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"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 "
Zechs idly drummed his fingers on the desktop, mind wandering. Or, more appropriately, spinning. Something in the back of his mind would not quiet. The more he focused on it the louder it became until it was screaming at him. Danger. DANGER. Heero and Duo were in danger here. Away from the powerful barrier in Cera, away from home and leagues closer to that nest of vipers in the north. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to go gather his ruler and future bride and send them back to Cera. Realistically, of course, impossible. Heero was a fierce, proud man afraid of nothing. He would probably face every sorcerer in the Tower and not so much as tremble. He was born to be a king, and he was a magnificent king. But he was young and terribly inexperienced when it came to magic. As was Duo. It worried Zechs tremendously. In battle, power didn't always ensure victory. It usually came down to experience. He started slightly when someone knocked lightly on the study door. "Come." A woman he'd never seen before glided in. She was tall, almost as tall as him, with a willowy body and rich dark brown hair that curled enticingly around her face. She was quite beautiful, and her black gown was slashed liberally with emerald green. She dropped into a graceful curtsy and lowered her head. "Lord General Marquise," she said in a smooth, rich voice, "my name is Maritias. I was the Green sorcerer of Cerval before Duo freed me earlier this very night. I apologize for bothering you; one of the footsoldiers told me I might find you here." Zechs rose and moved to her, holding out a hand. "It is no bother, my Lady. Please, sit. How may I serve you?" She took his hand and rose, sinking into the proferred chair. Zechs retook his seat at the desk. The lovely Green smoothed the front of her gown, looking quite troubled. "I don't know how to say this without seeming disrespectful," she said slowly, "other than to swear it is not my intent. Please send the Black King and Duo home." Zechs blinked. "May I inquire as to your . . . vehemence on the matter?" She rose and began to pace. "I don't know where to begin. They are both young, and it is safe to say they are the most powerful two beings in this world. But they are very inexperienced, both of them. They are in terrible danger here. The Tower wants them away from Cera. Away from that barrier they erected. Sorcerers are clever people, my Lord General. For example, I am far less powerful than Duo, yet I was able to deceive him into coming here." Zechs blinked in surprise, but he didn't address it. If Duo had freed her, he trusted her. Or at least didn't consider her a threat. "Please continue." "I believe they plan to have some ambush waiting for them at the capital," she went on. "It has spread all over the continent that Heero intends to conquer Dobraia first. The Tower intends to use that to their own advantage. There is nothing more important to them now than bringing these two Blacks under their control. They will be given to the cruelest masters the Tower can find, and there will be no one to free us then." The emotion in her eyes and in her voice startled and moved Zechs. She sounded like a woman desperately intent on protecting her own children. He found himself inexplicably drawn to her. "Your timing is somewhat remarkable," he admitted after a moment, "since I, too, have felt my king and his fiance are in grave danger." He allowed a wry smile. "I don't, however, know what to do about it." She stopped pacing and faced him. "I do. But it would require I deceive them again. Duo could not sense my suggestion trap that brought the army here. I could lay another one, encouraging him to return home." Zechs nodded. Heero listened to Duo, so if the sorcerer suggested it, the Black King would likely agree. It wouldn't, however, ensure the pair of them would stay in Cera. Heero wasn't a 'behind the scenes' monarch. "We can't control them," he finally concluded. "All we can do is watch over them and prepare them as best we can. My lady, do you know of other sorcerers whom Duo could quickly free, who would feel as you do and wish to join the fight against the Tower?" "Yes. Also, is there another sorcerer here with Duo? I thought I could sense the presence of perhaps a Blue?" "Ah, that would be Salyn. Duo freed him a short time ago." Her eyes narrowed. "Salyn? Salyn Durash?" "Yes, that is his name. You know of him?" "Oh yes, I know of him." She finally sat back down. "And it's time you did, as well." o0o 0o0 Wufei paced along the rampart on the south wall of the castle. Really, this Cerval was quite full of himself to build such a monstrous home. It was in rather poor taste. He wondered what the Black King would do with Cerval. Execute him? Probably. Not that he particularly cared. He turned his head when he heard the guard tower door open, and Treize Khushrenada walked toward him. He looked quite elegant in his armor, the longsword strapped to his waist looking like it belonged there. He'd always found Treize to be a refined, dangerous man. Difficult to read, someone whom he respected as a fellow warrior. He inclined his head, somewhat pleased the man had sought his company. "Good evening, Treize. After such a noisy afternoon, it has turned into quite a glorious night." Treize's eyes stayed on him a trifle too long before they flicked out over the horizon. "Indeed. Have you spoken with His Majesty? What is our next goal?" Wufei smiled faintly. "He spoke with Trowa and I before the move on the city. Discussing whether a political or military strike on the capital would be better." "I see. What did you advise?" "A military strike," Wufei replied. "The Black King is not a diplomat, nor is he a politician. He is a warrior, and everything about him reflects that." He gave Treize a savage smile. "It is time the entire world remembered why they fear our king. He has only just begun to discover his power. I feel it will shake the entire world to its core by the time he reaches his full potential." Treize took a few steps closer. "Yes. Him and his bride both. Interesting that we look to two sorcerers lead us back to glory when not too long ago the entire world feared and loathed them. How is it, I wonder, that no matter where we go our Duo manages to become beloved of the people?" Wufei smiled a little. "A good question. There's something about him, an innocence, that appeals to all who meet him on some intrinsic level." "Agreed," Treize said, moving a few steps closer. He leaned against the wall right by Wufei, so close they were almost touching. "Wufei, may I ask something of a personal nature?" After a moment, Wufei nodded. "Only if I may reserve the right not to answer upon hearing it." Treize smiled. "All right. Have you ever considered being with a man?" Though outwardly he didn't react, Wufei was amazed at the man's boldness. It seems I was reading his body language correctly. He is attracted to me. The thought didn't alarm him. "No," he answered truthfully, "but not because I find it abhorrent." He gave Treize a sideways smile. He wasn't, therefore, entirely surprised when Treize shifted to fully face him, reaching over and taking one of the younger man's hands into his own. "Would you, then?" "Would I consider it?" Wufei said, sliding his hand free. "I suppose I would, were the right person to ask me to do so." Deliberately coy. But forcing this proud, aristocratic man to come right out and say what was on his mind held appeal - perhaps a little too much, he thought with a private smile. Treize reached out and cupped his chin. "I'm asking, then, that you consider it. Being with me." Wufei pushed the man's hand down and stepped away from him, eyes hardening. "I'm not a woman, Treize. You needn't treat me like one." He headed to the turret. Before he vanished from sight, he paused and gave Treize a slight smile. "I will, however, consider it." Then he was gone. o0o 0o0 Morning found Duo tangled in the soft sheets, and for several moments he amused himself wondering which had him more ensnared: the sheets, or Heero. The Black King was curled around him completely, their limbs tangled. He also knew immediately his lover wasn't asleep. The second he shifted, those hard arms tightened gently before relaxing. "You look like an angel when you sleep," Heero murmured in his ear. Duo craned his neck to give Heero a feisty glare. Which only made the man grin. "And then you wake like a little demon." He chuckled. Duo hmphed and tried to wriggle free. Neither the sheets nor Heero's arms allowed it. "Let go, you lech. The sun's already up. Why didn't you wake me sooner? I know you're an early riser." "Ah, some pretty little thing lay sleeping in my arms so perfectly it entirely robbed me of the heart to wake it. You sleep with your lips ever-so-slightly parted, and every once in awhile you let out a tiny, adorable little sound like the trilling of a kitten." Tucking his chin toward his chest, Duo bit Heero's arm. "If you don't let me go this instant, Your Majesty, I will shrink you to the size of a caterpillar and lock you up in a little glass jar." A hand clamped over his mouth and gently shook his jaw. "So my sleeping kitten has been replaced with a hissing, spitting cat, I see." Heero sighed. "Lamentable. Don't I get so much as a proper good morning from you?" Already grinning and wondering where his hesitant, gentlemanly Heero had gone, Duo wriggled and squirmed until they were face-to-face and leaned forward to rudely bite Heero's lower lip. "Good morning. Would you let me go already? What have you become while I slept, a leech?" "How am I to help it that your very presence is an intoxicant a thousand times more potent than any wine?" Heero protested, squeezing him closer. "I could spend all day every day between your legs, taking you until you didn't know whether to beg me to stop or plead with me to continue forever." Duo blushed furiously. Part of him wondered why he hadn't made Heero wait. Really, sixteen was quite young. A very small part, though. The rest of him felt it couldn't get enough of this amazing man's love, even if it was a good deal more ardent than Duo had initially believed. And apparently he had a very greedy body that loved being loved by Heero. Because beneath the entangling sheets his legs were spreading, pelvis tilting upward to make room for Heero and to bring them into sudden, heated contact. Heero hissed. "God, Duo. I could eat you all up." Their mouths met with abrupt passion and borderline ferocity. Heero never failed to sweep him along at his pace, leaving Duo feeling breathless and slightly disoriented. Eight years was enough time for Heero to have amassed significantly more experience than the younger sorcerer, not that he was complaining now. And Heero had never been an uncertain, hesitant person. He whined when a hand slid down his back and delved oh-so-boldly into his cleft and dragged two fingers roughly over his entrance. A strange mix of pleasure and not-quite-pain from last night's activities rippled through him. Heero swallowed the whine and plundered Duo's mouth until he felt he would faint from lack of air before pulling away. "Don't worry, precious," he whispered, one finger dipping teasingly into Duo's body, "I won't penetrate you. I'll settle for a taste, because we both have a lot to accomplish today, yes?" "My body," Duo whimpered, "is not a temple that exists for your pleasure." Damn but that didn't sound convincing at all when said like that. Heero, damn him, just chuckled. He rocked his hips forward, using them to wedge Duo's thighs farther open. It brought his hardened arousal right into contact with Duo's, and before he knew it he was a trembling, needy mess in Heero's arms, clinging tightly and riding out waves of sensation. Heero's fingers pleasuring him from behind knew exactly what to do so as not to cause him undue pain, and with every gasping breath the man's scent filled his senses. He reached the peak suddenly, and he felt himself clench and relax erratically around Heero's fingers. The liquid mess between them was enough to tell him Heero had come, too. While he tried to pull himself back together, the world shifted as Heero rose and lifted Duo with him. After a thorough (embarrassingly thorough) wash, Duo felt more human again. Heero dressed in his ceremonial garb (which, because he was the king of Corai, was a fair sight more somber than any other kingdom), and Duo donned his simple black robe. The silver belt dropped its braided tassles all the way to the floor, and it made him look somehow . . . more vulnerable. More approachable. During breakfast, Heero ordered a servant to round him the Lord General, the division generals, Wufei, Treize, and the Green. She, however, found them before the servant had gone but a few paces out the door. Duo admired her statuesque beauty as she entered and gave them a graceful curtsy. Today her gown was a metallic silver slashed artistically with emerald green. "Your Majesty," she said to Heero, then to Duo, "Your Highness. Please forgive my abrupt intrusion. I wanted to introduce myself to you as soon as possible." Heero rose and gave her a slight bow - one of courtesy, not deference. "You are Maritias Lanwyn, I take?" "Yes, Majesty." "Are you the daughter of Queen Lanwyn of Lark?" "Yes, Majesty. I was her heir apparent before my magic talent manifested." "Are you willing to swear fealty to me on behalf of Lark?" Heero asked, surprising Duo. She blinked. "I am perfectly willing to swear fealty, My King, but I am no longer the heir of Lark. I cannot speak on her behalf." Heero gave her a coldly satisfied smile. "But you can, Princess. Like Dobraia I will take Lark, and when I do I will unseat the royal family. You will be my liason betweek Lark and her people." Maritias barely hesitated before striding forward to sink gracefully to her knees in front of Heero. She took his hand and pressed the back of it to her forehead. "I understand. If you wish me to seal my words with magic, please do so. I swear from this moment on I will serve you faithfully and loyally, that every action I take shall be in your best interest and the interest of Corai. I am yours, use me as you see fit." Duo felt his slight tension ease when he felt Heero's genuine pleasure. "For now," the Black King said, "my only wish is that you place yourself at Duo's disposal. I am certain you have much experience you could impart to him." "Indeed I have, Majesty," she confirmed, "and it will be my honor." It was, Duo thought with a small smile, an extremely mellow Heero that met with the leaders of his army. He was sure they noticed it too, though they did everything in their power to make sure not to draw attention to it. Maritias sat, elegant and regal, on Duo's right side as he and Heero sat at the head of the table. "Good morning," Heero said, then amended with a slightly dry smile, "though perhaps 'good afternoon' is more appropriate at this rather late hour." His men grinned and chuckled faintly. Duo wanted to smack him as he tried not to blush. Now every single one of them will know exactly why we came down so late. Heero's tone left no room to doubt about that. "You were all chosen for your positions for your superior ability to anticipate my desires," Heero went on, abandoning the slight humor, "so I expect you know why I've called you here." "Yes, Majesty," Zechs said at once. "We have already given it the consideration due, and we've each agreed upon a course of action I think will please you." "Continue," Heero said, giving him permission. Zechs leaned foward. "Wufei pointed out you are a military ruler, not a political one. Demanding your enemies' surrender by political means would undermine your image and make you seem weak. There should be no room for debate and bargaining. We believe your best course of action should be every bit as decisive as your attack on this city. Dobraia should be taken by force. We have already unnerved the people, so casualties will be minimal." He leaned back, and Wufei picked up. "We also believe it best if you two return home to Cera until we're ready to take the capital," he said. "Duo came up with the brilliant idea of training groups of men to deal with sorcerers. I believe that project should take precedence for the moment, and of course there are more personal things in store for the two of you." He smiled. This time, Duo couldn't stop the blush. His impending wedding to Heero. 'Would that, then, make me the Black Queen?' he silently asked Heero. Whose lips twitched. "I see the merit in both your suggestions," he said. "Since it is unlikely Duo and I will be having any children -" a soft snort - "I have also the matter of succession to see to. Very well. This initial press into Dobraia has been little more than driving back the border forces. From this moment on, we are at war. You will all remain in Dermaile until the seven divisions from Corai have arrived as reinforcements. Barton, you will remain here for the time being, and I want your main focus to be the lords and ladies I am ruffling. Meet with them all and work out what they would like. You will, of course, make them no promises until you've conferred either with myself or Duo." He planted his hands on the table and rose. Everyone around the table mirrored it. "You are all a credit to yourselves and to me." Offering Duo his arm, they left the room. o0o 0o0 Maritias Lanwyn, former heir to the throne of Lark, glided through the halls of the enormous estate that had been her prison for over a decade. Though she was still a young woman, sometimes she felt as though she'd been alive and suffering for centuries. It was difficult to believe yet that she had been freed. Freed by the beautiful young man on whom she was betting her entire future. If anyone could free the rest of the sorcerers of this world, it was he. Locating the person for whom she searched proved tiresome and difficult. Of course, he'd always been able to skulk about with the cockroaches. Salyn Durash was ten years younger than her, but she'd seen him with his master many, many times. He had an unusual ability, after all. Most sorcerers had one specialty. Hers was suggestion traps. His was slightly more . . . unique. The boy about took flight when he saw her, but she swiftly moved to bar his way. "You will not run from me, boy," she said coolly, pointing a single finger at him. The meaning behind which could not be mistaken. After all, she needed only one finger to lay a trap. He swallowed so thickly she could even hear it. "Maritias," he murmured. "What do you want with me?" She lightly placed her hand on the doorframe. "You needn't play games with me, Salyn. Unlike Duo, I know who you are. I know where your specialties lie. Tell me, what did you have to do to get close to the Black King and Duo? How many pawns did you sacrifice? How many lies did you tell?" "I-I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered. She raised a delicately arched eyebrow. "Did I not just say no games?" She took a single step forward. "I was there, after all, the day you were discovered." Another step. "So tell me." One more. "What. Did. You. Have. To. Do." The spineless exterior melted away, and the boy straightened. His thin lips stretched into a rigid parody of a smile. "I don't know why you should be upset about it, Mother. Two Reds died. The Black King heartlessly ordered them executed. Two less people to stand in your way when you make your noble march against the Tower." Maritias felt heat rise behind her vision before she regained her calm. It took less than a heartbeat. "Don't call me that, faithless child. I'm not your mother. Not even your mother would claim you for her own. And whatever you are planning, I will see it never bears fruit. You may count on that." He gave her an elegant bow. "Yes, my queen. I am planning nothing, I swear." "Your promises mean nothing to me," she said, voice even. She turned to go. "And Salyn, if you ever do anything that brings Duo to harm, I will take back my vow never to kill again and destroy you." He made a rude sound. "The Black King has already vowed that, Maritias. I'm afraid you will have to get in line behind him. He is, after all, ever so much more intimidating and powerful than you." Maritias covered the last distance between them and slapped him right across the mouth. "Then think on this," she hissed, low and sibilant. "I know everything about you. At but a word from me Heero and Duo would see who you are and end your miserable life. I would do so in a heartbeat, make no mistake. And the Black King is volatile, but he is a good-hearted man. I am not." There was no fear in his eyes, but she sensed the tiniest
sliver of doubt in him as she turned and left. Whatever you are
planning, detestable boy, I won't let you get away with it. And the
second I know what it is, your wretched life is over.
tbc |
