'Little Light' was a pet name. Something of an affectionate title. One that would make any normal person squirm if in decent company. Yet when one of the Emperor's daughters used it in everyday conversation, and with such warmth that you could feel down to your soul? You take the name with gratitude.
It was with this attitude that Little Light, consort to Aurelia Lorgar, Primarch of the 17th Legion, strode upon the peaceful streets of Colchis. Citizens of the Imperium were content in their life on this planet, and the 'Little Light' was glad to be here. It was not too long ago that he first visited this planet and was drawn into the majesty. There was peace that so many other planets wanted, as well as the burgeoning growth and grace that others dreamed of. But more importantly was the dignity of the word bearers. The space marines of this world seemed zealous in their drive to bring all of their human charges to the grace that humanity deserved. In truth, it drove him a little on edge at times. But that was more than compensated by the love of his life Aurelia.
Once he set down on the planet on the imperial cruiser all those months ago, she had been at the head of the populace to welcome them all. He could still remember somehow being lucky enough to be on the same ship as the Emperor of mankind, albeit a minor crew member of a glorious vessel. And somehow got the attention of Malcador the Sigillite. Little Light was nervous upon first meeting the ancient man, show somehow seemed far more ancient than his age appeared to be, but the Sigillite told him of how he had a far greater destiny on Colchis. One that even he could not fully glimpse.
Admittedly, the ancient aide to the Emperor of Mankind was right. Though he could not see how it was meant to be foretold, meeting Aurelia's gaze was as akin to destiny as anything else could be. Her hair swaying in the wind, golden script framing the most beautiful eyes. Their first meeting had him fall headfirst into the dirt of Colchis. The embarrassment of floundering in front of him had colored his face as red as the dirt he was one. Yet her presence came close and forced him to look up into a face of mirth and joy alike. "If only I showed my home as much love on first arrival as you. To kiss it upon first arrival from the ship! Your devotion is something to aspire for. Tell me, who are you?"
He remembered stuttering something, he thought it was his name? But her face creased into a brighter smile. "Beautiful, and full of joy that name. Such as the light from His grace today. My Little Light, if you will it. For it is only outshone by Him, but is no less a delight to look upon."
"Paler yet in comparison to you, Lady Aurelian," he finally got out in a coherent sentence. "Truly, you shine brighter than anything in existence."
Aurelia blinked at the praise, but smiled gently and helped him to his feet then. A small blush blossomed on her cheeks as she dusted him off lightly, her greater frame belying a gentle kindness. "Would you like to come pray with me today? I would be delighted at the opportunity."
"Absolutely," he answered. The rest, as he has heard the saying, was history.
The past few months saw growth rapidly climb across the planet. The recruitment was rapid and widespread for the Legion, as it seemed Aurelia gene seed was perfectly suited for the wider populace. It was not long before their nights together were common occurrences. Then frequent. And then almost every night. Their first kiss was the most beautiful thing he had experienced, and he could tell Aurelia felt the same. Her laugh was an addicting new source of joy in his life, one that he sought to constantly bring out.
A few dinners with her adoptive father Kor Phaeron had been tense. The man clearly thought to strengthen his ties to the Imperium with a native Colchisan as Aurelia's consort and did not approve of her Little Light coming from outside. Fierce as it was brief, the ensuing argument between daughter and father settled in Aurelia's favor. Her Little Light sought to bridge the peace as much as possible with attending sermons and aiding them in Aurelia's name. They were not his favorite way to spend with her, but he deeply admired the way she brought an audience into a story. Her love was infectious to her audiences, and was what brought them closer every day.
Admittedly, he did feel guilty for how he helped "broaden" her horizons. As any pair would eventually explore, their relationship evolved into something more. Finding the right way to be "together" led to many sorts of experiences. Some of which led to rather interesting discoveries.
Little Light did not think of himself as a degenerate. Aurelia Lorgar was far from one herself. Yet there was something to be said of the two when they got creative. He was just thankful that Aurelia always healed rather quickly.
Taking in a deep breathe, Little Light brought himself to the present and ascended the steps leading to Aurelia's temple and home. There was a congregation awaiting the next service as the stream of faithful was never lacking. Two guards at the doors greeted him with hands to chests, ceramite armor creating small thunderclaps with their enthusiasm. "Hail, Lord of the Light".
"Hail, Bearers of the Word," he greeted back. They kept the populace back due to their presence and opened the doors for him as he returned. As he crossed the threshold, he heard one of them speak low for him to hear alone. "There are emissaries for her eminence further in. They are with her now, but also wished to see you. She requested to know when you arrived".
The 'Lord of Light' nodded his thanks. He continued further inward as the grandiose doors closed with a rumble to shake his bones. The temple and home of Aurelia was splendor personified, but he paid it little mind as he sought out her and their guests. They were in the grand hall as he expected, near the pulpits where Aurelia made her speeches. It was with a shock he noticed the golden epaulets first of the eagles, then the perfectly made armor. The emissaries were the custodians of the Emperor.
As she noticed him, Aurelia's face turned from solemn patience to glee. Without her ornate power armor she stood in her ceremonial garb. Little Light noticed how well it suited her, as if a second skin. His thoughts strayed to how it looked off as well. Or how her skin glistened in the light of this chamber. He dismissed them quickly, focusing at the task at hand.
"Little Light!" she called out. Her voice echoed and wrapped him in joy like no other. Their love was shared and perfect. He would have brought her down for a kiss if not for the audience they held. In the situation, he deferred to her. He came to her with a bow. "My lady Aurelia, I apologize for any wait." He saw her nod and continue her soft smile. With a turn and practiced formality he greeted the custodians. "Greetings to you, honored Custodes. I count it a privilege that you seek me out in His name. How may I aid you?" He was grateful for Aurelia's tutelage in diplomacy. She had the foresight that such events as these would happen, and was thorough in her instructions.
Both guards stood stock still, statuesque in their manner. After his heartbeat hammered in his chest for what seemed a minute, one broke the silence and addressed him. "I am Ephoroi Talus," she said. Her voice was loud in the chamber, and he was unsure if it was due to her nature or the chamber. "And this is Guardian Ollan. We come from His retinue to seek the seventeenth and her consort."
"His name-" Aurelia started.
"Is unimportant," Guardian Ollan finished. His voice was that of a boulder carved from granite. Unyielding and final. Displeasure crossed Aurelia's features as she looked down at him, ever so slightly taller than her guests. Ollan brought out a small package from his waist and Aurelia's Little Light notice her tense slightly. Her features did not change but her stance shifted by millimeters forward. Both guards noted as well, as Ollan's hand did not drift as much as it blurred to his guardian spear's haft.
"Peace Ollan," Talus commanded. Movement ceased as both parties froze. "Peace, Aurelia Lorgar. Ollan forgets himself. We come from Him with this device for you and your consort."
Aurelia did not care for how they addressed him, but his hand drifted up and squeezed hers slightly. She looked at him as he shook his head. "Peace Aurelia." Mollified, the primarch nodded once and visibly calmed. In truth, Little Light could not fault Ollan's reaction. Any primarch that decided on violence was nothing to be trifled with, and sure death for anyone. Even one without power armor.
Ephoroi Talus reached up and removed her helm. The hiss of environmental seals filled the air as her hair fell free. Partially shaved on the sides with a longer mane collected at the back. Perfect would be how Little Light described her features. As if a hero from an old legend were described and carved out of a dream. "Excuse our abrupt audience, we have directives to return to immediately upon receiving your leave." Without any indication Ollan moved the package back to hand and held it in front of Little Light. Surprised, the mortal among giants accepted it as if it were a fragile relic.
"What is the purpose of the gift?" Aurelia asked. She was peaceful again, yet held no hesitation in how she bore herself.
"Per His request, this is a mind shielding device for your consort," Talus answered.
The pause in the air was pregnant with confusion between the primarch and her lover. "I beg your pardon?" Little Light asked.
"The emperor finds that your thoughts harbor sensitive information. A gifted psyker would be able to decipher them and gain valuable insight if given time and proximity," the senior custodian answered.
Little Light blinked in confusion as Aurelia coughed into her first. "Excuse me, but Little Light has not had any time to absorb critical elements of my Legion's operations. Could you enlighten us as to what you mean?"
Talus' expression did not change, but her tone was slightly guarded. "During your last visit with the Emperor, with your consort in tow, he glimpsed sensitive information of the two of you thanks to his proximity. Critically sensitive."
Aurelia's expression was blank, and her mortal love was lost in the conversation. "Beg your pardon Ephoroi, but I am unsure-"
"You are perverse," Olan cut in. Silence crept in. Little Light's shock came with realization, yet it seemed Aurelia beat him to it. Stark crimson flooded her face as she found it impossible to maintain eye contact with anyone in the group.
"Excuse me?" Little Light managed to stutter out.
Talus sighed and closed her eyes. "What Olan means is that you have shared intimate moments unnecessarily with the Emperor of his daughter. If your thoughts were verbal, he said you were verily 'shouting them out as if a man dying of thirst seeking water'."
Aurelia groaned loudly and screwed her eyes shut. Little Light, in contrast, bled of all color and could only verbalize a simple "Ah".
Ephoroi Talus nodded and turned away. Olan turned in step. Their task done, the custodians left without ceremony. Their armored boots clacked on the tiles of the temple until they were heard leaving through the doorways. Little Light stood stock still with his new effect in hand, staring at the ground. There was a soft beat next to him as Aurelia finally sat down next to him and buried her face in her hands. "Oh no," she groaned. "Oh no no no. I knew we should not have done anything here in the temple. Or on the roof. Or in the gardens." She looked at him then and her eyes wet with embarrassment. "What were you thinking? Literally?! How could you think of me like…like…that when meeting my father last time?"
"Oh. Well. Uhm. About the ship transport on the way to his ship. But to be fair you started that."
The blush on the primarch went deeper. "It was the only time we had together for a week afterwards! That was our only alone time."
"And the ropes Circe gave you," He said, and this time the image was so fresh it came to him again. It was still a mystery to him how she got ropes strong enough to restrain a primarch.
Aurelia moaned further. "Please stop talking," she bade him. He obliged. There was a knock on the chambers doors and the crimsoned helm of a space marine peered in.
"Honored Primarch, Lord of Light, is aught amiss? Shall we-"
The lovers spoke together at once. "PLEASE LEAVE US!"
Forced with such an answer, the door was closed promptly. Both of them looked at each other again. Little Light started to laugh, which forced Aurelia to look up at the dome of the chamber and chuckle slightly. He collapsed on the ground next to her, holding on, and laughed further. Tears started to flow from his mirth, and Aurelia shook her head. Rueful, but the shame seemed to be creeping away at least.
Seeing her like this, flushed and amused now, Little Light felt something. He leaned down and gently pushed Aurelia to the floor. She arched perfectly built eyebrows but allowed it, no doubt able to stop any attempt he made. But it was a game for them both as she always followed along. He leaned over her and took her in for a kiss. She accepted it and fed him with the scent of her. Her warmth filled him next, so he bit slightly on her lips. A gasp leaked out as he leaned further on top of her. His smile was the one he knew she liked most, the one that no one else had the privilege of. "Now?" she asked with a leer up at him. "Here?"
"Now," he confirmed, and leaned down for another kiss. He figured if he was going to be using that device from the Emperor himself, there were going to be various more reasons to validate it. These moments were for them and would remain that way.