Instert standard disclaimer here. Everyone should know that I don't own these characters. Except, of course, the original ones. Also chopped the story up into chapters. Sorry if the transitions are rough. If you want to read it without chapters, head over to vejiitasei.com.

Absolution- Part 1, Chapter 21
by the Prime Minister

Lina slowly came awake as she became aware of a gentle touch caressing her cheek, her eyelids fluttering open. She blinked rapidly in the light coming through the gauzy curtains of the windows and leaned into the pleasant contact, meeting a pair of slitted, amethyst eyes gazing down at her with surprising tenderness. Xellos was stroking her cheek with his long fingers, tracing the lines of her nose and the swell of her lips. You are so very beautiful, he murmured.

She smiled and stretched against him, reveling in the feel of his strong, smooth body next to hers in bed. she mumbled in response, then felt him cup her cheek again. His face was oddly open, the sharp lines softened by a quiet smile as he briefly pressed his lips to her forehead. The solidity of his body pressed against her was comforting, and she exhaled as she nuzzled against him. I can't believe this physical body of yours isn't real. It feels much too solid to be a magical construction.

And yet it is, he replied, clearing strands of hair out of her face. I find that for you I want to make my magic as convincing as possible.

He propped himself up on an elbow and gazed down at her for long moments, his dark, silky hair falling about his face in thick curtains. As a Monster, he murmured, I am not supposed to feel much of anything, let alone for mortals, nor are we supposed to want things for ourselves. Everything we do, think, feel, et cetera must be for the advancement of the goals of our race.

Lina raised an eyebrow, looking up at him.

A smile once again graced his lips, the expression tender, bitter, and sad simultaneously. As a Monster I cannot love you, but I want you near me. I care for you and only wish for your happiness. I would give up my immortality to be with you, if the choice was mine.

It was strange, hearing such sincere words from a mouth so well-known for deceit, but for some reason she believed him. Something leapt in her chest and she felt heat spread through her cheeks. she whispered, burying her face in his neck to hide her blush.

He kissed the top of her head and moved away from her, sliding out of bed. Once again he had slept with no clothes on, and she marveled at the fact that his body was exactly like it had been when he was human. It seemed as though something should differentiate the human body from the Monster physical form, but she couldn't find any sort of difference. No, he was just as lithe and beautiful as he always had been. She also knew that he didn't have to bother with clothes, garments just being an extension of the magic of his physical body, but he did so out of courtesy for her. He bent to pick up his trousers, which she suspected he had just summoned out of her line of sight, and suddenly she didn't want him to go. she said, reaching out a hand and grabbing his wrist.

He turned to look at her, his slitted gaze steady. Miss Lina, there are things I must do. Remember, I am still just a servant. I am not free to do whatever I like, whenever I would like to.

Don't leave, not yet, she continued, her eyes traveling upward to rest on the ring dangling from around his neck. From there her gaze moved downward over the cleft of his chest and the tight muscles of his abdomen, then to his firm thighs. She took her hand from the cool skin of his wrist and felt her blush deepen and she quickly averted her eyes.

Xellos sighed and released his trousers, standing up straight and putting his hands on his hips. She wasn't certain, but the expression on his face seemed a bit worried. I really must be off.

Lina took a deep breath and gripped her ring tightly, letting her feelings pour into the metal. Light began to leak between her fingers and she heard Xellos inhale sharply as the ring on his chest began to glow. He turned his head and looked at her, expression focused as he took her in. She wanted him and let him know it, she wanted him near her, holding her. It seemed as if she had felt alone for so long, and she had come to realize that, even as a Monster, Xellos could offer her something Gourry couldn't: understanding. she breathed, concentrating all her desire into the ring.

Xellos' cheeks flushed and he closed his eyes, body trembling. I don't know if I can, he panted. It's so empty...

It won't be for me, she growled, sitting up in bed. She reached over and grabbed him by the waist, pulling him to her. His skin tasted exactly like it had before as she ran her tongue over his stomach. Just feel what I feel.

Miss Lina, he gasped as she pulled him back onto the bed.

I have to spend the rest of Lecia's childhood with you, she growled. I am NOT going to go that many years without getting laid.

Xellos stared at her, eyes wide as she pushed him down on his back. It still won't be like it was, he protested. I don't think I'm ready-

I'm ready, she breathed. And since you're feeling what I feel, the more you pleasure me, the closer you come to experiencing human ecstasy.

I never knew you were a coward, she murmured, leaning forward and shutting him up with a kiss. His mouth tasted just as sweet as she remembered, his lips soft and yielding against hers. She pushed her tongue inside him and ran it along the edge of his teeth, happy that his physical form was so complete and realistic. His body tensed beneath her and she felt him become hard. Not wasting any time, she reached down and forced him into her. A gasp left her and she felt her body heat rise, slowly beginning to move on top of him. Looking at his face, she noticed he wore an expression of deep concentration, his eyes closed and his hands clamped down on her hips. She placed her palms flat on his chest, throwing her head back and arching as she worked her pelvis. Xellos inhaled sharply and mimicked her movements, his fingers moving up to her breasts. Little tendrils of pleasure raced through her body as he fondled her nipples, and it was gratifying to hear his noises echo her own, The fire in her abdomen began to build and she rode him more fiercely, a long moan escaping her as she moved along his length. Can you feel that? she asked, voice husky as she looked at him from beneath half-lowered eyelids.

was his response as he suddenly moved, tipping her onto her back. He held her hips above his thighs and pounded into her at an angle, lifting her ankles over his shoulders. Her muscles clenched at the new position and she cried aloud, sitting up partially and gripping his muscular arms with all her might. His elbows locked and he clenched his jaw, eyes shut tight. Pleasure ripped through her body and she arched again, tumbling noisily over her limit. Xellos' eyes popped open and he shuddered, pressing himself into her as deeply as she could handle as she spasmed over and over again.

She shut her eyes and collapsed in his arms, breathing heavily and feeling her heartbeat pound away in every blood vessel in her body. A moan left her as he gently withdrew and laid her down on the mattress, smoothing the sweaty strands of hair from her face. Reaching up, she grasped him behind the neck and pulled him down to her, wrapping her body around him in an embrace. she murmured into his hair, inhaling his clean scent, trying not to notice that it was the same as before they had started making love. Another spasm shook her body and she swallowed, waiting until it had passed to speak again. Was that better?

he rasped against her sweaty chest. It was almost...

Almost what?

Almost like I was human again. Almost like it was real.

Do you think you can handle it from now on?

he replied, voice barely above a whisper. You were right, it's enough.

She grinned and held him tightly. I'm always right. You should know that by now.

Ah, yes, the famous Inverse humility comes to the surface again, he murmured with a smile, pushing himself off of her. And, as much as I would like to sample your humanity again and again, I fear I must run along.

What are you doing today?

He chuckled as he slid off the bed and onto the floor, summoning his clothing with a wave of his hand. That's a secret, he replied, adjusting his shirt in the waistband of his pants. However, I'll take you to shore before long. Can you be ready in an hour?

I think so. Why are you taking me there?

He turned and looked at her, features suddenly hard and eyes serious. Because I will not tolerate you being in danger here on the island. I would like you to select either a house you like or a spot of land on which we can build the sort of house you'd like. I plan to move us into town as soon as possible.

She nodded. And Lecia?

Xellas will look after her, he replied, reaching over to where his staff was propped against her wardrobe and grasping it.

Is that really a good idea?

My mistress, for whatever reason, is very interested in our daughter's welfare. Truth be told, she's safer with Xellas than with either of us. Besides, you don't fancy wandering around the city with a baby in tow, do you?

Lina agreed, pulling the sheet up over her as she watched him fasten his cloak.

Then I shall return for you in an hour, he replied, coming back over to the bed and planting a kiss on the crown of her head.

she answered, and watched as he vanished from the room.