Llyano, page 6
part #5 of Beyond The Veil Series
“Walk with me,” Llyano said, climbing to his feet and reaching his hand out to Solax.
Solax placed his hand in Llyano’s, allowing the other man to pull him up, then slid his hand into the crook of Llyano’s arms as they made their way from the resting place to walk off the meal they’d just had together. They walked together in companionable silence, content to just be. They walked through the field of green grass, never more relaxed than in this moment with the guards giving them enough space for privacy.
“Tell me something, Solax. Do you still doubt that I am your mate?” Llyano asked, out of the blue.
Glancing briefly at the king, Solax exhaled then resumed their walk, having stopped momentarily at the unexpected question. It had been some time since Llyano had raised the subject of them being mates, so it was quite reasonable in his opinion that he too hadn’t given it much thought since then. Mulling the question over in his mind, Solax sighed once more. “I have not thought on this for a while now.” When Llyano was about to utter a word, Solax shook his head, silencing the male, then continued, “However, to give my honest opinion on the matter, I have never quite felt this way about anything or anyone before either. I feel peaceful when I am with you and I also experience moments of excitement and pleasure with you. Without the usual method my people use to realise who their mate is, I cannot say for sure. However, I also know you have no course to lie to me about this, and this close to your mating call, I can understand why sex would be a bit of an issue with a premature bond and all.” Exhaling loudly, Solax stopped, causing Llyano to also come to a stop then turned to face the male. “Above all else, I do not mind it so much when you call me your mate anymore. Does that answer your question?”
With a touch of wonderment and satisfaction in this gaze, Llyano brushed his thumb against Solax’s high cheekbone. “Your answer pleases me greatly,” he whispered, wrapping his other arms around Solax’s waist and pulling the male into his personal space.
They embraced for a while with each of them taking from it what they needed until Solax broke away and grinned up at Llyano. They shared a too brief kiss. “Shall we return?” Llyano asked, and with a nod from Solax, they set off back to the spot they had been occupying.
When they got back, they sat down once more on the blanket, talking and laughing about everything. Solax sat reclining on his arms which were outstretched behind him, face upturned to the sky and a smile gracing his lips as he listened to the cadence of Llyano’s voice.
“What?” Solax asked when he noticed that Llyano had stopped talking and was simply staring at him.
Llyano shook his head. “Nothing. Everything. I just feel really good right now,” he said, then shook his head. “I don’t know why, but I feel so exhausted all of a sudden and would like to rest my eyes for a bit.”
“Go ahead. I’ll watch over you,” Solax said, and with that, Llyano lay down, resting his head on Solax’s lap, and closed his eyes to drift off into a dreamless sleep.
Solax stared down at the sleeping form of the king and marvelled at how much trust the male was showing in him to let his guard completely down around him and embrace him so fully. He lifted one hand and gently stroked it through Llyano’s hair, smoothing the errant strand blown by the wind away from Llyano’s face and tucking it behind the male’s pointed ears.
He stared down the peaceful visage of the male sleeping on him, taken by awe at the beauty before him, something he had noticed even at their first meeting. Solax felt his heart tighten and pound away at the thought of this male, giving him so much of his attention, being with him in this surreal moment. Using his forefinger, he traced Llyano’s brows gently, the aristocratic nose and high cheekbones, marvelling at the differences between the two of them, yet knowing that no matter what, there was attraction between them also. When Llyano mumbled in his sleep, Solax took his hand off the male’s face, not wanting to disturb the peacefulness the king was no doubt enjoying.
Solax spent the time soaking in the moment and the fading sunlight. He reclined back onto his arms planted behind him and lifted his face to the sky, eyes closed, contentment washing over him. Moments like this were really rare for him nevertheless, ever since Llyano had come into his life and refused to leave it, he had experienced moments of happiness, and try as he might to deny it, he loved every moment of their conversations, too.
When Llyano finally awoke, it was to find himself resting properly in the blanket and no Solax in sight. Turning his head, he spotted the male standing close to the cliff, a short distance away from where he lay. Climbing to his feet, he approached his mate and slid his arms around the male from behind, resting his chin on Solax’s shoulder.
Solax startled when he felt arms go around him, but the unique scent that was Llyano and the brief glimpse of the man’s face which he caught settled him back down. He wrapped his hands around Llyano’s arms on his stomach, relaxing back into the male’s embrace and resting his head against Llyano’s chest.
“Is everything all right?” Llyano murmured into Solax’s shoulder.
Solax sighed, then answered, “Everything has been so perfect today. Thank you. I’ve never had a day quite like this before,” he praised.
“Exactly,” Llyano responded, then buried his head into Solax’s neck and inhaled deeply, steeling himself before spinning the male around in his arms so that they were facing each other. He stepped back a bit, eying Solax seriously before finally saying, “And because it really has been so perfect, because the day has never seemed more brighter, and because I’ve never once not looked forward to spending more time with you and yearned for you, and never been more relaxed than when I am with you, that is why I ask you this now. Will you bond with me?” Llyano asked, getting down on one knee immediately and pulling out a token of braided wristlet made entirely of the finest silky, rope material from the pocket of his pants.
Taken completely by surprise as he’d never once expected this, Solax raised both hands to his lips, covering the gasp of surprise he’d been unable to keep from escaping and stared intently down at the king on bended knees for him. The two of them were so absorbed in each other that neither noticed the men who had turned to witness the profound moment happening before them.
Solax glanced from the token of affection to Llyano then back again, his mind a complete blank other than the feeling coursing through him. It felt as though his heart was close to bursting with the feeling of joy and shock and excitement and anticipation rushing through him. Ever so slowly, he moved his head up and down, gently nodding until the motion became much faster and he felt as though he would dissolve and float away from the heady feeling.
“Yes. Yes, Yes!” Solax cried.
With a beauteous smile spreading across his face, Llyano climbed to his full height in one smooth move and wrapped his arms around Solax, lifting his mate into his arms and spinning them both around with their cries of joys and laughter of excitement filling the air, carried away by the wind. The beautiful backdrop of orange sunset highlighted their joyous moment whilst cries of excitement from Llyano’s men and aide joined in their celebration.
The moment had taken everyone by surprise with no one being the wiser until they’d witnessed it for themselves and even then, the feeling of anticipation as they had waited with abated breath for Solax’s response, then their joy after the acceptance knew no bound. Each and every one present there knew how profound this moment was for their king. How greatly awaited this moment had been, and that they had been the ones chosen to witness it.
The proposal moved them so greatly that they were bustling with excitement to spread the news throughout the four corners of the kingdom. To announce that at long last, their king had finally found the one who completed him. Most of them discretely wiped tears from their eyes even as they laughed and celebrated the end of their king’s longing and loneliness.
As Llyano slid the wristlet onto Solax’s right hand, he did so to the audience of his men and well-wishers. Even the passionate kiss which followed was witnessed by them, for they could not look away from this beautiful moment, seeing it through to the very end. It was only when the couple finally broke their kiss and clasped themselves into an embrace that the men finally give them a measure of privacy, turning their backs to ensure the couple felt relatively alone, even though they wished to keep watching.
“Come home with me,” Llyano implored. At Solax’s questioning look, Llyano said, “It’s late. I will worry if I have to send you back all alone, and I am unsure if you wish my men to know where you live or the location of the caves and exactly what it represents.” Llyano took in a breath, held Solax’s upturned face to his with his palm, and whispered once more, “Come home with me.”
Solax nodded, unable to deny his king. “As you wish.”
* * * *
Ever since the announcement of the bonding ceremony of King Llyano from the Croesan line of the Wind Kingdom was announced, the festivity of Windago ramped up a notch. The excitement was palpable and the activities of the market, as well as citizenry of the wind kingdom, went up a frenzy. Had one not of the kingdom visited, they would no doubt be made alert to the on-goings and swept up in the tidings of it all.
What made the announcement of the bonding ceremony even more intriguing to each citizenry was that for the first time in history that they could remember, this was the first bonding ceremony with a valid mating call which coincided with the time of heightened power and period of the festival exclusive only to the particular nation of the bonding couple. Never before had such a situation arisen and everyone was curious about who was the mate of their king, as well as the message fate, had in store for them for such a situation to be made possible.
Even Llyano’s councilors had not been able to voice their objection because they knew that for such to be, it must have a significance regardless of whether they knew what it was or not.
Llyano had only allowed a week for the preparation of his bonding ceremony, unable to hold out much longer than that, and even though it was only a week till then, he had been disappointed when Solax had refused to stay in the palace until their bonding. Yet despite that, he had conceded to his mate, especially since the male had risen valid points of contentions. He consoled himself with the fact that soon, once their bonding ceremony was done, he would have the man beside him for always.
With his castle in uproar and the citizenry also sharing the same enthusiasm, their bonding planning was underway, with no details spared and no expenses spared. Everyone was bustling with the desire to contribute in one way or another and the mood was lifted and heightened by the sense of a common goal.
Meanwhile, Solax was also gathering his people and alerting them to the news of his impending bonding ceremony. He had explained to Llyano that though most of his people might not make it to the official bonding ceremony of the Fae, in order for their bond to be properly recognized by his people, they would need to hold another ceremony in the way of his people, and it could only be done with Llyano and Solax and Solax’s people. No other outsider would be allowed in. Once Llyano understood this, Solax had left to begin alerting his people and ensuring that his bonding ceremony would go off without a hitch five days after the initial ceremony done with Llyano’s people.
And just as the wind kingdom was in high spirit and uproar about the impending ceremony, so was the spirit realm to which Solax’s people called home.
Chapter Nine
Llyano and Solax faced each other, standing before the crowd gathered to watch their mating ceremony. The priestess produced a piece of red silky sash, using that to bind their hands together. Then eying them, she silently requested their acceptance before moving on to the next stage of the ceremony. Without looking away from each other, they nodded, and both offered their unbound hands to the priestess.
A sharp sting was the only indication that the priestess had cut each of their palm, which they then clasped together, ensuring their bloods mingled together.
“You may repeat the vow,” the priestess announced.
“I pledge myself to thee, mate of mine. I pledge my body, my heart, and my soul throughout eternity. Soul of my soul and blood of my blood as I bind myself to thee, so be it forevermore.” Their voices rang out harmoniously as they recited the vow together of their own free will, binding themselves together for all of eternity.
Ancient words laced with power so old, spoken and only by soulmates worked with speed, tying them together forevermore. The moment they were done with the vow, a blinding light engulfed them, sealing them together in an unbreakable bond. The light soon dissipated, leaving the newly mated couple clasped together in a passionate embrace.
The priestess of the gods stepped forward once more to perform the second rite of bonding to intertwine their lifespan as well as to recognize their bond.
“Bring forward your token,” the priestess demanded.
Together, Llyano offered his token, different from the wristlet he’d presented to his mate as a proposal gift and handed it over to the priestess. Solax also produced the token he’d personally prepared for this day and presented it to the priestess who accepted it from them. The priestess then proceeded to bless the tokens, enchanting them so that once they were exchanged and went on the other’s person, would never come off.
“You may offer the token to your mate.”
They exchanged the tokens, Solax’s a chest piece he’d crafted from the most cherished of his possessions, and Llyano's an armlet with his family crest designed into it. Once Llyano placed the armlet onto Solax’s arm, it sealed onto his body, dissolving and imprinting into the form of a tattoo. Then Solax stepped towards Llyano, grinning mischievously as he untucked Llyano’s robe, ignoring the questioning look on his mate’s face. He tactically undressed the other man, careful so as not to disarray the entire impressive network of embroidered fancy clothing until he got to Llyano’s bare chest. Then he placed the chest piece directly over Llyano’s eyes, staring to Llyano’s shocked gaze all the while and maintaining his grin.
“So you never forget you’re mine,” Solax whispered cheekily.
Once the piece had imprinted into the form of a tattoo on Llyano’s heart, Solax withdrew his hand from inside Llyano’s clothes and rearranged the impressive layers until they were settled perfectly once more before finally stepping back with an innocent look on his face. Clearing her throat at the impromptu display, the priestess resumed the ceremony, stretching her hands out to them. One by one, she reopened their wound from earlier and bled them into a goblet. She began chanting, swirling the mixture in the goblet which she then raised above her head as she continued her chanting.
Soon, a puff of smoke emerged from the goblet when the priestess stopped chanting and she offered the mixture to the both of them, starting with Llyano for them to consume. A necessary evil but Solax reluctantly downed the rest of the mixture, trying his best to close off his senses to what he’d taken.
The priestess took back the goblet and passed it on, then indicated for them to hold hands as she performed the joining, the last of the rites. As she chanted, Solax began to experience an out of body reaction. It was as though his spirit left his shell of a body and he became ethereal. For a moment, he worried that he’d broken the trust of his people, revealing secrets he ought not to, but when he did not feel any strange reaction from the onlookers, he concluded that it must be a part of the rite. No sooner had he come to that conclusion did he get hit by centuries of memories. In rapid successions, he began sifting through centuries of memory as a mere observer. He lived through memories of the entirety of Llyano’s life in the span of mere seconds, gleaming all there was to know about his mate.
The same happened to Llyano as he lived through memories of Solax’s hundred and fifty years of life. Yet the experience left him uncoordinated and confused. For he barely understood half of what he was experiencing. As though the memories and places he was seeing was there, but not altogether there. The retelling was too confusing for him to make heads or tails of what he was seeing, and in the end, he came out of the experience with more questions about just who and what his mate was than answers to all his former questions about the enigmatic man. The experience continued like that for the both of them until their spirits mingled as one before slamming back into their respective bodies. They both came to with a gasp as they tightly held on to each other, and stared deep into each other’s eyes.
The moment was so intense that as they breathed hard and regarded each other, their sense was on overload, overwhelmed by what they had experienced. Everything around them faded away into nothing, the voices fell away into a deep background neither could hear. The cackle of their energies mixed together thundered in a contained circle around them. They were the only two who heard the deafening sound as they were brought back to the present where they were surrounded. Neither moved or broke gazes until the priestess was done with the joining even as a voice filtered back into their world.
“You may now seal the joining with a kiss.”
Only when the priestess prompted them, did they slowly gravitate towards each other, slipping their arms around each other and holding on tightly till their lips touched tentatively. With the sultry look in Solax’s gaze and his lips parted, Llyano delved in, taking the invitation for what it was and devouring his mate whole.
Voices arose all around them in celebratory excitement, lifting up and encompassing the room. When Llyano and Solax finally broke apart and turned to face the crowd, the officiator stepped forward, ready to proceed with the second part of the ceremony, naming and crowning Solax as the king’s consort. A hush fell over the room and Solax dropped to his knees, facing the crowd.
“Your Majesty,” the officiator called, bowing deeply to Llyano, and with a nod from the king, he then turned to Solax, motioning for the crown bearer to step forward.
