A/N Reminder, this is an AU and will not follow the exact path of the manga, I am changing things up. I DO however appreciate those who are sending me PMs commenting on the abilities of the Spriggan 12 and who fought who in the Manga, I am keeping it LOOSELY close to what the manga did. That said, LEMONS ahead, you have been warned, also, not happy stuff yet, stick with me…..DESNA
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Zen couldn't tell what happened…couldn't even tell when he'd woken thing was certain though…mentally…he simply wasn't fully present. Magic washed through him…Lucy's magic…and it made him move. He had planned to wake her, they should talk…desperately needed to talk, but he didn't see the silvery hand come out, brush along his shoulder as he was reaching for Lucy to wake her…he only felt he should do more than just shake her shoulder and wake her and the next thing he knew he was kissing along her neck, unable to stop himself.
It was alarming…horrifying to him, the loss of his own control over his actions and he had no idea why he did it, the last thing he wanted to do was act…seductive…act like things were fine…like they didn't have a metric fuck ton of issues they needed to discuss and start working on, war or not. He couldn't stop though, lips moving over her soft skin and after the third kiss…even his horror over it was gone…his inhibitions, his…free will and thought…were gone.
Lucy was stirring slowly, she felt warm, safe, so very comfortable and so was reluctant to leave the comfortable depths of 'd not had it in a while, not peacefully anyway but she somewhere knew she had it now and it was glorious.
There was something though, tempting her, more wonderful than the sweet peaceful sleep and she finally shifted a little and senses started checking in. She felt relaxed, warm, safe and comfortable, something soft, almost hot pressed against her neck beneath her ear "Wake up Lucy…" Gods that voice, deep and a little husky. "Mmm" She managed as that heat, soft and wonderful trailed along her neck, lips, with little teases from teeth.
She was shifted then, fully to her back and opened her eyes, her hands moving, sliding over warm skin, tracing hard muscle, every breath bringing in the spicy scent that she had come to deeply love that was all... Zen. Her brain started then, with a soft gasp she realized he was holding her, which wasn't shocking because after reminding her to breathe last night...a reminder she was embarrassed she had needed, he had laid beside her and they had fallen asleep, both too exhausted to even manage some much needed conversation.
Now though, his lips were moving along her neck, teasing her senses alive. Heating her blood, sending jolts of arousal straight to her center. She'd honestly been dreaming along these lines…and waking into it was about the best thing that had ever happened to her. He pulled back as she started arching into him, smiling down at her lazily, his long hair falling over his shoulders, still messy from sleep like she was sure hers was.
"Finally, you sleep pretty hard." He teased, bending to kiss her, just a chaste brush of his lips over hers before he trailed over the other side of her neck. Lucy hummed again, reaching up and pressing an open mouthed kiss to the shoulder before her, nipping at the skin before moving to taste him further.
Zen sucked in a breath when she started kissing him, when her intentions shifted gears fully and he felt that, kissing her was stirring him up but it was manageable, he really had only meant to what? Why had he started this? He wasn't certain, he'd felt something, but he was still half asleep, maybe get them going, they needed to talk in a bad way and hadn't had much time yesterday to do so since they had run into Sting and Rogue when he'd been trying to get her away to somewhere they could.
But when her lips pressed to his skin his slowly forming responsible plan to wake her, and order up some breakfast flew out of his grasp, his body blazing to life under her tentative touches and he closed his eyes, a soft moan escaping him when her teeth pinched his skin. He felt it happen, his body rushing to respond to her, his own desires, needs..they didn't matter, didn't even register, shoved aside as Lucys need rose, her desire for him, for them to be close, intimate, and he could do nothing, it was like the mating…he was overwhelmed, his own will and control over his own body, gone…he had to be what she wanted, he had to go along with it as it built, and he had to be good about it…the magic just left him no choice. He had to make her happy…something was pushing him so hard and he had no ability anywhere in him to fight it.
"Lucy…" He breathed against her shoulder as her arms wrapped around him, his only attempt to beg for a stop and it failed in his throat as her mouth moved to where his neck and shoulder met. His eyes rolled back for a moment as it just flowed through him, her wants, her needs crushing his own, shoving them aside because the bond wouldn't accept them. They were mated…they had to be close, and he had to accept it. He felt her uncertainty in touching him, knew she was still afraid, and he didn't really want that, he was a young healthy man and she was a young healthy woman, they had needs there and as a Boscan, he'd be the last person to even consider denying them. Teasing her was one thing, denying her completely was a whole other thing he'd long since decided against. That really had been his choice…whispering voices in his head reminded him of that…soothed away what remnants of resistance kept trying to surface. He hadn't had sex in…sweet Gods it was weeks…since before the spell had ripped things apart and even in the pits he'd never gone that long. It was clear that dry spell was over.
She was though, very new to real physical pleasures, inexperience though didn't matter, he was happy to guide her and her passion, her desire coursing through their bond made him work at that, though she'd seemed very ready yesterday when she'd pulled him down on top of her...right before Laxus had knocked on the door and made it clear they needed better privacy.
Right now though, it was still early, the door was locked, warded by him because he still felt Jacob Lessio out there...still beyond the perimeter of the city. He was glad he'd placed the wards around the room though, he'd slept heavily, it was the best sleep he'd had in he couldn't say how long. In a warm comfortable bed in a safe place with his mate there, he'd slept soundly without disturbing dreams and nightmares.
"Zen...I…" She hesitated, he felt her heart hammering in her chest and felt it, guilt, fear, confusion. Gods, he wanted her thinking, he wanted her to feel regret over what she'd done but not this much, not so much she was afraid to touch him, her unhappiness became his, whether he wanted it or not. The magic was punishing him, making his own ability to think, to do…anything…move beyond his grasp because he wasn't being nice enough to her…he knew it…felt it…Hestor had warned him he had to try as best he could…had to get them seated and somewhere private they could spend a lot of time talking…Lucy deserved to know just how much she was controlling him with her wants and feelings…but he hadn't gotten the chance. That was supposed to be their talk this morning…rested, alone, so they could find their feet, so everything about this was open and understood and Lucy knew fully what was happening. She couldn't be afraid to touch him though, he suffered when she felt doubt or grief or guilt…actually fucking suffered. It was a balance they hadn't reached and he was going to go crazy if they didn't find it.
"Don't be afraid of me Lucy…" He nearly begged…wanting some part of control back, some ability to make a choice, pulling back to meet her wide uncertain eyes "Touch me, kiss me...I'm yours...Gods you're beautiful…" He couldn't stop himself from breathing out the last at her wide golden brown eyes, parted pink lips and flushed face, she really was the most stunning vision he'd ever seen, maybe the bonding made him feel it more, but it wasn't all of it, he'd thought so before that, he just felt it more deeply now, wanted her more. She was beautiful, had a gorgeous body…and he was just in need of her, hard…deep…painful need…he'd been so damned upset last night, had talked to Hestor for a couple of hours before he'd finally gotten back into bed and slept and now he felt the bond more than he had since it had been forced on him, he had no idea why…and his mind couldn't get to where he cared.
"You…want me?…" she whispered, her lower lip trembled, eyes brightening threatening tears he didn't want.
"...I need you." He growled, kissing her, her parted lips allowing him immediate access to deepen it, to plunder her mouth and steal her breath.
Lucy was lost then, in unfamiliar territory, she knew she wanted Zen, everything in her screamed for him, ached for him, but she had no idea how to ask, demand...anything...what she wanted, he seemed to know though, his lips slanting over hers, tongue sliding into her mouth, sweeping along hers coaxing her to respond.
His hands...Gods his hands, sliding up her sides, pushing up the thin pink t-shirt she'd worn to bed and she felt it then, his skin against hers, her breasts bared brushing against the hard wall of his chest. And she moaned at the feeling, Zen taking it in, letting it spur him on, his hands moving, one sliding over one of her full breasts, weighting it in his hand, fingers closing greedily around the soft mound. Gods he couldn't even hope to contain it even in his large hand, that made him hungrier, his fingers working the sensitive peak while his other hand shifted down her side, over her hip, gripping a full firm ass cheek and pulling her into him as he rolled his hips, his very hard erection pressing into her center and neither his thin silk sleep pants nor hers did much to decrease what she felt.
"Ah!...Zen!" She gasped in surprise.
"I live to please you…breathe to see you happy…" He purred, lips moving over her ear and Lucy mewled, whimpering with need, grinding herself against him wantonly and thrilling at his shuddering moan when she did.
Her own hands slid down his back, pushing at the offending pants that kept him from her. "Pants...off...Zen...ahh! Please!" She begged and he breathed against her ear ,sending little zings of heat straight between her legs, making her press into him again so that wonderful hardness teased her wet center.
"Anything you want…" He breathed, sliding down her body and she whimpered at the lost contact, his weight had been pressing her down into the bed, his lips at her neck, her ear, the feel of his heated breath fanning her skin had been divine.
"I'll give you…everything…" He said, the words making her heart skip as he shoved the blankets back and moved down her body, dragging her sleep pants and panties down her legs, removing them then kneeling above her, the smile on his lips faint, the heat in his amethyst eyes burning her, making her blush when she realized she was essentially naked before him, her shirt pushed up under her arms, breasts bare and he was kneeling between her legs so she was even spread out before him.
"Zen…more…I need more.." She whined a little, becoming terribly self conscious under his gaze. He cocked his head a little to the side, smirking at her.
"Yes…whatever you say..…" His voice was rough and low, gravelly with lust and it sent fire coursing through her, her own eyes moving now traveling over his shoulders, down his broad sculpted chest and torso, from his navel down that thin line of dark hair following the curve of the V to where his arousal was immensely evident under his pants, he hooked his thumbs in his waistline and pushed the pants down smiling as her eyes hungrily followed the fabric and widened when his erection was finally free. He moved, removing the pants and tossing them toward where he'd thrown hers and returned his eyes to her body, her heavy breasts, slender waist, toned belly, wide hips...Gods help him…no matter what he felt…he wanted all the pleasure that body could surely deliver.
She was dripping for him too, her blonde curls were trimmed short and already damp when he reached out to trail gentle fingers over her folds and watched as her head fell back and her eyes widened. "So responsive..…" He growled and pushed her thighs farther apart, lifting her legs over his shoulders and diving down, the scent of her arousal was heavy. Zen's senses were nearly as heightened as a Dragon Slayers, his sense of smell not as good though his eye sight was better, but his was good enough to catch the wonders of his mates scent heavily laden with need. Not bothering with teasing, since they were both already wound up enough he drug his tongue right up her center and groaned at the taste and her response.
"Zen! Oh Gods…" She gasped, hands flashing to his hair, burying in the unruly golden streaked strands. He only hummed in response, dedicated now to seeing her come undone, he tipped her hips up a little, wrapping his arms around her thighs to help hold them apart and keep her hips elevated while his fingers parted her lower lips and bared more sensitive parts for his mouth.
Lucy was incoherent then, whimpering and writhing, gasping when his lips, tongue or teeth moved to something new, as soon as that hot mouth had reached her center her mind had shut down and all she knew was sensation, pleasure, building tension in her lower body spreading through every part of her as Zens mouth played with her, his fingers teased her, when his tongue pushed inside of her it was all it took, her body burst, and she cried out his name in a shaky gasp as her eyes slammed shut and her body arched up off the bed.
Zen ran his tongue over her a few more times, drawing out wonderful shudders as her center spasmed, Gods help him she was tight as hell on his tongue. He needed to feel that around his throbbing member in the worst way after watching her unravel.
He kissed his way up her still shuddering body, smiling as she gasped more than once at his touches and lingering at her breasts, teasing them knowing they would be sensitive now far more than before now that she had orgasmed once. It had been one of his favorite approaches with women, drive them to a fast first orgasm, run their sensitivity to touch up, then, with the increased stamina it gave them, he could really enjoy getting them to another, take his time, he didn't count like Vander did, wasn't out for numbers. He liked slow more leisurely sex, liked that tension to wind as high as he could drive it and he knew how to set his lover up for it.
It delighted him that Lucy was so responsive, so uninhibited in her reactions, it made everything better for him since the magic of the bond seemed to drive his own enjoyment up with hers.
Lucy being his mate...it pushed so much more to him than ever before that he provided her with as much enjoyment, as much passion, pleasure and pure lust as he could stir in them both. It didn't bother him at all she had no idea what to do with herself, in time she'd participate more as her comfort with him grew and her confidence with it, for now he'd drive them both and take on fulfilling her needs knowing doing so would easily fulfill his own. It seemed to be…his place, protect…and provide her with comfort, be the provider of her pleasures, satisfy her needs and in doing…his would be met.
His hands slid to cup her face, bringing her heavily lidded and satisfied eyes to his. "We aren't done, you want more. I feel it all through me...your desire…it makes me need to be inside this gorgeous body of yours in the worst way…" He purred, kissing her fiercely and he moaned when she responded instantly, her tongue driving into his mouth, her hands fisting in his hair and her body arching up into his as her legs clamped around him.
Holy Gods he wasn't expecting it, he was at best hoping for her to kiss him back but Lucy actually growled against his mouth, she kissed him back alright, took his breath away.
"I need it...need you in me...Zen.." She said in a hungry tone that made him almost hurt with need. That staggered him, somewhere…his mind was screaming over it too, that he couldn't stop, he couldn't even slow down, no matter what it was she may want he had to deliver, what she needed, the things he said, how he moved…driven. He was enjoying it, he couldn't lie, not even to himself, he was enjoying this, needed it, sex was part of what he was as a Boscan…but this…it wasn't all him. Her magic was touching him from somewhere, still hitting him every time he even began to slow down…
"As you will.." he whispered against her lips. His hands left her face then, mouth still locked with hers as he lifted her hips, grabbing her ass and lining himself up then thrusting forward hard. Her lips tore from his and she cried out, hands flailing to the sides to grip the sheets in her fists and head flying back at the deep penetration, the heady filling and stretching of her sensitive chanel and Zen hissed as she clamped down around him, shifting his hands, moving them under her shoulders and gripping them as he pulled back and thrust in again with equal force, neither of them even able to draw a breath at the intensity.
"Fuck...so tight...Gods you feel good…" Zen finally groaned out, drawing back again, this time a little slower when he drove back into her but she had time to brace and thrust into him to meet it, raising those hips of hers and he hissed again through his teeth clenching, Gods he wanted to go slow but holy hell how could he?!
"More...Zen..more.." She begged and he responded, thrusting lustily into her following her cues instead of his original plan it turned out though she didn't have any trouble lasting, she could just handle more than his former lovers had been able to with him, drinking in his touches, kisses, the way he moved his body, her own just responding perfectly to him.
She may not have had the experience he did, but Lucy's instincts, her own powerful desire for him, to please him, have him, be joined like this with him, this intimacy, this immense pleasure and passion, it was what she had been yearning for. They would work through the details, she would earn back his trust and she knew this would be part of that, for her, this was hugely meaningful, that he gave himself to her, let her run her hands all over him, kiss him, enjoy so much pleasure with him, maybe he was a little less impacted by it because he was Boscan, but for Lucy this was profound.
It meant he wanted her, that they were as close as she needed them to be at least here in each others arms, he trusted her enough to give this to her and to do it so...thoroughly. Cana had talked about how much she loved men going down on her, how rare it was to find men willing to bother with it, most just doing a little, enough to get the woman nice and wet then they were all about getting their own pleasure. Zen had gone all the way with it, and he'd seemed to enjoy it too, though...as much as she loved his mouth...this...Gods...his heavy cock thrusting in and out of her, this was incredible.
Cana laughed and said things about how much she loved a man's body too much to ever think about going long without sex. Lucy understood now after feasting her eyes on Zens tall muscular body, getting her hands all over it, and the wondrous feel of him inside of her, Gods help her she understood. To know he was hers, that this man was her future, and he was a good man, kind, brave, thoughtful, and attractive, in every way that mattered he was attractive to her. He felt so good...mind numbingly so, she couldn't think anything after the first few thrusts. All she knew was she needed more, that they were close, intimate, together, he wanted her, and if they could do this like they were, so tender, so passionate in their touches, kisses, she knew he could trust her again, that in time...she would earn his love, which was what she craved deeply because she knew herself well enough to know, she was falling in love with him fast.
Every smile, every time he said she was beautiful, every time he soothed her, comforted her, proved more he was dedicated to her, meant all the things he'd said about putting her first and being committed to her, she gave up more of her heart to him. The idea, the thought had her all but attacking him to show him how she felt, kissing him fervently, pressing into him with all her strength and he took the cue, let her reverse their positions, rolling to his back and bringing her with him, hands moving to her hips as she adjusted on top of him, pushed herself up with her hands on his hard stomach.
She looked down into those lust darkened purple eyes and smiled, full of hope again at his lips curving, lust hazing those amethyst and gold depths. She gave an experimental undulation of her hips and his lids threatened to close, a rumble of approval coming from him and then slid her hands up his body, gripping his heavy pectorals she lifted herself and dropped down hard while twisting her hips. He gasped, hands tightening on her hips and smirking. Lucy found what she wanted to do, to show this man how much she wanted him, adored his touch, the feel of him, everything about him, and started riding him.
She raked her nails over his skin then slid her hands up her own body, not losing her rhythm. She trained, she ran, hell Erza drove their jogs. Lucy had muscle in her long lovely legs and used it now, gripping his hips with her knees using all of her lower body while her hands cupped her own breasts until Zens greedily joined them, then she slid a hand down to where he entered her, toying with herself under his dark gaze, finding if she pushed into her own bundle of nerves there her inner muscles clenched and if she timed it right she would tighten on him as she came down and it made him slam his head back and curse in Boscan.
She took that as a good sign. Their pace increased steadily, until Lucy had to grip his chest again to leverage herself and she was focused completely on riding his length, slamming herself down as hard as she could, grinding into him with his hands pulling her in harder so he got deep within her and started hitting a spot inside that had her keening and moving harder and faster so he hit it more.
"Fuck...there it is.." he groaned the first time she reacted and he was thrilled when she helped him keep driving into that spot. His end was careening at him, he was wound impossibly tight and felt his balls drawing up, felt the tingle starting at the base of his spine and he brought her down onto him harder and harder, getting that grind as their hips met until he felt her walls gripping him, heard her breath stalling.
Her shuddering gasp as she came mingling with his own groan of her name as he went with her, his release pumping into her as her body milked his pulsing length for all he was worth.
She fell forward onto his chest, bonelessly draping over his heaving body gasping for air when the last pulse had ripped through her and left her spent. His own arms felt heavy and weak as he wrapped them around her, pulling her against him making his softening member move inside her and drawing another shudder from her that almost made him hiss.
He stared up at the ceiling, it hadn't gone to plan, and he wasn't happy he'd really had…no say in it, once they started he was just so damned driven to make her happy, but it had been better than anything he'd ever had before, and that was saying something. Gods help him when she did get more assertive and comfortable in bed…would the magic push him harder? Would he even be able to remember anything after? He didn't remember their mating, just what led up to it. But she was a sweet woman, she was, he knew it, saw it in how she did things, it was clear watching how her guildmates were with her…his brother Bickslow defended her vehemently…and he couldn't argue, he knew she was a good person, had made a terrible mistake she did regret…it was just hard to see past that…but he had to try harder because this was his life now.
She moved on him, managing to push herself up to peer down at him smiling like a cat that got into cream. "I love your body…" she admitted with a smirk. He grinned, chuckling "I happen to enjoy yours so that works well for both of us...Gods woman...you're amazing." He admitted, smiling and pulling her in to nibble at her ear and make her giggle.
"I'm sorry...I know you don't want apologies but I need to say it...it helps…" She said then, her smile fading a bit and he let her pull back to meet his eyes, pushing her hair behind her ear with a gentle hand.
"Then I take it back, say what you need to...whatever helps. It'll be a while for me, this…it's nice we can do this, it doesn't change anything, I still need you to just be patient about that, but I'll never turn you away, if you want sex? We'll have sex...as much as I…resent…the bond… it does make sex really good and it's nice we can share that." He said frowning when he tried to say more…tried to tell her at the start he'd not had much choice that something had been pushing him…even that very morning…but something stopped him, halted the words before he could voice them.
Lucy stared at him, stilling, her hand no longer sliding over his skin enjoying tracing along a firm pec.
"This…this didn't mean anything?" She breathed, her stomach turned then realizing what had just happened. The things he'd actually said…they hadn't been him trying to be sexy, they had been…submission to her and her wants and desires. She'd heard it…and had ignored it because she was so lost in how good it all felt and what she thought…what it meant to…her.
Zen drew a breath "Pleasure is pleasure Lucy, I'm Boscan, having sex is like breathing. We enjoy it and need it. I can't exactly go find somebody else, the bond just doesn't give me any leeway. What did you expect? We'd fuck and I'd forgive it all?" He asked incredulously.
"That's not happening, and while I wouldn't call what we did just now forced? I felt the magic driving me to comply to every need you had, I'll admit there was a point I just went with it, and I DID enjoy it, I did, you didn't do anything wrong here at all but, I was just going to wake you up and order breakfast so we could talk." He said, his tone wasn't hostile, he wasn't angry, truth be told he was nicely sated and rested right then and felt better than he had in weeks…but he wasn't going to lie and say it was his idea to have sex there…it hadn't been…something had driven him…
Tears fell then, Lucy scrambling away from him shaking her head, "But…I thought…you've been so nice…you smile…you…" she bit her lip, horrified by everything.
"I'm not an asshole Lucy, of course I'll smile, you're not a cast iron bitch…you're nice…you haven't put a collar on me, haven't asked for chains…I count myself lucky there." Zen said and by her reaction to that…it was unlikely if he'd reached out and hit her if he could have hurt her more.
"I…I didn't want this." Lucy sobbed suddenly, a wave of pain coming from her and Zen clenched his teeth at how much he felt from her…coupled with the powerful compulsion to comfort her…to make her happy…to placate her. But he grit his teeth and flatly refused to cave to it. FUCK the compulsion, fuck their magic, what had happened was fucking wrong, he had been WRONGED and he wasn't going to make anyone involved including his fucking precious mate, feel better about that!
"Neither did I…but unlike you…I didn't get a choice in the matter." He ground out. Lucy hiccuped, taking a step back at the harshness of his tone but Zen felt it…the loosening of the grip on him and ran with it.
"As soon as I woke up I felt just…driven to make you happy, like something was pushing through me and forcing me to move and the more I fought it the less control I had over my own body, my own desires…it's horrible Lucy! I HATE what's been done to me, what I've become! I feel like a fucking puppet!" he almost shouted, sitting up.
"Stop it." The snapped out words hit Zen as hard as a fist, especially when glittering golden magic hit him. Leo stood suddenly beside the bed, a hand gripping Zens shoulder.
"You will not upset her." Leo growled and Lucy's eyes widened as another spirit appeared.
Cassiopeia..a spirit she had only gotten a short time before everything had turned upside down. The woman glared down at Zen then turned soft compassionate eyes on Lucy.
"He will come around…don't you worry, blessed keyholder. It won't be like last time. He will love you, he just needs…some help getting over how everything came together is all." she said, smiling at Lucy before she turned back to Zen, who's angry eyes had dimmed…his body arching on the bed as Leo held his shoulder and golden magic shimmered over him.
"Stop…please…you're hurting him…" Lucy said, eyes widening, she wiped at her face, clearing tears from her eyes, trying to see and understand what was happening.
"Search the bond..do you feel pain?" Cassiopeia asked softly and Lucy's eyes narrowed. She felt nothing…if she was honest? She….hadn't felt anything from Zen since they had made it back…nothing…it was like his side of the bond was always empty.
"No…but I haven't felt anything from him at all since we rescued Gajeel and got back here. Nothing…and I can SEE he looks like you're hurting him!" Lucy snapped, she didn't want to be harsh with her spirits, she never did…she was very good with them, all of them, respected them and gave them pretty free reign to do whatever they wanted…they deserved freedom. The last thought made her wince watching Zen, eyes wide open but vacant, arched on the bed still, every muscle tight.
"This should help." Cassiopeia said kindly
"What exactly are you doing to him?!" Lucy demanded, now starting to come back to the bed.
"Flooding his body and being with your magic." Cassiopeia smiled.
Lucy came to Leo "Stop…please…he was saying something…about feeling like a puppet, about not being able to control himself…I don't want that." she hissed
"You don't know what you're asking. He's hurting you…this will…ease that, he'll relax, be able to just…appreciate you, listen, LOVE you Princess and you deserve that." Leo said fervently and Lucy felt it...the pull on her magic. With her third origin open she honestly hadn't felt it being pulled because Loke was doing it so carefully, his magic…Cassiopeias, she could see they were adding to what they were pulling from Lucy…and it reminded her of when…she and Zen had mated.
He had hurt her yes…Gods, after what she had felt was something so intimate, so special between them in bed…to have him say what he had…it had hurt worse than anything she'd ever felt before…but…he had a right to be mad at her, had a right not to trust her, was she naive? Falling already, starting to anyway, she knew she was, but he was…hers, wasn't he? A sure thing, she didn't have to wonder if they would work things out it was just a matter of time, because she was a good person, she knew she was, she had just made a terrible mistake not talking to him before doing anything, but they could get past that, she had to believe they could because…living a life without love…that was what had stung so much, hurt so bad…she suddenly saw that was a possibility. She didn't want a loveless life, she didn't.
It was possible Zen wouldn't be able to forgive her on his own, he wouldn't be able to get past it all, and really, the magic…it was part of them both, letting him feel it, feel HER, the deepest part of her…maybe it would open him up and he could finally see how she felt, and maybe she could finally feel him too, it wouldn't be one sided anymore…the thoughts were confusing her though, she didn't believe in…forcing anyone to…she shook her head.
"I asked you to stop…" she said more firmly, narrowing her eyes on Loke, she was wavering…but at the same time…watching Zen laying there…naked on the bed before her and her spirits, unable to move, or think…or anything at all...no, it was wrong.
"Princess…a few more minutes and it will be done…he'll be flooded with your magic and it will open his eyes to you, to the real you, and he'll stop being so angry and bitter and you two can really move forward. There's a war happening, you NEED him to be 100% with you, and that means his heart too, because I know you…you can't function well with him…angry and resisting forgiving you and loving you." Loke said firmly
Cassiopeia smiled at her. "He's an Archangel, centuries ago the first of his kind…they had to be pushed in order to appreciate their mates…they needed that help, I think it's a flaw in the magic that they're so…willful. We are helping him…if he stops fighting it all he will be happier and so will you." Lucy shook her head "This feels wrong…Loke…what we did before it was wrong, forcing him like we did, we should have talked to him first, let him choose…I…I shouldn't have gone all the way with it either, I made that choice because I felt…so much strength…like this fountain of power and I've always felt so weak…I hate that I'm endlessly having to be rescued, saved…I hate that, I felt the power in him and just…wanted it and I was wrong…it was wrong of me…if I could do it again…I'd have stopped at the bonding." Lucy said.
Cassiopeia frowned "You're a wonderful…fool…my keyholder. Never apologize for taking the power you need, and you need the power he's brought to you. You deserve every bit of it and he is WRONG for being so harsh with you, demanding all he's demanding, he's an Archangel mage, he was born to be owned. Your third origin is open…if you get not one other thing from him…that made the mating worth it."
Lucy's eyes widened "No! No! That's not true at all! I never wanted to hurt him! I don't want him hurt now! Loke, please stop!" She shouted, stunned by what Cassiopeia had said. No…no, she had not mated with Zen just…
She cringed inwardly, no…she had…she had mated with him for power, she really had…and she hadn't thought at all about him in those moments at all. She could blame the magic, the drive to possess him…but that drive had come from within her…unlike Zen…nothing had forced her…she had done what she had by choice.
As she struggled with herself…she didn't do something…something she had promised she would do. Think about how Zen would feel…she didn't…and she knew time passing, each moment, brought Zen closer to whatever it was Loke and Cassiopeia were trying to do to him and she hadn't ordered Loke to stop, she was just asking…she had that power…she held his key, he was contracted to her and if she directly commanded him, made it a hard undeniable order…he had to stop…but she'd opted to plead instead, ask him to stop…said please instead of just telling him…because she respected her spirits and she valued their opinions…and in those moments…she did not value Zen's more.
Maybe because he'd hurt her…made her feel so horrible, made her feel so wrong…it didn't matter though as magic suddenly hit them…the world almost seemed to stop and Lucy stared as the roof of the inn vanished and Cassiopeia cursed under her breath…backing away. Loke did not…loyal to any end…he moved closer to Lucy, stopping what he was doing as…Sei Roo appeared above them.
"You broke your promise." Sei Roo said quietly.
Loke's eyes widened "What promise?!"
"While you were partying…celebrating Lucy mating with Zen…she made the man a promise, Leo the Lion." Sei Roo said and Lucy's conversation with Zen…where he had insisted she promise to think of him and his feelings, to not let others influence her to hurt him again…was shown to Leo who cringed.
"I…I'm so sorry Lucy…" He whispered looking just devastated then and Lucy shook her head, looking up at Sei Roo "I was trying to stop them."
Sei Roo frowned "No…you were letting them ignore you, Lucy. They were not stopping, and what they were doing was not something Zen would want…was it?"
Lucy's eyes slid closed…because she had made a promise and as she stood there…she realized…she hadn't kept it. She hadn't thought of how Zen would feel, what he would want, and she hadn't taken hard action to protect him…from her own spirits…just like she hadn't stood up for him, or herself…before.
"No." She said quietly, tears ran down her face. It was all too much. Losing the Master, losing friends…the war…the world being changed under their feet, Gajeel…Levy…she was so overwhelmed and so worn out and worn down…and she had failed…again…to protect a good man who had never once done a single thing bad to her, he'd been nothing but honest…had given so much, lost so much…and she hadn't stood up for him…again…because of her respect for her spirits…her unwillingness to ignore what they had to say and just demand they do something, even when that something was stopping…hurting Zen.
"Your punishment…will be painful." Sei Roo said sadly. There was no choice, the rules of the Celestial realm were hard on breaking promises…extremely hard. If he followed them all…Lucy would face losing her keys, having to go through trials to regain each one…but instead…he would take something else.
Lucy gasped when she felt it…she was already standing…nude…in front of Sei Roo and her spirits…she had nothing to grab at but her own skin as the burning started…the rending. On the bed Zen made a low pained sound and it happened fast from there. She watched as a golden piece of something flew from her chest…a similar something coming from Zen…and the pain stopped within her…replaced by…a hollow empty feeling where before…there had been the bond.
"Zen is taken from you. Your mating is dissolved…your Bond, ended. I…did not want to do this Lucy, but…it was this…or end your contracts with your spirits." Sei Roo said quietly.
"I felt…you could handle this easier."
Lucy sank to her knees, Loke moved to her quickly but she pushed him away and the spirit stood looking miserable as Virgo appeared and rushed to Lucy, hugging her, settling a blanket over her shoulders as she sobbed.
Nearby…Zen vanished from her bed. Lucy couldn't even react…couldn't do a thing, all she had wanted, all she'd hoped to do. To make amends with Zen, to build something with him, hopes of love and a happy life. Gone and she'd barely had more than fleeting moments to enjoy them in the first place. She wasn't stupid, just because the bond was gone it didn't change the fact she needed to somehow make all of this up to Zen and now…it would be so much harder without the bond between them to help her.
Cristoff was yawning, he had seriously contemplated collecting some sort of company for the night but had decided not to, opting to just go to bed, the whole thing with Larcade and he needed rest because he would be keeping the demon asleep while Bickslow and Kaleb extracted the information they were after.
He was just closing his door when Zen appeared in the spare bed in his room. Cristoff sucked in a surprised breath, hurrying to his brother's side, mentally screaming for Kaleb when Zen wouldn't stir and he found no injuries.
"He smells…like sex, honestly…and like Lucy." He told Kaleb a few moments later when he reached the room.
"Well…I suppose that tracks but…why would he suddenly appear here?" Kaleb asked, already asking Laxus to check on Lucy.
It was only a few minutes later Kaleb had Bickslow checking on Zen, frowning "Yeah…just like Lucy…no part of her in him anymore, no part of him in her. Lucy is about hysterical…crying…all Freed's gotten out of her is…she broke a promise and the Mating is gone."
Kaleb was staring at him for a bit in disbelief. "That…I thought that wasn't possible."
"Yeah well, clearly it is because yesterday? I could see the piece of Zens soul inside Lucys and vice versa. Now? It's like that never happened." Bickslow replied.
"Good."
Both men turned and found a slender silver haired mage standing in the door.
"Hes." Kaleb smiled faintly, hoping the mage could shed some light on what had happened…help them to help Zen and Lucy.
"Glad you made it here ok…"
Hestor huffed "I had to ride in a privateers ship to Autumn city…the train got me most of the rest of the way, I just talked with Zen last night..he was…unhappy. The mating bond was broken…she broke a promise you said?" he asked looking at Bickslow who nodded "Yeah that's what she said."
Hestor pursed his lips "Well, I guess that losing him was the punishment chosen. I can't say I'm not happy to hear it."
"She's devastated Hestor." Bickslow scowled.
"She shouldn't be…she shouldn't have enslaved Zen in the first place. You want sympathy for her out of me you'll wait until Hell hosts slumber parties." Hestor responded coldly
"I'm not here for her…I'm here for your brother. He's free, that's only good news in my book. I'll look more into this, you have my word on that, but Zens well being is my first concern."
"And I'm grateful you're here…he won't wake up." Cristoff said before Bickslow said more.
"There's nothing physically wrong with him…" he added.
"Trauma of having the bond broken, and something else was happening to him…it's what had me rush the last few miles to get here…I may have frightened a bus driver and broken out the side of a government bus Kaleb, perhaps let Farron know so I don't get arrested but I felt something happening to him, his will starting to just bleed away into nothingness, then it stopped abruptly and now…he'll probably sleep for a bit while his magic re-adjusts. I do not mind watching over him." Hestor offered quickly and Cris heaved a sigh. Hestor eyed the healer "I know you're work is precise Cris, I know it, but something was happening, even before those two mated…I need to go over Zen with the help of my spirits so I can get some questions answered and it really is best I do it while he's asleep."
"You have a roommate Kaleb." he said and Kaleb smiled faintly nodding "Yeah, move your things over Cris…Hes can stay in this room with Zen."
"We have a lot to discuss, Kaleb, once Zen wakes…I'll want the woman here too, to explain what happened so…this doesn't come about again." Hestor said, and he pulled a box from requip, moving to Zen and sliding heavy platinum bands onto his arms above his biceps.
"New ones?" Kaleb blinked and Hestor nodded "Presca helped make them and I took them to the Academe with me, to get help from a runic mage there to strengthen how they will protect Zen going forward."
Kaleb nodded, bending to brush a hand over Zens tousled hair. "He didn't deserve any of this…we have to do better protecting him." he said quietly.
"No argument from me…had that Bitches spell not ripped the world to bits and tossed everything into chaos it wouldn't have happened…but it did. We clean up, strengthen, learn from it and protect him better going forward." Hestor said firmly. Kaleb nodded
"Have you eaten?" He asked and Hestor smiled at him.
"That's usually my line."
Kaleb smirked "Beat you to it. I'll send up some food, I know you're tired…" he said and Hestor nodded. He hadn't rested…not since Zen had been taken, he'd struggled a lot to get to Crocus to be with Zen and his siblings. And rest hadn't been a luxury he'd allowed himself on the trip either.
"I'll just clean him up a little, make sure he's comfortable…then I'll eat and get some rest." Hestor said softly and Kaleb nodded, leaving the room.
Hestor sat for several minutes, a hand combing through Zens hair, looking at his friend and thinking. He smiled faintly "You stubborn man…fighting help and protection every step of the way because you never want to be a burden to your family or friends. I hope you let us help you through this…" He said softly before he started brushing out the thick dark hair, getting it thoroughly brushed out so it was out of Zens way before two spirits appeared on either side of the bed. One a massive golden haired Angel, the other a large dark haired demon. Gabriel, and Abraxis.
"Lets get him bathed and into some comfortable sleep pants." He said quietly and the spirits moved, hefting the big man from the bed and carrying him to the bathroom, helping Hestor get him bathed then dried off and dressed before carrying him back to the bed. Once the man was in the bed both spirits vanished and Hestor sighed, while they had been in the bathroom Kaleb had brought in a tray of food, so he ate, eyes never leaving the sleeping man on the bed, and when he was full he shed his boots and vest and climbed into the bed beside Zen.
He didn't have many friends, very very few people even earned his tolerance. He was born in Bosco but he had been raised by a strict Stellan mother, who had tried to keep him hidden from Stella. He had been born to hold the keys of the Hall, to hold the 7 Ivory Keys, his mother had tried to hide him so Stella wouldn't take him, lock him away in the temple of Anubis and his life would end up like all of those who had held the Hall before him…a powerful bird in a cage.
He knew the Enochian keys had changed that, Stella wasn't stupid, locking the Keeper of Angels away to be High Priest of Anubis would be a waste, it would endanger the Archangel Magic set, something Stella was sworn centuries ago to protect as it protected all Celestial magics. No…they would have settled him at a complex of the Three Gods of the Heavens in an anex…had him bring the Archangels to Stella, them, their extinct magic…their DNA so babies could be born carrying that magic…repopulate it as they wanted to do with the Summoners. He cuddled in against Zen, reassured and able to relax now that his Archangel, his friend, was safe beside him…he would sort this mess Lucy Heartfilia and her friends had made out…he knew what was happening…and why Zen hadn't just begged her to sleep with him from the moment they had met…he needed to see and talk to Lucy to know for sure…but he was 99% certain and for a Summoner? Anything over 15% was damn good.
He turned into Zen, resting his head on the mans shoulder settling, watching the man sleep until he fell asleep himself.
-
"He's not mated now…it's been broken." A calm voice said.
Karadin turned his head, narrowing his eyes on the Summoner that was on his knees, fluffy spotted ears pinned, his pale blonde hair hanging over half his face, the other side red and already starting to swell. When he'd refused to answer the Kings question about where the Dark Eagle was…Karadin had hit him so hard he'd flown backwards and hit the floor.
Standing by the summoner his brother stood glaring dangerously at him and Karadin didn't meet his siblings eyes…his brother adored the shifter, and it got under his skin often that Kressa had gifted his brother with the slender, beautiful summoner…but then.
His eyes turned to the broader shouldered, stronger looking male not far from the shifter, meeting hard green eyes. Years he had owned Xavier…the Seer…and he had tortured the man many many times trying to break him…but it never happened, and he couldn't kill a Summoner who was a seer…Xavier was too fucking rare and essential and he DID sometimes give Karadin insight that helped him stay ahead of his rivals…especially when handling the fucking Black Queen of Seven.
He loathed that piece of filth, if it weren't for her beautiful, well skilled son he'd have slaughtered her and her sister and just gone to war to take Seven…but the Prince of Seven was…stunning, with rare valuable magic, and Karadin honestly was trying to angle things for a marriage. If he married Prince Nuryev…he could get Seven politically and save himself a lot of trouble.
Marrying the sexy young Prince certainly appealed to him too…he'd keep that lovely thing very happy, shower him with adoration and affection like the youth had never known…and use him to take over the Dragon Kingdom and all of its immense military might.
"I thought you said he would end up with a blonde if we couldn't recover him soon…if the mating is broken, it doesn't seem my Eagle will be staying with the female." Karadin said.
Xaviers face was bland, unreadable. He had edged a little closer to the shifter and Karadin knew…knew Xavier had tried to prevent Kressa from giving the shifter to his brother years ago, knew it had been a serious fight between him and the Queen, the shifter held a title, he knew he did…just like he also knew Xavier did. His people had told him about the Six Points of Humanity…and he took no small amount of pride in Pergrand owning these two, that they were well kept and well used slaves and had been for many years now.
"Futures can change as people make choices and paths do or do not cross." Xavier said mildly, knowing if he stayed silent he would pay for it later and he was not in a mood where he could handle being put out for the use of the senators and whoever other guests the King had at the moment. He was beyond tired of serving out with the main harem. He much preferred being with the private group the king kept only for himself, which was NOT to say he enjoyed being with Karadin, he absolutely didn't, he preferred women in his bed, something the King had laughed at more than once, assuring him he would be taught better. Like hell. But Karadin didn't use him often…recently only after being…denied the time to bed Nuryev, and that…that Xavier would take any day…if he could take the place of Nuryev under that nightmare of a man, he would, every time without hesitation or regret. Anything to spare him…anything. "A single path becomes many."
Karadin snorted "Cryptic as usual my pet. Get eyes in there, watch for an opportunity to recollect my Eagle, I want that man back in Skysreach…we still have no children from him and I WANT that fucking magic in MY bloodline. Are the Toxalls ready? Because if I can't have what I want? I'm making certain that blonde scum doesn't touch him again." he looked toward two of the scientists who nodded.
"We have 7 ready for the field sire, yes, …we send them in to infect females in the region easily with what we have and they can assist the hunt team chosen to do the collections." The elder one smiled and Karadin grinned.
"Excellent, get it into the field then, now is the perfect time with the world scattered as it is. Remember…I want the blonde, she's essential, so no harm to her, not a bruise. I know that is not our practice normally, and I am loathe to waste resources on a female regardless of her importance…but I need her healthy." He chuckled and went to run a hand through Xaviers hair looking at his brother.
"He'll recover quickly…I will send a healer." he said quietly as he watched his brother gently touching his shifters red cheek.
His brother glared at him "My pet is my pet brother, I brought him here so you could ask him some questions about his magic…not damage him! You know he's my favorite!"
Karadin sighed "I know…but he refused to speak."
"He is a SUMMONER, their magic sometimes gags them so they can not answer. You know this, you don't punish yours when he can not answer you do you? I've offered to buy Xavier…he would still be available for you for his sight…really brother, my King…Summoners are difficult to manage, let me buy him, or trade? I've a gorgeous Tiger shifter and I KNOW you love using him, he's big and strong, Bellan…" Uram tried to be persuasive and Karadin eyed him thoughtfully, tugging at Xaviers hair to see if he got any response…he didn't…and honestly…fucking the man was like fucking a dead fish with how little response he ever got. He somehow encouraged too much questioning in the harem too…
"Fine…sold…send the Tiger shifter to my harem and you take Xavier home with you. I'll call when I need his sight…you seem fine handling the Summoners…I lack the patience. I will be leaning on you more as this all comes to fruition brother." Karadin said shoving Xavier at Uram and heading for the door.
Uram kept his smile in check, moving to catch Xavier and prevent him from falling to the ground, one injured slave was enough…he didn't want another one hurt.
Giermo stood, the leopard shifter went right to Xavier, overjoyed. "Xavier…sir…" the shifter said softly, moving alongside Xavier to walk with him behind Uram, who led them out to go home…where Xavier would be fitted with a new color, given a room of his own, and access to a library and training and…Uram planned to have the wise and handsome slave training all of his slaves…hell…he was going to put his sons under Xaviers tutelage….
Xavier showed no response, just walking, but he was so relieved…knowing Uram was a kind good man, that he often countered his brothers harsh decisions and protected slaves…he was a little in love with Giermo…that was obvious, but the soft hearted shifter had made a better man out of Ulun and Xavier was grateful of that. His chocolate colored hair swaying as he walked. He wore only a sheer pair of gauzy pants that could be easily seen through…but soon he would be dressed like Giermo, in soft silk pants…maybe not all of the jewels, Uram lavished beautiful things on his favorite, Giermo glittered with precious jewels and gold.
"Hush…later." Xavier said softly as they walked and Giermo stopped looking at him, walking with his head down behind Uram while Xavier thought. Karadin had plans…bigger than anyone realized…and Xavier knew things nobody knew, among them…that the Prince of Seven was not just Xaviers pupil…not just his charge…the former Queen…Nuryevs grandmother, there had been not a thing wrong with her…Nuryevs father was not the son of his grandfather..Nuryevs father had been Xaviers own son…born of his love affair with the former Queen, Nuryevs grandmother…and Nuryev…was his grandson…so there was nothing…nothing Xavier wouldn't do to get back to his side…to see him on the throne and the bitch who had killed the king, his son…dead. He just had to make sure the right paths crossed…the right things happened…that was hard to do while a slave collar was around his neck and he was spending his days bent over in a harem.
Green eyes narrowed…not much longer. He could not see his own future, his gift didn't work that way, but…he had seen himself at his grandsons side when he had seen his grandsons possible future…seen his grandson finally free of Kressa…he had seen Seven restored, returned to it's true glory as the Dragon Kingdom of Earthland. He knew that future was possible, and he would find a way to get there…
-
Karadin strode from the Lab, eyes serious. He had everything in motion, truthfully he had many of the things working now in motion for more than 20 years now. His family had perfected pod developed children so that men didn't have to procreate directly with women anymore. They could not change the way their species needed a females eggs in order to reproduce, but…they had removed the need of Pergrand to have females within their borders. None stayed longer than it took to harvest their eggs…then? They were fed tot he berserkers, given over to be raped to death, torn apart, beaten to death…whatever whim suited the packs they were tossed to, he certainly never cared. Women were not people, they were a genetic handicap required of men in order to have children.
His families long history with blood magic had made this all happen, but blood magic could only carry Pergrand so far, it had served it's purpose, now, if he wanted Pergrand to truly ascend to world domination, he had to gain control of the connection to the heavens, to the Gods themselves, and the only way to do that was through Celestial Magics.
Archangel magic…he had seen it…had been approached more than 25 years ago by the spirit "Perseus" with a plan, a plan that put the first Archangel born in centuries right into his deserving hands. He had taken it, done what was needed, and while he would never admit it…he was still very much in love with The Dark Eagle, and wanted full possession of that man back in his hands. He would marry the Prince of Seven, and keep that man happy…but his heart belonged to the Eagle, and through him…he would own Celestial Magic, wrest control of it from Stella and see Pergrand ascend.
He had gone to huge lengths getting ready for this…had turned to a secretive pair of brothers. Bulane and Michaelis…of Paradise Falls spa and fertility clinic. Such a soft and unassuming name for what was…an immense and miraculous service the brothers could provide.
Far to the north of Pergrand rested "The Weavers" witches…nobody could call them different…who could weave luck, alter fate, alter any path. Michaelis and Bulane were…somehow connected to them, Karadin wasn't certain how, his spies simply couldn't find out…but, Michaelis and Bulane could change his bloodline, alter the path of his genetics and bring Celestial magic in. He'd sat down and laid this out for Michaelis, the brother who handled the dealings for the organization.
The office was clean, neat, the entire facility had been exactly what a dream like spa should look like, and Karadin had spared no expense, he'd booked the entire place for his visit, so nobody might see him, assurances from the brothers didn't matter, he didn't trust anyone…and Michaelis and Bulane had been happy to take his money.
He had come into Michaelis office with Uram and Mikark, his two brothers the only people he had trusted with his plans.
"You have read my proposal?" Karadin asked as he took a seat before Michaelis.
Michaelis smiled as he poured drinks and then sat back, looking over a folder slowly, "Yes, a few times already, just to make sure that I have the details correct. Devil's in the details and all." he let out a low hum of thought and tilted his head, "you will have to acquire the female genetic material, we cannot do so without the person being here…and the subject in question has companions that we have absolutely no desire to have within our facilities."
"I'll bring the donor. You said she had to be in good health…" Karadin pressed his lips into a thin line. Even then, even knowing what he needed and how important it was, the idea of wasting resources on a female offended him. It was a sacrifice, he'd rather put the food and care into a dog…or…anything else…but it had to be looked over the information smiling more, certain now this was exactly what he was after.
"The better the health of the donor, the less stress it will be to make sure there is no damage to their donation," Michaelis said in a clinical, if slightly gentle tone. "We service the rich, the powerful, those that cannot conceive. We also do it well because of these terms. We have had no failures and have produced..many a beautiful child." The man slowly opened a drawer, pulling out a large binder, "...my favorite so far was the seer child, from Stella. He is a work of art."
Karadin took the binder, looking through it some, his smile curling larger. "I see..well, if you do this well, I expect my son to be just as exceptional, you will be instrumental in the change of a bloodline that has ruled Pergrand for more than seven thousand years." he smiled at Michaelis.
"I will collect the donor…you will sterilize her, I don't want another child coming from her, my line will hold onto the future of hers…permanently, she's the last of her line…fitting it will end as mine expands." Karadin smirked
"Sterilization will add an extra surcharge," A young voice came from the doorway.
Michaelis smiled, "Liam. my boy, yes you are correct."
Liam bowed, the boy's dark hair just having small threads of a silvery blonde in it, "father, i apologize for being late. My Tutor ran over." He moved to the side, "do continue. I am here to learn all that I can, so that I can better serve those that we serve."
Michaelis smiled, "Liam…is also a product of our program. He is a perfect specimen in the flesh."
Karadins brow rose and he looked critically at the youth, smiling as he took in flawless features, he could see Michaelis in the boy…and…could see where Michaelis had perfected upon himself…improved…the boy was beautiful, and his eyes held a shrewd intelligence and keen awareness…as well as a strong magic signature that was palpable.
"I see…yes…on par with this, we are talking about the heir to a nation after all, to a very old line of rulers." Karadin said
Liam bowed low, "you flatter me, Sire. I am but a humble child, who only lives to serve others as my father and uncle have until now."
Michaelis smiled, "we produce…exactly what our clients want…for a price, as you've seen. Changing the major magic of a bloodline, of course, as you are asking is a very hefty price and while i will apologize for the price, it will have to take up all of our time to do it properly and we cannot work on another project at all, lest we fail in creating what you want."
"I've seen, in what you've done with my brother Uram…his two sons…both with rich strong Celestial magic. I want no less in my son. We've completed construction about 150 miles from here…where the donors will be held when you're done with them, so you can, as you've said is required…get them out of your care as quickly as possible for security reasons." Karadin said.
Michaelis smiled a bit, "your donor…has problematic friends."
"Creatures of destruction and chaos, barely able to be considered humans," Liam said, tone light. "Let alone male or female."
"Her genetics are essential for my plans, as are many aspects of the woman. Her contracts…everything…will be placed into the child." Karadin said "I already have the rituals researched, already have all I need to see it done."
"You have gone over fees for colorization, correct?" Michaelis smiled a bit, "certain bloodlines have dominant coloring that take a lot to overwrite, summoners are one of them. Their coloring is tied to their ancient roots."
Karadin eyed Uram "Yes…as my brothers blonde sons can testify to, I'm alright with the change, darker hair being genetically dominant, in a few generations our line will surely restore the dark hair and coloring…won't it?" He asked
"Liam?" Michaelis looked at his son, arching a brow, "Please, do discuss this point? To show our guests your knowledge?"
Liam bowed deeply, "Like all things, while physical genetics can be dominant in some things, magics are tied to certain traits. Seers, while even those of Celestial origin, have dark coloring, showing that they are something more than just being summoners if they are. A Fire mage with black or brown hair shows that they are more likely to have a dark magical base in their background, something hidden well within their magic that has yet to emerge. The light coloring of every pure Celestial Summoner shows their connection with the stars. White, Silver, Blonde, all corresponding to a type of star or phenomenon. It is how we, as geneticists, know that people with certain dominant traits are best to use as donors for magical bloodlines, even if they, themselves, are not a mage."
Uram nodded "So…our line heavy in blood magic…has always had dark red brown hair…dark eyes and olive complexions. We're bringing in the stars, the heavens, all the silvers and golds and whites of that part of creation…so our coloring…brother dear…will change to reflect it." he had defended his sons more than once now, Karadin asking they even dye their damn hair…but Uram refused, his sons were beautiful, perfect…like Giermo, whose genetics had combined with his and the donors to produce them.
Karadin sighed "It can't be helped…perhaps…streaks? Highlights? Is that possible?" He pulled out a folder and slid it across the table. Inside, were pictures of Vander Pradesh. Tall, with red streaked black hair so unlike normal shadows mages.
"Like him…we know he's more than a simple shadow mage…we've encountered him a few times…I had him in my home for a day…almost kept a slave collar on him but…not quite…we couldn't hold him, nothing we did could hold him…so the red streaks have to speak of whatever is different about his magic…yes?"
Michaelis…gave a fairly secretive smile, "yes, it does."
Karadin narrowed his eyes on the man, it was clear Michaelis knew more…but…he wasn't about to risk anything pressing him about matters not related to this crucial project. It would help so much to know WHY this damned man kept getting past their best security, strongest wards…stealing intel…if he knew how the man managed it when they had altered ward systems all over the fucking country in an effort to keep the damned Boscan spy OUT…it would help many things…but…again, not worth pressing someone so important.
"Then…dark hair with the lighter streaks if possible, and yes…I know the cost will increase…I have just sold some major assets recently…we have the funds in abundance." Karadin grumbled.
Michaelis folded his hands as he sat there, blinking slowly, "we will…do the best we can. Overcoming magical genetics is a very large project..and you'll find as part of the waiver just in case we are unable to do so."
Karadin nodded, sighing, concessions he had to make…the outcome was more important than these little details really, but he had his preferences.
The meeting had given him hope, had given him direction, Urams sons had made it clear that Michaelis and Bulanes work could become the foundation of the future of Pergrand, a future Karadin would give anything to see happen.
-
As night fell, Xavier relaxed with some wine, smiling at the two blonde haired boys before him. Urams sons, they were sharp, brilliantly intuitive and magically gifted. Both already held keys, already even had a few scars from key trials.
Xavier had his own suite of rooms that included a library he would be allowed to stock, a classroom for him to teach in. He was fully clothed and the slave collar around his neck was mimimal and not gaudy or heavy. He had full control over his meals and his area so long as he taught and counseled those Uram would send to him. Tonight, his first night in Urams estate just outside Romell, it was simple bed time stories for the boys.
He ran gentle fingers over the book in his lap as he set the wine glass aside and looked at the children.
"So…let me tell the future kings of Pergrand a story…." he said quietly.
At the door Urams eyes widened at the statement…Xavier said no more on it, starting to read to the children…his expression hadn't changed, his tone had been light and without any edge to it…typical of a summoner saying things they would never expand on and Uram knew it…but he was smiling, hands shaking with uncontrollable hope as he hurried away, leaving his sons in the care of the Starseer.