Interlude 1
The First Summer Night
Artemis looked up at the horizon. A passionate red washed over the sky, transforming it from an ocean to a blazing fire of emotion. Purple littered the opposite end of the world as it grew too far away from its light source. Stars were beginning to scatter upon the luminous background above. The heavens were cloudless and clear, stretching above him to new heights and showing him the ever beautiful cosmos.
Jasmine bloomed around them, letting of the sweet, floral smell that wafted around their bare bodies. Wishes whispered above them, floating from the patch of dandelion clocks that were located near the edge of the forest.
The castle was illuminated by the waning gibbous moon. The stones were lined by its reflected light, making them glow with its presence. The water, lapping at the shore, shone silver as the luminous glow hit it. It continued its flowing movements, even under the intense glare of the vanishing blue moon¹.
The grass below them was soft, welcoming them with a warmth that was rare in this world outside of each others arms. The air was still warm, seeming to stick to their sweaty skin where they lay. Not a single leaf ruffled or swayed or even attempted to disturb the perfection of the silence.
They had both quietened their breathing to small murmurs of breath and had stilled their movements to none that made any noise whatsoever.
Artemis felt a soft hand glide along his arms, he let out an involuntary sign and curved his neck to lay a gentle peck on a smooth cheek. He lay half across his lover, his legs strewn out at an angle off to the side. His blond hair was plastered to his head, streaking across his forehead. Crystals of the salty water dribbled along his skin and dripped onto the grass or the equally damp skin below him. It left a soft trail over his skin, a source of amusement to the man beneath him as he began to run his nimble fingertips over the lines.
"I'm glad you decided to come tonight." Jacob murmured from beneath him finishing his sentence with a contented sound that glided down Artemis' spine, making him shiver and curve his lips to a smile. He pressed their lips together in a chaste kiss before glancing at the castle…
…and freezing.
Lights were snapping on in all places then snuffed back out so that darkness prevailed. A few seconds later, the next room sparked to life before the same result was found.
"Jacob, I must leave. Now! The castle is awake. My father has found me missing!"
"Try come back tomorrow, okay?"
"I'll do my best. Have a good watch and get some sleep when your shift ends."
"I know, I know, now get going. I don't want to risk not seeing you again."
"I'll try sneak away tomorrow."
"You said, now go! The patrols are bound to have noticed something."
Artemis smiled as he jumped up. It took him less than five minutes to dress himself. The feeling of liquid seeping through the thin cotton of his shirt was not the nicest of sensations but was luckily hidden by the thicker woollen material of his robes. He set out for the castle.
Artemis stopped suddenly, hearing the floorboard behind him creak rapidly as fast steps rushed towards him.
"Where have you been, boy!?"
"Am I not permitted to take a wander in my own gardens now?"
"If you sneak off again, I shall not let it slip by unnoticed!"
Artemis' father turned and strode back down the dark hall, tucking his partially drawn wand back into the confines of his royal robes.
Artemis heaved a sigh. He had gotten away lightly, his father must be needed elsewhere. However, he still needed to slip past his uncle, who doubtlessly would know he had been found by now.
His room loomed closer in the darkened hallway and he begged that when he opened the oak door, the chamber would be free from other humanoid life.
The room was, thankfully, dark and empty. He glanced once more back into the black hall before shutting the door softly behind him, making barely a noise.
He then slumped down onto the grand bed that filled most of his living space. The red, silk sheets had never been soiled. The bounce of the mattress had never used for purposes other than the bounce before sleep.
Artemis sighed, again, and rolled over, snatching his pillow to fold it into his arms. The silk material felt nothing like Jacob's faded and rough clothing or the smooth, sweetness of his bare skin. It was just a pillow, a creation of man to bring comfort, although not the sort of comfort he was searching and wishing for with all his heart right now.
'Do you also often dream of my presence by your side as you sleep? Am I alone in my wish to be with you always and forever? Is your love for me a mere figment of my weeping imagination? Is it only my eyes that shed tears when we are separate? How honest is the heart with emotion to even its owner? Will we be punished by an unknown God for these sins, for I am sure that is what they are? When will we finally be together, always and forever?'
'Forever is such a long time. Some people cope so well. How long is forever? Is there a definite always? I shall dream of you tonight, my love, and ponder upon my desire of forever. Always trying to hide what I wish for has become tiresome. Forever is the time I shall have to wait for my father to accept me. But I shall still love you, always and forever.'
R&R, please. Oh and I've updated my profile so go check it out, especially Heartfelt death 'cos it has a little info about my books, so yeah, anyway, gogogo…
To all the reviews from the last chapter and the one before:
Ch 2
Priestess Catatonia: Thank you for reading and I hope you like where it goes.
Imarriedmalfoy: don't worry, more past lives are coming, I've already written one but thought maybe going into more detail with this main one first which, by the way, and I'm glad that my first ever malexmale interaction worked out alright. Come back soon, you're great.
Mistress of the flames: Here is your update, hopefully not too late. Come back and review again please.
Iridescentcloud: Here is some more for you, thanks for the review, until next time.
Heartfelt death: Will do, I look forward to having you as my first 'fan', right? Lol. Anyway, thanks for the amazazing, I think it's a funky word even if it was only a typo.
Cherishmoiraparamour: thanks, glad to bring a little more laughter into the world. Review this one will you, and also I have a question, what does your name mean? Bibi
Ch 3
Mistress of the flame: thanks for coming back again, do repeat that, lol, glad you like it.
Heartfelt death: I know, poor harry-kins right, but he will get the better side soon, and on the up side, last chapter he did get Malfoy staring at his butt right, I mean who wouldn't want that…
Iridescentcloud: I'm glad you're liking it. I know this isn't exactly as now as you would have hoped but hey, here you are.
Right now that's done. Thanks for the patience. Remember to R&R. Bibi