Angel's Song

AN: Sorry for the late update...i feel so bad but seriously I have such bad writers block. I hope you still enjoy this. For those of you who are also reading burning the stars...next chapter latest next monday. Promise.

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The room was spacious, white with an intricately painted wall over the head of the bed. It depicted a love scene, couples closely entwined under the sheltered branches of a sycamore tree. Their eyes wide in wonder and adoration of each other. Ainu couldn’t help but be fascinated by this scene, he turned to face his husband and snaked slender arms around his waist, resting his head on Syrus’ shoulder. Syrus’ hand came up to stroke the slightly mused locks and his other hand rubbed soft circles on Ainu’s lower back which ached often from the weight that he carried on the front. Entwined they were, lost in their own little world of love for the moment, the world seemed perfectly serene, quiet with no dangers or threads. Their moment of imminent bliss was disturbed by a knocking on the door.

“Enter.” Ainu called without moving his head from his husband’s shoulder. He wanted to remain where he was, safe and snug in Syrus’ embrace. To be held, to hold; to love and be loved; all in equilibrium and harmony. A gentle cough alerted his attention to a man standing in the doorframe. He seemed old, with his long white hair and grey beard that reached his middle, yet his eyes held a spark of youth that one wouldn’t have expected in one so refined.

“Prince Ainu? Lord Keenan has send for me to check on you pregnancy. Would you please lie down on the divan?” Ainu reluctantly pulled out of the comfortable embrace and lay down on the divan. The healer requested he remove his shirt, which he did without protest. A gentle hand probed the large bump that protruded from his middle. A few hmms followed and then a very interesting. “It seems congratulations are in order. You will be the proud bearer of twins. We’ll have to remove them by magic though, the path your womb will form for the birth would only accomodate for one baby. A second might seriously injure you.” The healer’s face was serious, so Ainu thought better of argueing with him. He watched as the healer placed a lightly glowing palm over his stomach to show them two moving bodies. However it was impossible to distinguish their sex, for both babies were tightly clasping each other. A gentle smile crossed Syrus’ face as he pressed a kiss to his angel’s forehead.

“They are beautiful. Ach ‘m cara Ainu.” Ainu smiled back.

“Ach ‘m cara Syrus.” He lifted his hand to rest it on his husband’s cheek. Now they both could not wait for the birth of their children. They had a month to go and the healer predicted that Ainu would be quite large by then and in all likelyhood would spend the last few weeks in bed, the pregnancy taking a lot out of his body. He also pronounced to the shock and displeasure of Ainu and Syrus that there would not be any sex for two months after the birth, Ainu’s body needing this time to recover from the changes it had made.

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Cortax had arrived in his father’s kingdom absolutely raging with fury and no dignity. He had spend three days ranting on about the complete and utter humiliation he had been subjected to. His anger had increased at his father’s apparant opinion that Cortax should have kept a tighter leesh on his runaway fiancee and that if his father had anything to do with it, he would have Cortax wiped for the stupidity of his actions. However angry his father was at him though; he was blind with rage at the insubordination that had been delt to him and his kind. Two days after Cortax’s arrival he had ordered his troops to attack the outer borders of Taur Nihl. They had in the dead of night attacked the nearest villages, burning them, raping, pillaging and leaving none alive, be it woman, man, child or animal. None that could wield a weapon or be used as a weapon against them.

King Thorax drummed his fingers on his desk, waiting for the latest report from his captains. They were late, Cortax sat next to him looking decidedly bored and letting two balls on a string cluck together annoyingly.

“Where are they?” The king raged, slammning his hands down on the desk and causing Cortax to trap his thumb between the two hard wooden balls. A grunt of pain escaped him as he stuck his thumb into his mouth and nursed it with his saliva.

“I don’t know father.” Cortax said impetuously still nursing his injured thumb in his mouth.

“Take that thumb out of your mouth boy, you look positively juvenile.” Cortax removed his thumb but couldn’t help glaring at the spot just behind his father’s right ear. If the captains arrival delayed itself further, Cortax was sure that his father would have a hissy fit right then and there.

The door burst open and in stumbled three of King Thorax’s captains, the forth being supported by two of the ones that could still walk on their own. The king’s icy glare had them all cringing.

“Why are you late? How dare you keep me waiting?”

“Your majesty, we apologise for our tardiness, however we bear news.”

“Good news I should hope. Have we reached the outer city yet?” The captains looked nervously at each other. “Well? Speak you imbeciles or must I have it beaten out of you.”

“We were attacked your majesty, they came out of the mist and disappeared again. Arrows rained down on us.” The captain’s eyes were haunted. “They were dressed in grey and spoke in a strange tongue, their swords glinting silver in the moonlight. They had us surrounded my lord, driving us closer together and then picking off the warriors on the outside. Demon’s they were my lord, we cannot fight against demons! The gods have left us.” The king’s hands slammed down on his table.

“ENOUGH! There are no such things as demons! What inadequate cowards are fighting for me? Are you saying we have not reached the outer city? That part of my army was defeated? I will make an example of you!” He gestured for his guards to take the injured captain away. “Let all know, that those who disappoint me will be made an example of. I will start with Captain Hiton. The rest of you leave and on your next report, I wish to hear good news, that the outer city has been breached and that soon Taur Nihl will be mine.”

“What about me father?!”

“You will have what you deserve; Prince Ainu will be yours my son.” Prince Cortax nodded in satisfaction. He would get what was his, and sooner rather than later he hoped.

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Ainu ran as fast as his feet could carry him, not daring to look back but his ears picked up the thudding of hooves on the dry ground. Instead of waiting to see who the noise belonged to, each thud just drove him to run a little faster. Once or twice he could feel hands grabbing at him and at the two bundles he kept clutched to his chest, but none could keep hold of him before he was gone on a quest no could divine. He could see the target ahead of him now. He was so close but his legs felt like lead and every step was like running through treacle. As he lurched forward, he caught sight of Cortax from the corner of his eye; reaching out to stop him; distracted his foot caught in a root pitching him to the ground.

Within moments he was awake, shaking and covered in sweat. Tears streaming down his face. Warm comforting arms wrapped themselves around his rather large middle. Gentle kisses were pressed to his damp cheeks. His breathing calmed; he was safe; home in his bed with Syrus. Turning slightly, he pressed his face into Syrus’ shoulder soaking up the warmth and comfort that was freely being offered to him. The nightmares seemed to come more frequently. Always Cortax would be there, his hands grasping for him; not once had he managed to reach his target. But tonight’s dream had been different, he had seen his target, had seen Syrus reach out for him and his horrified face as Cortax reached out for him and their precious little bundles. He buried his face deeper into Syrus’ shoulder and clutched onto him.

More kisses were pressed to his hair. A gentle hand stroked his back. Syrus was there; he was safe. His dreams however had to mean something, he knew that one day he would have to flee from Cortax; that Cortax had not been defeated quite yet and he would be back. If he had learned anything about Cortax during their time of engagement, then it was that he was stubborn like a crocodile and would not release his intended prey until it was his and only his. And Ainu felt like prey.

“Shush my little angel.” His face was lifted and he gazed into the loving eyes of his husband. “It’s alright, I’m here your safe; though you’re more then capable of looking after yourself.” A lock of blonde hair was brushed out of his face. He smiled and snuggled even closer to Syrus. “You have grown quite large Ainu, I cannot even wrap my arms around you completely anymore. The healer said it would only be a few days now until the babies are ready to come. How about I go and fetch you breakfast?”

“Oh yes! I’m starving. Gods I hope they come soon, I want to be able to move again. Lying in bed all day is terribly frustrating.” Syrus pressed another kiss to Ainu’s forehead and then slid out of bed.

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Reike: Glad you love it. Here's some more, enjoy this *wink*

Sandra: Yeah but he is pregnant and male...and you know what men are like. Wimpy lol...poor boy. There shall soon be babies.

Jae: Aye twins. I was warned against twins but I just couldn't resist.

bambi4real: They will be very cute, yes they will.

aki: Yes I'm back. But taking a bit longer then usual. Work is stressy at the moment.

JJay: Sorry still need Cortax for a while. Arsehole that he is.

Mahie: Thanks for reviewing glad you loved it. Enjoy this chapter too.

Laith: My lovely lovely girly this is still for you obviously. Its taking me a lot longer to write then I thought though somehow and I hope you still like it. Huggles, haven't heard that much from you...you busy and stressed too? Take care sweety.