by Lola StVil
“This place was designed for humanity, as I said before, but not just any humans. That little girl is Melissa Burns. She has a special connection to Omnis. She is among the few humans who can see our world without having to be told we exist. Some humans mistakenly think Melissa is damaged in some way. Or what they call ‘handicapped.’ The truth is these humans are so very special,” I explain.
“So Omnis favors them among the humans?”
“Yes.”
“How did I not know that?” she wonders out loud.
“Well, it’s hard to catch up on Para and Omnis history when we’re always off on a mission,” I remind her.
“So how many children come here?”
“We’re open year-round. This place serves two purposes. One, to honor humanity, and two, it serves as a place for a Kon to replenish. In battle it’s easy to lose touch with what we fight for. So we come here and see the best of humanity.”
“You get to come here anytime you want?”
“Yeah.”
“You come here often?” she asks.
“Not as often as I should.”
“There’s a lady waving at you,” she says.
I look over and see an old lady wearing a big smile. She’s about eighty years old, sweet faced, with grey hair and glasses.
“That’s Mrs. Doris. She keeps the place running. She is opinioned, funny, and can outdrink most of us.”
“She sounds nice.”
“She’s great. She can be a little overprotective. She was taking care of this place when my uncle was the Kon in charge.”
“Your uncle Wolf?”
“Yes. And since Wolf went off and gave in to darkness, she feels responsible. She thinks had she forced him to spend more time here, he would not have made some of the choices he made.”
“That’s not her fault” Pry says.
“I know, but she’s now on a mission to make sure that no Kon ever turns evil again. If I don’t come to the garden to meditate for a while, she comes after me and uses her superpower.”
“What’s her superpower?”
“Same power as Mrs. Maybelle, guilt,” I reply as I walk her over to make introductions.
The first thing she does is comment on how long I’ve been away and how she expects more from me. I promise her that I’ll try to come by more often. She then takes a look at Pryor and says she needs a bath.
“Um…okay,” Pry replies, offended.
“She doesn’t mean it like that. Her actual Quo power is sensing need. The moment she saw you, she sensed what you were in need of. So when she says you need a bath, it means she has an herbal tonic she can make you. You would then bathe with it. It will help you in whatever way she thinks you need.”
“I am forever giving the Kon herbs to help him stop stress. You are all so young; why so stressed all the time?” she asks, shaking her head.
“What is it that I need?” Pryor asks.
“You need two things. One is an herbal mixture to rebuild your sense of self-worth. My dear, you have lost all sense of value. I’m guessing a breakup?” she asks.
Pry does not reply, and that tells Mrs. Doris all she needs to know.
“I see,” Mrs. Doris replies.
“What else do I need?” Pry asks, wanting to move on.
“I am not the one to give you the second thing you need,” she says as she looks over at me and raises her eyebrow suggestively.
Dear Omnis, maybe this was a bad idea. I should have known to keep Mrs. Doris away. Tact was never her strength.
“Why don’t you take Pry and create whatever herbal mixture you think would help. Then take her to the hot springs so she can soak in it for a while. When you’re done, Pry, there’s a cottage just beyond the spring; you can spend the night there,” I suggest.
“Yes, Kon,” Mrs. Doris says with a wicked smile.
Pry thanks me for bringing her to the garden. Mrs. Doris takes her hand and the two of them head towards the hot springs. I overhear part of their conversation as they walk away.
“This place is so serene. I’m sure Key loved it when she came here,” Pryor says.
“Keyohmi, the twin?” Mrs. Doris replies.
“Yes, have you met her?” she asks Mrs. Doris.
“No.”
“The Kon never brought her here?” Pry asks.
“No. He has never brought anyone here.”
Later, I head to the cottage to make sure that Pry has settled in. I can’t find her. I head down the path that leads to the hot spring; I find her coming out of the water, naked. The bushes and trees serve as a natural barrier, but because of the route I took, I can see everything.
Our eyes lock and I have a revelation: I am not strong enough for this situation. The blaze in her eyes, the intoxicating way she moistens her lips with the tip of her tongue, the grace of her neck, the fullness of her breasts, the allure of her hips, and the promise of paradise that waits between her thighs all conspire to drain me of what little self-restraint I have left.
I always knew she was beautiful, but with her standing in front of me, I realize beautiful doesn’t begin to cover it. Pryor Reese Cane’s beauty is like the power of Omnis: incalculable.
“I’m sorry,” I reply as I quickly turn my head away.
She calmly reaches for the towel not far from her and takes her time wrapping it around herself. She doesn’t seem panicked or concerned about me seeing her naked. I’m not sure if her brazen actions are from confidence or indifference.
Which is exactly why you will walk away, Bexington. Pry is facing something too difficult right now to think clearly.
“Is it okay if I’m not?” she asks in a serious tone.
“If you’re not what?” I ask, too busy trying not to look at her body to actually focus on her words.
“Is it okay if I’m not sorry that you saw me like this—naked?” she asks.
I want this girl so bad; I can’t remember ever wanting anything more.
“You’ve had a long day. You should rest,” I reply, forcing myself to sound official.
She gives me a sad smile and gathers her clothes to start heading down the stone pathway. Before she leaves, she addresses me in a shy, small voice.
“Can you walk me to my cottage? I’m not sure I know the way,” she says.
She looks so small and fragile. While I have no doubt that if a demon were to attack, he’d end up dead or severely wounded, I also think that if someone doesn’t give her a hug, she’s going to lose it.
Do not do it, Kon! Do not even think about hugging her! In fact, don’t touch her at all! But why? Because you won’t let go—ever.
“I can get someone to show you,” I reply.
“Oh,” she says, unable to hide her disappointment.
“It’s better that way,” I tell her gently.
“Okay,” she says as she starts to walk away.
Damnit, damnit, damnit!
“Pry!” I call out.
She turns around to face me. Dear Omnis, I have never seen anyone look so broken before in my life.
“It won’t always be like this, Pry. I promise,” I reply carefully, not trusting myself to make even the slightest move towards her.
“Maybe,” she replies doubtfully.
I want the girl in front of me so bad I physically take a step back and I muster every ounce of strength I have to look down at the ground. It’s the only way I won’t reach for her. If I just wanted her body, I would be okay. That lust would eventually fade away. But I don’t want to have sex with her. I want to make love to her. I want inside her heart.
That’s exactly why you will not be escorting her to her cottage.
I spot a staff member and signal to them to help Pryor with whatever she needs.
“I’ll be here in the morning when you wake up from Recharging,” I vow.
She thanks me in a whisper and heads down the path with one of our guides.
I should be overseeing the meeting happening between the Quo and
the Paras. I should be keeping an eye on my little brother. And since I told the Healers they had to destroy the mixture they had worked so hard to create, I should be out there helping them come up with another solution to the Malakaro problem.
However, that’s not what I’m doing. Instead, it’s an hour later and I’m walking towards Pryor’s cottage to check on her. I don’t plan on knocking; I’m sure she’s Recharging and won’t hear me if I did. But I’m going there anyway because I need to see her. I need to lay eyes on her and know that she’s safe. I need to know she’s still within my reach, even if I can’t have her.
All the things I have to do as a Kon will still get done, I vow to myself. All I need is a few minutes where I get to see her. I’ll stand a few yards away and watch her lying peacefully under the covers and then I’ll go back to the business at hand.
Hello, everyone. I’m Bexington, king of the Paras and, as of right now, nighttime stalker.
When I get to her cottage, I’m surprised to find her looking out through the glass French double doors, wide-awake. She sits on the edge of the bed, perfectly still in her robe, and looks out at me. There’s a soft bluish light on her face, coming from the moon up above us. I start to say hello, but then I take a closer look and realize Pry doesn’t see me. In fact, she doesn’t see anything. She’s just staring off into space.
I move in to get a closer look. What I see in Pryor’s face causes my chest to tighten with worry. Pryor isn’t watching the world in front of her or the large moon just beyond her window. She’s playing out all the times she’s spent with Silver in her mind’s eye. She’s empty and despondent. Right now, she’s not the First Noru; she’s just a girl frozen in disillusionment.
I walk up to the double doors that look into her bedroom. I’m standing only a few feet away on the other side of the glass; she should be able to see me. But judging by the far-off look on her face, she doesn’t even know I’m here.
I know I’m about to do something foolish. I should leave her alone, because while I want to help her, I am also the guy who longs to be with her. My motives aren’t pure. What she needs right now is a friend, and yes, I can be a friend, but can I stop there?
Don’t be an idiot, Bex! Don’t you dare get close to her! Do not turn that doorknob. Do not open the doors. Do not enter Pryor’s bedroom!
I place my hands on the brass metal door handles and turn them; the doors easily give in and slowly swing open. I am now standing in the bedroom of the only being I would give my wings up for. I walk up to her. She doesn’t look up to see me standing above her.
Just tell her everything will be okay and then go away.
But one look at her tells me she is beyond words. Nothing I can say will pull her out of the void she’s in. It physically pains me to see her this hurt and this hopeless. I want to stop her pain, but I fear it’s something I can only do by touch.
No, don’t even think about it! You can’t touch her. You don’t have it in you to stop at just a friendly, comforting touch.
No, I can do this. I can just stroke her hair and embrace her like a friend.
Really, Bex? Then why are you swallowing so hard? Why is being just inches away from her skin making you dizzy with anticipation? And why are your wings flapping faster and faster from the mere thought of her touch?
I can stop myself from going any further than a friendly touch. I can do this. I have to try. She needs me. She’s alone in facing the darkest period of her life. I won’t leave her there. I will pull her out of this darkness.
I lean in and gently brush the stray hair from her face. Making contact with her skin makes my wings flap even faster than they were before. I lean over and touch my lips to a spot just above her eye. The simple kiss I give her could be considered innocent had it not been for the fact that I am lingering.
I manage to force myself to pull away. I look into her face, and she is still off in the distance. I don’t think she even registered my lips on her. I brush her cheek softly as I kneel before her, determined to get her back to the real world.
Her white robe is loosely tied, allowing me a view of her upper right thigh. I place my hand on top of her bare flesh and a wave of longing crashes down on me. A wave so strong, I bow my head under its weight and gasp out loud.
This isn’t helping her. She’s not responding. I have to stop now. Dear Omnis, give me the strength to stop now.
I don’t know how I do it, but I pull my hand away. I pull away because I love her more than I crave her. When my hand fully disconnects from her body, she turns to face me. I dare to look into her eyes. She’s not fearful and she’s not upset because I placed my hand on her thigh. She’s upset that I moved it away.
She watches with growing interest as I place my hand back on her thigh. I start to run my fingers lightly along her flesh. Her eyes dilate. My fingers slowly make their way to the loose knot that holds her robe together. I tug gently and it unravels, giving me more access.
I slide her robe off to the side and run my hands along the back of her thigh, leaving behind a trail of heat. My lips, no longer able to stay away, make contact with her inner thigh. I study her face and make sure this is still what she wants. Her mouth doesn’t tell me she’s okay with what’s happening, but her hardened nipples do. So I go back to work.
I have spent years wondering what she would feel like against my lips. I wondered what it would be like to be close enough to inhale her scent. I wondered what she would taste like if I were ever blessed enough to feel her lips on mine. I have wanted this too much to speed it up. I use my tongue and the pads of my fingers to explore the places I dreamed of going. I am diligent, dedicated, and devoted to exploring her.
She sighs heavily and leans her head back. I can feel desire growing inside the folds of her center. It begs to get the attention her inner thighs have received. It calls for my lips to glide along its walls and part it with my tongue. I want to resist for as long as I can. But she doesn’t play fair. She lures my tongue to her center with a sticky nectar too sweet to turn away from.
I part her legs as far as they can go, assuring that I have full access to her juicy, ripe center. I bury my head inside her and suckle hungrily. She places her hand behind my head and firmly pushes me even deeper inside her. I dart my tongue in and out, grazing her swollen tip.
Unable to withstand the frenzy, she falls backwards onto the bed. The ecstasy is too much. She tries to close her legs and contain the pleasure surging through her. But I can’t let her do that. I can’t let her cut off my access to her. I can’t live without the life-giving juices she’s been feeding me.
So while she writhes with pleasure and tries to close her legs, I keep them parted and drink from her. She moans. She whimpers. She curses. But I won’t stop; I can’t. The pleasure overtakes us both. Finally no longer able to stand it, she begs me to let her close her legs and cum. I allow it.
She grabs on to the collar of my shirt and yanks me up onto the bed beside her. Her body is ripped apart by wave after wave of ecstasy. She holds on to me tightly as she spasms uncontrollably. I embrace her from behind and place her against my chest.
It’s five full minutes before she stops shaking. When she finally gains control again, she closes her eyes and gives in to fatigue. I hold her tighter against me and kiss the back of her neck, then between her shoulder blades. I thank Omnis for letting me bring her back from the brink of darkness. Then I close my eyes and ask him for something, something more important than my kingdom or my life.
Dear Omnis, please don’t let this be the last time I get to hold her like this.
The next morning, I knock on the door of her cottage, but no one answers. I search the grounds and find her having tea with Mrs. Doris on the patio that overlooks the grounds. I don’t know how it’s possible, but she looks even more beautiful now than she did last night.
“Good morning,” I call as I join them.
“Kon,” Mrs. Doris says, bowing her head.
“Good morning,�
� Pryor replies.
There’s a lot that I want to say to her. Yet I know we can’t really talk with Mrs. Doris here. But Kon or not, I can’t send Mrs. Doris away, because she’s like my mother. It would be disrespectful, and knowing Mrs. Doris, she wouldn’t go any damn place unless she felt like it. I love that about her, normally. But right now, I wish she would give us some space.
“I have a meeting, but I’ll be back as soon as it’s over,” I promise Pryor.
“I won’t be here when you get back,” she says.
“You’re leaving?” I ask.
Pryor stands up and looks over at Mrs. Doris, who surprisingly takes the hint and excuses herself. Now that we are alone, I address her.
“Pry, is this about last night?”
“Last night was nice…very nice,” she says as she bites her lower lip and averts her eyes.
“Yeah…it was,” I reply, clearing my throat and swallowing hard.
We finally force ourselves to lock eyes, and when we do, we both laugh softly and block part of our faces with our hands. We’re more like kids caught kissing on the playground than courageous leaders.
“I thought maybe you’d have regrets,” I confess.
“I don’t.”
“Are you sure I didn’t make you do something you weren’t ready for?”
“To be fair, you did most of the work,” she jokes.
I laugh and shake my head at her. I want to spend my life with this girl.
“Second, I’m not a kid, and I’m not helpless. If I didn’t want last night to happen, it wouldn’t have.”
“Then why are you leaving?”
“I have a team to run.”
“That’s fair,” I admit.
“Thank you for everything,” she says with a smile.
“I don’t want to make this any more awkward, but…”
“You want to talk about last night?” she guesses.
“Yeah, don’t you?”
“Actually, no.”
“I thought you said you were okay with what happened,” I remind her.
“I was. I am. It was wonderful. That’s why I’m hoping we can leave it at that.”
“Pry, I know it’s hard to think about getting into anything so soon after Silver,” I reply.
