|
"In My Lover's Arms "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, violence, slavery, language, war, torture, fear of the unknown, AU/Fantasy/Drama Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, other Summary: New part, new warnings, new dedications, new threats, new dangers. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ "In My Master's Arms", DO SO BEFORE READING THIS STORY! This one will not make much sense otherwise. Also, this one picks up pretty much exactly where its prequel leaves off, so I will NOT recap. I hate recap. Blegh.
"In My Lover's Arms " War In My Mind Beneath layers and layers of darkness, swirling black and shadow and rippling colors of night, Duo waited. In a place so deep within himself it was barely a place at all, he waited. He wasn't aware of things happening, not in the traditional sense. But he was aware that this darkness was enforced, not natural. He'd gone here himself, buried down beneath the part of him that could think and act. Past the conscious mind, past the subconscious mind, down into his unconscious mind. Salyn couldn't touch him there. Figure it out, Heero. You probably have the sheer strength to remove Salyn from my mind. That won't stop him. Figure out what it is I want you to do. I can't tell you, because if Salyn overheard he would simply leave me and inhabit another host. Don't remove the collar. Salyn has much more experience than you. I don't even want to imagine the things he could do with the power of a Black. Figure it out. o0o 0o0 A long time ago, Heero had asked his mother about magic. He'd known from the time he was four years old that his mother wasn't human, that she was a nymph princess from a faraway land, that he was the heir to her throne, that he himself was only half human. He'd also known she was shielding him from discovery, and he remembered wondering whether humans and nymphs had the same kind of magic. Or if, like the blood in their veins, it was different. Celae had smiled at his question, perhaps surprised and delighted at the child's inquisitive mind - he'd been only five. "It is different, sweetie," she'd confirmed. "It's difficult to define those differences, but I'll try. Magic is a constant source, flowing into us from an outside source. While magic itself is constant, the way it affects us is not. Humans have developed a way to tap into the flow. Nymphs simply open up and allow the flow to pour through them, shaping it as they see fit. It is a gentler, smoother way of using magic. You, my lamb, will be able to use magic in both ways. If there is a choice, go with your nymph heritage. It will serve you better." Now more than ever before, Heero was grateful for his mother's advice. He was able to reach out and brush over Salyn's mind without the slowly-waking sorcerer even really noticing. He gently probed deeper, following the mental 'trail' of Salyn's consciousness, down into where it separated from Duo. Down where Duo had fallen dormant, quiet in his own mind to protect it from Salyn. Heero formed the same shield his mother had always used on him, though far more powerful than she could ever create, and insinuated it between Duo and Salyn before the other sorcerer had fully come to his senses. That brought him awake. Salyn lurched upright, eyes going wide, gasping out several frantic breaths. "Wh-what did you do - ?" He broke off, grabbing his head in both hands with a groan. "Duo?" Heero asked, voice low and urgent. Duo's whole body jerked as though every muscle spasmed at the same moment. "I can hear you, Heero," he bit out between gritted teeth, "but so can he." Heero relaxed. He didn't care about that. It gave him perverse satisfaction to know Salyn could hear the planning of his own demise. "That's fine. I just wanted you two separate." "We are," Duo managed, jaw clenching. "What in Gridanja's name did you fucking do?" Salyn snarled, thrashing on the bed. "Stop it! Stop it!" Heero rolled his eyes at the peasant profanity. "Be silent, you pathetic little worm. Duo, tell me what I must do. You figured it out, right?" "You . . . have to make sure he . . . can't get into anyone else," Duo choked out, sounding like he was in pain. "Shut up!" Salyn snapped. "Do you . . . remember the mindbreaker?" Duo gasped. "Shut up!" "Of course," Heero said. "You have to . . . mindbreak us," Duo finished. Heero stared down at him, at them, shocked and wholly unsatisfied with that solution. "No," he said after a long moment. "Absolutely not. I couldn't do that to you." "It's risky," Carine piped up, "but it might actually work. Salyn would stop fighting as we found a vessel for his consciousness. I know what would be required, and Heero, you have the power to make one." "NO!" Salyn wailed, rolling off the bed and hitting the floor with a thump. Heero stopped him with a foot on his back. "I don't want to hurt you, Duo," he all but whispered. "Do it, Heero," Quatre threw in. "Believe in him. Believe in your love for each other." Falling silent, Heero took a slow, deep breath. He could remember the mindbreaker's power as if it had happened only moments ago. How something could make him feel so . . . wrong and right at the same time still amazed him. Though he didn't have even Duo's experience at creating spells, he delved deep into his own memories for what it had felt like. Looking for something he could recreate. It welled up in him all too easily, filling his mind with ugly shadow. He ruthlessly crushed the inclination to feel fear. I should be able to undo this. Duo won't be mindbroken for long, and at least it will be me doing it. No harm will come to him. He opened up the part of himself through which the magic flowed, a part of himself he barely knew. The power of Black flooded up into him instantly, seeming gleeful and ecstatic to be used. "Slow, Heero," Carine said, suddenly right beside him. "An even trickle. Direct the flow where you want it, not where it wants." Putting aside his dislike of the woman to make sure he didn't hurt Duo, Heero listened to her words carefully as he began. Salyn started screaming like someone being tortured, and then it was over. That easy. Like catching a butterfly in a net. Duo's body stilled, and indigo eyes looked up at Heero full of adoration and vacant love. "Master." o0o 0o0 "We'll be in the capital city in two days," Lord General Zechs Marquise said, tapping the appropriate area on the map. "Now that all our forces are present, we will take the city by force and demand the king's unconditional surrender. Once we've secured the capital, Wufei, you can contact our king and let him know. He will, of course, negotiate the actual surrender. This won't be like most cities we've taken so far. This will be an actual military strike with casualties. The Dobraian cowards will offer at least token resistance to the toppling of their king." Treize listened, feeling an overall sense of satisfaction. Taking Dobraia's capital would be the first step in the final campaign. The Black King would only have to offer some sort of demonstration of his power and the kingdom would bow to his rule. He sincerely hoped he would be able to witness that moment. Thanks to Duo, the seven divisions had joined ranks with the rest of the Imperial Army much quicker than if they'd simply traveled the whole distance on foot. It was probably too big a force, but it would make the capital's defeat all the more overwhelming. When Zechs dismissed his officers, Treize rose and quickly followed Wufei from the pavilion. Though Wufei exited with his usual brisk speed, he was waiting for Treize just outside. He smiled faintly when Treize fell in beside him. "Something on your mind?" he asked as he walked toward the soldiers' fire. Being out here, Treize thought, had its pros and cons. The biggest downside being he couldn't exactly be alone with Wufei. It made it difficult to find out what was on the younger man's mind, to discuss personal things with him. Such as whether or not he was willing to let Treize seduce him. There were times when he could almost wish Wufei was a woman. He wouldn't have to wonder how to go about making the other his. But then he would see those black eyes darkening in a hint of challenge, see the proud tilt of that chin, follow the sharp lines of his slender body and think to himself, No. I'm perfectly glad of his maleness. "Have you given my offer any thought?" he asked, grateful for the noise of the huge camp. Wufei didn't stop walking as he gave Treize a sideways smile. "I have given it as much consideration as it was due," he replied. Mysterious to the point of aggravting, this man. Just one more reason Treize was so drawn to him. "And did your consideration lead you to any conclusion?" Now Wufei did stop, turning to face Treize directly. His smile had gotten smaller, but it had also grown . . . darker. More enticing, somehow. "Yes. And while we're discussing conclusions, have you reached one of your own?" Treize smiled now, leaning down to put his face close to Wufei's. "Yes. You are most certainly not a woman, and I am quite deliriously happy about that. Though, it had never crossed my mind. There is nothing even slight effeminate about you, Wufei. You are quite magnificently male." Wufei snorted softly. "Flattery won't get me any closer to your bed, Treize. You may have made peace with my sex, but I have yet to do the same with yours. I have never even thought to be with a man before, so the idea is taking some . . . adjusting to. Though -" he took a step closer, "I am growing accustomed to it quite rapidly." He leaned up and pressed his lips to Treize's. It was little more than a peck, but it made Treize's heart skip a beat and his skin feel flushed. Then Wufei pulled back, his ebony eyes glittering in the dull light from the fire. "Wufei," a new voice disturbed the moment building between them. Treize couldn't feel disappointment since it was the attractive Lord General. He smiled down at Wufei. "I will accept your explanation," he said softly, "and I will wait until you feel comfortable. I've waited this long, haven't I?" Wufei made a soft, amused sound and stepped around him, disappearing back into the pavilion with Zechs. Yes, he could be patient awhile longer. He hadn't made it to where he was now by being hasty. o0o 0o0 Zechs motioned Wufei to sit. Trowa was there, too, but no one else. "I have a task for one or both of you," Zechs began, "since our king has given you a great protection against magic." Interest piqued, Wufei sat beside his friend to face the general. "Whatever we can do." Zechs drummed his fingers against his leg. "It's common knowledge now that our king is a sorcerer," he said, "and therefore is being hunted by the Tower. We have already freed two sorcerers. He has become a threat they can't ignore, nor can they take their time. I am quite certain there will be sorcerers in the capital, and we need a plan dealing with them. I don't want to risk casualties because we rushed into something unprepared." Wufei didn't try to hide his smile. This man was really a brilliant military leader. It was no wonder he'd become the Lord General of the Black King at such a young age. He wasn't even thirty yet. "Perhaps," he offered after a moment, "we ought to consult our resident sorcerers on the matter. Duo expressed a desire to train a select group to deal with sorcerers. Shall we place our march into Dobraia on hold?" Pursing his lips, Zechs regarded him without speaking, then stirred. "Yes, we can press westward instead of northward for the time being. The more of Dobraia we secure, the faster the capital will fall. I also highly doubt the Tower would send sorcerers to all of Dobraia to stop a military march. There are far more of us than them, and their goal will not be Dobraia's protection." Trowa nodded now. "Yes, merely stopping Heero. I agree. We could also secure Penniar under Corai's military rule." Zechs nodded. "Yes. I would like one of you to travel to the capital and try to ascertain the number of sorcerers there waiting for us. Stealth, of course, will be paramount." Trowa rose. "I'll depart at once. I can keep in contact with Wufei at a great distance, so I will apprise you of the situation as soon as I have something of importance to report." "Thank you," Zechs said, inclining his head. Wufei took that as a dismissal, and the two advisors rose and left. Trowa steered Wufei away from the large pavilion and toward the tents where there still was little activity. A hint of a smile chased over his lips. "Have I read Treize correctly," he said, "and he has expressed a romantic interest in you?" Wufei smiled. "You read him correctly." "And?" Trowa pressed. Of all the people Wufei knew, Trowa was probably his closest friend. And his lover was a man, after all. Perhaps he could shed a little light on the subject. "I have expressed a tentative interest in return, but . . . unlike you, I've never considered being with a man." Trowa nodded, looking thoughtful. "Treize is a fine man, and if it's what you want I'm certain the two of you will find a way to connect." Pleased to have his friend's support, Wufei helped Trowa
get ready for departure and watched him go. No one was better suited
to a stealth mission than Trowa. The man knew how to disappear in
an empty room.
tbc |
