It had been a warm day, and Raven had pulled his long hair up in a twisted bun on his head. Maybe he could talk Mica into joining him for a late-night dip in the pool. Wrapping up, he headed back to their apartment, ready for a shower and to be out of his jeans. He loved Mica, now he just needed to find time to mate with him and seal their blood covenant. Climbing the stairs to their apartment, he smiled. He’d never been happier in his life. He had freedom, he had a mate, and he had free reign over the warriors. It was worth all the blood, sweat, and tears he’d spent to get here, and he was grateful for all of it.
Swinging open the door to their apartment, he was struck with the most exotic fragrance. What is that? Jasmine? His eyes adjusted to the dim light as he saw candles everywhere, giving the whole place a soft golden glow. Feeling his heart race, he stopped inside the door. It was like a little paradise inside their home.
"Mica?" He walked into the living room but got no response. "Mica?"
Mica poured the Midnight into the crystal wine glasses he’d ordered for the occasion. He’d had their names etched into the glass. He heard Raven enter and call his name. Mica left the small galley kitchen and entered their living room. "Welcome home, warrior." He handed the glass of dark elixir to Raven and held his glass up for a toast. "To us."
Raven took him in as he offered him the glass of Midnight, wearing a pair of loose, relaxed, white linen pants. His bare chest was bronzed from the rays of the sun, and his hair smelled like the ocean air. Taking the wine glass, Raven spun it around, admiring the etched details of their names. Holding up the glass, he tipped it slightly against Mica’s. "To us."
Taking a sip, Raven never lost eye contact. They peered at each other. His longing reflected back to him in Mica's eyes. He felt suddenly nervous. His stomach rolled. He’d waited for so long for this mating and now it was in front of him, he felt undeserving of this gorgeous man, offering him an eternity of love and companionship. Looking down at his booted feet, he shuffled them slightly. "Are we celebrating something I should know about?"
Mica smiled. "Oh, I definitely think it’s something you should know about. I think it’s time we sealed our covenant. We’ve both been so busy. Are you ready, my young warrior? There’s no turning back."
Raven raised his eyes to him, and knew he was in safe hands. They’d made love so many times, but this time, it would be different. He’d never feed from another after tonight. He’d belong to him, for all eternity. Raven had spent a lifetime before he’d been taken in by the Medici when his body had been abused, used and tortured. He still bore those scars. But if it led him to Mica, then it was all worth it.
Leaning in, kissing him softly, his lips felt soft and sweet. "I don’t want to turn back. I feel nervous. I don’t know why. I want this, and I know you want this, Mica. Why do I feel like it’s the first time I’ve ever made love?" Raven refilled his glass and knocked it back in one gulp.
Mica smiled to himself at his young lover's nervousness. "You’re nervous because it means something, babe. Casual sex means nothing. No commitment. It’s like hunting, devoid of emotion. Take what you need and move on to the next one. But we’ve both had enough of that, yes? We’ve both lived long enough to know when we’ve found the right person. I know we’re unconventional, in more ways than one. But you’re my choice, Raven. I choose you above all others."
Raven struggled to control the overwhelming love that spilled from his heart. His body shook slightly. "I want to be your choice, don’t ever think this isn’t what I want. I never...." Stumbling over his words, he couldn’t believe how inept he felt. "I always knew I’d be with boss-man for eternity. He saved me, gave me a life with structure, discipline and direction, something to strive for. I was happy to be Medici, but I was lonely too. Meeting you gave me so much more. I never thought this would happen to me. Look at me, I don’t fit in anywhere. Even as a warrior, most think I’m too small, too young, too everything."
Taking Mica's hand, he slid his fingers over his knuckles. Mica’s hands were soft, not callused like his. They were so different in so many ways and yet, they were drawn to each other. "You’ll be stuck with me forever, leather, hair, bling, and everything else. But I promise you, it will be an adventure. This is forever for me. I don’t want to be with anyone else, ever. So, kiss me already, and make this happen before someone calls you away from me."
Mica gave him a light kiss and led him by the hand to their bathroom, bathed in candlelight, the steam rising from the tub. Mica set the wine glass down and took the glass from Raven, before he began to help the young warrior out of his clothes. "No quick shower tonight, my young warrior."
Raven removed the jeans as Mica released the drawstring on his linen pants and let them fall around his ankles. He stepped into the tub, and slid down into the water, the petals of the white jasmine floating on the surface. Mica held his hand out to Raven. "Come join me."
Stepping into the tub, Raven released his hair from the bun and let it cascade around him. Feeling Mica’s hands on his hips, he was gliding down into the scented water, and nestled between Mica’s legs. He couldn’t help the moan that escaped as he lay back on his chest, the warmth of the water easing his body to relax. "The jasmine is nice, exotic. I could lay here forever with you. Did you do all this yourself?"
Mica stroked his fingers through Raven's long black hair as he laid his head back against his chest. "Oh, I had a little help from the staff to get things ready. And no need to rush, Reynaldo will oversee everything, so we won't be interrupted, so just relax, my young warrior. We may not be able to afford an exotic getaway like our master, but there’s no reason why we can't create our own paradise right here."
Mica slid his hand down Raven's chest, as they both lay back in the large tub, enjoying the relaxing heat of the water, and the intoxicating scent of the jasmine.
Raven closed his eyes. He’d built such high walls around his heart. It had taken a long time to completely let his guard down and let Mica in. Mica understood him like no other, understood he wanted to be loved, but also had needed to protect his heart. Mica had been a patient lover, giving Raven the time he needed to heal, and learn to trust. He picked up the pearl white flower floating on the water and brought it to his nose, inhaling the exotic scent. "So, the staff knows what’s going on in here tonight. I don’t care. All I care about is being with you, I love you, Mica."
Mica let the warrior relax into him. He was still young, much younger than the men Mica was usually attracted to. In fact, there was nothing about Raven that was remotely close to the men Mica had been attracted to. But, somehow, for the two of them, they seemed to be able to put all the broken pieces back together. With Raven, Mica felt whole again. And he knew, for Raven, it was the same.
"I'm afraid we have no secrets tonight, babe. But they all wish us well." Mica kissed the top of his head, before sliding his lips to his ear, and running his tongue around the soft shell.
Raven whispered, "No secrets." Turning his head, he pulled Mica's lips to his and kissed him long and slow. "Hungry? Careful, I bite back, and this time, I intend to."