1Dripping Wings
Down to the earth, I fell
With dripping wings, heavy things won't fly.
And the sky might catch on fire, and burn the axis of the world
That's why I prefer a sunny sky,
To the glittering and stinging in my eyes.
"Daemon, what's a blood bond?"
The dragon stood back as he looked at the chair in front of him, deciding he didn't like the placement. He pushed the wooden furniture a little to the left. "Blood bond? Oh, yes, that's a form of blood magick. Dangerous stuff." He stood back again, tapping a forefinger over his lips. No, he didn't seem to like that placement either. He shoved the chair a little further back. "Blood bonds are formed when two parties spill blood from their arms, legs, or neck. Contact must be made between the two, with a certain incantation to form the bond. It's tricky, and should never be performed by anyone other than a Master or Adept level magi."
"Why's that," Yuugi asked.
The dragon decided the chair was finally positioned properly, and started moving around a second. "Because of what can go wrong. If the bond is formed incorrectly, it can go too deep. For instance, if one person get's a cut on their hand, the other will start to bleed. If one gets sick, the other will start vomiting or sneezing. This would be fine, except for the fact that blood bonds cannot be reversed. Blood magick, for the most part, is classified under curses because of this, and for the most part has been banned in this country except by written royal permission. Any who are caught doing blood magick are severely punished, even put into exile." He pushed the second chair around again, scowling as he couldn't get the placement right. "Then there's the other kind of blood bond..."
Yuugi's heart sank. "Which is?"
"It's a one sided bond. Sick, dangerous, and painful. In a one sided bond, the one to have spilled blood is put at the mercy of the one who hadn't. Their body is subject to whatever the dominant member of the bond wants them to do. You see, magick flows in channels, much like a river. In a mutual blood bond, the channels of magick have been equally opened up between the two, giving equal control. But in a one sided bond, the channel of magick only flows into the one who bled, therefore opening up their body to any magick the dominant party might allow to flow down that opened channel."
Yuugi's knees felt weak. "What happens if, say, the dominant is unable to properly control their magick? What would happen then?"
Daemon pushed the second chair one last time to the left, finally deciding that was a good place for it. "That's also dangerous and fool hardy. If the one who can't control their magick experiences intense emotions, such as anger, fear, depression, or acute frustration, they could lash out with their magick and not even realize it. And since that bond has been opened, that channel is clear, the magick will take the easiest path, and all of that misplaced energy will be sent to the recessive member in the bond. If the person is angry enough, they could even cripple the one to have bled."
Suddenly, Yuugi felt sick to his stomach. He felt like he wouldn't be able to stand much longer. How could Atemu have not told him? How could he have so much faith in a novice? After all, he'd been burning up the practice room all morning, what could have happened if he really did lose control? "Daemon....I-I don't feel very well." His back hit the wall behind him hard as he sought for the ability to remain standing.
The dragon looked at him in concern. "You don't?" His intense red eyes studied Yuugi scrupulously. "I smelled it on you when you first walked into the main hall."
Of course, dragons would have an acute sense of smell, wouldn't they? Surely he'd have smelled the blood that had been freshly spilt that morning. Yuugi suddenly felt hurt. Why didn't he tell me? Why? "He was the only one to bleed this morning," he whispered.
"He....what??" The two chairs the dragon had spent so much time placing for Yuugi to practice magick on suddenly exploded into a thousand tiny shards.
Yuugi winced.
"Sire, perhaps it is a good idea you take a rest for the remainder of the day. You've been working hard, and the overload of shadow powers have made you slightly dizzy. It's normal. I suggest you head down to the kitchens and request a whole apple and some caramel dip. It will help with your energy."
The teen nodded, pushing against the wall to stand on his own. "Perhaps you're right."
"And don't forget that paring knife now, all right?"
Yuugi looked up, nodding. Yes, a paring knife should do it....
"I don't want to see you until you've rested."
"You won't. I promise."
xxx
Atemu opened up his bedroom door, walking in and sighing in relief. It had been, sadly, an exceedingly long day, and he was glad that it was over. He wasn't surprised to find it dark in the bedroom. He was expecting Yuugi to be asleep by now. However, he was surprised to see a dark mass sitting up on the bed, now just a mere shadow in the moonlight slipping in from the balcony door. "Yuugi," he asked. "I thought you'd be asleep by now." He closed the door and proceeded over towards a dresser, taking off the gold arm cuffs on his forearms.
"I couldn't sleep."
He stopped short, noticing how distant his voice sounded. The gold jewelry clanked lightly as it hit the marble surface. "Why not?"
"I know."
Chink! Rings hit the marble dresser top unceremoniously. Chink, chink! Yuugi's voice sounded hurt. Betrayed, almost. He turned around slowly. "What do you mean?"
"Bring some light in here."
Atemu clapped his hands, and a few candles lit up around them. "Yuugi," he asked softly again. He didn't get a response; just a pat on the bed motioning for him to sit. This was going far enough. He needed Yuugi to speak to him about what was wrong. He walked over to the bed, sat down, and kicked off his sandals. "Yuugi, what's going on?"
Deep purple eyes looked up at him, the face almost cute in its anger.
Almost.
"I know about the blood bond. The curse."
"........oh."
Yuugi nearly snarled. "Oh? Why didn't you tell me? Atemu, I don't want to have that kind of a relationship! I blew up a sofa and two desks today! What would have happened had that power went to you instead?? What if my frustration from earlier caused you physical harm?"
The Prince ran a hand through the teen's soft hair. "You didn't. I have more faith in you, Yuugi. Your control is much greater than you realize. I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to worry."
Atemu was shocked when Yuugi pulled away from his touch. "I'm not a child, Atemu! There's no reason you need to shelter me from knowledge! Pain and those who wish to do harm, yes, but not knowledge! Don't keep me naive and in the dark, Atemu! Gods above, don't ever think there's a fact or idea I won't be able to handle! I can make an informed, sound decision on my own! I would never had told you to do this to yourself!"
"Yuugi, it's all right! I'm not worried-"
"Well I am!"
The Prince watched as his younger lover brought up his right hand, a paring knife in his grip, and sliced through his arm before he could be told otherwise.
"Yuugi!" He looked at the thick blood trickling down pale flesh. The teen hadn't even winced.
"This isn't my first wound, lover." Amethyst eyes bored into his, a power he had never seen before flaring to life. "I have never talked to you before like you were royalty, or above me, nor have you treated me like the poor child I was born as. Make us equal again, Atemu, or I'll do it for us. I know the incantation, but only the goddesses know how my limited tutelage will screw it up beyond repair."
The key to the library. I gave that to him this morning, hadn't I? Every fact and fantasy ever concocted in this world rests in that massive room. He found the curse all on his own...
The eyes that looked back at him reflected the red in his blood. Atemu simply nodded at him, using a hand to cover the fresh wound, and the other to hold the back of the arm. He repeated the same incantation from before, and like before Yuugi felt the foreign energy buzzing around within him.
It was different this time, however. This time it hurt. Now, it felt like small wires as thin as gossamer were pulled painfully from his very marrow, rushing in a wave of erratic energy towards the hand on his cut wrist. His body started to shake, his breath all but leaving him. The pain caused a thread of panic to rise in his throat, anxiety now starting to weave a deadly hand around his throat.
He felt his wound stretched shut and healed, and knew the spell was over. Immediately he sucked in a breath, then two, then with his next released a choked cry, falling into the Prince's warm embrace. His body hurt, and he felt nearly as weak as the first time he'd awakened with his new wings.
"I am so sorry, darling. I didn't want you to have to go through that...." Those lithe arms held him firmly and lovingly.
Yuugi gave a weak chuckle, his lungs now back under his control. "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?"
Atemu laid him back down on the bed, still tangling his fingers into those ebony locks. "I love you," he stated. "I...I hadn't realized I was sheltering you like that. My first instinct is to bring you as little strife as possible. I never gave it any other thought except that I was trying to make you as happy as I could. Ignorance is bliss, as they say. I'm sorry."
"In reality, Atemu, I have been exposed to more life than even you have. I have also learned that what you don't know could kill you." His head leaned into the soft touches, his consciousness slipping from him. But there was something he had to say, and something he had to get across. "And I love you, too. And we are equals, in every way?"
"In every way."
"No more secrets, no matter how small, Atemu. T-there is nothing either of us should be hiding from the other."
The Prince climbed into bed as well, pulling up the covers. He wrapped the teen up in a protective embrace, frowning as that slender body shivered with the chills. "No secrets, love. Forgive me." A kiss to a pale temple. "Please forgive me."
"Hn, silly. I...." Yuugi yawned. "I couldn't stay angry at you." He looked up at that handsome face filled with sorrow. "Not when you look so pathetic, at any rate." He smiled, placing a shaky hand on the Prince's face. His comment earned him a much needed chuckle.
Atemu pressed his lips against Yuugi's softly, once again loving the taste. Yuugi, sadly, was too tired to respond, and his eyes were starting to droop. The smooth, warm lips against his left, allowing the Prince to whisper in his ear. "Good night, darling."
"Darling," Yuugi whispered, snuggling in place. "Hmm....that's a pet name I'd have never thought to use...." His eyes closed completely. "Love you....darling...." his breathing evened out, and the Prince knew then that he was asleep. He held him even closer.
"I'll never let you out of my life," Atemu whispered to him quietly. "You're more precious to me than anything. I will do everything in my power to keep harm from coming to you, and I know now that you are doing everything in your power to do likewise for me." He kissed Yuugi's forehead. "I don't fear the shadows anymore. I'm no longer afraid of my own Gift, because of you...." Before he could ramble on anymore to himself, he too had fallen fast asleep.
xxx
The air around him seemed unusually warm, and there was an inexplicable softness brushing against his skin so delicate it put the fluff of clouds to shame.
Atemu opened his eyes, a yawn slipping past his lips. He noticed that both him and Yuugi were sleeping on their sides, Yuugi's face hidden in the Prince's chest. It seemed that, during the night, Yuugi extended one of his wings over the two of them without realizing it. It must had been there for a while, for the feathers had done an incredible job at keeping in their body heat. It was no wonder it had grown so warm.
Atemu smiled softly, pressing his hand flat on Yuugi's back. He could certainly get used to waking up like that every morning. The skin under his callused palm was smooth and nearly as soft as the teen's wings. He allowed his hand to glide for the moment, content as Yuugi slept away in his embrace.
Something under his hand caught his attention. There was a very thin line that seemed to trail around Yuugi's slender back, running along the spine for a time and then zig-zagging back across it.
It was a scar. And, from the feel of it, a long, old, and very painful scar.
The Prince frowned. He knew Yuugi had been right the night before. It hadn't been his first wound. But hearing and actually finding physical proof were too very different things.
It wasn't right for him to have gone through such things. It wasn't right at all. Why had Yuugi's parent's fled to such a world? Who were they? Where did they come from? Atemu wondered if they'd ever find all of the answers to their questions.
What was another thing too. Atemu knew that Yuugi needed him, but how was another. The Prince didn't know if he knew how to love and protect without shelter. How else was he to protect Yuugi from harm? And he wasn't sure how to ask without sounding contrite about the matter.
Life was all about learning, and the Prince was learning how to hold love just as his mother had taught him to do all those years ago.
He had been so confused when she told him what love really was. He remembered the time all too well.
A young boy was sitting alone in plant filled garden, the blossoms dying with the fall leaves. A chill breeze swept past, promising snow on the horizon.
He let another tear drop fall, angered at himself for his carelessness. How could he have let such a thing happen?
"Sweetheart, you know crying about your problems doesn't make them go away."
Wet ruby eyes glanced up at the woman now standing next to him, lowering his head sadly as she sat down beside him. "I don't get it, mama! I did my best to take care of him! I fed him everyday, and played with him, and put him away at night with lots of things to chew on and keep himself busy! Why did he have to fly away?"
The Queen brushed a rogue lock of royal purple hair dusted in silver behind an ear. "Atemu, you loved your bird just as any person loves another. I know you doted on him, and took very good care of him, but love, I want you to think about the first thing he saw when he woke up in the morning."
"He saw my room," the young boy sobbed, hiding his head in his arms.
"He saw the bars of his cage, sweetheart."
"So?"
The Queen lifted up her son's chin, looking him in the eye. "Then you don't quite understand love yet, me dear."
"Mama, what is love then?"
She smiled at him softly, her silver eyes glimmering. "Love is a handful of sand."
"Mama, what are you talking about?"
The woman looked at a potted plant next to the two of them, glad that it was a desert plant and drew a fist full of the pale gold dust, gently placing it in her son's tiny palm. "Love is like a handful of sand. When you hold it gently and openly in your hand, it will always stay there. But the more you squeeze it," here, she pressed his hand closed, allowing the sand to fall to the ground, "the more it slips past your fingers."
Atemu understood now what she had told him. The bird he had so loved as a boy was confined in a cage, and he held on to it too tightly. It wanted to migrate like the rest of its kind with the coming winter, and at the first chance it got it flew away.
He couldn't hold Yuugi to him too tightly, either. He couldn't keep his new lover locked up in the safe confines of the palace walls. He would want out eventually. He would want to see what the rest of the world looked like, even though his love for Atemu remained strong and true.
He would do his best to not hold his lover back. If you love something, set if free. If it comes back to you, it's yours forever. If not, it was never yours to begin with.
The feathers over his body ruffled a little, the muscles in the wings starting to stretch as the owner basked in a yawn. Yuugi's eyes blinked open, and he moved his head up to stare sleepily at the Prince's smiling face. Yuugi smiled back, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Good morning, aybu."
The younger of the two blinked at him curiously. "Aybu?" he asked.
"Partner, or companion." He furrowed his brow. "Do you mind?"
"Oh, no, of course not!" He smiled brightly, giving Atemu a tight embrace. "Good morning, darling." The body against his chuckled affectionately.
"Have breakfast with me?"
"I'd love to."
The two of them sat up, relishing in a lingering good morning kiss. The Prince pulled away, brushing blonde bangs away from a flushed visage. "Love, I wanted to apologize again for what I did yesterday. I did not mean to keep you in the dark. The last thing I want to do is have you locked up and away from everything, even knowledge. Especially knowledge. I hadn't even realized."
Yuugi laughed softly, pulling lithe arms around his waist. "I already told you, it's all right. I know you didn't mean to. And really, you're the first to have ever taken on a burden so large for my sake. Just....promise me something, Atemu."
"Anything."
Yuugi's eyes got that lazy, half-lidded gaze, brushing his lips across the Prince's lips, his cheek, and his jaw line. "Make love to me tonight," he asked, his sound more akin to a plead.
His body motion was saying everything he needed it to. I need you so much now...
Atemu kissed him deeply, pulling Yuugi's body flush with his own. "I'd love to," he whispered as they broke apart. "I'd love to."