Page 33 of Dance with Me
“I am horny,” Radu agreed, slipping out of his seat to pin Star to his for a second and steal a light kiss. He then turned to Yuri and their kiss was devouring for a half second before the carriage started. When Radu sat down, Star’s pants felt too snug and heat warmed his cheeks.
Yuri handed him the sunglasses, and Star accepted them, slipping them on. When they touched, he caught an image of Radu taking Yuri from behind while Star slid between Yuri’s lips. He sucked in air as his heart sped up with desire pulsing through his veins.
“Sorry,” Yuri said. “Didn’t mean to share that.”
Radu tilted his head. “Share what?”
“Nothing,” Star interrupted.
Yuri gazed at him, confusion on his face. That they were lovers wasn’t a secret, and the vision shouldn’t have been shocking. Why was it embarrassing to find himself overwhelmed by his lust for two of his lovers? He could have all of them, and had, but worried Yuri would judge him. Was that stupid? He was afraid to ask.
Star hoped the glasses hid some of his overwhelm. He wasn’t ready for this trip into his past, but he never would be. Would Yuri stop loving him when he knew the truth?
Wait…
Yuri knew the truth. Star gave Radu everything and Radu gifted it all to Yuri. Every failure, every fear, every moment of bleak acceptance, laid out for Yuri to decide. And what had Yuri chosen? He released Star, despite knowing how much it would tear his heart into shreds.
Yuri hadn’t known Star would return as an incarnation he’d spent centuries building. But he released Star anyway, intent on giving his lover peace and freedom rather than sparing himselfpain. That was what the others had been telling him love was. Sacrifice, yes, but so much more.
Star gripped Yuri’s hand, staring at him and letting a thousand faded memories flit through his mind. Only the ones of this life remained vivid. Their night before the world came apart, only the last of their many hidden encounters. Star had gotten very good at erasing memories from his lovers. The list of reasons it made sense to rip himself out of their lives trailed into the abyss with an endless array of excuses. It all came back to fear of rejection.
Yuri gazed up at him, his touch letting Star open himself to share everything. Star couldn’t help but study his face. Yuri didn’t speak, only squeezed Star’s hand and settled back into the seat, unperturbed.
“You mentioned there are plans to build more cities like Auroi?” Radu asked Lucian as the carriage rolled down a set path through the woods and up a hill toward the city.
“Two others planned,” Lucian agreed. “One of them will be near the ruins of the castle. Many of our builders think we can reuse some materials. There aren’t enough Onari left to populate more than two.”
“Birth rates have been low for a long time,” Radu said.
“Time will tell if the Onari will persevere,” Lucian agreed. “We are almost to the city.”
“Will we need paperwork to get in?” Yuri asked. “IDs or something?”
“No,” Lucian said. “You’ll be documented, but the process is for tracking. I’ll be with you the whole time. It should take only a few minutes.”
The city gates rose around them, a line of the self-mobile carriages pausing and rolling to let people out and return to the dock.
“Wow,” Yuri said, leaning over Star to look out at the first glimpse of the city. Plants grew up the sides of buildings, trees towered, creating shade and flowering displays, several water fountains bubbled. The carriage rolled them into a station and stopped. Lucian opened the door and stepped out with everyone following him.
Yuri stared, riveted. “It’s so beautiful.”
“We haven’t even made it to the city center yet,” Lucian said with a smile. “The city has wondrous architecture. You’ll also find several species living here in unity, humans, Onari, and more.”
Star gazed at the growing spread of darkness. “It’s getting dark,” he said. “We should get moving.” The trip had taken them most of the day.
“I forgot to ask why the anchor was outside the city. Is it so people don’t know you can travel between realms?” Yuri asked.
Lucian shook his head. “We can’t travel directly into the city, or any closer than that spot we landed.”
“There are a few other worlds that have barriers like that too,” Theo said. “Like Barney’s world. Their barrier sends travelers way outside the cities. It’s a big deterrent to travelers.”
“I’m surprised Barney didn’t come with us.” Yuri grabbed Star’s hand as Lucian led them to the main travel office to check in.
“He garners a lot of attention, and he says his magic gets a little strange inside the barriers of Auroi,” Lucian said.
“I forgot he talks to you.” Yuri tapped his temple. “Inside your head.”
“He’s considered a prince of sorts among his people, and that means we have more diplomatic issues,” Lucian said. “Guards, negotiation, etcetera.”
