saw how exhausted the rune mage was and they had to be up at dawn, their ceremony by tradition would happen at sunrise, so they only had a few hours before they stood in front of their family and friends and priests of the temple and made their union final.
So he lifted the sleeping man from the steaming waters and carried him to the large bed, sighing a little, he would love to do more but it was normal for couples not to get much more than their proving round of sex in after they were sealed in the light. He counted them lucky they were even able to do it the same day they came out of the crystal at all. He slid into the bed, gathering the blankets over them and curled around his mate,smiling as Freed snuggled into him and mumbled his name in a sleepy content tone that made his chest warm.
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Arman watched his children joking and shoving each other, Blaine Justine grinning broadly, walking with Farron, who it turned out the young man had a serious hero thing for, aspiring to go into diplomacy himself so he and farron were chatting amiably, Blaine mostly just staring bright eyed at Farron hanging on his every word and Farron, amused, patiently milking responses out of him.
Rowena walked alongside hm, smiling happily watching the same thing he was, all of the happiness in front of them.
"You've done an amazing job with your children Arman, they're all so...beautiful, strong, and happy, I don't think I've ever seen Blaine so overwhelmingly excited as he was when he found out Freed was marrying Farrons brother." She chuckled.
Arman smiled, reaching and taking her hand, tucking it into the crook of his arm "I would love to claim some immense skill or secret talent but they were wonderful, each had their challenges but really they were just born good people, I just loved them." He said fondly and Rowena nibbled the inside of her lower lip at his jade colored eyes so brimming with his affection for his children. He was such a striking man, tall, made her feel tiny, his black hair pulled back into a loose low tail by a velvet band bits of silver here and there really the only hint to his age because his face was handsome, youthful.
He had this full lower lip and a slightly thinner upper lip that she struggled to keep from staring at. Something very unlike her. She had been around a lot of handsome men, but would admit quickly Arman and his sons did make most pale by comparison.
She found herself wondering what kissing that mouth would feel like, daydreaming while she had been trying to read and research things for Freeds wedding and to best understand the family that would be part of their lives soon. She had had her moments, meeting various people over her years in exile in Rosegarden where she had been tempted to do to Abraham what he had done to her. She knew, had always known her husband kept mistresses, he didn't even bother to try and hide it from her.
He'd forced her to give up her magic, she had been so hopeful when her father had announced she was marrying Abraham that he would be kind and allow her to keep training and working her enchantment magic but he'd refused, had even forced her to walk around in magic cancelling bracelets for the first year they were married to assure she never touched magic. Here was Arman with a family full of successful mages and he'd told her he was one himself, even opened his shirt and proved her was guilded showing her the White Sea symbol on his left side. Had also, at the same time, proved he was where his children had picked up their penchant for fitness and weight lifting, he'd been young when Farron was born, and was still far from old, but she hadn't expected a man her age to have a body like he did hidden under his flawlessly tailored suits.
He'd emerged one day when she was out on the deck from swimming out in the sea, long hair slicked back by the water hanging almost halfway down his back, snug swim shorts hugging his body, water running down over tanned skin, firm muscle and tattoos identifying him as many things, clan born, and the Boscan seal on the back of his right shoulder identified him as a diplomat of Bosco. It had been several moments before she remembered she needed to breathe to get air.
She'd never felt these sorts of things, Gods knew Abraham, who treated physical exertion as if it were proof of evil in the world and loved his food certainly looked nothing like Arman Pradesh in a bathing suit, if he had...they would have had more children…
Though Abraham had no problem telling Rowena what a disappointment she was, with her skinny body and lack of height. He plain brown hair and average looks, he'd said were it not for her exotic eyes she'd have been too ugly for him to consider as a wife and might have put a bag over her head when they had sex to conceive his heirs.
She was, at best, lost when it came to how to react to all she felt, and seriously doubted Arman would be interested in her anyway even if she did know what to say or how to act to show him she was...well...interested in him, maybe even as more than just friends.
She had no way of knowing Arman was currently berating himself, taking Rowenas hand was inappropriate, Fiorans didn't do such familiar things and he damn well knew it. Only men courting women did things like he kept doing around Freeds mother.
He couldn't seem to help it though, he really liked Rowena. She was sweet, warm, affectionate and it was obvious she'd never been allowed to be those things openly before. Apologizing when she compulsively hugged him in greeting, or tipped her head back to kiss his cheek. He'd even seen her blush a little hugging her own sons.
He'd made some calls, after seeing Rowena Justine, he felt compelled to make sure Lord Abraham never got out of prison.
He'd always felt so driven to help, to assure people were well and safe and cared for, maybe that was why he was so...aware of Rowena. With her gorgeous eyes and hair the color of cinnamon. She was so petite, and he'd always been drawn to petite women. Were she Boscan, he had no doubt they'd have been in bed together by now, he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from making the offer.
He could just imagine nibbling at her full lips, closing his hands on that slender waist...gripping those lovely slender thighs. He shook his head.
"I say we get them all to dinner, the final ceremony is at dawn so everyone will want to make an early night of it." He said then, eager to get caught up with his children and the distractions they would provide from his inappropriate thoughts. So lost in them he didn't notice Kaleb smirking, tucking his head and stepping closer to Farron, or Farrons change of expression and the predatory glint that hit his eldest sons pale blue eyes as he looked back at him and Rowena.
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The soft trill woke Freed immediately and his eyes snapped open, reaching out and dampening the alarm, it was still dark outside, their ceremony...the final one...he grinned, Gods those attendants had watched him ride the hell out of Cristoff...his grin didn't falter, finding he didn't care, they were supposed to see he and Cristoff wanted each other, desired each other and they had in abundance.
He wriggled in the warm arms around him and they tightened, a soft rumble coming from his dragon and he smiled, taking a moment to watch him, it was so rare he woke before Cristoff did, Gods he was so handsome...and all mine… his grin came back and he kissed Cristoffs mouth, biting his lower lip hard enough the big slayer snarled at him but hands pressed into Freeds back slamming him into Cristoff forcefully as the Dragon took over the kiss aggressively.
Breathless and suddenly wanting way more than to just wake the big mage Freed pulled back meeting narrowed dark blue eyes.
"That was not nice...you wicked thing, you're lucky we don't have enough time for me to make you pay for that properly…" Cristoff growled.
Freed grinned, sliding from his mates arms and hurrying to where his suit was laid out on the lounge they had done their proving on. The attendants had come in while they were sleeping to set both suits out.
These were traditional Boscan too, single sleeved with the long tailed back that would cover them to mid-thigh, tight breeches, soft leather knee high boots. They were belted and had necklines that came below the pectorals so the flesh over the heart was fully exposed a soft silk shirt beneath the heavier silk jacket. White silk shirts, Cristoffs suit was a nearly black green while Freeds was a near black blue, according to Bickslow, the color of their mates soul hinted by the color of their suit. The ornate silver belt he fastened and smiled, looking up to see Cristoff belting his own with gold. He wore no ring...Freed was to choose whether to give him one or not in the ceremony, since he was the one who had been asked for marriage.
Freed ran his thumb over his own, the beautiful blue gemmed one and the silver band nestled against it. Cristoff cut a striking figure in his suit, his gold shields he earned with the knights on the right shoulder running part way down the sleeve. His left arm bare, his long black hair pulled back into a loose low tail that was braided from the band down.
He smirked at Freed, his heated gaze making the rune mage want to drag him back to the bed. A knock at the door made the spell break and both men looked to the door. "Are you ready?" Came Rowenas voice.
Freed grinned, hurrying to the door. "Yes mother!" He threw it open and found her smiling up at him. "Oh you look so handsome! Gods both of you...come on, the sunrise won't wait!" She called and both men, smiling, followed her out to the grand dias.
Freed was taken to stand by Rowena while Cristoff stood by Arman and a priest of the temple looked over them both and the gathered people.
"Cristoff Rendevere Pradesh...kneel before your intended." The Priest said as the sun was cresting the horizon. Cristoff moved and knelt in front of Freed while his father came and stood behind him. Arman held his hand out, holding the silver band.
"Freed Justine, I offer you my son, his name, his titles, his lands and his life. You have consented to this marriage and taken him to your bed. If he pleases you and you would complete this marriage and accept him as your husband I ask you take this ring and put it on his hand." Arman said, voice breaking a little, he knew it would do it in a short time for Zens wedding too, especially since he'd just gotten him back from Pergrande a little shy of 3 years ago now.
Freed took the ring and reached out, Cristoff smiling up at him and bringing his hand up so Freed could slide the ring on his finger "I accept you, Cristoff Rendever Pradesh and take you as my husband." He said, proud his voice held because his throat tightened with emotions as he said it and Cristoff lunged up, sweeping Freed into his arms and spinning him around.
"By the powers of this Holy temple and the country of Bosco, you Cristoff Rendevere Pradesh, have married and You Freed Justine, are now and forever more, Freed Pradesh." The priest said brightly and Freed grinned arms around Cristoffs neck, he finally got enough balance to kiss him.
The family stood, everyone did, ready to cheer when a feminine voice shouted "NO! NO! I forbid this!" and everyone turned, Marching out onto the dais, guards flanking her was Princess Kurino.