Aella (manxman) - ON HOLD - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

I was stunned into a moment of silence. I didn't know if I should laugh at what I just heard like it was a lousy joke, or set out my weapons and hunt the one who gave him such a suicidal idea.
Finally, I decided to make sure he knew what he was talking about.
"Your Prueba?"
"Yes"
"The test of courage", I insisted. And he nodded eagerly.
"Ceri, dear," I said, trying to sound as calm as possible. "One day you will-"
"No. I'll do it now. Not now now, more like, tomorrow I'll inform the Leader and I'll sail the day after tomorrow"
"You want to sail to another island and live on your own for at least ten days, where you'll hunt on your own?"
"And I'll have to bring something to present to the Leader, just like the Aellos' tradition."
I had no words that could explain how out of the question that was. What stunned me was not the proposition itself, but rather the fact that my Ceri wasn't stupid. He was actually bright and a fast learner in many things. He was still childish and it was understandable. It actually made him one of a kind. But since I knew, he was never this reckless.
"Can I know who gave you this idea?"
He looked away like he didn't want to say. Then he turned to me with renewed determination
"Ceri-"
"I have to do this. If I do my Prueba, so many things will be better! There will be no more troubles!"
"And what exactly do you hope to accomplish?"
"Um... things"
"What things?"
"You know, important things"
I smiled at his cuteness. "An example would be appreciated right now"
"Like... I'll be strong. No one will doubt my courage and no one will say I didn't deserve to be part of Cailyn's clan."
I frowned. This must've been the words of the Aellos Ceri met because no way would he want to sail and hunt on his own this fast. I wanted to know everything he was thinking about, so I urged him more.
"What else?"
He scanned the stars thoughtfully before he continued. "I'll be able to hunt alone and Alev will be so proud of me. He'll want me to stay with him more and everyone will respect me. They wouldn't fear me, but they'll know that I'm brave and strong so they'll let me live and go wherever I wanted on our territory without a problem. I...... I'll be able to say no on things I don't want and no one could force me. I wouldn't need anyone's protection. Only then I could make my own choices. And also I'll be useful enough to help Alev and-"
"Wait, wait. What do you mean you'd be able to say no? Has anyone told you otherwise?"
Why would he think that he could be forced? The term made my stomach coil into a knot.
"You can tell me and I promise I can help" Of course, I'll go give them a piece of my mind first and make sure they never cross your path ever again. But I'll also mend to whatever hurtful things they said to you.
"I need to change, Ithel. Even without the test of courage, I know the truth. I am such a weakling. I feel like a failure and it aches my heart to think that I could not defend myself before the Aellos. I need to be better and stop being a child"
"You already are a grown up Aello. No one can force you to do anything you didn't want in the first place"
He didn't look convinced and that broke my heart. "You say that because you're already amazing. Back on the mountain, I learned to stand back and escape the ones who bothered me. I was taught not to talk back or antagonize the Aellas in any way or my aunt Halina would have to fight for me, and I loathed putting her in such situations. So I never learned how to say no. I always got punished when I didn't do as told and it hurt so much. You must find me silly, but it scares me"
This is all because of that hound called Drita. She's the only one who punished Ceri. Pretending to be his guide and friend while hurting him mentally and physically. It disgusted me to no end. I am so glad he's out of her reach now, but he's still terrorized by her.
I brought his hand to my chest. "My Ceri, you are one of us now. I might've been away for a while and I explained my reasons to you, but I am on your side. I would never lie to you or mislead you. You are charming, brave, and you're being a good son and a great clan member. You are not silly. You are smart. If anything or anyone made you think otherwise, I will hunt them myself and bring them to kneel at your feet and apologize."
His lips tightened in a pout and his eyes glittered signaling his upcoming tears. Guilt cut straight through me at the sight of his tears for the second time today.
My sweet Aella was trying so hard and yet he remained vulnerable to the savageness of my world.
I reached and tucked a lock of his blond hair behind his ear, my knuckles gently touching his cheek.
"What thought burden's you now, my love? Don't you believe my words?"
"I'm not brave."
"Of course, you are-"
"No, I'm not! Look at me! I'm weak and I'm crying and soon Alev will realize how awful of a son I am"
His voice was thick with a childish whine. But his words spoke of a deep anxiety that he suffered. He was a member of our clan, yet never truly an Aella nor an Aello.
A beautiful mixture that fought to survive.
"You know that's not true. Alev cherishes you more than anything."
"I know. But I'm bound to do something stupid or not learn something properly. I know what Aellos do when they're disappointed with a child. They abandon them or throw them away!"
"Who told you this!"
"Doesn't matter. What matters is that it's true"
"Yes. I guess that did happen before, but not all Aellos abandon their sons. Do you think all the Aellos that lived so far were perfect? We all have weaknesses. But we learn to make up for them. And that's what fathers do. They protect their sons and shelter them until they can live on their own safely, not a day before"
"I'm too old, Ithel... I'm way past my learning years. I have to learn so many new things and I am obviously not cut out for them. I was awful at following a prey. I still can't set proper traps. Even the fruits, Alev said not to eat anything he hasn't shown me beforehand for it might be poisonous. There's no way I'll become what everyone expects me to be. And my Prueba? They're pushing for it. How long will I expect my father to defend me and push it back?? No, I will not dishonor him by hiding anymore"
"So you prefer breaking his heart by dying? Do you think anyone would risk their life by living in Saeva? Alev did that. He did that for you. Because you mean so much to him"
"I don't want to see the day when he tosses me away... If things continue like this, I will never honor him. I will never be like Lug or Aleksy"
"Lug? Essylt's brat son?"
Is he jealous of other Aellos?
By the Heaven's name, this Aella's cuteness is melting my heart.
"He's way younger than I am and he already went through his Prueba. He hunts wolves and bears! And-and did you know he has his own den?"
"I frankly don't care and you shouldn't either. He's as rude as his father so I never even look his way. And he knows better than to use his crude attitude with me."
He sniffled. "He's strong"
"Also arrogant and unkind. I respect you a hundred times more"
"No, you don't"
"I certainly do. Why do you think I'm so in love with you? For that naughty hair of yours, maybe?"
He chuckled despite his tears and it instantly made my world brighter. So I grinned and tried to bring his cheerfulness forward again.
"Well, sure, a little. Your beautiful eyes captivated me the second I met you. Also, I liked the way you wore mud like a set of clothes," he laughed again and I continued, "but it was your kindness and innocence that conquered my heart."
With my free hand, I used my thumb to trace the line of his lower lip, "Do you remember, Ceri? I hadn't even heard your heavenly voice, but I knew. I definitely knew from your eyes and your shy smile that warmed my heart, I knew I was blessed with love."
His hands snuck around my neck and he hugged me. "You're too wise and smart. You are too kind with me and you always make me feel better about myself. How do you do it?"
I hugged him back. "It's because you're already perfect"
He embraced me closer. "I want to stay like this for always. Why can't we all live together?"
I chuckled. "All?"
"You, Alev and I"
I sighed. "I wish I could take you to my den right now. I wish I could have you all for me, not share you with anyone else"
"What about Alev?"
"That's what's keeping me for now. Alev deserves a chance to be a father, and you, my sweet Aella, deserve to know him well. He's already very attached to you. Did you see how much he didn't like me taking you away earlier? The more he hesitated to let you go, the more I respected him."
He pulled back, looking at me apologetically. "I'm sorry about what I said earlier. Alev is very good to me, I just... I got scared"
I smirked. "So no more crazy ideas?"
His cheeks darkened and he shook his head. "I know I wouldn't be able to survive the test of courage. But... I need to prove something"
"I understand. And you will. Just give it time."
"What about the other Aellos?"
"No one can force you to go to your Prueba, Ceri. And you need to know that they're just lashing out because some of them still don't agree with the fact that you grew up with the Aellas. They can't hurt you because Cailyn accepted you as one of us, so they talk about your Prueba. Do not listen to them"
He nodded. I caressed his cheek with my thumb and continued. "Also, I think you should talk about this with Alev."
He bit his lower lip and frowned slightly. "He...... doesn't talk much. It's sometimes difficult to say something"
"Look, Alev is a good Aello. All his life, he wanted nothing more than to have a son. Now he has you. You are too precious for him. But he spent too much time on his own and he was consumed by sadness for a long while"
"My mother?"
I nodded. "He wants to be the best he can for you, but he's not perfect. He might not talk much, but you know in your heart how much he cares for you"
"I do! And I care for him a lot as well"
"So talk to him when you have this kind of doubts. Ask for his opinion on things. It'll even help you get closer to him. And don't overthink things anymore. Sometimes it will be hard for you, but we'll take it one thing at a time and I have a feeling we'll have lots of fun learning how to get through this new life together. With Alev and I around, you won't be in trouble at all, I promise"
He let my words sink in for a moment. Then he gazed at me admiringly before whispering,
"I love you."
His tongue swept over my lips in a sensual lick that ignited my body. I wasn't prepared so I couldn't help the quiet moan that escaped me. He was too absorbed in his own thoughts to notice, and he continued. "I think I can be ok if you're with me. Please don't leave again"
"Never, I promise"
I kissed him, slowly, deeply. He smelled like a fresh sunrise and tasted his sugary saliva that made my heart skip a beat. My left hand caressed his jaw and pulled him closer to me, while my other hand fondled his hip. He quickly melted in my arms and he started moaning sexily. With hooded eyes, I watched his face that was blushing furiously. His eyes closed and his brows twitched every time he moved his lips against mine.
He started moving himself to face me fully. I held onto him to avoid him falling because he seemed to have forgotten that we were sitting on a branch, high from the ground. And as I secured him, my hands settled on his ass, teasing him with small squeezes that made him tense and moan deliciously.
Once he stopped moving, I let my hand travel under his upper clothes and feel the smooth skin of his lower back under the eager touch of my calloused hands. And the more I touched him, the more my heart and my groin ached for him.
He was fire to my libido, an enchanting creature made of pure sexiness.
He pulled away from our heated kiss to breathe and we looked at each other and smiled.
This was it.
Right here, right now, this was happiness.
An everlasting link between two honest souls, drowning together in passion.
Joyous friendship, painful eagerness, and burning lust. All coiled together into a tender feeling that inhabited our hearts. Resting and warming our souls most of the times, but also aching with a desperate intensity that tormented us.
"I love you, my Aella."
His hands found their way on my knees. In his eyes, I could see hesitation that was confirmed in the tremble of his fingers. But also a daring intent that fed my hunger for him.
"My Ceri, I missed holding you in my arms and making your heart beat faster"
"I... I missed touching you", his hands slipped under my clothes, traveling on my thigh and making my body tingle and harden instantly. My groin twitched almost painfully. And I leaned forward, with my head resting on his shoulder so I could keep control. I breathed his neck and enjoyed his wandering hands as they traced a burning path on my thighs, like a fire that started under his touch and settled between my legs.
I had to remind myself of his cuteness and innocence to avoid mating with him right there on top of the tree.
Because if I let myself go, I would be mating with him the real way, not the way he believes it goes.
Oh, my oblivious Aella.
I kissed his neck and licked his earlobe, making him squirm against me.
"The day will come when I'll have you as mine, for always."
He took a moment to focus on my words and not my tongue that was teasing his ear and neck. Then he answered with a luscious lowered voice, while his heart ticked quickly in his chest.
"I promise you, Ithel. I will claim no one else on the next Agape. No matter what happens, I will seduce only you. And we... Ah...... we will mate... and I will hug you and kiss you every day"
And here I thought he was the emotional one. Because I felt like I could cry right now.
All my life, I suffered from loneliness. I remember too little from before I joined my father. I was only six at the time. My father was good. Neither cruel nor easy.
For years I hoped and waited for the day I'd find someone to care for. And my hopes crashed over and over with every miserable Agape I spent with or without an Aella.
"What else, my love?" I asked him, still burying my face in his neck. And he obliged obediently while his torturous hands taunted my upper thighs, purposely ignoring the rage between my legs.
"We will swim together. I will make you beautiful clothes and necklaces. We will always play together and you'll never be bored. Nnnnh... I... I will bring you fruits to eat, I will fill your den with pears and I'll keep the fire warm for you at winter"
I chuckled breathlessly. "Your words mean the world to me, my sweet Aella"
And just when his hand found the courage to touch my aching bulge, I heard a slight bristling in the forest beneath us.
I almost passed it as a rabbit and ignored it. Thank the spirits I hadn't. Instead, I leaned back and Ceri almost said something, when I mentioned for him to be quiet and listen.
Ceri cocked his head cutely in confusion. Unlike him, I heard something once again. When I looked down, Ceri followed me. And surprise surprise, Alev was advancing slowly in the forest, watching around him like a tiger.
I couldn't see his face fully, but he looked worried.
Ceri's mouth fell open and the embarrassment on his face was tangible. All he could do was hide in my chest as if that could keep Alev from seeing him if he looked up.
Right above his head, actually.
I knew it wasn't the Agape yet, but if I was to keep Ceri for myself, I had to claim him from his father. Probably the Leader as well, but mainly Alev. With that thought in mind, a possessive part of me wanted to kiss Ceri wildly right now, let the kissing noise alert Alev to our presence and make him catch us in the act.
But the calmer, wiser part of me knew my Ceri had too many things to deal with. He didn't need to be questioned about our relationship for now. Not until he was fully used to his father and his new life.
With that in mind, I held Ceri and caressed his back tenderly. I waited a moment after Alev continued on his search away from us, and then I turned to my lover.
"It's alright, Ceri. You're safe now"
He looked around us and then turned to me. "That was so close! What if we didn't notice him, and we actually-"
His face turned red and I grinned widely.
"Maybe next time we'll greet him"
"I would die if he sees me kissing someone. He'll think I'm not serious about becoming a hunter"
"No, he'll think you'll do well on the Agape and be relieved. Also, he'll think I'm taking advantage of your innocence, which is probably not entirely wrong"
He laughed quietly, then he licked my nose.
"Maybe I can't tell him how I feel about you yet. But on the day of the Agape, I will let him know that only you can make me happy"
I stared at him adoringly. He has gone from accepting to be my Agape, to claiming me.
My sweet Aella, you'll never cease to surprise me.