"I Consecrate my Soul to Thee" Witch/Demon AU

[zauberdecke]

[ There was a very specific reason why Essek was here at this moment.

All around him was gathered components, and within his hand he held chalk with which he was drawing the familiar pentagram that would assist in his mission. For his entire life, he had been gatekept, he came from a long line of witches, all of them female; the power passed down through matriarchal laws and blood-- from woman to woman.

However he was the black sheep, the one who had been given far more power than was comfortable for the bloodline in which it had been strictly locked up. Because of this, no female line could inherit and even right now etched into his chest was a binding spell that was unbreakable though oh, how he had tried. It had been placed there by he who he had been given in marriage to; locked until at which point a female was conceived which would then continue the line downward.

There was nothing more vengeful than a cat who had been caged, and right now Essek Thelyss was out for blood and perhaps even a healthy dose of revenge. There was that intrinsic longing for freedom to do what he wanted, not wanting to be bound by tradition to a familial coven who cared more about the line than him. He wanted to put a stop to it, perhaps even get this angry scar of a sigil on his chest removed, wanting night upon night of assault to end.

He did not care what he summoned, the only thing he wanted was for whatever power he could bid to rise to invoke retribution, to free him. Logically he knew that he would be entrusting his fate into the devil he did not know-- but at this point in time, that seemed far preferrable.

And that was how he had roped Alex into this. Someone who was well versed in the rituals if not well practiced; he could not do this alone because there was so much that could go wrong. Best to have two hands in it, even though he knew that it was not Alex's job to intervene but rather to 'watch' but he was desperate, and Alex knew how much he hated Adeen.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, and it was then that Essek finished the circle and then set his chalk down gently. ]

The circle is complete, the components are gathered.. it is time.

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[zauberdecke]

[ Why did that thought fill him with such.. warmth? The fact that this demon wanted to be close to his heart? He had previously thought that circumstances had abolished that heart before it had ever had a chance to beat, and yet he could feel it thump within his chest near achingly underneath Bren's hand. He nodded then and while he could keep the flush out of his cheeks, the tips of his ears was an entirely different story and Bren would feel the heat gather there.

As well as the slightly more sparkling eyes where the heat was always echoing against starlight. ]

Then place your mark there.

[ He was allowing Bren to do it, with such trust and he knew somehow that it was not wasted trust-- that this demon would have his back. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren could feel the beating of that heart beneath his touch. Oh he wanted that heart, wanted to hold it and keep it safe, wanted to offer his own up to Essek for him do whatever it was he wished.

For now though he would be content at bestowing his mark on his pactkeeper.

A smile and he let his hand fall away.]

Thank you, Schatz.

[He could see that flush at the delicate tip of those pointed ears, but did not comment on it. Instead he leaned in and without any more ceremony than a soft murmured,] Mein Ein und Alles,

[before he pressed a kiss against his chest. Essek would feel a slowly spreading warmth, hot enough that it ought to have burned, but there was no pain, just that flush of warmth as Bren drew back. The mark shifted on his skin, glowing as if molten and moving like the dancing of a candle flame without its candle. Eventually it stilled, the shape of a tongue of flame still, frozen in time. The glow cooled as well, to a soft gold against the lavender backdrop of his skin.]

[zauberdecke]

[ He wanted to know what Bren and spoken, what those words meant.. but just like Bren did, he kept his words silent; that did not detract from the warmth that spread through him like a warm glow-- and then once the mark etched into skin, he took a deep sigh and then his palm moved over the sigil where it glowed.

There was a question however. ] Who is able to see this mark?

[ Only a little bit of trepidition because there where times that Adeen forced himself into his quarters without a care for boundaries or respect. ]

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren would tell him, if he asked. He'd be an open book for Essek, even if he would not be that for anyone else. The drow was his exception to everything it would seem.

The question was met with a small smile.]

Everyone, Schatz.

[Probably not the most reassuring response, but it was only half the answer.]

But what they see, well, that varies. You and I can see it's true form. Other demons will see the infernal protection within it. Your husband [Funny how that word sounded like a curse in this moment?] will see what he expects to see, the spell carved there before. As will anyone else. Until you area ready to reveal the truth.

[zauberdecke]

[ Not the most reassuring however he knew that Adeen could be.. well, controlling, he did not want to suffer the repercussions when he was not equipped to protect himself yet (due to the secretive nature of limiter being removed) but when Bren said the word 'husband', Essek could not help a snarl to cross his expression-- silent and yet it held so much unspoken, it said so much as to how much he hated the man in question. ]

So only for us will this pact-mark show the reality of it, unless I determine otherwise?

[ that was a relief, it allowed him to breath easier. A testament to how much Essek still both hated and feared him. In other AUs he would have power to flout him, and yet in this one he did not-- this was what he needed help with, needed someone to wrap him up and offer a blanket of protection so that he could strike decisively and without error-- when the time came.]

That is a relief-- you have opened the door to my cage, but I cannot come out yet.. I have to act as if my cage is still closed, I have to act this way while we plot his demise.

[ausgebrannt]

[Another nod.] Ja. Until you make the choice.

[It was in Essek's hands now, all of it.

But while Essek did not have the power to spurn Adeen's advances, Bren had the power to play interference until they were ready to take the boor down once and for all. A well placed enchantment, a sleeping spell accidentally stirred into his tea.

Essek Thelyss was his, and he would not share him with someone who so very clearly did not deserve or appreciate him. Hells, he wouldn't share him with anyone at all, if he could avoid it.]

You do, but I am an unknown. There are things I can manage that he will not expect, to see about occupying his time elsewhere and not haunting your shadow.

[zauberdecke]

[ There was a level of safety that Essek felt in this moment as he looked to Bren, as he heard the demon explain what he could do and what power he could wield to keep him away from him. It felt too good to be true and yet.. he knew it was not. The warmth of the pactmark just against his heart was testament to the fact that none of this was a dream.

He slowly brushed his fingertips against that jawline. ]

You've just given me more hope and more peace of mind than I have had in quite a while.

[ Since he'd been a small child, since before he had been consecuted when he had been adored and petted for all the potential that he could've been, and then when nothing surfaced and his mother found out that he was but a new soul cast adrift on the seas to be born.

Bren seemed to want him as he was, as he could be if given the chance. ]

[ausgebrannt]

It is a selfish thing. You are mine now, and I do not wish to see him lay a finger on you again. He does not deserve to be near you.

[He never had and he never would. Bren could learn to abide if Essek found someone else he wanted to be with -- though he meant what he said about being selfish. He wanted it to be him. But more than that, he wanted Essek to be happy.

Bren turned into that touch, lips brushing along Essek's fingertips.]

I will protect you, Essek Thelyss, however I am able to.

[zauberdecke]

[ What Bren did not know was that Essek was just as possessive, but also he burned slow but he also burned faithfully. It took him much to allow someone to come in close and it was Bren who had stolen in; the drow did not have room for anyone else.

His eyes shimmered at the barest brush of lips to his fingertips, his eyes memorizing the warmth and heat-- both that Bren radiated, as well as that which he engendered with Essek.

Slowly he shifted so that he could perch upon that lap and then he settled there. Both these two men were far too afraid of ruining something with any actions perhaps too forward, Essek did not want to appear too needy or greedy.]

I am very selfish too, my Bren.

[ausgebrannt]

[Bren was entirely too happy to have Essek settled close in his lap, to be able to let this moment prolong. His hand settled against his hip, just along the side of his thigh.]

Are you?

[He ducked his head to press a kiss to his shoulder.]

You should be more selfish, I think. It will make me very happy to spoil you a little.

[More than a little. It would make him very happy to give Essek everything he wanted to.]

[zauberdecke]

And so we have agreed that you shall enter the household as a cat.. my cat.

[ His fingers were behind the horn then which he lightly scritched with such adept fingertips-- the one thing that he would take for himself, and because of Bren's own encouragement it gave him the courage to go against Adeen's orders here, he would have this cat and it would be a small victory. ] Then I will be very selfish, Bren-- you will find that I am not good at sharing.

[ Which would align very well with Bren's plans truth told. ]

[ausgebrannt]

Ja. As your cat. Who will rid your home of pests.

[Especially ones shaped like his husband. Kitty-cat-Caleb will piss on Adeen's things out of principle. For now though, he was having a catlike moment leaning into the petting by his horn. Yes. That. That was welcome, and Essek could do that as much as he would like.]

Good. Neither am I.

[He leaned in close to press a kiss to the corner of Esseks lips.]

Do you wish to rest before we return to your home? Bathe? A snack? Anything you desire.

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek thought about the offer; he thought about how much he did not want to go home, however the knowledge that Bren would be coming with him managed to fill him with a kernal of something deep down-- was it hope? He would continue to pet that horn as he was lavished with kisses-- and he would not bother to move quite yet. ]

I think that I enjoy being cuddled like this. [ He'd never been held like this before and was finding that it was quite pleasant when it involved someone whom he was had allowed into the circle of his trust. ] Though a bath would be nice, a simple prestidigitation spell will do the job, but I tend to be old-fashioned when it comes to bathing.

[ausgebrannt]

I like it too, Schatz. I am very fond of holding you. So then... we will pass some time like this?

[With that he tipped over, bringing Essek with him to settle back on the bed, so they could cuddle up properly. The blankets settled themselves over the two men, even as Essek would feel the faint flutter of prestidigitation over his skin as the mess that had been oh so enjoyable to make was magically swept away.]

Are you warm enough?

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek leaned back into those arms and with the blankets securely wrapping around them in something that was completely cozy. He found that he liked the look of the room they were in, it was cozy and looked like a place in storybooks, the soft feather bed that was not too large, the little dresser with flowers painted upon it, then there was the shelves full of books, the knick knacks-- it looked so unlike his own quarters. ]

I am very warm, it is nice and.. I do not know the word in common for it, but it means comfortable in a very specific way.

[ He could feel himself drowsing pleasantly. ] I am glad that I summoned you, Chathtiu--

[ausgebrannt]

As long as it is a good specific way...

[Bren teased quietly. He was comfortable too, lying here with the drow who fit even more perfectly in his arms than he had imagined. And he'd imagined pretty well and pretty vividly.

His expression softened slowly.]

I am very glad you summoned me too. I am glad I am here with you. I will take care of you now.

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek softened like butter in those arms; not the soft sort and yet for Bren he allowed for the infiltration within his cracks of diamond and obsidian. Never before had anyone ever cared enough to get in deeper than what was presented.

Faced with everything that he had been through, he needed something for himself-- and what he did not realize was that he had been given much more than this-- a future represented by the small seed that lay like a little warm ember in his womb. ]

I have never had anyone take care of me before.

[ He traced his fingers against the back of Bren's hand and it would feel like a prayer ]

[ausgebrannt]

Then it is beyond time that you did.

[Bren pronounced. Essek deserved to be cared for, like the treasure that he was. He pressed a kiss through snow white hair, letting his eyes shut for a moment as he breathed in the scent of him. Gods but he smelled like home to the demon, the only home that he had yearned for, for such a long time now.]

You are very precious to me, Essek Thelyss. I will see you properly treasured.

[So there. And he would see that small spark that they had kindled, that would take root and bloom within Essek, he would see that treasured as well.]

[zauberdecke]

[ It was time however, to go back to face life after this interlude. He did not want to move away but he knew that if he was gone too long it would look very suspicious indeed, so he shifted and pushed himself back up though the kiss to his hair he could feel because it caused the warmth in his heart to surge. ]

We should start back to the place where I reside. [ He did not consider it home, a place where he was caged and miserable could never be home; all he had to think of was the promise of freedom and perhaps finding his way to some place that was home in all ways. ]

[ausgebrannt]

Mmm... very well. We will return.

[Bren would do whatever it was that Essek wished. He gestured to a wall where a door materialized. His demiplane, his rules.]

That will take us to your chambers.

[He leaned into nuzzle against Essek's cheek once more and all at once there would be a sudden flare of magic and Essek would find himself being aggressively nuzzled by a small fluffy ginger cat.]

[zauberdecke]

[ Essek could feel the flare of magic, the door and then a cat nuzzling against him. The purring that happened almost instantly calmed his soul and made him ready to face whatever it was that would be faced. It did not help at all that Bren made the most cute of cats and answered a need inside him that had had lane dormant (to have a pet). He nuzzled back as if a thread connected them, and then he quickly dressed himself in clothing discarded.

Then once clad, he gathered Caleb the Cat in his arms and then he opened the door and stepped through, ready to face reality once again, but this time he had Bren with him. And with absolute faith he leaned down to bury his face in soft fur. ]