Amory walked under the gaping entrance to the tombs of his ancestors, Yavanna on his shoulder. He had never overly enjoyed coming to the ancient caves. Whereas he knew Velio spent most of his time here.
He passed by the numerous crypts that lined the wide hallway, his body tense and ready for anything. As Amory wandered deeper within the caves he felt a shift in the atmosphere; the air became increasingly stale and the light dimmed to the point of blindness. He'd never experienced the lack of sight and he struggled to step confidently.
After what felt like an hour in the dark, but was likely only a few minutes, he found himself in a large cavern. He breathed out and heard it echo around him. Raising his eyes he narrowed them on a small crack in the ceiling that allowed light in.
Stepping further in, Amory felt something. A pull. A draw. His feet moved towards a dark corner of the cavern of their own will, he was vaguely aware of his actions, only feeling the weight of Yavanna on his shoulder.
Amory blinked and started when he found himself in a small cave with a round pedestal in the centre. Setting Yavanna down on the smooth rock he walked over to where the cool, bright light was coming from. A thin slit was cut into the wall and behind it lay a forest. One he didn't recognize.
'Magic..'
Amory sighed and looked around the room, scanning the old walls with ancient markings. He walked towards one that he felt he'd seen before. When his fingers grazed it he felt his breath leave him.
The familiar sensation of being kissed awakened his senses and he saw an image of himself laying on top of a woman. Her legs were crossed around his hips while he thrust into her.
His brows drew together. Why was he seeing this? The next instant he saw the woman beneath him and his heart stopped.
Yavanna.
Why was he fucking Yavanna? He closed his eyes but his body was already aroused and awake and thirsting. He wanted to pull away from whatever he was seeing but he seemed to only sink deeper into the dim illusion.
"I've waited so long for this, Yavanna." Amory heard himself groan and he looked away and at the dark room with confusion. He had?
She moaned in response and he swallowed thickly at how his body responded. She had never been appealing to him, Mirella had, he tried to remind himself. He tried to picture all he had dreamt about finally having Mirella, about tasting every inch of her skin and sinking his fangs into her neck.
But all he could see was Yavanna, her breasts moving as they continued to thrust into each other. He wanted to touch her, he realized and he felt ill.
She began panting his name and he wanted to turn away but he found himself transfixed as she reached her climax. He swallowed again and groaned at how hard he was. Yavanna's body covered in a layer of sweat wasn't helping.
His mind was clouded with desire but just before he couldn't take it anymore the illusion faded. Amory sat up and his eyes darted around and he breathed out a strangled gasp. Blinking, he shifted when he still felt aroused.
Just when he began to second guess his coming there—along with bringing Yavanna—he heard her waking up, and said, "Ah, you're finally up."
He'd almost felt worried about her after the strange convulsions and the witch. He frowned when he thought of how the ancient creature possessed Yavanna.. and attempted to seduce him.
Yavanna stood and he refocused on her. She walked over to the far wall, her eyes slowly scanning the cave. She looked the same as when she'd cupped his cock. He shook his head and huffed out a harsh breath.
Her fingers brushed one of the numerous symbols lining the walls and settled on one near the one he had touched. Amory stilled, his eyes shifting between her and the runes.
She whispered something before she craned her neck to look at the next symbol. The one that he had touched. The one that had given him a vision. She touched it and he saw her pull her hand back as though it had burned her.
She cleared her throat and turned to face him, her eyes shimmering with.. tears? "What do you want, your majesty?"
Amory frowned internally, but kept his expression neutral, "I could ask you the same thing, your majesty." He couldn't help the mocking tone in his voice.
Her thin brows lowered and she looked away, "Why am I not wearing the veil?"
He tilted his head at her sudden nervous energy. He had nearly forgotten about her veil. Speaking with her would be easier if she was wearing it.
"Because you no longer need it." He answered. She did. But.. he could see how much she loathed it.
"Why?" By the way her face scrunched, he could see she was confused. The corner of his lips twitched at her expression.
He looked away, "Despite what you may think, I'm not cruel for no reason."
She scoffed, "I have my doubts about that." His forehead creased slightly, her eyes drifted to the wall, "And won't it impugn my honour?"
"Do you even know how?" He asked, a humoured smile on his lips.
Her warm eyes shot innocent daggers at his eyes and his smile grew.
She turned around and stared up at the symbols, "What is this place?"
He cleared his throat at her change in subject, trying to distract himself from the thoughts her words had caused. "These are the Ancient Caves. Where all past kings were buried. Where King Horst lies."
His thoughts turned to the witch, the one who had cursed him and his ancestors. Because of King Horst. He drew his tongue across his fangs, thinking of what the witch had said. Yavanna was the key. Her blood was the key.
"Why did you bring me here?" She whispered, and he met her wary eyes.
"Do you know who you are, Yavanna?" He asked and she turned to face him.
"I'm… a witch?"
"Not just any witch." He answered, not sure how to explain it to her, "You've read the prophecy—"
"I don't remember the prophecy."
The breathlessness in her voice caused him to survey her body. Like a predator assessing prey, he knew she felt cornered. "The prophecy states that the Hundredth King will find the key to end the curse. A maiden, with a hidden face and one who bears powerful magic."
"You—you're saying that I'm in the prophecy?" He looked at the dark doorway that she'd been staring at cautiously.
"You're the key." He answered, his eyes also now watching the passageway.
She staggered back, "What's wrong with you? That's impossible.."
"It's very possible, Yavanna. Why do you think we were brought together?"
"Because Mirella and Rune couldn't keep it in their pants." His jaw clenched but he pushed the images that flooded his mind out.
"Fate." He finally managed to bite out. Words he had practiced for so long. Words he knew he had to carry out. "Fate put us here. And now it's my duty to fulfill the prophecy."
He watched as her eyes narrowed and she stepped back from the passageway just as a black blur leapt from it.
Amory's breath caught in his throat because he knew he wouldn't be able to stop it. It had the same speed as him.
Just when he thought its claws would snag her it hit an invisible force and hit the stone floor. Amory didn't waste a second and lunged forward, grabbing the wolf by its neck and slamming him against the wall.
His hand clenched around its hair-covered throat. "Shift, you mutt!"
He did and Amory tightened his hold as his neck shrunk. The dog met his eyes and smirked. Amory clenched his fist around it and his eyes lowered, pleased at the dog's pained expression. "What are you doing here?"
"Rune was worried for your little queen here."