Terran Times 18 - Emerald Envisage (2 page)

 
“You have piqued my curiosity. That is why I have released you. Now, tell me more about your lover, little man.”

Alcandor could hear Medusa turn her coils in front of him and emerald light seeped through the eternal darkness he experienced.

 
“If I am not pleased by the answer, I will return you to my collection.”

Alcandor coughed again, hacking up the last remnants of dust that seemed to have clung to his throat. “I cannot tell you of my lover or the love we share. How can I? To explain love to one that has never experienced it would be fruitless.” He could feel Medusa’s breath caress his cheek.

 
“You think I am devoid of such an emotion? Do you think I have never felt tenderly for another?”

Alcandor could now make out shapes as the light continued to trickle through his dark vision. “Your answer proves it. Love is not an emotion. It is far more than that. It is more powerful. Look what it made me do.” He shifted his weight, testing whether or not he could move. “I came here because of love, remember.” He no longer felt her breath upon him.

 
“Tell me.”

 
“I told you. I can’t. It is something you have to see. Don’t you understand that?”

There was a long moment of silence. “Then what is it you want me to do?”

 
“Release Demetrious.” Alcandor got to his feet, a dull pain numbing him as he moved. “I will show you what love is.” Again there was that cackle that pierced the air, one that sent shivers through his soul.

 
“Oh, how delicious.”

Again he could hear her move. This time she moved away. “Do you mock me?” Defiantly he placed his hands upon his hips. Not that such an action would cause Medusa to take any more note of him than she already had, but it made him feel better nevertheless.

 
“On the contrary, little man. I am intrigued by what you are saying. I told you that. The fact that you are even having this conversation with me is proof enough of that.”

His vision had returned to a point that he could now make out finer details in the shapes around him. He could see enough to know that Medusa now stood next to his Demetrious. “What are you going to do?” But as he said it, he saw her touch his lover. Seconds later, colour returned to Demetrious’s body. Soon enough his lover would be breathing again. Alcandor had to admit he felt relief knowing that Demetrious would be amongst the living once more. Strangely, he felt calm.

 
“Exactly as you said. But be warned. If he does not return your love in kind or his intentions were malicious, then he will forfeit both of your lives.”

 
“What do you mean?” Alcandor snapped, genuinely surprised by what she said. “He does love me. That will be beyond doubt.”

 
“Why did he come to my house in the first place then, little man?”

Alcandor felt his stomach knot. The question she had asked had indeed played on his conscious. He understood why all the other men came to her. But why did Demetrious? Surely no amount of gold would be worth eternal damnation.

As the once-lifeless statue of his lover returned to flesh and blood, Alcandor realised that Medusa wanted to know what price both their loves carried. Did she suspect that Demetrious had become greedy just like all the others around her? Alcandor shook that thought from his head. If there was one thing he knew about Demetrious, it was that he was the most selfless man he had ever known. “I do not know why he came here to this forsaken place,” Alcandor spat.

 
“By releasing your so-called lover, it will be proven that there can be no love between men. It will also be proven that men are untrustworthy, only interested in gold and treasure and material things.” As she talked, she circled Demetrious, watching him intently as he came to life. “I almost feel pity for you, little man. You will soon see the truth as I do, as I have for thousands of years. Surely even you must know that this pathetic man just wanted to steal from me.”

“Demetrious is different.”

“Then why is he in my house?” she bellowed. Her voice echoed through the cave, increasing the intensity of her words.

Alcandor felt his spirit sink. “I told you, I do not know.” He went to his Demetrious as soon as movement could be seen, embracing him tight.

“
Ali
, is that you?” Demetrious croaked.

“Yes. Yes, it’s me.” Alcandor pressed his lips upon Demetrious’s forehead. “I’m here for you, Demi.”

“Oh, thank the gods,” Demetrious whispered. “I dreamt I was in a terrible place.”

As Alcandor wrapped his arms even tighter around Demetrious, he kissed his lover tenderly all over his face, over his thick eyebrows, down the bridge of his nose, across his stubbled cheek, to finally rest upon his lover’s plump red lips. Alcandor and Demetrious then kissed for what seemed an eternity. Gently at first, barely touching each other’s skin. Then as the moment became more emblazed with passion, their kiss quickly intensified.

Alcandor forgot where he was. All he wanted was to be with Demetrious, and now that he had him, nothing else mattered. He broke away from their passion for a brief moment for the question Medusa had asked gnawed at his insides so much he could not help but speak of his concern. “Why did you come here to this terrible place, Demi?”

It was then that a look of sheer horror ignited Demetrious’s face. “What? Where am I?”

“We are in Medusa’s cave. But answer me, why did you come here?”

Demetrious let go of Alcandor. “I…I—”

There was then the sound of scales over rock and sand. “You see. It is proven he is deceptive,” Medusa said. “How do I know that you both didn’t set me up? How dare you play on my curiosity to gain my treasure by masquerading as lovers. I knew that it sounded impossible when you said you loved a man.”

“Shhh. Let him speak.” Alcandor said, raising his hand. He placed his hands on his lover’s face, drawing his attention away from Medusa. “Please, Demi. Tell me everything.”

Demetrious’s lips quivered. “I came here to find a gift for you,
Ali
. It will be our anniversary once the waxing Moon is whole. And I-I wanted the celebration of the year we have spent together to be special. You deserve so much more than I can give you.”

“Oh, Demi.” Alcandor took Demetrious into his arms once more. “I only need your love, you hopeless fool.”

Demetrious pressed his lips into Alcandor’s Adam’s apple, before he said, “I wanted to give you more. Do you forgi—”

“Lies! Lies! Lies!” Medusa screamed. “How can you be so blind, little man? Can’t you see he wanted to steal from me to please himself? He is as greedy as all the others around you.”

“He does not lie,” Alcandor snapped. “Why can you not see that? Look into his eyes. Eyes of men that lie do not reflect such conviction as his do.”

“I will prove to you that I speak the truth,” Demetrious added as he ran his hand through Alcandor’s hair.

“I have heard that before, and not so long ago.”

Alcandor turned to look upon Medusa. “We do love each other. And we will show you our love.”

“And what if I am not convinced? You have done a poor job so far, considering it is your lives you are bargaining with.”

“So long as I am with Alcandor, I don’t care what you do,” Demetrious said.

There seemed to be an eternity of silence as Medusa circled them. Finally, with a crooked smile and her tongue moistening her lips, she added, “Deal. Now show me before I change my mind.”

Alcandor took Demetrious by his hand.

Over on the far wall of the cave, within an alcove, there was a bed surrounded by exotic fabrics and cushions of all shapes and sizes. It was an oasis, a small patch of comfort amongst the horror of so many petrified men.

“I don’t know about this,
Ali
,” Demetrious said, nervousness evident in his voice.

“Hush, my love.” Alcandor sat down upon the bed. “We must do whatever it takes to be together.”

“I understand…but…”

Alcandor placed his hand upon Demetrious’s knee. “Remember, the reward will be our salvation.”

Demetrious ventured a smile in reply, but the expression he presented resembled a nervous quiver over his lips. “I know.”

Alcandor, out of the corner of his eye, saw Medusa slither closer. “Close your eyes, Demi.” As Demetrious closed his eyes, Alcandor slipped out of his tunic. “Let me show you how much I have missed you.”

Demetrious gasped as Alcandor lay him down upon the soft bedclothes. “I missed you, too.”

Moments later, Alcandor began to lay tender kisses over Demetrious’s face and neck, clawing at his uniform to expose his smooth muscular body.

Soon both men were naked and locked in an embrace as Medusa came close to the bed. She remained silent as Alcandor continued to kiss his lover. He did not want to think of her right now. He wanted his Demetrious. Alcandor wanted to take him to the place that would make them forget their troubles, to soar the heights of their love and the depth of their feelings together, if only for a brief moment.

More and more kisses followed before Alcandor paused for a moment to look upon his lover’s face, to catch his breath before he gave in completely to his carnal desires. Demetrious’s lips were moist and red from all the attention Alcandor had given them, and wet trails from his tongue crossed Demetrious’s skin, the sight of which excited Alcandor.

Demetrious kept his eyes closed tight, just as Alcandor had asked. He looked like an angel, a beautiful being created by the love of the Gods just for him to enjoy. Even in such a terrible place, beauty could never be tarnished. Demetrious’s body was as if it had been sculpted by a master craftsman, and it was all Alcandor’s to take pleasure in.

Alcandor smiled as he thought of what he was about to do.

Again Alcandor kissed him, but unlike before, this kiss was deep. He touched Demetrious’s tongue with his own, enjoying the wet silky contact, the taste of another man on his lips and revelled in the waves of delight that resulted. Indeed, Alcandor forgot where he was as he enjoyed Demetrious. Medusa was nothing. No matter what she did, she could not affect them as all that is dark diminished against the light of love.

Demetrious’s strong hands caressed Alcandor’s back in rhythm with the movements of their union. Seconds later that soft touch became hard as Demetrious ran his fingernails against Alcandor’s skin, an action that sent chills of pleasure through him. His stomach quivered and every muscle, fibre and sinew within him yearned for his Demetrious.

Alcandor became warm as their passion ignited their spirits, as did Demetrious’s. Seconds later, as both broke their kiss to gasp for air, Demetrious opened his legs so that Alcandor’s groin could come in contact with his. The sensation of that touch sent waves of delight through Alcandor, and this time, it was his turn to moan.

Alcandor, already hard, knew what his lover wanted for he was the same. Their excitement for each other was clear. Alcandor rose up so that he could look upon all of his lover at once, play with him, tease him, touch him and enjoy every nuance he had upon his body.

Then Alcandor used his erection to explore his lover’s body. He touched Demetrious’s hardness with his own, caressed his testicles and then moved himself to the inside of Demetrious’s legs near his buttocks. Just as he had done with his tongue only moments ago, Alcandor left a trail of his fluid over Demetrious’s skin. To see his lover, eyes closed tight, ready for his love and with his genitals covered in his own pre-ejaculate, made Alcandor gasp. With a smile, Alcandor pressed himself against Demetrious’s rectum.

Demetrious moaned, “Yes.”

Alcandor came to kiss him once more. Demetrious embraced him immediately, but this time his hold was tighter than before. And as Alcandor moved himself into position, Demetrious’s stomach tensed and he arched his back and opened his legs further.

Alcandor did not need any other encouragement. Slowly, deliberately and all the while keeping his lips in contact with Demetrious’s, Alcandor plunged his cock into his lover as deep as he could go.

Demetrious yelped, but the sound was muffled by Alcandor’s kiss.

Soon Alcandor found his rhythm, as natural as a heartbeat, and he wanted this moment to last forever. As he became engrossed in Demetrious’s passion, lost within his flesh, Alcandor felt his body begin to reach the point of no return.

As he moved within Demetrious, Alcandor began to drip with sweat and gasp for not only air, but from ecstasy as well. Demetrious had clenched himself tight around Alcandor’s cock and the sensation only spurred on Alcandor’s climax. He knew he would be lost in the moment of release within seconds.

Then it happened. Unable to help himself, Alcandor quickly removed his lips from Demetrious’s heated skin as he pumped his seed into him. With a cry that echoed through the cave, Alcandor was spent.

Alcandor then slumped onto his lover’s body, his own drained. He gasped for air as he continued to kiss Demetrious all over, taste the salt off his skin. Demetrious’s musky odour mixed with his own intoxicated him as Alcandor felt himself relax, felt himself slip out of his lover. Then the sound of his lover’s rhythmic breathing lulled him to keep his hold around him, for Alcandor knew the moment was not over.