When Marduk set off for the gardens the next morning, he spotted his classmates heading toward Shamash’s class in the distance, but he had no intention of going. Although punishment for his act of defiance was inevitable, he planned on avoiding it for as long as he could. He wandered through the gardens looking out for Akad until he came upon a secluded stone bathhouse with vines crawling up the sides of the door. Inside was a large rectangular pool that stretched out before him, the vine-thatched roof casting a checkered pattern over the water. Marduk sank down next to the wall beside the door and buried his head in his hands. The fact that he had not yet seen Akad made his gut churn painfully. Had he come off too strong the day before? Was it possible he’d ruined his chances? He still wasn’t sure why he was chasing Akad. Maybe it was because Akad had no connection with the Order. Akad was the only thing real in his life. All Marduk knew for sure was that Akad made him feel something he had never felt before.
After a while, a rustling sound startled him from his reverie. Marduk looked up just as Akad stepped through the door and smiled down at him.
“Akad.” Marduk rose, smiling. It took everything he had to keep from rushing to him and crashing into his arms. Akad moved toward him, and when their lips came together, all of his worries were replaced by a glowing sense of elation. Marduk pulled Akad farther into the bathhouse and ripped Akad’s tunic off over his head.
“Marduk ...” Akad protested, but his attempt to resist was too weak to stop him. Marduk immediately unlatched Akad’s skirt, letting it drop to the floor, and in a matter of moments, Akad stood naked before him. Marduk’s breath left him. He stood paralyzed, stunned by Akad’s beauty. His hard body and impressive erect member stood in contrast to Akad’s beautiful long hair and smooth, blushing complexion. Marduk pressed Akad’s bare body into the wall with his own, kissing him deeply, his heart brimming with an intense desire to possess him. He breathed him in while he wrapped his fingers around Akad’s hardness. Akad’s body became rigid, but before Akad could break free, Marduk dropped to his knees and teased his tongue along the head of his cock.
“Ahhh.” Akad’s body jerked. “Marduk, what are you—” He began, but Marduk swiftly enveloped his cock, cutting his protest short. Akad groaned, his back hitting the wall.
“Marduk—please don’t,” he protested, but his hand slid down to Marduk’s head, instinctively pulling him in, burying his cock deeper in Marduk’s mouth. Marduk took him in fully, relishing in how Akad’s body trembled in his grasp. In that moment, Akad was his and his alone. He held tightly to Akad’s ass, making love to his cock until Akad shuddered and quaked in his grasp. Then he swallowed Akad’s length, taking him deeper, until Akad came undone, writhing in his arms as his essence flooded into him. When Akad pulled him back, Marduk looked up to find Akad staring down at him with labored breath and flushed complexion.
“Marduk,” Akad finally breathed. “You didn’t have to do that.” Marduk furrowed his brow and immediately thought of the Order. If a god put his dick in his mouth, it was to humiliate him, but his experience with Akad was different. Marduk rose to his feet and wrapped his arms around Akad’s shoulders.
“This was what I wanted, Akad. I wanted to taste you and bring you pleasure. If we both want each other, we should love each other without shame.”
Akad’s blush deepened. Then he lowered his eyes and bit his lip. Marduk smiled and caressed his cheek with his lips. Akad’s innocence drew him in.
“Akad ...” he said, running his hand into Akad’s silky, brown hair. Marduk wanted to tell him not to worry, that he didn’t have to do anything until he was ready, but the words were stuck in his throat. He knew this was a lie. Akad was a virgin; Marduk could potentially use him to gain freedom from the Order. He didn’t want that hanging over them. He wouldn’t feel right about his intentions until he remedied the situation.
“Let’s get in the water,” Marduk finally said. Stripping away his clothing, he led Akad into the pool and then pulled him into his arms. Their lips came together and soon they were melting into one another. Akad’s sex swelled against his, igniting a fire inside him.
“I want you,” Marduk said, letting his cock slide between Akad’s thighs. Akad jerked back, his body stiffening, but Marduk held him tightly to his chest.
“I want to be inside you, Akad,” Marduk said. “I want you in every possible way.”
Akad breathed heavily. “I can’t,” he replied, distress darkening his expression.
“I won’t hurt you.”
“Uh ...” Akad exhaled sharply. “It’s not that.” His eyes shifted as if he wanted to flee.
A smile spread along Marduk’s lips. Akad’s shyness was so adorable. He tipped Akad’s chin up, gazing into his green eyes. Akad’s expression was uneasy. Damp strands of his long hair lay over his bare shoulders, and his chest heaved with measured breaths. Marduk planted a kiss on Akad’s collarbone, then another on his neck and his chin until he reached Akad’s lips once more. Marduk kissed Akad playfully on the lips. Then he took Akad’s hand in his, guiding it down to his own cock.
“You can touch me,” Marduk whispered. Akad blushed as he tightened his fingers around Marduk’s shaft, the pressure of his grasp sending a shock through his body. Marduk suppressed a groan.
Then Akad’s expression darkened. Akad ran a hand into Marduk’s hair and Akad took possession of his mouth, kissing him urgently until the heat rose within him once more. Marduk began to ponder the sudden change, when Akad broke their embrace, spun him around, and bent him over the side of the pool. Marduk lost his breath as fear spiked through him. He tried to brace his body, but his hands slipped on the wet stone.
“I’m going to have you now,” Akad said. Then he pressed Marduk’s body to the stone, and his cock tore into him. Marduk cried out, pain splintering his vision. Akad fucked him so hard that the breath fled from his chest. The fear he had felt when Akad took him in the forest came back to him, his heart surging dangerously, the intensity of Akad’s assault turning him inside out. Then Akad’s hand closed around Marduk’s cock, making his mind and body burst with sensation. Marduk slammed into climax, coming hard in Akad’s hand. They were both coming together, but the shock of Akad’s violence left him suspended in a daze. His heart was still pounding and his thoughts were still whirling when Akad abruptly disengaged from his body. Marduk slumped to the stone, struggling to catch his breath. The water splashed and rippled as Akad left the pool. Marduk finally lifted his head to find Akad dressing.
“I have to go,” Akad said curtly.
Marduk’s heart sank, desperation seeping under his skin. Why did this feel so wrong? A heavy feeling pressed on his heart. Nothing about Akad made sense. He was timid one moment and a raging beast the next. Now it seemed like he was running away.
“When will I see you again?” Marduk asked, trying to muster his courage.
A shy smile came to Akad’s lips. “I’ll meet you tomorrow in the clearing,” he said, before slipping out of the bathhouse.
Marduk stayed in the water a moment longer. His mind was still spinning, trying to make sense of Akad. This god was making him crazy. Though Akad struck terror in him at times, and had just torn him open, Marduk still wanted him. He realized then that it was more than just desire; Marduk intensely needed him.
After stepping out of the water, Marduk slipped his tunic on and latched his skirt. He knelt down to lace his sandals, trying to ignore the churning in his gut. Akad had just fucked him and run off. Was Marduk doing something wrong? They had barely spoken a word to one another. Did Akad think he just wanted sex? Or was that all Akad wanted from him? Marduk resolved to slow down the next time they were together. When he finally finished with his sandals, he stood back up and then jumped with a start. Aya was standing in the doorway watching him.
“How long have you been there?” Marduk asked.
“Long enough.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“I’ve been waiting outside the door. I heard everything.”
Marduk stared at Aya, and his stomach dropped. “So, are you planning on running off to tell them?”
“Do you think they’re stupid, Marduk?” Aya said, sauntering toward him. “This is the second day you’ve skipped class. Shamash already suspects you’re with him.”
“Well, Anu isn’t the reason I skipped.”
“Was it because of Poseidon?”
Marduk turned away, his face hot.
“That’s actually why I’m here,” Aya continued. “I’m not supposed to tell you this, but they’re going to punish you for striking out at Poseidon.”
Marduk’s stomach constricted, and anger gripped his chest.
“How is it that Poseidon is even in the Order? You told me not to consider Anu since he’s the son of a council member. Poseidon’s father is also in the council. So does that mean he had a free ride? Did he even endure induction?”
“I wish I could tell you, Marduk. All I can say is that Poseidon has been in the Order longer than I have. He’s the one who pledged me to the Order. I don’t know whether or not he was inducted.”
Marduk crossed his arms and looked away.
“Look, Marduk, they’re having a party tonight in the lower hall, and afterward they’re going to hunt you again. Whoever captures you will be your new master.”
Aya’s message tore at his chest. Marduk covered his face with his hand, fighting back tears.
“Marduk, I’m telling you this because the party just started. If you go now, you may still have a chance to convince Shamash to keep you.”
“I’ll be there,” he said with defeat in his voice. No matter how much he despised Shamash, he needed him.
“I’m sorry, Marduk.” Aya turned to leave.
“Aya, wait ...” Marduk said, choking back his pride. “Please don’t tell them about Anu.”
“I know you don’t trust me, but I promise you I’ll say nothing about it. Just as long as you understand that my silence assures nothing. Shamash is already on to you, and it’s only a matter of time before they find out. I can’t say exactly what they’ll do, but you know they want young virgin gods. If you don’t want to give him up, well ... I don’t have to spell it out.”