Claimed by the Order (S-Gods, #1) (13 page)

Akad’s eyes fell closed, and in the next moment, the table jarred him. His mind went blank, the boy’s cries ringing out in his ears, and a sharp thread of terror cut through him. He opened his eyes and stared down at the shuddering table, his eyes tracing the grain in the wood as he fought back his rage. He could not let one tear escape in front of his father. He closed his eyes once more, struggling against the violent storm wreaking havoc inside him.

Finally managing to mask his emotions, Akad raised his eyes to face Talos. If he appeared weak, Anshar’s rage would only grow in intensity. He had to watch what his father meant for him to see. The boy’s hands still clung to the table, and tears wet his face. The man assaulting him jammed his body against the table over and over. Talos was without defense, his pain pouring forth in a stream of cries. No matter how long Akad watched him, Talos never once raised his eyes to meet his.

Akad fought to disconnect his mind from what he was witnessing. He had to bury inside him the knowledge that Talos suffered this fate because of him. Anshar expected him to watch as this tormented boy was raped repeatedly by his fellow shipmates. It was his way of proving the barbarity of men. But Anshar’s demonstration only proved the barbarity of the gods. He had to cast away his anger at Anshar for doing this to his lover; he just had to exist in that moment for as long as his father required.

When Anshar finally ordered his men to stop, Talos slumped down onto the table before him, and Akad lowered his eyes, taking a deep breath.

All he wanted was for this to be over. His beautiful friend lay trembling and destroyed before him, but he knew his father’s madness had not yet run its course. Akad could sense Anshar’s fierce presence as he moved to his side.

“The second lesson you will learn, son, is that all men die.”

Akad raised his eyes to his father, his insides screaming as Anshar returned his gaze. Then he removed the knife from Akad’s belt, grabbed Talos by the hair, and jabbed the knife into his neck. Akad felt the life bleed out of his body as if it was him that lay dying on the table. When Anshar released the boy’s hair, his body slipped from the table and dropped to the deck with a thump. A dark and violent force seized hold of Akad’s chest, but his outward expression remained composed. Anshar turned and stared at him, inspecting him for some time as if searching for a shred of anger, pain, or defeat. However, Akad had learned how to hide from his father and returned Anshar’s gaze with a calm demeanor, as if nothing had just taken place.

“I hope you understand now why a god cannot love a mortal,” Anshar said. “A man’s life on this earth is like a blink in our existence. He lives, and then, like this boy, he expires from the world forever.”

Anshar dropped the knife in the pool of blood on the table before turning and walking away. Akad let his eyes drift to the lifeless body sprawled out on the deck, frigid darkness wrapping around him. He was no longer free to love, feel, or weep. The heart that used to beat in his chest was now entombed in black ice.

Recalling the events of that day brought tears to his eyes. Though two years had passed since his lovers’ passing, he was sure he would never recover from the wounds Anshar inflicted on his soul. Akad’s thoughts were interrupted by a soft hand gliding across the line of his jaw and the gentle press of sweet berry lips as a goddess kissed him. Her intoxicating taste and aroma flooded his entire being, but the feeling suddenly faded, and he broke their embrace. Akad turned away from her and took a deep breath. Pressure was building in his chest. He felt like cursing the heavens. He knew he should give in to the goddesses. His father could take him away from the temple without notice, leaving him alone once again, without ever having experienced intimacy. He wanted to be close to another, to love and be loved, but giving into these goddesses felt too much like giving in to his father.

Akad was on the verge of falling asleep when his gaze fell on a group of gods in the distance. Sitting up on his elbow, he watched as they strolled down the path in his direction. None of the gods seemed familiar, but his eyes fell on one young god that made his heartbeat falter. The god’s wavy, black hair caressed his bare shoulders, and a short, flax skirt was all that adorned his solid build. As they drew nearer, the handsome god’s gaze met his, but the expression struck him as odd. Instead of looking at Akad with jealousy or disapproval like the others in his company, the god gazed at him with a slight smirk on his lips, his dark eyes radiating confidence.

When the group was about to pass, the gorgeous god stopped on the path while the others continued on. One of the goddesses noticed him and pulled her dress up to cover her bare body. Then the god’s smirk turned into a smile as he strode off the path toward Akad. Akad sat up from the grass wondering what the god wanted, but the god had already dropped to his knees by his side. Akad stared at him, his brow knit, and a strange sense of elation took hold of him. Then the god’s hands were on his chest, pushing his back to the ground.

Akad gasped. “What the hell is your problem?”

“Just close your eyes, and let me kiss you.”

“Are you mad?” Akad asked, but the god had already climbed on top of him and was pinning his hands to the ground. He claimed Akad’s open lips with a deep invasive kiss. A hot charge of energy pulsed through Anu’s body, and he suddenly felt paralyzed. Then he realized what was happening and shoved the god away. He sprung to his feet, staring down at the handsome young god lying in the grass. A slight smile played on the god’s lips, and his beautifully sculpted chest rose and fell with each breath.

Akad wondered why he had let this god kiss him. He could have easily stopped him, but he had done nothing. He could feel the goddesses watching him, and the color rose in his cheeks. Then the god smiled and stood up. Akad’s breath caught in his chest. That alluring smile disarmed him.

“I’m just playing with you,” he said, taking a step in Akad’s direction.

“I saw you with these ladies, and I couldn’t just walk by. I had to come steal you away.” He smiled at Akad again, but Akad just stared at him, speechless. Nothing he said made sense.

“My name is Marduk,” the god said. Then he grabbed Akad by the hand, pulling him close to his body.

“Come with me so we may know one another.” Akad stared at Marduk with wide eyes, and his breath left him. He had never met anyone so forward. Marduk began to pull on his arm, coaxing him away from the goddesses, but Akad hesitated, his feet planted to the ground. Then something inside him urged him forward. Marduk smiled at him once more, and his eyes shone with confidence. Akad thought of his goddesses watching him, but he couldn’t look back, his eyes were still fixed on the captivating god before him.

Marduk pulled Akad onto the stone path and led him through the gardens. This god who had captured his imagination was dragging him away into uncharted territory. The thought of kissing Marduk again both thrilled and terrified him. He followed Marduk through the gardens until they arrived at the edge of the forest.

“Where are we going?” Akad asked, his heartbeat quickening. Marduk smiled again in the same radiant manner.

“We’re going somewhere we can be alone.”

Akad’s cheeks blushed warmly. Then Marduk pressed his body against his and kissed him.

Akad lost his breath, and he felt as if his heart stopped beating. Then every muscle in his body stiffened as the sensation of drowning flooded through him. He pushed free from Marduk’s embrace and stumbled backward.

Marduk stared at Akad, his brow knit, and then he stood close to Akad’s body, running his fingers through his long hair. Akad closed his eyes, breathing in Marduk’s scent.

“Beautiful god, you are killing me,” Marduk said close to his ear. Akad opened his eyes, meeting Marduk’s gaze.

“I made my intentions clear, and you followed me all this way, but now you hesitate. Why do you hold back?” Marduk gazed at him, waiting for an answer. Akad lowered his eyes, his chest heaving. He wanted to understand what he was feeling, but nothing made sense. He had no idea why panic took hold of him or why he felt compelled to push Marduk away. Then his father’s threats came back to him.

“I can’t...I” Akad began to say, but Marduk put his finger over his lips and kissed him again. Then his world transformed, just as it had the day he kissed Talos on his father’s ship. Marduk’s embrace ignited his desires, but the sinking sensation returned, and he broke free from Marduk once more.

He stared into Marduk’s dark eyes and realized he was trembling. Marduk took his breath away, yet every time he kissed him, Anu felt like he was sinking into the depths. Marduk caressed his face with his fingers.

“Beautiful god, you have nothing to fear,” Marduk said. “I know who you are, son of Anshar, and I can feel the intensity of your power in your touch. When you kiss me, I feel as if a great and powerful god has taken hold of me.” Marduk gazed at him a moment longer.

“Let’s play a game,” he said, running his fingers into Akad’s hair. “I promise to keep my hands off you. I’ll let you do with me as you please, but if you hesitate once during this game, then the deal is off. So if at any time you appear lost, like you don’t know what to do with me, I will take over, and you will be mine.”

Akad stared at Marduk, the proposal catching him off guard. Had Marduk guessed that he had no experience? Marduk removed his hands from Akad’s body and held out his upturned wrists for Akad to take. Akad stared at him, breathing heavily.

This amazing god was proposing a game more thrilling than anything he had ever done. Then he took Marduk’s wrists in his hands, not knowing what to do, and when Marduk smiled, Akad began to shake. Marduk’s words echoed in his mind—he could not hesitate.

He turned, led his handsome lover off the path and into the forest until they reached a small clearing in the trees. Akad stopped, pulled Marduk’s body to his, and kissed him. Akad’s excitement surged with such intensity that he was sure his heart would fail. Then he pressed Marduk’s hands behind his back, kissing him harder and deeper.

When Akad finally released him from his embrace, Marduk stared at him, chest heaving, and eyes shining with satisfaction. It was clear Marduk was no amateur, yet he kept to his word and made no attempt to press him. Akad ran his hands down the hard muscles of Marduk’s chest, and Marduk smiled watching every move he made. His sense of arousal mounted as his hands slid along Marduk’s torso and over his skirt. He took the beautiful god in his arms, kissed him again, and laid him down in the grass. Being with another, kissing him, and holding him close was something he had dreamed of for years.

Akad grabbed ahold of Marduk’s wrists, pinning them to the ground, and his heart began to race. Leaning in close, he pushed Marduk’s hair up and bit the back of his neck. Marduk released a faint moan. Then Akad bit down harder and drove into his lover. Marduk cried out as Akad’s shaft tore deep into his flesh. Ignited by his cry, Akad bit down harder, pinning Marduk’s neck with his teeth while he took him. He breathed in Marduk’s fear, tasting and feeling him until his entire being came alive with pleasure.

Akad’s exhilaration burned like fire, each thrust harder and more urgent until his powers fused with his sex, and his vigor blazed hot like the intensity of the sun. Marduk was his, and Akad lost himself inside him completely.

M
arduk lay unmoving while his senses slowly converged into coherent thought. He had no idea what just hit him. Never had he felt such pain and exhilaration all at once. This virgin god had fucked him like no other god had ever done.

After they’d lain there for some time, Marduk propped up on his elbow and brushed a long strand of sandy hair from Anu’s face. What just happened between them did not seem real. He had never approached a god in this manner outside of the Order. Now he was out of sorts, not entirely sure what he was doing. He leaned down and kissed Anu’s lips. Warmth instantly spread throughout his body, arousing him once more. Anu finally broke their embrace, sat up, and stared down at Marduk.

“You called me son of Anshar. How do you know who I am when I just arrived and I’ve never even met you?”

“Anu, you’re beautiful. I saw you in the council lounge and had to know who you were.”

Anu grinned. “Anu-Akad is my formal name. My father calls me Anu, but I prefer you call me Akad.”

Marduk sat up beside him, caressed his smooth jaw with his fingers, and kissed him playfully. “Yes, Akad. I’ll do whatever pleases you.”

Akad stared at Marduk, as if inspecting him, and leaned back on his hands. 

“So, Marduk, why did you come after me like that?”

“I guess I wanted to be your first,” Marduk said, smiling.

Anu averted his eyes, his cheeks flushing with color. “I was that obvious?”

“Yes, but you surprised me. I never guessed you’d be so incredible.”

A slight smile came to Anu’s lips.

“Those other gods you were with ... are they your friends?” He almost appeared worried.

Marduk averted his eyes and cleared his throat. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. We were just heading to my classes.”

“What classes?”

Marduk ran his fingers along Akad’s arm.

“There’s a college for young gods; I’m surprised you’re not attending.”

Akad’s brow furrowed. “My father never mentioned a college, but I’ll ask him about joining.”

Marduk’s gut wrenched. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing with Akad, but the thought of Shamash discovering Akad made the feeling drain from his body. He wished he could change the subject.

“The classes are not so great, so you’re not missing much.”

Akad eyed him skeptically.

“Well, I should go,” he said, rising to his feet and combing his hands through his hair. His long, brown hair and dark tunic were a mess, but nothing could detract from his beauty.

“I’ll walk with you.” Marduk wished to prolong their parting.

“No, I’d rather go alone.” Akad brushed leaves and dirt from his tunic. Marduk stood up by his side, trying to understand Akad’s sudden withdrawal.