Page 45 of Serpent In White
Darian says nothing for a moment while we keep walking, right up to the bank. Once we’re on the shore, he turns to face me, and I do the same. He gazes into my eyes, a breeze giving me a shiver as goosebumps sheet my skin. His eyes fall to my arms, observing them, hairs standing up, before they come back to mine.
“It’s your rebirth, Abdiel,” he finally responds in a lush brogue that graces me with even more chills. “Ecdysis is technically molting, in a sense. You remember what that means, right?”
I think for only a moment before I nod. “When a bug loses its exoskeleton?”
He grins. “Yea. Only ecdysis is more for reptiles. Snakes…” His voice trails for a moment before he continues. “It’s a personal transformation we must all go through in order to find our true selves.”
His words dance in the air between us as I watch his irises, glittering cerulean in this light.
“There are things we find in nature that Mother uses to guide us,” he tells me, stepping out of his shoes. I peer down, brow furrowed, wondering why he’s now barefoot, but I ignore it because his words are more important. “The white trumpets are one of those things.”
I blink at him. “So that’s what the Field is for? Making Empyrean?”
He cocks his head. “That’s simplifying it. But in a way, yes. The Alchemist has created many variations. The Empyrean you and I have taken is what brings us closest to Mother. It is sacred, Abdiel. You must not squander it.”
My throat slides in uncertainty.How will I know if I’ve squandered it? I don’t mean to…
Darian huffs another one of his almost-chuckles. “I can already tell you haven’t, Abdiel. Your transformation is a work in progress, sure. But you’re getting there. I have faith in you.”
My lips part, but I don’t know what to say. I’m simply amazed at this man. He’s so wise. A perfect leader.
“I’m not perfect, my servant,” he sighs. “No one is. Now, shall we go for a swim?”
My forehead creases. “When…right now??”
The smile of our Head Priest seems to be ever-present tonight. “You’re curious yet hesitant, Abdiel Harmony. Like a cat. I like cats. They’re mystifying creatures.”
Without saying anything else, he shoves his sweatpants down and kicks them off his feet.
And every ounce of breath leaves my lungs in one fell swoop.
Oh my God, he’s naked. He’s naked, right here, in front of me.
I struggle hard with not allowing my eyes to drift as his head tilts at me and he leans in. I’m still not breathing.
“I’m going to get into the water now, young servant,” he whispers, close enough that I can smell him, like cloves and wood and the earth. Like aman; a large, strong, important one. AKing. “It’s a beautiful night. We should enjoy it.”
And then he waltzes away from me, a few long strides, fully naked, all the muscles in his back flexing as he moves. I can’t even keep myself from watching his ass; full and round and so damn plump, it reminds me of a piece of fruit I want to sink my teeth into.
“You know I can hear you from here, Abdiel.” He peeks over his shoulder at me. Then he winks.
That’s so embarrassing, holy hell.
But he simply chuckles, my cheeks flushing deep as he steps into the water, walking in up to his waist before diving beneath the crisp surface. He’s gone for a moment, leaving nothing but ripples, until his head pops up, looking extraordinarily beautiful all wet. Like a merman, or something out of a mythological fantasy.
He aims his chiseled face in my direction and pins me with a look.Come to me, my servant.
I’m crazy nervous, my adrenaline jacked up so much my limbs are vibrating. But I can’t deny my King. I never could.
So I remove my shirt, then my boots, and finally my pants and boxers, stripping completely naked out in the open. The urge to cover up is hefty, but Darian isn’t looking. He’s swimming around in the lake, graceful and gorgeous. Sensual in his prowess.Enticing.
Darting over to the water, I wade in quickly, unable to keep from looking over my shoulders. I’m unsure of what someone might say if they saw us, but it could be difficult to explain.
The wet ground is squishy beneath my toes as I sink deeper into the water until I’m up to my shoulders. It’s warm, not as warm as it will be in peak summer, but not bad. Refreshing, and even if I were cold, I couldn’t think about that right now. I’m too busy gazing after my Head Priest as he swims back and forth, going farther out, then coming back to me.
He must swim often, because his body is that of someone who does; evenly defined, from his arms and shoulders, to his chest and abs, to his ass and legs. I remember drooling over him when I watched that night in the lounge.
He and Drake have different bodies. Both strong in their own ways, though Drake is taller and made of cut-up lines, whereas Darian is thicker, broader and resembling a warrior.
