Atharo the Lich (rough draft)

Storms were common in your childhood home. In fact, if you were asked, you couldn’t recall a day without one. If it wasn’t thunder and lightning, it was howling winds and ice. Your father had chosen this place as his keep just for that very reason.

Having grown up with these sounds, you would have considered yourself able to sleep through anything. But you had been gifted with amazing hearing, and anything out of the ordinary would stir you. Mostly it was just your cat, Alice.

“If you don’t sleep, I can’t sleep,” you fussed at her. She was darting around your room, going to the corners and swatting at something.

You huffed and watched her, unamused as you were so tired. “How is it you only have energy when it’s night? How can you even tell the hours of the day?”

Alice bounded from one corner to the next, her eyes as wide as saucers.

You sighed heavily and flopped back in bed, staring up at the ceiling. You held your book back up over your head, reading between flashes of lightning. You had read these books a million times over, but your father had refused to bring in new ones. So you filled the blanks from childhood until now with your own thoughts and ramblings.

“I bet being a bride would be fun,” you thought to yourself. “Getting all dressed up, having a feast, then going off with a groom to wherever you desired.”

Alice mewed and yowled, flopping over before running across the room again at breakneck speed before she slammed into the foot of the doors.

You sat up in shock to see her laying there limp against the floor as if she had broken her neck. Then she started twitching and kicking the door with her back legs while trying to reach out with her front paws.

“You’re insane!” You got up out of bed and put on your robe. “I’ll show you.” You opened your door into the dark hallway  for Alice to see.

Alice twisted around, making a yowling purr sound, then shot off into the hallway. You huffed and followed after her. She would black the baseboards for a moment then move over to the next wall, doing the exact same thing.

“You’ve been like this ever since I found you,” you scolded her. “If Father were to catch us out here, he’d toss you out.”

Alice had been discovered in the castle, which was strange as many living creatures didn’t appear around the castle. Your father was going to chuck her from the window, but you insisted on keeping her. Your father has made threats everyday since, but he’s not gone through with any of them.

Alice’s tail swished back and forth as she smacked at the wall. She scurried off again, racing down the hall.

“Wait!” You scooped up the hem of your nightgown and robe and chased after her.

The cat was stopped outside the study where she sat tensed up and her tail dusting back and forth along the floor. You plucked her up from the ground.

“Naughty thing!” You whispered to her. “Have you worked off that excess energy now?” You glanced back to the door, hearing hushed voices from within. Light gathered at the edges of the door, partially illuminating the hallway so only the gold filigree of the frames showed.

“...perhaps if we go further into the village this time, we’ll find them.”

“No, no Daniels,” your father’s voice hissed. “It’s not the village we need to concern ourselves with.”

“But the children they are hiding are needed!” Daniels urged.

Your father slammed his fist down. “I’m not touching the village again for that reason, Daniels! They have to grow complacent.”

You stepped closer to the door, peering in through the crack to see your father and his right hand man, Daniels, arguing by his desk. Your father is hunched over and Daniels is pacing back and forth.

Daniel’s stops and you duck down, fearing he might see you. Daniels approaches the desk again. “We need blood for the stone, or else Atharo’s will-”

Your father stood up his full height, a terrifying spectacle. He reached out his dark, crooked hand towards Daniels who stepped back.

“We have the girl for a reason, sir.” Daniels huffed. “She’s of age, and she’s not wine. The longer you wait-”

Your father reeled back his hand into his dark cloak. “The girl provides.”

“Once a month!” Daniels scoffed. “And it isn’t enough. We need more from her. Or we need to take from the village again.”

You never liked Daniels, he was creepy and his gaze lingered on you far too long. But every hair on your body stood on end. You're frozen to the spot even though you knew you should return back to your room. But what they were saying kept you stuck there.

“As far as we know Atharo’s is not aware of her, and that is because we use her sparingly. Not even she knows what she is capable of, and I am keeping it that way. Atharo will never have her. I destroyed cities for her.”

Daniels sneered. “Because she is a weapon, sir. But you treat her like-”

“So she will be submissive! As long as she believes that I am her doting father, we have nothing to worry about. We do not have to fight her. She complies,” you father laughed. “And the stone receives what it needs.”

At that moment Alice scratched your hand as she tried to break free. She leapt down from your arms and the loud thud of her hitting the ground made your father stand from his desk. You chased after Alice, following her down the hallway going faster and faster. Alice was chasing something and then she disappeared.

You gasped and stood still in the dark. Your hand was bleeding where Alice scratched you and stung slightly. Behind you you could hear your father yelling. You darted forward and touched the wall, kneeling down where Alice might be. You saw a small glow, a shimmering ring of light like around a door.

To your surprise there was a small door about the size of a window. It was partially open, and from within you heard Alice yowling. Your father’s voice roared from the darkness so you slipped inside the door, closing it behind you.

Alice rubbed up against you, purring loudly as he picked her up. “You got me into a lot of trouble!” You stood up and turned, looking into a massive but dark room. Moonlight shone through high windows, glimmering along the towering curtains. You had rarely seen moonlight before.

“Alice…where are we?”  You stepped forward into the grand room. “This isn’t home. It’s too…peaceful.” Glancing out one of the ceiling high windows you saw a lake reflecting the moon high above. “And pretty.”

You turned back from where you had come and the tiny door was gone. “Oops. Oh well.” You sighed to yourself. “Maybe it’ll show back up.”

So much had happened in the span of a few short minutes, and none of it formed a complete picture. Whatever your father and Daniels were speaking about, you knew that it somehow involved you. Now you were in this strange and quiet place you had never seen before. But you were more exhausted than you were confused.

Once again, Alice wriggled from your arms and ran from you.

“You must be joking,” you bemoaned before racing after her.

A door opened for Alice, letting her into a room where everything was colored pale pink. The door opened wider as you approached, bathing you in that pale pink light. The room was tall like a tower, almost endless. The walls were lined with shelves, and even the highest ones were decorated with knick knacks and collections.

In the center of the room there was a large armchair seated before a massive crystal sitting in a large basin. The crystal jutted out in sharp points and ledges, and deep within the basin there was moss and succulents growing around the base.

Images appeared and disappeared within the shining surfaces of the crystal. You saw a brief flash of your father ripping your bedroom to shreds before it became a reflection of your face.

Alice sat comfortably in the chair, curled up in a ball with her tail swaying slowly.

“I love you, but you’re a butthole,” you whispered to her. You stepped back, tilting your head up towards the window. Beside it there was the painting of a man who was very handsome. He was wearing a long robe and covered in ornate jewelry. He had long dark hair and eyes that followed you.

You rubbed your eyes. “I’m more tired than I thought.”

“I’m glad you made it.” The voice that spoke to you was deep and ominous. The sound of it came from every stone in the tower. A door opened near the one you came through and someone stepped through.

You moved away as they glided into the room. Their long robe dragged upon the ground, giving no sign of feet. Their billowing sleeves lifted and long, thin fingers protrude past the fabric and pale pink sparks began hissing and popping at their fingertips.

“Would you like something to drink, my dear?” A tea cup and saucer popped into one hand. The other  hand coiled into itself, forming an open end and liquid poured into the teacup.

You watched in awe and shock, stiffening as the tea cup was extended towards you.

“Go ahead. It’s just how you like it.” The hand was skeletal and surrounded by a faint pink glow. An ornate chest piece covered a glowing rib cage both twinkling with pink gems and lights. The face that stared back at you held a wicked smile of nothing but teeth.

You fainted, dropping like a corpse onto the floor.

The sound of twittering birds frightened you awake and you sat up like a shot in bed. The daylight outside filtered through the glistening curtains and the shadows of birds fluttered by. You jumped out of bed,much to the consternation of Alice asleep near you.

You flung open the curtains and hissed at the sunlight that burned into your eyes. If moonlight was rare for you, then sunrise had barely been seen. The great multitude of trees and plants outside your window was also a sight saved for pictures in books.

“Wow,” you whispered under your breath.You stepped back from the window to look through it with awe, even if the sunlight hurt.

The bedroom too was much nicer than your own. The bed was large and soft, while your own had been quite small and hard. The blankets were fluffy and Alice could curl up in them and get lost. The floors were covered by downy pink carpets, and the artwork on the walls did not depict bloody scenes from wars long past.

“Do you think all rooms are this cute, Alice?” You asked as you inspected a figurine on the windowsill of a woman in a beautifully full skirt. The skirt rang as you turned it and you found that figurine was actually a bell.

“Most rooms back home are dark and cold. This reminds me of being inside a tea cozy.” You walked around the room, kneeling down upon the floor to feel the carpet with your bare hands. Under the bed you saw there were some shoes and slippers as well as a jar full of buttons.

“But I suppose you’re comfortable wherever you are, right Alice?” You peeked back up upon the bed as Alice turned her head away from you. You smiled brightly. “Aww, you like it  better here, don’t you baby?” You sat back upon the bed and pet her soft black fur that, in the sunlight, had a red sheen to it.

There was a gentle rap upon your door and you stood in attention.

“Good morning, my dear.” It was the same deep, and alluring voice from last night. “You don’t need to open the door-” He no sooner said this then you opened the door wide upon him.

The skeletal creature stood there, mouth open in stunned silence as you looked up at him. The crown of his head rose up in tall crystals similar to the one in the tower room. The jagged, pink crystals grew in clusters around his face, forming his sharp teeth as well as a sort of beard.

“I was-” He started unsurely. “I was going to see what you…what you wanted for breakfast, my dear.” His hands fumbled around his chest, fiddling with the ornate jewelry hanging there. “I would bring it to you.” He almost sounded like you scared him.

Your father had described his mortal enemy, Atharo, as a wispy, pink, fairy. But that never settled right with you in how desperate your father went about fighting him. This skeletal creature more suited the role you built up in your head.

“Am I kidnapped?” You asked.

He flinched.

You clasped your hands together before you. “You are Lord Atharo, aren’t you? I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that you are.”

“I…I am!” He cleared his throat and stood tall again. “But fear not, my dear. I have no intent of harming you while you are here.”

“But am I kidnapped?” You asked again.

Atharo flinched. “No. You’re my guest here, young lady.”

You clicked your tongue and nodded. “But you’re my father’s enemy. His most hated enemy, in fact.I find it a little hard to believe that I am merely a guest.”

“I’m surprised at how well you are taking this,” Atharo murmured.

You glanced down to the ground. “I’ve been prepared for something to happen to me. I am surprised by the civility of it. I just figured panicking would get me nowhere.” You lifted your head and looked into the sockets of his eyes where a pink glimmer shone.

“So, why am I here?” You asked.

Atharo sighed, lowering his hands  down to his side. “I am surprised you are even here. You’re the one who showed up in my home.”

“But how?” You set your hands upon your hips.

Ataro tilted his skull to the side, and glowing pink light flashed in the sockets. “I’ve been listening in on your father for quite a long time. I was able to make my own passages through your home so I could hear his plans and conversations. No one was ever supposed to find a passage between the two. I don’t know how you did.”

“Alice found a door,” you murmured. “She’s always had some fascination with the walls, particularly at night. Are you telling me that was you?”

“The door? No. Your father would sense me. As for your cat attacking walls I suppose it could be possible she was aware of my movements. But your home was filled to the brim with rats. I’m surprised she never caught any.”

“Alice was never in the business of catching anything. She simply likes to slap.” You showed the side of your hand where she scratched you the previous night. “This isn’t even her best work.”

Aharo's mouth opened as he glanced over the scratch. “Did you bleed?”

Had he been this glowing, pink, skeletal rock man for so long he’d forgotten how to be human? You thought to yourself.

“Of course I bled! What human doesn’t?”

Atharo rubbed at his jaw. “I see then. Would there be a reason you wanted a door last night?”

You frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

Atharo looked you over, and you almost thought he looked shocked. “You really have no clue, do you?”

You tiled your head to the side. “At the moment, I have a multitude of clues but no answer.”

Atharo chuckled and his smile grew. “Please forgive me, fair lady, I’m still a bit shocked. I must confess, I was not expecting you to be so calm and accepting about this. Would you like to come to the dining hall for breakfast?” He waved out an arm down the hallway. “I will prepare whatever you want and we can discuss anything you would like so you can put those clues away.”

You glanced back down and clutched your robe around you. “I would, but I’m afraid I’m not properly dressed,” you replied shyly.

Atharo held his hand out towards you and the pink sparks on his fingertips leapt out onto your robe and nightgown. The fabric changed, shifting and changing colors. A skit fell past your knees and changed into the color of pale roses.

“You look lovely to me,” Atharo said.

You smoothed your hands down the new dress. The fabric was soft and was much lighter than the usual dresses you wore back home.

“Thank you. It’s very nice.” You smiled at him. “I can’t remember the last time I had a new dress.”

“That’s almost sad to hear,” Atharo replied. “Does your father not magic you anything that you need?”

Atharo tapped his fingertips together. “Does your father not show you his magic?”

You shook your head. “All I know is that he has his stone that grants him his magic. And he never lets me see anything.” You thought back on his words from the previous night. Somehow you played into it, but you only ever realized it until then.

“Your father and I are very similar, but very different beings.” Atharo led you from the bedroom and into the hall. The hallway shifted so that more windows opened and light from outside poured in through glass that cast rainbows along the floor.

Atharo turned as a window turned into a door. “He steals his magic, I cultivate mine.” he opened the door into a cozy, warm room with a small table.

The dining hall back home was so expansive and cold. You hated having meals there because of the distance and chill. But this little room was perfect.

Atharo pulled out a chair for you. “What would you like to have, my dear? Name it and I’ll provide.”

“Oh…green tea?” You asked.

The teacup appeared in his hand again and Atharo set it before you. It was still full from last night, and still piping hot. “What would you like to eat?”

Your father always ate sparingly, and the meals we provided were somewhat flavorless and pale. In one of your story books, the main character’s grandmother made her treats from apples and cinnamon that you always wanted to try.

“Something with apples?”

Atharo stood back and held his hands apart. Pink crystals formed a tray between them and the soft glow formed a dome over the top. He set the tray down before you and the dome popped.

Atharo sat down beside you as you blinked the pink shimmer from your eyes. “I haven’t had a guest in quite some time,” he said. “Excuse me if it seems like I am trying too hard to impress.”

Sitting before you was a plate full of different treats, pancakes with dripping apple chunks and glaze, bacon, apple tarts, and a bowl of rice pudding. You set your tea cup aside and took a bite of bacon, sighing in content at how good it tasted.

“This is so nice, thank you.”

“Just ask and I’ll provide.” Atharo folded his hands over the table, watching you as you ate. “Like I said, you are my guest here.”

You lift your head to look him in the eye. While it’s hard to tell what expression he is holding, you feel like you can almost see the subtle changes in his bones and the pink crystals.

“I’m still confused as to why you’d be so kind when I am the daughter of your biggest enemy. Aren’t you afraid? Or, wouldn’t it be better to hold me captive and ask for a ransom?”

Atharo placed his hand around his mouth while he laughed. “I would not be so awful as to hold a lovely woman like you captive. I also have no reason to! Your father has nothing I could possibly want, now.  Without you, your father is powerless. Why should I try and frighten you at all when there is no reason to? I would rather have you as my friend.”

You dabbed your mouth with a napkin. “What do you mean? How is he powerless without me?”

Atharo chuckled. “Because he has no real magic without you. All that your father is, he has taken by force. This includes you. A woman like you is very rare indeed, and he stopped at nothing to have you so he could maintain the power he has.”

“But I’m nothing,” you laughed.

Atharo held up a finger. “But that is what he wanted you to believe, my dear. But he has lied to you. You are far more than some ordinary lady. You are a Blood Grail.”

You gawked at him. “I’m a what?”

Atharu took your hand into his and held it up. “A once in a lifetime magic user. You are able to bestow gifts and miracles with the blood that flows through you. Your father stole you so he could keep that power all to himself.” He then held your hand gently between both of his palms.

“Which is why, without you, he is no longer a threat to me.”

Slowly, the small clues all came together to form a picture. Every month, your father prepared a cup for you that would catch the blood your body shed monthly. You would then pour the cup into a jar for him so he could safely dispose of it. But that wasn’t the truth at all.

You then gently brushed the scratch on the side of your hand. “My father and Daniels chased me last night. I was so scared I wished I could hide somewhere safe.”

“It wasn’t your cat that brought you here, it was you. Your blood opened a door, and somewhere inside you, you knew this place would be safe for you. Away from your father, and with someone who could protect you from him.”

“I was so exhausted last night, I don’t even know what I was thinking,” you breathed. “I’m sorry I intruded!”

“That’s okay, my dear. I don’t mind having you at all. An old lich like me is flattered. Stay as long as you want, and if you’d like, I can help you understand the remarkable powers you hold.” He held out his hands. “Friends?”

You took hold of his hand. “Friends.”

For the first time since you could remember, you stepped outside. Your bare feet touched the grass and your skin was bathed in warm sunlight. Alcie raced out of the castle like a bat out of hell and threw herself into the lush foliage of the garden.

You breathed in deep, closing your eyes as you let everything wash over you. In the distance you heard the voices of a village just below. Their voices carried with them songs, and sweet talk, the sound of life beyond a stormy keep. The scent of the earth all around you, the fragrant blossoms, and the fresh water that flower from the fountain, all it was almost overwhelming.

You laid back in the grass, listening to the voices outside the garden. Alice hissed and ran about, kicking up grass as she wildly surveyed her new kingdom. She was no longer bound to your room and cold, dark hallways anymore. Neither were you.

“There are flowers with thorns out there,” Atharo’s deep voice rumbled in your mind. “Why don’t you pick one?”

Your eyes opened, and while you couldn’t see Atharo near you, you knew he was there. Since staying with him, you’ve become acutely aware of him. His hands, his posture, the way he moved all spoke to a part of your mind that only your picture book ramblings spoke to.

You saw flowers near you and when you reached out to pluck one a thorn pricked the tip of your finger. Your blood fell onto the stem and the flower petals fell, spilling onto the ground where they melted together, fluffed, and puffed up into a pure white cat.

Pages had fallen from one of your books before, and when a page cut into your finger you found Alice almost immediately after, but none of the pages of your book.

“You can do so much more, my dear,” Atharo’s voice tickled along the back of your neck. “Your power is far greater than cats and magic doors.”

Alice saw the new cat and lunged at them. The to terrorized that garden until they both started bathing one another in a patch of sunlight.

“How greater?” You asked into the air. “What else can I do?”

“What would you want to do?” Anthro answers back. “You can mold the magic to do as you please. You just have to know what it is deep inside you.”

You watched the two cats coiling together, purring and snuggling. A yearning grew in your chest to cuddle like that.

“But how did my father use my magic?”

“He took your blood to power a stone, one that granted him his magic properties. While you can make magic of your own, your blood can also feed other magic.” Atharo said to you.

You rolled onto your side, closing your eyes again. “Could it feed yours?”

“Of course.”

You felt a flickering pain in your lower abdomen. “Do you want it?”

“Not really. I have what I need.”

You opened your eyes and saw Atharo standing there in the doorway. You rose from the grass and approached him.

“Why did my father hate you?” You asked bluntly. “Because from what I can tell, you don’t seem the type to be going into vicious battles with him.”

His smile grew. “I hate him, do not doubt that, my dear. He destroyed something very precious to me, and he killed many people I cared about. One of which was your mother.”

Your heart’s pounding came to a sudden icy stop. “You knew her?”

Atharo led you down a winding hallway, one that grew the further you traversed it. Windows opened and birds flew between them, as did vines creep slowly inside.

“She and I had been best friends since childhood. We both studied magic together under our master. We grew up together, did everything together. I continued to study when she fell in love and married. When I came back she was pregnant with you, and I was given a prophecy. But it wasn’t enough.” He stood still in the hallway, looking out a window and far into the distance.

“Everyone and everything was shucked and bled, because he knew you were the Blood Grail. I was almost dead, burnt and unable to move. But my anger and hatred was strong, and I called out for revenge.”

Atharo held his skeletal hands before himself, looking into the palms. “I gave my mortality for power, and transformed into this.”

You placed your hand in his. “It could have been worse.”

He laughed and squeezed your hand back. “All I wanted was to bring you home, my dear. But he kept you hidden so far away. I’m sorry it took me so long. You’re an adult now, you don’t need me for anything.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” The hallway ended and opened up into his tower room. A second chair appeared next to Atharo’s, as well as a small table with a plate of cookies upon it.

“You’re here at least. But I can’t rest until that man is dealt with.”

You were eating cookies while listening to him.

Atharo smiled. “How have you been enjoying your time here?”

You dusted crumbs from your cheek. “I’m very happy here. I know I haven’t been here long, but I don’t think I could bear to leave.”

“You never have to. My home is your home. I want to share it with you for as long as you will stay. I’ll make you happy here.”

You lick your lips so he can see. “It almost sounds like we are a couple.”

“Oh,” he laughed and sat stiff in his chair. “In a way I suppose.”

“You said you were lonely here,” you murmured. “I know a thing or two about feeling lonely.”

“It’s been a long time since I looked forward to seeing a kind face. Watching you eat breakfast has become a needed ritual for me.”

“What if you didn’t have to wait until breakfast to see me?” You asked.

The giant crystal before you flashed brightly. “Now what do you mean, my dear?” Atharo fidgeted in his seat, raising his hands to fondle the jewelry draping down from his neck.

You shrugged and your cheeks grew unbearably warm. “If we shared a bed, then you wouldn’t have to wait until breakfast to see me.”

“You’re suggesting we share a bed,” he mumbled. He cleared his throat and shook his head. “Why are you even suggesting that?”

You smiled at him. “Because I like you.”

Atharo’s pale pink turned almost bright red. “Are you mad?”

You chuckled and shook your head. “I want to be touched. I want to be held. And when I think about you, specifically, doing it I grow so warm all over that my body begins to tingle.”

“I am not made to be a lover,” he said bluntly. “I can not…touch and hold in a way that would make anybody feel anything.”

“Isn’t it up to me to feel things?” You stood from your chair and moved to his side. “May I sit in your lap?”

Atharo turned his head away. “I doubt it will be comfortable. But you can try.”

You sat down upon his lap, curling up against him and resting your head upon his shoulder. His hand trembled above your body before clutching down tight upon the arm of the chair. He kept his head turned away or his gaze averted.

“Have you had your fill yet?” He huffed.

“Please let me stay.”

“Don’t say that so sweetly,” Atharo scoffed. “Do as you please I suppose.”

You took his hand and placed it upon your side. Atharo’s fingers tensed upon you. As they lingered he relaxed. He stroked down your side to your thigh then quickly moved his hand back up.

“See. It is nice,” you chuckled.

“Maybe so. But I wouldn’t suit you as a lover if that is what you are driving at. How would I ever please you in my state?” He scoffed.

You sat up a bit, tilting his head down and placing a soft kiss upon his teeth. You licked your tongue over them and felt something soft and wet against your cheek. From the side of his mouth a clear, tongue shaped tendril poked out. Atharo slammed his palm to his cheek, knocking it back inside.

“And what is that?” You smirked.

“Nothing.” The clear, pink mass jiggled in his mouth, poking out the other side and touching your lips. It formed around his teeth, making a pair of lips. Athaor clapped his hand around this new mouth. “I don’t know what’s gotten over me.”

“Let me see.” You pulled his hand down and traced your fingers over the lips. The pink goo was spreading to his fingers, giving them shape beyond the bone and crystal.

“Is it alright if I kiss you again?” You asked.

Atharo tilted his head down so you could kiss. You smoothed your hand along his cheek, sitting up more for leverage. His hand clutched around your hip and he moaned in such a way it vibrated through your whole body.

You pull away and sigh with relief. “Please, I want you to touch me.”

He sat up more, holding you in his lap. “How?”

You began unbuttoning your dress, letting it open to your breasts. Atharo’s fingers gently brush against the soft flesh and again his voice vibrates through your body. He brushes against your nipple, watching as it stiffens to his touch. He cups your breasts in his hands then pushed your dress down around your waist.

“It’s been so long, I forgot how soft skin was.” He kissed your shoulder and chest, lapping your skin, careful the crystals didn’t scrape against you.

His touch was cool but it excited you all the more. You had dreamed of what this moment would be like, and now you had your answers.

“I have a gift for you,” you whispered to him.

He lifted his head. “This is more than enough, my dear.”

I smiled and shook your head. “My blood is beginning. I want you to take it.”

Atharo placed his hands firmly upon your shoulders. “I told you I didn’t need it or want it.”

“It doesn't bother me if you do. I want you to have it.” You kissed him again, pressing your breasts into his chest. “I want you to be powerful.”

Atharo pushed you back. “Why?”

You looked into his eyes. “Because.”

He chuckled and planted a soft kiss upon your lips. “You don’t have to do this to make me like you. I adore you already.”

In the corner of the room a bed rose up from the floor, forming from the wall and floorboards. As it grew and fluffed up, Atharo picked you up from the chair. He laid you down upon the covers and your dress vanished in a flash of pink light.

“Just this once. Maybe you just need once.” His robe unfurled from his body, and the jewelry draped down along his long, thin frame.

“You’re beautiful,” you said.

Athaor laughed. “You say that looking as you are right now? Silly girl.” He smoothed his hand down your body, slowly opening you up as you laid into the bed. “It’s been a while. But I think I can remember my way.” His fingers went between your thighs and curved around your plump mound.

“Such warmth,” he groaned. “So welcoming.” He opened your thighs so he could see. He yanked you forward and his long tongue spread apart his jaw, thrusting forward as he dipped his head down.

You whimpered as it first touched you, laying upon your mound then squirming until it opened you up. It rubbed there so you could feel it, every so slightly pushing its way inside.

“I taste it,” his deep voice traveled through your limbs. “I taste you.” His voice became a low growl and his body changed in color. The pale pink became bright, and the bones of his body crackled and grew fissures that glowed bright red.

You threw your head back, moaning as his tongue pushed deep inside you.

“I never dreamed I would drink from the Blood Grail, yet here I am.” His bones grew thicker and his hands became larger, the bright glow was becoming almost white and warm like the sun.

“Atharo,” you whimpered.

He raised his head, moaning deeply as he looked down upon you. He placed himself between your thighs and you felt something there. His voice pulsed through your veins as he pressed inside you. His hands pulled your thighs apart and held your ankles above you. He thrust inside hard, shaking you and the bed. You cried out with another hard thrust and his laugh boomed through your limbs. He was growing thicker inside the more your magic flowed through his body.

“Is this what you sought?” His voice rumbled.

You looked up at him, sniffling slightly. You trembled as you raised your hand, placing it upon his arm. “I just wanted you to hold me,” you said shyly. “In your arms…and whispering to me how good it felt.”

His eyes flashed. “You should have said so.” he groaned as he lowered down. “These old bones feel new again. I felt impulsive and young.” He laid upon you, taking hold of you in his arms. “But all you wanted was some comfort.”

You held him in return, moaning softly against his ear. “It feels nice. It’s strange, but I like you inside me.”

Atharo growled so it tickled your spine. “I like being inside you, my dear. This warmth, this rush of magic…I almost feel dizzy.”

“Go slow.” You cup his face in your hands. “Look at me. Just slowly…like that.” You moaned as his hips moved and pressed inside again.

“Darling,” he breathed. “Your blood is making veins within me. I feel a pulse again.”

You nuzzled into his neck. “I feel it.”

Atharo placed his hand upon your lower back, moaning into your ear. “I feel as though I might burst.”

“Me too,” you panted. “It’s right there…I feel it!” Your back arched off the bed and your legs locked around him. Time went by differently then and everything rushed around you in a haze.

You gazed into the endless ceiling of the tower breathing again as Atharo’s pulse throbbed inside you. He pulled away, his body radiating a deep red shade that began to fade to soft, pale pink again. His body was larger than before and the crystals upon his head formed a helm around his head.

“So this is what that bastard sought all this time,” he chuckled. “I can’t blame him.” he pulled himself from you and rubbed his strong hands down your body. He kneaded your legs and chuckled. “What a gift you’ve given me.”

You held your arms open to him and he laid back upon you. He placed soft kisses to your lips and chest and chest.

“More than once,” you whispered. “More than a day.”

His voice whispered in your head. “I know, my darling. I know.”