Mature: Desert Moon

[Emora Deen]

"Ahh!" Atul called. "So good." He drove into Tenele.

Tenele curled her hands around the back of his head, bucking against him. "Atul!" she cried. She reached further up for her husband, taking a handful of his shorter hair. "Vlad...."

Atul touched her cheek while he supported himself with his other arm. He loved the wild look in her green eyes, the desperation and desire. He fought back against Vlad, receding further and driving deeper.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad clenched his nails tightly into Atul's sides, high on his dominance and low on control. "Shit. Atul. I'm already..." he gasped, forcing himself slower. One too-heavy thrust, and he could already see himself spiraling into climax. It was impossible to fight... he was so warm and tight around him.

[Emora Deen]

"Hold on," he huffed. "Just... a moment longer."

Atul returned his attention to the woman beneath him. He tilted his head forward, nibbling on her ear, and whispering there. Whatever he said ripped a low groan from the Maiden. Then, he pursued her relentlessly, damned if it sent Vlad over the edge.

She bucked against him, arched her back. "Hahh!" she cried, toes curling. "Fuck!" Tenele crested oblivion.

"Yes," he muttered. "That's it... That's it!" Atul rocked back into Vlad. "Now. Come now."

[Soran Nightblade]

The passionate order hauled Vlad over the edge headfirst. He screamed as loud as he could afford with Tenara next door, pumping into him until his body felt like it was melting into theirs. "Yes," he purred, wrapping his arms tight around Atul and staring over his side into his wife's gorgeous eyes.

[Emora Deen]

Tenele huffed softly while Atul collapsed over her, tucking his face into the crook of her neck. His weight pressed heavily into her, constricting her breath, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. She curled her legs tightly around him, dragging her feet along her husband's thighs.

Atul hid his face away to keep them from seeing the tears. His hands curled tightly around Tenele's waist. He struggled to gather his composure. But, failed miserably. So he hoped they let he stay like this, let him rest like this, until he could fight back the pain enough to act normal. Tenele stroked her fingers through the king's hair tenderly, which helped.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad dragged his eyes open about half an hour later. Their tower had toppled shortly after they climaxed, so he was lying on his side glued to Atul's back, and Tenele was nestled against the king chest to chest. Vlad smirked at the warmth of his lovers in the bed. It was perfect. He wanted this, every day. He traced his fingers along Atul's side affectionately. He closed his eyes, daydreaming about the ring again. That impossible, wonderful thing. There would be time to figure it all out. Once they were back in Hajara, and Atul had his kingdom sorted out again, perhaps...

"Are you awake?" he whispered against Atul's tanned skin.

[Emora Deen]

Atul was awake, staring off at the wall. He contemplated on pretending to be asleep, but he also knew that Vlad could tell by the speed of his pulse whether that was true or not. "Yes," he mused softly, pressing a kiss to the top of Tenele's head. "Barely."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad smiled against the man's back. "I think I'm looking forward to being trapped on a ship for you for two weeks," he purred.

[Emora Deen]

Atul was glad that he couldn't see his face. He was glad that he wouldn't see the pain. "Walls are thin and Tenara is on the ship. It will be difficult to...." He swallowed. He couldn't lie anymore. It hurt.

"Vlad..." He sucked in a breath. Vlad was going to kill him. Hate him. "Maybe we should leave in the morning?" He chickened out... He couldn't do it. He couldn't face him with this. Gods, he'd gone to deep.

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad pulled his head back and studied the man's shoulders. "The ship leaves port in the morning, Atul. Of course that's when we leave," he said in confusion. He cocked his head at the man's elevated heartbeat. "Is there something wrong?"

[Emora Deen]

Shit.

His heart rate only increased. He took a deep breath and let it out. "I don't think it is a good idea for you to go back with me to Hajara just yet..." He held his breath and waited.

[Soran Nightblade]

"Then we'll wait for the next ship," Vlad replied, pushing up on an elbow. "First you want to leave this morning, now you want to wait? Not ready to get back to your duties?" He asked teasingly.

[Emora Deen]

Atul frowned, clenching his eyes. "There can't be another ship," he whispered painfully. "I have to go back to Hajara alone... The Council of Advisers has determined that the position of Queen has been vacant for too long. They have arranged a selection of appropriate candidates for me to choose from. I have a year to court them and decide. They gave me at least that much. There is no room for argument. It must be done. It is my duty to my country."

He glanced at Tenele's sleeping form. "I'm sorry."

[Soran Nightblade]

Vlad went vampire-still. For a few moments, he was so baffled he couldn't think of anything to say. He'd known Atul would need to take a wife, as unpleasant as the idea was. "Your marriage, Atul... It will just be for appearances. I understand that."

[Emora Deen]

"It will not be show. I'll need heirs. With a wife, no one will accept our relationship as they did before. I will not be allowed to continue it with you," he rasped. "That was the last time for us together. When I go back to Hajara, and when I choose a wife, I have to break off this relationship. I'm sorry. I don't want to, but I have to."