"Lin! Lin!" Shido's voice held an edge of panic as he kicked open the domicile's main door and hauled the unconscious half-demon over the threshold. "Hurry!"
The little groom hastened out from somewhere deeper in the house, gasping at the sight of her master collapsed again the vampire.
"Lord Shido? What happened?"
"Later, Lin. We must get him warm, immediately. Run a bath."
As Lin raced off towards the wing that housed the bedchambers Shido swept Menthis up into his arms and followed the small demon.
Lin was very fast, and very efficient: by the time Shido, panting slightly, carried the half-demon into the blue bathroom the big sunken bath was already half-full of steaming water, and Lin was standing knee deep at the near side, hands raised for her master. The vampire hesitated for a moment - Lin was very small - then flinched as she hissed angrily, and lowered Menthis into her waiting arms, dropping the heavy fur-lined cote to the floor. Easing the half-demon into the water, Lin began to pull off his clothing, glowering up at the vampire ferociously.
"What happened? He's like ice!"
Shido shrugged out of his own cote and dropped to his knees, worried eyes intent on his host.
"The fault is mine, Lin. He told me he had not... visited Guardian and thus wasn't covered by its protective influence..."
The little demon nodded grimly.
"Heh. Tried to tell him that before. He listened to you?"
"Yes, but... he insisted on being naked." The vampire shivered, remembering the bitter cold outside, and Lin grunted.
"It's not your fault, Lord Shido."
"It is. I persuaded him to go out without adequate preparation." Distressed, Shido brushed a trembling hand over silky black hair. "I should have at least taken a fur wrap with us..."
Lin watched the vampire's worried face with a calculating eye: it was obvious that their guest had strong feelings for the master. Laving hot water over Menthis cold pale body she inclined her head.
"Will you help me, my lord?"
"... help you?"
"Hold him, help warm him up."
Shido glanced down at himself, then at Menthis - then pulled himself upright and hastily divested himself of his clothing, sliding into the hot water with a gasp. Lin nodded.
"Now, put an arm under his shoulders and support him under the water."
Shido knelt, pulling the half-demon to him, Menthis' head on his shoulder, back to his chest, both arms around his host's chilled body. Lin nodded her approval.
"That's good, my lord. Now, rub gently. Let him share your warmth."
The vampire obeyed, hands chafing the cold smooth flesh of the half-demon's chest and arms, nuzzling the soft hair pressed against his cheek. Lin settled herself between her master's limp legs, hot hands diligently kneading the chilled skin of calf and thigh under the water.
It was over an hour, earth time, before the half-demon moaned and stirred, head shifting on the weary vampire's shoulder. Lin sighed with relief and laid a hand over Menthis' groin.
"My lord? Are you recovered?"
Black eyelashes fluttered as the half-demon blinked open dark eyes.
"Lin?"
"My master..." Her eyes flickered to Shido. "We were anxious for your safety."
Menthis rolled his head far enough to glance up into the vampire's golden eyes.
"Shido...?"
Shido pressed a kiss to his temple.
"How do you feel?"
Menthis shivered.
"Cold... You brought me back?"
Shido chuckled very quietly.
"I could hardly leave you naked in the snow!"
Menthis sighed and - Shido would swear to it - nestled a little closer under the water.
"I desire my bed."
"Then you must have it." Shido glanced at Lin, who nodded, hauled herself out of the bath and grabbed a voluminous rich blue towel, standing ready to drape it around the pale body. Menthis pulled away from the vampire - reluctantly, Shido thought, hoped - and stood a little unsteadily. The vampire slid an arm across his shoulder, gratified when Menthis did not object.
"Allow me to assist you, my lord."
"I would like that."
Hiding his delight, Shido climbed out of the bath, reaching back to help Menthis: as the half-demon stepped up onto the soft yielding floor of the bathroom, Lin hastily swathed the lean pale body then bowed her head.
"If I might be excused, my master, I'll make something hot for you to drink." Her eyes twinkled briefly as she flicked a glance at the vampire. "For both of you."
Menthis nodded solemnly.
"Thank you, Lin. That would be much appreciated."
As the small demon hastened out of the chamber, Shido wrapped an arm around his host's waist as Menthis swayed slightly, then gestured to the door.
"Allow me to accompany you, my friend."
Menthis was still shivering slightly as Shido pulled the hartha-feather blanket up his chest, settling it at the level of the half-demon's strange nipple-mouths then plumping up a handful of pillows behind him. Menthis lay back with a quiet sigh and regarded the vampire bemusedly.
"Thank you."
Shido waved a hand dismissively.
"I would be a poor guest if I were to do anything to your detriment, my lord!"
"I know, but... sometimes, if one has become accustomed to dealing with lesser demons, one forgets the taste of civilised behaviour."
Shido gently brushed a strand of long black hair back from the pale face.
"Then perhaps I can remind you."
Menthis smiled.
"I think perhaps you can..."
For a moment they eyed each other, gauging each other's mood - then the moment was broken by Lin entering the sleeping chamber, a tray with two steaming goblets in her hands.
"Forgive me for interrupting, my lords..."
Menthis smiled and took a goblet, cupping his hands around the bowl to take advantage of the heat.
"Thank you, Lin." He took a small sip then nodded. "Most welcome."
The small demon handed the other goblet to the vampire, who sniffed circumspectly, then took a cautious swallow of the heated blood and wine mixture within. Normally all he could stomach was blood, but here, and with Guardian's protection, the warmth suffused his body, leaving him almost light-headed. Menthis turned to Lin.
"Please fetch a robe for Lord Shido."
Lin smirked and hurried away - leaving Shido to realise, belatedly, that he'd been so concerned about getting Menthis settled he'd forgotten his own nakedness. He coloured and lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, my lord."
Menthis tilted his head curiously.
"For what?"
"Well, I..." The vampire fell silent, wondering for a moment quite what he was apologising for. After all, Menthis seemed perfectly sanguine about appearing naked in front of him, so why was he bothered? He shook his head and managed a smile.
"It is an old habit. Being unclothed is... frowned upon, on earth. In 'civilised' places."
The half-demon raised an eyebrow.
"But we are not on earth. And your body is... attractive. The robe is simply for you to dry yourself, and to counter any coldness you might feel."
There was an odd undercurrent to the half-demon's voice, a sort of throbbing that went straight to Shido's groin.
Gods Menthis was arousing!
... and a short while ago he'd been viciously raped by Hokochu. The demon Prince's clawmarks were still faintly visible on Menthis' white skin.
The memory was more than enough to bring Shido's arousal to a screeching halt. Ashamed, he took the robe that Lin handed to him and bowed courteously to his host.
"If you will forgive me, my lord, I will leave you to rest now."
Menthis blinked, then managed a smile.
"Of course, my friend. Might you join me for dinner?"
Shido smiled sadly.
"I'd like that - if you feel up to it, of course."
"I am sure that I will..."
"Then I will see you later. Rest well, my lord."
Forcing himself to leave the half-demon's bedchamber was a physical pain...
Jasti eyed the vampire nervously. He'd returned to his own bedchamber and she'd hoped he'd sleep for a while - he was still cold from the venture outside - but he'd dressed instead, and taken himself off to the library. But he couldn't settle, taking up books at random then replacing them on the shelves, seating himself at one of the computers for a short while then standing up to pace. Finally he sighed and exited the expansive room, walking slowly back to his own quarters. Jasti had trotted after him, attentive and alert to his needs.
She wasn't happy when he pulled on the heavy boots and furry cote, obviously heading outside again. She took a deep breath and dared to speak.
"M'lord - is that wise?"
He'd gazed down at her, golden eyes solemn.
"Perhaps not, but I'm going out all the same."
She followed him to the main door, wringing her hands and wondering if she should tell Lin. Shido ignored her, striding purposefully out into the falling snow, the light of three moons turning his hair to silver, and Jasti hovered indecisively for a moment before closing the heavy door and returning to his rooms. She'd give him 'til the blue moon set, and if he wasn't back by then she'd report to Lin. Yes, that was a good plan...
Pausing for just a moment to admire the shimmering vista, the moons casting odd shadows over the soft landscape, Shido quickly set off in the direction of Guardian's ice-filled hollow.
He wanted to know what it was, how it survived, what was its purpose. Would the creature answer questions? There was only one way to find out...
It was immobile when he arrived, eyes closed, no hint of mist at its lips to indicate breathing. He stood for a moment, scrutinising it more closely than before: the way its arms and legs were stretched out forced its back off the ground and into a shallow arch that looked elegant but had to hurt like hell. The strain on its hips and shoulders must be horrific - and to have its genitals, male and female both, exposed to the weather like this... the sheer vulnerability made something clench in Shido's chest. Guardian was open to anyone who wanted to violate it, and could make no move to defend itself.
And the cold... how could it survive the cold? He crouched down and gently touched its wrist where the smooth chilled skin became rough raw material, surprised by the warmth he could feel at the border, then shifted to touch an ankle. Yes, there was heat there too, as though the sculpture-rawness acted as gloves and shoes to keep its extremities warm. In a human, or even most demons, that wouldn't be enough to sustain life - the body would quickly perish in the sub-zero temperatures - but it seemed to be sufficient to keep Guardian from death.
But it must be the most miserable, bitter existence. No wonder it slept for most of the time.
If sleep it was...
The head turned to him, vast silver eyes half-opening. He essayed a halting smile.
"Greetings, Guardian... Is it permitted to ask questions?"
A brief and, Shido thought, startled silence, then;
"If you will warm me."
He could do that. In fact, the very thought had him half-hard, gaze flickering to the being's groin, where the penis lay slack but stiffening against its belly. Acting on impulse, he knelt in the snow and laid a hand over the heavy organ. Guardian gasped, hips thrusting up as far as it could reach, eyes widening. Shido nodded.
"I will."
Without giving the creature time to reply he slid down to kneel between its thighs and took the penis deep into his mouth, tongue wrapping the near-freezing flesh, fangs nipping very delicately at the smooth head. Guardian moaned, hips bucking up as far as it could, back arching painfully. Shido laid one hand on its chilled groin to keep it still, the fingers of the other easing into the vagina, stroking the slick cold interior while the thumb teased the tight balls.
Guardian keened its pleasure, body tensed and throbbing as it orgasmed, strong muscle clamping down on Shido's fingers as the vampire's mouth was flooded with semen so hot it seemed to burn his tongue. He held still, swallowing slowly, tongue tingling, then let the organ slide from his mouth: kneeling up, he saw that Guardian was staring at him in wonder, eyes huge in its white face. He leaned down to brush a kiss to the flaccid penis: Guardian shuddered and pressed upwards to his mouth.
"Warmer?"
The creature eyed him for a moment, then nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Why?"
The vampire frowned.
"Why what?"
"Why did you warm me? Before asking your question."
Shido blinked.
"Because... because you're cold. I thought to perhaps give you succour..."
Guardian inclined its head, silver hair brushing a thin shoulder.
"Why?"
"It seemed to me a good thing - a kindly thing - to do..."
Guardian was silent for a moment.
"The others - they do not so. They take more warmth than they give, sometimes."
"Others?"
"Lord Menthis' servants."
Shido scowled.
"Have you told him? No, of course not. He never comes here, does he?" The vampire frowned to himself, then lay in the snow beside the Guardian, the edge of his cote draped over the cold body, one hand resting gently over the narrow chest. "How do you bear it?"
Silver eyes regarded him uncomprehendingly.
"This is my function."
"What is?"
"To guard this realm."
"By being... a sacrifice?"
"Of a sort."
"You chose this?"
"... it is my function..."
There was a gulf of difference, of alienness, here that Shido wasn't at all sure he could bridge. He gazed down at the creature.
"And Lord Menthis? What is he to you?"
"He rules here."
"Does he control you? Did you choose him?"
"No-one controls me. I have always been here." A brief silence. "Menthis... Menthis brings light to this realm. It is good."
"How did he come here?"
"I saw his light."
Shido waited, but Guardian seemed to think this was a sufficient explanation. The vampire stroked the smooth cold face.
"And did you call to him?"
"I saw his light."
That seemed to be all the rationalization the creature was prepared - or perhaps able - to give. But on a visceral level Shido felt he understood: light and warmth were in short supply in this frigid little realm, there would be a mutual drawing together of the providers of both...
The vampire shook his head. He was rationalising too hard - what made sense on earth might not apply here. Best to simply accept it, obscure as it was, right now, and explore the library later. And perhaps ask Menthis, when the half-demon was recovered.
He shivered: the cold was cutting into him, he needed to return. But first...
He moved to kneel between Guardian's thighs again, freeing his cock and positioning it at the entrance to the creature's vagina, then sliding in smoothly. Guardian sighed, hips rising to meet his downwards thrust.
He made it last this time, dimly aware of Guardian coming three times, hot semen laving his cock inside the creature's body... he'd have to try to research how that was possible...
But right now it felt wonderful, a deep bright heat surrounding his cock that seeped back into his body, brightening and warming him from within...
He bit back a cry as he came, adding his own seed to the heat pooling within Guardian's groin, collapsing over the chilled form and pressing a kiss to the delicate jaw, delaying pulling out of the beautiful body as long as he could. Finally, sighing, he slid from the cold flesh and knelt up to ease his spent cock back into his trousers. Guardian closed its eyes.
"Warm. You are so warm. You balance his light so perfectly."
Shido froze, wide eyed, suffused with a sudden joy.
"We have your blessing?"
"Blessings mean nothing. Balance is all."
Shido kissed the cold lips reverently, eyes sad as the creature lapsed back into icy immobility - then pulled himself to his feet and stumbled, half-frozen, back to the domicile.
"You shouldn't have stayed out so long." Lin was grumbling as she rubbed Shido's back vigorously: the vampire had managed to make it back to his rooms before collapsing before the fire, and Jasti had scurried off fearfully to find the groom. Lin had arrived shortly thereafter with a large mug of warmed wine and blood, which she'd insisted the vampire drink immediately.
Shido sighed and shrugged out of her grasp as gently as he could, turning to face the little demon and raising a hand.
"Thank you. Lin, but I am perfectly fine. I am not quite used to the cold yet."
Lin stepped back and eyed him narrowly, then nodded reluctantly.
"Very well, my lord."
"How is Menthis?"
As he'd hoped, it drew the groom's attention away from himself.
"The master is recovering well, my lord. He's awake - and I'm sure he would welcome your company."
Shido stood and peeled off his damp tunic - at the time he'd been oblivious to the snow settling on him while he'd been with Guardian - glancing over his shoulder at the two demons.
"Then I shall call on him as soon as I've changed."
Lin bowed her head.
"I make sure there's something hot for both of you, my lord." She turned to Jasti. "Escort Lord Shido when he's ready."
The lavender-furred demon stared at the groom - Menthis' room was just next door, after all - but was too much in awe of Lin to say anything. She nodded obediently as Lin left the room, then turned to the vampire.
"'s there anything I can get you, m'lord?"
Shido slid dry trousers over lean hips and shook his head firmly.
"No, thank you. I am ready now."
Jasti preceded him to the door, then ushered him into the half-demon's rooms - where Lin was already waiting with two large goblets. Shido frowned to himself - did time operate differently in different parts of Menthis' home? - then forgot to worry about it as he gazed at his host.
What was it Guardian had said? 'You balance his light so perfectly'...
Menthis was so beautiful. Skin white against the rich blue pillows, sleek black hair cascading down to his waist, dark eyes sombre under straight fine brows... Shido swallowed, trying to ignore the heat gathering in his groin.
Menthis smiled and gestured to the bed, a silent invitation for the vampire to be seated.
"You have visited Guardian again."
Shido lowered his head, embarrassed - and aroused at the memory of sliding into that cold, smooth sheath of flesh, spilling himself where Menthis has so recently climaxed, where Guardian mingled its own seed with theirs deep within its own body... so erotic, so alien...
"Menthis, I..."
The half-demon took his hand, fingers stroking his palm.
"What did it say?"
Keeping his eyes focused on the hartha-feather coverlet, Shido murmured:
"It gave us its approval."
"Its approval?"
"To... share our warmth."
Menthis stilled, and Shido held his breath, and for several seconds there was silence. Then the half-demon sighed.
"Then we had best not disappoint it."
Not quite believing what he'd just heard, the vampire raised his head with a jerk to stare into amused dark eyes.
"My lord?"
"Will you join me?"
There was nothing Shido wanted more, but...
"Menthis... Hokochu..."
Thin pale lips thinned a little more, and Menthis shook his head slightly.
"He is not here. He cannot affect me here. And he no longer has power over me - Guardian has seen to that." A pale hand stroked a lock of Shido's pale hair. "I would like to overlay that memory with others far sweeter. Please, join me."
The vampire slid the tunic over his head, then, with some embarrassment - his cock was rigid and aching - eased the leggings from his body as Menthis moved to make room for him in the big bed and flung back the coverlet. The movement revealed his own organ, pene twisting around each other, the central channel of the large lower part already flushing a deep, aroused red. Shido stared in awe for a moment, then slid into the bed, gazing at Menthis as the half-demon pulled the coverlet over them both.
"You are most attractive, lord Shido." Dark eyes twinkled, and the vampire groaned, shifting to straddle narrow hips.
"Menthis... you must stop me if I hurt you."
"You will not."
The vampire paused, trembling slightly with the strain of holding back.
"You must stop me."
The half-demon sighed, then smiled, pene snaking around the vampire's erection and teasing the slit.
"Very well. I will stop you if you hurt."
Groaning, Shido eased his cock into that fascinating organ, slipping deep into the central channel, gasping as pene stroked his balls, eyes widening as the head of his penis rubbed over something oddly solid at the base. Menthis moaned, hips bucking against Shido, long arms pulling the vampire close against him... Shido was vaguely aware of his nipples being enveloped by the strange labia on Menthis' chest, the suckling, kneading sensation weirdly erotic, then with a choked cry he came, deep within the half-demon's organ, cock throbbing in time with the pulsing of that strange hidden nub...
He caught his breath and gazed down at the half-demon, startled by the intensity of his orgasm - then realised with some trepidation that Menthis hadn't come. He eased his slackening cock from his host's organ and pulled away from the labia, surprised at how sensitive his nipples seemed to have become, and smiled tentatively at the half-demon.
"Will it please you to enter me?"
"Would it please you?"
To be made yours? Oh yes...
"It would please me very much."
Menthis rolled the vampire onto his back, smiling down into golden cat's-eyes and pushing Shido's thighs apart.
"I will not hurt you."
Nevertheless the vampire expected a small measure of pain - until the first pene entered him, sliding easily into the tight channel and brushing unerringly over his prostate.
He gasped. As a human he'd known where it was, but Cain had never bothered himself to find and exploit it, and Shido had resisted all other would-be lovers. But Menthis had found it, and now fondled it, teasing and caressing until Shido cried out and came again, semen jetting against the half-demon's abdomen.
And Menthis eased in another pene to join the first in driving Shido out of his mind...
By the time the half-demon had all seven pene deeply buried in the vampire's body Shido was almost delirious, eyes closed, writhing, keening his pleasure, one hand fondling a nipple-mouth, the other buried in Menthis' shining black hair, and as he came for the fourth time and felt each pene throb in unison within him, warm semen laving him inside, he cried out, losing consciousness for a second in the intensity of the climax.
The sensation of smooth lips kissing his eyelids brought him back to himself. He sighed and raised his head slightly, seeking Menthis' mouth: the half-demon rolled them both onto their side, one hand slipping down to cup a lean buttock, the other pressed to the middle of the vampire's back, holding him close.
"Thank you." It was whispered, but fervent; Shido moaned quietly as he kissed the half-demon, and for a while there was silence as they tasted each other, sharing breath and warmth and the simple, profound pleasure of lip on lip, tongue on tongue. Finally Menthis drew back a little, eyes bright and wondering.
"My lord Shido, you are quite extraordinary."
The vampire shook his head.
"No, lord Menthis, I am not. If either of us is exceptional it is you."
"I will not argue with you..." Menthis stroked the vampire's face, tracing the plane of a high cheekbone. He settled a little more comfortably - then paused and chuckled. "It might behove us to bathe."
Shido smiled wryly: his semen coated them both from chest to thigh, and a thick sticky wetness was oozing from between his legs.
"No argument there, my lord!"
Menthis flung back the coverlet and eased them both from the bed, leading the grimacing Shido to the bathroom. As they showered together, sluicing jism from each other and almost incidentally arousing each other again, Lin appeared as if from nowhere and began to fill the bath with foaming water. Startled, Shido turned his back, but Menthis gently urged him to turn around.
"I have no secrets from Lin. It would be wisest if you did not, either."
The little demon beamed at them both, her gaze drawn to their groins, and Menthis chuckled.
"Lin will... serve us both."
Shido eyed him uncertainly, and the half-demon ran a finger the length of his erection.
"Our essence is food and drink to my groom - much as it is to Guardian."
Shido's eyes widened.
"Truly?"
"Indeed. It is a most pleasant experience." He gestured to the bath, stepping in and lying back as Shido hastened to join him. Side by side, hands exploring each other's bodies, the two relaxed as Lin moved around them, tenderly washing them - and a short while later the vampire was writhing against Menthis' body as the small demon knelt between his thighs under the water and sucked his cock deep into her mouth, cilia teasing and caressing the solid flesh until he came, jetting into her throat as she hummed her appreciation. Gasping, sated and limp with exhaustion, Shido slumped back, watching contentedly as Lin similarly milked her master, forked tongue wrapping each pene in turn and swallowing lustily as he climaxed over and over again...
Shido nuzzled a pale shoulder.
"Menthis?"
The light was low, the fire banked, a drowsy warmth wrapping them where they lay together in Menthis' large bed. Comfortable as he was, there was still one thing bothering the vampire. The half-demon half-opened his eyes and smiled at the figure in his arms.
"Mmm?"
"Do you... is it necessary for you to stay here?"
"Necessary, no, although it is my home and I am happiest here. Why do you ask?"
"My work..."
"Ah. Of course. Your work with the NOS."
"Hunting 'breeds. It is important work, Menthis."
"I know this. I would not keep you from it."
A moment's silence, then Shido asked, hesitantly;
"Would you come back with me?"
Menthis gazed at him, considering the question, then sighed.
"I cannot make such a decision quickly. I must think on the matter."
Nodding, Shido settled back down, nestling closer to the half-demon, physically and emotionally contented but anxious about the future. He was needed on earth, his abilities essential to combat the demon menace - but he did not want to leave Menthis, having finally joined with him, did not want to be parted from him...
© 2006 September 18th Joules