Mercy Street | Ghorror [C]

Chapter 10 | Bleed for Love

Silence is a beautiful thing when all you can hear is the gentle sound of your fingertips running along your lover's skin. Casually the light trickle of water when either of us moved would give me a tingling sensation in the pit of my stomach. It was the only noise that would be heard along with our breathing. I'd close my eyes just to isolate the amazing sensation of kissing Devin.

My back rested against the back of the tub. He laid on top of me gently, barely breaking from my lips. My hands traveled along his thin waist, which I loved to squeeze. Not just because I loved the way his tight body felt, but because I love the way he giggled when I did. I couldn't resist and pressed my fingers into him. He wiggled away from me a bit, laughing.

"Stop!" He beamed as I pinched his side again. "That tickles, stop!"

"Your wish is my command, Princess." I said softly and ran my hands further down to his less ticklish hips.

Devin calmed down and rested his head against my chest. The room was dim, only lit by glowing candles along the tub's edge. Their warm flames highlighted my angel's face and their reflection danced along the water. The one thing that glowed much brighter, though, was the symbols along our arms. I fear to admit, Devin's collection were much of sacrifice and other selfless acts. Mine mostly came from conquest and survival. If you haven't realized by now, he is the martyr between the two of us.

"Speaking of princesses," He muttered, "Are you ever going to tell me about that favor the others want from you? The one Chris called a duty?"

I sighed and ran my hand along his soft face. "The life I had twenty years ago is one I left behind. I had plans of never turning back and they knew that. I was essentially dead to them. The only problem is, I'm alive enough that my regret can still haunt me. Upon my father and I's falling out, my choice was clear. I could fight or flee. He was too strong for me at the time, so I fled. Chris believes the king is weak enough that we could overthrow him. With Ashley coming of age for the thrown, she can run the kingdom and I can keep my life here. I know I owe it to the others to fix the kingdom I left behind, but it's still incredibly dangerous. I don't want something to happen to me, for your sake."

"As much as it would tear me apart to lose you, I am one life and we are one family. That kingdom is hundreds of families. That, is much more important." Devin told me, showing once again why he has so many markings of acts of sacrifice.

"I'm not letting go of my family, but I can't abandon the people I once swore to protect. I'll find a balance, somehow." I replied, "For now, my sweet angel, I don't want to think about them. I only want to think about you."

My eyes fell upon that dagger. It sat alongside the candles, the red blade gleaming from their light. It was so intimidating yet oddly inviting. As our bodies laid in the hot rose water, I could feel a small burning on my arm. The symbol we'd earn from committing this love ritual was tempting itself.

"Are you sure you're ready?" Devin asked me softly as he sat up.

"You know I'd do anything for you." I responded.

"That's not what I asked." He whispered with a small smirk.

I snickered and sat up, kissing him. "I know, but it's the truth. I hope you know that. I'm ready. I just... You're sure you're okay with this? It's pretty extreme even for us demons. For a non-demon-"

"Ricky," He gently set his hands at the base of my neck, "I'll be fine. I just want to feel as close to you as possible. We also don't have all night, okay?" He softly laughed under his breath.

Which was unfortunately true. With the winter weather fluctuating, the others won't have the girls out much longer. They took them to Ryan's to visit. Knowing him, he won't have the patience to keep them from getting into everything for very long. I cherished the fact that I got even this small amount of time alone to enjoy the best damn thing that ever happened to me.

I kissed Devin tenderly and gingerly as I slowly picked up that blade. Somehow, it felt so much heavier now than the last time I touched it. My body was weakened by my vulnerability. Under the love of my partner, I could crumble with the wind. He makes me feel so delicate in that way. My lips quavered an inch away from him as I ran the edge of the blade across my stomach.

The blood dripped down my torso, gushing down into the water. It was a Hell of a stinging, but nothing I couldn't take after a few deep breaths. I let my hand fall below the water to somewhat clean off the blade. Looking up at Devin sitting in my lap made all the pain numb. He was beyond worth this small moment of agony.

Devin placed his hand over mine. I hesitantly loosened my grip on the dagger's handle and allowed him to take it from me. He placed the edge of the blade under his ribcage. It pushed against his skin until the tension finally broke and the blade went through skin. The blood began to drip down the blade, further running down his arm. He dragged it all the way across his stomach, trembling by the time he reached the end of the cut.

I wrapped my hand around his wrist and guided the blade out of his hand. After setting it down alongside the bath, I met my lips to Devin's. His voice peaked in the back of his throat from pain. Gently, I wrapped my arms around his back and guided him to lay backwards in the water. As the rose water washed over his gash, he made a small cry.

Badly, I wanted to stop and get him medical aid. We've come far enough though, we need to finish this. I didn't want to have to do this again. Our blood mixed into the water, causing a deep red color. My blood was black, which made the water almost as dark. Devin's shaking hands held onto me without a word. I just wanted to get this over with because I didn't want him in this much pain.

Already, I could feel the familiar rush that comes with a love ritual. This was so strong, and as I entered him, it became even stronger. We were intertwined beyond a point of ever unraveling. Devin whimpered as I slowly moved in and out of him. Some noises managed to represent moans. I was glad he could at least feel pleasure through the fog of bleeding out.

"Shh." I soothed him as I made love to him.

"Oh, Ricky." He murmured in my ear.

The high of the ritual washed over us. We felt the burn in our arm as the newest symbol to our collection formed. Devin moaned more and more, but the tears began to silently stream down his face. My pain levels were much different from his. I could take this, he couldn't. I placed my hand around his member and stroked him to further help his mind escape. His trembling hands dug into my back.

I kissed him sweetly, "Cum for me, Beautiful."

He looked me straight in the eyes. His stare could eat away at my soul and I'd let him. The pain made his silver eyes glassy, but the pleasure made them glow under the candle's light. Devin didn't even break his eyes from me as he lost his voice in an orgasm. I allowed myself to release as he did, to experience our ecstasy together. Never in my life have I felt more amazing than I do right now.

We had managed to grow even closer, which I barely thought possible. His body in my arms was a perfect fit. The unexplainable sensation of committing an act of love once again seized my body. Both of us, at a loss for words, just laid there with our eyes locked. Anything we could have said, we spoke through our stare.

"I love you." Devin whispered.

Delicately, I replied, "I love you too."