Temptation
2968 Words
“Open the door, boy. It’s us,” a dry voice spoke from the other side. What was his name again?
“It’s Redler, an elder from the day before. Don’t tell me you forgot about me already? Humans do have fallible minds,” this time, he wore a flashy blue suit. “Are you going to open it or not?”
“Uhh, yeah. Please, come in,” I flashed the most genuine smile I could.
“No need for pleasantries boy as I believe we are acquainted. How did your day with her go?” a smirk lined his face.
“Isn’t that conflicting to what you just said?”
“Answer the question,” he gave me a strict look.
My shoulders jumped, “It was fine, I guess. Nothing out of ordinary.”
“I need a better answer than that, boy.”
“We are working on some stuff. Some small misunderstandings. Other than that, we are doing great.”
“The weather doesn’t seem to agree with you. You wouldn’t mind if we stay here and wait out the downpour, right? We, dragons, dislike having our scales wet.”
“Make yourselves at home. Can I get you some coffee or tea?” I fumbled the cupboards.
“Coffee is bad for my stomach. Tea will do just fine,” they seated themselves by the dining table.
Good thing, there was still some hot water from the thermos, enough for the four of us—including his fellow elders. As I set out the cups, they stared at it with icy intent. I dismissed my eyes from them, fearing they might scold me for my observations. The steam danced like fire on a candle, constantly waving against stale air.
“Milk or creamer?” I offered.
He nodded at the bottle filled with creamy white, “I hope milk doesn’t give me indigestion,”
“One lump or two?” I placed a teaspoon inside a small pot of cubed sugar.
“One. My blood sugar might skyrocket with one sip.”
“Anything else?”
“Something to stir the lumps.”
“Ah, yes, I forgot. Here you are,” I passed a teaspoon.
“Quick question, human boy. How do you find your stay here? Don’t you feel lonely without her by your side?”
“I got used to it. Serving the Crown must come as the first priority after all,” I took a sip as soon as I ended my sentence. It burned my tongue. A drop escaped to the table.
“Tea should be enjoyed. If you rush it, you will ruin the flavor,” Redler tapped the spoon on his transparent cup. “Also, I do recommend that you steep this black tea a little longer to get full flavor from it. You must maintain a constant temperature.”
“Noted, sir. Next time, I won’t disappoint you. Would you like some biscuits on the side?”
He raised a palm at me, “Please, settle down. I insist we continue with our little chat.”
“What brings you here without prior notice?”
“Nothing in particular, I decided this on a whim. I should remind you of your remaining time during my brief visit.”
“I haven’t decided on your proposal yet.”
“The war will rain down on us soon. Like thunder and storm, so will be the crimson and the fallen.”
“Cyrille told me that the barrier prevents anyone from leaving. I think our agreement is void because of that information.”
He wafted the steam with his human hand, inviting smell of tea to his nose, “Ah, this is how you enjoy an excellent tea—taste the smell before feeling the taste. Have you tried doing it this way?”
“I rarely sip tea during my pastime.”
“That explains your uncultured manners. I suggest you make it a habit as the barriers will be there even after the war.”
“What about your promise? You told me you would help me get out of here.”
“I know what I said, and the castle is conducting research on this matter. Is your decision final?”
“I need more time to think.”
“The deadline is cutting close, boy. If I were you, I will pick the most practical choice,” whipped his blue hair back, which was cut in a modern style.
“I’m still weighing my options.”
“Oh, and here is a contract. It’s best to have it in black and white than word of mouth. Once you have read the terms, sign it and a bluebird will retrieve it from you. Do you need any clarification?” he slid a piece of white paper my way. They were written in proper English.
I skimmed through the terms, “I want to know what will happen to my uncle after signing this contract.”
“With proper treatment provided by our race, his life extends, and you will live happily ever after.”
“I highly doubt it’s that simple. Will you leave us alone after all these?”
“The choice is yours—Cyrille or dear gramps.”
“Alas, the rain has stopped. We must be on our way now. Take care, Luke Langress. I will be seeing you before the war begins.”
He waved without looking back. Dark clouds haven’t receded as droplets of needles escaped. I softly shut the door behind them. When I cleared the table, the steam danced gracefully, but not a sip marked the cups’ edge. I emptied its contents in the sink, watching it waste itself down the drain.
Suddenly, I heard someone scream—a piercing one. The source of which came from the quaking conch shell. It shuddered as if watching a horror movie.
I picked it up, killing the horrific sounds, “Cyrille is currently on duty. Do you have a message for her?”
A deep, feminine voice cleared her throat, “Who is this? I don’t remember Cyrille bringing a man into her house. When did this happen?”
“It sort of happened,” I chuckled nervously. “I’m her new housekeeper. May I ask who is speaking?”
“Don’t get too worked up, Luke. It’s just me calling from my throne,” she returned with her normal voice.
“Cyrille? I thought someone else was checking up on you.”
“What do you mean by someone else?”
“N-nothing. Forget I said anything,” I fretted.
“Anywho, how’s the cleanup going? Found anything amiss?”
“It’s surprisingly tidy, as if someone meticulously sparkled them. Honestly, there’s nothing for me to do here.”
“You might find something else to keep yourself busy.”
“Yeah, you’re right. There must be something else I can do. Why did you call home, again?”
“I wanted to tell you that I’m going to be late and might not make it to lunch. Help yourself with some leftovers in the fridge. Duty calls, got to go now.”
“Thanks. Cyrille, I love you.”
She hung up. Hours ticked by—hardly an hour before lunch. I helped myself with some soup I didn’t touch last dinner. As I was heating it on the pan, I thought I saw a girl in a sandy dress across the room. She waved at me, but I looked away from her, banishing the figure from my thoughts.
“She’s just an illusion, Luke. It will go away soon,” I assured myself.
“So, I’m only an illusion to you now, huh?” she placed an arm on my shoulder like some chum in a pub.
My arms jumped, spilling last night’s chowder onto the granite floor. Well, at least that would keep me busy. I wasn’t sure which was warmer, the thawed chowder or this girl’s breath. Her hands crawled on both chests, sharing her warmth with mine. I gasped, suppressing my moans, holding down my urges.
“What do you say we take this upstairs?” she rasply whispered behind my ears.
“You are not real. Please go away!” I pleaded.
She toyed with my chest and sensibilities, “Then what do you call these things you feel right now? Surely, you couldn’t have imagined them.”
Heat flushed up my face, “What you do want from me? You are not her, you couldn’t be!”
She pressed her chest closer, squishing it on one arm, “All of you, Luke. Give me all of it. Quench my thirst. Make me feel like a woman.”
A clump of air crawled down my throat, “Aren’t you taking things a little too fast?”
“I want it fast, slow, then fast again,” she chanted them as if casting a spell on me. “Keep me yearning in a chaotic rhythm. Fly me over cloud nine.”
I closed my palms together and recited a brief prayer, “Oh, Highest Being, guide my heart, mind and soul. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.”
“I’m not a demon, a succubus, or whatever you may call it. I’m Darleen.”
“You shouldn’t be here! What if Cyrille sees you?”
“Now that’s an adventure I want to ride.”
I removed her magnetic hold on me, “You can’t do this to me. I have already decided.”
“Decided about what?”
“That I should go home and leave everything behind. It does not include riding a voyage with you.”
“There are other means, though.”
“Such as?”
“We don’t fly like dragons do, but we ride the wind.”
“I thought no one’s able to cross the borders?”
“You believe the dragons’ slippery tongues? They are keeping you here, making you their slave. They will eat you alive when your purpose is lost. Come with me. Take me to the sky and I will fly you to another world. No more suffering, no more promises, and no more broken hearts.”
“Wait, what are we even talking about?” I gave her a confused stare.
“We are talking about us,” she claimed.
“I’m talking about my freedom.”
“Do you want to fly away from your cramped cage, little bird? Is it also little down there?” she laughed teasingly.
“It doesn’t matter!” my cheeks burned at her scrutinizing gaze.
“It does, doesn’t it? But size means nothing to me, only your beating heart does.”
“Look, Darleen, there wasn’t an ‘us.’ Listen to me for once.”
“We will strive without labels.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Love doesn’t have to make sense,” she circled my lips.
“I don’t love you,” there, it slipped out.
Her roaming hands froze as quickly as the drying chowder. She walked over them, placed her hands on mine, and lifted my face. Brown eyes glinted like the sandy beach by the sea, basking under the afternoon sun. The sea formed a wave in those quivering eyes. Strings of my heart stung at the cords.
“That can’t be true, can it?”
“I’m sorry, Darleen, but you have to leave before she comes home.”
“Can’t we be friends at least?” a streak threatened to fall.
I wiped off the rain before it could brew a storm. Arms crawled up at the neck, hands brushed at the back, and a head whimpered at the chest. I braced them all, hoping to mend things between us and end things before something started again. My beating heart helped keep her breath steady.
“Isn’t there any chance for us?” she looked up.
“I can’t gamble on that. I’m already set,” my expression stilled.
“Can’t you think about it once more?”
“There’s nothing to think about.”
“You still have time.”
“But I’m not wasting it on this.”
“How can you be so cold? Has this place frozen the old Luke I knew?”
“I’m afraid so,” a frozen admission.
I wasn’t able to stop monsoon of tears. They mixed with the viscosity of mass spread across the floor. She burdened her weight on me. I grunted against the incoming force. She pushed forward, and we landed on my back. A brush of hair assured me she was fine.
“Well, this is awkward,” she half-smiled, unapologetic.
“Get off me. If she sees us like this…”
“If she sees us like this, will you take responsibility for me?”
“What the hell? Stop this, Darleen, before it gets out of hand.”
Hands slipped under my shirt, swiped my sensibilities, brought me to overdrive with her consuming kiss. They slowly crawled down my treasure trail and followed the road. My urge won over me. She played with my manhood, my lips and my heart. Heat rushed over my chest. Was it the spilled chowder?
Rush of euphoria—that’s the word. She scooped the viscous substance off the floor and spread it like butter on bread all over my chest. She rubbed gently especially on the alerted zones. My heart strongly raced against the walls of my chest. I floated, I flew, and I fled from reality.
“You don’t have to hold back anymore when you’re with me. I will make you happy every single day,” her whispers caressed my ear.
“This is wrong, Darleen. You can’t do this to me,” I huffed heavily.
“I won’t leave until I fully satisfy you, so let it all out. Don’t be shy now.”
“No,” a defiant groan escaped my lips.
“You whimper like a little girl. I’m surprised it wasn’t little either.”
She silenced my complaining mouth with her soft tongue. I felt my mind melting with her warm touches, but I couldn’t resist—urge won over me. I pulled her closer, feeling her sensuality that I have been long deprived. There was no use holding it in as she muffled my ecstatic screams.
“Let’s take this to another level. Are you ready?”
My head wobbled. It must have looked like a nod to her.
I felt pinned to the ground by ecstasy. Her sniffs and kisses scattered, and I became a victim of desire. She yearned for me, and I thirsted for her. The air couldn’t be staler as we reached for the sky. She took the front seat, grabbed the wheels and drove my drive. Some dance only lovers knew, but soon to regret.
She positioned herself on top of me, hands dragging down the zipper. It flung across the floor. The dampness of it draped on my stiff legs. Laughter, no, giggles nibbled at my lips—sweet decadence of cherries compressed into fine wine. Her eyes—delicate sunset glow before dawn closed its curtains.
Birds twittered, clouds passed by, and broadened windows witnessed our forbidden act. Leaves swayed, trees arched, and shadows danced. Flames burned our bodies as if hell delivered us to its domain. Sweat dripped between my legs—an exercise hoaxed by consenting parties.
A click on the knob willed the door open, but I hardly noticed. Rays of blue blasted through the opening, stretching on my left leg. A loud thud struck the granite floor. Did something break? Darleen jolted from her position and snapped her neck to the source. I followed the cause of her sudden halt.
“Can anyone please tell me what this is?” it was not a question or surprise, but a shriek.
“Cyrille, I can explain,” I attempted to pull up my pants in an instant.
Darleen ejected herself from me and walked up to her—shamefully shameless, “Oh, hey there Cyrille.”
“Don’t start friendly with me, you witch!” she scowled at her, ready to charge.
“Cyrille, please let me explain,” I massaged her icy hand.
“Don’t touch me, you traitor! After all I have done to you, this is how you repay me?” a slap, not her words, brought me to the floor of gooey substance.
“You’re hurting him! He didn’t mean you harm. Don’t you think that’s too harsh?”
“And what’s a sly woman like you doing here. Snakes are not allowed inside this household. “
A thunderous snap sounded so close. Splashes of crimson blotted a few inches from my nose.
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