Adder thumps his tail on the ground, growling. Helia wacks him on the tail with a broom. "Adder, go sit in your nest if my presence disturbs you so. I can't help you prepare for this child if you keep getting in my way..."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it," he whines, setting his head on the table.

Eben snickers, earning a scowl from his partner. Adder would much rather be indulging in peaceful solitude with his Eben, as they have been for the past couple of weeks, but his mother is right. It's best to prepare as soon as possible—even if it triggers his temper to have outsiders in his home.

Helia huffs at her son's antics, tucking a strand of hair into her head cover. "Actually, how is your aggression lately?"

"It's not too bad..."

Eben looks up from where he's organizing the kitchen knives. "He petrified a jackalope yesterday because it got too close to us."

"Eben!" Adder scolds.

Eben shrugs. "I'm too scared of your mother to lie to her."

"Adder, I'm not asking to shame you. But I think it's a good thing to be mindful of..." Helia says.

"You can't be suggesting that I'm a threat to you!"

"my child, no, of course not. But as a new safe-haven for Giakora worshippers, Nǣdre Tor isn't so cut-off as it used to be...I worry about what might happen if a stranger crosses your path."

Adder sighs. She's right...as much as he wants to deny it, he's so high-strung right now, anyone unknown in their home would most likely meet a very enraged Adder. Shame bubbles under his skin. He's such a monster...

"So what do we do?"

"I'll inform the villagers to stay away for the time being, and you and Eben will work out a plan for the worst-case-scenario."

Eben sets down the cutlery he'd been polishing with a clack. "Worst-case-scenario?"

Helia nods. "Correct. As his mate, you need to make sure he doesn't do something he regrets..."

Eben nods grimly. "Adder, are you comfortable if I use magic in that case? I doubt it will be necessary, but it's best to be prepared."

Adder bites his lip, tracing the wide scar on his chest. He ponders how many years of his life were dedicated to violence—he's been retired as the guardian of the village, he has long since grown weary of the mindless bloodshed.

"Yes. I don't want to—to harm anyone who doesn't deserve it."

"I know," Eben scoots closer, placing his hand on Adder's, "I'm gonna make sure you don't, okay? I don't even think it will be necessary, you have a good handle on your strength."

"Yes...thank you."

Helia sets the broom down, bringing the gorgon into a tender embrace. "You're doing a good thing, you two. I'm sorry if I sound like I'm not supportive I just—"

The elder sighs, pulling away to sweep a lock of ebony hair from her son's face. "I want to protect you, Adder. You and your partner. I want to make up for not being there for you when you needed me most..."

Adder feels his eyes moisten from behind his blindfold. "You have nothing to make up. I know now that it was necessary."

"What was necessary should've been a mother protecting her son," Helia's voice trembles, "and I failed. I was not enough. I had to ask of you to do the unthinkable to save myself from Sheppard's clutches."

Adder clenches his fists as the memory of Helia, slowly petrifying, comes to the surface. "But you came back, you knew you'd come back."

Helia glances at Eben, smiling. "I did. The goddess told me she'd send a savior. For that I am eternally grateful she was able to unite you two, but I should not have had to rely on the kindness of a stranger to save my own child."

Eben pulls her into a hug as wipes at her eyes, patting her back. "We've seen the changes you've made in Nǣdre Tor. Whatever failure you may attribute to yourself, you cannot deny has been challenged by the good you are doing now."

Helia smiles, pulling away. "There is still much to be done yet before Sheppard's mark is removed from our home. But I hope at the very least, the village can live in harmony with you two."

"I hope so too, Helia..." says Adder, hugging his mother once more. When he pulls away, her face is red, eyes dewey.

"My, I didn't intend to get so emotional," the elder sniffles, blinking away tears, "I will take my leave now. The villagers need to be warned to give you two extra space..."

"I'll go with you into town and help you make the announcement. I need to pick up some supplies anyway," Eben adds.

Adder's tail thuds against the ground, a clear sign of his annoyance. His partner picks up on it right away, a playful smirk playing on their lips. "Will you be longing for me, Adder?"

Adder cradles the egg, brow furrowed. "No, you're just heading into town. You do it often..."

"No need to fret. I won't linger," Eben traces the inked serpent around his neck, a gentle smile on his face. "You know Fairy can race me back here in a heartbeat if I sense anything amiss through our bond."

Adder sighs. "I know...be safe."

As Eben and Helia prepare to depart, Adder observes from the mouth of the cave. They mount the dapple mare and with a sharp whistle and a kick to her haunches, Fairy obediently gallops into the forest with the two. Adder sighs at the departure of his loved ones and heads to the study.

Though he'd has been anxious at the prospect of being left alone, he finds he enjoys the quiet time to himself. Every day with his partner is a blessing, for sure, but there are times he craves the simple solitude of his past. It's so comforting to just spend the evening with his books, continuing his research.

He gets through five thick tomes when the candles begin to burn low. It's then he swaps his books out for crochet needles. He weaves a blanket from brightly colored yarn, creating patterns of little blue birds flying amongst white daisies and yellow sunflowers.

With his fingers moving rhythmically, his thoughts drift. In the quiet of this moment, he envisions his little harpy swaddled in the blanket. The daydream causes questions to arise like soft whispers; what will it look like? Will it have fluffy yellow feathers like a duckling? Will it be a boy or a girl? And when it returns to its flock...will it remember them?

Adder sighs, pausing. He pictures the little harpy flying away, leaving the blanket cold and empty. The gorgon growls, angry at his own selfishness. This creature didn't exist to grant his wishes or fill a hole in his heart. It was an innocent being and he needed to do right by it.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Adder throws himself into his work, a renewed sense of purpose driving him forward. The candles are dwindling to the last of their wicks as the yarn begins to run low, but it's irrelevant now. Just as he senses his lover's return, he finishes the blanket. His tail wags with excitement, eager to display the fruits of his labor. However, his joy is eclipsed by a tempest of conflicting emotions when Eben enters the room, carrying the unmistakable scent of another man on his skin.

Immediately, Adder's instincts flare in panic and rage before being forcefully subdued. He needs to hide his reaction...

"You don't want any?"

Adder darts his eyes to Eben's face as he's pulled from his whirring thoughts. The half-elf is chewing something.

"What?" Adder asks.

Eben's brow creases with worry, lowering the honey cake back into his satchel. "Adder, you seem out of it. You didn't respond to anything I've been telling you...what's wrong?"

The gorgon attempts to wrangle his toxic thoughts. His partner doesn't deserve to endure them—but as he tries to reply, a rumbling growl emanates from his chest. Instantly he fears Eben will respond with anger, or even worse, fear, but the former bandit is undaunted. He sits beside Adder, a hand delicately gliding across smooth scales. "Adder, talk to me. Are you mad?"

"No! I'm not mad I'm just—" his tail slams against the nest, "I'm being irrational. Please ignore me, I'm sorry..."

"I can give you space, if that's what you need. But if you're bottling things up again..."

Adder grits his teeth. "It's...this brooding, it's amplifying all my negative emotions and...you—you smell like someone else..."

Eben blinks. "Smell?"

Adder groans, covering his face. "I know you would never—I trust you, I love you, I just—"

"Oh," Eben nods, "I understand. You're nervous that...something happened?"

"Unjustly," Adder growls, "I know there's some mundane reason you smell like that. But I—"

Adder falters...does he really want to admit this ugly truth to his partner?

"When you leave to go into town, I always think about how easy it would be for you to find someone—someone better than me. Better than a monster like me."

"Adder...why didn't you ever tell me this?"

"How could I admit such disgusting thoughts knowing there's nothing to fear? I didn't want you to think I don't trust you."

"I wouldn't have been mad if you wanted some reassurance..."

"You deserve a partner that doesn't ask you to reassure them you are loyal."

Eben sighs, climbing into the nest with his lover. "We've already established the fact that you trust me. I'm honored. But obviously, some unconscious part of your mind is still anxious—I am not upset over that fact."

The panic starts to dull a little as Adder relaxes, unclenching his fists. Eben smiles at the action, caressing the gorgon's pale face. "Why do you think you feel this way?"

Adder gives a shuddering sigh as he thinks. "I think it's because I was always taught that—that I had to redeem myself for my...nature. So the fact that you love me despite what I am, it makes some part of me suspect that—that I don't deserve that love..."

"Despite what you are?" Eben smooths his palm over the gorgon's chest, causing Adder to shiver. "Adder, I adore what you are. I had many human partners before you, and I have not thought of any of them since our first time together. Not. Once. Ever."

Adder flushes, thinking back to that fateful autumn day..." really? Even back then?"

Eben slides atop his lover's tail, grinning as he spots goosebumps break out on pale skin. "Do you remember what we did?"

Blood is rushing south as Adder attempts to remember the details. "You...used your mouth on me."

Eben grins. His fingers glide across black scales—Adder jolts as they find it...the sensitive slit just under his hips. "Right here, right?"

Adder bites his lips, nodding. "...Yes."

He groans as Eben leans over, licking up the seam. "I went into it expecting to be used like a ragdoll, Adder. But no...you were so eager to love, to cherish, you could never."

Adder gives a shuddering sigh as Eben takes a moment to undress. He starts with the tunic, pulling over his head to reveal a constellation of freckles and scars. Seeing Adder's flush deepen, he grins mischievously and pulls the pants off, throwing them to the side with a flourish.

Now fully nude, Eben climbs onto Adder's lap. He caresses the gorgon's face, brushing a dark strand of hair out of the way. "I got addicted to it immediately, your inhuman nature complemented so perfectly with your beautiful soul. I wanted to belong to you..."

The half-elf runs his fingers over the sensitive entrance again, two fingers gently slipping in. Adder groans, chest heaving as Eben slowly pushes in and out shallowly. Adder gasps as the thin fingers go even deeper, stroking his trapped erection.

"You do belong to me. You're mine..." Adder growls.

"And you're mine, right?" Eben purrs.

The fingers swirl before Adder can give an answer, causing him to shiver and jolt. "Yes, Eben," Adder groans.

He trembles as Eben pulls his fingers out, now prodding the entrance with the head of his own arousal Adder's chest is heaving, face flushed. They'd discussed trying this before, but feeling it—feeling the sensation of become one with his lover—

He yelps as his horn is tugged roughly, forcing him to look up at Eben's fervent expression.

"You're irreplaceable, the only one I want,' he whispers.

Eben lets the horn go, squeezing Adder's thick wrists instead. Adder moans, feeling his body come alive as his lover pins them to the ground. Enthralled with the submission to the smaller man, he lets his head fall back. Eben takes that as permission to start mouthing at his lover's neck, breathing harshly into Adder's ear as each shutter and jolt rubs them together inside.

Eben groans, squeezing the pale wrists as the man beneath him trembles. "I feel bad sometimes too, you know. Knowing you're so sweet and good...when I'm such a bastard."

"You're not—Ah!"

Adder's whole body seizes as Eben pulls all the way out before plunging back in, hard. The monster pants and whines as he's taken apart with each sharp thrust.

"What was that?"

"Eben!"

The half-elf uses the gorgon viciously, laughing as the monster's eyes glaze over, mouth gaping.

"You like it when I'm a bastard though, don't you?"

"Yes!"

"It's wondrous isn't it? To be taken by the man meant to be your servant?"

"Yes! I always wanted you, always," Adder cries.

"Then it was inevitable that we'd end up here."

"Giakora wills it!"

Eben scoffs. "No god intervened with my heart. I chose you all on my own."

"She brought us together, Eben."

Eben pauses his thrusts, grinding and swirling his hips. "She thought—ha—She thought we were going to be friends."

Adder bites his lip. Eben is so deep inside him, the gorgon is whimpering and groaning pathetically as he waits for more. Taking note, the redhead leans down, biting at his lover's chest. Adder squeaks as Eben laps at a nipple, still grinding his hips brutally slowly. When Adder attempts to thrust up his hips, Eben bites down, causing red eyes to roll back, in delight.

"Eben...!"

The half-elf speeds up, causing Adder to flinch with each brutal snap of hips.

"Say you love me! Please!" Adder begs.

"I love you," Eben growls, "only you! Only ever you!"

Adder snarls and screams, thrashing under his lover. He feels his release rush hard and fast through him, filling him up with heat. Eben doesn't even bother slowing down, chasing his own high still. Adder whimpers as his mate uses his body, groaning when Eben buries himself to the root with a shudder.

A few moments later, he pulls out with a lewd pop, grinning as he admires his handiwork. Adder feels himself twitch at how satisfied the half-elf looks. "Pervert..."

He squeaks as Eben grins, tweaking a nipple maliciously. "You love it."

Adder huffs, pulling his lover into his arms. The half-elf giggles as Adder rubs their cheeks together, hands caressing every available space.

"Are you putting your scent on me?"

"Yes." Adder growls, far past embarrassment for his instinctual behaviors now.

"Good, make sure everyone knows who's mine."

Adder growls again, bringing his mouth to Eben's. He kisses his lover gently for a moment before pulling away, holding him close.

Eben sighs with contentment. "Did you want to know why I smelled different?"

Adder nuzzles Eben's neck. "If you want to tell me..."

"Someone got cursed by Giakora."

"Wha—cursed?"

Eben nods. "Apparently, there's a new nun. Two dolts were fighting over her and knocked her headfirst into one of the statues."

Adder gasps. "Gods! Is she okay?"

"According to them, no. The goddess didn't take it very well that one of her worshippers was injured by two men fighting in her name."

"Oh Gods...what did she do to them?"

"Apparently, the two idiots can't go further than a couple feet away from each other without dying now."

"They're stuck like that forever?"

"Unless they break the curse," Eben giggles, "which they informed me, can only be broken if they fall in love."

"They were fighting over a woman right? They didn't even love her?"

"Fall in love with each other," Eben corrects.

Adder gapes. "That's horrible! It sounds like they hate each other! Eben, stop laughing!"

"They deserve it!"

"Eben!"

Eben struggles for a moment to catch his breath before continuing. "That's why I came back smelling different. They were trying to convince me to break their curse with my magic. One of them didn't take it well when I refused..."

Adder growls, sympathy turning to rage. "He attacked you?"

"He tried. I knocked him into the dirt and held him down until he apologized. He's just some young punk."

"I'm glad you were able to handle it so easily. I'm sorry for getting so bent out of shape over nothing."

"No problem. Anytime you feel insecure I have no qualms with fucking it out of you."

"...Perverted elf."

Eben twists around, meeting Adder's glare fearlessly with a smug smirk. "Horny reptile."

Adder laughs, hugging his partner close.