Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Awakening To the Dream	By : ChimaeraChan Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 45317 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-CH1
- 2-CH2
- 3-CH3
- 4-CH4
- 5-CH5
- 6-CH6
- 7-CH7
- 8-Ch8
- 9-Ch9
- 10-Ch10
- 11-CH11
- 12-CH12
- 13-CH13
- 14-CH14
- 15-CH15
- 16-CH16
- 17-CH17
- 18-CH18
- 19-Ch19
- 20-CH20
- 21-CH21
- 22-Ch22
- 23-CH23
- 24-CH24
- 25-CH25
- 26-CH26
- 27-CH27
- 28-CH28
- 29-CH29
- 30-CH30
- 31-CH31
- 32-CH32
- 33-CH33
- 34-CH34
- 35-CH35
- 36-CH36
- 37-CH37
- 38-CH38
- 39-CH39
- 40-CH40
- 41-Ch41
- 42-Ch42
- 43-Ch43
- 44-Ch44
- 45-Ch45
- 46-Ch46
- 47-Ch47
- 48-Ch48
- 49-Ch49
- 50-Ch50 *End Part 1*
- 51-Ch51
- 52-Ch52
- 53-Ch53
- 54-Ch54
- 55-Ch55
- 56-CH56
- 57-CH57
- 58-CH58
- 59-CH59
- 60-CH60
- 61-CH61
- 62-CH62
- 63-CH63
- 64-CH64
- 65-CH65
- 66-CH66
- 67-CH67 *New 6/6/2015*
- 68-CH68
- 69-CH69
- 44
- 45
- 46
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

CH45
He hadn’t had to walk far; the darkness brimming with energy led him right to where the god waited. Invisible water echoed all around like the lapping of a lake, and Harry was reminded of the Great Lake at Hogwarts even though there was really nothing there to confirm that memory. Furiae’s song was thick in the air and soothing to hear. Silky strands of darkness twisted on the ground, tickling at his ankles and bringing a small smile to his face as he stumbled up Furiae’s slippery soft robes and curled into the welcoming embrace. He burrowed in, breathing in Furiae’s oddly familiar scent and letting himself relax as layers of silk and hair draped around him, cocooning him in safety.
“You’re exhausted.” Furiae commented, gently curling long fingers into Harry’s sleek locks and combing the wild tangle.
Harry’s response was cut short by a yawn that, once finished, left him sinking deeper in Furiae’s robes. “I messed up big time. I nearly killed one of my allies… I’m such an idiot.”
“These things happen. You are young yet and relearning everything; mistakes are certain to happen.”
Mistakes that involved the death of innocents were not acceptable and Harry was not in a hurry to have it happen again. “I’m still an idiot.” He grunted glumly, but his depression about the whole thing had faded when Clive’s health had improved. Now wrapped up tight in Furiae’s arms it was hard to hold onto any negative emotions for long.
“Shouldn’t you be off running the universe or something?” Harry finally asked, fighting the lull of sleep that was trying to drag him down.
“I’m multitasking as we speak.” Resting his chin on Harry’s head, Furiae smiled down into the bleary gold-green eyes. “It is difficult, being in this realm, but it will take a while before it becomes too much. There has been so much distress from you these few days that I had to be certain all was well. I will help restore the energy you so selflessly gave to the last Scion Incubus.” He gave Harry a crooked smile, his eyes alight with pride. “You’ll be happy to know, Siren is very relieved her blood has remained intact and she will not be cursing you. She had personally seen to saving Clive the first time, when his clan was destroyed, by leading him to safety. You should have heard what she was saying about you.” Furiae chuckled lowly. “You better make sure that boy stays out of trouble.”
Harry grumbled noncommittally. Sure, he was an idiot but Clive hadn’t been that bright in the whole situation either. He had known Harry was tired and weak; it was just commonsense not to ask that sort of thing from him at such a time. Not when his head had been focused on blood and Malfoy…
Harry grabbed onto Furiae’s robes and shifted to sit himself up straighter so he could see him eye to eye. “I think I have a problem.”
“Mmhmm… as usual I’d say.” Furiae teased. “What’s bothering you?”
Harry frowned and looked away, eventually letting his head fall heavily on Furiae’s chest again. “It’s this Soul Vigil thing. What—Umm… well, what am I supposed to be feeling?”
Furiae raised a brow at him. “Concerning what, exactly? You know, the Terror of Lost Fallen was a problem; you need to get your priorities in order. Having a Soul Vigil is not something to be dreading. At this point you must have realised how integral one is. Your Soul Vigil allows you to deal with the more dangerous, important situations while he or she takes care of all the other concerns, mostly negotiating and political maneuvers that don’t need your attention. For example, the Gryphons you were speaking with earlier. It would have been more common for your Soul Vigil to take care of that situation. The Soul Vigil will be the figurehead of your power so you must be in perfect synch mentally to ensure—”
“I might want to kiss him.” Harry blurted out, burying his head to hide his blush. “I’m pretty sure I want to—really want—I really, really want to um, kiss him.”
“…I see.” Furiae tilted his head thoughtfully, taking a moment to choose his words. “May I ask why this is bothering you so much? The boy does have high veela attributes.”
Harry shook his head numbly. “He’s become a very good friend and I genuinely like him… it’s really weird to want to— Besides, you know that veela stuff doesn’t work on me. I was hoping it was just something to do with the Soul Vigil thing.” Harry glanced up hopefully. “Could it be a weird side effect? I never read the whole chapter on it in the dark book.”
“Hmmmm… well there are bonds that exist with all of your Candidates. They become stronger and other bonds are added once you’ve officially chosen your Soul Vigil. You are aware of your other Candidates, correct?”
Harry nodded. He had felt the presence of three other magical signatures out there on the move, seeking him out. He could have reached out, helped them find him, but he hadn’t wanted to. The longer he could avoid the chaos that having all Candidates in one spot together would result in, the better. The one he couldn’t really feel was Malfoy’s and he knew that was because of the collar he was wearing. But when he could feel it…
“Please make this go away, Furiae. I’m crazy enough as it is without having to deal with this. I like things how they are with him. This will only make things weird…”
Furiae pulled him closer. “I don’t know what to tell you, son. I really can’t see why this has you so worked up. There is nothing wrong with caring for him in that way. If he triumphs, your bonds will grow. You’ll be able to communicate on a higher level and you will be unable to hide such feelings from each other. You might as well face it now, instead of putting it off and letting it eat away at you.”
“La Lune will kill him—hell, if the other Candidates find out they’ll gang up on him and kill him. Loxton will hunt him down, twist the laws against him. Voldemort will do everything to get him under his control to use him against me… I can’t feel this way. I’m not supposed to feel this way.” Harry paused at his words, knowing without knowing. “I’m not supposed to feel this way about my Soul Vigil.”
Furiae frowned at him and placed a long finger to the tip of Harry’s nose. “There is no ‘supposed tos’ in matters of the heart, young man.”
“…M-Matters of the heart?” Harry squeaked out.
Furiae laughed. “Well what do you think is going on in your head there, Harry? You said it yourself, it’s not his veela powers that have you topsy-turvy.”
“I’m not—it’s not—topsy-turvy? Who says topsy-turvy anymore? You’re delusional, that’s what this is.” Harry decided with a fluster.
“Ah, that must be it. Maybe you should warn the universe of this turn of events. Can’t have me being delusional while working.” Furiae gave Harry a teasing smile and returned to the boy’s previous concern.
“I think you should let your friend decide on his own safety. If he becomes your Soul Vigil then he will be in danger at all times; your affection will not change that. From what I’ve heard, the boy already is in a fair amount of danger through no fault of your own, Harry. For all you know, he doesn’t even like you in that way… although I can’t imagine that being possible since you are my son and the most lovable being in the universe.” Furiae said, quite seriously. “But, if the impossible is possible, you are worrying about things that you cannot control. There is really not point to it.”
Harry glared halfheartedly. “If I want to worry than I’ll bloody well worry. If you saw the dream I had before this, you’d be worried too.”
“You seemed to be enjoying it at the time.”
“Wha—that’s not the point!” It had been a very good dream in which Malfoy had been more than happy to kiss him numerous times. Now he just felt horribly weird and for the first time was glad he still had five days before he had to face the blonde. “This is sooooo weird! I have to be really messed up from my exritus and from being stuck around these negative people and their magic. That must be it. It makes the most sense, really.”
Furiae just smiled to himself. Harry convincing himself of something so foolish was not uncommon for the boy, or his brothers for that matter. He let the boy babble away until Harry’s lids grew heavy and he was drifting back asleep. Furiae held the boy tighter and began the process of restoring his energy to safer levels. “You’ll figure it out in time, Harry. You always do.”

*******

“Come on now; you lot get away from that.” Lesley chided, making a shooing motion at the small group of children that were hovering around his legs and the large package he had floo’d back with.
“Lezzy, Lezzy, you promised!” A particularly short girl with bouncing blonde curls pouted, her little fists at her sides in a stance of rebellion.
Lesley spared the girl a side-glance, pulling the large bag onto his back. “Aye, I’m quite aware of all my promises, Adele. I do not go handing them out here and there like handshakes.”
Unimpressed, Adele was joined by another girl holding a beater bat and two boys that had stopped their struggle over a quaffle long enough to glare at Lesley demandingly. “We want to play! You promised you’d play keeper and make sure Sidney and the older boys don’t steal the quaffle from us. They won’t listen to us and I just know Corey’s got the snitch, that berk!”
“Adele Farewell, I will not hear such words out of your mouth. You are ten now and officially a young lady. Young ladies do not speak crassly.” Lesley rebuked in a tone that suggested it hadn’t been the first time he’s had this conversation with the girl.
Adele gave him a calculating look, her blue eyes narrowed and lips pursed. “…Berk.”
Sighing, Lesley held a calming hand over his eyes. “I will be speaking with Christian about the language he speaks when in the company of such short people.” Speaking the man’s name aloud caused a painful twinge in his heart and his mind flitted to the awkward situation that had occurred last night. He had really fouled things up and he didn’t know what to do now. If only Christien would listen to him…
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve already decided I’m going to be a big mean ole fire elemental when I grow up. No one will dare tell me how I’m supposed to act when I can just hit them with fire, and I’ll be so big that—”
“Yes, yes, it was a dragon last week and a mountain ogre before. You still haven’t figured out that everything your mother tells you shouldn’t be taken literally, my dear.” Lesley peeked between his fingers at the hopeful looks in the kids’ eyes and gave a sudden roar. “Now, off with you all! I want you all with your toes scraping the ground by the time I’m out on the field, and no buts about it!”
Shrieking and giggling, the children took off down the hall at a full out run, their laughter echoing in the corridor until they had made their way outside. Lesley smirked, their antics cheering his mood and he shifted the bag on his shoulders, whistling an old tune as he turned the other way and walked towards the staircase. Harry, in all his infinite brooding, had taken to sleeping in the lower regions of White Towers while he recovered from the ordeal yesterday. Clive had been relocated back into the man’s personal chambers since his condition had stabled. Harry was still insisting on sending Clive over to Hogwarts; Lesley couldn’t see the need but Poppy had thought it was a good idea and, if all stayed well, Clive would be shipped out tomorrow afternoon.
“Oh, hello there.” Lesley gave the glaring gargoyles a hesitant smile, surprised to see that they weren’t the ones he had originally set to guard Harry’s quarters, and now had friends as that. “Would you let the Heir know that Lesley Griffith is here to see him?”
There is no need. A sleek black being carved to resemble a cross between a wolf and a lion pointed Lesley towards the door with a wicked talon. He waits.
Lesley raised a brow but shrugged it off after a moment. Most gargoyles could not be trusted without some sort of higher cognitive being supervising them to keep innocents from being mauled. If anyone had gargoyles that could easily discern between mortals like this one could, it would be Harry. He was still hesitant to walk through the small pack of them though, not positive that they wouldn’t attack.
He gave a slow look around, eyes intent on a rather large creature whose scales were ruffling up and down with each breath it took. Most gargoyles didn’t bother to breath, and they never did it quite so lifelike. They were all rather beautiful in a predatory way. “So, ummm… never mind.” Stepping around a snapping tail, Lesley crept to the door and escaped within as quickly as possible.
“Harry, what have you been up to? What are those things out there?” He placed the bag on the ground and peered blindly into the darkness until he caught sight of two green orbs blinking back. “Did I wake you? Sorry about that; I know you must be wiped.”
“They’re beautiful, aren’t they? It took me three hours to complete them all; it will be another day until they reach their full strength.” Slowly, dim light began to fill the darkness; chairs, bed, and other bits of scarce furniture now outlined so Lesley wouldn’t find himself stubbing his toes. Stretched out on the floor was another shimmering black gargoyle, this one larger and more elegant than the others and shaped like a long eastern style dragon with a slender snout, and eyes that glittered with deep intelligence.
Harry rose from where he was curled up on the floor. The blanket wrapped loosely around him trailed behind as the boy pursed his lips and carefully picked his way around a fallen chair and the gargoyle’s serpentine tail. Stopping a few feet before Lesley, Harry gave him a small grin, eyes fixed on the floor beside him.
“What’s in the bag, cousin?”
“What, this bag?”
“Yeah, this bag.” Harry frowned at the man’s teasing tone, dragging his eyes up to meet the golden ones. “You are far too cheerful this early in the morning.”
“I think you just need to smile more, grumpy. Now, this bag here just happens to be chock full of something or other from your little shiny elf friend at Hogwarts—Ah, there’s that smile! Have at it then.” Lesley helped Harry carry the bag over to a dusty table and then he sat back to let the boy open it up.
Tearing into the bag with an amount of glee that surprised even him, Harry pulled it open and froze, eyes widening in wonder. “Oh dear gods…” In one swift move he grabbed the bag by the bottom and turned it upside down, dumping all of its contents on the table with a whoop of joy. “Come on… where are you… HA!” Carelessly pushing a pile of chocolate frogs aside, he wrapped his hand around the sleeve of a particularly beautiful blue shirt, and pulled it free from the pile.
Lesley leaned forward, looking at the shirt curiously. “Ah, isn’t that—?”
“Malfoy’s.” In fact, Harry was pretty sure it was Draco’s favorite shirt. The thought alone sent flutters through his stomach.
“I was going to say water-sylk; it’s a very rare material.” Lesley smiled, watching Harry sniff hesitantly at the material. He could tell the boy was holding himself back, and it almost made him laugh aloud when Harry forcefully held the shirt away at arms length after giving a low whimper.
“Aren’t you going to see what else is in the bag?”
“Don’t care.” Harry shook his head, placing the shirt on the table and planting himself in the nearest chair. He proceeded to stare intensely at it for the next five minutes.
Sighing and running a hand through his blue locks, Lesley turned his attention to the spilled contents. “Well… this is fun. Do you care if I take a look?”
Harry shrugged. “Knock yourself out… hands off my chocolate.”
“Not to worry; I have my figure to watch after all.” Lesley joked and pounced on the pile, pushing things around and bringing some order to the chaos. “I do believe someone is trying to dress you, love, and quite respectably at that. Will you look at these pants! These are custom made, Harry. You just can’t buy these, especially this sort of material.”
“That’s Malfoy for you… only the best for my dragon.”
Lesley raised a brow, about to point out exactly what the brunette had said, but taking a good look at the boy gave him pause. Harry’s hand was slowly, carefully tracing the edge of the blue shirt, his face an odd mix of confusion and awe. The boy’s nose scrunched and Lesley watched as Harry carefully pulled the shirt close, his tongue flickering out to hesitantly lick the material.
“…Harry? All right there?”
Harry raised his eyes, meeting Lesley’s but not truly focusing. He took a deep breath, eyes fluttering shut unconsciously as Draco’s scent overwhelmed his senses. In his mind’s eye he could see him, his long slender body wrapped tight in the silky material, brow creased in concentration as he pondered through that book he never let him read… Even now he could hear that low little growl Draco made whenever he anticipated Harry was just about to pounce. Of course, if Draco had known that it was that growl that made Harry unable to resist clinging to him, he probably wouldn’t growl so much.
…Maybe he’d growl more.
Harry sighed at the thought, his heart leaping in his chest. He was being stupid again, absolutely insane…
Something tapped his head, forcing him to focus on the roll of parchment Lesley was waving in front of him. “What?”
Lesley gave him a long look that asked a lot of questions Harry had no intention of answering. “There’s a note.”
“Oh… OH!” Harry snapped the roll out of the man’s hand and broke the seal with a long fingernail, quickly unfurling it. Draco’s elegant script filled the page and Harry couldn’t stop the foolish smile that took his face. He didn’t even read it at first, just stared in wonder at how neat and precise and totally wonderful the letters flowed together.
Hello little Kitten,
Your feathered friend taught me a spell to lock scent in an object so it won’t fade even if you wash it; hence the shirt… my favorite shirt. My favorite shirt, and if anything happens to it I will hang you upside down by your toes, slice your finger tips off, and leave you to slowly bleed to death. Am I making myself clear here? No rips, no tears, no dirt, blood, food, grass stains, magical discoloring, stretching; anything happens to that shirt and you’re dead. I’m trusting you to bring it back in one piece.
So… I might have broken into your trunk and stolen some of your clothes. Not like it’s much of a crime with your wardrobe. It’s completely your fault; I didn’t ask to have this stupid withdrawal thing going on. And believe me, I would have picked anything even remotely acceptable compared to your bloody rags. I tossed in some clothes for you, just to keep you decent for now since you’re stuck with that snooty lot for a while. You may appreciate a particular cloak wrapped in the bundle of clothes.
Harry looked up from the note, poking at the bundle of clothes Draco had mentioned. He kept himself at a distance, not because he didn’t trust the Slytherin as much as he didn’t want to get that close to Malfoy’s scent. Sure enough, a white shirt fell free revealing a familiar shimmery cloak. “Brilliant bastard.” Harry pulled his father’s invisibility cloak free and carefully folded it beside him, his hand stroking over the smooth fabric while he continued to read.
A certain freckly duo sends their love and best wishes your way. They also mentioned something about a Goblet of Taint and dungbombs… I wouldn’t recommend listening to anything they say. They also tell me your friends are really missing you. I’ve only spoken with Shiny (what’s with that name?) and he’s saying your closest are moping around and barely eating meals. I suggest you hurry back… um for their sakes of course. I’m quite happy not having to deal with you for a while; your shirt is far less annoying than you are.
I think I’ll be holding onto this galleon for a while. You can’t last a week without breaking something and we both know it.
Dragon
PS: You come up with the worst nicknames, Kitten
PPS: Don’t die. Promise me this very instant, even if you just hiss it like the weirdo you are. Don’t you dare fucking die.
The note falling from his hand, Harry wasn’t sure if he was going to laugh or just break down. Withdrawal… that was a good way of describing it. He took a few steadying breaths, hugging the invisibility cloak to his chest. He was going to have to send Draco some nicer clothes; the boy must be horrified with having to cling to Dudley’s overgrown rags. “I promise, Malfoy.”
“What’s that, love?” Lesley glanced over, having caught the whispered words.
Harry shook his head. “Give me a minute to change and we can get moving.” He unwrapped a chocolate frog and stuffed it in his mouth, ignoring the lurch his stomach gave at the prospect of food. He was used to it at this point and picked up two more packets, breaking them open on his way over to the new robes that the seamstress had made up for him.
The designer had not been happy with his insistence on simple clothing and he could pick out rebellious embroidery and lace where she had let her stubbornness show. Harry shrugged; as long as he didn’t look like some frilly pounce he didn’t really care. At least it wasn’t tasteless or itchy looking. He decided on the ruby red in honor of Gryffindor. It was detailed in black instead of gold, something he was quite sure Malfoy would approve of.
“Did you want this?” Lesley didn’t touch, but pointed to Draco’s favorite shirt instead.
“Um…” Harry walked back and stared at the shirt for a while. It absolutely buzzed with Draco’s scent, enough that it was almost as if the boy was there. He really didn’t think he’d be able to concentrate if it was with him twenty-four seven. The other clothes Draco had sent him weren’t charmed and the scent on them was at far more manageable levels. Harry picked a white t-shirt and left the beautiful blue to sit on the table.
“Do you want me to…?”
“No, I’ll just be a second.” Harry changed quickly, discarding the flimsy slippers that matched the red robes for the sturdier boots Draco had let him borrow. The robe was a little tight, which confused him a bit since it had been delivered that day. Frowning, he turned to Lesley, holding his arms wide. “Is it noticeable?”
Lesley got up from his seat and circled the brunette. “That you’ve grown two inches and bulked some muscle during the night? Only to the trained eye, love. I’m sure you can get your formal robes adjusted before the coronation this Friday. Are you feeling better? You seem it.” He reached his hand out, placing his palm against Harry’s cheek in a gentle manner.
Harry let him, quickly noticing the anxiety coming from the hand touching him. “I’m fine but you have a problem, Lez.” He said matter-of-factly. “Wanna talk about it?”
Lesley shook his head with a smile. “You are something.”
“Come on; while I have time.”
“I don’t, well… it’s Christien.” Lesley admitted softly.
Harry rolled his eyes. “Of course it is. What have you done now?”
Lesley looked away, falling silent. The hand he had left resting on Harry’s cheek moved, clasping the boy behind on the back of the neck. Harry didn’t resist the pull, letting the man lean over and rub his cheek against his. “You know what this is, right?”
“A greeting between close friends.” Harry willingly returned the affection, his cheek tingling from the magic flowing between them.
“And this?” Lesley pressed a chaste kiss to Harry’s lips, lingering just enough for the magic to spark.
“A greeting for family and loved ones, usually among Clan.” Harry replied with a smile, wondering what Lesley was up to.
“What about this one?” Lesley’s voice betrayed his anxiety and before he lost his nerve he bit into the side of Harry’s neck, right below the pulse, until blood flowed.
Understanding dawned and Harry gave a quick tug to the man’s hair until gold eyes were on him. “Who was it?”
“Solus Ta’s son, Jamil. They felt your energy fade and he came to see if you were dead.”
“…And Christien saw?” Harry sighed internally. Lezzy, Lezzy, heartache just seems to follow him around.
“Yeah.”
Harry carefully wiped the fringe from Lesley’s forehead, letting the man compose himself. “Let me talk to him.”
Lesley shook his head, biting his lip in disappointment. “It wouldn’t be proper.”
“Neither of us are the type to care about appearances.” Harry reassured, rubbing his cheek over the man’s. “I’ll explain everything to Christien the next chance I get. He’s a stubborn sort, but something tells me it will work its way out. You are nothing if not relentless, Lezzy.”
The man sighed, leaning into Harry for emotional support. “I don’t know… I think this was the last straw, Harry. His face… I could practically taste his despair. He won’t even talk to me.”
“I think that’s a good sign.” Harry raised a brow at Lesley’s incredulous squawk. “If he didn’t care about you it wouldn’t have had such a strong impact on him.” Gods, all this touchy feely stuff was giving him a headache. Beneath all the new wisdom he was still a teenager who couldn’t handle his own love life, as lacking as it was. No wonder Furiae had laughed at him when he had been whining about his own stupid problems.
He petted Lesley’s hair and pulled away. “Come on; time to deal with business. Things will probably escalate if Jamil has been here.” Harry turned to the quiet dragon still stretched out on the rug, and smiled. The dragon, far more intelligent and deadly than his other gargoyles, did not deal well in group settings, and refused to work together with his other creations. Harry hadn’t minded; he understood the creature’s personality and loved it just as much as all of his others. “Obsidian, stay here and guard.” Harry took a final look around the room, making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything before pulling the door to the corridor open.
“Have you had any word about Helena yet? I think—son of a—!” Harry gave a yelp as furry paws wrapped around his arm and pulled him into the hallway, the door slamming shut behind him.
A loud shriek followed the dull thud that had cut off Harry’s curse. “Harry!” Lesley threw himself at the door. It didn’t budge. Screaming in rage, he fumbled for his wand and began firing spells at the heavy door only to be knocked lightly out of the way so Obsidian could put its impossible strength to good use.
Grunting more in surprise than pain, Harry hit the ground hard, a dark blur crashing into his chest and sending his head cracking against the stone floor. Dazed, he was aware of heat brushing against his face and something hard and sharp clamped onto his neck, effectively cutting off his air. Claws were biting into his shoulder and arm, and he was pretty sure he had broken a rib, if not his skull. He tightened the grip he had instinctively taken when he had first fallen. The creature shrieked again as Harry’s claws shredded its flesh. Blood spilled from the creature’s mouth, Harry’s blood, and splattered and dripped onto the floor and over Harry’s robes. The grip around Harry’s neck tightened and the first stab of pain broke through his addled mind.
It was trying to kill him.
Using the pain as a focus, Harry tore his arm free, losing a chunk of flesh in the process, and opened his eyes. Red, meant to frighten and trap his gaze, bored into his, but it made no difference to him. He wrenched the razor-sharp claws out of his shoulder and, with two free hands, grabbed the muzzle locked onto his neck. His fingers wrapped tight around the creature’s thick snout, the soft pads of his fingertips burning from the teeth slicing into them. He pulled, slowly prying the jaws apart and took a well needed gasp of air.
Not stopping once his vulnerable throat was free, Harry rose up to his knees, using his weight as leverage to help push the beast down. Intelligent fear flickered in the red eyes. Harry’s mouth contorted in a feral smile. Muscles flexed in his arms and in an instance the creature’s face collapsed, its jaw torn from its skull with a sickening snap that echoed in the corridor.
The magic holding the doors released with the being’s death, and Lesley and a curl of a dragon came barreling out, just in time to see Harry throw the bloodied pieces of flesh at the wall with a despairing scream. “Gods damn—they were newborns! You killed them—you killed all of them!” Harry stumbled to his feet and kicked at the still twitching body of the midnight colored beast.
“Harry, are you all right? Your neck—shit! Stop moving; you’re losing blood!” Lesley clutched at Harry’s arms, turning the boy away from his cooling attacker and the dead bodies of his gargoyles splattered all over the hallway.
“They were just babies! They could feel, Lezzy. I made them so they could feel and care and they’re all dead; just like that!” Harry snarled, whipping around and lashing out a final time, kicking the creature’s body into the wall where it stuck, blood and guts gluing it to the vertical surface like some gory graffiti.
“Hush, Harry. Please, just sit down and let me call for Jacques.” Lesley pleaded, pulling the boy away.
With nothing left to do, Harry complied, tears mixing with the blood on his face as he gazed upon what was left of his newest creations. He grabbed at Lesley’s robe before the man could leave for help. Almost afraid of the possibilities, he called for his first. “Nips?” Gods, don’t be dead… please don’t be dead.
“There.” Lesley pointed at the same time Harry caught the shadowy movement as his cat slipped through the wall at a run.
Master… you’re injured. Nips observed, eyes glancing around for the culprit.
A hysterical laugh bubbled past Harry’s lips. Thank the gods, his sense of humor still lived. “I’m already healing. Y-You alerted the others about the meeting?”
Yes. They are waiting in the Hall of Peace, except Forrestal who is still resting. Shall I let them know you will be delayed, master?
“That’s not necessary. I need you to check the shield around the boundary of the castle for any mischief. Meet up with me in the Hall of Peace once you’re done.” Harry gave the shadow cat an anxious look. “Stay out of danger, Nips.”
The cat yawned, sniffing lightly. You would have a harder time calling me into danger, Sire. Pink tongue flickering over a spot of blood that had somehow gotten on his perfectly sleek fur, Nips gave a quick glance to the final remaining gargoyle. An unspoken message flickering between the two and he leaped back through the wall he had entered.
“Come on, Harry. Let me call for Jacques.” Lesley pleaded, fear for the boy bright in his eyes.
“No, I’m fine. I—just… quit it Lez. Don’t leave me. I’m fine; just don’t leave.” Harry held tight to the man, his blood spilling onto Lesley’s clothes. The last thing he wanted was Lesley being taken by some beast while he sat waiting for help to arrive. Pulling at the hem of his new robe, Harry placed it to the wound on his arm to help keep his blood where it belonged until his flesh reconstituted. “Just give me a few minutes. Obsidian will guard the hall, and if another comes I’ll take care of it.” He gave his gargoyle a sharp look to the protests he could feel in its mind. “I will take care of it. You are still too young for battle and my strength far exceeds yours.”
Just because I am young—
“No! Gods, stop testing me right now! Your siblings are all dead and…” Everyone died because of him. They all died.
He pulled away from Lesley, skirting from his helping hands. Stalking over to the body of his attacker, he let his claws grow long again and grabbed onto the beast’s shattered head. Bracing a foot on the wall, he twisted, the bones in the beast’s neck snapping. All he had to do was run his claws around the broken neck to slice through the flesh and pull the head free.
There was no excuse for this. His creations, newly born only a few hours before, were dead. He had failed them. They had given him nothing but love and loyalty, and he had failed them in the most integral way… This would not happen again. “Come with me.” He ordered, the bloodied head in hand as he lead his way down through the lower regions of White Towers, a worried Lesley and silent Obsidian following closely behind.

*******

“Please forgive my delay. Take your seats.” The doors opening before him, Harry strode into the Hall of Peace, carelessly dropping his fallen enemies head on the table in front of Marjory and Stratford. He waited patiently for Lesley to take his seat and Obsidian to set himself as guard in front of the closed entrance. “Today we speak of war but, before that, we must first face the problem of our weaknesses.” Still standing, he waved his hand to where four house elves had just popped in, laden down with an array of glittering items. “I have already dealt with Clive’s before coming here, which has made me late… among other things…”
He swept his eyes over the councilors, taking in their confusion and anxiety. Unlike Lesley, he had not bothered to change and was sure he was quite a fright covered in blood and guts, face streaked with dust and sweat, robes torn and hair caked. If he could see his eyes, he would surely notice the slight mania that was frightening those in the room right now. As frightened as they were, he sensed no guilt or deceit from any of them and a part of him was able to relax.
“This is truly my fault. I have forced you all into a position of power and failed to give you means to defend yourself from the enemies that will now stalk you as they do me. I would like to think that secrecy alone could protect you, but it doesn’t take a fool to notice that I have called you all again and will repeatedly in the future. Now, there are two ways we can do this.” He moved to the piles of armor that he had selected from the underground armory, the house elves popping out with low bows.
“I don’t like this way, defending you because you are not strong enough to defend yourselves. But, at the moment, we do not have much of a choice. To awaken your powers now would leave you all knocked out for days and we do not have the time for that. Having Clive out of the picture is far more troublesome than any of you can imagine; I cannot have any more of you incapacitated. First blood has been drawn and it will only escalate from this moment onward.”
He picked up a fine chain mail made of a silver colored substance, similar to the invisible one he wore at all times. It was, unfortunately, not as strong as his, but few items were in this realm. “You will all wear this armor until I say otherwise. It is light, will become invisible once I charm it, and the only side effects from wearing it will be the lengthening of your life and possibly a little chafing. Christien, you will replace your current armor with this; it is far more resilient… Immediately, people.” He tossed the current chain mail he was holding, Lesley catching it easily. “Marjory, give me a moment to set up a screen for you so you can have some privacy.” It took ten minutes before everyone’s armor was on correctly and spelled invisible, Christien waiting for Marjory to finish and then using the shadowy screen to change as well. Harry only raised a brow, the man would be fast to change since he was familiar with armor and had been helping the others, but Lesley heartbroken look said a different motive was in place.
“Sire, aren’t you going to wear anything to protect yourself?” Stratford asked carefully, eyes taking in the way Harry’s hands trembled still since the adrenaline rush from earlier. “You are more at risk than any of us.”
“On the contrary, Stratford, I am the least at risk because I have the ability to defend myself. I am more fearful for the innocents around me that will indirectly die at the hands of those seeking me out.” Harry looked away, intentionally not mentioning that he was in fact very well armored. Let everyone underestimate him, it would serve him well in the beginning. “Sit, all of you. Who knows what beast this is? Try to imagine it still has its jaw attached.” He pointed turned the mangled head on the table so they could get a clear look. “No Lez, let them have a chance at it first.”
Harry fidgeted around while he waited for some sort of recognition. “Come now, I’m a muggleborn and I’ve run across this one in my school studies. It has the ability to mask its presence and enough magic to create a protective area before it attacks, keeping screams from attracting help and help from getting in. Look at the eyes; they’re foggy now but you can still see.”
“Dear gods, it’s a grim!” Marjory gasped, pushing away from the table and the decapitated head. Christien and Stratford immediately followed suit, leaving Lesley as the only one sitting calmly, Harry having yet still to sit down.
“Correct. Very good, Marjory. Now really, don’t make me ask you all to sit again. I’m in an agitated state and having you swarm around is not good for the nerves.” Harry chuckled harshly, running a hand streaked with dry blood through his hair, the coated locks catching his fingers. He really needed a shower but now was not the time. It took a long moment for his companions to get the nerve to sit back down near the grim, but sit they did.
“All right… so, yeah, a grim. A real live grim that haunts your dreams and stalks your soul right to the grave. I don’t mean to scare you but this is what you could be facing in the future, and far worse.” Harry picked the head up, glaring at the dead red eyes. “…As I’m sure you know, either having been there or from word of mouth, we had a very special visitor last night. Did anyone catch sight of him besides Lesley?” Marjory and Christien both nodded.
“I only caught a short glance when he was on his way out.” Stratford admitted. “It was the Child of the Sun.”
“My nephew, Jamil. He was courteous, correct?” They all nodded. “Jamil is very courteous… charming, entrancing, forgiving, full of mercy and love until it leaks from him in a foul stench.” Harry smiled wickedly. “This is the gift he left me… us. If the grim had not found me by nightfall it would have stalked the halls of White Towers and killed all it found. Very nasty indeed.” He looked up from the dead beast to access the councilor’s reactions.
“Unfortunately for you, you have all seen Jamil. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem… but you are mine. Whether you agree or not, in his eyes you serve me and that will intrigue him. The man is vain, forever needing to be seen as perfect to satisfy his ego. He plays the good hero, charms and seduces while inside his soul is twisted. And one day he will return, not for me, but for each of you. He will want to know what you think of him. He will want you to honor him, love him, serve him…” He let the concept sink in, placing the grim’s head back on the table and pacing around.
“And he will destroy you if you deny your allegiance to me. He hunts you because I have chosen you, but he cannot have you as long as you are under my protection. Do you all understand this? These people—beings, are not like you. They have different rules. They follow ritual and ceremony to an exact science, and they hold everyone around them to those rules even though they know damn well that most of you are completely ignorant of their ways. I will have to teach you. Ignorance will be your downfall; it is the only true weakness—gods, there is so much you all will need to know and there is just no time! I didn’t think they’d act so soon, but since I’ve been gone so long they must have gotten antsy.”
“I can teach them.” Lesley offered, his jaw set in determination. “This time around I imagine they’ll listen for a change when the stakes are their lives.”
Harry gave his cousin a grateful look. He’d have been lost without the man there. “You would have made a great Soul Vigil, Lezzy.” The compliment surprised Lesley, and to Harry’s amusement the man’s cheeks began to flush. Which reminded him… his cousin needed a very good thank you for all his help. “Others will likely be coming here to visit at some point, and most likely I will not be here to handle the situation. If this occurs, leave it to Lesley; he is of my kind after all and knows the proper way to deal with such beings. But if Lesley and I are both indisposed, then I need you, as in my people, to greet and see to their needs until Lesley or I can arrive.
“I know, you’re thinking it is the Chancellor’s place, but if you recall, you will all be taking that role. My brothers and their kin will not care about the hierarchy of some wizard mortals who holds a small percentage of fae blood. They will see you as worthy because I see you as worthy. Even if you bumble and flail and come at them with swords, they will refrain from killing you because I have placed my trust in you… Err, do try to resist the urge to play like that. They will only take so much.” Harry added with a smile that only Lesley shared. The rest of his audience seemed scared to silence.
“There are only two situations where my kind will kill you, and I do mean kill with all full intent, passionless and succinct. If you in any way— from words, to body language, to your very thoughts, which some can read as if they were their own— show disloyalty to me. You don’t have to like me, you don’t have to even speak with me, but heaven help you if you go against my orders or wishes when in their presence. They will try to trick you, taunt you, seduce you into leaving my services for theirs; believe me, they will kill you no matter what they promise. Loyalty is very important to my kind.” Harry took a deep breath, slumping over the back of a high back chair that’s spikes retracted at his touch.
“What’s the other one? You said there were two situations where they’d kill us.” Christien asked stiffly, having gone pale under his healthy tan.
Harry shrugged, staring at his folded hands. “That situation will only come when faced with my brothers; the others are too weak to play that particular game with me. It is not something that will concern any of you.”
“Even so, I think I’d like to know what to look out for.” Stratford pressed, Marjory nodding in agreement.
Sighing, Harry looked up to meet their worried gazes. “They kill all that I love. You have nothing to fear; my fondness for each of you is not enough to make you a target… and they won’t hunt family.” He added, smiling weakly at Lesley.
“When they come, and they will, they will greet you.” He continued more seriously. “They will call you not by your names but something far more creative to hurt you… dogs, whores, sniveling leeches, slaves; if you can think it they will say it. This will be the first test. Their intent is to get you to respond by saying I am not his dog, or whore, or dirt on his feet, etcetera. Why? Because the first four words will get you killed; I am not his!” He emphasized each word with a palm slam to the table. “That is all it will take for them to justify your deaths. I suggest, unless you are fully confident in your abilities, to not speak at all when in their presence. They are tricky and have had thousands of years to perfect how to get my people killed. It is life and death to you, but a mere game to them and they like to play.
“Now, if you have held your tongues and lived this long, the second test will follow. They will call you my ‘chosen’ and ask you to prove your worth. You do this by greeting them in the ancient ritual, echoing the way that I formally greet the leaders of my family. Cousin, if I may use you as an example?” Lesley immediately stood tall, tilting his head to the side.
“When facing, you will go for the left side, on the lower half of the neck where this thick muscle is.” Harry pointed it out on Lesley’s neck. “If you go too high or low it is a sign of inexperience and weakness of will. If you go for the right side of the neck you are initiating a life bond and will likely get your skull cracked open and laughed at for your troubles. It must be this spot and you must bite down hard. Ideally you will draw blood, but since human teeth are weak in that manner, you will have to rely on the strength of your jaws to subdue them. This greeting is a sign of dominance.
“I realize the last thing you will be feeling is dominant; you’ll probably be scared out of your minds, to be honest. But you are my chosen and I am the dominant force over my family, meaning you are to be the dominant force as well. Now, don’t expect them to go doing what you say, or scraping at your feet or such foolishness. If they find your greeting satisfactory, they will refrain from injuring any while in your home and under your hospitality. If not, you will have no security while they are here. Now watch closely. I will show you first and then you will each have a chance to try it out on me.”
Harry stepped forward, wrapping his hand in Lesley’s hair and pulling his head to the side. “You must be bold. Keep eye contact as long as you feel you won’t flinch. Remember, you want to hurt them. Don’t be deluded by worries of their safety or of inciting their anger; any noises you hear will not be from pain.” Turning his gaze back to the man in his grip, he tightened his fist, a soft whimper escaping Lesley’s lips. “There we go, cousin. You don’t need to worry anymore.”
He nuzzled into Lesley’s long neck, taking in the scent of his family and letting his fangs grow in response. The man was wrought with anticipation, having felt guilt ever since biting Harry’s neck earlier, and this was the only way to ease it. Lesley didn’t struggle or fight, but submitted willingly when Harry carefully bit into the man’s throat. The taste of blood filled his senses and once again Harry felt like he had merely half an hour ago when he had torn the grim in pieces. A low growl rumbled through him and he yanked Lesley’s blue locks, biting harder until the man fell to his knees with a strangled moan.
Harry pulled away, licking his lips distractedly with his eyes locked on Lesley’s. “Yes, well… that’s how you do that.” He shook his head to clear his mind, grabbing his cousin’s arm and pulling the man to his feet. “Sit before you faint on me, Lez. Marjory, you’re first.” He crooked a finger at the woman, too busy calming his bloodlust to notice her panicked expression.
“Now, Lesley’s reaction there is what you’ll get if you do it right. Don’t expect it to be as strong, you aren’t of my kind after all, but you will get some sort of reaction even if it’s as simple as feeling the quickening of their pulse or a small noise or even swaying on their feet. Come now, dear. I have more to fear than you do.” He smiled, not realizing just how frenzied he looked at the moment.
“…I, uh… you’re covered in blood, Sire.” Marjory whispered, clutching her hands together until her knuckles went white.
Harry raised a brow, taking a step towards the trembling woman. “They will not come to you in blood, Marjory. They will be bright and shining, so beautiful you will wonder if your heart is not beating in love… but inside they are dark and twisted, as foul as the grim’s blood that soaks me now. The closer you are to them the more you will sense it. You will not want to touch them and you will certainly not want to taste the dripping evil running through their veins.”
“They must!” Lesley insisted with a growl. “Your fear will cost you everything, Marjory. If you refuse you allow everyone around you to be killed. What is a little fear to so many lives?”
Marjory shook her head repeatedly. “I—I… you can’t expect me to— It’s grim blood!”
“Perhaps I should go first, to set your mind at ease?” Stratford intervened calmly.
Marjory’s eyes flared with hope but quickly dimmed at Harry’s words. “No. She must do this on her own. Marjory has spent enough time following in other’s shadows; now it is time for her to step up for herself.” Although his words were harsh, Harry smiled gently and beckoned to the woman. “Come now. I do not radiate cruelty like the others so there would be no point to test you without the grim blood as a deterrent. If you can face this, you can face anything.”
Marjory looked far from convinced but she stepped forward hesitantly, allowing Harry to hold her arm lightly and pull her in closer. “They will try to intimidate you, but intimidation doesn’t work on you, does it Marjory? You are a strong woman; ever since you father abandoned you and your ill mother, you have been strong. You don’t let your fears rule you… perhaps you’ve even felt that you do not have that ability anymore?”
“My f-fears come from me.” The mantra Marjory had taught herself when she had first fought for survival rose to her lips. “I control w-what comes from me.”
“There you go.” Harry tilted his head and smiled encouragingly. “You are beyond your nightmares now. You can destroy them if you just take that last step. Look at the life you have built for yourself by doing just that… and Helena will soon be back.” He added in a soft whisper, his words spinning a net of security for the young woman.
“Helena…?” Surprised, she nodded in understanding and carefully placed a hand on Harry’s shoulder, standing on tiptoes so she could reach his neck. Harry fell silent, letting the woman get up the nerve on her own. It was a full half-minute before she actually bit, hesitant at first and then with more strength as her confidence grew.
“You won’t impress them with that; you need to inflict pain.”
Marjory narrowed her eyes at Harry’s mocking tone and bit down harder. The wounds on Harry’s neck hadn’t healed fully and the thin skin broke under the woman’s teeth. Harry tapped lightly on Marjory’s head to gain her attention.
“That will suffice. If blood is drawn than you have succeeded the traditional way.” He blinked, beaming when Marjory, dazed from the sudden lack of contact, extended her hand for more of Harry’s fresh blood. “Ha, you’re going to be something when your powers are woken up.” He let her lift some of the liquid and led her back to her chair, Marjory licking her fingers the whole time with a strange smile on her face.
“You’re up, Stratford. And don’t give me any guff about old teeth.” Harry placed a hand to his neck, speeding the healing process along until his wounds were nothing but fresh pink skin. Stratford gave him an amused look, not missing the affection in Harry’s voice.
“Giving the old man a tough time? You young punks are all alike.” Stratford stepped up, his smile fading as he eyed Harry’s neck apprehensively. Taking a deep breath, he bent forward to bite but paused when Harry flinched. Frowning, he tried again, only to have Harry flinch away. He pulled back a bit, giving Harry a questioning look, but Harry had closed his eyes and his face was an unreadable mask.
“I’m waiting.”
Pursing his lips, Stratford bent forward again, determined to make contact this time. Harry continued to fidget, a soft laugh escaping him when the man starting swearing in frustration. “Hold still… bloody—ha!” In a flash of insight, Stratford grabbed Harry’s shoulders to keep him still long enough for him to bite down. Harry howled in surprise, but Stratford had figured out the boy’s game and didn’t release until Harry tapped him on the head.
“Not bad.” Harry said with a smile, turning the man back towards the table. “I’m sure you won’t hesitate next time. Christien— my, you look determined to tear my throat out.” Stepping clear of the table, Harry opened his arms wide. “Well then?”
Christien gave him a long look. Rolling his shoulders, he straightened to his full height, his head held high and eyes narrowed in an expression not usually seen off the battlefield. His expression didn’t waver, even when he strode across the small space and gripped Harry’s hair harshly, biting down into his neck without showing the slightest hesitation or care for Harry’s safety.
Harry tapped him after only a few seconds. “Very good, Christien. Your execution was flawless.”
“…But you didn’t even sway.” Christine complained, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. “I couldn’t even draw blood and I bit you hard.”
“I told you not to expect much…”
“Yeah but, I mean, Lesley is your kind and he fell to the ground. Did I do it wrong? I bit really hard.”
“You did fine.” Harry couldn’t help but laugh inwardly at the man’s pout. “You’re human, Christian. You really can’t expect to be able to dominate me.”
Christien rolled his eyes and threw his arms up in exasperation. “Then what is the bloody point?! How the hell can we keep this Jamil fellow from killing us all if we can’t even draw blood?”
“Hush; I know how to fix this.” Harry interrupted, a very wicked idea forming in his mind. “Lezzy, can you walk?” He turned to his cousin, keeping his expression as innocent as possible. Lesley nodded, slowly pushing himself to his feet and letting Harry heal the small wound on his neck. “Now, obviously you don’t have enough power to get a true reaction from me, but I can set your mind at ease that you are in fact doing it correctly, Christien.”
He stepped away from Lesley, leaving both men to stare at him in confusion. “Well? Go on.” Harry urged with a smile.
“What exactly…?” Christien trailed off, understanding dawning as Harry pointed to Lesley and then to his neck. “Oh.” Christine blinked at Lesley’s blank expression, his face slowly going red.
“Oh, just bite him already, Christien.” Marjory broke in with a snort, not quite herself yet since having tasted Harry’s magic-enriched blood. “It’s not like it’s some big secret, man.” For all of Christien’s denial, they had all caught the two of them, on more than one occasion at that, in compromising positions.
“Um, I…” Christien took a hesitant step towards Lesley, his hands nervously clenching in and out of fists.
“You’re really not going to approach like that, are you?” Harry scolded. “Do it like you did before. You look like a frightened rabbit about to be eaten by a big bad wolf.”
The comment seemed to bring Christien to his senses. Growling lowly, he snapped his head back to Lesley’s ever watching face and stalked over. “Call me a bloody rabbit…” He muttered, reaching up to wrap his fingers in Lesley’s blue hair. “You hardly constitute a wolf, Lesley.”
Lesley watched him impassively through golden eyes. “…That does seem more your personality.” Lesley agreed, hissing softly when Christien pulled his hair and forced his head to the side.
“Don’t be an ass.” Christien grunted, bowing his head to stare at Lesley’s neck and the small pulse fluttering beneath his pale skin. Shit, since when did his neck seem so bloody long and fragile? …Was he shaking? He glanced up, meeting Lesley’s eyes. Instinctively his hand tightened in the smooth hair and he watched as the man’s lids drooped and lips parted to pant softly. He hadn’t looked like that when biting that bastard Jamil; he’d looked practically bored. Not now though. Now Lesley was trembling and all because of him. Pulling his eyes away from the golden gaze, he surged forward, sinking his teeth into the smooth flesh of Lesley’s throat.
“Heavens…” Lesley groaned and Christien wasted no time putting his full strength into his grip and jaw. The man didn’t have the magic like Harry had behind it, which was why no one would ever be able to match the boy’s ability to bring the gods to their knees. It still didn’t stop Lesley’s knees from buckling when a fire hot tongue snaked out and began to boldly stroke over his abused flesh. “Oh fuck!” He grabbed blindly for purchase, his hands ending tangled in Christien’s shirtfront as his knees hit the ground.
Christien followed him down, never breaking contact with his mouth, and instead wrapped his free arm around Lesley’s waist. He would break the skin; he didn’t care how long it took, he was going to break the skin and claim the infuriating man for his own. Now, if he’d just stop fidgeting… Untangling his hand from Lesley’s locks, he pushed down on his chest, forcing the man’s back to the ground with his own heavier form. Long fingers slid up his back and he growled, changing the angle of his mouth so that pressure hit his back teeth and the sweet tang of blood filled his senses. “Ha! Got you!” He exclaimed, pulling his mouth free and adjusting his sore jaw.
“Yes… ah, yes you do…” Lesley agreed breathily, wondering just what Christien would do with him now that he had so thoroughly ‘got’ him. He was more than willing to offer some suggestions.
Christien triumphant smile wavered and he pulled his head up so he could look down at Lesley’s flushed face… mussed hair, disarrayed clothes, lithe body spread out on the stone floor while the man struggled to drag air into his gasping lungs. His cheeks lit up, realizing for the first time that he was pinning the man to the floor and Lesley was far from unwilling… and that was not his armor burning against his thigh. Swallowing thickly, he fleetingly knew that he should definitely let the man up but for some reason his limbs had decided that they didn’t want to move.
Lesley carefully rubbed his hand over Christien’s back. “…Still angry with me?””
Christien managed to choke out a small no, to busy focusing on the way his hips had inadvertently jolted against Lesley’s when the man suddenly pulled him closer. “Lesss…” It took him a moment to focus, catching the guarded eyes that watched him anxiously. He really couldn’t understand him. The man was hundreds of years old and yet he sometimes acted as erratic and unstable as a love struck teenager and it just confused him to no end. “Gods, what do you want from me?” He found himself pleading, gripping the man’s narrow shoulders and searching his otherworldly eyes.
Lesley turned his head away, and a piece of Christien’s heart crumbled. “Lesley?”
“This side, Chrissy. Bite it just like before.”
Christien stared at him in disbelief. “You want to… with me…?”
“Gods yes.” Lesley confessed affectionately, turning his head back so he could gauge the man’s reaction. “Ever since you nearly got your head knocked off trying to ‘save’ me from my own pet minotaur, I knew that I couldn’t go on without you. You’re such a reckless fool that never knows when to stop and think before jumping into danger—how could I not?”
“You’re serious… I-I can’t believe you’re serious…” Christien stared searchingly, looking for any sign of misgiving. “How can you be serious?!”
Lesley smiled tentatively. “I can prove it, if you want. We can get some truth serum or better yet, have Harry compel the truth from us.” He pushed at Christien’s thick curls until his tanned neck was bared. “I’d claim you right now if I wasn’t afraid you’d hate me forever. I’ve never felt this way about anyone in all my years on Earth… I don’t think I ever will again…”
“Lez, I—”
“Don’t.” Lesley pushed up onto his elbows and smacked a quick kiss to Christien’s forehead. “Don’t decide anything yet. I want you to think about this… I’ve had years to figure out what I want… need… just think about it for as long as you want. Whatever the answer, I want you to be certain.”
“…You, you—you are such a berk!” Christien exclaimed, gripping Lesley’s top until the man had to point out that he was being choked. “Sorry, I… Lesley, this is insane! I never thought… fuck, it’s hard to look at you and think straight. I’ve wanted you so long… Gods, to have you forever…”
“So… you do love me?” Lesley nervously bit his lip and raised his brows imploringly.
“Of-Of course I do! You were just to busy chasing anything with legs to notice!” Christien grabbed Lesley by the back of the neck and crushed his lips to his. “You can’t cheat,” kiss, “a life bond.” He ground down possessively, holding Lesley’s face in both hands and raining kissed down on him. “…Be serious about this.”
“I have never been more serious in my life.” Lesley gasped out, chasing Christien’s mouth until it was on his again. “I’ve waited so long to find you… do it now, love. Right this instant.”
“Don’t you bloody dare!” Harry interrupted, glaring at Lesley with his hands on his hips. As happy as he was for his cousin and Christien, he certainly wasn’t going to allow that. “You two can bond after I’m out of here and you don’t have to worry about inadvertently dying at my enemies’ hands.”
“But, Harry! I’ve been waiting three hundred years for this!” Lesley protested, pouting beseechingly up at the boy while pulling Christien flush against him. “He’s my bloody soul mate!”
Harry was not impressed, and began prying Lesley’s hand from Christien’s back. “Honestly, doesn’t anyone think around here?! The second you two initiate a life bond you’ll be shagging like bunnies for weeks and absolutely useless to me. No, no, let go of him! We have too much to do today for you to go at it right now.” Harry slapped Lesley’s hands away and pulled Christien up by his collar as if he weighed nothing at all.
“Take your seats and keep your hands to yourselves. We only have four days left and most of it will be filled with preparations for the Coronation Ceremony. You’re not going to stop being soul mates any time soon so quite glaring at me and focus.” Harry scoffed at Lesley’s protests and pushed him towards his chair. “Snogging in the Hall of Peace… un-fucking-believable…” Harry muttered.
“You know… I think I might just hate you right now.” Lesley muttered right back at him, Christien grunting in agreement while trying to find a comfortable position to sit in with too tight pants.
Harry rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, you should be thanking me, you ungrateful buggers. Christien would still be thinking you and Jamil were lovers if not for me. Stratford, while I think of it.” Harry turned to the older man who had pulled out a handkerchief to hide his laughter. “I have a proposition for you. A way that I think will convince you to undergo your final phase into a Fae Wizard.”
Stratford immediately sobered, and began to pull tensely at his collar. “About that, Sire. I really have no intention of—”
“What if I told you I can do the same for your wife? If her power is free, her magic will fight off her physical maladies.”
“I—uh… what?” Stratford furrowed his brow, trying to process what Harry had just said. “You can heal Margaret?”
“I can make it so she can heal herself and enjoy a very long life beside the man she loves. Hell, you could probably have children now, if you so wished it. If I have enough energy after dealing with whatever injuries Helena will arrive with, I can do it as soon as today. I won’t be able to do the same for you until things have settled down; I will need you all alert and not distracted with the common issues that come along with an exritus right now. But yes, I will wake Margaret’s power as a gift for serving me.”
Sure, he knew it was a cruel thing to ask and, if he had evil intentions, it may have bothered him. At this point he wasn’t going to go out and play the ‘let’s make everyone’s problems go away’ game. He wasn’t some sort of miracle worker; there was a balance, a higher order that needed to be followed. If he happened to make everyone’s problems go away in exchange for getting people to help him bring that order, than that was just an added bonus and nice incentive.
“Please, talk it over with your wife first. This is her decision just as much as yours…” He stopped as the castle wards wavered for a moment, and he turned quickly to Obsidian who was glaring intently at the door as if he was seeing through it. A new presence was coming, something that was sucking the very magic from the air.
“Christien, what exactly did you send for your search party?” Harry turned slowly, just catching the curly haired man sucking on his fingers suggestively at his cousin. “Christien.” He growled at the two.
“Um, five of my elite enforcers.” Christien answered sheepishly, his eyes still trained on Lesley.
“They are all half faerie?” Harry pressed.
“Yeah… yeah.” Christien blinked, focusing on Harry. “That particular five have heightened senses and can move in dangerous areas without being considered targets by the wildlife because of their blood. Why, have you sensed their return?”
Harry nodded, eyes unfocused as he used his magical senses. “They’ve brought a friend and I’m not referring to Helena. It is… aggressive… and not afraid to hide its power. Oh… and Loxton and Bower have just reached it.” He stopped talking, waiting and seeing what the little blobs of magic he sensed would do. Suddenly the new presence flared strong and shot out at Bower’s presence, sending the older councilor whirling. Moments later the blob of magic was barreling its way into the castle, Christien’s guards following swiftly behind.
Harry frowned, the direction the new presence was moving in too much of a coincidence. “Not to alarm you all… but we may have an intruder coming our way.”
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Awakening To the Dream