A Healthy Rivalry: The Lion vs The Warrior

VIII

Into the Unknown

Karter

'He's going to see it.'

I nod externally. 'He was bound to sooner or later.'

I heard AK's footsteps follow me into Elijah's kitchen. I noted his other housepet waiting patiently near their bowl. "Oh Fisker, Lima didn't feed you!" I kneeled in front of the cabinet to get the cat food. Even though Fisker isn't a cat: they're made up of a feline body and back legs, bird feet in front, a mouse tail and a reptile's face. As I'm pouring the food, I once again wonder where Elijah found his two strange pets.

"Uh Karter, should I ask?" AK finally pipes up.

"Did you know there's a myth, or legend, that the Continentals were once a singular omnipotent being?" I spoke while petting Fisker. I noted he shook his head no when I stood to get the lizard food. "I believe it. Each Continental has markings on different spots. Crowned Eagle has these markings on her face and neck that makes it look like the Eagle's face is her own. Monkey once said her legs look like they're being wrapped by a tail. Mine happens to be on my back. All of our marks glow when our counterparts rise, too."

I walked by him, back into the living room where the lizard-bird cage was. He spoke again, "It looks like... the outline of a Lion with half a mane."

I nodded, filling up the food bowl. "Half came on my 25th birthday. The other half will come on my 30th. That's the agreement we have." I turned to face AK, his face slightly pale.

"Yea to answer your question, the eyes came when I turned 5 and accepted Lion. Hurt like a bitch then, hurts like a bitch now. It's like I'm being branded from the inside out." I punched his arm when his face didn't return from its ghostly color. "It wasn't that bad though, it was just the eyes. The nose came at 13. The big one didn't come until I was 18, that one was the entirety of what you see now, minus the half mane of course."

He nodded, "I see what you meant by the tattoo thing. Could... I touch it?"

I shrugged and nodded, turning around for him to feel. His warm hands felt to be around the area of the nose. For some reason, I shuddered, and felt like I could smell his delicious scent more clearly. "You smell like vanilla and caramel." I rumbled out.

His hands moved higher, to the eyes and head. I shut my eyes tightly at the feelings overtaking me, it was like his sparks were seeping into my skin. "Thank you?" He chuckled.

His hands caressed my back until they rested near the mouth, and I was overcome with the urge to taste him. I heard him gasp as I felt Lion rise. "What in- the eyes are glowing!"

I turned to face him, knowing my eyes were bright orange. "That'd be me. It's my turn right? Truthfully, how badly do you want me to kiss you? Enough to beg? I might be nicer than Karter."

His eyes raked me from head to toe before he started walking forward. I decided to stand still and meet him head-on. "Maybe." He gently pushed me onto the couch then caged me with his arms once again, before peppering kisses along my jaw. He gently kissed behind my ear and I shuddered. "Please Lion?"

His kisses began to head lower, down my neck where he kissed and licked the base; earning himself a growl filled with lust. "Not good enough, yet."

I felt him smirk before he latched onto that spot, causing me to groan and my erection to spring with life. "Pretty please Lion?" He kissed what I'm sure is a mark, even on my chocolate skin, "I have been thinking about those lips ever since you bit them when you came in my fist." He pulled back to let his eyes meet mine before they blatantly traveled the length of my body, I'd be lying if I said I didn't puff out my chest a bit. He smirked, "Seeing that beast in the light is a bit concerning, though."