Claimed by the Order (S-Gods, #1) (14 page)

“Okay.... Will I see you again? I mean, I want to ... but I have no idea where to find you.” He suddenly felt awkward. His desire to cling to this god struck him as odd. Never before had he felt such intense need for anyone. He imagined dropping to his knees and begging for Akad’s love. What the hell was wrong with him?

Akad framed Marduk’s face in his hands, smiled, and kissed him. “I’ll be here in the gardens tomorrow. I’ll look for you.” He smiled again before disappearing into the trees.

Marduk closed his eyes and released a heavy breath. What the hell was he doing? He had approached Akad on a whim; had just seen him and gone for it without really knowing what he meant to accomplish. His lovers had tried to convince him to take a virgin. Was that what he was thinking? Akad was certainly a virgin, but Marduk had never truly considered giving him to the Order. Now that they had come together, he didn’t know what to think. He had just met Akad, but the pain of letting him part confounded him. There was something about Akad that made him feel as if he was missing something. He wasn’t sure what it was; he just knew he had to have the god in his arms. The idea of waiting an entire day to see him again was enough to kill him.

Marduk finally made his way back to the temple. He had missed several classes, and Shamash would be looking for an explanation. He knew he should formulate some kind of story, but thoughts of Akad dominated his mind. By the time he arrived at the Order, he still had no way of explaining his disappearance.

When he walked into the lower hall, he found Shamash, Seth, and Sin sitting around a table with Poseidon by their side. Marduk’s heart jumped.

“What is he doing here?” Marduk demanded.

“Poseidon is a member, Marduk,” Shamash replied. Poseidon grinned at him, and Marduk’s stomach tightened. The blond, muscular god sat reclined in his chair with his legs spread wide, and one hand groping his crotch. Marduk’s jaw set as anger spiked in his chest.

“Where have you been, Marduk?” Shamash asked, his voice breaking the tension. “What was so important that you didn’t bother going to your classes?”

Marduk swallowed with difficulty. He was no good at lying. “I ... I wasn’t feeling well,” he said, averting his eyes.

“Really, tell me about Anu,” said Shamash, watching him intently. “Poseidon was just telling us how you kissed him.”

The warmth swiftly fled from Marduk’s face. How would Poseidon even know? His lovers were the only ones to see him approach Akad. “There’s nothing to tell. I tried to kiss him, but he rejected me.”

“And after he rejected you, you decided to run off together?” Shamash’s eyes burned into him.

Marduk’s mind frantically raced for answers.

“Am I not allowed to talk to someone outside of the Order or my classes?” Marduk asked, breathless.

“Talk to whomever you please, but unless you’re planning on bringing him to the Order, you’re not allowed a romantic relationship.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Marduk ran his hand into his hair. The idea of betraying Akad made his stomach turn.

“Tonight, you belong to Poseidon,” Shamash said curtly. Marduk’s face blazed. “But he’s in my classes.”

“Are you going to cry, Marduk?” Poseidon asked, still grinning. “It wouldn’t be a first. I was at your induction party. You cried every single time I jammed my dick up your ass.”

Pain and anger racked through him. He struggled to stay grounded with his mouth sealed shut.

“You know,” Poseidon said, freeing his massive cock from the folds of his clothing, “I think I’d rather have you service me right here. Come here and get on your knees.” Marduk stood stunned and frozen in place. It had been so long since anyone in the Order had intentionally humiliated him. He finally swallowed his pride. It took everything he had to make himself step around the table and drop to his knees before Poseidon. Pressure built in his chest as he watched Poseidon’s hand slowly prime his thick shaft. The head of his cock was already glistening. Marduk was suddenly light headed. He could feel Shamash’s eyes upon him, and his face and chest began to burn. In that moment, he hated Shamash just as much as he hated Seth and Poseidon.

“Suck it,” Poseidon finally said. Marduk’s eyes met Poseidon’s, and something inside him snapped. Marduk slammed his fist into Poseidon’s balls.

“Motherfucker!” Poseidon roared, immediately jumping up. Marduk dove out of his reach, springing to his feet just as Poseidon lunged at him. After dodging a punch, Marduk threw his fist into the side of Poseidon’s head. The instant Poseidon hit the ground, Shamash and Seth rose from their chairs. Marduk’s heart raced. They were going to grab him. Marduk fled the lower hall, running as fast as he could. When he cleared the corridors, he fled into the gardens without stopping once.

Before he knew it, Marduk was in the clearing where he and Akad had been together earlier that day. He crumpled to the ground, and the tears began to flow. Akad had made him feel so free. Kissing him and being with him gave him hope for something real, but the Order threatened even this. Shamash had made it clear that unless he intended to turn Akad over, he was forbidden to see him.

Marduk wandered through the gardens, getting lost in the labyrinth of hedges until the moon disappeared from the sky. His chest was still steaming over the incident with Poseidon. Had he failed to escape when he did, Shamash and Seth would have surely held him down for Poseidon to fuck. His stomach turned. The Order’s humiliation was unbearable. When Marduk finally retired to the temple, he snuck into his room and barred the door shut. Shamash would eventually track him down, and he didn’t want to think about what they would do to him once he did.

A
kad stood outside his father’s quarters, staring at the wooden door. He had been floating on a cloud when he left the forest, but now that it was time to sit down for dinner with Anshar, his nerves were completely shot. Would Anshar disapprove of what he had done with Marduk? Akad had been the one to take Marduk, but he still wasn’t sure how his father would see it. He remembered the threats Anshar made in the council lounge. He had told him to never submit his body to a god, but he’d said nothing about having a god for a lover.

When Akad finally knocked, a mortal servant opened the door, led him through the foyer lined with bookshelves, and opened the dark red curtain leading to Anshar’s living room. Akad scanned the room, realizing Anshar had not yet arrived. Long red curtains hung beside the open shutters of the front windows, and light from the setting sun shone over the round, wooden dining table beside it. In the next moment, two servants walked in, placing steaming platters on the table and lit candles around the room. When Anshar finally arrived and sat down at the table, Akad took a seat across from him. They both dined in silence for some time before Akad gathered the courage to speak.

“Father,” Akad said, trying to keep his voice steady, “when you were my age, did a god ever try anything with you?”

Anshar looked up, his black eyes stern. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you said to stay away from powerful gods, but a god doesn’t have to be old and powerful to try something. So, I was just wondering if a god ever tried to ... you know. Be too friendly.”

“Speak plainly.”

Akad’s face warmed. “I mean, did a god ever try to kiss you?”

“I can’t say I ever had that problem, Anu.” Anshar leaned back in his chair, his regard darkening. “Who tried to kiss you?”

Akad’s heart jolted. “No one. I was just wondering because of what you told me in the council lounge.”

Anshar inspected Akad for a moment before picking up his goblet and taking a drink of wine.

“Look, Anu,” Anshar said, lowering his brow. “You are a god of high standing. The empire you will inherit is vast. You have yet to take over, but it’s time you start playing the role. If a god ever pushes his weight around or tries anything, I expect you to beat him down and shove your cock down his throat. No matter where you are, you need to fuck him right there in front of everyone so he knows he can never best you.”

Akad’s mouth dropped open for a moment. “Okay.” Akad lowered his eyes, struggling to understand the implications of what his father was saying. He had never seen Anshar do such a thing.

“So, does that mean you’ve had sex with a god?”

Fire flared in Anshar’s eyes. “What the hell do you think, Anu? Do you think I’m the type to be kissing on gods? I fucked every god who ever dared challenge me, and every god who has crossed me paid by choking down my cock. That’s how it is Anu: fuck or be fucked! I made them kneel before me, but never have I taken a god to warm my bed!”

Akad’s face burned.

“Father, I didn’t mean to imply—I just wasn’t sure what you were saying.” His throat was suddenly dry, and he couldn’t breathe. Anshar glared at him but said nothing more. It was clear he would never be the god his father wanted him to be. Akad had kissed and touched Marduk, savoring every moment. His encounter with Marduk had nothing to do with domination. Anshar might not disown him for being with Marduk, but it was doubtful he’d ever approve.

W
hen Marduk set off for the gardens the next morning, he spotted his classmates heading toward Shamash’s class in the distance, but he had no intention of going. Although punishment for his act of defiance was inevitable, he planned on avoiding it for as long as he could. He wandered through the gardens looking out for Akad until he came upon a secluded stone bathhouse with vines crawling up the sides of the door. Inside was a large rectangular pool that stretched out before him, the vine-thatched roof casting a checkered pattern over the water. Marduk sank down next to the wall beside the door and buried his head in his hands. The fact that he had not yet seen Akad made his gut churn painfully. Had he come off too strong the day before? Was it possible he’d ruined his chances? He still wasn’t sure why he was chasing Akad. Maybe it was because Akad had no connection with the Order. Akad was the only thing real in his life. All Marduk knew for sure was that Akad made him feel something he had never felt before.

After a while, a rustling sound startled him from his reverie. Marduk looked up just as Akad stepped through the door and smiled down at him.

“Akad.” Marduk rose, smiling. It took everything he had to keep from rushing to him and crashing into his arms. Akad moved toward him, and when their lips came together, all of his worries were replaced by a glowing sense of elation. Marduk pulled Akad farther into the bathhouse and ripped Akad’s tunic off over his head.

“Marduk ...” Akad protested, but his attempt to resist was too weak to stop him. Marduk immediately unlatched Akad’s skirt, letting it drop to the floor, and in a matter of moments, Akad stood naked before him. Marduk’s breath left him. He stood paralyzed, stunned by Akad’s beauty. His hard body and impressive erect member stood in contrast to Akad’s beautiful long hair and smooth, blushing complexion. Marduk pressed Akad’s bare body into the wall with his own, kissing him deeply, his heart brimming with an intense desire to possess him. He breathed him in while he wrapped his fingers around Akad’s hardness. Akad’s body became rigid, but before Akad could break free, Marduk dropped to his knees and teased his tongue along the head of his cock.

“Ahhh.” Akad’s body jerked. “Marduk, what are you—” He began, but Marduk swiftly enveloped his cock, cutting his protest short. Akad groaned, his back hitting the wall.

“Marduk—please don’t,” he protested, but his hand slid down to Marduk’s head, instinctively pulling him in, burying his cock deeper in Marduk’s mouth. Marduk took him in fully, relishing in how Akad’s body trembled in his grasp. In that moment, Akad was his and his alone. He held tightly to Akad’s ass, making love to his cock until Akad shuddered and quaked in his grasp. Then he swallowed Akad’s length, taking him deeper, until Akad came undone, writhing in his arms as his essence flooded into him. When Akad pulled him back, Marduk looked up to find Akad staring down at him with labored breath and flushed complexion.

“Marduk,” Akad finally breathed. “You didn’t have to do that.” Marduk furrowed his brow and immediately thought of the Order. If a god put his dick in his mouth, it was to humiliate him, but his experience with Akad was different. Marduk rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around Akad’s shoulders.

“This was what I wanted, Akad. I wanted to taste you and bring you pleasure. If we both want each other, we should love each other without shame.”

Akad’s blush deepened. Then he lowered his eyes and bit his lip. Marduk smiled and caressed his cheek with his lips. Akad’s innocence drew him in.

“Akad ...” he said, running his hand into Akad’s silky, brown hair. Marduk wanted to tell him not to worry, that he didn’t have to do anything until he was ready, but the words were stuck in his throat. He knew this was a lie. Akad was a virgin; Marduk could potentially use him to gain freedom from the Order. He didn’t want that hanging over them. He wouldn’t feel right about his intentions until he remedied the situation.

“Let’s get in the water,” Marduk finally said. Stripping away his clothing, he led Akad into the pool and then pulled him into his arms. Their lips came together and soon they were melting into one another. Akad’s sex swelled against his, igniting a fire inside him.

“I want you,” Marduk said, letting his cock slide between Akad’s thighs. Akad jerked back, his body stiffening, but Marduk held him tightly to his chest.

“I want to be inside you, Akad,” Marduk said. “I want you in every possible way.”

Akad breathed heavily. “I can’t,” he replied, distress darkening his expression.

“I won’t hurt you.”

“Uh ...” Akad exhaled sharply. “It’s not that.” His eyes shifted as if he wanted to flee.

A smile spread along Marduk’s lips. Akad’s shyness was so adorable. He tipped Akad’s chin up, gazing into his green eyes. Akad’s expression was uneasy. Damp strands of his long hair lay over his bare shoulders, and his chest heaved with measured breaths. Marduk planted a kiss on Akad’s collarbone, then another on his neck and his chin until he reached Akad’s lips once more. Marduk kissed Akad playfully on the lips. Then he took Akad’s hand in his, guiding it down to his own cock.