Wow there's a lot of support for this story! It's great. If you haven't already, you should read one of Christine Feehan's Carpathian stories. You won't be disappointed!

This is first half of the chap. I thought I better get it out to you guys before you all got bored and left. The other half has the first sex scene in it. It should be up in a few days.

Don't forget to review!! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or Christine Feehan's work

Night was beautiful, Ed decided, stepping onto the ledge on the mountain. It made him feel free. All the fresh sounds and scents that wafted to him on a crisp breeze teased his senses, taunting him. He took a deep breath and released it slowly. He sighed. God, he loved the night.

He could feel eyes on him, watching his every move. He knew that Roy expected him to flee at every moment and was prepared for it, but surprisingly enough, he didn't have any thoughts on fleeing. He sent these thoughts to Roy, who relaxed a fraction. Ever since his breakdown in the cave, Roy'd been keeping his distance. He knew it was because the Carpathian wanted to give him space, to not be too smothering. Ed was secretly glad that Roy had done so. He needed a bit of breathing room. He wasn't used to being with anyone. He didn't think he knew how to anymore.

Besides, he wasn't going to let anyone else get hurt because of him. Everyone who got close to him died. He'd vowed never to let that happen again. Al and his mother were enough for one lifetime. Not to mention the friends he'd made in small towns he'd passed through. The ones he'd finally been able to call friend were found mysteriously dead a few days after he left. It got so bad that Ed had stopped going near people, isolating himself from humanity. He was like a disease, spreading death where ever he went.

"Do not think like that, csitri," Roy whispered, suddenly intimately close. "You are a miracle. Those who knew you were lucky to have known such an extraordinary spirit like yourself."

"There wasn't anything lucky about it. They died because I'm a monster. A freak," Ed said blankly, eyes clouded over with memories.

"You are not any of those things, Edward. If only those people would have glimpsed a true beast, they would have thought differently of you. Humans always hate things they do not understand. Do not take their defensive actions to heart, little one."

Misery forgotten, Ed came back to himself. "DON'T FUCKING CALL ME SMALL, BASTARD!"

A small fond smile graced Roy's lips. "There is such fire in you, csitri. It burns relentlessly. No matter how hard things get, your flame still burns strong. It is the one flame that I cannot control."

"If you know so much about fire, then you know it's easily extinguished," Ed countered irritated. Just who did the guy think he was? He wasn't a sap. He didn't want to hear those things. Yes you do, a part of him retaliated.

"It is never extinguished completely. A small ember can lay dormant for a very long time, before it burns into brilliance once again."

"Alright, enough philosophical shit. We gonna go or what?" Ed snapped. Inside he was fuming. Arguing with himself always left him feeling shitty. He'd put his defenses back up. He wasn't to lower his guard like he had before. That was a momentary lapse of judgment, nothing more. The only reason he'd let Roy hold him was because he was still shaken from the nightmare. Liar, his mind whispered.

"As you wish, csitri," Roy smirked, a mocking bow accompanying his words. His eyes seemed to gleam in the moonlight; the intensity in which they looked at Ed made his cheeks darken nicely. At least Roy couldn't see it in the dark. Roy's smirk suddenly widened and Ed crossed his arms over his chest, glaring. Of course the man could see in the dark, he forgot who he was talking about.

Roy chuckled. "Would you like to go flying, Ed? I assure you it is a most wonderful experience."

Ed blinked at him. "You mean like fly. . . in the sky?" He pointed up.

"Yes, unless of course there is another meaning of flying that I am unaware of," Roy replied amusedly.

Ed huffed. "I didn't mean it like that! I meant that. . . .I just. . . .oh shut up," he finished lamely, Roy chuckling at him.

"So was that a yes?" Roy inquired regally, having calmed himself. He seemed to always be happy when his Lifemate was around. It was an exquisite feeling.

"You weren't joking?" Ed asked, hopeful boyish excitement on his face.

"No I was not, csitri."

"YES I WANT TO!" Ed swiftly yelled. At Roy's stunned look, he cleared his throat. "I mean. . . .that would be nice." God, he felt like an idiot. Roy's stunned look turned to one of male satisfaction.

"It pleases me to see such enthusiasm. I hope you are as enthusiastic about other things," Roy purred, winking at him.

Ed flushed deeply. He might as well just make it his new skin colour. He was almost always red around Roy. He didn't know why he let his comments affect him like they did. It was all very strange. He didn't know what to make of it. He sighed. He'd think about this later. Right now he wanted to go flying.

"Yeah, yeah. Just show me how to fly."

Roy smiled at him. "Close your eyes, csitri," he coaxed.

Ed looked at him suspiciously. "Why?"

Roy smiled reassuringly. "It helps you to visualize. You need to see the image of an eagle in your mind."

Ed looked at him a moment longer before complying.

"Picture everything about it. How big is it? How long are its wings and talons? What are its feathers like? Long? Thick? Think of everything."

"That's a lot to think about," Ed realized, eyes still shut.

"It is. But you have me to help you. To stay in the eagle's form you need to keep that image in your head. Without it you will change back."

Ed paused.

"You mean I'd fall and die, don't you?" Ed asked worriedly.

"That will not happen as you have me now. I will never let anything happen to you, csitri," Roy vowed protectively. He would protect his Lifemate with every fiber of his being. If it ever came to that, Roy would die knowing his Lifemate was safe. He would not die knowing that Ed was still in danger.

"You better not," Ed warned, oblivious to Roy's inner turmoil. "So how do I hold it?" Sure he could hold the jaguar in his head; it was a part of him. This was completely different. He'd never pictured a bird before.

"I will hold it in your mind if you can picture it. Do you have it?"

"Yeah, I do," And he thought he had a pretty good image of it too. He smirked inwardly. He'd pictured a big eagle. It was probably bigger than the bastard's one. He was quite proud of himself.

Roy smirked. "All right then. Now visualize yourself as that eagle. See how your limbs would shorten, face shrinking, talons replacing fingers. Let it flow over you. Don't fight it," he watched transfixed, as his Lifemate slowly but surely changed form. Where there should've been a boy, now there was a beautiful golden eagle, sharp golden eyes gleaming. Satisfied, he welcomed his own change.

Ed closed his eyes and listened to Roy's words, let the change overcome him. There was no pain, only a slight tingling feeling as his body shifted. Opening his eyes he was shocked to see through an eagle's eyes. They were very sharp. He could see everything. There was a mouse scurrying in a bush not too far from where he was. Its tiny squeak was amplified, making him hear it as if someone was loudly speaking to him. This was so cool. He glanced to Roy but only saw a huge black eagle. And man was he huge. Fuck, and he had thought he was big. But Roy was massive. So much for being the bigger one for a change. He puffed out his feathers irritably.

He heard Roy's chuckle in his head. Pissed off, he went to nip him but Roy dodged nimbly out of the way.

'If you wanted to bite something all you had to do was tell me, csitri. Does this mean that I can bite you too?' Roy asked perversely. Great. Even in Ed's head he was a pervert. It was a good thing birds couldn't blush.

'I'm sure you could pull it off, Ed' Roy sent. Ed mentally growled. Did he get no time to think by himself?! And how was he supposed to say something back?

'Our minds are linked, csitri. Just think of me when you want to contact me,' Roy supplied.

Ed huffed. Well as much as a bird could. Couldn't Roy have told him that sooner? He'd wasted valuable insulting time. Okay, he needed to test this out before they went.

'Testing, testing. Bastard come in, over.'

He felt rather than heard Roy's amusement. He could picture the Carpathian now with his eyebrow raised.

'There is no need to speak like that, Ed. Just thinking normally works,' Roy dryly sent.

'There's no fun in that, bastard. So can we go now?' Ed sent, unable to keep the excitement out of his mental voice.

Roy mentally sighed. His Lifemate was a spirited one. 'Very well, csitri. Come over to the ledge.'

Ed obeyed. Once he saw the drop however, doubt began to invade his mind. Man that was a BIG drop. It didn't look so big before. Duhh, a part of him said. He really needed to get rid of voice.

Roy, sensing his Lifemate's fear, stood protectively close. 'If it scares you that badly I can control your movements until we're in the air.'

Ed's eyes narrowed. No! He wasn't some helpless kid who needed help. He could do this himself. Before he could think about it, he threw himself over the ledge.

The world seemed to blur, colors mixing as he fell. The force of the wind kept his wings glued to his sides. Panic seized him. All he could do was look at the fast approaching ground.

'Spread your wings, csitri,' Roy whispered.

Ed's panic disappeared for a moment after hearing that voice, letting him push against the opposing wind and spread his wings. No longer falling, he glided smoothly in the air. Pleased with himself, he sent a smug retort to Roy.

'See. I didn't need your help. I did it myself.'

'Well done, csitri,' Roy sent, refusing to tell his Lifemate that he was the one to stop Ed's fall. If his Lifemate was happy, then so was he. Having jumped a few seconds after Ed but with a more graceful descent, he hung above his Lifemate as a safeguard. He scanned the surrounding area, but no threats arose. It was safe for Ed to be out. Even so he stayed close to Ed, always searching.

Ed was having a ball. This was AWESOME! He'd never felt anything like this. The wind was all around him, dancing. He was dancing too, all over the sky. He was well aware of Roy close to him, but was too elated with flying to care. He had so much energy, he just wanted to play. Mentally grinning mischievously, he suddenly plummeted downwards, leaving Roy behind. He heard Roy's squawk of indignation, and laughed. A strange cackling noise erupted from his beak as he did so. He swerved this way and that, twirled in the air, doing all sorts of tricks. He felt Roy trying to keep up every time, and laughed again.

Roy was searching intently when his Lifemate suddenly plummeted. Squawking in shock, he flew after him. But Ed was having none of that. He was everywhere in the sky. Twisting, turning, doing all sorts of things. Roy let him get away with it for a while, lagging behind, but when he saw an opening he took it. Putting on a burst of speed, he flew past Ed and halted right in front of him. In shock, Ed almost smacked into him, but managed to stop in time. He tried to move past him, but Roy blocked him every time. Fed up, he tried to go straight through him. . . .needless to say it didn't work.

Roy pushed him along then, forcing Ed to follow his movements, fussing the whole time. He wanted to play! Getting an idea in his head, he played along.

Roy was dominatingly close now, giving Ed no chance to escape his protection again. There could be enemies nearby. His rational side knew that wasn't true, but his protective side wanted to be sure.

Ed waited until Roy's attention was away from him, then put his plan into action. He looked high into the sky and gasped sharply in his mind. Roy's focus was instantly directed upwards as he looked for the threat. While he was occupied, Ed pulled in his wings and fell towards the ground in a controlled dive. Ha! The Carpathian had fallen for the oldest trick in the book. He dodged the incoming trees nimbly and he used his now spread wings to land.

However, having never done this before, he landed in unceremonious heap, but pleased none the less. He was in a really good mood now. Right. Now he needed to change back. Roy said that he would hold the image if Ed could picture it. So that meant if Ed didn't picture it, he couldn't hold it.

Ed felt the familiar tingling sensation as he released the image of the eagle from his mind, his body changing. His eyes shut from the change, opened. He was sitting on the ground, hands splayed between his legs, legs straight out. He glanced up a bit and saw boots. Gulping, he tilted his head as far as it would go, and grinned sheepishly, an irate Roy glaring down at him.

Scrambling to his feet, he refused to back down as Roy stalked closer.

"That was dangerous, csitri," he said scoldingly, eyes boring into Ed's.

"I knew what I was doing," Ed replied defiantly.

"No you did not," Roy said sharply. To hell with niceties. His Lifemate could've gotten seriously hurt. "You had no idea what you were doing. It is not smart to mess with me, csitri. I am no mortal man."

"I'm aware you're not human, but I'm not scared of the likes of you," he thrust his chin up challengingly, his eyes raking over Roy's powerful body of their own accord. He was well aware that Roy was no mortal. No man could ever have a body like that. Those rippling corded muscles were the stuff of dreams. His lean and powerful hips promised long hours of satisfaction to anyone lucky enough to be the focus of them. His breathing sped up as he raked his eyes over Roy's body.

He came back to himself as he heard a primitive growl. Startled he looked at Roy's face. Obsidian eyes stared at him intently, heat encased in their depths.

Roy glanced at his Lifemate. He could hear every thought that went through his mind. Every scorching, tempting thought. Lust seized him in its grasp, refusing to let go, driving away the anger. He held Ed's gaze, letting Ed see what he did to him. His Lifemate was not scared? He had every reason to be scared. He was a demon. A beast. Unworthy of such innocence that Ed had. He would show Ed that he was not someone you made a fool of.

He stalked him, an unstoppable predator on the hunt. He held his face close to Ed's, a breath apart, letting his Lifemate feel the heat of his body.

"Oh what you do to me, csitri. How you tempt me," he whispered. He brought his hand up and caressed Ed's face gently. Ed looked at him for a moment, before sighing and leaning into the touch.

"I know you have been hurt, Ed. But I am not like the rest. You are my life. Without you, there is only darkness. I would rather perish than live without you," Roy confessed, stark truth in his every word.

Ed listened to Roy talking. He had been hurt badly. It was hard to trust. He'd been alone for so long, an outcast from the rest of the world. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that Roy was speaking from experience. He too was an outcast. Feared for his power. He'd gotten that much when some of Roy's memories had transferred to him. His heart swelled as he realized something. He could trust this man. No, not man. Carpathian. His . . . Lifemate. He felt warmth surround him as he said it. It felt right.

"You hardly even know me," he objected. He needed to stay in control, needed to keep a clear head around Roy. The man was lethal. One touch and he was putty in Roy's hands.

"Yet I feel as though I have known you forever. Do you not feel it?" Roy carefully asked.

Ed knew lying was useless. The Carpathian could just read his mind. "No, I do feel it," he whispered, looking away. He'd never felt this before. He didn't really know what to do, how to proceed.

Roy slid his hand down to Ed's chin and gently lifted it. Ed reluctantly met Roy's eyes.

"You do not need to fear, csitri," Roy coaxed. "You are not alone in this. I have never experienced this before. Having a Lifemate is new to me. I know I am very dominating, but it is in my nature to conquer, and I am not one to change. But for you, I will try." Roy's eyes held love and affection as they looked into Ed's vulnerable ones.

Holding Ed's gaze he slowly lowered his mouth to his, giving Ed plenty of time to pull away.

Ed looked at Roy and felt a strange feeling in his chest. If he didn't know any better, he'd call it affection. He barely knew the man, but Roy was right. It felt much, much longer. He kept Roy's gaze as the man lowered his head. He wasn't going to pull away. He couldn't. He'd been alone for so long, he longed for companionship. For someone to love him for who he was, who he really was. Not the person he pretended to be. He wasn't normal, he knew that, Roy knew that, and that was what made him happy. Roy knew, and he wasn't rejecting him. But then again, Roy wasn't normal either.

All thoughts ceased as Roy's warm mouth covered his own.

It was more exquisite than their last kiss. More passionate. This time, there was love involved, not just lust. The Earth rocked beneath their feet, fire spreading through their veins. Roy thread his hand through his Lifemate's silky hair, the long strands teasing his fingers. His other hand was around Ed's waist, pulling the boy taut against his body. There was no resistance this time when Roy swept his tongue across soft lips. They opened instantly for his exploration, and explore he did.

He swallowed the boy's soft sounds, sounds that tore right through him. He needed more. Releasing Ed's mouth, he rained kisses down Ed's smooth jaw line to his neck. He discovered on his way that the spot just behind Ed's ear earned him enthused reactions, and spent several moments ringing out little cries from his Lifemate. He growled in male satisfaction, nibbling gently on the pulse-point he found further down, not breaking skin. He wanted to feed from his Lifemate but now wasn't the time. He made his way down Ed's neck, kissing and nibbling the skin he found there, rejoicing in the reactions he got. He slid his lips lower, and found that Ed's collarbone was a good place to stay for a while. The sounds he made when he nibbled just so, were intoxicating. They were breathless and needy, wanting more. To Roy there was nothing better in the world than to please his Lifemate.

An inferno was inside him, originating from Roy's touch. He couldn't stop the groan that escaped him when Roy found that spot behind his ear, nor could he stop his cries when Roy found his rapid pulse and teased it. His cries turned to needy moans when Roy struck gold with his collarbone. He hadn't thought he was so sensitive, but everyone of Roy's touches set his nerves alight with need. If he was already so responsive to Roy's touch, just what would he be like when-

He groaned aloud at the thought, anticipation coursing through him-

But wait. He didn't want to do anything here. Not like this. He wasn't easy. He wanted Roy to work for it. As if agreeing, his jaguar came forth, and gave him some of its primitive knowledge about mating. Gaining energy from it, he broke away from Roy, panting heavily, chest heaving. He held up a hand, ignored Roy's lust-filled look and focused on changing into his other form.

When it was complete, he glanced at Roy through a jaguar's eyes. He turned away from Roy, not before giving him a look that said 'I know I'm worth it, come and claim me if you can.' He bounded off into the forest without looking back.

Roy was just about to take things further when his source of warmth disappeared. Opening his eyes quickly he saw Ed standing there, gasping, cheeks flushed, eyes glazed. His gaze slid to Ed's lips, satisfyingly seeing them swollen from their kissing. He moved to carry on where they left off when Ed held up a hand. Confused, he obeyed and waited.

He was surprised when Ed closed his eyes and shifted into his jaguar form. He wasn't all that surprised when Ed gave him a 'come-hither' look with his head, and ran. Yes his Lifemate was worth the chase. Smirking in the true way of the predator, he swiftly changed to a huge, sleek jaguar, and silently made chase.

It was on.

This time it was all or nothing.

The other half with the sex scene will be posted here in a few days. Hope you're not too bored of the story line so far.

Sinful ;)