Claimed by the Order (S-Gods, #1) (2 page)

“I think it’s time for us to go play, Marduk,” Shala said, giving him a wink.

M
arduk lay naked on Nanya’s white fur bed, his wrists bound to the wooden bed frame. The walls were draped with embroidered cloth studded with sparkling jewels. Shala lit another candle and set it on a stand by the bed just as Nanya walked in through a curtain separating the bedchamber from an adjoining room. Marduk stared up at the white stone ceiling and took a deep breath.

“Okay, so what’s the surprise?”

“Well, first we have to ask you some questions,” Shala said, sitting on the bed beside him. “You obviously have a thing for the great god Shamash, and you can’t keep your eyes off the beautiful young Aya. Since they are very different, I want you to tell me your fantasies concerning them both.”

“Are you kidding me?” Marduk chuckled. “You tied me up naked to ask me this?”

“Just answer the question. You’ll understand soon enough.” Shala stretched out on the bed by his side, and Nanya knelt on the other side of him.

“If you and Aya were ever together, what would you do with him?” Nanya asked.

“Well, I would kiss him, undress him, drive him crazy ...”

“Would you fuck him?”

Marduk smiled. “I’m pretty sure that would be on the top of my list.”

“Well, what about Shamash?” Shala asked, gliding her thumb over his lower lip. “If you were with him, what would you do together?”

“I don’t know.” Marduk’s face colored. “I’ve never been with a god before.”

“I’m sure you have an idea, Marduk. Would you let him control you?”

“Yes,” Marduk answered without even thinking.

“Would you let him fuck you?”

Pain jabbed his stomach. “I don’t know.” His face flushed. How could he answer this question? “I think I’d let him do whatever he wanted,” he finally replied.

Nanya squealed, and Shala released a sigh and kissed him. Marduk’s blush deepened.

“Marduk, you are the perfect lover.” Shala ran her hand over his chest. “Tell me what you prefer. Would you prefer to have a beauty like Aya or a powerful god like Shamash?”

Marduk closed his eyes. “Shala, that’s really hard to answer.”

“If you were going to lose your virginity one way or another tonight in our bedroom, which type of lover would you prefer?” 

“What are you talking about?”

“That’s your surprise, Marduk. Tonight, you’re going to be with a man.”

Marduk’s stomach dropped. “Okay, you can untie me now.”

“Answer me before I decide for you, and I’m thinking I really want to see you get fucked.”

“Shala! That’s not funny.” Marduk began to pull on his bindings.

Shala smiled and placed a blindfold over his eyes, plunging him into darkness.

“Okay. I would prefer someone like Aya.”

Shala kissed him again, and both goddesses got up off the bed. Marduk’s heart started pounding. Were they really doing this?

A few moments later, a door opened and footsteps approached. A hand touched his thigh, sending a shiver through his body. The touch was soft but rougher than that of a goddess. The hand slid up his thigh, along his pelvis, torso, and chest, before slipping behind his neck. Soft lips caressed his nipples, and his sex stiffened. When the man’s naked body brushed against his, Marduk’s muscles tensed, and his heartbeat quickened. All of a sudden, he wanted to break free. He had no idea who was touching him or what this man might do to him. His breathing became labored. Then the man leaned down close, lips hovering over his, and kissed Marduk gently. A vibrant shock shot through his body, making his cock even harder. He suddenly felt the need to possess the man’s mouth. He kissed the man back, and the instant the man yielded, allowing his tongue entrance, the taste of sweet peaches overwhelmed his senses. The man’s lips were like the nectar of the gods, and Marduk groaned, unable to restrain his desire. Never before had he tasted such heaven.
Where did they find this man?
The man’s slim, naked body lowered onto his own. Marduk’s breath hitched. He was too perfect.

“Who are you?” Marduk panted. He wanted to yank his wrists free from his bindings and tear off his blindfold to behold the beautiful creature lying on top of him. He waited for an answer, but the man said nothing.

“Answer me. Are you a man or a god?” Marduk persisted.

“A god,” a soft voice whispered. Marduk’s stomach dropped, and the blood seemed to drain from his limbs. What the hell were Shala and Nanya thinking? He struggled to rein in his senses.

“I want you to untie my hands. I need to touch you.”

“Marduk,” Shala’s voice came from beside the bed. “I’ll let him untie you as long as you keep your blindfold on.”

When his bindings were free, Marduk sat up, grabbed the slender god, and pulled him into his arms.

“I want to know who you are,” he said, running his hands over the god’s face, trying to match what he felt with a face that he knew. What god could they possibly bring to him that was like Aya? How many gods like Aya existed? Marduk let his hands glide down the god’s firm chest, exploring his sleek body, until his fingers clutched his perfect round butt. Marduk pulled him onto his lap so his legs were straddling his hips. Then he grasped the god’s erect member, eliciting a gasp, his body jerking from his touch. Marduk took a deep breath. Could he really do this? He didn’t even know who it was in his arms.
Could I really fuck him?

“Why did you agree to this?” Marduk released his cock and ran his hands over the god’s buttocks.

“I really like you,” the god whispered.

“Do you like me enough to let me fuck you?” Marduk dug his fingers into the underside of the god’s thighs.

“Yes,” he breathed.

“Do you think I would change my mind if I knew who you were?”

“No.” His voice wavered.

“Why did you agree to this? Why not approach me directly?”

“I ... I guess I was too shy.”

Marduk smiled, pulling the god closer. The meek responses made him want him more.

“I won’t fuck you unless I can look into your eyes while I’m inside you,” Marduk said, running his hands into the god’s silky hair. The god groaned into his neck, fingers clutching desperately to his back.

“Please, Marduk, just let me pleasure you.” The god kissed his neck, beginning a trail down his chest and abdomen, until his lips finally brushed against Marduk’s erect member. Marduk’s breath left him, and his heart began to pound. The god’s tongue caressed the base of Marduk’s hardness, gliding up his shaft and flicked between the slit before swirling around the head. Marduk’s eyes rolled back as the god’s lips slid over his head, fully encasing his throbbing cock. Hot pleasure rushed through his body. Then the god’s soft mouth began to slide up and down his hard flesh, making his brain misfire over and over until vibrant sparks of light spattered across his darkened vision and Marduk came undone, his climax rocketing through him. Right at that moment, the god’s throat constricted around his cock, swallowing him completely. Marduk’s stomach hollowed and he groaned, biting down on his lip, as he struggled to gain control of his senses.

When the waves of pleasure subsided, Marduk kissed the god again, holding him to his chest as he caught his breath.

That night he lay wondering who the god could have possibly been. It would be silly to fall for this mystery god after a blind sexual encounter, but there was something very alluring about him. Though Shala and Nanya were sworn to secrecy, he wouldn’t rest until he knew who it was.

T
he next morning, Marduk stepped out of the temple beneath a bright wash of sunlight. A line of cypress trees surrounded the temple grounds. On the other side of the clearing, sunlight sparkled on the pillars of a white marble pavilion, where a group of young gods was gathering. It was the first day of college at the Temple of Power. Marduk crossed the clearing, ascended the steps to the pavilion, and moved into the crowd until his eyes fell on Shala and Nanya lounging together on a chaise. The moment Shala saw him, she smiled and waved for him to join them. Marduk greeted them both with kisses and took a seat beside them.

“You’re just in time,” Shala said. “The great god Shamash will be arriving soon.”

Marduk’s heart skipped. Even though he’d had a god in his arms the night before, the prospect of seeing Shamash still rattled him.

“So when are you going to tell me who this mystery god is?” he asked, pinching Shala’s leg.

“Sorry, Marduk. The only way you’ll know is if he decides to tell you.” Shala smiled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

After returning her smile, Marduk gazed into the crowd, wondering who it could be. There was a podium to their right and a smattering of chaises around the perimeter of the stone pavilion. His eyes fell first on Poseidon and Zeus. Both gods were big and built, but the god in his bed had been slender and fine. His gaze shifted to a group of young gods who he had seen in the lounge the night before. One god had long sandy hair streaked with sunshine, and the other two had dark eyes and black hair. They were all slender in build, and two had long hair. He imagined it could be one of them, but it was also possible the god didn’t even attend the college. Marduk looked away.

Then his gaze finally fell on Aya sitting across from him, and his heartbeat quickened. Aya sat upright on a chaise, his legs stretched out before him, with his hands resting on his knees. Aya’s silky, black hair nearly covered his downcast eyes. Seeing Aya made all thoughts of the mystery god evaporate from his mind. Why dream of a god like Aya when he could have the real thing? Aya was right there before him; he just had to go for it. He’d never know his chances until he made an attempt to talk to him.

In the next moment, the conversation in the pavilion began to die down. The deities who were standing took seats as the great god Shamash emerged from the temple and began to head toward them. Marduk took in the god’s strong form, and his heart began to pound. His tall, firm body was adorned in an olive, form-fitting tunic, and select strands of his chestnut hair were tied in a bun atop his head, while the rest fell just past his shoulders. When Shamash reached the pavilion, he climbed the stairs and stood before the podium until everyone fell silent. His jaw was set in a firm line yet the look in his eyes appeared gentle and kind.

“Welcome to the Divine College at the Temple of Power,” Shamash announced. “You should all know by now that the use of your powers is suppressed on temple grounds. Though feeling mortal may be odd at first, do not let the absence of your powers make you feel lost or insecure. Instead, I want you to use your time at the temple to embrace and refine your mortal strengths. As young gods and goddesses, you are the future leadership of this world. I expect you all to train your bodies, refine your minds, and learn the social skills necessary to survive and thrive among the gods. This college is designed to give you advanced knowledge in history, sexuality, warfare, and the spirit world. All second and third years students will complete advanced projects for each of the subjects. You will find course details and locations for your classes on your schedule. I am the instructor for your history course and will be meeting you in the gardens shortly. Welcome, once again, and I wish you all success.” Shamash picked up a stack of papyrus on the bench by his side and waved his hand, beckoning to Aya.

When Aya arrived at his side, Shamash handed him the stack of schedules. Then Aya began to walk through the crowd, giving a schedule to each of the students. His expression was serious, but his smooth complexion and soft lips were more beautiful than that of a goddess. Marduk watched him until Aya was suddenly standing before him, a papyrus schedule in his outstretched hand. Marduk froze, and his voice caught in his throat.

“Thank you,” he managed, taking the papyrus. Aya smirked, flashing him a knowing look before continuing through the crowd. What would Aya think if he knew Marduk had fooled around with another god while dreaming it was him? He swallowed, ignoring the churning in his gut and looked down at the schedule. Along with the course descriptions was a map of the gardens displaying the location of each course.

Divine College at the Temple of Power

World History of the Gods

Instructor:
Mesopotamian god Shamash

Location:
The Mountain View Cove

Sexuality & Divine Pleasure

Instructor:
Egyptian goddess Isis

Location:
The Hot Springs Oasis

Combat & Divine Warfare

Instructor:
Egyptian god Seth

Location:
The Old Theater

The Spirit World, Demons, & Supernatural Forces 

Instructor:
Mesopotamian god Nanna-Sin

Location:
The Haunted Ruin

––––––––

“L
ook, our sexuality class is with Isis,” Nanya shrieked, throwing her arms around Shala.

“I’ve heard about this class,” Shala replied, her eyes alight. “You know, Marduk, Isis is going to pair us up for practical exercises.”

“Are you kidding?”

Shala laughed. “Me and Nanya will be together. Who’s your partner going to be?”

Marduk stared at Shala, and his heartbeat quickened. Then he glanced over at Aya. He knew what Shala was hinting at, and she was right. The idea of Aya being partnered with another made his stomach twist painfully. Time was running out. If he was going to make a move, it had to be now. When Aya finished handing out the schedules, the gods began to head out to their first class. Chatting and bantering, the group traversed the gardens until they reached the location marked on the map for their first class. It was a cove of large flat stones overlooking the mountains. Overhanging trees provided partial shade from the sun beating down on them.

Marduk scanned the crowd as they climbed up the rocks, until he spotted Aya already seated in the shade. Gathering his courage, Marduk climbed onto the stones and sat down beside him, but when Aya turned to look at him, Marduk’s stomach nearly flipped.