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.His hand felt heavy, and somehow he'd completely forgotten that it was covered in blood.It was sticky, tacky.Culebracurled the hand into a fist and pressed it to his forehead, fighting for the composure he'd had only seconds before.Why couldn't he just be a prince? He'd given up his godhood& he didn't want to remember why, just thinking of it made himsick.What was it he'd said only moments ago?Even gods make great and terrible mistakes.Licht.Himself& and one other& Culebra shuddered, forcing the knowledge away.He didn't want to know.He started to reach again for his bandages, then once again remembered his hand, covered in blood.Culebra froze, nolonger certain what he should be doing.With his clean hand, he reached out to grasp the ends of the long wrap, but asthings stood he could not cover his eyes alone.That was always the problem, wasn't it? He could not bear to go back to doing everything alone.No matter who surroundedhim, his priests, his brothers scattered over the world& always he was down here in his temple alone.No one wanted to be close to death; even his most devout worshippers, his most adoring children, had kept a distance.Hehad friends now& but that would change.Even Corinos& Culebra swallowed, finding it hard to breath, as he thought of theway Corinos would eventually want nothing to do with him.Hadn't that been what he'd always feared? That the one person he loved more than life, wanted more than even a chanceto see, would eventually realize that loving a god of death was not worth it?Precious few had been the lovers he'd taken, always hopeful he would find someone amongst the mortals as Tsunamihad& someone adoring and loyal as Zhar Ptitka had found& a bond that nothing could break, such as the Faerie Queenshared with her Guardians& a devotion that stopped at nothing, as Teufel had once loved Licht&.No one could love death, not for long.Nor did anyone want to help.Culebra let go of his wrappings, let the rose roll to thefloor as he buried his head in his hands.Only one lover had he thought would last, and that one had turned into a betrayal& had turned into murder& had turned intosuicide&Culebra gripped his head tightly, willing away memories he had not wanted ever to resurface.He did not want to be the Basilisk!So caught up in his turmoil was he, Culebra did not realize the others had returned until a hand fell heavily upon hisshoulder.He jumped, then buried his face in his hands."Go away," he said hoarsely."I still need to cover my eyes& I don'twant& "Corinos ignored him, as he always did, and forced Culebra to his feet."Come, Highness.You need to get cleaned up,you've blood all over you& and I will wrap your eyes." Rough, calloused hands gently cupped his face, and Culebra smelledcoffee, a trace of sweet cigar, before Corinos's mouth covered his.How had he gone so long without kissing this man? Corinos tasted both bitter and sweet, a mingling of coffee, cigar, a hintof sugar.He was warm, and his arms made Culebra feel as though his worries were far away.He slid his hands upCorinos's chest, feeling firm muscle beneath the rough fabric of his shirt, then slid his arms around Corinos's neck, holdinghim close, wanting it to never end.This was all he wanted.He deepened the kiss, desperate to drive away all the doubtsthat wanted to take hold and ruin his brief happiness."Culebra," Corinos said when they finally broke apart, his dark sugar voice rough, unsteady."We should get you cleanedup."file:///H|/NOVEL/New%20novel/3.htm[9/25/2009 10:25:54 AM]AmaSour FictionCulebra nodded, willing to go along with whatever kept his black thoughts at bay for a little longer.They would rest.In themorning& perhaps they could simply close the temple and leave&"So this is the infamous Stone Rose?" Cortez asked, and Culebra whipped around as he heard her pick it up."It truly is asbeautiful as legend says.""Put it down!" Culebra bellowed."Do not touch that cursed thing!"Cortez snorted."I won't hurt it, Highness.""I hope not," Culebra said."You would not want the burdens that come with its destruction.Those that I already endure arehard enough.Put it down, Cortez."Fingers stroked gently through his hair, and Culebra allowed Corinos to tug him close again."Culebra," Corinos said softly."Do not let it unsettle you so."Culebra buried his face against Corinos's chest, desperate to drive away memories that refused to stay buried."I do notwant to go back to that.I am just a mortal now; why will no one leave me in peace?"Hands soothed up and down his arm, but the normally warming gesture failed to comfort.Cortez snorted."You brood too much, Highness.You also need to learn to relax.No one is making you do anything.Though I will say it's rather strange you're so against this& I mean it's one thing for us to panic at the thought& but you'realready mostly a god [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]