Draconia Offline vol. 1

55.2. Defining Moments - Part 2

In the end, the levitation platform was fairly easy to cast and maintain. It was basically one big transfiguration symbol one could step on and be carried. It'll definitely have to try it out with Erik when we return to Prague. Gotrid sat down for a better stability and put me on his lap. This time there were no drones from the media but he still wrapped me into his wings to hide me from curious army eyes.

I dozed off in his warm embrace and woke up when he was gently putting me down on our bed and taking off my ceremonial robe.

"Is Erik okay?" I ask immediately.

"He is, Vermiel told me just a minute ago that they got a call from Emi's guards," he assures me and his fingers tremble when he reaches my sateen under-robe. He doesn't dare to go further.

I look around and discover that we're alone. The guards are forbidden to enter the bedroom and the maids must have left before I woke up. Gotrid probably sent them away, wanting to take care of me himself. I feel Liana in her own apartment, no doubt working remotely with the rest of our friends who stayed at the banquet. It really is just the two of us. For the first time ever.

"Oh," Gotrid realises the fact just a moment later and blushes.

It's impossible to become physically aroused when my head is killing me but I suddenly feel excited for Gotrid's mind. I did connect to him yesterday but that was together with Erik so my attention was divided. A private time with my new partner—that's certainly something that could make me feel better.

"Your Majesty, I'm fully at your service," Gotrid blurts out. He wants to sound confident but his voice is shaking. So are his wings. "If you need a relaxing massage..."

"Say my name," I purse my lips.

"My Emperor Aefener," Gotrid tries, desperate.

"Just-the-name," I insist.

"But it's so... intimate," he gulps. He caresses my feathers and gets goosebumps.

"Gotrid, I'm almost naked and you have a problem pronouncing my name?" I have to roll my eyes.

"You're still my Emperor, though," he murmurs nervously.

I sigh. Is this how all Celestials see me? Is that why people like Luviael and Taranah have such a problem being familiar with me even after we become quite close? Why even Liana is struggling sometimes? It seems I won't be able to do anything about them but at least I won't allow official titles when it comes to my lovers.

"First and foremost, I'm your partner," I take his hand. "But right now my head is killing so unless you want to help me with that, I'm off to sleep. Your help can start with pronouncing my name."

He turns completely red and for a long moment, he can't say anything. Then it finally comes out of his mouth—soft, full of love, gentle and shy.

"Aefener..."

Now it's me who gets goosebumps when I hear my Celestial name being pronounced like that. It's similar to Erik pronouncing my human name but at the same time it's totally different.

"C-can we really?" he refuses to believe it. "I feel your pain, you should rest."

"I do feel weak and dizzy but I'm probably the only person on Earth whose migraine gets better with sex," I encourage him.

"My Emperor..."

I poke him.

"Aefener...,"

And then we don't talk anymore. Some things are better said aloud and some, if you're a telepath, are much better conveyed with feelings. I delve into Gotrid's mind and our mutual love allows me to establish the deepest telepathic connection. The type of connection I share only with my partner... now partners.

Too bad Gotrid can't withstand the connection for too long because he's not used to it yet and falls asleep quite early. But that's okay, our bond has been established and he deserves to rest. I cosy under his wing and follow him into sleep, not wanting to think about anything but him.

*****

Erik returns around midnight. He's quiet but his emotions wake me up. He's feeling extremely sad and insecure seeing me and Gotrid lying like that. We're both naked so he easily deduced that we had our first sex while he was hard at work investigating.

"Erik," I whisper and throw myself into his arms. Are you okay? I switch to telepathy so that we won't disturb Gotrid.

Totally okay, I just talked to people. How are you feeling? he caresses my hair, sensing that my head is still hurting even though I feel much better. I managed to put up some mental blockers when I was recovering connected to Gotrid.

Sorry, is it hard for you? I worry because I can't help noticing his emotional state when he's looking at sleeping Gotrid.

I won't lie, it is, he admits openly. But I can see that he did a very good job while I could go on a mission, knowing there's someone I can entrust you to. We'll be much more flexible from now on.

You know I don't care about being flexible, I slowly unbutton his shirt. You're trying to rationalise it but you don't have to. It's still very new to you, take your time.

That's not important right now, he shakes his head and takes off his pants. You were attacked, love. I'm just glad you're okay.

Did I cause a scene? What did you find out?

A huge scene but, fortunately, our cover story was believable enough, he says. The American President was happy to see you vulnerable until he was told that it was because your mana capacity is growing rapidly. You should have seen his face.

And the investigation on that man? I gently grab Gotrid's left wing and put it behind his back so that there's space for Erik.

Apparently, his name is Haruto Takeda, he reveals. We thought it might be fake but Fefnir checked it and his name together with a photo came up. He's the owner of Azuchi which is a huge financial conglomerate. Takeda is a big fish in Asia, somewhat similar to Liana. He didn't come as part of the official Japanese delegation, though.

Did you...? I'm almost afraid to ask.

Have a chance to confront him? No, he was long gone. Nobody has any idea where he's staying. For someone this rich, he might have a private property in New York.

It's for the best, I'm actually relieved. He managed to immobilise me so he must be extremely dangerous. Erik, I... I don't want him to be my father.

Dread overcomes me again. If that man indeed is my father, then he's someone who has no problem hurting their own child. Moreover, it's weird to imagine that might be my alternative surname. Ryuuto Takeda. But Celestials have no use for surnames. I'll always be just Ryuuto to Erik and Aefener to everyone else.

Even if he was, our parents don't define us, he kisses me. We'll protect you from him if it becomes necessary.

Does Takeda have any connection to Nebula? I ponder.

Fefnir is still investigating that. The Dragonkin don't have to sleep so many hours but Celestials do. And you're still having a severe headache, hon. Let's call it a night.

Gotrid won't be woken up easily, I say innocently and poke his chest. He's recovering from our telepathic connection.

Ryuu, you don't have to force yourself for my sake just because you did it with Gotrid, I'm fine with it, he assures me even though just that innuendo makes him excited immediately. Are you even in the mood considering what happened?

Exactly because of what happened, I say. Erik, that man, my father or not, must be planning something. He wanted to test me... see if I'm ready. We don't know what the future holds... how much time for each other we might have since I'm the Celestial Emperor... and...

"I know," he whispers.

His hand finds the sweet spot between my wings and stars rubbing it. I reach for his. We have to use every moment we have and devoting our time to love seems to be the only thing that makes sense.