Page 20 of Wicked (Fallen Messengers)

“I said I would let you ride him, not fight him!” she snapped. She seemed to recall where she was and pasted a demure expression across her face once more.

Ivmir deflated a little. “Oh.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I guess I can settle for that.” He bobbed his head. “Alright, it’s a deal.”

Coraos and the Goddesses breathed sighs of relief.

“I wonder what they asked him to do,” Nildar mused as Ivmir disappeared in the direction of the gardens.

“Judging from his temperament, they probably told him to lie low,” Rohengar said in a resigned tone. He cast a pointed look at Archon.

The West Star shrugged. “What?”

To Icarus’s surprise, the daughters of Nyx flew over to their arbor a short while later.

“It is good to see you, Guardians,” Atropos greeted with a graceful curtsy after she landed on the marble floor. Her sisters followed suit, their wings dipping as a sign of due regard.

Rohengar rushed forward. “Please, Goddesses,” he said, flustered. “It is us who must lower our heads to you.”

Icarus followed his brother and the other Guardians’ lead as they bowed to the twelve Goddesses. He straightened to find Atropos smiling kindly at him.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, North Star. The tales of your accomplishments have already reached our ears.”

The corners of Icarus’s mouth tilted upwards. “The pleasure is mine, Goddess.”

Atropos blinked. Interest sparked in the eyes of several of her sisters.

“That smile of his is lethal,” Nildar muttered to Rohengar.

Icarus glanced at them, confused. One of the Furies drew a sharp breath.

Icarus followed her gaze. The hairs lifted on the back of his neck.

A sudden stillness had come over Atropos. Her eyes flared gold and her expression took on a far-away look.

Though he’d never witnessed the phenomenon, he could tell the Goddess of Fate was receiving some kind of portent.

The brightness slowly faded from Atropos’s pupils. The Goddesses beside her exchanged wary glances, as did Rohengar and the other Guardians.

The eldest Moira observed Icarus for a silent moment, her expression solemn. He stiffened when she closed the distance to him and took his hands. Even her sisters looked surprised at the act.

“I hope we shall become good friends, Awakener.” She squeezed his fingers and peered into his eyes, as if hoping to unravel a mystery. “I may be risking the wrath of the Gods of Old by saying this, but I must be frank with you. Your fate and those of myself and my siblings will be intertwined in the near future.”

A fraught silence descended upon the arbor.

Apprehension clouded Rohengar’s eyes.

Atropos registered the South Star’s unease with an apologetic half-smile. “Do not fret, Rohengar. I do not mean your brother harm.”

Rohengar hesitated before dipping his head. “Thank you for allaying my fears, Goddess.” He traded a cautious look with Icarus, Nildar, and Archon before directing a guarded stare upon Atropos and her sisters. “I think we should converse further at your leisure.” He glanced at the deities circulating through the banquet hall and the gardens. “Maybe at a more opportune and private moment? We have…some information that may be of interest to you.”

Atropos’s face tightened a little. Tisiphone, the eldest Fury, narrowed her eyes.

“Then we shall look forward to our next meeting, Guardians,” Atropos said quietly.

The Goddesses took their leave. Icarus blinked when one of the Black Fates winked at him over her shoulder.

“What was that about?” Archon said gruffly.

“I have no idea,” Icarus murmured.

He had a feeling the words Atropos had spoken would linger in his mind for some time to come.

“You need to tell him to dampen down his pheromones,” Nildar told Rohengar. He cocked a thumb at Icarus. “I’m pretty sure Alecto means to have her wicked way with him at some point during this banquet.”

Icarus’s stomach dropped. Wait. Is that why she winked at me?!

Rohengar’s expression grew resigned. “You know as well as I do that Icarus cannot help it.”

“Cannot help what?” Icarus said, perplexed.

Rohengar, Nildar, and Archon all gave him the same brooding, pitying look.

Nildar sighed and took hold of Icarus’s shoulders. “Just…try not to get yourself eaten by a wolf.” He squinted at the deities in the banquet hall. “There are many of them around.”

Icarus was still puzzling over the East Star’s warning as he strolled through the gardens a couple of hours later. He’d slipped away to get some fresh air when Pan had come over to rile Archon.

To his relief, the section of the gardens he had come to was as deserted as it had been during his last trip here. It was in a remote part of the grounds, where only stars served to light up hidden paths and secret places that could be unearthed by meandering through gaps in the thick hedges and shrubbery.

To Icarus’s delight, he found yet another magical spot when he ducked under some heavy, fruit-laden boughs. He picked an apple from a tree and wandered over to a pretty gazebo gracing the center of a pond covered in lotus flowers, in the midst of a secluded glade.

The music from the banquet was a faint, pleasant melody in his ears as he crossed the path of rocks floating on the water to the open-aired pavilion. It wasn’t until he entered the shadows of the structure that Icarus realized he wasn’t alone.

A lone figure was perched on a balustrade, his back against a column and one arm propped lightly on a bent knee as he gazed at the distant stars.

“Oh,” Icarus murmured. “My apologies. I did not know someone was here.”

He was about to retrace his steps when the figure turned his head and pinned him with a cobalt stare.

Awareness slammed into Icarus as he met Ivmir’s eyes. His breath caught.

Ivmir slowly unfolded his long legs and swung them over the edge of the railing, his curious gaze still locked on Icarus’s face. The way the demigod scanned his body with slow insolence made Icarus’s skin grow hot.

“I have not seen you before.” An impudent grin curved Ivmir’s mouth. “This is good. I was starting to get bored. You can stay and entertain me.”

Icarus’s pulse spiked at his sultry stare. Heat pooled low in his belly, the sensation so alien he couldn’t help but inhale sharply and press a hand to his body.

What—what is this?

Ivmir’s pupils flared, gold flashing in the dark depths. His smile widened to a smirk brimming with arrogance.

“I see the attraction is mutual.” He chuckled as he rose to his feet and strolled over. “This should make bedding you easier.”

Icarus blinked, the tension sparking through the pavilion so thick he was finding it difficult to draw air. The words Ivmir had just uttered finally sank in. He straightened to his full height, appalled.

“What in Heaven’s name do you mean?!” Icarus blurted out angrily.

“Oh hush, now.” Ivmir slipped a hand behind Icarus’s neck and took hold of his waist so he could tug him close. “I know we have only just met, but I prefer my lovers quiet and docile.”

Icarus gasped and shivered at his touch. He felt weak all of a sudden, like his strength had been sapped out of him. In its place was a smoldering fire that swept through his veins in an uncontrolled blaze he feared would soon consume him.

Ivmir leaned down until his lips were a scant hairbreadth from Icarus’s mouth.

“Besides, if you’re here, it must mean you’re trying to escape that infernal banquet too. So why don’t we enjoy each other’s company for a while?”

This close, Icarus could see dazzling specks in Ivmir’s eyes. He stared, too dazed to react.

They look like stars.

Rationality fled when Ivmir claimed his lips.

Icarus was faintly aware of dropping the apple he’d been holding. He stared into Ivmir’s hooded eyes as it rolled by their feet, unsure if this was reality or an absurd flight of fancy. Then Ivmir suckled on his lower lip, angled his head, and fused their mouths.

Icarus swayed, his sanity fading as new sensations assaulted his body.

This is definitely not a dream!

He wasn’t aware he was clinging to Ivmir’s shoulders until he felt the firm tension of his flesh beneath his fingers and heard the demigod’s low sound of approval.

The softness and heat of Ivmir’s mouth. The intoxicating scent of his breath and his skin. The strength in his hands as he fixed Icarus in place and aligned their bodies until nary a space was left between their straining frames.

All of it washed over Icarus in scalding waves that drowned him in a sea of wanton feelings he had never known, leaving him trembling.

Ivmir slipped a bold tongue inside Icarus’s mouth. His fingers tightened on Icarus as he lashed their flesh together, each sinful motion drawing a muffled gasp from Icarus’s throat. A growl of pleasure escaped Ivmir at the sounds. He dropped a hand to Icarus’s behind, pressed a solid thigh between his legs, and molded their groins together.

Icarus stiffened when he felt the evidence of Ivmir’s arousal. He shivered, not sure if it was disgust he was experiencing or something else. Something he dared not put a name to for fear it would expose the lewd fantasy playing across his inner mind.

One where the demigod who held him did all sorts of wicked things to him.

Ivmir shuddered and raised his head. He lifted a hand and rubbed Icarus’s lips with a gentle thumb, his expression hungry and a little glazed as he stared into his eyes.

“You taste divine,” he said, his tone gruff with desire. “Tell me your name.”

Icarus’s heart thudded painfully against his ribs as he stood frozen in Ivmir’s arms. He knew he should push the demigod away and chastise him for his unseemly behavior. Yet he…couldn’t.

Instead, Icarus found himself craving Ivmir’s touch and the beguiling flames licking at his insides.

I must be losing my mind. This is—this is wrong!

Icarus took a shaky breath and was about to wriggle out of Ivmir’s arms when a thunderous roar shook the trees around the lake and sent ripples across the water, making the lotus flowers dance.

Archon flew into the pavilion, his expression murderous.

“ Unhand him, you vile beast! ”

Ivmir grunted as the West Star yanked him away from Icarus and swung a fist back to punch him. He blocked the blow with his forearms, snapped his wings open, and retreated to a safe distance.

“What in the Hells is your problem?!” Ivmir barked at Archon.

Rohengar and Nildar alighted beside Icarus, their expressions tense.

“Are you unharmed?” the South Star asked Icarus stiffly. His eyes flashed as he frowned at Ivmir.

Icarus nodded, his senses slowly returning. “Yes.” He swallowed, his face warm. “I am—I am alright, brothers.”

He couldn’t very well admit to them that he had just been ravished and had even contemplated giving in to Ivmir’s ridiculous demand.

Was I really going to let him bed me?!

A shiver raced through Icarus. Apprehension tightened his chest as he studied the dark-winged demigod scowling at Archon.

What did he do to me? Is it—some kind of spell?!

Rohengar misunderstood his shudder. He wrapped a comforting arm around Icarus’s shoulders, the soothing scent of summer flowing from him.

“Brothers?” Ivmir sneered at the far end of the pavilion. “How uncouth of you to interfere in your sibling’s love life.” He observed the three Guardians mockingly before glancing at Icarus. “He may be your brother, but he is not a child.”

“Wait.” Archon’s jaw dropped. “Does this buffoon not know your identity?!” he asked Icarus with an appalled expression, one finger pointed shakily at Ivmir.

Doubt clouded Ivmir’s face for the first time. “What do you mean?” He cut his eyes to Icarus. “Who are you?”

Motion in the sky distracted them before anyone could reply.

Coraos was winging his way over to the pavilion. The demigod landed beside Ivmir. He took in Icarus’s flushed face and the other Guardians’ angry expressions, and directed a suspicious look at his brother.

“I only went to get us drinks.” Coraos placed the two glasses of nectar he was carrying on a ledge. “What in Heaven’s name happened?”

Ivmir crossed his arms. “A pretty little lamb wandered into my enclosure,” he explained with a dismissive shrug. “I was enjoying a taste when his harebrained brothers decided to turn up and ruin things.”

Fury ignited Rohengar’s eyes. Sky Piercer appeared in Nildar’s hands.

Icarus swallowed a mortified groan.

I can’t believe he just admitted that!

Coraos’s face darkened. “You little—” He stopped, jaw clenched and fisted hand dropping to his side. He grabbed Ivmir by the back of the neck and forced him into a half-bow. “Apologize. Now! ”

Ivmir struggled in his brother’s hold, a hurt expression flashing in his eyes. “What? Why?!”

Golden light brightened the night behind them. Icarus looked around. His stomach sank.

Ivmir’s sisters were arrowing toward them at great speed.

Atropos alighted first. Her gaze swept the pavilion before landing squarely on Ivmir.

“What did you do, brother?” she said icily, her eyes so bright with power the radiance scorched black spots across Icarus’s vision.

“Nothing that concerns you or anyone else here, sister ,” Ivmir snapped. He finally freed himself from Coraos’s grip and indicated Icarus. “All I did was kiss him. Why is everyone so up in arms about it?”

Atropos’s eyes bulged.

“Oh the divinity,” Coraos mumbled numbly.

“Was tongue involved?” someone asked in an innocent voice. “Inquiring minds wish to know.”

Tisiphone hushed a bright-eyed Alecto.

“Of course tongue was involved,” Ivmir grunted.

The heated look he gave Icarus made his breath quicken.

Some of the color had drained from Rohengar’s face. He cut his eyes to Icarus.

“Did he—did he force himself on you?!”

“What? No!” Icarus protested. He hesitated and glanced at Ivmir. “I mean…he did take my lips without my express permission.”

Atropos started quivering, jaws clenched and nails sinking so hard into her palms Icarus feared she would cut her own flesh.

Archon ground his teeth. “What else did he do?”

Nildar was shooting daggers at Ivmir.

Icarus swallowed. There was no point shying from the truth. Not when he was in the presence of the Goddesses of Fate.

“He, er, touched my behind and said he wanted to bed me,” he confessed reluctantly.

The silence that descended upon the pavilion was so profound Icarus heard a leaf fall in the gardens.

Coraos groaned and dropped his face in his hands.

“Argh, that dimwit,” Lachesis moaned.

“He’s gone and done it now,” Tenebra said glumly.

“Was he born an idiot?” Hesperia asked Erytheis.

“Maybe it’s because of that time Tisiphone dropped him on his head,” Megaera muttered.

Atropos marched across the pavilion, took Ivmir by the shoulder, and forced him down until his knees hit the ground. The floor cracked beneath the demigod under the force she was exerting.

She bowed deeply to Icarus, her sisters and Coraos following suit.

“I beg your forgiveness, Awakener,” the eldest Moira said in a tone full of remorse. “My fool of a brother has caused you great offense. I shall discipline him as you see fit.”

Ivmir paled. He raised his chin and leveled a stunned stare at Icarus, his neck cording as he struggled against his sister’s overwhelming strength.

“You are the Awakener?!”

“Shut up, you idiot!” Tenebra hissed.

“Please,” Atropos ground out, her fingers sinking into Ivmir’s flesh until he winced. “Tell me what punishment you would like me to meter out, Awakener.”

Icarus chewed his lip worriedly. He could tell from the Moira’s expression that Ivmir would be getting the walloping of his life after this. Despite Ivmir’s outrageous transgression, Icarus didn’t want him to get hurt. He took a deep breath, crossed the floor, and stopped before the dark-winged demigod.

“Do you know what you did wrong?” he said sternly.

“I kissed you without your permission,” Ivmir replied promptly.

Icarus arched an eyebrow. “And?”

“And I was remiss in touching your behind.” A smirk stretched Ivmir’s mouth. “Which, by the way, is the nicest bottom I have ever— Ouch! ”

Tisiphone had dinged him around the ear.

Icarus flushed as several of the Goddesses stared at that part of his anatomy with renewed interest.

“Let me kill him,” Archon pleaded with Rohengar.

“Not if I kill him first,” Nildar growled.

Rohengar rubbed his forehead, his expression still pinched. He gazed at Icarus.

“Is this really alright, brother?”

“Yes.” Icarus faltered at his anxious mien. “It was just a mistake. I’m sure Ivmir has learned his lesson. I see no need to punish him further.”

“But,” Rohengar directed another irate look at Ivmir, “—he stole your first kiss.”

Icarus suddenly wished the ground would open up and swallow him.

The Goddesses watched with bated breath. Even Atropos seemed fascinated.

Ivmir’s eyes widened. “That was your first kiss?!”

Irritation shot through Icarus. From the experienced way Ivmir had claimed his mouth, he was willing to wager it hadn’t been Ivmir’s first kiss. The smile that lit up the demigod’s face in the next instant scattered Icarus’s thoughts and made his soul core throb.

“Now I want to bed you even more,” Ivmir said fervently.

Archon punched him in the jaw.

“For the hundredth time, I am sorry, alright?” Ivmir pleaded in a beleaguered voice.

Icarus whirled around. “Stop following me,” he snapped.

He turned and resumed his walk, only to halt when Ivmir took flight and landed in front of him. Cobalt blue eyes that had haunted his sleep and his every waking moment for the past week studied him in earnest hope.

“Not until you tell me you forgive me and agree to have a drink with me.”

Icarus sighed and rubbed his forehead tiredly.

It was the penultimate day of the banquet. Ivmir had pretty much stalked him since the night they’d first met. Though he never approached Icarus when he was in the company of the other Guardians, his brooding eyes had followed his movements when Icarus had been obliged to mingle with the other deities attending the celestial banquet.

Distance and the passage of time had made Icarus question all he had felt when Ivmir had taken him in his arms. He’d come to the conclusion that it had been a folly brought about by strange circumstances. As a Guardian, his duty was to lead an ascetic life and abandon all interest in the pleasures of the flesh. It was not so much a written rule as it was an inevitable consequence of possessing a Guardian soul core: the power it bestowed overrode most base instincts and emotions, allowing Guardians to ascend to a level of spirituality in keeping with their roles.

Icarus was confident Rohengar was as chaste as he was. Nildar and Archon on the other hand were much older than them and had both had relationships before they were chosen as Guardians. Icarus had never once heard them express regret as not being able to experience physical love again. Whether they privately lamented the loss he would never know without asking them.

And that is not a conversation I am ever going to have.

Ivmir fidgeted restlessly as he waited for an answer.

Icarus’s lips twitched. “I forgive you. But I shall not have a drink with you.”

“Why not?” Ivmir almost wailed.

Icarus swallowed a snort.

Ivmir stared. “Did you just laugh at me?”

The demigod looked so incensed Icarus couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Ivmir crossed his arms and pouted.

Icarus doubled over.

“I’m sorry,” he chuckled once he got his breath back. He straightened, wiped away his tears, and gave Ivmir an apologetic look. “You looked like a child just now and I remembered the story Nildar told me.”

Suspicion darkened Ivmir’s gaze. “What story?”

Icarus scratched his cheek. “About the time you got yourself banned from the banquet.”

Ivmir drooped. “Oh. That story.”

Icarus smiled. Ivmir stilled, his gaze locking on Icarus’s face as if he’d just unearthed the most wonderful treasure. Icarus tried not to squirm under his heated stare.

“I need to make something clear. I cannot reciprocate your feelings for me.”

Ivmir frowned. “Why not?”

“Because I’m a Guardian,” Icarus explained patiently. “We are not allowed to engage in physical relations.”

Ivmir cocked his head to the side. “Who says I want to have physical relations with you?”

Displeasure tightened Icarus’s jaw. Ivmir’s mouth quivered.

Icarus squinted.

He is definitely teasing me. Well, two can play that game.

Icarus took a few bold steps and closed the distance to Ivmir. The demigod had a couple of inches on him, which meant Icarus had to raise his head to look him in the eye.

“Do not lie, Ivmir,” he murmured. “This part of you is more honest than your tongue.” He lifted a hand and trailed lazy fingers down Ivmir’s rock hard chest and stomach.

Ivmir’s eyes flared. He grabbed Icarus’s wrist when he reached the area under his belly button. His heat cocooned Icarus when he leaned in and brought his lips to his ear.