Love Lost, Love Found
By
Christos Kastellanos
I wish to dedicate this story to JT, who is first and foremost, my friend and also my muse. Without her and her magic, this story would not have been. I love you, my friend and thank you for keeping me on course and the story flowing.
Cast of Characters
Chariton Michelakakis, Greek name meaning "grace, kindness and the ruling king of the Lamia
Alexandros and Abaddon, identical twins and sons of King Chariton
Alexandros, his name is Greek and is composed of the elements; Alex, which means "to defend" and Andros "man," hence "defender of mankind and heir to the Lamia throne.
Abaddon, Greek name derived from Hebrew abaddown, meaning "destruction, ruination.
Chrysanthos Nomikos, Greek name composed of the elements chrysos "gold" and anthemon "a flower," hence "golden flower. A special human in the story's beginning.
Prologue
Greece, when the Gods ruled from Olympus.
Their father entered the room, instantly, Abaddon's body stiffened. It was obvious by all around that Abaddon and Alexandros were as identical as two could be, and yes as different as night and day.
Abaddon had upon occasions, voiced his distain and hatred of his brother to many, even going as far as wishing him dead so that he could ascend to the throne upon his father's abdication which occurs every two thousand years of kingship. Their father has been king just over fifteen hundred and that too made Abaddon angry.
"What ever happened to you to make you hate me so much," Alexandros asked but before his brother could answer, their mother and
"Father," Abaddon shouted warmly, rushing to greet him as he entered the room, leaving his brother standing alone and watching as he embraced his father.
"Ah my sons, just the ones that I have been looking for," Chariton said with a heavy heart, seeing his two sons together and, as usual, at each other's throat. "I am glad to find you both together for there is much that I need to discuss with you," he added, taking a seat before the fire.
Alexandros waited until his father was seated and then knelt beside him at his feet.
"It is always a delight to see you, father," Alexandros said, smiling up at his father, who laid a hand gently upon his son's shoulder.
"Ah my dear sweet son, how is it that two can come from the same mother and at the same time, but yet be so different?" Chariton asked smiling warmly at his son, and then the smile vanished when he turned his attention to Abaddon.
"While your mother and I were in the village today, I overheard several of the villagers speaking about the death of a young farmer and his wife. The one thing in particular that drew my attention was not that they had died, but how they had died. It was said that they appeared drained of all blood and beheaded," he said, looking from Alexandros and resting his eyes on Abaddon. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about this, would you, Abaddon?"
"What... so now I am to be blamed for this as well, father?" he asked sarcastically, standing defiantly looking at his father. "They are nothing more than humans, not even worthy of our concern, much less how they died."
"They are worthy of our concern, for they have been created by our God just as we were," he shouted angrily at his son, defying him to deny it was him. "Now if there is anything that you wish to share with me, Abaddon, for I am listening. But you will keep a civil tongue about you and show me and your brother the proper respect due our position," Chariton scolded.
"Oh yes by all means, I should bow to my brother," he said with venom in his words. "Yes father, I killed the farmer and then raped his wife before sucking her dry as well," he said with a sadistic laugh.
"I can no longer let you ravage the human community, Abaddon. They have supplied our people's needs for centuries, since the dawn of time, and without them Abaddon, just how do you see us as a race surviving?"
"There are enough humans to feed our people until time's end," he said as angrily back to his father, all the while Alexandros sat, watching how his father would handle such a situation.
"I am so thankful that Alexandros is heir to the throne and not you, because if it were you, you would bring about the end of our people," he shouted, furious with his son.
"And you think that my brother will reign so much better? Why he'll have us marrying from among those savage humans, father. Have you ever watched Alex, have you, why he mingles amongst them like they were his brothers and sisters," he said, shaking his fist at Alexandros who now stood beside his father.
"Enough, and you have forced me to do this son, you alone have brought this upon you," he stated, motioning to the guards.
"We are feeders, father, or have you forgotten how it felt to drink freely of a human's blood? I haven't..." he began and was quickly silenced again by his father's hand as it came swiftly across his face.
"The laws of our people forbid us from recklessly feeding and the killing of humans," Abaddon was reminded by Alexandros. "It was in time of war that we could feed freely, taking it all and beheading those that we killed."
"And there is one brother dear, one special human that has caught your fancy, isn't there," he whispered.
He gave his brother a knowing smirk, turned to this father once again and then back again to Alexandros.
"You keep your nose out of this, dear brother, for it's between father and me. I will take care of you once I am done with father," Abaddon shouted with hatred in his eyes at his brother.
Chariton gasped, never had he seen such anger, such hatred in his son Abaddon, as he was witnessing now. Abaddon turned quickly back to his father, standing defiantly before him.
"When I am king of our people the laws will surely be changed with regards to humans," he said. "For it will be my right as king to do so," he reminded his father of the privilege as king to make the laws.
"When you are king, surely you jest, for you know very well that it's your brother, Alexandros, who will step into my place as king and never you," Chariton snarled, his anger reaching a feverish pitch as his son defiantly showed his disrespect.
"Not if I have anything to do about it, father," he snapped in return.
"I would be very careful, my son, with your words," he was warned and Chariton took a step closer. "You are very close to committing treason with such talk, threatening your brother, the crown prince."
"And what will you do, father, have me beheaded like you have the rest of your enemies," he retorted and stepped quickly out of his father's striking range.
"Guards take him," Chariton commanded, and two large men rushed into the room, swords drawn and ready to defend their king. "Remove my son Abaddon and place him in the dungeon. Maybe some time deprived of blood will soften his temper and views," Chariton said, looking coldly at Abaddon.
They seized Abaddon before he could move and shackled him with the chains made from the ash tree. Ash wood was the only thing of earth that could imprison a Lamia or vampire. Even worse than imprisoning them, ash could also kill them, when used in the form of a stake and thrust through their heart.
"You may have won this battle, father, but I'll eventually get free, and when I do, then you'll be sorry," he shouted with hatred in his heart, turning his eyes to his brother. "And as for you dear brother, I would be watching my back and that special someone, if I were you," he shouted at Alexandros as he was lead away.
Alexandros was not worried for himself, but what his brother had said about a certain someone, well that caused him to worry.
"Father, please, he already hates me, and now he hates you. Surely there is some other way to deal with Abaddon," Alexandros asked and his father placed his hand upon his shoulder, looking intently into his eyes.
"His hate for us is deep seeded, and it goes further back then today, my son. Go and rest, tonight you should go out in search of your mate, that one true lamia that can complete you," he said, sending a shiver down Alexandros' spine.
It was a never ending argument between him and his father, finding a mate. For Alexandros, the crown prince was to be the king someday, when his father's, two millenniums were finished and he stepped aside for his heir.
"I have been more than patient with your brother's ways and evilness that has penetrated his heart. Look at you and him, you both came from the same egg and yet you are both so different. You are everything that is good in our people and he, he is but pure evil," he sighed as he rose, pulling his son to him and hugging him tightly.
"But father, surely..."
"No more buts son, I have made excuses for Abaddon far too many times," he sadly said. "Now you go and sleep, while I join your mother and break the news to her," he said just as casually as if nothing had transpired.
Abaddon walked silently, his strength weakened by the ash wood chains, as well as from the daylight hour. As much as he was silent without, within, he was raging with anger and hatred for his father and brother.
"What is this...the young prince in chains?" the jailor asked when he saw Abaddon being lead toward him. "But which brother dost though bring me," he said with a wicked laugh.
"Prince Abaddon, by orders of the king that he is to be imprisoned and withheld from all blood until the king himself deems it over," a guard said and shoved Abaddon into a darkened cell, and then helping the jailor to push close the ash wood door. The second guard, Dothium, stood stoically watching, seething inside at the way that the prince was being treated.
"What charges have been brought against him," the curious jailor asked.
"That is none of your concern," he said adamantly, but quietly.
"I shall find a way to release you, my Lord Abaddon," Dothium said telepathically to Abaddon, using a path that only they could hear.
"You shall be rewarded, my servant, for your faithfulness," Abaddon replied, smiling sadistically as he contemplated his revenge.
The night was dark, stormy when Alexandros awoke, for a sudden summer storm had come. He had gone to his favorite spot and while the storm's tempest raged outside his special place, inside, a different sort of storm was about to rage. Alexandros had slipped away from his father's castle and gone into the village where he met with a human.
He had defied his father's wishes to seek out a mate, for in his heart he had already found one in this human, Chrysanthos. He was a handsome lad of eighteen, slender in build, yet subtly muscular, but yet an Adonis in looks. He had golden waves of hair that softly curled and fell down to just past his shoulders, was the perfect frame for the beauty of his face. His eyes were as blue, blue as the summer sky with thick curling lashes to shield them, and his lips, full, pouting, and sensuously seductive.
Chrysanthos knew what Alexandros was, he had seen him feeding on his brother, and he didn't care. For his heart loved the lamia, he loved Alexandros, and he was willing to surrender his mortality to live forever with his lover if Alexandros would have him.
They met whenever they could steal away, going to Alexandros special cave that only surrendered its access to it when the tide was out. So with the tide long out, and the storm protecting them from intruders, they came together to share their love.
Alexandros and Chrysanthos were locked heatedly together, neither of them mindful of the storm that raged outside. They were riding their own storm, a tempest more violent and explosive as any that nature could toss at man.
Chrysanthos sat up, impaled on Alexandros' sex, and his hands splayed across Alexandros' chest as he stared down into the eternal depths of Alexandros' black eyes.
"I am so going to give you the ride of your life, handsome," Chrysanthos promised, his fingers pinching hard, taunting Alexandros' nipples to a hardness they had never known.
"Don't tell me wench... show me if you are not all words," Alexandros said with a snarled lip as he demanded with his eyes what his words said.
"Wench... I'll show you better than a wench, I'll give you a ride that will leave you wasted and panting for more," Chrysanthos promised.
They played their love games, rough, and controlling, with Alexandros bound and his lover in control. Once his need for roughness was satisfied, Alexandros would turn to that tender side, the side that Chrysanthos so adored.
Alexandros strained against the ropes that bound him to the headboard, laughing tauntingly at Chrysanthos. "Is that the best you have, wench," Alexandros yelled, his voice more a laugh and it echoed throughout the cave, as he pulled violently on the ropes.
Chrysanthos lowered his mouth to Alexandros', bit his lower lip hard, drawing blood, tasting the blood that oozed, and with his hand fisted in Alexandros' hair, thrust his tongue deep into the moist regions of Alexandros' mouth. With the taste of his blood still lingered on his lover's tongue, Alexandros' breath caught, he had yet to feed and the blood only teased him. Chrysanthos' tongue swirled around inside, delving ever deeper as their kiss deepened.
Chrysanthos' ass rose and fell hard, fast, and he moaned as Alexandros' cock sought out those areas that no cock but his had ever been before. Chrysanthos was intoxicated with his man... his essence alone left his senses spiraling as he rode him. Although Alexandros had the power to hypnotize him, he refused to use it, electing to let Chrysanthos fall in love with him.
They had met one night when Chrysanthos was walking home from the shop that he was an apprentice at and Alexandros was out looking to feed. Alexandros saw him and instantly, felt the pull of blood. He swooped down and was about to use his power to subdue and feed, when Chrysanthos, held up a hand.
"I know who you are, my prince, and there is no need to erase my mind," he said, bowing in submission to the handsome prince.
"Then if you know me, you know why I am here," Alexandros said as he moved closer.
"Yes, my prince, you seek my blood to refresh you," he told him and took his own step forward. "Take what I give freely, but all that I ask is that you don't erase from me the joy of feeding you," he added, placed his hands around Alexandros' waist, and pulled him tightly to him.
As he leaned his head to the right, Alexandros lowered his mouth and fed, drinking liberally from the vein, which was freely given to him. Careful to not take more than was needed, Alexandros kissed the open wound, it closed and disappeared.
"Why would you do this for me, a lamia," he asked, still in Chrysanthos embrace.
"I have seen you and your father many times come into our shop to buy of my master's skilled hands, fine jewelry. It always amazed me that you would buy from us, when it was in your power to simply take that which you desired."
"I, like my father and mother, feel that just because we have power, its not there for our entertainment or gain. We wield it responsibly and buy those things we desire or need."
"That sir, that is why I fell in love with you," he whispered, lowering his head in respect and submission.
Alexandros stepped back, never had anyone confessed to loving him, much less a human, and then again, a man. He placed his fingers beneath Chrysanthos' chin, lifted it and smiled down at the lad. His eyes were gorgeous and they sparkled with the light of the moon that appeared so brilliantly in the sky.
"Do you know who and what I am," Alexandros asked, gazing into the boy's eyes.
"Yes my Lord, for you are lamia," he said, his voice but a breath from Alexandros' mouth.
Alexandros looked at this lad's luscious full lips and could not help himself; he pulled them to his, brushing his lips with a kiss that was softer than a feather's touch.
"May I, my liege," he asked with but a whisper and standing on his toes, pressed his mouth to Alexandros', opened his mouth and accepted Alexandros' tongue into his mouth.
Alexandros pulled him tightly against his body; fiercely he kissed the lad, delving deep into his mouth with his tongue, as one hand fisted in the boy's hair, the other roamed the boy's body, exploring.
"Is this something also that you give freely, or am I misreading your intentions ah..." Alexandros asked.
"I am Chrysanthos Dominicos Nomikos," he said and lowered his eyes from those of Alexandros. "And yes, I give to you freely my heart and body, Alexandros," he added and then kissed him passionately.
He smiled warmly, as he remembered that night so long ago, and yet seemed as if only yesterday. He now wanted his lover tenderly, remembering how deeply they loved each other.
Alexandros subtlety pulled against the ropes, vowing silently that he would take this man and show him what he was feeling in his heart, but he had one problem, if he could but only get free of the ropes.
Chrysanthos, aware that his captive was stealthily working at the ties that bound him, cared not, his mind was in ecstasy, as Alexandros' cock hit and rubbed against his inner nub, as he gyrated on it. He was close to eruption, but it was too soon, he needed more time, more love, and more of Alexandros' cock.
"Oh by the Gods I cannot do this anymore," he screamed, "I cannot play this game with you, my love. I love you too much and to deeply for games, Alexandros," he said and then violently he pressed his mouth to Alexandros', and in a bruising kiss their mouths became one.
So lost in their kiss was Chrysanthos, that he never noticed when Alexandros' arms wrapped tightly about him and pulled him and his mouth closer, kissing back as if it were his last kiss.
"You're free," Chrysanthos whispered against Alexandros' lips, no longer caring that this man would take revenge on him for such brutal love, even though it was but a game that they played now and then.
"Yes Chrysanthos my love, I'm free, free to love you as you were meant to be loved," Alexandros whispered softly, no longer did he want their game of roughness, he wanted to love his man totally, completely and leave his soul panting, knowing that it had been joined with his.
He lifted Chrysanthos from his cock and body, gently turning him and placing him on the bed. Alexandros have covered Chrysanthos' body with his, and he gently brushed aside the errant locks of hair that had fallen across his beautiful face.
"The Gods... did not I ever tell you that you have the beauty of the
Gods, my love," Alexandros asked, their eyes locked together in love's stare.
"No, no you haven't, please tell me what you see when you look at me, my love," Chrysanthos asked, his heart was pounding so hard that its sound rivaled that of the thunder that shook the cave.
"Perfection, my love, when I look at you, I see a perfect love that had been created just for us. Your eyes reflect the love that I feel for you in their depths. I can see eternity in them and you know what?" he asked, wiping away a tear that had fallen down Chrysanthos' cheek.
"What," he said so softly that it threatened his demeanor if he were to say it louder and lose control and cry.
The moment was so tender, they were moving beyond the carnal, for they were seeking the joining of their souls.
"I'm beside you as we spend eternity loving one another with love that man has yet to discover exists. But we have found it, that one, perfect love that transcends the senses and goes to a place where the physical is nothing, for in this place, only two souls melding together can enter, my love."
He pressed his lips to Chrysanthos', first it was so soft that it felt like a feather had brushed across them, and then it took substance. His tongue caressed the softness of Chrysanthos' lips; they parted, and then it entered deep inside. Chrysanthos sighed, his arms tightened around Alexandros' neck as their kiss lengthened and deepened further.
Alexandros never knew such love, for him love had always been carnal, a different woman each night, fucking until sated and then going home, alone. Then Chrysanthos came into his life, he brought a different kind of light to Alexandros' darkness. It began as a flicker, as that of a small candle light, and then it grew as their love deepened and grew. Soon that light was a fire, consuming everything of the past in its wake, and leaving behind it a love so pure, that Alexandros cried whenever it touched him.
Tonight it was touching him again, as if it had fingers, pulling against the last remnants of the hardness of his heart. Chrysanthos' love had power, Mt. Olympus power that endowed it to not only penetrate Alexandros' defenses, but to soften the soil of his heart. Alexandros' heart was now molding to Chrysanthos' heart, but more so, his soul had melded with Chrysanthos' soul.
"I love you Chrysanthos, with a love that knows no bounds, no restraints and is given unconditionally to you," he whispered with tears in his eyes as he waited and hoped that his love was not given in vain.
He was hopelessly in love with this man and there would never be another for him...ever.
"Tell me what you see, my love when you look into my eyes," he asked, lying atop his lover, his breath was gently caressing his lover's ear as he nibbled it.
Chrysanthos leaned up and with the softness of the tip of his tongue, wiped away Alexandros' tears. His hands cupped Alexandros' face, as if it were so delicate that a breath could shatter it. His head turned slightly left, and then right as he gazed into his lover's eyes.
"There I am, I'm in your arms and surrounded with your love, Alexandros," he said as a smile widened across his face and he pulled his lover to him. "I am immersed totally in your love and I don't ever want to leave it, darling," he finished with a kiss.
Alexandros slowly slid his sex into Chrysanthos, bottoming out and sighing from the shear pleasure and magnitude of the love that seemed to be embracing them.
"Take us to paradise, my love," Chrysanthos whispered softly, his hips moving seductively beneath Alexandros, urging him into a gentle rhythm.
Love's rhythm it was, gentle and slow, catching them on a breeze of love. Chrysanthos rose, Alexandros fell, their bodies meeting, parting, and then meeting again, as his manhood deepened into the velvet softness and heat of his love canal, seeking out that place where perfection hid. His need was growing urgent, but he suppressed it, waiting for his lover to join him.
He did not want to enter paradise alone, but go hand in hand with Chrysanthos, and together they would soar to Olympus and let their love ease them gently down to earth. He felt Chrysanthos' hips rising faster, he knew that he was close, he quicken his pace just a bit.
Chrysanthos' nails dug into Alexandros' shoulders, his hips frantically thrusting upward as his need for release became urgent. But Alexandros was a master, his master, and he knew how to keep Chrysanthos walking that narrow edge between waiting and the insanity of ecstasy.
"Let me give you my seed, my love," Chrysanthos begged, his hips pleading for mercy as they pounded upward.
"Not yet, my desire, I want to enter those gates together," Alexandros sighed, his need was there, because the heat, the tightness was ecstasy in itself for him, burning and consuming him.
Chrysanthos' inner love canal hugged his sex, cradled it with a liquid fire, an all consuming fire, and it threatened his power to hold back, for he was waiting. He knew what he was waiting for, he was waiting for that moment when two were one. Chrysanthos saw it and he too was waiting for it... the melding of their souls. It was the only way that they could enter through the gates, for it only let one soul enter.
Alexandros looked deep, deeper than he ever looked into his lover's eyes, searching them, and then he saw it, that which would open the soul, let him in, and meld together, two as one.
Him, for deep in Chrysanthos' eyes he saw himself, vulnerable, loved unconditionally, needing to give nothing in return but just accept the love that this man so freely gave him.
He not only accepted it, but he reshaped it and it stood there waiting for Chrysanthos. Chrysanthos saw it immediately in his lover's eyes, arms outstretched and like a school girl in love for the first time, he ran into those arms. They enfolded him, caressed him, mind, body and soul, and as if by some magic of the Gods, their two souls left them, and became one as their climax exploded.
They exploded together with an earth shattering force, a new love had been formed, created and it was Alexandros and Chrysanthos, together for eternity.
As the last of their essence left their bodies, the clung together so tight, Alexandros lowered his mouth to Chrysanthos neck, the pulsating vein awaited him, and biting deep into his neck, drinking deeply, yet taking only enough to feed, and as euphoria enveloped them, together...
They cried.
Not the heart wrenching sobs of pain, but a soft cry, subtle and yet cleansing, as it wash over them. They knew that what they had just shared transcended all reason, all comprehension. N either tried to understand it, but clung tighter, letting their joy... their bliss, sooth away the world, leaving them in peace's perfect union.
"What just happened," Chrysanthos asked softly, curling a lock of Alexandros' hair around his finger.
"Love just happened, my heart, love in its purest form. Our souls joined as one and together we found that perfect place that is only ours, my love."
"Am I..."
"Not yet, my love, but soon you will be like me and together we shall live forever, two lovers knowing no end to our love," he said and kissing his lover heatedly all over his face.
"I wrote us a special prayer or if you wish, our vows of love," he said, gazing with love into the depths of Alexandros' eyes.
"Speak them to me, my love, and then I will to you," he said as he pulled his lover tightly to him.
"I've written them down, so we can read and speak them as one, together," he asked, more that said.
"Alright darling, show me these words that we may speak them together," Alexandros told him and Chrysanthos sat up, fumbled with his clothes until he found the paper that he had written them on.
He unrolled the scroll and held it out before them, so that each could see, read, and recite the words to each other.
"Here sweetheart, I memorized the words," he said as he handed him the scroll.
Alexandros took the scroll and read through it, and when he had finished, a smile as wide as the sky covered his face. Even his eyes, usually black as midnight, sparkled with the light of a thousand stars, as he gazed into those of his lover.
Pledge of Love "I've made a vow, to no one but you, I pledge my love to forever be true," Chrysanthos began.
"I'll take care of you and treat you right, and lay beside you all through the night," Alexandros said.
"I'll feed you."
"I'll clothe you and keep you warm,"
"I'll hug you and kiss you and give you my heart as shelter in the storms of life." Chrysanthos whispered, his voice thick we emotion.
"I promise to help and guide you and clear a path through those storms. I'll protect and shield you from an angry God's wrath," Alexandros said thickly, he too feeling the emotion of what they were saying and feeling.
"I'll listen to your problems and help you solve them too. I'll make you a rainbow and let the sun shine through, Alexandros."
"I'll take your side even if you're wrong, just to prove my love is strong." Alexandros promised and then together they spoke the last of the vows.
"I'll plant you flowers and make them grow, a symbol of a love that only we'll know. I'll whisper your name when no one is near, so low that only you can hear," they said together as one, their words spoken against their lips.
"We'll feel our love even if we're apart, and know that we are one in heart," they finished and pressed their mouths together in love's kiss.
"If this is a dream, then I don't ever want to awaken," Chrysanthos said and snuggled closer into Alexandros' arms. "Oh my God Alexandros look at that bruise I left on your shoulder," he gasped, running his fingers over the reddish purple bite.
"I shall wear your brand proudly, for it shows others that I am yours, and it matches the one on your neck," Alexandros said, pulling Chrysanthos' lips to his again, in an all consuming kiss.
"Are you hungry babe, did you take enough blood," Chrysanthos asked, lying sideways across Alexandros chest, their chests together as they stared love struck into each other's eyes.
"Only for you am I hungry, for you are my world, my heart, only for you will I ever hunger," he said with determination as he turned them and pulled Chrysanthos beneath him. "You are the only food I shall ever need," he whispered as he sank his re-hardened sex deep into the wet heat of Chrysanthos.
Together they made love, and again, they found paradise, making sure to leave the cave, before the tide came in.
Jarrod sat at his table sharpening a knife, unaware of the movement amongst the shadow. Stealthily, Dothium moved amongst the shadows, and staying to the alcoves, knowing that he had to take Jarrod unaware if he were to free his master, Abaddon.
Abaddon rose, having been alerted that his freedom was close, by Dothium. Their eyes met through the window in the door and Dothium nodded before vanishing back into the shadows.
Although still weak from the ash wood chains that bound his wrists, he dropped down to the straw and started moaning loudly. Yes he was weak, for he needed blood, a human's blood, to revitalize his body, and he would have it once Dothium set him free.
"Alright down there... keep yer mouth quiet or you'll be getting no blood for dinner even if yer father says to feed you," Jarrod growled, getting up and taking his keys from his side.
He walked down the dimly lit hall, heading toward Abaddon's cell, ready to further torment the fallen prince. He had no love for the royal family, and what respect he did have, which was very little, was not going to be wasted on this one. He held up his torch and gazed into the cell, he smiled, seeing a curled up Abaddon, cowering on the straw.
Abaddon knew better than to stand defiantly and wait for Jarrod to enter, for Jarrod would not. So he pretended severe weakness and screamed out as if in agony.
"I'll be giving yer sick ass agony and pain," he tormented as he fumbled with the keys.
Once he found the right key, he inserted it into the lock, turned it and then with great difficulty, pulled the thick ash door open. He left the keys hanging from the lock and stepped cautiously into the cell. Abaddon groaned louder, grabbing at his stomach as he rolled about, as if in pain, on the straw.
"I bet a drop of blood would taste good about now," Jarrod growled at Abaddon, whose eyes were now watching the jailor.
"Yours will do just fine," Abaddon snarled, rising slowly to his feet.
Jarrod quickly stepped back, fear coursing through him, as he sought to be free of the cell. Suddenly he froze, someone was standing behind him and they had a knife, his knife, held to his throat.
Jarrod knew that he could be killed by whoever was holding the knife to his throat. It wouldn't take much for them to behead him, thus ending his miserable existence.
"You," Jarrod said, turning slowly to look up into Dothium's eyes.
Dothium pushed Jarrod forward, ever mindful to keep the knife tight against his throat.
"Release the bonds," he demanded of Jarrod, who nodded and obeyed.
"I was just following the king's orders, my master," Jarrod whined as he worked to unfasten the chains.
They fell to the floor and Abaddon quickly grabbed Jarrod by the shoulders, pulling him to him. He forced his head to the side and sank his teeth deep into the rapidly pulsating vein. He drank and drank, letting Jarrod's body fall to the floor, once he had drained him.
"Take off the head," he ordered of Dothium, who quickly ran Jarrod's knife across the throat and severed his head.
Together they stepped from the cell and after locking the cell's door, became one with the shadows.
Alexandros' eyes flew open, it was still daylight, but something was wrong, dangerously wrong. It was Chrysanthos, and he was calling out to him, as if in peril.
Cursing himself for having not converted Chrysanthos when he had been asked, he closed his eyes and sought out his lover's mind. There had been enough blood shared between them for a mind meld, and he needed to know that his lover was safe.
"My love, tell me what is wrong," he telepathically asked and then waited...nothing.
In his mind's eye he saw their special cave and he knew it was the Gods showing him where to find him. Mentally he waved away the rich, black earth that covered him and he flew from it, shape shifting into the hawk as he soared heavenward. The sun was close to setting as he raced through the sky, seeking out their love nest.
He circled the entrance to the cave several times before he landed, and was himself as his feet touched to wet softness of the sand. He waved his hand, clothes had appeared, and he hurried into the cave.
"Chrysanthos, where are you?" he called out and listened, nothing.
Repeatedly he called out his lover's name, all the while his mind reached out to his, yet still neither avenue found him.
"Hello brother dear, surprised to see me," Abaddon asked, stepping from the shadows and stopping but a few feet before him.
"Abaddon... " he gasped, stepping closer to his brother, and then stopped, seeing yet another emerging from the shadows. "Dothium, what are you doing here," he asked, surprised to see the guard with a sack in his hand.
"He serves me, brother," he said laughing sadistically, motioning to Dothium to come forward.
He noticed a sack in the guard's hand, and it appeared heavy whatever was in the bag.
"Show him," Abaddon commanded and Dothium turned the bag upside down, letting a head roll from it, and it came to a stop at Alexandros feet.
Chrysanthos, his face showing the pain from the torture he had felt before dying. Alexandros lost all manner of reason and materialized a sword, quickly severing the head of Dothium, before turning the sword toward his brother.
He brought it down quickly, only managing to nearly sever an arm. Abaddon cried out in agony, picked up his severed arm and screaming as he quickly turned to mist and vanished.
"You haven't seen the last of me, brother," he vowed, his voice and threat echoing throughout the cave.
Lightning struck, his brother's screams filled the night and then just as suddenly as the lightning had struck, silence. Alexandros, sensing that his brother was now dead, having been incinerated by the lightning, Alexandros fell to his knees beside his lover's head and cried. His pain was great as he vowed in his heart to avenge his lover's death, even if it took all of eternity. He would find his brother and he would die for what he had done.
After burying the head, he rose on the wings of the hawk and took to the sky. He flew without destination, for his heart had hardened and he vowed to never love again.
"Never will I love another, Chrysanthos, never my love," he vowed within his mind and heart, soaring as high as he could go, as his pain drove him onward.
To be continued...
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