"The only way for the Great Pope to approve your union is if Luren undergoes the temple's cleansing ritual," Desmond began, his tone calm but deliberate as they sat inside Craige's office.
"The Queen also underwent the ritual, seven days inside the temple," he added, "before she married the King."
Craige listened intently. He knew this tradition. He wasn't entirely against it—if Luren truly needed to go through the ritual, so be it—but he wasn't comfortable with Desmond overseeing it. Not after what he saw last night.
"I will speak to the Great Pope myself. We'll visit the temple when we go to the Capital," Craige said firmly.
Desmond nodded. "If that's the case, I'll inform the Pope that you're willing to comply. But I suggest you do it soon. Luren's pregnancy will start to show, and people in the Capital aren't exactly open-minded about a man bearing a child."
"Thank you, Archbishop Desmond," Luren replied politely, though his voice held a hint of unease.
Craige narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone sharp. "You don't seem surprised when you mention Luren's pregnancy?
Desmond offered a slight smile. "I've traveled to many kingdoms. I know omegas can conceive, it's not unheard of where I've been."
Craige gave a short nod, still wary.
"Well then, I shall take my leave now. Thank you for your hospitality, Your Grace," Desmond said, rising from his seat.
"Thank you for visiting us, Archbishop," Craige responded, standing as well.
Desmond turned to Luren, his gaze softer. "Goodbye, Luren. I hope we see each other again soon."
Luren smiled faintly and nodded, though something flickered in his eyes, uncertainty or perhaps a memory he didn't want to recall.
"Come here, baby," Craige said gently once Desmond had left the room.
Luren walked over with a teasing smile. "What is it, Daddy?" he asked playfully.
Craige lifted him effortlessly and placed him on the table, wrapping his arms around him. He leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to
Luren's baby bump.
"How are my babies doing?" Craige murmured, his voice full of love and wonder.
Luren's heart melted. He brushed his fingers through Craige's hair, smiling softly. Craige looked up, and their eyes met in a moment
of unspoken emotion.
"I love you, Luren… baby," Craige whispered, closing the distance between them and capturing his lips in a kiss.
"I love you too, Craige," Luren replied between the kisses, his arms tightening around him.
"I want us to get married before the babies are born," Craige said, his voice low but sincere.
"Me too," Luren replied, his eyes shining. "Do you want me to go to the temple for the cleansing ritual?" he asked, willing to do anything to be with Craige, as long as the temple would approve.
Craige's expression darkened slightly. "I'll find a different priest to oversee it. I can't trust Desmond."
Luren nodded, his smile fading as last night's memory crept back in. He couldn't tell Craige what had happened, how Desmond had gotten aroused while standing too close to him. That secret tightened in his chest
like a knot, but he forced a nod.
"Yeah… I can't trust him either," he said quietly, resting his forehead against Craige's.
"Craige…" Luren gasped as he felt Craige's hand slip beneath his clothes, fingers pinching his sensitive nipple.
"You know your chest looks so hot and sexy," Craige murmured, his voice low and husky against Luren's ear.
"Mmm…" Luren moaned softly, closing his eyes as the tingling sensation spread like fire through his body.
"Want me to suck it?" Craige teased, swirling his finger around the stiffened bud.
"Yes… suck it," Luren breathed out, trembling with desire.
Craige ducked his head inside Luren's clothes, capturing the swollen peak with his tongue, circling it slowly, savoring the taste. The bud was already tender from the night before, and Luren whimpered at the sensation.
His arousal built quickly under Craige's skilled touch.
"You taste so sweet, baby," Craige murmured between licks.
"Craige… enough," Luren groaned, aching for more. He hurriedly stripped off his clothes, cupped Craige's face, and pulled him into a deep, hungry kiss. Their tongues tangled, lips crashing with desperation,
moaning into each other's mouths as they lost themselves in the heat.
Craige laid Luren down on the table, stripping him bare, eyes dark with desire.
"Ahhh yes…" Luren cried out as Craige entered him in one slow, deep thrust. He was still sore from the night before, but the pleasure burned even brighter this time.
Craige moved his hips with precision, lips never leaving Luren's, kissing him deeply, passionately, as if claiming every part of him.
"You're so beautiful, baby," Craige whispered, eyes glowing with love.
"And you're so damn handsome and sexy, my love," Luren replied breathlessly, kissing him again, their bodies moving in perfect rhythm.
Craige groaned, thrusting deeper, then finally pulled out with a grunt, releasing thick streams of his desire onto Luren's abdomen,
mixing with their earlier release.
Luren looked up at him, panting and smiling, his body glowing with satisfaction. "That was amazing…"
Craige leaned down, kissing his lips tenderly. "You always are."
Luren looked up at him, panting and smiling, his body glowing with satisfaction. "That was amazing…"
Craige leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on Luren's lips. "You always are," he whispered against his mouth.
Their foreheads rested together for a moment, both of them catching their breath. The room was filled with the scent of their passion, the soft hum of their heartbeats syncing.
Craige gently traced his fingers over Luren's flushed cheeks, then down to his slightly trembling body. He reached for a cloth nearby and carefully cleaned Luren's stomach, his touch slow and reverent.
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Craige asked in a low voice, eyes filled with concern.
Luren shook his head, still breathless. "No… you made me feel wanted. I love when you lose control like that."
Craige's jaw clenched slightly at the tenderness in Luren's voice. "I can't help it. You drive me insane. The way you taste… the way you sound when I touch you. You're everything, Luren."
Luren pulled him down into another kiss, this one slow, deep, and full of emotion. Their lips moved lazily, as if they had all the time
in the world.
Craige slid his hand to Luren's stomach and gently rubbed the slight swell of his baby bump. "And our babies… they must know how much I love their mother."
Luren laughed softly. "I think they do. They kick every time you talk."
Craige smiled, then kissed his belly with care. "Hello, little ones," he whispered. "Did Daddy wake you up again?"
Luren giggled, fingers weaving through Craige's hair. "They'll get used to it. You're not exactly quiet."
Craige gave him a playful glare before lifting Luren into his arms. "Come on, let's not stay on this table forever. You need rest."
"I want to stay like this a little longer," Luren said, arms wrapped around his lover. "In your arms."
Craige carried him to the bed nearby, laying him down gently and pulling a soft blanket over them. He slid in beside him, curling
protectively around Luren's body, his hand never leaving his belly.
Luren rested his head on Craige's chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
"I wish time would stop right now," he whispered. "I don't want to be anywhere else."
Craige kissed the top of his head and held him tighter. "Then let's just stay here, baby. Just you, me, and the quiet."
Their bodies still warm from their passion, hearts full, they drifted off in each other's arms, the room quiet, their love surrounding
them like a soft flame that never dimmed.
BOOOOMMMMM! BOOOOMMM!
The deafening sound of the horn and the clash of the gong echoed through the manor, shaking the walls with urgency.
Craige shot up, fully alert.
"Craige, what's happening?" Luren asked, panic rising in his voice as he saw Craige's expression darken. Without answering, Craige rushed to the window. Luren followed close behind, his heart pounding.
Outside, a red flare burst into the sky, bleeding into the falling snow. The crimson light painted the world like a scene of war—white and red mixing like blood on ice.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sharp knocking made them both flinch. They hurried to open the door.
"Your Grace!" Hale gasped, nearly breathless from running. "All our borders have been attacked!"
Before Craige could respond, Butler Serio appeared behind Hale, his voice calm but tight with urgency.
"Your Grace, a messenger from the palace is requesting an audience."
Craige's eyes hardened. "Hale, tell the Shadows to move to
their positions. Send reinforcements to the border immediately. Begin
evacuation of the citizens."
"Yes, Your Grace!" Hale bowed quickly and dashed off.
Craige turned to the butler. "Bring the messenger to my office. And summon Cassian and Keith, now."
Then he faced Luren, his voice low but firm. "Baby… call Roan. Have his army surround the Manor. No one gets in or out without our
command."
Luren swallowed hard, nodding. The air was thick with fear, tension crackling like lightning about to strike.
The war had begun.