Repercussions
The walk back to the tavern is quiet. The silence only serves to dredge up the dark thoughts in the back of his mind. Lumi would give his life for me… and I raise my voice at him. Hells is wrong with me? Along the alley outside the tavern, Khimi halts, leaning against the building while he relieves himself. The tavern door opens and laughter echoes. The cervi stumbles drunkenly along the alleyway and holds himself up against the wall a short distance from Khimi.
The cervi looks up at Khimi, his bangs covering his eyes. “Oh, it’s the big man!” He says, his voice teasing.
Khimi closes his eyes while he tucks his cock back into his trousers. “Just go about your business,” he whispers, wanting to remain calm.
The cervi gives him a drunken smile. His stream splashes against the side of the building and over his boots. “Envious?” He asks, showing himself to Khimi.
Khimi smirks, “Surprised you can please anything with something so small,” he mutters, stepping to the opposite side of the alley to pass him.
The cervi turns back to the wall and shrugs. “It must be easy to please a boy,” he replies, tauntingly. “I heard they’re like that down there… in the Desert Cities. Perverts like yourself, train them fo—”
Any calm that Khimi had, leaves his body. Rage swells in him, unrelenting, unforgiving. His hand knots into the cervi’s hazel-colored hair and twists. The horns smash against the wooden post in front of him. They clatter against the building with each blow Khimi delivers, the tips snap, drawing cries from the man.
“St—”
His pleas do not reach Khimi, the horns creak at the pressure, fissure cracks course through the horns. The cervi shouts and Khimi rips his head away from the wall, only to smash it back against the wooden post. The horns crack, the sound unnerving.
With his face pressed against the wooden post, The cervi laughs and sobs. “Can’t stand to hear the t-truth, Eh? Sick bastar–”
Khimi turns him to meet his eyes. The deep cerulean pools, like the depths of the bottomless ocean, stare back at the cervi. Khimi’s lips peel back in a snarl, the months of suffering rumors, listening to the harsh whispers had finally pushed him over the edge. The man quivers, his horns barely cling by bits of fibrous tissue. Piss stains the front of the man’s trousers.
The man works up the courage finally to speak. His lip quivers, and a welt on his face swells below his eye. “Is it… ’cause he’s a beastkin?” He begins to laugh, snot drips from beneath his nose. “Or is it because he’s a bo—”
Khimi’s fist smashes into his face. The cervi immediately slides against the wooden wall and crumples into the snow. Khimi follows him onto the ground. Blow after blow, he releases his anger. The crunch of the man’s nose sounds through the alley, but Khimi does not stop. The fuck is wrong with people? His knuckle tears open on the man’s teeth. He peels back, pushing himself from his knees, and crouches over him. The man does not move.
The swollen eyes open and close slowly. The broken nose leaks blood and snot over his jacket. Khimi grips his collar, bringing his broken face a short breath from his own. The cervi can barely manage to breathe. Strangled breaths pass through his broken nose.
“The aslan,” Khimi whispers, his tone cold and clear. “Is mine.”
The cervi falls back against the wall and slides into the snow. His swollen face falls against the ice. The man gulps deep, a knot in his throat. He nods in acknowledgment but remains still against the ground. Khimi takes a step back, wiping the bloody knuckles on the bottom of his jacket.
With a final sigh, Khimi takes a glance up and down the alley before he steps away and approaches the front of the tavern. The bard’s music becomes louder in his ears, the soft sigh of a viol. In the warmth of the tavern, Khimi waits at the door, searching through the patrons for those who had been with the cervi. A drunk crowd pushes past him on their way out, and Khimi pushes through them on his way to the stairs.
The tops of his knuckles are still bleeding, the blood soaks into the jacket pocket, consumed by the inner linings. Outside their room, he stands, bringing his bloody knuckle against the wood. A rap against the wood without response. He better have stayed in the room. Khimi pushes against the door, managing to force it open with a bit of work.
The room is small, but not unseemly. A single bed is placed against the wall with a cupboard beside it. A candle from earlier remains lit, nearly burnt down to its end. A collection of their things is nestled along the floor by the bed. Lumi lies on the bed, his head resting along the foot of the bed, a single thin pillow beneath his head. He turns onto his side, casting his gaze at the wall. Whenever Khimi would speak to him in a harsher tone, he would express himself with defiant anger. Khimi shuts the door behind him, the lock falls in place with a slow click.
“You were being a jerk,” Lumi mumbles, his lips pressed into the pillow.
Khimi does not say a word, his eyes follow the lines of Lumi’s body. The linen undershirt hangs loosely over his form, his trousers are pulled down to allow his tail to sit above the waistline. The arch of his body is seductive, Khimi imagines just how perfect Lumi’s body is when he is naked. At the head of the bed, he grabs Lumi’s wrapped foot and tugs it towards himself.
“What are you doing!?” Lumi grumbles, rolling onto his back.
Khimi maintains his silence, slowly unrolling the linen wrap from around Lumi’s ankle. His fingers press down on the digits, nearly cracking the joint, before he relaxes his grip. Lumi raises his brow but laughs at Khimi’s touch. A bulge pushes against the wool trousers, aroused just from touching Lumi.
“What happened?” Lumi whispers, focusing on the back of Khimi’s hand. “Khimi… ?”
Without warning, Khimi turns and tugs at the waist of Lumi’s trousers. Lumi quickly aids him, kicking the trousers down his legs enthusiastically. The neediness in Lumi’s expression grows, his eyes big as saucers. A thin loincloth wraps around Lumi’s waist and between his legs. Khimi makes quick work of removing it, taking a quick whiff of the cloth while he presses it against his nose. Maybe I am a beastkin after all. Lumi’s scent is thick on the cloth, he indulges in the scent, a smirk on his lips.
“I-I’m right here,” Lumi says, rolling his eyes impatiently.
Khimi scoffs, “Brat.” He rips his jacket off as swiftly as he can, his fingers make quick work of the buttons.
“You… don’t need to listen to people like that, Khimi,” Lumi offers, undressing him with his eyes.
“Do you think I am so fragile?” Khimi whispers. The jacket falls behind him while he removes the linen shirt.
Lumi slides his foot along Khimi’s thigh, then follows along his abdomen. “I don’t think you’re fragile at all. I just don’t want you to listen to people like that… ever.”
The shirt slips from over the length of Khimi’s arms into a pile before him. “People will always say things. They are just words.”
Lumi slips off his shirt playfully and tosses it onto the floor next to the bed. He sways his hips back and forth, teasing Khimi with the movement of his tail. “Oh come on, words don’t give you bloody knuckles,” he quips with a smirk.
Khimi’s hands grip Lumi’s waist, gently pushing him onto his back. In the warm light of a nearby candle, Khimi takes in the sight of Lumi’s naked body beneath him. His fingers trace over Lumi’s chest, teasing and twisting at a hardened pink nipple.
He meets Lumi’s gaze, “Doesn’t mean he didn’t deserve to have his ass beat now, does it?” He asks with a cocksure grin.
Khimi watches Lumi rub his knees together and notices the intensity in his narrowed eyes. “Did you at least spare his life?” Lumi’s question is whispered, but his expression shows a sudden understanding. He reaches up and intertwines his fingers at the back of Khimi’s neck. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter.”
Khimi’s breath hitches as Lumi’s words hit him, their lips colliding in a desperate, hungry kiss. He frantically pulls at the waistband of his wool trousers, tearing them down his legs with fervent urgency. His throbbing girth springs free, dripping with anticipation as he positions himself between Lumi’s open thighs. With every movement, Lumi’s lips mimic his own, their bodies moving together perfectly as they both yearn for one another. Khimi’s elbows dig into the bed as he pushes forward, his cock nudging against Lumi’s tight entrance with each thrust. As their moans and whimpers mingle in the air, Khimi can feel the heat building in his core, driving him to push deeper and harder until finally, he breaches Lumi.
Lumi’s brow pinches tight, the pained expression on his face is accompanied by begging pleas. Khimi’s hands slide beneath Lumi, his hips grinding back and forth with slow and eager movements. Unable to wait any longer, he grinds into him harder. A pained moan echoes through the room, tears roll down Lumi’s cheeks. Khimi holds him tight, pressing deeper into him. Lumi tries to hold their kiss, but he turns his cheek, his breathing becomes labored within moments while he whines. He cries out, pain clear on his face. His nails scrape along the nape of Khimi’s neck, wanting to hold on until he can no longer. His fingers twist into the blanket while Khimi pounds into him, pressing his lips to the top of Lumi’s head. Khimi looks between the two of them, watching his cock drive into him, disappearing in Lumi’s tight heat.
Lumi’s throat tightens as he lets out a rough, croaking cry. His fingers dig into the soft blanket beneath him, pulling himself closer to the foot of the bed. His head falls back over the edge, his blond hair swaying in rhythm with the rocking motions. The room fills with passionate sounds — the wet smacks of flesh against flesh and Lumi’s ragged moans. He tries to stifle his cries, pressing his hand firmly over his trembling lips. His body trembles with pleasure and anticipation, lost in the heat of the moment.
Khimi’s hand shoots forward, gripping Lumi’s wrist and pushing it away. “Let them hear you,” he snarls, his voice strained with intensity. “I want them to hear you.”
Khimi wants everyone in the tavern to hear. The sound of their lovemaking, the union that only he will ever have with Lumi. It is his, only his.
Lumi grips the frame of the bed, his voice shakes with his cries, while Khimi continues. Khimi’s fingers tighten into Lumi’s waist, and he sits back on the balls of his feet, his eyes glued to the vision before him. The entrance clenches onto him, holding him planted inside.
“You’re always so damn tight,” Khimi breathes. His face is flushed with desire, beads of sweat running down his forehead as he watches Lumi beneath him. Lumi’s lips are parted, his eyes hooded with pleasure as he arches his back and moves with Khimi’s rhythm.
Lumi’s arms flex while he clings to the frame of the bed. “Y-you’re just too big!” he whimpers, his voice wavering.
“Did you know when we met that we were going to fuck like animals?” Khimi teases, gliding in and out of him while he grips the base of his cock.
Lumi growls and tries to sit up, “We ARE animals!”
“You know what I mean,” Khimi grumbles, bucking his hips and filling Lumi with the entirety of his length.
The flickering candlelight casts an eerie glow on Khimi’s bulging cock as it thrusts relentlessly into Lumi’s abdomen. Each powerful movement is visible against Lumi’s quivering stomach, causing him to recoil and frantically kick against the sheets in a desperate attempt to break free from Khimi’s grip. But Khimi is relentless, his hand takes hold of Lumi’s ankle and slowly pulls it up until his foot rests on his heaving chest. With a primal growl, Khimi presses his lips onto the arch of Lumi’s foot, simultaneously driving himself deeper into Lumi with forceful, unrelenting thrusts. The room fills with the sound of their moans and the scent of desire, as Khimi dominates Lumi without mercy.
The moans break out through the room while Lumi clings onto the bed. His cock shakes with the movements, yearning to release. Khimi’s kisses move along the arch, drawing gentle laughter from Lumi, mixed with the moans of pleasure. His tongue laps against the softer skin while he meets Lumi’s eyes.
“F-fuck me harder,” Lumi breathes, unable to resist his urges. “Please…”
Khimi allows Lumi’s foot to rest at his side, his hands moving along Lumi’s body. They glide beneath his form and rest at the back of his shoulders. With his body completely over Lumi, he begins to hump more vigorously, the soft squelches increase. Sweat begins to form across their bodies despite the cold. Lumi shivers and tries to bring his arms back around Khimi unsuccessfully.
Khimi’s lips press between Lumi’s ears before Lumi drops his head back over the edge of the bed. “Too much for you?” He teases, his teeth nipping at Lumi’s skin.
Lumi, almost unable to form words, finally manages to bring his head back up. “Move back,” he instructs.
Khimi shifts back on the bed, pulling Lumi towards him with a primal hunger. His cock, hard and pulsing, is surrounded by the warmth of Lumi’s body as he enters him with a deep longing. Lumi’s insides clench around him, igniting a fervent desire that consumes them both. He presses his shoulders down as he thrusts himself to the hilt, their bodies moving together perfectly. “Lumi,” he murmurs, the sensation of his tail gently brushing against his heavy sack adding to his pleasure. “I want to fill you… so much,” he whispers, his lips caressing Lumi’s cheek with every word.
“Then let me feel it,” Lumi says in a silky whisper. “Y-you know what I want.”
Khimi gnaws on the edge of the rounded ear, the coarse fur brushes against his lip. “You,” he begins, “Want to feel me come in you? Don’t you?” he asks in a seductive rumble.
Lumi writhes his hips, clenching down hard on Khimi. “Y-yeah,” he breathes, “Y-you already know tha–”
Khimi bites hard into Lumi’s rounded ear, his fingers press into his soft shoulders. “You like it… when my cock pumps in you,” he rasps, relishing the power and control. “When the heat starts to fill you.”
Lumi’s face grows flush, his toes curl in pleasure at Khimi’s side. His damp hair sticks to his forehead. “Y-yeah. T-that’s my favorite part. It feels… good.”
Khimi’s sack slaps against Lumi’s ass, he pushes his forehead against Lumi while he buries himself inside. Lumi lets out frantic whimpers with every forceful push, his face turned to the wall. Edging near climax, Khimi staggers forward, bringing his lips into Lumi’s hair. The muscles in his thighs ache from his exertions. The heat of their efforts fogs the rectangular window.
“Come in me,” Lumi whispers, his fingertips sliding along Khimi’s chest. “You wanna.”
The shaft of Khimi’s cock is thick and pulsing, the heavy vein throbbing along its length. The soft, velvety walls of Lumi’s body clench and release around him, urging him on. With a deep grunt, Khimi thrusts himself deeper into Lumi, feeling the tightness enveloping him completely. A rush of pleasure courses through his body as he releases his seed, filling Lumi to the brim. Their efforts are messy and passionate, leaving trails of cum dripping around his buried cock. But their eagerness does not wane, and they continue to move together, their bodies still connected. As he slides back and forth inside Lumi, Khimi cups his lover’s face in his palms, looking deeply into his eyes with adoration.
“Again,” Lumi whispers. “You can go again.”
Khimi sits back, holding Lumi’s small waist. His thumbs pressed together at the tips. “Can’t get enough, can you?” he taunts, steadily regaining his breath.
Lumi’s muscles flex and strain as his body pushes back and forth, putting on a tantalizing show for Khimi. Beads of sweat glisten on his brow as he arched his back, the slick cock gliding almost to the tip before filling him again. His tongue darts out, tracing over his pink lips seductively. “I can feel it,” Lumi breathes out, “you’re not finished yet. You’re a bull, remember?” The words are filled with challenge.
“Only part,” Khimi corrects, watching the lusty show with an amused grin.
“Nah,” Lumi insists, his lithe body rocking methodically. “You’re my bull,” he whispers. “My heavenly bull.”
Khimi remains on his knees, mesmerized by the way Lumi hungrily takes in every inch of him. His skin glistens with sweat, smoothly gliding against Khimi’s thighs with each thrust. A trail of warm cum drips down Lumi’s tail as he presses himself closer to Khimi. A satisfied smirk curves Khimi’s lips as he reminisces about their first times together, remembering how eager Lumi was to clean off any mess from the fur. But now, Lumi eagerly embraces every aspect of their physical intimacy, even with his tail still slick and dripping with his seed. Khimi tilts his head back, a mix of post-orgasmic ache and delight pulsing through him as Lumi continues to tempt and tease him with skillful movements.
“You’ve got cum on your tail,” Khimi teases, leaning back on his hand.
Lumi’s eyes roll into the back of his head, bliss clear on his face. “I-it’s fine…” he murmurs, his voice trailing while his ass slaps against Khimi’s groin. “You’re cock… gods!”
Khimi lifts his hips against Lumi’s, watching his cock press into him. “What about my cock?”
Lumi’s head tilts back, his arms shake from supporting his weight. “We were made for each other,” he moans. “I don’t even need to t-touch myself,” he adds, his voice hitching.
The pink arousal flops limp before Khimi, leaking from its tip and into the thin bed of pubescent hair. He reaches out to grasp it but stops himself. Lumi’s body shudders against him, the comforting tightness of his insides squeeze upon him. “How many times now?” he teases, grasping Lumi’s leg and kneading the muscle.
Lumi only pauses momentarily before he continues, his ragged breathing catches. “Do-doesn’t matter. I-it always feels good… you always feel good.”
“Do you want me to take over?” Khimi asks in a whisper.
Lumi releases a heavy breath and allows his body to fall against the cushioned bed. “F-fine,” he breathes, his tail flailing back and forth. His ass resting atop Khimi’s thighs.
Khimi sits forward, sitting on the balls of his feet, while Lumi raises his leg up against Khimi’s body. “You’re obedient today.”
Lumi sighs, his leg tenses while Khimi presses his weight against it. “Y-you just had something I wanted.”
Khimi thrusts, holding himself firmly inside. His hand runs along the length of Lumi’s leg, curving over to his curled toes. “Really?” he asks tauntingly, pushing down on the joint of his toe.
“What are you doi—”
A faint crack sounds through the room, and Khimi smiles at Lumi before he places a kiss at the top of his foot. “What could I have that you wanted so badly?”
Lumi covers his crimson face while Khimi thrusts into him. “I was hoping we’d get to spend the night together,” he grumbles. “We haven’t had much time…”
“I’m here now,” Khimi whispers, cracking the joint of a second toe.
Lumi brings a handful of the blankets into his mouth, shielding his moans. Khimi leans in, the weight of his thrusts forced deeper. The moans grow louder with his efforts, his damp hair drips over Lumi’s body. The boy’s form rocks from Khimi’s pounding. The whip-like tail slaps against the bed.
“K-Khimi,” Lumi breathes through the blanket. “I’d do anything for you.”
Khimi perks up, his attention breaking. “I know,” he replies. Their gazes meet. His heart pumps thunderously through his chest. The soft aetherial eyes look up at him; a hopeful look.
Lumi reaches for Khimi’s hand, his fingertips brush over the bloodied knuckles. “When I see your eyes… I feel like there is something I want to live for.”
Khimi smirks, “I don’t need to see your eyes to remind me,” he says quietly.
Lumi’s cheeks flush, his head tilts to the side to hide his expression. “Don’t ever put yourself in danger without me,” he whispers.
“Fine,” Khimi replies, his hips pushed flat against Lumi.
Deep into the night, their efforts continue. The light filtering through the window signals Khimi to finally come to a halt. Lumi lies naked on the bed, barely able to keep his eyes open after the exhaustive hours of sex. He rolls onto his side beside Khimi and embraces him from behind. The low purrs vibrate against Khimi, easing him to sleep.
“I meant it,” Lumi whispers at Khimi’s back. “I can’t live without you.”
And you think I can?
***
A day’s peaceful rest does much to ease their aches and pains. Their bodies are folded together on the small bed, intertwined comfortably. Khimi’s lips brush along the back of Lumi’s neck, his arms coiled around him. Just along Lumi’s shoulder, he places a kiss on the familiar beauty mark. He rolls Lumi onto his stomach, his breath passes over his back while he leaves gentle kisses.
Lumi yawns, folding his arms under his head. His tail flicks against Khimi with every kiss along his body. The bit of light that pierced through the sky had faded, leaving them in the dark of the room. The tavern is packed with patrons who shout bawdy jokes, and scream profanity. The night’s entertainment is much less skilled than the last. The musician’s songs often taper part way, failing to finish the lyrics in tune with his instrument. With the shouting and jeers, it had become hard to sleep.
“You wanna go again?” Lumi breaths, exhaling with much of Khimi’s weight on his back.
Though Khimi can not deny his desire to feel the warmth of Lumi’s insides again, he forces the thought from his mind. “I’d love to… but we should eat.”
Lumi hums in contemplation, “I’m still pretty full.”
Khimi rolls his eyes while he lies atop of Lumi. His lips press against the golden choker. “Something substantial.”
“There was a lot of it,” Lumi teases, laughing at Khimi’s touch. “We can relax… sleep a bit more.”
“Because you really want to sleep,” Khimi mocks. The circular bite marks along Lumi’s shoulders are raised, purple bruises marking the lines of his teeth.
Lumi’s tail rattles, his ears fold. “I’ve slept a lot… I’ve slept so much on this whole journey. On the boat from Sidi… I think I slept the entire time. Then everything else just felt fake. Like it didn’t even happen.”
“Surreal,” Khimi whispers. His teeth skim along the nape of Lumi’s neck. “Let’s get something to eat.”
Lumi sighs and presses his head onto the thin mattress. “Fine. I don’t think I can walk anyway,” he whispers with an annoyed sigh.
Khimi pushes himself from the bed, his fingers trailing along the length of Lumi’s tail. Near the end of the coarse fur, he gives it a hearty tug, drawing a yelp from Lumi. “You’re fine.”
“Rea—”
Lumi’s words are cut short, Khimi’s open palm slaps against his plump asscheek. He squeezes the cheeks together and covers them with his hands. Pursed lips greet Khimi’s playful smile.
“Now I’m not getting up,” Lumi groans, and rolls onto his side.
Khimi dresses in from the mound of clothes from the ground, tossing Lumi’s woolen jacket to the side. “Fine,” he responds, slipping his arms through the sleeves. “I might just stay down there and drink all night.”
Lumi gives him a look of reproach. “And leave me starving?”
“Thought you weren’t hungry.”
A pillow slings across the room with deadly accuracy, striking Khimi in the forehead. After a moment of laughter, he flees from the room, while a second pillow thuds against the door behind him. The sounds of the tavern roar through the hallway. A drunken man embraces a woman against the wall, whispering sweet nothings in her ear. Khimi smiles at the woman, who gives an amused smile in return.
From the top of the tavern, Khimi peers across the tavern, seeking familiar faces. In the center of the tavern, he spots Augustus, surrounded by a group of patrons. His ale splashes onto the floor, his spastic movements accompanied by cheerful shouts from the crowd. What has he gotten himself into? Listening in, the story is that of their journey from Sidi. With many added embellishments, and an occasional lie. Not far from Augustus, sits Mido. The shame on his face is telling.
Scanning the bar for any sign of Ennui, Khimi is surprised to find the cervi from the other night. The man’s face is swollen, his head is covered in a thick skullcap which clings to the stumps of his horns. He nurses a warm cider, the steam rising over his face. The woman who had accompanied him the night before sits across from him, holding his hand while they speak. Without a word, Ennui glides beside him and leans against the rail. The lengthy tail brushes against the back of Khimi’s calf.
“Little boy,” Ennui whispers, her hand muffling her speech. “Next time you decide to take your anger out on a man… finish the job.”
Khimi raises his eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Ohh!” Ennui sasses. “You didn’t nearly beat that man within a smidgen of his life?”
Khimi sighs and shrugs. “I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about,” he lies, refusing to meet her gaze.
Ennui clasps his chin and turns him to face her. “Listen to me. Things like that… they come back for you. The man has probably done enough in his life to deserve death. Next time, don’t spare that final blow. Just follow through. Now you left him a gelded man, likely to hunt you down for shaming him – cervi are like that, you know? Horns are a sign of their pri—”
“Were you spying on me?” Khimi interrupts with a click of his tongue. “If you were so concerned, you could have done the deed yourself.”
Ennui growls and pushes Khimi’s face back to look over the crowd. “I can’t keep burying bodies for you… but I planned on it.”
“Keep burying bodies?” Khimi questions, scoffing while he leans further over the railing.
“I was going to cut his godsdamn throat the moment I saw who he was. He was covered in snow, I thought he was dead. But someone else got to him before I did. One of the patrons… I would have killed them both. But you know how it is.”
“He’s not going to do anything. He knows he fucked up.”
Ennui snickers, her tail cracks through the air behind her. “Khimi, he’s a man. He’s full of pride and stupidity.”
Khimi narrows his eyes, “Is that how you see me?”
“You’re full of pride but lack the stupid. Anyway,” she begins brushing past him and taking the stairs down. “I’d be surprised if he didn’t try to kill you. Or have you killed. Or start something the second he sees you.”
“Don’t be so pessimistic.”
At the bottom of the stairs, Augustus pushes his way through the crowd towards them, shouting to the crowd about his travel companions. The musician’s lyre strums, a song begins in the man’s uneven tone. Khimi raises a hand to the crowd, acknowledging them, while he pushes to the bar with Ennui.
They wait together, watching the tavern grow busier by the moment. The bell at the door chimes again and again with the incoming crowd. Augustus grows ever more popular by the moment, aided by his drunken ramblings. The cook brings them wooden bowls of a creamy soup. Diced potatoes, salted pork, onions, carrots, along with clams in rich cream. Khimi licks his lips, taking the soup with him.
The bell at the door chimes again, and Khimi glances back at the sound. Three devilkin enter the tavern, their bodies concealed by their dark robes, their faces obscured by ornate masks. The musician stops abruptly, the crowd turns to the door. Augustus’ yapping continues without any awareness of the new patrons. Ennui and Mido look at one another with a tense expression. Her fingertips itch at the hilt of her dagger.
The man in the corner rises from his chair and points his finger at Khimi. Wishing he had his shamshir at his side, Khimi lowers the bowls of soup onto the stairs. The three robed figures cross the room to the base of the stairs and look up at him. Their dark eyes gleam through the masks. Jet, opal, and emerald. They motion to Khimi without so much as a word, beckoning him to follow them.
Khimi does what is asked, following behind them back out of the tavern and into the small opening. Snow falls along the muddy streets, the light of the tavern pours into the area from inside. He crosses his arms, fighting the need to shiver from the cold. The patrons line up against the windows, pressed against the glass. Augustus’ face is mushed tight against the cloudy glass.
The robed figures turn to Khimi, the red underbelly of the center figure’s cloak flashes before his eyes. He does not flinch but holds his ground. A scroll is presented before him, the devilkin unravels its contents and reads aloud in a nasally voice. The events of the previous night are read aloud to him, the breaking of the horns, along with the severity of the beating. The door chimes behind him, and Ennui steps from the tavern, lingering in the shade of the door.
The man continues, his voice muffled by the mask. “Do you deny these allegations?”
“No, I believe you summed it up fairly well,” Khimi admits. “What is my punishment?”
The woman with eyes like emeralds steps forward, “You made an attempt on a citizen of Rennes. We have the right to punish you as we see fit.”
“The man spoke out of turn, men have done less for treatment much worse,” Khimi mumbles, his leg shaking with the cold.
“You’re a foreigner here, we can’t just let people like you come in here and do whatever they like, can we?” The emerald eyed devilkin asks, her voice smooth as silk.
Ennui approaches Khimi from behind and places a hand on his shoulder. “You’re not in your homeland anymore. You can’t just drop your name and expect people to bend to your will,” she whispers. “It won’t work here…”
“I never intended to,” Khimi mutters. “The man is still aliv—”
“Khimi,” Ennui snaps, “Just… stop talking.”
The three devilkin nod their heads at Ennui. Through the slits in their masks, Khimi can see the mouths of the devilkin thin. Ennui offers an exaggerated bow in response. A sigh leaves her lips while she flips her hair back and looks between the three.
“What is his punishment?” Ennui asks, an obvious hint of annoyance in her voice. “All he did was put a man in his place. Well deserved, might I add.”
The man at the head of the group looks up from the snow. “There are rules in place to ensure these types of things don’t happen here. One mustn’t lay a finger on the other unless they wish to receive an equal or worse punishment. You und—”
“Sadly, he never had horns for you to tear off. But I can see that doesn’t matter, does it?” Ennui questions, her eyes squint into slits.
The three devilkin look among one another before turning back to Ennui, “May we ask who you serve, sister?”
“The world is unkind to people like us,” Ennui whispers in return. “Though I am under the impression we all serve the same.”
Khimi had always known that Ennui’s gifts came from a darker lineage. Though he never pressed her on the subject, he anticipated she served a devil, as many devilkin are wont to do.
“And how should we believe you? If you are a daughter of Samael, surely you bear a mark?” The emerald-eyed woman asks. “Samael’s sigil is branded onto us, marking us as his children.”
Ennui smirks and pulls a pouch from her belt. Plucking a single coin, she tosses it across the distance. “Give it a good whiff and tell me it doesn’t reek of the Hells.”
The man brings the golden coin under his mask, then glances up at Ennui. “A simple parlor trick…”
“I assure you that Samael has never had a more faithful child… I’ve brought him into this world more than once. My gifts are immense. Shall I call upon his hounds?”
“Without blood?”
“I can acquire blood. Unless any of you are willing?”
“Enough of this farce,” the third figure speaks up. “Give me your name.”
“There is a lot of power in a name,” Ennui whispers.
The woman with emerald eyes steps forward and rips the golden coin from the man’s hand. “Give us your name!”
Khimi shifts on his feet and steps forward beside Ennui. “I’m sure you’ve got this covered,” he chimes under his breath.
“Ennui,” She grumbles in response. Her hand clenches open and closed, wanting to reach for the dagger.
The three look among one another once more, the man speaks up. “The name is not unknown to us… Ennui.”
“Be that as it may,” the woman with emerald eyes continues, “we cannot tolerate this behavior within the confines of our city. Our ruling is absolute… as is Samael’s. Our code here in Rennes requires his sacrifice.”
“Impossible,” Ennui growls. “I’ll call Samael here and now. Or perhaps we should all pay a visit to Nyx?”
The man chortles from behind his mask. “Sister, you’d call upon our father for a petty mortal?”
“My bond with this fool is greater than any child of Samael, so I would suggest showing some leniency in your decision.”
The bell chimes once again. Mido and Augustus appear against the side of the building. Augustus is supported by Mido, barely able to hold himself up. Augustus hollers a cheer and raises his pewter mug.
The man sighs before he releases a fierce growl. “Fine, I want all of you out of our city before first light.”
“There is no light in this damn land.” Ennui performs a mocking curtsy, then smiles. “We’ll be out of your hair soon… don’t worry those pretty little masked faces of yours.”
Khimi whispers, “This won’t sit well with that cervi.”
Ennui holds her hand out, waiting for the coin. The masked man reluctantly pushes it directly into her palm. “What of the cervi?” she asks the man.
“He’ll be upset he didn’t get his justice… but we’ll handle it.”
“And if he raises his voice in protest that the good devilkin that watches over Rennes are being unfair… ?”
The sound of his teeth gnashing together is audible in the darkness. “We’ll handle it if we must. Now, pack your shit and leave before we change our minds.”
The three devilkin turn into the darkness and leave them in front of the tavern. The crowded windows are suddenly sparse, the groups return to their normal routines. Augustus leans against Mido and releases another whooping cheer, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
“You heard the man, Khimi… better get to packing,” Ennui says, her nose pinching in anger. “Couldn’t just… kill them next time, eh?” She asks, pressing her fingers against her forehead.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Khimi grumbles, following behind back into the tavern.
“Is everything alright?” Mido questions, a cautious glance from the corner of his eyes.
Khimi sighs and allows himself to finally shiver. “We’re leaving.”
“Now?!” Augustus shouts, drunkenly stumbling into the tavern. “Can’t we wait a day or two?”
Mido’s tail swings behind him, wagging beneath his jacket. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with that hornless stag, would it?”
Ennui turns abruptly, the aggravation clear in her tone. “If you’re wanting to pick a fight, now isn’t the time. Go grab your stuff and meet back in front of the tavern.”
“Care to explain w-what happened?” Augustus inquires, placing a hand on Khimi’s shoulder. “You can tell us.”
“I’ll explain later,” Khimi sighs, grabbing the bowls on the stairs and rushing up the stairs.