Chapter One

Moonlight shines through the giant window bathing the altar in its glow. A lone figure lays upon it , his face transfixed by fear and revulsion. Below, him on the steps leading up to the altar, he can see the two men he loves the most trying to kill each other.

Slowly the rays of light begin to coalesce into a shimmering spiral behind the altar. Shrill voices and bestial shrieks emanate from within the opening portal .They seem to be getting closer every time. The boy screams in terror as he hears the demons closing in.

Kay stops in mid-stroke at the sound of Mirial's terrified wailing. His lover's silhouette is barely visible against the brightness of the dimensional gate.

Butraz, the demon he has been fighting with, laughs with a twisted glee. In desperation Kay attacks the demon, but he agilely repels his strike. They face each other, ready for the kill.

The king's blue eyes glimmer with a steely determination. He must kill this demon, his own child, if his world and his beloved are to survive.

The demon-child taunts him raising his sword in defiance. Kay Salgis can not help but admire his accursed son. He is beautiful, with Mirial's long black hair and his own blue eyes , as well as skillful.

Butraz has managed to keep him at bay for nearly and hour; preventing him from rescuing Mirial, the raven hair beauty that captured his heart and set a demon free to prey upon the world.

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It had been a boring day as usual for the young King of Jureal. He had been forced to listen to lengthy reports from the border posts all morning long . Then his advisers had pestered him all through the afternoon because he refused to marry the Nightshadow Ragghyr.

Kay Salgis was angry. They had gone so far as to bring the young boy to the palace without his consent. Obviously believing that he would finally give in to them. Were they in for a surprise. He had no intention of marring some ugly and petulant cousin when he could have his pick of the most gorgeous women around. Worst of all it was a male ,a Nightshadow male, even if he liked the kid ( which he seriously doubted, since he felt no attraction to other men) , he could not have sex with him . It was forbidden. What sort of stupid marriage was that?

" Time enough for me to marry latter." He thought. " I barely turned seventeen this summer." What was their hurry? His family had ruled for nearly a millennia, what difference would a year or two make?

" My lord! Are you feeling all right? " It was Michiou, his valet.

" Perfectly fine Michiou. Are you carrying any food? " This was a rhetorical question really, his servant always carried something to eat in his backpack. Eating was his passion , as his plumpness showed.

" Oh yes , Your Highness!" They continued walking while he rummaged through his backpack.

The king turned away with a wistful smile when a sudden stirring in the foliage caught his attention. His eyes sought out the source of the movement through the columns lining the pathway. Then he saw her. The most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She had long ebony hair that shimmered in the sunlight. Her every movement was elegant and graceful.

Now this was a beauty he had not seen before around his court. A quick glance at himself told him he was his usual handsome self. He smoothed his hair back and put on his most seductive smile. If he played his cards right he might not be sleeping alone tonight. Not that that was ever a problem anyway.

Michiou stared at his lord as he descended the steps with a predatory smile. The same one he sported whenever a girl caught his fancy. -Whoa! " He thought. " I think the hunter just became the prey. " It was all he could do to keep from giggling out loud.

Kay made his descent into the sunken garden were she sat by the pond. She was dressed in a long white silk robe over a wine colored skirt.

The girl seemed startled by his presence at first, but them her eyes shone with recognition.

"Ah!" He thought." She knows who I am . That makes it easier . She has such beautiful green eyes ."

When she spoke Kay felt mesmerized by her sweet ,and yet so sensual voice.

" My King, this is a most unexpected surprise. I .. I was led to believe that you did not desire my presence before you." She said with a troubled look in her eyes.

" What do you mean? Who said that?" Kay felt confused . Who was this girl ?

If he was confused , she was dumbfounded. A range of emotions passed over her delicate features. Her next words were hesitant.

" Your Highness , it was your counselors."

He could feel his anger overtaking his judgment. How dare they make such statements in his name?

" Why would I say such a thing about such a beautiful lady? He brought her slender hand to his lips for a kiss. She was strangely tense, as if frightened.

Mirial did not know what to do. Kay's kiss was rather unexpected. It was disturbing to have this tall handsome man so close . His masculine features; his well muscled body; his wild shoulder- length golden hair and ice-blue eyes, all of him was tantalizing and seductive.

Then his commentary came to the boy's mind, "... such a beautiful lady". He thinks I am a woman. The king had not recognized him or who he was. Best to let him know.

" Well, it was because of who I am." These words were whispered with a slight remorse." I am your betrothed , Mirial Nightson, of the Clan Nightshadow."

Kay found himself speechless . This beautiful girl was his... no, not a girl , not at all. This was to be his bride. The boy was his Ragghyr ( male- bride) and as beautiful as he was he was untouchable to the king.

For the longest time he merely stood there admiring the boy's gorgeous face and brilliant green eyes and cursing all the fates that had made him a male and specially a Nightshadow.

A not too gentle pinch on his arm brought him back to attention. Kay glared menacingly at his audacious servant. Michiou only smiled innocently.

" Forgive me, My Lord; but you are running late for your meeting with the Sinian diplomats. Plus you were grinning like a fool." The latter he commented under his breath. "Oh! Of course , I had forgotten that. " He said, then he whispered to his servant," You are really taxing my patience Michiou."

His bride's gentle giggling caught his attention. Gods, the child was lovely! And he was his, forever. Suddenly he felt a deep fear . He was afraid that someone would take him away, that he could loose those green eyes ,the black hair ...

It was amazing. Somehow in an instant all his hesitation, all his misgivings were gone. He did not resent the marriage anymore, in fact he wanted it. He wanted to claim Mirial as his own, if only in name.

" I must leave you for now, but, perhaps you would dine with me tonight!" It was not a question but a subtle command that Mirial dared not disobey.

He agreed. It would had been very impolite and foolish to spurn the King. Plus, the prospect of seeing the attractive King again filled him with excitement and a little foreboding as well.

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Mirial felt as if he were in heaven. Kay had turned out to be very devoted and kind. Which was more than what Mirial had been instructed to expect. As their relationship progressed Mirial felt himself more attached to Kay. He was deeply in love with the King, of that he had no doubt, but he was also physically attracted to him and as the wedding drew nearer his desire grew. If he was reading him right, Kay was going through the same dilemma. They were both horny as could be.

Mirial knew all the ancient prophecies, he just could not believe in them. He hoped Kay thought the same.

Regrettably that was not the case. Kay held steadfastly to tradition and would never claim him as a lover. Nothing Mirial did broke him, and so years passed and Mirial remained a virgin.

Unknown to them there were those awaiting for him to slip in his resolve.

" How long will it be before you break the sacred law? " A cruel smile played on Lord Corek's lips as he watched the young couple kissing beneath a tree." Never shall a son of Illuminaous know the flesh of a son of Nightshadow for their union shall bring plague and torment upon the world!" He cited in an austere voice. " For how long can you resist your "wife's" charms, My King?"