Hiya o/
This was supposed to be a short, fluffy AU that was born with a thought of 'what if Surr didn't fall in love with Raha at the first sight' - as she does in most of my stories xD And SOMEHOW it turned into Raha/Azem o.o
Seriously, don't ask me how that happened xD It came out so different... I decided to separate it xD Though if you read my 'Change' series... yeah, pretty much you know the drill xD
Hope you enjoy o/
There was a flash of strange… recognition in the depths of dark-purple eyes right before she looked away, and it slightly unnerved him… but he put on an easy grin on his face regardless.
"I'm G'raha Tia," he introduced himself, stretching his hand toward her and trying to cover his nerves. But who could blame him? Not every day, you do get to meet the Warrior of Light! And he already had to make an excellent impression on her, leading her on a chase around Twelveswood! The idea that then seemed amusing was sure to bite him in the ass now! "I'm a historian, member of the Students of Baldesion, sent here to oversee this expedition. I am… sorry for that… stunt back in the forest – I had no idea who you are," he finished with a sheepish smile.
Surr, the famed Warrior of Light, looked back and down at his hand, her face completely expressionless… then turned around and walked off without a word. He wilted, letting his hand drop to his side as he stared after her, involuntarily admiring the delicate swing of her hips, lush waves of her pearly-white locks streaming down her back nearly to her waist. Then, he felt a hard slap on his shoulder and twitched in surprise, barely stopping his tail from shooting up.
"Don't take it personally!" an amused, gruff voice sounded on his side. He blinked at the engineer he had just met – Cid Garlond, the man who introduced the Warrior originally with an easy air that indicated the familiarity of a friend. "Surr - she's a strange one… sometimes," he said, then passed him as he headed behind her to the center of the camp.
G'raha sighed and followed them, still peering with uncertainty at the white-haired Seeker. She seemed… distant and guarded as she looked around the camp, while the engineer stopped at her side and whispered something even his sharp hearing couldn't pick up. Yet, he blushed involuntarily when she tossed a quick glance toward him. He swallowed thickly when her gaze grew cold, then she said something back at her friend and promptly teleported away.
He blinked hard, staring at the spot she had just been at and wondering numbly what he did do to deserve that look. Was she really upset about that chase? He sighed heavily, then headed back to his tent – avoiding the stares of the scholars and engineers on the way.
Surr carefully and silently closed the door of her bedroom inside the Rising Stones, hoping no one heard her return. After the Preatorium, she kept her distance from the Scions, avoiding them whenever possible – somehow almost convinced they'll notice the difference in her from… before.
She sighed, crossed her small room, sat down at the edge of her bed, and stared numbly at the floor between her feet.
Finally, she sighed, then lifted her head and closed her eyes.
"Emmy," she whispered. "I need you."
The familiar sound of the Ascian's appearance followed, but she didn't open her eyes. Instead, after a second, her ears twitched at the sound of a heavy sigh, then the mattress dipped slightly next to her, and an arm coiled around her shoulders, pulling her against his side. Surr sighed with relief and curled into his side, shifting her legs to rest over his lap and resting her cheek against his chest.
"What happened?" his voice sounded gruff, but his touch was gentle when he smoothed his hand over her hair.
"He's here," she said, twitching nervously when he stilled. "Don't worry," she added, melting into him. "I have no intention of falling for that again," she sighed softly when he wound his arms around her and rested his cheek against her head.
"Can you resist?" he almost sounded amused. Still, knowing him as she did… she shifted slightly to coil her arms around his waist and squeezed delicately.
"I will," she assured but still refused to open her eyes, not wanting him to see the uncertainty in her gaze. She had felt the pull when she looked into mismatched eyes. She had felt her soul's need for him… only worse because, like her… he looked almost exactly like then.
And even though she expected it at some level… resisting it hurt.
"I have to," she added in a tiny voice, curling harder into her brother's embrace.
"Whatever you say, Cali," he sighed, and she smiled involuntarily. At least with him, she could be herself – and drop the role of her reincarnation.
She almost felt sorry for the girl – she certainly didn't expect that the price of her friend's life Lahabrea decreed as the Preatorium burned around them would be her becoming an Ascian and taking her place at the seat of Azem, the Traveler. Or that accepting meant that her memories would awake and the personality of Calista, the original Azem who perished in sundering, would take over her life.
And as she was reborn – she decided to stick to her role, pretending to still be just Surr… determined to discover why Hydealyn chose to pick her reincarnation to be her Warrior of Light. She knew her old mentor… and Venat never did anything without reason behind it.
So no matter how much it hurt… she couldn't let him break her again. No matter how her heart ached at the sight of painfully familiar features of her beloved husband. Damon was back as well… as he always had been when she reincarnated. Their true, original bond was ever pulling their souls together if she wasn't aware of that in her previous lives.
And he would leave her… again. As he always did. But this time… this time, she couldn't let him take her soul with him. She had too much to accomplish… too much to lose.
And she refused to break her brother's heart again.
While the crystal gate closed behind him slowly, he dared one last look behind his shoulder, right at her… the hero, his inspiration… even if she didn't hide her dislike for him during the course of this expedition.
She did everything they requested of her, leaving the camp without a second look afterward. Only sometimes he could almost… swear he felt her gaze on himself, but when he would peer at her with uncertainty and pounding heart… She was looking elsewhere, and he put it away as a figment of his over-eager imagination.
He sometimes wondered… if he didn't screw up that first day… would she look at him differently? He couldn't help but be drawn to her, like a moth to a flame… but her eyes were cold and guarded.
Yet now, as he looked back, for a second… just before the gate closed… he stilled at the sight of longing in the depths of her eyes. His heart stopped when their gazes met, for the first time, her wholly open and unguarded… as her mouth moved soundlessly…
'Goodnight, G'raha Tia'… he read on her lips as her eyes filled with tears, and so much… love… his breath stuttered.
Then the gate closed shut… and for a second, he yearned to reopen it… and demand an explanation. Why did she look at him like that now… when it was too late?
But his destiny lay in the future, as he told them… even then, wondering at the complete lack of surprise in her delicate features. So he stilled his back and resolve and headed deeper inside the Tower, preparing for the longest nap of his life.
She pushed the cowl off and shook her head, letting her long locks spill over her black, Ascian robes as she glared at the gathering of her brethren next to the enormous crater on the moon's surface, Zodiark's eternal prison.
Her brother, Hades, appeared at her side and then pulled his cowl back, looking at her with a hint of uncertainty in his golden eyes. He knew her well enough to know when she was pissed. Though now... that was an understatement of the millennia.
"Cali…" he started with a frown.
She ignored him, only shooting him a stern gaze, then focused on the Emissary, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Which one of our… brothers… forgot to mention that there's Calamity about to happen?" she drawled through her teeth.
"Calista…" Elidibus said in his calm manner but with a frown on his youthful features. "I don't need to remind you that this… is what we do. The Great Rejoining…"
"Fuck the Rejoining!" she snapped, beyond furious, and ignored the gasps of gathered Ascians. "I just watched my friends die around me!"
No matter how much she tried to stay detached… she came to love the Scions. And to watch them choke on Black Rose… Even though she was immortal and remembered millennia-worth of heartache… she couldn't stand it.
She never cared for Zodiark or their Rejoining. She didn't care for summoning him in the first place, even as their world died around them. If someone asked her, she openly admitted she agreed with Hydealyn's decision to sunder and imprison him.
Not that she appreciated that she and her husband died in the hit… but she guessed that you couldn't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.
Then… she only cared about him… her one and true love. But, now… she wanted her chosen family back.
She wanted… him back.
Even without… remembering her and all of their lives together – and no matter how much she tried to resist, he still managed to steal her heart.
He always did.
But even though she had seen the pure longing in mismatched, then crimson eyes… as he was defenseless against the pull between their souls… he still left her. She knew he would; she expected it… and yet it didn't hurt any less for her knowledge.
But at least this time she survived… if you can call it that – as every day without him felt… wrong.
"Cali… I know you're upset," her brother said softly, touching her shoulder. "But there's nothing we can do to take it back… So you should move on. You're young for an… Ascian, so eventually…."
She huffed, backing away from him, and ignored the flash of hurt in his golden eyes before they grew cold and unreadable. He looked away from her with a scowl and crossed his arms over his chest.
She tightened her jaw, then pulled the cowl back over her head.
"Maybe you can't…" she said slowly. "But I will. No matter what… I'll bring them all back. So just stay out of my way," she growled with a warning, then teleported away.
She landed inside the throne room of the Crystal Tower, and an involuntary, tender smile tilted her lips as she neared the sleeping figure resting against the crystal armrest of the throne.
Whenever her longing for him reached an unbearable level… she couldn't help but break and find herself here, looking at him and sometimes allowing herself to steal a few quick touches.
She sighed softly, pulling the cowl back again, and climbed the throne next to him. She pulled him to rest against her and wrapped her arms around him possessively, burying her face against his throat.
"They're all gone," she sobbed, only now allowing herself to mourn them. "Just like... you. They're all gone. I can't… can't…."
She just stayed like that for a long moment, crying her heart out and wishing from the depths of her soul… that he would wake up and hold her. Him, G'raha Tia, the sweet and enthusiastic historian… that stole her heart with a mischievous glint in his mismatched eyes that the serious, bright-cyan gaze of his original incarnation lacked.
As much as she loved her husband… as much as she yearned for him… She loved the man he reincarnated into as hard, missed him as desperately.
"I have to… fix this," she finally whispered, closing her eyes and resting her head against his shoulder. "The Scions… and you… G'raha. I don't know how yet… but I will, I promise. And the next time… I won't let you leave me. Fate be damned!"
She clenched her teeth, then carefully let him rest against the armrest again and jumped off the throne. She wiped her face absentmindedly, then pulled the cowl back over her head.
She needed help to find a solution… and this time, she couldn't count on the help of her older brother. At least not until she had a clear plan in mind. As much as he hated to admit that… they both knew he would move heaven and earth to make her happy. No matter the price… so long as it didn't involve her leaving him again. And she accepted that… for the most part.
She sighed, then decided that she could as well try with Cid… one of the smartest mortals she knew. If anyone would know how to turn back the Calamity… it would be him. No matter what it takes.
She only hoped he didn't freak out too much… since she was supposed to be dead along with her friends. Her fake body was left at the scene by her reluctant brother before Ironworks arrived - assured keeping the secret of her immortality… at her request.
Despite her best efforts and everything that transpired since she woke up in this life… she still didn't know Venat's motives – she wasn't even sure if the elder Primal even realized the… change in her Champion.
Was Surr's death a part of her plan…? Did she choose her just to let her die like that? Calista wasn't sure… not that it mattered now because she would find a way to revert this.
That scent…
Calista stared, struggling to keep a confused expression on her face as gears in her head turned furiously. Even as she and Themis played their roles to perfection, she was suddenly pulled into the rift between worlds and faced with a mysterious stranger hiding behind the cowl of distinctively Allagan robes.
She wanted to snap at first and demand an explanation - only a habit built over the years of acting stopping her from warping right back into her body… when that scent invaded her nose and made her heart stutter and clench. After years of visiting the Tower… she couldn't not recognize it. Even when he was awake and she refused to submit to the pull between their souls… that insanely delicious scent drove her mad with want. Magnified by her sensitive nose.
It was G'raha… she was sure of that. Her unruly tail wanted to swish with happiness despite her wariness. She barely stopped it, getting a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. So it was G'raha, and he was awake… but why was he trying to hide from her?
While he spoke, she feigned attention while considering the options, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the crystalized hand wrapped around the golden staff. Then her eyes narrowed at the crystal on his throat, covering the tattoos she just touched a few days ago, shyly following dark-purple design with her fingertips.
The only conclusion seemed absurd initially – that he somehow traveled back in time. But the more she thought about it… would that really be the weirdest thing that happened since she was awake…? She also dealt with a Primal, Alexander, who could manipulate time years ago.
But if that's true… and he came back somehow? Why was he hiding from her? They weren't really close back then… despite their mutual pining. Still… why?
And was he really back… or would he leave her again?
She focused on his words again, deciding she'll play along… for now. Until she knows more about this… confusing occurrence.
Only this time… she doubted she'll have the strength left to let him go again.
No matter the price.
"Twelve… you smell so delicious, Exarch," she hummed, nuzzling against his crystal-covered throat, despite the cowl in the way.
"W-Warrior…" he gasped breathlessly, utterly confused and unbearably aroused simultaneously.
G'raha was stunned out of his mind when he led her inside the Ocular, ready to start his rehearsed… play, ready to sow seeds of the things that would lead to his demise - glad for it if it saved her. But then, before he could utter as much as a word, she backed him into a wall and pinned him against it, using her unnatural strength.
"Call me Surr," she chuckled, rising on her toes to lean against him and wrap her arms around his neck. Then she trailed her lips along his jaw, and he couldn't help but let his mismatched hands lift and rest delicately on her hips… knowing he should at least try to push her away… yet unable to force his hands to cooperate with his mind.
It was… wrong. Yet… he spent a hundred years wondering… about that last look before the gate closed. Wondering… if she would taste as wonderful as she smelled. That insane longing in the depths of his soul… the unbearable lust that even now set his nerve endings to tremble…
He took a deep breath, then regretted it when her citrus scent filled his head, setting his blood on fire. Unable to stop the furious blush when pressed against him like this, she had to feel his body's immediate reaction despite his robes.
"Su…" he opened his lips, tightening his fingers on her and determined he would find the strength to push her back… in a second. Then he groaned helplessly when she used it to claim his mouth, plunging her tongue with demand as she tightened her arms and pulled him hard against her.
Wicked white… her taste… He whimpered desperately, shaking as his hands shot up and tangled in the pearly-white locks that used to taunt his dreams. They were softer than he imagined, he thought in a daze, drowning in her taste. His heart felt like it'll burst out of his chest any moment now as she devoured his mouth aggressively, so desperate and hungry… he couldn't help but respond in kind.
His imagination… just couldn't match the real thing.
He whined with protest when she backed away suddenly, dropping to her heels and looking at him with lidded dark-purple eyes full of desire and a coy smirk tilting her plush lips.
"You taste even better… Exarch," she said with a teasing glint in her eyes, then slowly dragged the tip of her tongue over her lower lip… and purred with delight.
Oh, fuck… Was the only coherent thought between the ringing blaring between his ears before he reacted on instinct, turning around and pinning her against the wall in turn, swallowing her giggle when he claimed her mouth again, chasing more of that addictive taste.
Calista closed the door of her suite in the Pendants behind her, rested her forehead against it, then giggled madly.
"What do you think you're doing?" came a sudden snap behind her, and she twitched nervously, then schooled her expression and turned around, leaning her back against the door.
"Hey, Emmy," she welcomed her brother with a slight smirk. "Didn't think you'll catch on so quickly," she rose her eyebrows expectantly.
"What in the blazes are you doing on the First, Cali?" he scowled, crossing his arms over his chest. "I thought crossing the rift is a big 'no' to not blow your cover."
She shrugged nonchalantly, then sighed when his eyes narrowed and grew cold.
"You're not going to like the answer," she admitted finally, pushing off the door and stepping inside fully. She sat down on the bench next to the door and leaned back, peering up at him with a frown. "By the way, why has no one mentioned that the First is in this state? How close is the Calamity?"
"I thought you don't care about that?" he drawled through his teeth but then sighed and sat beside her. "Cali, what are you doing here?"
She lowered her gaze to the ground and worked her jaw, considering what she should say.
"I think…" she started slowly, looking at him. "…something went wrong. I'm not clear on the details yet, Emmy… But the Crystal Exarch – the man who summoned me here – it's my… Surr's G'raha. And I think… he came back from the future and dragged me - her here… for a reason. The Scions' souls are also here… so whatever are you guys planning – the First is now off-limits."
"Cali…" he hesitated when she tossed him a hard, unrelenting look. Then he sighed deeply and stared at her with resignation. "Even if we stop priming the Source… this shard is on the brink of collapse."
"I know," she frowned, dropping her gaze, then put one leg on top of the other. "But I think… I think G'raha has a plan how to fix it. According to his words…" he stammered at her nervously after the guard's untimely disturbance knocking at the Ocular's door with some mundane question. The only visible part of his face was blushing so beautifully when he jumped away from her as if burned… his pretty, plush lips so bruised as he panted harshly, shaking with barely contained desire… "…there's a way to beat back the Light. So Emmy… tell the others to back off."
The silence between them was deafening for a long, long moment. Then, when she dared to look up again, she saw heartbreak in the depths of golden irises and her own heart wrenched with pain.
"He'll leave you again," he whispered, lifting his hand to brush back a stray lock of her hair from her cheek. "And then you'll leave me."
She caught his hand in hers and pressed it against her cheek, nuzzling against it affectionately even as she stared into his eyes with pure determination.
"Not this time, Emmy," she said softly but with an indomitable force behind it. "I'm done… with regrets, Hades. This time… I won't let him leave. No matter what, I'll break this insane circle. You won't lose me again, I swear. But I can't… I can't be without him," she admitted with a rueful chuckle. "I tried, you know that, but I… can't."
Emet-Selch sighed, then raised his other hand and framed her face with them before he leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes.
"Whatever you desire, Cali," he said finally quietly.
She arched with a whine as he took her, clawing at his shoulders desperately as the unrelenting orgasm shook her body, in her daze, not even wincing when the sound of her nails scraping against the crystal hit her sensitive ears.
The blindfold around her eyes somehow made her other senses even sharper. So even though she yearned to see his beloved face when he whimpered desperately, then cursed breathlessly and came, dropping into her embrace and panting harshly against her throat, she knew it was the only way to have him. For now… at least.
His insistence that she couldn't see him, even like this… made her even more suspicious about his actual plans. Yet as much as he fought the pull between them… with a desperation that made her wonder… He finally caved into her seduction.
Her poor, naïve G'raha… her Raha… was really ridiculous sometimes. She smiled fondly, nuzzling against his throat and purring with contentment as she smoothed her hands soothingly up and down his spine. She tightened her legs around his waist possessively and, as all the previous times, pretended she didn't feel the brush of his tail against her calves. Obediently avoiding touching his head even though she yearned to tangle her hands in his hair.
She will… someday. When she figures out his grand scheme, that is. But, for now… she just enjoyed the incredible heat of his body on top of hers, delighted in his delicious scent surrounding her. For now… she was content to play along. Let him believe his ridiculous cowl and glamor were enough to fool her sensitive nose.
She thought that Damon would enjoy the irony of this situation. His reincarnation thought that he played her - even if he didn't expect that she'll lure him into her bed with unyielding determination – while she had fun playing him in turn. Even Emmy enjoyed his role, tagging along and observing the events with barely contained amusement.
She knew her husband's soul enough to figure out that somewhere along the way… he thought he would leave her. No matter how many times he reincarnated… that seemed a constant in their millennia-long relationship, even if he didn't remember it.
By insisting on hiding from her, he only confirmed that conclusion. But no matter… she planned to only go along with it as long as she figured out when.
And then she'll stop him and keep him. No matter the price.
"I'll join you in the morning," he suddenly whispered against her throat, and she bit back a chuckle at how his breath stuttered as he obviously struggled to bite back his purrs.
"Oh?" she hummed, pretending distraction as she smoothed her hands over his back and turned her head to nibble at the edge of his jaw. At the same time, her eyes under the blindfold narrowed in speculation. "Is that smart, darling? I thought you weaken if away from the Tower. "
He was silent for a long moment, probably considering what to say.
"The last Lightwarden…" he finally said calmly, carefully. "The chance we can save the First… I want to see that with my own eyes."
This is it… my Raha? The last Lightwarden… when I down it, that's the moment, isn't it? The moment you think you'll leave me, love?
"As you wish, Exarch," she chuckled, brushing her lips against his cheek.
"Thank you," he whispered and lifted slightly to claim her mouth in a gentle, delicate kiss – somehow pouring all of his love behind the press of his lips.
Thank you, love? Yet that sounds and feels more like an apology. A goodbye.
She returned the kiss with fire, soon turning it deep and hungry, and he reacted accordingly, moaning breathlessly into her mouth when she fed him her growl. She coiled her legs around him tighter, undulating under him with a clear demand, and purred with bliss when he snarled and then took her again, with unrelenting enthusiasm - she came to expect of him.
He woke up in darkness, impenetrable even for his feline eyes, he realized with confusion as he blinked rapidly, trying to collect his thoughts.
For a moment… G'raha thought that he was dead.
The last thing he could remember was casting the spell to rob his lover of the staggering, Calamity-level amount of Light attempting to break her beautiful soul. He frowned, palming around himself and trying to figure out his surroundings. Then, his crystal hand hit the hard, murmur-like surface of the floor under him with a loud noise that had his ears fall flat against his head. Only that made him aware that his cowl was down… and made him remember the… surprising lack of… well, surprise in Surr's expression when the blow of aether pushed his cowl back.
Yet she stretched her hand toward him and called his name… so it's not like he could put it to her not remembering him, as he thought she wouldn't. Then he thanked her for saving this doomed world, closed his eyes… and nothing. His memory cut off after that.
Did he… fail? Succeed? What happened?
He flinched when he suddenly heard a snap, and the room lit up, blinding him. Automatically he covered his eyes, then peered with uncertainty through his fingers as his eyes adjusted slowly.
He sat on the floor in a strange, dark-walled room, and Emet-Selch stood over him with his sharp features pulled in a scowl and golden eyes narrowed in a glare. He crossed his arms over his chest, then looked to the side.
"I swear… I have no idea what you see in him," he grumbled at his silent companion, another Ascian in a dark robe with a hood hiding his features. G'raha frowned, looking between them with confusion.
"He has his moments," too familiar voice drawled from under the cowl, and he gaped, blinking rapidly and with his mouth wide open.
Surr giggled merrily, then pushed her cowl back and stared at him with open amusement as her pearly-white locks spilled over the black, Ascian robes.
"Hey, G'raha," she said, resting her hands on her hips. "You almost scared me there for a second, love. Good thing Emmy had his eye on you and snapped you right before you could go ahead with this moronic idea."
He stared, trying to make sense of the situation… and failing miserably.
"You're… Surr, you're…" he gasped.
She sighed, then moved closer and kneeled by him, resting her hand against his cheek.
"Surr is long gone," she whispered with an apologetic expression. "You never actually met her, love. Back then, as Preatorium burned around them, Lahabrea offered her a deal – Thancred's life for taking the seat of Azem and becoming an Ascian. Surr, being a hero that she was… accepted, but she had no idea it would wake me up. My name is Calista, darling, the original Azem. And Emet-Selch," she waved behind her with her free hand, and his eyes darted toward the tall Ascian still scowling at him. "Hades, as I know him, is my older brother. And you, love," she added on a whisper, smoothing her thumb over his cheek and drawing his attention back. "You, G'raha, are the reincarnation of my husband, Damon. That's why there was always this insane… pull between us since his soul is forever bonded with mine."
"I don't… don't understand, " he gasped, pulling back from her hand. She dropped it, observing him with narrowed, purple eyes. "You… hated me. When we met, you hat…."
She sighed, then stood up and backed away to he the side of the other Ascian.
"I only ever… loved you, G'raha," she said slowly, with confidence and holding his confused stare. "You, G'raha, not Damon's soul. As much as I adore the… memory of him, and miss him… in a way… I fell in love with you as well," then she sighed again and looked away. "But waking up… brought back everything. Every life we shared, from the original to the last… and every time, you… he left me. No matter the way, he would always leave me behind. Just as you were destined to leave Surr," she added when he opened his mouth in protest, and he flinched, closing them with a snap. "So when we met… and believe me, I recognized you instantly when you jumped down from that scaffolding… I couldn't let you break me again, G'raha. Not this time," she grabbed the hem of her brother's robe and looked at him with a tiny, uncertain smile before turning back to him. "I already once broke my brother's heart for him, love. Not to mention… I wanted to know why Hydealyn chose my reincarnation to be her Champion."
"Huh?" he frowned with confusion, standing up wobbly.
"Hydealyn… Venat, as I knew her, used to be my mentor, the previous Azem," she said softly. "I don't believe her pick was random, G'raha. In marking Surr with her Blessing and setting her against our brethren… she had to have a motive. I refuse to believe otherwise."
He stared at her, trying to comprehend the whole situation and its ramifications.
"What… what happened?" he asked finally. "With the… Light. With the First? Where are we?"
"In my abode at the bottom of the Tempest," answered Emet-Selch in a haughty tone, his scowl unyielding. "Inside the ruins of Amarout, the capital of our world before it was sundered."
G'raha blinked at him, tilting his head.
"This whole time…" he said slowly. "You had been in on this as well?"
"Of course," the Ascian raised his eyebrows slightly, then nodded toward the woman at his side. "For some unexplained reason, my sister seems obsessed with you… and whatever she wishes, she gets," he complained, and she chuckled at him, wiggling her eyebrows meaningfully. He sighed with resignation and let his arms drop to his sides. "Doesn't mean I'm happy about this whole… charade. As amusing as it was – watching you two dance around each other, each playing the other… It's exhausting!" he huffed with another scowl.
"Hush, Emmy," she laughed brilliantly, causing the other Ascian's lips to twitch and a fond look flash for a second in golden irises.
Calista, the original Azem, clearly had Emet-Selch wrapped around her little finger.
Then she grew serious and looked at him with a new focus before crossing her arms over her chest and frowning.
"As for the First and the Light," she said. "I still can't believe you thought to pull that in the rift and die…" she sent him a glare when he opened his mouth in protest. "It's just… beyond idiotic, I swear. I knew you're preparing something, considering you insisted on… hiding who you are, but this…" she sighed with resignation and pinched the bridge of her nose. "G'raha, seriously… why would you think to pull the light into the rift? Like… why?" she peered at him with narrowed eyes.
"I…" he hesitated, stepping from one foot to the other and frowning. "To… save you? And get… rid of it…" he stopped, and his frown grew more pronounced as a sudden thought hit him.
Emet-Selch positively chortled at his expression, and G'raha's gaze shot to him. The Ascian looked at him with a mix of amusement and weariness.
"Now he gets it," he huffed, rolling his golden eyes, then looking at his sister with a smirk. "I was already worried all of Damon's intellect got lost somewhere along the way."
Surr… Calista tossed him a warning look but sighed again and looked at G'raha while dropping her arms to her sides.
"Yeah…" she said slowly. "All this nonsense about tossing the Light into the rift was completely unnecessary, love. The Crystal Tower is a siphon and reservoir designed to hold boundless reserves of aether. But, honestly, darling, along the way, I thought your whole scheme was for me to pass the aether into the Tower… somehow. It only flabbergasted me why you refused to mate to me… since that would make it easier."
"Huh?" her brother frowned at her, and she tossed him a wink. "Oh, no… you didn't. Cali!" he snapped, glaring at G'raha, and he couldn't help but blush and look away guiltily, swallowing thickly. "Oh, for the love of…."
"I'm an adult, Emmy. And I used to be married to him… in a way," she rolled her eyes at him, then snickered when the Ascian sighed with resignation, pinching the bridge of his nose and closing his eyes.
Then it fully hit him… That the whole this time, when he wrenched himself over the thought that she would hate him when she realized that the Crystal Exarch she desired was in truth G'raha Tia, she despised… whole this time… she knew! She knew… and she still… oh, Twelve…
"What… what now?" he whispered, dropping his gaze to the ground. "Is everyone… safe?"
As much as it broke his heart… they were Ascians. His… his… gods, she was an Ascian. And whole this time… he thought he was saving her… but she was immortal. So why did she… play along? Why did she… take his heart? Pretending to try to stop the Rejoining of the First to… what for?
If they were in Tempest, that meant that the First still existed. But… how long? Were they just… toying with him?
She said… she said she loved him, but… was that another… game?
"The First is safe," she said slowly. "The Scions panicked at first, then brought me back to Crystarium after Emmy snatched you up. Which was a… boon, since all that Light really wasn't that pleasant," when he looked up with surprise, she grimaced slightly. "Thank the Twelve, they left me alone afterward, and getting inside the Tower wasn't an issue. Then, Emmy helped me pour all that annoyance into its reservoir since he helped design that… thing," she chuckled at her brother. "At least one of your empires turned out to be useful."
Emet-Selch scoffed at her, but his eyes lit up with amusement again.
"What can I say, Cali," he sighed with exaggerated resignation. "I live to please you… even unintentionally, it seems."
She laughed at that, then turned back to G'raha with a grin.
"So you see," she said, raising her eyebrows. "Everything is fine, and you don't have to worry, love. There won't be a Calamity. I wish you came clean sooner… would spare me a lot of frustration."
"But…" he hesitated, looking at her with confusion. "You're an… Ascian."
She blinked slowly, and her grin fell. And even knowing now… he couldn't help how his heart squeezed painfully. No matter, though… Even if, despite his plans, he lived… there was no future for… them.
No matter how much that thought broke his heart.
"I am," she nodded slowly, holding his gaze as she stepped toward him. He swallowed thickly but forced himself not to move when she lifted her hand and pressed it against his cheek. His emotions were in such disarray that he wasn't sure what he would do if he allowed himself the freedom to move. If he would kiss her or push her away. "I am also the Warrior of Light, though," she said as he drowned in the depths of her eyes. "And… I'm in love with you, G'raha Tia. I have loved you since I first laid my eyes on you… but I was… scared and… stupid. So I let you go. But this time…" she hesitated, then brought up her other hand and framed his face with both of them. "…this time, I can't. I have to play my role, love. I have to stay Surr until I understand what Venat wanted me… her to achieve," she pulled him down till his forehead rested against hers. He let her, closing his eyes with a whimper when her scent filled his head. "So you can't remember any of this," she whispered. "You, love… you will wake up alongside me, and the other Scions and all of you will have a memory of me using that insane amount of Light to… defeat Emmy. They're already above us, asleep and waiting until you join them, darling. And someday… someday, I can give you back this memory, and you won't hate me for taking it."
"Wait…" he gasped, pulling back… or trying to. She was too strong, holding him still. "Don't…"
"Hush," she said softly, her eyes filled with tears and so much love and devotion that his heart broke. "It's going to be okay, G'raha," she lifted slightly, brushing her lips against his. "Sleep, love."
And though he tried to resist… he complied with a quiet gasp and knew no more.
Calista sighed sadly when her lover sagged against her and allowed herself a moment, holding him in a tight embrace as she buried her face against his throat and took a deep breath, enjoying his scent.
"Are you sure about this?" her brother whispered behind her, and she didn't have to look at him to know he was frowning.
"What choice do I have, Emmy?" she sighed, tightening her arms around G'raha… just for a moment. "You saw his face… it's too much and too fast, and he's… not ready. Not yet. I made… a mistake. I shouldn't sleep with him."
"Not going to argue with that," he sighed.
"Take that too," she said sadly, closing her eyes as her heart broke. "Let him keep his… unblemished idea of Surr."
"Cali…" he said, touching her shoulder. "This is… You know that if we take that from him now… he might not forgive you later."
Calista smiled sadly, aware of that, then relinquished her hold and allowed her brother to take over her lover.
"I know," she sighed, wiping her face as she backed away from them. "But take it, Emmy. When… when I understand Venat's motives… I'll win him over again, you know that. No one can resist me," she faked a grin at his expanse, and even though a glint in his eyes told her he didn't buy it, he didn't comment, instead disappearing with his charge.
She sighed, then stilled her back and followed him.
G'raha was panting harshly, exhausted, and narrowing his eyes against the glaring sunlight of Kholusia after they emerged from the turbulent waves of Tempest.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alphinaud collapse on the sand, and he was tempted to take his example, but he remained as he was with pure willpower.
He didn't want his inspiration to think any less of him… not after she forgave his deception so quickly. Not after she smiled at him and said his name… his real name… and welcomed him back with a surprising delight in her dark-purple eyes. Like she didn't… despise him all those years ago during the expedition.
That now seemed like another lifetime altogether.
"Are you okay, G'raha?" her sweet voice said on his side, and he looked up quickly, trying to stand up. He regretted that immediately as his world spun, and he wobbled.
Surr caught him, and his regret melted away as he felt her against him, their wet clothes not enough of a deterrent as her scent filled his head.
Gods… He felt a blush spread over his face as his gaze focused involuntarily on her lips, wondering - not for the first time - if she tasted as good as she smelled.
Better, supplied surprising thought before it melted away, leaving him confused and slightly disoriented.
"Ah," he cleared his throat, straightening and pulling away from her with an effort. "Sorry, my friend. This swim was… exhausting."
"I believe. Take it easy, G'raha," she smiled at him fondly, then walked away, checking on the others.
He looked after her, wondering idly… why his heart squeezed so painfully at the sight of her smile and why his throat tightened so hard he could barely breathe.
Then he put away the strange sensations as a result of exhaustion and focused on staying upright.
When Crystarium rejoiced in their victory, Calista stood by the tree at the edge of the garden, in the shadow cast by the watchtower, and looked up with unseeing eyes at the starlit sky. The slightly muffled noise of the celebrations at Excedra had her sensitive ears twitch occasionally, but she didn't pay it much mind.
Another familiar noise at her side finally caught her attention, and she tilted her head, smiling at her brother as she leaned against his side.
"Risky," she said with amusement. "If anyone sees you…."
"I've been thinking, Cali," he said seriously, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "It confused me why you wanted me to remove his memory of… you," he cleared his throat, and she smiled involuntarily at his apparent discomfort. No matter how old they were… he would always be her big brother, and the thought of her sleeping with someone… had him squirm. It was the same with Damon, back in the day, she remembered fondly, closing her eyes. "You lied, sister," he whispered, pressing his lips against the top of her head. "You don't plan to… win him back, are you? You're letting go… again. Even though you said, you can't live without him."
She chuckled sadly, caught. Then she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his heart.
"You know me too well, Emmy," she admitted with a sigh.
"Why?" he asked, though she supposed he already knew the answer.
"He's mortal," she indulged him in a tiny voice – struggling not to let it crack. "And I am immortal, big brother. There's… no future for… us," she cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. She saw that realization in the crimson irises and the accompanying it heartbreak. "So… there's no reason to let him… suffer. I'm… I'm tired of this charade. After I'm done… Surr will disappear. And I'll be just another… Ascian for… them."
"Cali…" he whispered into her hair. "You know we can…."
"He'll be gone then," she said as her heart broke. "As much as I loved… love Damon, Emmy… I can't stand the thought of losing G'raha. Of him… disappearing as… Surr did, swallowed by my consciousness. No, brother. We can't… can't make him an Ascian."
And she couldn't be with him… knowing she'll have to leave him eventually. Before he noticed she wasn't aging. She couldn't… watch him die yet again. It would break her – more than before, more than ever – and she swore she won't leave her brother to his endless solitude again.
She chose Damon once, breaking Hades's heart. Now she was choosing Hades – breaking her own.
But G'raha… if she could spare him the heartache that was drowning her soul - she had to. Even if he doesn't remember… she'll treasure the memory of the time she had with him. Of his taste – so delicious even now, her mouth watered. Of his touch - so delicate and nearly… reverent – then near brutal and passionate as their mutual lust consumed them. Of his voice – so low and soothing in her sensitive ears, as he whimpered and groaned while he took her. When they whispered and laughed in the darkness of her blindfold. As only secure in his 'anonymity', he would let her know him, the real him – the brilliant mind, gentle heart, and mischievous humor.
Similar to Damon… yet so different at the same time.
Calista sighed sadly, then melted into her brother's side, trying to find comfort in his presence. Trying to find the strength to go back into the crowd and smile… and pretend her heart wasn't broken.
"You hear me, G'raha Tia," he said in the silence filling the Ocular after she left through the portal. "Tis' no time for sleeping."
He sighed with resignation, then dropped his gaze and turned around… and froze as his jaw dropped, meeting the golden gaze of an Ascian that was supposed to be dead. That he saw… die… His head flared with a headache as he backpedaled quickly… or tried, but before he could, Emet-Selch snapped his fingers, and his body literally froze. He couldn't move, speak… couldn't even blink as a true terror squeezed his chest.
"As much as I don't understand…" the Ascian frowned, then scratched his chin with consideration, looking at him with narrowed eyes. "…she wants you. And I'll not stand for my sister being… unhappy. So…" he sighed with resignation, then lifted his hand and tapped his finger against G'raha's forehead. "…have these back… and if you decide you want her too – call on me."
He barely heard as memories flooded his mind, blooming in his vision and filling his mouth with her taste, nose with her scent, and heart with love… so strong it was unbearable.
Before his vision cleared, the Ascian was gone, and he sagged to the cold floor of the Ocular, burying his face in his palms and sobbing as understanding dawned in his confused mind.
She was an Ascian… not Surr, but Calista. An immortal creature with millennia-worth of memories of him… his soul, breaking her heart. And yet… the fact she took his memories of their time together… pretended nothing happened since they came back from Tempest… how was that supposed to make sense?
'I only ever… loved you, G'raha Tia. You, G'raha, not Damon's soul. As much as I adore the… memory of him, and miss him… in a way… I fell in love with you as well.'
He closed his eyes with a choked sob, pressing his palms against them.
'I adore you, darling,' she whispered against the crystal covering his throat, smoothing her hands possessively over his back. And now… now he knew she meant him. Not anonymous comfort of the Crystal Exarch… not the memory of who he used to be in previous lives… but G'raha Tia.
Over one hundred years, he barely dared to dream of Surr, the Warrior of Light, that stole his heart despite her cold and distant stares. To… imagine Calista, the immortal, millennia-old soul behind the dark-purple eyes… loving him? Wanting him…? Him?
How was he… supposed to deserve that?
When dark-red lashes fluttered open and crimson eyes looked up at her with a hint of confusion before they blinked and recognition flared in their depths – Calista smiled, striving to keep it easy and comforting. She dared to brush her fingertips against his cheek on the spot where the crystal used to spill on the First.
"Tis' good to see you awake, G'raha Tia," she said with humor, making sure to keep affection out of her voice.
With Themis's help, she ensured they didn't leave the First defenseless against the future crisis. It was a hassle, long and tiring. She'll owe another colossal favor to her unsundered friend, but now looking at him… at his younger, free and beautiful face – the one she initially fell in love with… she couldn't help but grin, thinking it was worth that, and more.
Even if she couldn't have him - not like she wanted… craved – she still needed him to be happy. So that when her time comes – to leave him and her chosen family behind – she'll be able to do that with a smile, knowing he would be… good. Free. And maybe… maybe the next time he's born… she can… possibly…
Her thoughts fizzled out when he smiled back at her with so much… love and devotion in his crimson eyes and rose from her lap, sitting next to her on the crystal throne. She looked at him with confusion when he pressed his hands around her cheeks and pulled her in a deep, loving kiss. She whimpered involuntarily, closing her eyes and drowning in his taste as her hands shot up to wrap around his wrists.
After a long, long moment - when he ran out of breath, he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers.
"Tis' good to be awake…" he whispered, and his rapid, uneven breaths tickled her bruised lips. "…Cali."
She froze, and her eyes shot wide open, meeting an amused crimson stare full of love and lust. He smoothed his thumbs back and forth across her cheeks, then pressed a delicate kiss on the tip of her nose and leaned away.
"How…?" she gasped, still holding onto his wrists and trying to understand… then an obvious answer bloomed in her mind, and she sighed softly with a hint of resignation. "Emmy."
"Mhmm," he said, moving his hands to brush her hair back delicately and letting them drop around her jaw. "You can't blame him, though… He adores you."
She dropped her gaze to the Archon's marks on his throat and bit her lip uncertainly.
"This… G'raha… you know it can't work," she whispered in a tiny voice. "I can't… leave him again. I… can't. And if… if I bond with you and you die… I won't survive it. I never could," she sighed sadly, closing her eyes. "And especially… not this time."
"I'm not going anywhere," he said slowly, tilting her head slightly. Then, when she peeked at him through her lashes, she gasped at the sight of pure determination in crimson irises. "If you still want me, Calista, I'm yours… now and forever..."
She sighed sadly, finally letting go of his wrists to frame his beautiful face with her palms.
"G'raha…" she stared, then he stunned her by pressing his hand over her mouth as he leaned in and placed a delicate kiss on her forehead.
"Raha, my love," he whispered, then leaned away again and looked in her eyes with a tiny, mischievous smirk. Her heart fluttered helplessly as her eyes watered, and she gasped under his palm. "And let me finish… After your brother decided to… return my memories – and I went out of the shock of you wanting me - we had a very long talk. And he believes… he can make me like you – but without waking Damon. That's why… I was determined to return to the Source, to this body. And you'll have to explain how Elidibus attacking us in the First actually played out – because I was sooo confused… but I digress," he sighed, then pulled his hand back and closed both of his around hers, pulling them down in his lap. "My point is… If you still want me, Cali – I'm yours."
"How can I not want you?" she said softly, dropping her eyes and tightening her hands around his. "I love you, G'r… Raha. I do, and I always will… but this… I can't ask you for this, love. The thought that someday…."
"I won't regret it," he assured, freeing his hand to put it under her chin and bring her gaze back to his. Then he leaned in and brushed his lips delicately against hers. "I love you too, Cali. And if you let me, I'll love you for the rest of eternity."
"Raha…" she gasped, breaking, as she let her arms shoot up and wrap around his shoulders. She buried her face against his throat and sobbed helplessly, closing her eyes when he coiled his arms around her and pulled her in his lap, purring soothingly against her shoulder and smoothing his hands across her back in comfort. "…how could I ever say no?" she whispered against his skin.
"Good," he chuckled, though his voice sounded suspiciously thick when he pressed her against him harder. "But this time… you have to admit I fooled you," he said with humor, nuzzling against her throat. "You had no idea I knew," he said with apparent mischief and so proudly… she snorted a laugh.
"You did," she giggled, melting into his embrace. Unable to stop the content, blissful purr rumbling in the back of her throat as his scent filled her head. "You had me completely fooled, my brilliant, beautiful Raha."
"Marvelous!" he laughed, tightening his arms around her almost painfully. "And it makes so much more sense now…" he sighed, burying his nose in her hair.
"What does?" she frowned with confusion but didn't move, content to rest against him.
"Something… that was confusing me for the longest time," he chuckled. "I told you the Ironworks – in the future – were using Cid's notes, right? That it was him who came up with the idea of how to avert the Eighth Umbral Calamity?"
"Mhmm," she hummed, nuzzling against his throat.
"Well… I had a look at those, and there was this one… note that was utterly confusing," he whispered. "It was addressed to me and said: 'G'raha, whatever happens, don't let me let go again'… and was signed with 'C,'" she stilled, blinking with confusion. "I assumed, as the others did, that the 'C' meant 'Cid,' and I couldn't understand what he meant by that, but now that I think about it…."
"You think…" she hesitated, then leaned away to look at him. She shivered when he smiled at her and lifted his hand to brush her hair back delicately. "…it was from me? The future me, I mean?"
"Well…" he said slowly and with consideration. "Now that I know you couldn't die in the Calamity, Cali… and the message itself… who else could it be?"
She blinked hard, then sighed and lifted slightly to press her lips against his. And as he moaned softly, tangling his fingers in her hair and returning her kiss, so delicate and reverent… she mewled with bliss. If he was right… she could be only thankful for her future self – for sending him back to her. And to Emmy – for not letting her go ahead with her plan.
Even if she will smack him later for keeping secrets.
"I love you, Raha," she said after a moment. "But I think we really should head back, love. Before… I'm tempted to do something… reckless. " she wiggled her eyebrows meaningfully at him. She enjoyed the instant flash of arousal in the crimson irises.
"Mhmm," he hummed, and then she giggled madly when he suddenly jumped off the crystal throne, still holding her against him. He grinned, then carefully set her on the ground. But then, before she could blink, his grin took on a mischievous shade, and her world spun when he turned her around and pushed her against the crystalline surface they just sat on. "Reckless, you say?" he chuckled into her neck, pressing against her back. She gasped when he smoothed his hands up her thighs and under her skirt, pulling it up with their movement. Her tail instinctively wound itself around his waist, and she arched against him with a whimper when he bit her shoulder delicately. "Like… I don't know, maybe let me have you against this thing, my love?" he purred against her throat, then nipped on the side of her jaw. She whined, tilting her head and trying to catch his mouth as her mind spun, but he backed away with another chuckle. "What do you say, Cali? Still feeling… reckless?" his hands clenched around her hips, and he held her still as he slowly rolled his hips against her backside, teasing breathless mewls from her throat.
"Yes, Raha, please," she whimpered, bracing her hands against the crystal surface and leaning on them to press back against him harder.
"That's my girl," he whispered, leaning over her back and nipping on her neck. Yet - his heavy breath and the way his hand shook as he let go of her hip to smooth it along her side and let it wrap around her breast, kneading roughly as he spread bites across her throat and shoulder – belied his calm tone. The way he was choking on his loud, insistent purr when his other hand slipped between her legs, setting her to shudder and whine helplessly as she arched and rocked between his hard, hot body and the cold crystal put her blood ablaze.
Enough said: it was a while before they headed back to the Revenant Toll – and they both couldn't help but blush under the curious stares of the Scions when they finally arrived at Rising Stones.
G'raha was restless when the whole group returned to Revenant Toll after dealing with the massive pack of hippogryphs. Scions chat and laugh with each other as they spread out between tables in the common area of Rising Stones, and he strived to keep on a pleasant grin on his face. Even as he was itching to grab his immortal lover, press her against the nearest surface and take her.
The adrenaline from the fight and excitement at officially joining Scions made his blood boil in his veins and follow her with his gaze and a predatory kind of focus. Yet they agreed to keep their relationship a secret, at least for now – even from their friends. And it worked, for the most part, even if sometimes he noticed Alisaie looking at them with a speculative glint in her eyes.
Cali wasn't making his agitation any easier – when she could, tossing him discreet, heated looks… preening under his hungry gaze whenever possible until he thought he'd go mad with want.
Years spent under the Exarch's persona were really coming in handy, enough said, even if the raging hormones of his young body weren't making keeping himself in check any easier.
Not to mention, when he did manage to get his hands and mouth on her… it was increasingly difficult to stop himself from biting her. Back on the First – the thought of how his plan was supposed to result let him push the temptation away. The belief that she would be repulsed if she found out who he really was. Yet now… even if he knew he couldn't, not until they knew that Emet-Selch's idea would work… The mindless instinct didn't care for his inhibitions, and more often than not now, in the throes of ecstasy, he found himself biting on his own arms to stave off the need. The fact that Cali would instinctively bare her shoulder in submission and purr loudly in invitation… he wasn't exactly sure if she was fully aware that she was even doing that - as insane as it drove him – with the fact that her mind didn't exactly belong with her body.
Even as they rested in each other's arms, and she would sate his endless curiosity and thirst for knowledge by whispering stories about her world – their world before sundering – he found himself nuzzling against her throat and shoulder and spreading affectionate bites on her skin while his teeth itched to claim her.
He was proud of his self-control for now… he was, even if he felt its leash slowly brittle away with each secret tryst. Each time she would warp into his bedroom in the middle of the night... And each time, his control would slip, and he would follow her like a lovesick kit until the occasion to steal a kiss would present itself. The Scions were teasing him about his 'hero-worship,' and he would laugh or smile sheepishly – blushing darkly to their unending amusement even if they didn't realize that the word 'worship' had in his mind different connotations than in theirs when it came to Cali. He did love to worship her. If he was being honest, he was addicted to the noises she uttered under his mouth and hands. The way she would clench her fingers in his hair brutally and ground against his tongue while biting on her other hand to stifle her mewls and whimpers…
"Oh, boy, but you do have it bad," an amused chuckle at his side shook him out of his reverie. He gasped, dropping his gaze to the table in front of him and trying not to shift uncomfortably as a particular part of his anatomy begged for attention… Cali's, preferably. He cursed internally when a dark blush spilled on his face, and suddenly, he really missed Exarch's cowl.
G'raha cleared his throat, trying to get his pounding heart under control when he peered at Alisaie sitting next to him while trying to fake an uncertain expression.
"Whatever do you mean?" he asked, struggling to not let his gaze wander across the room to the object of his unruly thoughts… his insatiable desire. It'll still be a few bells before he could have her…
"You, G'raha," Alisaie chuckled, resting her chin on her palm and looking at him with amusement. "I know we tease you a lot… but I think you should give it a shot and ask Surr out. Your crush is so obvious."
He sighed internally, thanking all of the Twelve for the teenager's innocence.
"I'll take it under consideration," he said quietly, finally shifting in his seat to at least try to relieve a bit of the painful pressure on his aching flesh as he smiled at her shyly and dared another peek across the room. "Not that I believe she would accept," he faked a sigh of resignation at his companion's expense.
Alisaie laughed, then petted his shoulder with a grin.
"She might surprise you," she said with obvious amusement and a wink. "Surr tends to do that."
Oh, you have no id…
The thought fizzled out when dark-purple eyes swiveled toward them and focused briefly on the teen's hand still resting on his shoulder… and he barely choked down a breathy whimper at the sight of a brief flash of possessive fury in their depths before she turned away again and went back to her conversation with Thancred. Though a slightly stiff line of her back and slow, predatory swishes of her tail told him, he'll pay for letting another female touch him.
He couldn't wait.
Calista took a deep breath and enjoyed how slightly chilly night air filled her lungs as she leaned against the low wall of battlements on top of the tallest building in Revenant Toll. She sneaked away from her friends when she couldn't take any more of Raha's heated looks while unable to address them adequately for another few bells.
Her beautiful lover was determined to drive her mad, it seemed. Not that she minded, she thought with a sheepish chuckle. Days like this riled him up so much… she enjoyed the resulting outcome.
She blushed furiously at the familiar sound behind her. Still, She didn't turn around, instead looking down at the city sprawling under her feet.
"I swore I'll make you pay for keeping secrets, Emmy," she finally whispered when the silence extended.
"And I'll look toward it, Cali," he answered with a hint of amusement as he moved to her side. "As long as you're happy."
She sighed and then finally looked at him and smiled sheepishly.
"Thank you, big brother," she whispered and leaned against him. "And I'm sorry I'm causing you so much grief."
Emet-Selch positively chortled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her against his side.
"After millennia of boredom, watching you is a source of unending amusement for me, Cali," he said, pressing a kiss on top of her head, then chuckled when she huffed with indignation. Then he grew serious, tightening his arm around her. "I won't pretend I understand your… fascination with your mortal, little sister. But I cannot watch you sacrifice your happiness for me."
"Emmy…" she tilted her head to look up at his face, and her heart stuttered at the sight of the tender expression in golden irises. She didn't even mind when he flicked her on the nose.
"It was ever my… divine punishment as mortals say, I guess, to keep you out of trouble, Cali," he sighed with exaggerated resignation. "At least this time, it doesn't involve jumping into an active volcano."
She giggled merrily, then leaned her head against his shoulder.
"You really think you can make him an Ascian without waking up Damon?" she whispered after a moment.
"You seem to misunderstand something," he said quietly, delicately resting his hand over her head and ruffling her hair. "Or maybe you don't want to admit that you know… but the fact that you woke up was a fluke. All of the other sundered Ascians… You know they do not regain their original personality?" he asked carefully. "They remember… bit and pieces, and of their other reincarnations, but… not like you, Cali."
She closed her eyes as her throat tightened painfully, and tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
She suspected… but she didn't allow herself to dwell on that. She didn't want to… accept the ramifications of that fact. Because if it was true…
"Damon is gone, little sister," her brother whispered gently against her ear – even in this as blunt as ever. The tears spilled from under her closed eyelids. "Maybe the fact that you carried Traveler's Ward when Lahabrea turned you… caused your awakening, I'm not sure. I can only be thankful for that, but the fact remains… fragmented as he is, Damon won't return – not really. Not like you did."
She loved Raha… she really did, with all of her heart. As she told him, despite him being Damon's reincarnation, not because of it. He was his own person, his own soul, so strong and beautiful…
And yet, in this single moment, under the starlit sky of Mor Dhona, she melted into her brother's embrace, sobbing and finally allowing herself to mourn her husband.
At the crack of dawn, tired yet unable to find it in himself to resent the thought of the upcoming long day, G'raha buried his nose in pearly-white locks and tightened his arms around her – knowing she'd leave him alone in this bed soon. Letting her go… was becoming increasingly difficult, but the fact that this was only temporary… helped. A little.
"What now?" he whispered against her ear, taking a deep breath and purring when her delicious scent filled his head.
"I still have to figure out why Venat decided to mark Surr," Calista said against his throat, smoothing her hand delicately along his side. "Until then, I have to play into her hands, Raha. We all do, my brethren and me. And I don't know how long it'll take, but…."
"It's okay," he hummed, nuzzling against her hair. "I can wait. As long as I can have you like this… and know eventually you'll be mine – wholly and utterly - it's okay.
She remained quiet for a long moment, but he didn't mind, enjoying the heat of her skin against his and how her scent surrounded him.
"I love you, Raha," she finally whispered.
"I love you too, Cali," he said, smiling and smoothing his hand across her back. "Just let me hold you a little longer, my beautiful Ascian."
"As you wish, my gorgeous mortal," she giggled, nuzzling against his throat affectionately and letting her arm curl around his shoulder.
G'raha sighed with bliss, holding her tight against his chest and thinking that despite everything that happened… and everything awaiting them in the future – as uncertain and unpredictable as it felt now – he could not regret anything that led her into his arms.
And if immortality was the price for keeping her, it hardly seemed like much.
She was his, and he was hers… now and for always. And he couldn't be happier. Even if it included dealing with an overprotective, millennia-old brother-in-law.
He snorted a quiet laugh at the following thought, and his lover hummed curiously.
"Nothing much, Cali," he whispered against her ear, tightening his arms around her. "Just couldn't help but imagine Emet's face if I have it my way and get you to carry my kit," he chuckled sheepishly, pressing his lips against her hair.
She stilled for a second… then burst into mad giggles, shaking as she tried to stifle them.
"He'll pop!" she finally gasped.
And he grinned when she didn't deny the idea – even as his face burned. Of course, he also couldn't stop the happy waving of his unruly tail… but when she sighed with contentment and curled into his side and purred… he couldn't find it himself to mind.