Chapter 35

Marks

Raphael shot him a teasing look, his lips curving into a devilish smile.

The forest around them was bathed in the golden hues of late afternoon, a light so warm it seemed to melt into the leaves. A soft rustle drifted through the high branches above, but the world here, in this intimate clearing, felt still — suspended. Raphael’s gaze glittered with mischief, the kind that both taunted and invited, his dark brown hair framing his face in soft waves as it caught flecks of sun between the branches. The way he held himself — relaxed yet charged — sent a spark through the air.

– I bet you say that to all the guys you want to score – he quipped, the glint in his eyes unmistakable.

There was boldness in his voice, but also something more delicate simmering beneath: anticipation, desire, and a flicker of vulnerability he refused to let show too easily. His body remained perfectly still, but inside, he could feel the flutter of heat that had begun to burn deep in his core.

Orion pulled back slightly, a playful grin spreading across his face as their gazes locked.

His silver eyes caught the dappled light, shimmering like quicksilver in the late sun. That grin — half-smirk, half-promise — curled at the corners of his mouth like he already knew how this night would end. The slight movement of his breath lifted his chest, and Raphael noticed how even now, Orion seemed to carry magic in every motion.

– Guilty as charged, handsome. – He tapped Raphael’s nose lightly. – But for real, I’ve never meant it more. You’re the only guy I’m actively trying to score with right now.

The warmth of his finger on Raphael’s skin was fleeting, but it left a trail of awareness, like the echo of a spell cast with a whisper. Raphael’s lips parted slightly, heart skipping, caught somewhere between amusement and something far more primal.

– So what are you waiting for? – Raphael’s grin widened, mischief flashing in his eyes.

Orion leaned in again, his lips capturing Raphael’s in a kiss that was hungry, passionate, and left no doubt about his intentions.

The kiss landed like a spell — overwhelming, absolute. Their mouths moved together with greedy rhythm, no hesitations, no holding back. Raphael let himself fall into it, into the weight of Orion’s body, the press of his chest, the heat blooming between them. His hands clutched at Orion’s sides, pulling him in, needing more.

His hands roamed over Raphael’s body, drawing him closer as the kiss deepened.

They moved with purpose, palms sliding under fabric, along curves and ridges of muscle, fingertips catching on bare skin. The scent of pine, crushed moss, and the faint sweetness of wildflowers filled Raphael’s senses — but it was Orion’s touch that consumed him entirely.

– I’m not waiting for anything.

– Gooood… – Raphael’s voice was low and breathy, his grin lingering.

The word came out half-murmur, half-moan, his lungs barely catching up to the fire blooming through his veins. He felt the rough bark of the tree behind him as he leaned back slightly, his hands still gripping Orion like an anchor in a storm.

Orion’s hands slid down to his waist, lifting him with ease and pressing him against the nearest tree.

The world tipped for a moment, then steadied as he was pinned — his back to bark, his legs instinctively wrapping around Orion’s hips. There was nothing hesitant in the way Orion moved, nothing uncertain in the way he held him. It was raw need, made physical.

His kisses trailed down Raphael’s neck, words muffled against skin.

The warmth of his breath against his throat sent shivers down Raphael’s spine. His lips moved with slow, wet pressure, lingering at the sensitive hollow beneath his ear, where heat pooled fast and uncontrollably.

– You’re really gonna let me have my way with you right here in the middle of the forest?

– Show me what you’ve got. You’re my guide here, aren’t you?

The challenge in his voice was breathy, laced with arousal, but still sharp — as if he was daring Orion to take the next step, to stop teasing and start claiming.

Orion growled playfully against his neck, gripping Raphael’s bottom possessively and spreading his legs around his waist.

The low rumble vibrated against Raphael’s skin, making him twitch, ache. The way Orion grabbed him — like he belonged to him — lit something dangerous and delicious deep in his chest.

The hardness pressing into him left no doubt.

– Alright, handsome. Since you’re putting it that way, let me show you exactly what kind of guide I can be.

– Can’t wait.

Orion’s lips claimed his again, this time searing with intensity.

Their mouths met with bruising force. Raphael’s body trembled, hands sliding over Orion’s bare back as heat exploded between them. There was no space for thought, only sensation.

He ground against him with growing urgency, his fingers slipping between them to unbutton Raphael’s pants.

Buttons popped with impatient finesse, each one opening the space between them more. Orion’s hands moved with growing boldness, yet every touch still held precision, like he knew exactly what would make Raphael gasp.

As he pushed them down, his fingers brushed against Raphael’s hardness.

A sharp moan escaped him, hips bucking involuntarily into the touch. His nails bit into Orion’s skin. Every inch of contact now seemed to spark, pulse, burn.

– Fuck, you’re so hot.

– You too – Raphael murmured, passion lacing his voice.

The words fell out like an offering, helpless, honest.

Orion kicked off his own pants, now completely bare between Raphael’s thighs.

The contrast of skin against skin struck Raphael like lightning. The cool breeze ghosted over his flushed chest, but Orion’s heat erased everything else.

He paused to look down at him, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light.

There was hunger in that gaze, but also reverence — like he was seeing something sacred and about to defile it anyway, just because he’d been invited.

– You know I heal faster than humans, right? – he said with a smirk.

– Yes? But why are you picking that up now?

Orion chuckled darkly, his fingers tracing idle circles on Raphael’s thighs.

The motion was maddening — both soothing and a warning.

– Because I plan on being rough with you. Really rough. And I don’t want you worrying about hurting me or anything. – His hand moved to grip Raphael’s length. – Can handle that?

– Let’s find out.

Orion’s eyes flared with supernatural power. He lifted Raphael higher, pinning him harder against the tree as his hips snapped forward. With a single, brutal thrust, he entered him, not bothering to be gentle.

– Ugh – Raphael groaned, the sudden fullness catching his breath.

Orion smirked at the sound, pulling back only to slam into him again, harder. The tree shook with the force of his thrusts, leaves falling like rain around them.

– Too much? – he asked mockingly between ruthless movements.

– Never!

Orion’s smirk turned feral. He picked up the pace, driving into Raphael with unrelenting force, hands gripping his thighs tightly to keep him in place.

– Good boy.

Raphael’s fingers wandered over Orion’s back, nails raking down in a frenzy of pleasure as each sharp push drew a gasp from his lips.

Orion arched into the sensation, a hiss escaping him before it melted into a moan.

– Fuck, yes. Claim me like that…

– Ohhhh it feels sooo good…

The sound of Raphael’s moans mingled with the forest air. His claws dug deeper, and Orion lost himself in the raw, primal rhythm of their passion. His thrusts grew erratic, chasing his climax with wild hunger. He leaned in, sinking his sharp canines into Raphael’s collarbone—marking him.

– I’m close…

Orion released the bite with a smile. His eyes were wild, pupils dilated with lust. Drops of Raphael’s blood fell to the ground leaving intense red mark on a green moss.

– Come for me – he rasped, shifting his hips to hit that perfect spot again and again.

Their cries echoed through the woods as they climaxed together—Raphael’s release spilling between them, Orion’s hot seed filling him as the bark bit into Raphael’s back. But the only thing he could feel was the burning connection between them—raw, magical, undeniable.

He glanced down at the thin line of blood on his collarbone, touching it curiously.

– I didn’t know witches bite.

Orion chuckled breathlessly, his forehead resting against Raphael’s as he slowly withdrew.

– I’m a witch with supernatural abilities, remember? My bite is… special.

– Yes?

He bared his fangs again, the sharp points glinting.

– My bite not only marks you physically, but it also binds our magic together temporarily. You might feel a little… different for the next few days. – He ran his fingers through Raphael’s hair, possessive and gentle.

– I hope it doesn’t mean any possession or something. I’m not planning to be possessed by anyone.

Orion laughed, amused by the concern.

– No, no, nothing so dramatic! It’s more like… our powers intertwine, heightening both our senses, amplifying certain magics, but only when we want it to. No possession involved. Just a deeper connection. – He tapped Raphael’s nose playfully.

– Nice.

Raphael suddenly felt a tickling sensation at the bite mark… and then, it started to close on its own.

Orion’s eyes widened as he watched.

– See? That’s the binding magic at work. It speeds up healing and enhances physical abilities too. – He brushed his fingers gently over the now-healed skin.

– Oh. I thought that it was my doing and I found a new ability. Uff…

Orion chuckled, his eyes gleaming.

– Trust me, if you had suddenly developed the ability to heal wounds with just a touch, I’d be terrified! – He tapped Raphael’s nose again. – Nah, that was all my witchy mojo. Pretty impressive, right?

– Yes. But you would be surprised with other crazy things that happened to me.

Orion’s curiosity peaked. He propped himself up, eyes narrowing in interest.

– Oh really? Care to share some of these crazy things you’ve been through?

– Sure, I’ll tell you but another time. There were so many things and situations already. So now not many things can really surprise me.

The sunlight filtered through the high branches above them, painting shifting patterns across the forest floor. The air still pulsed faintly with the heat of their encounter — thick with pine, sweat, and the charged hum of residual magic. Raphael’s voice was steady, but his chest still rose and fell a touch faster than usual. His skin tingled where Orion had touched him, kissed him, claimed him — especially along the faint line on his collarbone where the bite had been. There was a flicker of satisfaction in his gaze, a quiet challenge in the calmness he projected.

Orion grinned wickedly.

The silver in his eyes gleamed beneath the canopy’s light, mischief blooming across his face like a second sunrise.

– Well then, I’ll just have to make sure our next encounter is extra memorable. – He leaned down and kissed the healed bite mark.

The kiss was soft, reverent, a stark contrast to the ferocity from minutes earlier. Raphael stilled, his breath catching faintly as Orion’s lips brushed the now-smooth skin. The forest around them felt like it held its breath, watching the tenderness unfold like a secret.

– I have to admit that this one was quite remarkable.

The words came from deep in his chest, a quiet murmur edged with reluctant awe. The kind of admission that felt dangerous and intimate and real.

Orion smiled against his skin.

His lips curled in silent satisfaction, pressing into Raphael one last time before lifting his head.

– I’m glad you think so. – He pulled back to look into Raphael’s eyes. – Because I plan on making every encounter with you just as remarkable.

Their gazes locked — sapphire meeting starlight, blue and silver — and for a moment, it was as if the forest dimmed around them, letting the weight of those words settle between their chests.

– I’ll keep your word for it.

There was a flicker in Raphael’s expression — half amusement, half warning — but his voice remained smooth, deliberately casual. Beneath the surface, though, something shifted. His pulse betrayed him.

He traced Raphael’s jawline.

Fingertips brushed along his skin, lingering for a beat too long, light but possessive — like Orion was memorizing him with touch alone.

– You should. For someone who claims nothing surprises them anymore, you’re actually pretty easy to impress.

– Is that so?

The playful tone in Raphael’s voice masked the subtle spark of defensiveness in his chest. He arched an eyebrow, lips twitching upward. He knew exactly what game Orion was playing — and maybe he liked it more than he wanted to admit.

Orion burst into laughter.

The sound was unrestrained, rich, echoing off the nearby trees. It made birds rustle in the branches above. There was no mockery in it — just genuine amusement and maybe a bit of admiration.

– I’m messing with you. But honestly – I had a really good time with you here.

– Thank you. It was a great time for me as well. But I think we should be heading back to school. It’s almost dinner time.

The shift in tone was gentle, natural. Raphael glanced toward the fading light above, the golden sky bleeding slowly into dusk. The thought of returning to the structured world of Amaltea felt distant — but necessary.

Orion stretched lazily.

His spine arched as he reached upward, muscles flexing beneath his skin before he relaxed again. The movement was feline, indulgent — like he’d just awoken from a very good dream.

– You’re probably right. Can’t have the school thinking their favourite witch is skipping meals again. – He threw on his shirt, leaving it untucked. – Race you back?

– Sure.

Raphael’s voice held a quiet amusement. He was already calculating the distance to the portal in his mind.

– Ready… set… – he counted playfully, then shot off with supernatural speed. – Go! – he called back. – And don’t say I never let you win!

A grin spread across Raphael’s face. In a blink, he teleported straight to the portal.

The air shimmered slightly where he had stood, and when he reappeared — just at the edge of the academy grounds — the look on his face was pure mischief.

– Oh! Here you are? What took you so long?

Orion skidded to a halt, eyes widening in surprise before laughter burst from his chest.

His breath came in a huff, and he bent forward slightly, hands on his knees as he looked up with a wide grin.

– You cheater! – he grinned. – How did you…

– I have my ways. You’re not the only one gifted here.

Orion approached him, still chuckling.

His gaze shimmered with something like admiration as he closed the distance between them.

– Well, I’ll be damned. I think I might have met my match. – He paused. – So, since you beat me ‘fair and square”, I suppose I owe you something. – he added grinning

– And what will that be?

He tapped his chin.

His expression turned exaggeratedly thoughtful, as if the question required careful reflection.

– Hmm, let me think… how about I owe you a favour? Any favour you might need from your incredibly talented witch friend someday.

– Ok. Favor it is. Now let’s go back to school.

Orion smiled and took his hand.

Fingers intertwined naturally, effortlessly, and the gesture held a weight that neither of them acknowledged aloud — a promise, maybe, or just something simple and steady amid all the chaos.

– As you wish, my clever little smartass.

Hand in hand, they stepped through the portal and back into the world of Amaltea Academy.

The energy of the barrier rippled around them, cool and tingling. On the other side, the fading twilight cast long shadows across the stone courtyard, the hum of evening life returning: voices, footsteps, the distant sound of music in the common hall.

– Ok, bye. See you later.

Orion gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

– See you later.

He watched Raphael go, a fond smile still on his lips before turning toward his own path.

There was a lightness in his step, but the smile lingered — something unspoken hanging between them like unfinished magic.

After the lovers had left, silence reclaimed Lumina Springs. Beneath the tree that had silently borne witness to their intimate union, only traces remained: trampled moss, crushed grass… and something else. On the velvet green, a vivid stain of crimson blood glistened—so bright it seemed to emit its own light, pulsing softly as if it were alive. Almost magical.

At first, nothing moved.

Then, something began to stir.

A soft rustling passed through the undergrowth. Tiny insects, disturbed by a presence they could not understand, scurried away in all directions. Winged creatures shimmered briefly in the air before darting into the foliage, as if sensing something sacred—or dangerous—unfolding in their midst. Even the smallest of magical beings, no larger than fallen petals, paused in their paths, trembling, before vanishing between leaves and bark. Whatever was happening, they wanted no part in it.

The blood, until then motionless, started to sink into the earth. Slowly, deliberately, as though drawn by an unseen force, it vanished beneath the moss, leaving behind a scorched mark—dark and raw, where the gleam had just been. Around it, a bluish glow began to spread, gently radiating outward like the breath of something ancient awakening.

Now, not a single sound broke the stillness. The air seemed held in suspension.

The trace of blood now shimmered with its own light—first faint, then intensifying, until suddenly… it began to fade. Gradually, silently, without a sound. And soon, it was gone. Not even the scorched mark remained. As if it had never been there.

Then nature took over.

The moss around the spot began to surge with life, spreading rapidly, vibrant and lush. The flattened grass lifted and straightened, reaching upward as if enchanted. Within moments, a thick green carpet covered everything—concealing the place, hiding the trace, burying the memory.

The nearby creatures felt it —an unfamiliar pulse radiating from the very heart of that spot, subtle yet commanding. Something in it urged them to flee, to turn away without looking back.