Chapter 35

Chapter

Thirty-Five

CALLISTO

We've only been back in the Langsten capital a day, but I'm already thrilled to be back home. While I was willing to go anywhere to be with Silas, I secretly didn't want to. I wanted to spend the rest of my life here, the place where I was first shown what a good life could be like. Even so, I was willing to go anywhere with him to prove to him that I was willing to go to any lengths for him. But all of that turned out to be unnecessary.

Even Madden was thrilled by the idea of returning, but I think that's mostly because the rest of us (and the puppy he's been promised) are here.

Since Silas is outside doing something with Banks, I head through the open door into Madden's room to see how he's doing. Zepher flew him back (since it would take significantly less time than if we slowly rode back with him), so he's actually been here a whole day longer than we have. When we returned, Madden told me that in exchange for saving my life, he required me to come sit with him multiple times a day to entertain him.

So doing my duty, I head in before freezing as I realize that he's not alone. Dandelion, in his bestial form, is sprawled across the bed, and Madden has half his body splayed across him. Both are fast asleep, so I slowly slink back out and creep off to find Silas.

I can't deny that the sight makes me feel pretty happy for both of them.

I don't have to go far before I run into Markson.

"Hey, there's been some good news," he says.

"Your good news is always suspicious," I declare.

"Never in my life has it been suspicious."

I raise an eyebrow.

"Fine. I just wanted to let you know that the king of Vermillion has called a council meeting with Langsten. She said she'd only agree to it if they truly would abolish any slavery or sales in their kingdom, and the king is adamant it'll happen. It looks like things might be working for the better shortly," he says with a smile. "Queen Ainsley is confident that if they're willing to open their borders to us for trade, we could assist them, and the trade would be fantastic for Langsten. It could work out quite favorably for both sides."

"I hope it all works out. What did you end up doing with Ned and Davy?"

"Right now we're figuring out what all they know. And Davy's sister took the dogs, but she promised that Madden can come pick one out when they're old enough to leave the mom."

"He'll be quite happy about that. And the people turned to stone? Have they figured anything out there?"

"Hopefully. They have some mages working on how to reverse the spell. And I know I promised something in exchange for your help," Markson says as he holds out an apple.

"Is this all for me?" I ask in mock surprise.

"You must share it with the others."

"Hell," I grumble, which makes him laugh.

"Come here. Silas is waiting outside."

"M'kay. This seems suspicious."

"Good," he says as he leads me outside to where Silas is waiting. He smiles when he sees me, and I have to try my damn hardest not to toss out flowers everywhere. "Come on, you two. Wonders await."

"Am I the only one suspicious?" Silas asks.

"Oh hell no," I assure him. "I am also ultra suspicious."

"Suspicious, my ass, Callisto is growing himself a flower farm and Silas is smiling far too much. Come on, you two lovebirds, right this way," Markson says as he heads over to a house I know his brother lives in. He pushes the door open and heads inside, where I see that it's pretty empty within. No furniture or anything, unlike the last time I'd seen it.

"Did your brother move out?" I ask curiously.

"This is actually my house. My wife and I lived here long before I became the queen's advisor. My brother's finally got himself a little farm just outside of town, and I always assumed I'd give it to my kids since my place will always be in the castle with Her Majesty. And seeing as you're my only kid, I guess I have to let you have it. But it's this or the apple. You can't have both."

I stare at him for a long moment, kind of struggling to comprehend what he's even going on about. "You… you're letting us stay here?"

"No, I'm giving you the house. Even if my wife and I ever moved out, we have enough money we'd get ourselves something on the less busy side of town, but I don't see that happening. I'm fully planning on croaking in that castle."

"But… I…" I gawk at him then look around. Then I look at Silas, hoping he knows how to grasp words better than I do, but clearly this is all for me to figure out.

"You don't actually get a choice," Markson says. "I mean… unless you want the apple."

"But you could sell it or give it to your nephew or something."

"Or I could give it to my son," he says as he grabs me by the neck and hauls me into him. He kisses the side of my head. "Have fun. Don't destroy it. Or do whatever you want with it. Now I'm heading out." He bites into the apple, apparently not joking that I don't get both, and leaves me alone with Silas.

I stand there for a minute before I turn my wide eyes toward Silas. "Uhh…"

"I guess congratulations are in order," he says with a grin.

"Like… but… I mean… and he called me… his…"

I sit down, deciding this is too much to brain through, and lie down on the floor on my back.

"Is it exciting down there?" he asks before lying next to me. "Oh, it is."

"Why would he even… I mean… Fuck, man… I didn't know he could be nice," I joke.

Silas grins at me as he holds his hand up, and I grab it, sliding my fingers between his. "You do have a way of winning people over."

This is mine… my house to live in… my house to make myself a family in. "You, uh… wanna move in with me?" Want to become a part of my family?

"I would love to."

"After Madden's better, I suppose they can stay in like the cellar or something until they figure things out. But for now, the two of them seem to be enjoying the same bed."

That startles him and I feel pleased to have been the one to deliver the news. "Wait… what?"

"They were snoozing with each other when I left the castle."

"Oh? Did Madden finally tame the beast?"

"I think he did. It's going to be really awkward if they get together and I'm still riding Dandelion everywhere while he claims he's being ridden naked by me," I realize.

That makes Silas laugh. "It sure will be."

I roll over and flop down on top of him before squeezing him to me. "This all feels like some big fantasy. I want to sleep here tonight. Let's… go find bedding and everything!"

"It's like a few hours before dark… but sure."

"I'll steal it from the castle," I declare. "Decide which room will be ours!"

"I'll help you gather stuff," he says. And with that, we rush off for the most basic supplies we can find as he passes on what Markson had told him about Vermillion wishing to start trade with Langsten. It seems like Markson and he are getting along well enough that he's getting more information than me, since his information about the trades is significantly more detailed.

So much for being the favorite son.

While all that has been exchanged are letters, thanks to Markson's bird, it seems that things are heading in a promising place. The king, aware that his brother had been feeding him lies to manipulate him during the war, ended up hiding behind those lies for many years instead of facing them and what he'd done. I guess only time will tell if change will come.

"There, a bed fit for a prince," Silas teases as he waves toward the makeshift bed on the ground. There are only blankets, but I'm positive I've never seen a better bed in my life.

He grabs me from behind, tugging me until my back is against his chest. "Should we… break it in?"

My face is instantly on fire as I lean back against him, and I'm left mumbling something that even I can't make out.

"What was that?" he teases.

"What was what?" I mutter.

"I didn't hear your answer."

"That's strange you couldn't hear it. I was like super loud and clear. I almost shouted it."

"What'd you shout?"

"Man, it was just… it was just so… amazingly powerful that I just couldn't fathom doing it again."

"Yeah? I'm… really sad I missed out on it."

"You better be," I joke.

Silas turns me around and kisses me softly. "Good thing we have the rest of our lives to figure out what you said."

"Hmm… we sure do. It's just… kind of sad you're already not listening closely to me."

"Ah, my bad. Let's try again. Do you wanna break in the bed?"

"I… you… don't… ask such things."

"I felt like I caught words this time, but they were just wildly all over the place."

"Uh-huh. It's my secret love language. So maybe don't ask me embarrassing things."

He grins as he slips a finger under my shirt before trailing it over my stomach and making me shiver. He kisses a trail down my neck as his fingers work my shirt up, and I remember that I have fingers as well. Reaching out to him, I take the edge of his shirt and fumble with it as his kisses deepen. Slowly, I slide the shirt up and he ducks out of it before drawing my shirt free.

"I have hands," I announce as I hold them out before him.

"Oh wow, you do," he teases.

"I like to flail them around quite a bit… but I do have them," I joke.

Silas catches the edge of my trousers. "I see that. And you're quite talented with them."

"Oh, don't try to flatter me or act like my hand work is amazing," I say with a grin. I reach out and poke his side. "Did you like that?"

"Never been more turned on in my life," he responds, clearly amused.

"Yeah? Well, let me tell you a secret, I have nine more of them," I say as I wiggle my fingers.

He catches my hands and starts kissing each finger. "How did I get so lucky?"

"That I have ten fingers?"

Silas laughs. "I'm not talking about the number of fingers you have. I don't care how many fingers you have."

"Good because during sex I forget I have any."

"You're doing just fine! Don't stress about it," he says. "Want me to help?"

"Hmm… maybe I do."

He catches my hand as his other slides around my waist, drawing me into him. I can feel his cock through his pants where he's pressed up against me as his fingers slide between mine, kissing each of them. I feel breathless as his free hand works my trousers down before drawing his own down too. Then he lets go of my hand long enough to pick me up and carry me over to the blankets on the floor. He sits down, pulling me onto his lap where he rubs our cocks together, my sensitive skin brushing up against his.

Then he takes my hand and guides it down between us as my face ignites, but I want to touch him. I want to feel him. And it's not like I think he's going to judge me or I'm really going to do something wrong. I just want to be close to him, and I don't even care what that means we're doing, as long as we're doing it together… or while I'm waving my hands around.

Silas guides my hand down my own length before his own. My fingers are so teasingly light that he shivers when I do it.

Slowly, I slide my fingers back up his cock with more confidence as he leans in and kisses my throat. "That feels good," he says.

"A-Are you just saying that to be nice?"

"I'm not that nice," he teases, even though I know he's the nicest man I've ever met… well, to me, at least.

He pops open the oil and coats his fingers in it before spreading it over my hand so as I slide my hand down his length, I'm drawing the oil down it. His hand slides behind my back before reaching my ass. And as he trails a wet finger down, I feel him rub over my hole.

Silas runs his finger in a circle around my entrance before pressing against me. His finger slides in deeper, stroking right inside of me as he pulls it in and out. As he does, I slide my hand down his cock, coating it in the oil.

"Feel alright?" he asks.

I nod before managing to get out a "You?"

"Very much," he says as he gently lays me down on my back. He pushes my legs apart before settling between them as he adds another finger, stretching me and rubbing me. His kisses trail down my neck to my collarbone as I slide one hand around to his back, letting my fingers explore as the other reaches down to his cock. And as he captures my lips, he presses another slick finger inside me.

His tongue twists against mine, drawing me in deeper than I ever imagined falling. Even so, I want more of him. I'm both anxious and excited by the thought, but I know that I want to feel more of him. I never imagined I could be more hypnotized by him, but everything he does seems to accomplish it.

"Do you want to go further? We don't have to. I can use my mouth on you or anything you want. You just tell me, and I'll do whatever you want. Or if you want to fuck me, I'd be happy to switch with you. Whatever makes you most comfortable."

"Oh hell, no. That would definitely require me to do something with my hands," I say, which makes him laugh.

"I don't know. You could go hands-free and wing it," he teases.

I smile as I hook him in close and draw him into me. "I… want to do more. I… want to feel you…"

Silas kisses my lips as he draws his fingers out. He presses his cock against me, the head of it rubbing between my ass cheeks. He's gentle as he pushes into me, and I feel myself slowly opening up for his cock.

His fingers run down my length as he presses inside of me. It feels tight and at first, I'm nervous it's going to hurt, but he's moving so gently and the way his hand is on my cock is distracting me.

"You okay?" His eyes seek out mine.

"Yeah," I say as I decide that I should cover my face to hide from his eyes.

"Why are you hiding from me again?"

"Because it's too embarrassing," I mumble.

Silas kisses the hands covering my face. "If that's what makes you comfortable. But I would very much rather kiss your handsome face," he says as he showers my hands in kisses.

"I'd… maybe… rather you kiss my face too," I mutter as I slowly drop my hands. He smiles down at me as he rocks his hips.

Pleasure ripples through me, making me moan. I know I'm still tensed up from being nervous, but it's like his gentle touches, the stroking of my cock, and the way he's moving his hips makes all of that tension melt away.

And every inch of it is replaced by bliss. My fingers dig into the covers before I reach out, pulling him in close as he moves inside me. I never fathomed feeling this way. As he rocks his hips just right, the sensation escalates. It feels like he knows everything that drives me closer and closer to that edge. I didn't know sex could feel this good.

I find myself glad I never found the right person to pursue it with until I found him.

He draws me closer to my peak as his hand moves just right over my body and my fingers dig into his back. His hand slides around the base of my cock, squeezing and stroking me until I hit my limit, come striking his stomach as he thrusts inside of me. It just heightens the pleasure I'm feeling as he slides in deeper until I can't take any more. He comes inside me with a groan then showers me with kisses as he slowly pulls out of me.

Silas rolls down next to me, drawing me in and wrapping me up tightly in his arms as his fingers trail over my body, making me feel like he can't get enough of me, and it makes me feel so damn good.

"I love you," he says, voice soft.

"I love you too… so much…" I'm not sure if that can even explain it. I feel like I've finally found my family. I've finally found someone who will look at me first. Who will go to the ends of the world for me. Someone who is so terrified I might reject him that it required an evil asshole to prove that there's nothing that could make me turn away from him.

"Wanna hear something funny?" he asks.

"Depends on what you classify as funny," I tease.

"I was speaking to Belle; you know, the seer that saw me kill the prince? I was telling her about all the bullshit that happened, and how it wasn't really the prince and all of that. And as I was about to end our talk, she told me through Naledi that she's looking forward to you finally paying her back when I bring you around when we are ‘decrepit old men.'"

"Wait… so she saw a vision with us, or she was just bullshitting you?" I ask.

"She said she saw it in a vision."

"I'm kind of disappointed in my future self for caving and paying her," I tease, but my mind is running wild with the fact that she saw us together even when we're old. Obviously, I want to grow old together, but time has a way of messing with things… and fate can be fickle—the war taught me that. But to know that it isn't going to take him from me, that time is on our side… that I've finally found my family…

"I can't wait to grow old with you," he says.

"I can't wait to learn everything there is to know about you. To love and laugh and torture our friends together."

"And to watch the love of my life ride around a naked man who is not me."

I laugh at that. "Stop! No!"

"Almost makes me jealous."

"I mean… I could ride you around, but it might be extremely awkward to just like… chill on your back."

Silas shakes his head. "I think I'll leave that to Dandelion."

I grin as I press into him and give him another kiss. Who knows what life or fate will throw at us… but at least we know we'll have each other for every step of the way.