Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL) Chapter 125 - 120: Mates (2)

Damian was drifting in and out of sleep, comfortably wrapped in the lingering warmth of Gabriel’s body beside him, when the sound of heavy curtains being yanked open shattered the peaceful atmosphere of the room.

The sudden burst of sunlight flooded the chamber, making Damian groan as he instinctively pulled the blankets over his head. His brows furrowed deeply, irritation seeping into his bones before he even fully registered what was happening.

"Good morning, Your Hignesses," ca Edward’s far too chipper voice.

Damian growled lowly from beneath the covers, cracking one golden eye open to glare at his butler, who was now making his way across the room, pushing open the massive windows one by one. A crisp breeze rushed in, clearing the heavy scent that had settled overnight.

Gabriel stirred beside him, groaning as he turned onto his stomach, burying his face into the pillows. "Tell this is a dream," he mumbled, voice muffled. "Please tell he didn’t actually co in here and start throwing windows open."

Edward, utterly unfazed as always, adjusted one of the heavy drapes before straightening his posture. "I assure you, Gabriel, this is very much real. And necessary."

Damian let out a slow exhale, rubbing his face before sitting up, his patience already thinning. "Edward, what exactly are you doing?"

Edward, ever the picture of composed professionalism, folded his hands behind his back. "Your Majesty, I had no choice. I could not, in good conscience, send beta attendants into this room with the air as it was. Soone might’ve developed oga traits from the sheer concentration of your pheromones."

Gabriel’s shoulders shook slightly. Damian turned to him, narrowing his eyes as he realized Gabriel was shaking with laughter.

"Edward," Damian said, voice dangerously even. "Are you implying that simply stepping into my chambers could alter soone’s second gender?"

Edward tilted his head slightly, as if giving the question deep thought. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, given your... potency, I would not rule it out."

Damian stared at him, unblinking. "You’ve worked for too long."

Edward allowed himself a faint smile. "Indeed. Long enough to know when to open the windows before the air itself starts to shimr."

Damian groaned again, dragging a hand over his face. "You enjoy this far too much."

"Only when it’s deserved," Edward replied smoothly. "And this morning, I’d say the atmosphere alone earned at least a little amusent."

Gabriel wheezed, finally turning his head from the pillows, eyes bright with amusent. "Edward, you should really leave before he decides to execute you."

Edward simply inclined his head. "Noted, Gabriel. Breakfast will be ready shortly." And with that, he turned and left, his composure never faltering.

Damian exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple before flopping back onto the bed. "I hate him."

Gabriel, still laughing, rolled over onto his side, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at Damian. "No, you don’t."

Damian sighed, turning his head to et Gabriel’s gaze. "No, I don’t. But one day, he’ll push too far."

Gabriel smirked. "And that day will be entertaining."

Damian groaned but finally sat up properly, stretching out his muscles. "Co on, we need to shower. Otherwise we could give Edward a heart attack."

Gabriel sighed dramatically, rolling onto his back. He was sore in ways he hadn’t anticipated, his body aching from the intensity of the night before. More than that, there was undeniable evidence of what had transpired, Damian’s seed still warm inside him, slick against his thighs. A deep flush crept up Gabriel’s neck, though he masked it well as he pushed himself up.

Damian caught the sight of Gabriel’s skin, flushed, marked, and still bearing traces of him, and for a fleeting second, desire stirred in his gut again. He cursed under his breath, realizing how easily the mory, the scent, the image could undo his self-control.

Damian went to the bathroom; he needed to get away from Gabriel; the previous night was enough for his mate, even if Gabriel was proud enough to hide it. The fixtures humd to life as he activated the ether-powered controls. Instead of heading for the shower, he turned toward the large soaking tub nestled beneath the arched windows and began running a hot bath.

The sound of water rushing into the marble basin filled the room, steam curling into the air. Damian added a asure of oil from a nearby vial, sothing calming and ant to soothe the muscles. Only once the bath was half full did he glance over his shoulder.

Gabriel was stretching, wincing slightly.

"That for or are you planning to baptize yourself before breakfast?"

Damian didn’t look back. "You’re sore. And don’t pretend otherwise. Get in before Edward cos back and drags you out of bed himself."

Damian’s golden eyes glead with satisfaction as Gabriel sank fully into the steaming water, his breath catching before he exhaled, head tilting back with a relieved groan.

"Fuck," he breathed, his head falling back against the cool marble edge. His whole body eased slowly, muscles unclenching inch by inch. The warmth cradled him, wrapping around all the places that still throbbed from the night before.

"I should’ve stayed in bed," Gabriel mumbled, eyes fluttering closed. "This is going to ruin ."

"You’ll live," Damian said, though his voice had softened just slightly.

Gabriel tilted his head back against the marble edge, letting the heat seep into his bones. "Debatable," he muttered, one arm draped lazily over the rim of the tub.

Steam filled the space between them, warm and thick, muting the world outside. Gabriel closed his eyes again, fingers idly trailing through the water, his face unreadable. But inside his thoughts buzzed.

He had not expected it to feel that way. He had not expected the intensity or the way it had unraveled him. Damian hadn’t known, still didn’t know that he was his first one as the one receiving. And Gabriel didn’t plan on telling him.

He wasn’t fragile. He didn’t want to be treated like sothing breakable.

However, his body rembered every mont, every press and stretch, every surrender. He hadn’t known it could feel like that.

’It hurts. Why the fuck do I want to do it even more now? I’ve lost my mind.’ He thought while washing his face to hide his flushed cheeks.

Across the room, Damian finished his shower and stepped out, toweling off. His golden eyes flicked to Gabriel again, lingering briefly on the sight of him in the bath, flushed skin, water beading along his throat, the faintest bruise just visible above his collarbone.

"You staying in there all morning?" Damian asked, his voice casual but low, barely preventing him from joining Gabriel in the bathtub.

"Tempting," Gabriel murmured. "You planning to carry to breakfast if I say yes?"

Damian smirked. "I should."

Gabriel cracked one eye open. "Try it, and I swear I’ll bite you."

Damian’s gaze glead. "Don’t threaten with a good ti."

Gabriel rolled his eyes and sank his head into the water, letting the steam blur the corners of his thoughts.