Disclaimers: This is a work of fiction. Any similarities between the characters in this story and real people (appearances, names, etc.) are purely coincidental. This story may contain homosexual material, including love and sex, so if material like this is illegal in your region or if it discomforts you, please leave.
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Mark awoke so slowly, he felt he had all the time in the world. Without so much as opening his eyes, he rolled onto his other side where he knew his boyfriend laid asleep, and laid his head on Ulysses' shoulder. Ulysses took a slow, deep breath as he was awoken by Mark, but all he did was wrap his arm around the brunette.
"Mm," Mark mumbled quite sleepily.
Ulysses responded, "Mm."
Mark nuzzled his cheek into Ulysses' shoulder and said, "Mmmm."
"Mmmm."
Mark giggled, but otherwise remained unmoving, sleepy and relaxed. Ulysses was much the same at that moment. Both men bathed in their affections and warmth with the fog of sleep still lingering in their heads. Mark's middle fingertip stroked tiny circles on Ulysses' hip, while Ulysses' fingertip stroked small lines up and down Mark's shoulder.
Five minutes later, Mark blindly reached behind himself and grabbed his cell phone off the nightstand.
"Hello?" a female voice breathlessly answered.
"Hi Gianna," Mark greeted the woman. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything important?"
"Just at- the gym," Gianna explained. "Leg day. What's up?"
"I need a mental health day," Mark replied. "Are you free to work for Evelyn today?"
"Umm, yeah," Gianna answered. "I am scheduled at my call centre job but I know a guy looking for more hours there. So I can cover for you today. Thank you, bye."
Mark giggled at the bluntness as he turned off his cell phone and tossed it haphazardly down on the bed.
Ulysses kissed Mark's forehead and then asked, "What would you like to do today? I imagine you have more questions about my upbringing?"
"Yes," Mark answered as he raised himself up on one elbow. "First question that comes to mind is why you sleep. You'd said yesterday that the magic used to keep you from aging also keeps you from sleeping."
"This is true," Ulysses softly replied. "But I can stop using the constance spell. I can put it on pause, so to say."
"Really?" Mark asked with surprise.
"Yes, but I only do so when I am spending nights with the person that... occupies my personal time. I adore being immortal. But I adore sleeping with my love even more. It brings me so much comfort, so much warmth, so much security."
"So how does pausing the constance spell affect you?"
"I continue to age, first and foremost. But I don't age as quickly. In my last relationship, which lasted three years, I aged approximately ten months.
"As for diet, it allows me to enjoy eating. When I settle down with you in the late evenings, that's when I pause the constance, and don't resume it until morning. So I sleep and enjoy a breakfast with you as an aging human being."
"What does it look like?" Mark asked, utterly curious. "Pausing the constance spell, I mean."
"It doesn't look like anything to you," Ulysses answered quietly, and cupped Mark's chin in his hand. "I could be cleaning the kitchen, or playing the piano, or scrolling through social media on my phone. The constance spell requires no movement, no intricate gestures. It requires a lot of mental concentration, to unweave the magicks on every cell in my body. But I have had six hundred years to perfect the use of the spell, so I make it look effortless."
"Are any other witches immortal like you and your mother?"
"No. The spell is difficult to learn, and even more difficult to execute. My mother and I are very selective with whom we teach the constance spell. I can count on one hand the number of witches we've tried teaching. None have succeeded.
"Performing the spell requires magicks to wash over and envelope every single cell in your body, which takes so much energy, it is taxing. You do so by concentrating, seeking the body's cells while calling forth barriers that encase the cells. These barriers prevent any change to occur, no matter the force.
"The process is exactly reversed to remove the spell. You seek the cells while ebbing the barriers away."
"So to perform magic, do you recite spells? Either aloud or mentally?"
"No," Ulysses answered with a smile. "Magic requires knowledge of force manipulation. It is all in nature. Each person has a magical core, whether they know it or not is an entirely different matter. So to perform a spell, you coax some measure of magic from your body out. You can feel this sliver of magic as if it is a part of your body, because it is. So while coaxing this magic out, you entrust it with a task. The sliver always performs this task, or tries to, depending on the strength of your magical core."
"So this constance spell that keeps you and your mother young requires a lot."
"Yes. We have to coat every cell in our bodies with a shell. Doing just one sounds easy, but I promise that it is not."
"Okay. You and Kiri are obviously very powerful witches. So why aren't the two of you ruling over the magical community?"
"My mother doesn't want to. She believes that the magical community would benefit from fresh eyes. And the community does not want either of us to rule, but to advise the king or queen for as long as we live."
"Forever?!" Mark said in shock. "Both of you?!"
"No, no, no. No. My mother has been advising the rulers for the past three thousand, eight hundred years. She does so so well, and with dignity and grace. The only reason I would become the ruler's regent is if my mother perished, which would be impossible."
"Impossible, like, impossible?"
"Essentially impossible. To even consider attempting to murder Kiri, you would have to counterperform her constance spell. So far, I am the only other person in the entire world that has the capability to do so. And you would have to defend yourself against her and, possibly, me as well. My mother and I have cast the distress spell on each other. Which means that should my mother be in danger, I would feel this intense shiver, so then I would follow that trail of magic and teleport."
"And all of that happens instantaneously?"
"Yes. Watch. I will utilize the distress and my mother will teleport here."
Mark, still leaning on one elbow, peering down at his magical boyfriend, watched as the witch closed his eyes. Ulysses opened his green eyes and two seconds later there was the thud of boots stepping foot in the room.
"Mark," Kiri greeted neutrally. She then looked at Ulysses and said, "Son."
"Good morning, mother," Ulysses greeted warmly.
"I see the news did not frighten you away, Mark," Kiri commented cheerily. "I knew it would not. I am sure that you have much questions."
"I do," Mark replied as he rose out of bed. "First question that comes to mind is, do you still feel a passion for life after living for over nine millennia?"
"Absolutely," Kiri answered with a dreamy smile. "This world is full of utter beauty. Not as much beauty as eight thousand years ago, but it is a different kind of beauty. I am constantly amazed at the sights that I get to see, have seen, and could potentially see. The evolution of fashion has always intrigued me. Leadership shifts are always interesting to witness.
"But the most beautiful sight is an act of love. I truly believe that mankind's sole purpose is to love and be loved. Seeing a child and parent share affection tugs at your heartstrings, as they say. Just last week a palace pastry chef gave her tired, overworked husband a single carnation. His smile lit the room."
"Forgive me if this question upsets you or brings back any memories," Mark began his next question carefully, "you obviously had to pause the constance spell to conceive Ulysses. What made you decide, after living for eight thousand years, to have a child?"
"That is quite alright, Mark," Kiri responded as she sat on the bed. "I met Ulysses' father in Turkey while the king at the time was visiting for diplomatic purposes. His name was Duman and he'd been purchasing tea from a street merchant when the critter stung his ankle. I saved his life by visibly sucking the poison out, but had actually utilized a spell to evaporate the poison. We spent the entire day together, shared a few kisses, and then night fell. Duman expressed interest in marriage. He had no qualms about my being a witch, even found it stupendously fascinating. We were married for six years when Duman voiced his suspicion of my unchanging features and my lack of desire for children. I had to confess my immortality. The news upset him so much so that we were separated for a few days.
"When he came back home he confessed that his heart's desire was to be a father. And I was always intrigued by the idea of being a mother. So I paused the constance spell for thirteen months, four of which to conceive and nine to carry Ulysses. Duman learned how to detect his magical core and practice magic during my pregnancy. When Ulysses was twelve, Duman was skilled enough to petition the commander of The Guard to become an officer.
"When Ulysses was nine Duman left us. For years he was torn emotionally and mentally over my decision to remain immortal. Duman never had the desire to be young and beautiful for forever, he had always envisioned himself growing old, grandchildren toddling at his feet, us gray-haired. Ulysses' magical growth burdened Duman further, so he asked King Minsung to perform an amnesia spell. Duman met another woman, married her, had more children, and was given the grandchildren that he had always desired."
"Wow," Mark breathed. "So Ulysses has--"
"Twenty-three great-great-great-great grand nieces and nephews," Ulysses interjected. "Mother and I keep close tabs on them all."
Mark turned back to Kiri and asked, "So how did you feel about Duman having his memory wiped and remarrying?"
"I was fine," Kiri answered with a fond smile. "I wanted Duman to be happy. I could see a light dimming in his eyes. I knew he was troubled by my immortality, and I knew he would be based on the fact that he declined immortality. I am happy that he got the life and family that he wanted. He passed with his children and grandchildren at his bedside, which brought him contentment."
Mark was about to ask Kiri another question but then a violent shiver rocked her body and her eyes widened. Literally two seconds later the ankle bracelet that Ulysses wore on his left foot glowed orange. Kiri then disappeared as if she were never there.
Ulysses gently grabbed Mark's face in his hands and said forced calmness, "Mark, there is an emergency at the palace that requires all Guard personnel. I will be back as soon as I can. I love you."
Mark did not get a chance to respond. Ulysses disappeared into thin air just as his mother had. Mark was left lying in bed with a confusion and worry in his heart. He got out of bed and dressed in a pair of sweatpants, and ventured downstairs. He inserted a coffee pod into the Keurig brewer, and sipped a coffee while reading a book. Try as he might, Mark could not shake the worry from his heart, he could not focus on the book. So he gave up, and stood at the living room windows gazing out at the morning horizon. ****
It had been just after two o'clock in the afternoon when Mark heard a foot land with force on his living room floor. Mark looked up from his journal, and immediately noticed the blood marring Ulysses' neck, face, shirt, and pants.
"Baby!" Mark all but shouted in alarm.
Ulysses used his hand to gesture for Mark to remain seated on the sofa, and told him, "This isn't my blood."
"Holy fuck," Mark breathed and beckoned his boyfriend over. "C'mere, sit. Baby."
As Ulysses sat down in Mark's arms, he replied, "I- I'm okay."
"What happened?" Mark asked in a panic. "Whose blood is this?"
"There was an attempt made on Queen Sofi's life," Ulysses answered. "A group that called themselves Sitki Heivelo, Sitki's Angels."
"Sitki?"
"Sitki is mythical. It is said that she was a god of disease and illness."
"Never heard of her," Mark confessed as he kneaded Ulysses' bloody pectorals.
"Almost nobody has. My mother told us who Sitki was."
"So this group who attacked the queen is new then?"
"Yes. They were built in the shadows. They were very, very careful not to reveal themselves until today. And they were a very large group. It is absolutely astounding that they remained hidden for so long."
"They were dismantled, though?"
"Yes. But not without difficulty. Their leader, an Australian called Kimberly, was so powerful that she battled the queen for three hours while The Guard held off her disciples. It- it was a bloodbath, Mark. We were fighting as hard as we could possibly fight. And it was barely enough. There were so many. And they were skilled more than any practitioner my mother and I had come across in centuries. So many lost on both sides. Unneeded death. All of this could have been done without. Mark--"
Ulysses broke into a fit of tears. His body wracked as he sobbed. Mark held the witch closely and very tightly. It broke his heart to see and feel how undone Ulysses was at that moment, how unraveled he was. ****
Ulysses woke seeing the sunlight through his eyelids, red flooding his sight. He felt completely exhausted, tired beyond measure despite having just awoken. Ulysses opened his eyes and his vision was filled with a blinding yellow light. After a moment his eyes adjusted to the light, the sight of Mark's eggshell ceiling coming into view.
"Hi, baby," Mark's voice softly greeted.
Ulysses turned his head just the slightest bit. Mark approached the sofa from the kitchen, a glass of orange juice in one hand. Mark's brown eyes displayed concern, his body exuded care and warmth. Mark sat as he handed the glass to Ulysses and promptly kissed his temple.
Voice laced with concern, Mark asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Hi," Ulysses greeted his boyfriend groggily.
"You doing okay, baby?" Mark asked as he combed his fingers through Ulysses' brown hair.
"Yeah," Ulysses answered after he swallowed a sip of juice. "I'm okay. A little tired."
"Yeah? You've been sleeping for twenty-two hours."
"Oh shit," Ulysses said quietly.
"Yeah, understandable. Sounded like yesterday was a complete travesty."
"Yeah."
Ulysses' brain finally remembered what had transpired the day before, and he quickly sat up. "Have my mother or commanding officer tried calling me?"
"No, but your mother did pop by. Literally popped by."
"Is everything okay? Did she mention anything about my community or the queen? Is Queen Sofi okay?"
"I don't know about any of that, baby. Your mom just wanted to check in on you. She teleported in, laid her hand on your chest, asked if you'd seemed alright, and then teleported back out. Seemed like her only concern was you."
"Okay," Ulysses said with relief and laid back down. "Maybe I should call her, though."
Mark handed the witch his cell phone and sat patiently as Ulysses spoke with his mother. The expressions on Ulysses' face went from contemplative to surprised, to concerned, to understanding.
When the call had ended Ulysses stated, "The witch who spearheaded the attack is being questioned. Queen Sofi has requested mother and I take over the interrogation. I must be at the palace in two hours."
"Okay," Mark responded as he continued to stroke Ulysses' hair. "What would you like to do until then? Want me to make you some breakfast?"
Ulysses grabbed Mark's wrist and gently pulled the man down to lay on him. "Let's just order something in. Can you hold me?"
Mark immediately laid on his side, slid his arm under Ulysses' back, and pulled the witch in to lean his back on his chest. No words were said. None were needed. Mark had his arms wrapped around Ulysses' shoulders and chest, holding the witch with so much warmth. Ulysses in turn latched his hands on Mark's forearms and breathed. **** Ulysses let out a sliver of magic from himself, which clung onto oxygen molecules and expanded onto more oxygen molecules and more and more until there in the air glided a ribbon of neon orange magic. That ribbon of magic floated over Kimberly Arborough's hands, wrists, travelling over her arms, to her shoulders, around her bosom.
With a voice straining, fighting off screams, Kimberly vowed, "No matter what you do to me, I will not give you answers."
"That remains to be seen, girl," Kiri retorted.
Kiri let out her own sliver of magic, which glowed neon yellow. This ribbon swirled around Kimberly's abdomen and hips. This piece of magic fulfilled its purpose, it agitated the nerves all over Kimberly's body, which immediately brought her to ear-splitting screams.
After about twenty seconds of Kimberly screaming, Kiri and Ulysses lifted their magicks off of her body.
"That was barely a taste of what we are capable," Ulysses told the woman with a tone of complete boredom. "Do you realize how much time my mother and I have dedicated to perfecting our magic? Have you contemplated the possibilities of even the smallest, most inane thing we could do to you? Kiri has over nine millennia of existence."
Kimberly answered with indignation, "I have."
Kimberly clenched her jaw as hard as she could, and a crunching sound was heard. In a fraction of a second Kiri noticed a red glow inside Kimberly's closed mouth, and she and Ulysses let out a sliver of magic that expanded and transformed into a spherical barrier around Kimberly. A millisecond after the barrier was fully formed Kimberly's whole body exploded, an explosion so enormous that the spherical barrier shook violently, something Kiri had never experienced in her existence.
Aghast, fearful, Ulysses asked his mother, "What was that? Was that a modified depletion spell?"
"It appears so," Kiri answered with awe. "A depletion so violent it could destroy towns. Who is teaching these spell modifications?"
"We have to notify Queen Sofi."
"This group is much more dangerous that anticipated. We will need to congregate The Exectioners."
I hope that you are enjoying this series so far. I have been working on this series for about two years, it is so new to me. Listed below are my other works of fiction if you are interested.
Car Radio
Connected
Do Not Go Gentle
Near Wild Heaven
The Other Half of Me Unknown
A Quick Fall
Some You Give Away
Somewhere a Clock is Ticking
Strawberry Wine
Tearing Me Apart
You Call It Madness
You Don't Mean to Hurt Me