Cassius and Eryx found solace in the quiet confines of Cassius's room, engrossed in their conversation, oblivious to the world outside. Unbeknownst to them, the door creaked open, and Lady Hawthorne's piercing gaze landed on Eryx, seated intimately close to Cassius. Her entrance disrupted the tranquility, and her cold voice pierced the air.
"What is this?" Lady Hawthorne's tone was laced with disdain as her eyes bore into Eryx, then shifted to Cassius.
Startled, Cassius rose from his seat, placing himself protectively between Lady Hawthorne and Eryx. "Lady Hawthorne, what brings you here unannounced?"
A flicker of annoyance danced in Lady Hawthorne's eyes. "I came to discuss the unsettling rumors that have reached my ears."
Cassius raised an eyebrow. "Rumors?"
Lady Hawthorne nodded, her gaze lingering on Eryx. "Rumors of your involvement with a servant."
A frown etched across Cassius's face. "Eryx is not merely a servant; he is a human being deserving of respect and kindness."
Lady Hawthorne scoffed, dismissing Cassius's words. "He is nothing more than a servant, and you, Cassius, are a prince. You cannot afford to engage in such a scandalous relationship."
Eryx stood his ground, his voice resolute. "Our relationship is not scandalous; it is built on love and respect."
Lady Hawthorne turned her narrowed eyes toward him. "Love? You are but a servant, Eryx. Love is not your privilege when it comes to a prince."
Stepping forward, Cassius's voice resonated with determination. "Eryx has every right to love and be loved, just as I do. Our connection does not diminish my responsibilities to the kingdom; it fortifies them."
A sneer curled on Lady Hawthorne's lips. "Sentimental words hold no weight against reality. The reality is that your relationship is forbidden, and I will not tolerate it."
Cassius placed a reassuring hand on Eryx's shoulder. "We are prepared to face the consequences of our love. But know this, Lady Hawthorne: we will not let our love be overshadowed by your discrimination and animosity. We will fight for our love and for the rights of all, regardless of their station or position."
Lady Hawthorne's expression darkened. "You are treading on dangerous grounds, Cassius. Your actions will bear consequences."
Anger surged within Cassius at Lady Hawthorne's dismissive tone. "I demand that you show Eryx the respect he deserves and grant us the space we need."
Lady Hawthorne's lips tightened into a thin line. "Very well. But be aware that this cannot continue unchecked. Consequences will follow."
As Lady Hawthorne departed from the room, a sense of relief washed over Eryx. Turning to Cassius, his eyes shimmered with admiration.
"You were astounding," Eryx whispered, tenderly clasping Cassius's hand.
Cassius offered him a genuine smile. "Every word I spoke was heartfelt, Eryx. I truly care for you, and I will always stand by your side."
Eryx's heart swelled with love and gratitude. He leaned closer to Cassius, their lips almost touching.
"And I care for you too," Eryx whispered, his gaze locked on Cassius's.
Cassius's hand caressed Eryx's cheek, his touch gentle and soothing. "You bring me to life, Eryx," he murmured, his voice a velvety hush.
Eryx's eyes fluttered shut, savoring the tender caress as Cassius's words hung in the air, enveloping them in a moment of profound connection. It was a side of Cassius he rarely witnessed, and its bewildering beauty only deepened his affection. Determined to preserve the enchanting atmosphere they had created, Eryx leaned closer, encircling his arms around Cassius's neck, just as he knew Cassius liked.
The room seemed to fade away as their bodies drew near, their hearts beating in sync. Eryx could feel the warmth of Cassius's breath against his neck, gentle and reminiscent of a summer breeze. Every touch, every whispered word, sent ripples of desire and love through his veins, igniting a fervor that defied any boundary or societal constraint.
Cassius stared into his eyes silently and asked, "May I?"
Eryx nodded.
In that delicate moment, their lips remained tantalizingly close, their gazes locked in an intoxicating dance of longing and devotion. The world may conspire against them, fueled by discrimination and prejudice, but their love was an unyielding force. The air crackled with anticipation as time stood still, suspended in their shared affection.
Cassius picked Eryx up and Eryx wrapped his legs around Cassius's torso. They touched their foreheads, both unable to believe that their magnificent kiss could happen again.
With Eryx in his arms, Cassius felt liberated from himself. It was like numerous stars were burning within him, and he was lost in this night as if the daylights were upset. Cassius affectionately placed him on his bed and climbed on top of him. He kept Eryx's legs wrapped around his torso.
In a slow, soft motion, he pressed his lips against his. Cassius had started getting addicted to kissing him. He would never complain about kissing him, hearing the younger boy's small exclamations of either contentment or pleasure, getting to taste his tongue as he painstakingly slowly moved against his impossibly soft lips, his grip tightening against him, and his nails slowly scraping the back of his neck as he tried to move his tongue to meet his. Cassius loved it all.
He shivered as Eryx pulled away suddenly to catch his breath. All he saw was him, his vibrant, fiery, raven hair glowing with the silver cascade of the moonlight, the glow of the stars in his amber eyes, his delicate smile, and the deep blushing on his face. He smiled and pulled him in again for another kiss, his smile slowly faded as he concentrated on feeling his tongue with his own.
Eryx no longer resisted his emotions or against Cassius; he let Cassius kiss him for longer intervals of time. And Cassius just melted just from the touch of their tongues together. He knew there was a lot in this kiss for them; it wasn't just about passion, affection, or even lust.
The kiss was a silent display of their mutual respect, friendship, and understanding toward each other. It was a silent act of promise that they would stay by each other's side no matter how challenging the circumstances would get.
Eryx whined and shivered as he felt Cassius's hand slowly going inside the soft fabric of his shirt, feeling his delicate skin, touching every exposed part of him with feverish urgency. He also lured his tongue into his mouth and quickly clamped his lips around it, gently silencing his moans. The kiss was too hot, and Cassius was starting to feel a little aroused by it all.
Cassius pulled away for a second as a small whine was heard from Eryx. He removed his hands from his shoulder and pinned them above his head using his hand. Eryx silently complied. Cassius started leaving a soft trail of kisses near his jaw, and his free hands slowly popped open the first two buttons of the younger boy's silk shirt. Once the part of his skin was exposed to him, he hungrily bent down and bit there. A low shriek erupted from Eryx's mouth.
"Cassius." He groaned.
They both halted and took two deep breaths, he stared back at Eryx's swollen lips tantalizingly close to his own.
All it took was one look from Eryx to completely shatter his restraints.
His expression made a warm erupt within him as his lungs slowly filled. He loved that only he could make the boy look like this, only his affection was capable of putting him in a dazed state like this. He was back smashing their lips together completely devouring the younger boy. He let go of Eryx's pinned hands.
Eryx immediately started playing with Cassius's hair. His hands tangled in gold locks and he constantly murmured about how soft the texture was. A sigh left his lips as he poured every single emotion he felt into the kiss. God only knew how excruciatingly difficult it was for him to stop, when they stopped he would wait with bated breath for the slightest bit of intimate contact with him. Even if it was just a little peck on his lips he still wanted it.
While their bodies were still pressed against each other, Cassius gulped, he was afraid that he may no longer be able to restrain himself further.
He bent forwards to press their lips together but the loud knocking on his doors disrupted their mood. They immediately stood up and adjusted their disheveled clothes and appearances.
Cassius rose from the bed, his heart racing with fear and anticipation as he opened the door. Before him stood his mother, the queen. Her eyes narrowed as they took in the young guard's disheveled appearance, his swollen lips a clear indication of what had just transpired.
Cassius knew he had been caught, but he refused to cower. He gestured for Eryx to go inside and turned to face his mother.
"Mother, I-"
But before he could finish his sentence, the queen clutched her chest and let out a piercing scream. Cassius rushed to her side, fear gripping his heart. He had never seen his mother in such agony before.
As she collapsed onto the floor, she managed to utter a few words that cut Cassius to the core.
"You did this to me."
A/N
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