"Enough," Wiggling from his arms, I head into the bathroom. "I need to wash my face."
Athanasius laughs from the bed. "I will not cover myself, rabbit, get used to it."
Placing my bonnet on my head, I lean down and wash my face quickly, popping on a night moisturizer before heading back into my bedroom. He's still waiting, looking at me with those black eyes, I can feel the red ones scanning my form.
"You're not going to touch me without my permission?"
"It wouldn't be fun for me." His upper arms prop behind his head while the secondary set settle on his stomach. He's touching himself. Fingers movingthrough the lines separating his abs, across his waist. Is he trying to entice me? "When I ask you to remove your clothes, you'll do it because you crave how I make you feel, not out of fear for what happens if you don't."
Scoffing, I sit on the edge of the bed. "Because you're a merciful god?"
His laugh sounds like a bark. "Fuck no," He snatches my arm forcing me to lay next to him. "Because you worship me and your sole purpose is to please me. Now sleep, rabbit."
He forces me onto my side, his chest to my back. I can't sleep, but I listen and wait until his breathing evens out. Both of his left arms are on my body. One on my thigh, the other around my waist. I hate to say it, but I haven't felt like this since…it's been 2 years since I've seen Chris.
Just when I thought to reassess the day, I realize I'm more tired than I thought. The ring is still on my finger, Athanasius, the Veil between Worlds, The Withering, A Harbinger of the Final Silence, is behind me, his lips near the back of my neck—and I fall asleep.
Chapter five
He's a Toddler
Ione
IdreamedofwhenI found the ring. It was night, a full moon hung over me illuminating every piece of soil that I dug out of my way. I knew the box was there, the only thing on my mind was to find that box. I was digging in the soil, my hands pushing through dirt until my fingers scratched the edge of the wooden box.
As I pulled the box free from the compacted soil around it, I could feel the earth give way almost like it didn't want me to have it. The sky was dark blue, the moon was silvery-white, but as my fingers gripped the edge of Athy's prison the moon began to turn red, and the sky became black.
There was no feeling of malice, no doom and gloom washing over me, just want, need, a desire to see what was sitting inside. Was it because I already knew? There was no wax, and as I opened the box Athanasius appeared before me. Much larger than he really is, he towered over the trees.
"Put it on, rabbit," He whispered, but his voice sounded like rushing wind. "We are in covenant you and I, this is your destiny, I will ask my sister to confirm, but you belong to me, to the night."
I couldn't breathe. My fingers, my hands shook as I reached for the gleaming silver. "What if I say no?"
"You won't." He chuckled. "You aren't stupid, Ione, not like the rest, this I recognize." Kneeling, Athanasius' huge finger tilted my chin to look at him. "There's greatness in you, Ione, put it on."
I don't know what came over me. This nagging, pulling, gnawing feeling that I need to obey. Like my nature is tied to his. The shadows surroundme, whispering, gently touching me with their tendrils. Comforting me, and Athanasius' watchful eyes, just waiting.
My fingers touch the cool surface of the ring. The silver warms as it absorbs my heat and I lift it away from the velvet. "That's a good girl," Athanasius chuckles. "So obedient, good girls receive gifts, but what can be yours? A Primordial of death and darkness, I need someone at my side."
What happens when I accept this? But I did, so what does this mean for later? The ring slips onto my finger, Athanasius smiles, his split tongue flicks towards me, and he reaches down picking me up in his massive hand.
"Pretty rabbit, you'll be my greatest avatar yet."
"Wake up, rabbit." Athanasius is shaking my shoulder. "Wake up female, I need food and we are on a mission today."
"What time is it?" I grumble, as the dream rolls through my brain and the weight of the ring reminds me of my choice.
He grunts. "The sun has risen and has not made it midway into the sky."
Rolling my eyes, I turn over in bed and glance at the time. 10:14 am. Athanasius stands in front of me. "Why are you still naked?" One dick in my face would have been enough but two? I'm too tired to deal with him.
"Why not?" He flexes. "The glory of my form is a marvel and you should be thankful that I allow you to gaze upon me." Grinning, Athy reaches down and snatches the covers from my body. "Rise, female, and bask in my glow."
"You are a piece of work you know that?" Sitting up, I stretch and yawn. He's watching me like a specimen in a jar, but reaches for his tunic, putting it back on.
In the bathroom, I find a spare toothbrush and put the paste on before offering it to him. "What is that?"
"To brush your teeth so your breath won't stink." I say afterspitting. "Do what I do."
