Chapter 428: Tied-Up (18+)
The sun had long since dipped behind the jagged hills, leaving the province bathed in a pale silver light.
In the quiet of the night, Xion could hear the distant echoes of guards shouting, horses stamping, and the faint rumble of clashes between the authorities and the troublemakers.
But inside the temporary residence, the air felt impossibly still. The faint hum of pure white mana created a protective bubble around the room.
The layer instantly swallowed every sound, sealing them in a private world.
Why? Xion wanted to give a little reward to his beloved. Darius had been doing all the hard work, shouldering so many things alone.
Even though Xion tried his best to offer support, he figured that on the real battlefield, he might only hinder the Archduke.
One way or another, it was better for him to stay behind and give support.
The night had deepened, and Xion was sure the grumpy elf would be back soon.
Though Darius had been spending more and more time inside the office, this governor’s residence had become their temporary home.
Both he and Darius would return to the same place. Even when Xion had barely even eaten with the Archduke, he would still feel the lingering warmth beside him when he woke up in the morning.
Since he had warned Darius how easily infection and virus could spread, he wouldn’t take the risk.
Even now, when he heard the clicking of boots and the creaking of the wooden door, he knew Darius must have taken a proper bath before entering.
Sure enough, when he turned to look at him, those long silver strands still had a dampness clinging to them.
"You are here," Xion said, his lips tilting into a smile.
"Why are you not sleeping? It’s late, love." There was a slight reproach in Darius’ words.
However, when Xion helped him with his coat, he let him. Even the corners of his lips stayed lifted.
Just that much care for Xion was enough to make Darius elated. This was exactly why Xion didn’t want to worry him.
The Archduke had spent the whole afternoon calming panicked refugees and disciplining corrupt soldiers.
The thought that his lover could have been harmed—just for a moment—made his chest tighten. He had to feel Darius, had to anchor himself to the one thing certain in the chaos.
His fingers lingered over the broad shoulders, tracing the scars, the curve of muscle, memorizing the heat beneath the skin.
"I was waiting for you."
Darius gave him an amused smile, his green eyes soft. "And why is my darling waiting for me?" His voice was teasing, but there was a flicker of curiosity in the tone.
How could it not when all he had come back to was tired Xion, still mumbling about some herbs in his sleep.
Xion didn’t answer.
One, he was worried about what he had in his mind, and the other... well, he was embarrassed.
He closed his arms around Darius’ frame from behind, letting his head rest on the back.
It was so easy to feel muscles flex under his touch.
"I... I want to try something."
"And? You want to use me as your test subject?" Darius joked as he pulled Xion into his arms. "Do it then."
"What if it is something you never expected? Or what if I make it weird?" Xion asked, his blue eyes blinking up at the taller man.
Darius laughed aloud. "Darling, if you ask me to carve my heart out, I’ll do it. Without asking for a reason, alright? So, tell me what it is. Do you want to use some drugs on me?"
"What? No!" Xion huffed. "Why would you even think that?"
"Because," Darius leaned down to kiss the healer’s forehead. "I am the strongest here?"
Okay, that he was, but Xion wasn’t trying to use him as a guinea pig for his experiment.
Although it was indeed a kind of experiment, it was not the one Darius had in his mind.
I can do it, Xion pumped himself up. Anyway, it would only be him and Darius, so even if he failed, it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.
Oh, lord, he prayed, hoping for it not to be awkward.
Taking a deep breath, Xion stepped back. He was wearing a red robe that reached his feet, and he was thankful he didn’t stumble on it as he moved to the big, throne-like chair inside the room.
In fact, the entire room was filled with luxury goods. They didn’t dare to neglect even the vase near the door.
"Sit," he patted the huge resting back.
The Archduke didn’t resist, though a faint smirk curved his lips. "At your command, my lord."
He perched himself on the cushioned seat. His eyes, though, remained fixed on Xion.
The red velvet looked damn good on Xion, mimicking the slight flush on his cheeks. Even the dainty toes were dusted with pink as the healer paddled on the snow white carpet with bare feet.
A flicker of anticipation burned inside his chest.
He leaned back, shoulders relaxed, letting Xion do as he pleased. There was no resistance, only a taut anticipation, a restrained energy coiled in every line of his body.
Xion moved around him, kneeling to grasp the straps hidden on either side of the chair.
The restraints looked simple, but they were infused with mana. They were normally used to hold criminals who had committed heinous crimes.
Ironically, now they sat upon the wrists of the lord who commanded the fate of those criminals.
"Have I done something to make you mad?" Darius tilted his head slightly, green eyes narrowing with confusion.
Xion chuckled, though the flush on his face deepened. "Yes. You committed a crime for seducing me, and now I want to punish you."
Darius blinked before his smile turned into a smirk. "Oh, have I now? So, how is my lord going to punish me, exactly?"
Xion grabbed the tied hand and kissed it. "I love you, Darius. I love you so, so much. If it weren’t for you, I would have never done this."
"I love you, baby. Too much."
Darius couldn’t understand what Xion was getting at, but he didn’t care.
His darling could kill him, and he would die with a smile.
So, when Xion knelt in front of him while biting his lips with shyness, Darius felt something slither along his spine.
A jolt of heat travelled to his veins.
Xion’s eyelashes trembled slightly, but his actions were unwavering.
Gently placing his hands, he parted Darius’ thighs.
The red robe slid off his shoulders as he leaned forward, lips brushing against the inside of Darius’ clothed knee.
His intention couldn’t be more obvious.
The silver-haired elf’s body went rigid, muscles tightening under his clothes.
His smirk faltered, replaced with something heavier, hungrier, as Xion’s mouth trailed upward.
"Xion..." Darius’ voice was already low, rough at the edges.
The healer didn’t answer.
His little mouth was busy kissing along the taut muscle of his thighs.
Despite the fabric, the heat of that gentle touch seemed to sear into Darius’ skin.
Xion didn’t look up. Honestly, he was far too shy, and yet the way the muscles under his touch clenched, it gave him a different kind of courage.
When his fingers finally tugged at the fastenings of Darius’ trousers, there was no hesitation left.
His blue eyes lifted, shimmering in the dim candlelight. "Can I?" he couldn’t help but ask.
The response he got was the hardening of the cock right under his gaze.
"Baby, are you sure?"
Xion looked at the girth and had half a heart of saying no. However, the anticipating burning in those pale green eyes had him pinned on his knees.
His fingers traced the curved head and down, watching how Darius shuddered at his touch.
"Tell me if it hurts," he said as he used the same lotion with the scent of grapes to coat the entire cock.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he leaned down.
He deliberately kissed the tip, feeling how Darius let out a harsh breath.
Well, he seemed to be doing something right.
He opened his lips, letting his mouth wrap around the hardened length.
The Archduke groaned. His head tipped back against the chair, silver hair falling across his shoulders.
"Fuck..." The curse tore from his throat.
Xion sucked him, his small hands gripping Darius’ thighs, nails digging in as his mouth worked with an eagerness that left Darius swearing with every exhale.
His tongue swirled around the heated cock, licking at the pulsing veins.
Slowly, he took it deeper until he could feel it at the back of his throat. Barely holding back his gag reflex, he gave a harsh suck, his hand moved to tug at the balls.
The moan that spilled from Darius’ mouth was intoxicating, like pure aphrodisiac.
It drilled inside Xion’s veins, making him want to do the filthy things with more eagerness. Because it made Darius pleased.
His head bobbed up and down as his saliva dripped down the tiniest gaps between his teeth.
"More, baby. Give me more," Darius husked.
The green glow of mana flared instinctively along his arms, licking up the restraints as his control slipped.
He nearly broke the restraints, wanting to hold Xion’s head and ram inside that hot mouth with abandon.
But he held back only for his baby’s tongue to make it harder for him.
"Oh, Xion," he growled, hips jerking despite himself. "You’ll drive me insane with that mouth."
Xion only hummed around him, the vibration pulling another harsh groan from Darius’ chest.