The Next Erased Title for Security Reasons

Chapter 18: The Shadow of a Moonbeam

The Behemoth smiled, his hand still clasped tightly in Shadow's. "All conflicts are resolved, aren't they? Let us return to our own domains."

The Charsch King stopped him: "What of my son?"

"Ah, he's at Chalreia. I'm sorry this mission will take some time. But I assure you, he will be safely in your hands once we dominate the Empire of Chalreia. Now, would you kindly keep this alliance a secret? We don't want to see Chalreia attack you, and we'd like you to keep pretending to be part of the Alliance of Kingdoms. King Saphniel, King Ima-lin, I expect your participation in the next conference on the attack on the Chalreian Empire."

The two kings nodded in silence. Who would dare oppose the frightening charm of the Behemoth? The rumour was true, then. The Behemoth really did have the power to bend people to his own will. "Good. I shall send carriages to your palaces when the time comes. Then, gentlemen, may I take my leave?" He gave an elegant bow and turned gracefully. Saphniel stopped him by tapping his shoulder.

"My Prince, won't you be my guest? We still need to discuss the national boundaries. I would also like a detail on this... unification. Please, I insist." He smiled politely, as diplomatic as ever, but the Behemoth knew that he was planning an entirely different kind of unification. He suppressed the tingle that ran up his spine and glanced at Duiençz. The latter shrugged.

"You insist? Of course, we shall discuss the 'unification'. General Ligahil, if you could take my ship back? I will return shortly."

Duiençz's face showed his reluctance, but he led the others away. Saphniel offered the Behemoth his arm and took him to his study. Once the door was closed, Shadow pinned his lover against the wall and began covering the delicate throat with kisses.

"Why?" He moaned. "Why? Why did you erase my memories? Why did you leave me alone in misery?  Why did you never once, in that whole year, let me see you? If you had a heart, you could have seen that a small act of kindness would have eased my pain! If you had a heart... I would not have suffered like I had, the past year... I..."

Do you truly love me? I love you more than you could ever imagine. Do you love me, my Prince?

The words were stuck inside Shadow's throat. He couldn't get them out. The Behemoth saw the desperation in his eyes. The same desperation he had seen when Shadow begged him to let him kill himself. The agony, the passion, so many emotions. All swirling inside two exquisite, starry violet eyes. "...You...?" He asked, patting the kneeling man's shoulder.

"The past year, I felt as if the heart in my body was not mine."

There was a pregnant pause. The Behemoth hung his head sadly. Saphniel pushed his hood back and slid his fingers through his hair. His fingers traced up to the wet eyes, hovering over the one he had mutilated. He stood up, and kissed the eyelid. There was no scar, and no visible damage, but he wondered if it still had sight. The Behemoth opened his torn eye. It had fully healed, and was sparkling like the others. Saphniel bit his lip. What I did to you was even more inexcusable. "You don't have to worry, my love. I have incomparable regenerative powers. I have healed, so your period of punishment has expired."

The Behemoth led Saphniel to the bedroom, sitting down gracefully. He kissed the hesitant male, reassuring him that he was truly healed, and willing for more.

Shadow untied the Behemoth's robe and explored the fragile, frosted body. "How are you so beautiful, my Angel? Are you even human?" The former stripped bare, revealing a slender, toned body and light skin. The Behemoth gazed at the sight, and marvelled at the human's body. It was so very different from his own, in its proportions. Magnificent, he thought, and flushed lightly.