The Calm Before

Artorias never truly realized or appreciated how much Briar helped to keep him grounded and level until he was in a state of frenzy and she brought him back down to earth. Were it not for his wonderful and loving mate, he would have been happy to run himself ragged trying to do everything and spreading himself thin. Briar was the balance he needed in his life, the caring and compassion looking out for him while he looked out for everyone else. Whether it was making sure he was taking breaks to care for himself or helping him unwind after a stressful endeavor, Briar was his equilibrium without which he would likely burn himself to ashes. Instead, he burned with her, brighter and hotter than he could ever be alone. The Aegis loved his Queen more than anything else in the world. He was thoroughly convinced they were meant to be together, whether by circumstance or destiny, he needed Briar like he needed air. And right now, he needed her in a much more primal way—a way she seemed to be needed him as well.

The grin that lingered on Briar's beautiful features made eager butterflies rise in Artorias' belly, an excited tingle that quickly burst into warm pleasure and lust when he felt his mate press and roll her hips back into him again, rubbing his most sensitive parts against her own to a symphony of shaking gasps from the male. Briar kicked her movements up a notch this time by adding a gentle swish of her silken tail to tease those parts of his anatomy while she riled him up and they teased one another. The request Briar made through purred lyrics made a clench of heat grow in Artorias' belly, azure lips slowly pulling back in a sly, knowing grin. His seductive and sultry mate needn't say anything more. Briar was clearly having fun teasing him, but Artorias was also enjoying their playtime. It had been so long since they'd gotten to enjoy one another like this, between her early pregnancy and his frantic preparations, but now nothing was keeping them from losing themselves in one another. They could enjoy their own private world together before their pups arrived and changed their lives for the better forever.

Artorias' fire-kissed gaze never left Briar's cool turquoise, smoldering with a carnal hunger he hadn't gotten to sate in far too long. That sultry gaze was only broken when he felt Briar's paw capture his, glancing down the length of their bodies to watch while she guided his paw lower until it slipped between her thighs. The grin on Artorias' face returned, knowing what she wanted from him, and as his eyes returned to hers, he steered his touch down to where Briar wanted and needed it most. Once he felt her beneath his paw, gentle digits toyed with her, watching and savoring her every reaction while they neared what they both craved. "I think that sounds like a perfect idea, my Queen," he rumbled in response, leaning his muzzle closer while he spoke in husky whispers. "Mea." Then he slowly captured Briar's lips with his own, pressing into a deeply passionate kiss with his queen and true love. Artorias allowed his touch to become more venturous while he shifted his hips to better align their bodies, navigating by feel and intimate memory of her body. Keeping Briar wrapped up in his arms, Artorias brought their hips together in the intimate union that had created their puppies and family, drowning in everything Briar was.

- fade -

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"