CIELO
Pain. It’s all I’ve known for what feels like an age, though it has only been one first moon since they took me into custody. The devastated look on Everest’s face followed me into the prison.
It kept me up at night. It was there behind my eyelids while they beat me.
He is blaming himself, and I cannot allow him to do that. This was not his fault. I disobeyed direct orders. I am at fault. I was given the chance to prove myself—to protect my family and village. To show the capital that the Outerlands were not a waste of Eretharian air.
And I failed.
The fact that Everest was there to wrap me in his arms is a gift I do not reject, but probably should.
And thenhecomes.
Dante.
The kind one. The one who has given me a language to communicate, while my tongue cannot form human words. His hands flow like water over submerged rocks—a beautiful dance, like silent music.
The nightmares follow me, even as I’m awake, but as I leave The Foundry behind, my newly disgraced, banished identity nipping at my heels, I feel some measure of comfort.
I am injured, but I will heal. I can smell the herbs Rathyn provided. Yet another kindness I do not deserve, especially from a Vyastil of his station. After all, he was the one I disobeyed. He gave me orders to protect Everest at all costs, and I allowed my friendship to cloud my judgment.
We reach the place Dante lives. It is across the street from his shop, a modest place that smells like him, and I stumble through the door. The pain overwhelms any grace I might possess, and as he guides me to a long sofa, I collapse with a groan I can’t hold back.
“It’s okay,” he murmurs. He kneels beside me, digging around in a small bag before producing a container of herbs. My mouth waters. I was given no relief when taking my punishment. “Rathyn says these will help.”
My mouth falls open, and he lays several on my tongue. They will not cure me, but the relief from the agony is almost instant. It fades into a dull throb, and it allows me to breathe easier for the first time in what feels like forever.
I lift my hand and tip my fingers from my chin.
He laughs. “You’re welcome. You’re learning fast.”
I had motivation. He was my motivation. But I do not tell him that. Not in signs, not in my poor attempt to speak his language. Closing my eyes, I let myself drift as he pulls away.
I can hear him moving about the apartment, pouring water into a glass, the thick sound of his throat swallowing. And then he’s back.
His light fingers explore my face, and I crack my one unswollen eye open to see him looming over me.
“So, ah…not to be, you know, indelicate, but I’m not sure how we do this.”
I make a questioning noise in the back of my throat.
His cheeks turn a beautiful pink. It reminds me of Quilliyn’s hair. Then he gestures down at where his human cock is hidden beneath his clothes. It is still odd to me that their cocks are out in the open with no protection.
And I still do not understand what he means.
“Everest said you need cum, and I have plenty of it. So, how does it work? You just, you know, suck?”
Shock races through me. Even at my highest station, I was not permitted cum from the source. In fact, I had only tasted it twice. The Outerlands are denied such luxuries.
And now that I am banished? Such a thing would never be allowed. Not ever.
I quickly turn my face away, but he touches me again. “You need to heal, Cielo. Please. Please let me help you.”
“Can’t,” I sign, my hands trembling. “Not allowed.”
He rubs a hand down his face. “Like…at all. Or from my dick? Because I know there are factories, so…”
I close my eyes. The herbs are working, and the fatigue hitting me is so powerful, it’s worse than the medicine. My breathing evens out, and somewhere off in the distance, I hear Dante give up.
