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“I am at your mercy. Are you to be a vengeful false idol, or merciful coward? No longer can you blame your vile acts on me.”
The Lamb stared down at the defeated god, now so small and weak just as they were before him. Oh, how easy it would be to slay the former deity. Just the thought drives them wild with a hunger that had grown ever since the crown first rested upon their head.
(no more a sacrifice, no less than a god, the crown whispered in a voice indescribable to mortals, spill his blood, lamb, take everything from him and ascend beyond divinity)
The Lamb could feel themselves salivating at the thought, but they held themselves back. No, his death would not serve them any more than his defeat will. Instead, an idea formed.
(a god reduced to a servant, the crown laughed, what a splendid idea, old chains for new chains)
“Stand, my faithful.” The Lamb smiled a devious smile. “You were lost, but now you have been found.”
The meaning was not lost to the former deity who picked himself up with outrage. “You weak, sniveling, foul thing! You—wait! Waaaiiiiiiit!”
The Lamb did not give him any more room to speak, opening a portal underneath his feet and sending him screaming to await his fate. The crosses that held their followers then lowered and the hellish realm was filled with cheers for The Lamb’s victory.
-0-
Their return heralded a grand feast. No, not just any grand feast. The grand feast, the grandest of them all. It was not held at the temple, for it would be too small as it currently is. It was held outside at the grand shrine with tables and chairs arranged all around, and every space on the table is littered with food of all kinds. It was a time of great merriment, for today is history in the making.
The Lamb stood at the center, demanding the attention of their followers. “My faithful, today is a wonderous day. Not only because we have finally triumphed over the hungering gods of the Old Faith, but because we stand on the grounds that will become the birthplace of a new faith! The True Faith!”
“LONG LIVE THE TRUE FAITH! PRAISE THE LAMB!” cheered the crowd, raising their filled mugs to the air in celebration.
The Lamb nods. “It pleases me to see such devotion from you all, which only excites me further to make this announcement! Valefar, Baalzebub, bring in our newest member!”
“Unhand me, peasants! Do you’ve any idea who you’re handling?!”
The indignant yell quieted the crowd as they beheld who exactly the two followers were bringing to the table and began a bout of murmuring among them. The Lamb held back a grin behind a smile as the former deity is shoved to their side, dirty rags replaced with the pristine clothes all their followers wear. Not that the three-eyed cat seemed appreciative.
“I understand your fears, my faithful. Mere moments ago, this traitor wished to spill our blood for his own selfish gains when we’ve shown nothing but devotion. But I ask you, trust in me as you have done so before.” The Lamb could feel their followers’ reluctance fading.
“The One Who Waits shall serve not just us, but as an example to the remaining heretics that not even gods are exempt from my doctrine. I taught you all that no mistake cannot be corrected, no sin too vile, and that no one is beyond the reach redemption. If there shall be justice, let it be us.”
Roused by their speech, the crowd cheered fervently. “PRAISE THE LAMB! PRAISE THE LAMB! PRAISE THE LAMB!”
The Lamb smiled. “Wonderful, my faithful. Then I suppose I will hear no objections to my next announcement?” Louder cheering was their reply. “Truly wonderful. Then I declare The One Who Waits as my new husband!”
For a moment, silence. Then—
“WHAT?!”
The slack jawed looks of their followers assured The Lamb that this was the most devious plan to ever be concocted. Narinder’s expression, which was a mixture of surprise and abject horror, sent the crown guffawing in their mind, the sound akin to shattering mirrors.
-0-
The marriage ritual did not take long, as seemed to be the nature of the crown’s power—never lingering and always hungering, but it didn’t stop Narinder from struggling all the way throughout. It amuses The Lamb how stubbornly the former deity held on to whatever is left of his pride, but pride doesn’t translate to power and The One Who Waits no longer has the strength he once had.
“What trickery is this, damned lamb?” Narinder growled, sitting as far away from them inside their now shared tent.
The flock insisted that Narinder be imprisoned, locked away at the edges of their land, but The Lamb refuted every single one of them by stating that such a fate is held only for dissenters who would attempt to poison their faith. Narinder has yet to dissent. In time, of course he will. But The Lamb is more than prepared for such an outcome.
The Lamb smiled with practiced ease. “I’ve no clue what you mean, beloved.” Narinder hissed at that. “Though you’ve hurt me and mine, I am still grateful for your gift of new life. This is my thanks.”
“Thank me by giving me what is rightfully mine, you traitor!” Narinder made to swipe at them, but The Lamb easily caught his paws by the wrist and pushed him down with them lying on top. This sudden shift in strength seemed to surprise the cat, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Yours, beloved? You forget who has defeated your siblings, their many followers, your followers, and finally you.” The kindness in their voice dissipated, replaced with confident triumph. “By right of conquest, this crown is mine. This flock is mine. And you?” They leaned closely to his ear and whispered, “Mine.”
Narinder struggled underneath them. A futile attempt, really, as the cat doesn’t seem to realize how weak he truly has become but The Lamb could not enjoy their revenge if he broke at the start so they allowed at least a little bit of wiggle room.
After two minutes of futile struggling, The Lamb relented and got off Narinder who immediately stood up in alarm. The Lamb sat back on their bedding, patting the spot beside them. “Come, beloved. Today has been trying for all of us, and the sooner we rest, the better we fair tomorrow, hm?”
“Never,” Narinder hissed, stomping away from them and to outside.
“Where will you go, Narinder?” The use of his name gave the cat pause. “Outside are my followers, eager to seek retribution stayed only by my word. Leave and you face them, and as you’ve seen, you’re no god now. So tell me, where will you go?”
The Lamb could see his paws ball up into clenched fists and they don’t need to read his mind to see the gears turning in them. “Come, rest your head. By my word as your spouse, you are safe here.”
Slowly, hesitantly, but surely, Narinder turns to them, his teeth gritting with obvious frustration and The Lamb could just laugh at how petulant it made him look. They pat the spot beside them again and without a word, the former deity took it, sitting beside them but with a fist-sized distance between them.
“The crown is mine, damned lamb. The moment you show weakness, I will take what is mine,” threatened Narinder.
The Lamb simply smiled. “Then wait with me, beloved. We’ve all the time in the world.”
(he will try, said the crown, eager with anticipation, and then he will fail)
The Lamb knew this, and they hoped it will be soon and persistent. For to truly break someone, hope must come first.
-0-
The day after was… Well, it wasn’t exactly better, but it also wasn’t worse. Narinder refused to eat anything, denying all that had and was offered, and this irked The Lamb. Death by starvation isn’t part of the plan, for Narinder’s suffering includes taking away his own choices, and so The Lamb force-fed him a hearty meal while being clawed and spat at. Their followers were outraged, screaming at the cat until The Lamb told them to stop.
“This is unbecoming of you, beloved,” The Lamb tsked, shaking their head in mock disappointment. “Food is to be valued, and here you are wasting the hard work of the flock.”
“Damn you, traitor!” Narinder spat again, glaring at them with as much anger he could muster. “You’ve humiliated me more than enough, what more do you want?!”
“Such arrogance, making this all about you.” The Lamb shook their head. “But you are right, this is about you and this hearty meal that I painstakingly prepared just for you, beloved.”
It took an embarrassingly long time to actually force Narinder to eat everything The Lamb fed him, but it was done, thank goodness. After that whole debacle, they told him to wait by their tent since he was so stubborn and doesn't wish to attend today's sermon.
On the way to the temple, perhaps unsurprisingly, it was Febre who first showed concern over Narinder’s freedom within the grounds.
“Dear Lamb, I do not mean to question your judgement, but is it truly wise to let The One Who Waits roam about so freely? The others are becoming uneasy of his presence.”
The Lamb smiled placatingly at their other spouse. “As they should, my first. Though he is powerless, one only need the will to do harm.” They wound both theirs and her hand together. “But I will not let him harm any of you. And as you know, death is no obstacle to me.”
Febre could only blush. “I—Of course, dear Lamb. Forgive me, I did not mean to doubt you.”
The Lamb chuckled and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, causing the female cat’s cheeks to redden even further. “There is nothing to forgive, my first.”
The day then proceeded as normal and the sermon ended with their followers renewed with vigor and as The Lamb exited the temple, they saw the former deity waiting for them just outside.
“I’ve never heard lies so blatant in all my years,” Narinder hissed at them.
The Lamb chuckled. “Listening in on me, beloved? I knew my faith in you wasn’t misplaced.”
“Do you truly believe all that drivel that spews out of your mouth? Or are they simply the “bread” you feed your cult?”
“Believe what you will, it’s simply what it is.” The Lamb didn't feel the need to explain themself to him. In time, he will understand, but for now he can spit all the venom he'd like. The struggle, after all, is the part they're looking forward to the most.
-0-
“The who is your what?!”
The Lamb had struggled on the way how to tell their mentor Ratau that their mutual benefactor is now a part of the flock and their newly wed husband, but in the end they decided to just say it outright in the middle of a game of Knucklebones.
“Narinder has become a member of my flock and my new spouse. I thought it was pretty clear.” The Lamb threw down their dice, landing on a six and placing it to the column next to the other six they rolled. They tsked as their opponent, Shrumy, similarly rolled a six and took out the one they rolled.
“Haha!” laughed Flinky. “Well, Ratau, looks like you trained a fine successor!”
“Ah, I’ve no business with that,” Ratau replied humbly. “I knew how to manage a following, killing gods and making them subservient in turn is another matter altogether.”
“Don’t sell yourself shirt, old friend! One must need legs to stand on if they are to run,” argued Klunko in return with Bop bobbing their head in agreement.
“I agree,” said The Lamb, tossing the die again and rolling a five which they immediately took one from their opponent. “But my journey doesn’t end just yet. The flock grows, and though The One Who Waits remains as stubborn as he had been, I need only time to mellow him out.”
“What now then?” Ratau asked, expression becoming serious for a moment. “You’ve a god as your servant, but what’s to guarantee you won’t be usurped as you did to him?”
The Lamb grinned at their mentor, this one laced with devious intent. “A fair concern, but I’ve already planned my revenge for his betrayal. His betrothal to me is simply the first step, I will break him piece by piece.”
“Playing with your food is not polite, you know,” teased Flinky, tongue flicking in amusement.
“Hope must come first,” said The Lamb as the crown’s eye lit up maliciously in tandem with their thoughts. “I will poison him little by little, and break his walls until he accepts his place beneath me.”
“Hoh hoh! Nevermind you then, it should be He Who Waits that we ought to be concerned for!” Shrumy laughed alongside the others snickering.
Ratau, on the other hand, remained concerned. “Be careful, young lamb. The master did not triumph over his enemies by just waiting.”
The Lamb smiled sincerely. “I promise, teacher.”
“Good lad.”
-0-
Days passed, or was it months already? Time outside of day and night loses meaning to the immortal, something they and Narinder now have in common, with seasons passing being the only thing that The Lamb can count nowadays. Progress has been slow, but still proceeding with their new spouse. Treating him like another member of the flock had done wonders for the confidence of their followers who can now at least strike up a casual conversation with The One Who Waits.
Speaking of the former deity, Narinder has taken up to helping Pubrena with the farmlands, growing his own plot full of vegetables and camellia flowers. An unexpected course of action to be sure but not unwelcome. It means he is acclimating well into the flock.
(perhaps too well, says the crown, eye slanting down in what could count as anger, if he grows too comfortable, you will lose your grip)
The Lamb frowned as they watched Narinder water another seed-bearing soil. True, their treatment of Narinder had been rather lax as of late. Surprise hugs, kisses on the cheek, and nicknames could all rile the cat up, but they’re rather tame compared to all the fantasized punishments they could inflict on him. The only reason they’ve held themselves back is simply for publicity’s sake, and Febre attempting to grow some form of rapport with her fellow spouse-member.
And it was pretty amusing, watching their first attempting to hold a conversation with an unreceptive Narinder, though the constant insulting of their first beloved is bothersome but Febre hardly seemed to mind.
‘I’ve grown too careless,’ The Lamb thought with a shake of their head. ‘He may very well recover. I must snip this problem straight from its roots.’
(punish him, the crown whispered in delight, show him who owns him)
“Oh beloved,” they called out in a sing-song voice, grabbing his attention pretty irately. “Your Lamb demands your presence. Come hither, beloved.”
Narinder looked at them with hate in his eyes, but unknown to him his hatred excites them even further. Though he remained where he is for a moment, he eventually made his way over to them. “What now, lamb?”
The Lamb’s smile widened at that. After what felt like ages, they managed to up their status from “damned lamb” to just “lamb” with Narinder. A sign their plan is working. Who knew gifting him a flower crown from Darkwood worked wonders with the god of death?
Wordlessly, they gestured to their and Narinder’s shared tent which had been expanded for the comfortable use of two people. Narinder glared at them even harder, but followed them behind anyway. Their followers stopped momentarily from their daily activities to stare but quickly resumed them, having grown used to the sight of their leader demanding Narinder’s presence. It’s become a community gossip as to what exactly they do with no prying eyes.
As they approached, The Lamb beckoned for Narinder to enter first with an innocent smile on their face. This didn’t really fool Narinder, who has grown accustomed to their practiced smiles but he hardly has the strength to resist them, this The Lamb has made clear, so he obeyed with a scoff to show his displeasure. They then followed them inside and with a wordless cast of magic, they made sure that none shall be able to see or hear anything inside to make sure they were uninterrupted.
“Well? Speak your piece, lamb, I’ve more important business elsewhere.” Narinder huffed, rather petulantly they thought.
“Oh?” The Lamb stood closer to him, making sure to look Narinder in the eye. “More important than I? Your beloved?” They added a bit of hurt in their tone, but alas Narinder proved to have a keener eye than most.
“I am not your beloved,” Narinder scoffed, crossing his arms. “No matter how many times you repeat it, I will not be swayed. The crown will be mine one day and I will—!”
They didn’t give him another moment to speak, shoving him down onto their shared bedding with them sitting on top of his waist. “No, no, no. This won’t do at all,” they tutted, pinning Narinder’s arms down as he made to swipe at them.
“Get off me, you—!”
“Shhhhhhhh.” The Lamb leaned closer, shushing their spouse. The crown lit up, bathing Narinder with a red glow. “You seem stressed, beloved. Have you forgotten your newfound mortality? There’s only so far the body can take before it… gives out.”
“Damn you…!” Narinder struggled to get free, but this time The Lamb did not budge even a bit.
“I admit, this is partially my fault,” they sighed mock-wistfully. “I’ve been too careless with you, tolerating your insults and letting you do as you please in my hallowed grounds. You’ve grown arrogant and forgotten how we work. I shall take responsibility for this, beloved.”
“Grrrrgghhhhh…! What are you… talking about…?!”
“You must be reminded,” The Lamb replied, leaning ever so closely to Narinder’s face. “That when you take, you must also give.” And then, they kissed.
The Lamb had kissed before, with Febre and among a small number of their followers who they had wed prior, but they normally chose to be softer. When they love, they love with their heart. No matter how many times their death of old age or through some other external force hurt The Lamb, fixed by their mastery of the Resurrection ritual for death is simply a state of rest to them, they always chose to love with care.
Not with Narinder. Not with the traitor who wished for their blood in spite of everything they’ve done for him. They forced their way into him, stealing his breath and not giving him a chance to recover.
“Nnnnggkkkgkgkkkk…!” With half-lidded eyes, The Lamb peered into Narinder’s own shocked yet still impressively angry eyes. They however don’t really care about what Narinder is thinking right now.
(vile beast, traitorous vessel, abominable lamb, the crown supplied, he’s yet to learn)
The Lamb hummed, pushing closer to Narinder until their chests are touching and they could feel his heart pounding. Whether from fear or something else, they’d rather keep as a surprise for themselves.
After a few seconds, they felt it. What they were looking for. Narinder’s struggles quietened, his arms that were attempting to overpower theirs started to relax and they decided to take advantage of it by interlocking their fingers with his own. Narinder attempted to lean up to them, to get closer. Oh, the sweet succulence of acceptance…
The Lamb broke off and stood up.
“W-Wha…?” Narinder mumbled in a daze, not rising from his spot.
“Rise, beloved.” The Lamb stood over him, looking down with a smile. “It seems you’ve proven me wrong, you haven’t grown arrogant. You were just waiting, weren’t you?”
“What…?” Narinder still wouldn’t get up from his daze.
“Poor Narinder. I’ve neglected you, haven’t I? Why didn’t you say so? I always make time for my spouses.” Then, The Lamb had an idea. “Ah, I know just the thing.” Using the crown’s magic, they retrieved a bell with a similar look to their own that they bought from Forneus. May you find a better use for it than I, the merchant had said. Send my greetings to The One Who Waits.
Ah, Forneus. They paid her extra for the laughs.
“Here, beloved. A gift.” They hooked it to the neck of his clothes and giving it a test jingle. “Perfect, wouldn’t you say? Later, I shall fashion it to a better fit for you. My thanks for your time, beloved.”
By the time they left the tent, Narinder has yet to rise from his spot and they didn’t see him for the rest of the day. They think it went well.
-0-
‘I think I messed up somewhere.’
The Lamb has many regrets in their now-immortal life, the biggest being their weakness when it came to protecting their fellow kin from being slaughtered by cultists. They know they aren’t perfect and will make more similar, but hopefully not as catastrophic, mistakes that they’ll regret.
The private session they had with Narinder a month ago was rising pretty fast on that list. And why did they remember that it was specifically a month ago? Because they’ve been counting the days, almost unwittingly.
‘He’s grown completely insufferable!’
Narinder didn’t just take well to it, he was broken by it! This should be what they wanted, but it was too soon! They wanted him to suffer! To struggle and beg for reprieve! To cling to the vestiges of his shattered pride only to fall just short of retaining it! Not… Not this!
“Lamb, accept my offering. A meal made of my own two hands, and you will take it. The worm Grear helped me make this.”
“Lamb, allow me. I have been training my body and a simple tree cannot exhaust me anymore.”
“Lamb, permit me to leave with you on a crusade. I know a place in Darkwood untouched and ripe for resources.”
“Lamb, Lamb, Lamb, Lamb, Lamb, Lamb, Lamb, Lamb.”
“What?!” The Lamb yelled at Narinder who had been trying to get their attention.
If he was upset by them shouting at him, the cat didn’t show it. “I’ve been wondering. Do you think the black collar matches me, or does gold seem more preferable?”
The Lamb was speechless. No, they truly were. They were an incredibly busy person nowadays, what with the ever-growing flock demanding their attention with the requirement for more resources and the necessities to set up trade hubs with various wandering merchants and even having to delegate certain tasks to their followers, and then here comes Narinder with a completely trivial question to ask them. They should tell him that it doesn’t matter and that he should stop bothering them. But… But…! But he was just smiling so genuinely at them! And dammit did The Lamb’s heart swell at that.
The crown, for once, is entirely silent on the matter, watching Narinder as detached from the situation as possible.
The Lamb took a deep breath. “If you wish, I can have a gold one made for you. Such requests are nothing before the flock’s growing wealth,” they answered finally.
All three of Narinder’s eyes light up. “Truly?! Thank—Ahem! My thanks, lamb.” He bowed before moving on with his day.
The moment Narinder was out of sight, The Lamb quickly ran to their tent, which for some reason now had a signage posted on top of it that read “The Lamb and Narinder” that they don’t ever remember putting up nor asking for, and grabbed their pillow and shoved their face into it screaming.
“Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?! Why why why why why why why why?!”
“Dear lamb? Is all well?” Febre! Finally, some normality.
The Lamb took a deep breath, swallowing their frustrations down before adjusting themself mentally for company. “Come in.”
Febre enters, concern written on her face. “The flock saw you rush to your tent. Are you in need of medical aid?” she asked, and The Lamb finally noticed the pack of medicine she had brought with her.
The Lamb smiled placatingly. “Ah, there is no need for that, my first. This body of mine has no need for medicinal herbs. Truthfully, what ails me is a matter of the heart than of the body.”
Febre gasped at that. “You’ve chosen another member for marriage?!”
“What? No! No, I haven’t!” The Lamb raised their hooves in alarm. “I mean, it is because of Narinder!”
Now Febre looked confused. “Narinder? Has the lord-consort done something to offend you, dear Lamb? If so, I’m sure that he didn’t mean it. Or at least, wasn’t aware of it.”
Ah, yes. In the time since, Febre and Narinder seemed to have hit it off well. Or at least as well as it could have. Narinder could only somewhat tolerate Febre’s presence and is constantly glaring daggers at his spouse-members’ back when he thinks no one sees him. Febre, when The Lamb told her of this, finds it more amusing than anything.
The Lamb sighed. “No, my first, none of the sort. In fact, quite the opposite. I did not foresee Narinder to be such a charmer.”
Febre giggled, paws over her lips. “Yes, he’s quite attentive, isn’t he? I think it’s quite endearing, compared to how he acted towards you back then.”
“Ffffffffffffff…!” The Lamb breathed in deep to calm themself. “Yes, I suppose that’s one way to describe him. Attentive.”
Febre, seeing the state of her leader and spouse, shifted her expression from mirthful back to concerned. “Is it truly so vexing to you, dear Lamb? If you wish, I shall inform him of his missteps.”
The Lamb sighed again. “No. No, it’s fine. Truthfully, I find it quite endearing as well, but…” The Lamb caught themself before they unwittingly expressed their true intentions for Narinder to Febre. “I’ve just been very busy, you see, and Narinder’s persistent hovering has made focusing on my tasks harder than it needs to be.”
A look of understanding dawned on Febre’s expression as she nodded. “I see. Yes, of course, dear Lamb. I understand, and I shall tell him to be not so bothersome next time,” she said before leaving the tent, likely to see to Narinder.
The Lamb flopped down on their bed. “Arrrrrrggghhhhh… If only this was all a clever ruse to let my guard down.”
But the crown’s ability to read minds has yet to fail them, and Narinder’s intentions has been nothing but genuine.
-0-
“I fear the tables have been turned on me,” The Lamb told Ratau who they have requested to meet privately. Which is by their mentor’s personal shrine of prayers.
“Is all well, young lamb?” Ratau asked, concerned for them. “Has the master hurt you? I told you to be careful.”
“Please stop calling me that. I haven’t been young in a long time.” The Lamb sighed. “But yes, I am fine. Physically at least. I told you, He Who Waits Below no longer has the strength to contest mine. But he…” Their cheeks reddened, embarrassed to admit it. “He is a rather devoted romantic, in his own way.”
Ratau’s eye widened. “He… You are to tell me he is courting you?”
“It is not courting when we are already wed, but yes.”
“What if this is a trick?” Ratau warned. “The master is cunning, he may yet have a plan to usurp you.”
“If only.” The Lamb shook their head. “His mind no longer has the divine authority to deny me passage to his thoughts, his intentions are genuine. The crown attests to it.”
“Then…” Ratau scratched the back of his head. “Haven’t you won? This is the goal of your revenge, yes?”
“Well…” They blushed. “I suppose I did. I did not think it would happen so quick however, nor the form his acceptance of his fate took.”
Ratau patted them on the shoulder reassuringly. “Whatever happens, you have me to turn to for advice, young lamb. Seek me out whenever you wish,” he told them before making his way back to his shack.
“I told you to stop calling me that,” The Lamb hollered but did not join Ratau back to his home. They stood still for a moment, contemplating. Then, a breeze from behind. “I see you, fox. The shadows hide your body, but your hunger stinks the air. Show yourself.”
They turn to a dark shape seemingly materializing from the shadows; the fox shows itself, its large bright orange head being the only thing they could see of it. “Little lamb, we meet again,” the fox purred, a deep voice simmering with barely hidden hunger.
“I told you these grounds are forbidden,” warned The Lamb, eyes narrowing. “That if I see you here, I would cut you down. You test me?”
“Nothing of the sort, friend of mine,” assured the fox with a chuckle. “I stalk the edges of the coward’s land, but I’ve only observed thus far. Your wards have made sure to that.” As if to prove his point, he stretched his hand closer to the light. Then, it burned under the sunlight and the fox quickly retracted it. “See?”
“Then what is your business with me, fox? I’ve told you, my flock is not yours to eat.”
“Why, I was simply minding my own business and I couldn’t help but hear your woes. The One Who Waits is your servant now?” The fox laughed. “A humiliating fate for the lord of death, but it seems you are having trouble with your new servant.”
“And I should entertain you because?” Their eyes glared a baleful red at the insinuation, the crown’s eye glowing in tandem.
“Why, I thought I would offer my services, little lamb. Give me the fallen deity, allow me this pleasure and your troubles shall vanish. He may no longer be divine, but a former god may yet still taste so.”
A sword formed in their hoof. “Leave. Narinder is my prey, beast, my prize. I’ll not have you steal from me.”
The fox only chuckled playfully. “So be it, little lamb. I know better than to steal from a fellow predator. I’ll always be around, should you change your mind.” And with those parting words, the fox’s presence vanished back into the darkness, the pungent ethereal stench of its hunger along with him.
The Lamb renewed the wards around Ratau’s home as they left.
-0-
“Do you know my name, beloved?”
Here they were again, inside their shared tent, in the exact same position before with The Lamb on top and Narinder beneath them. But this time, the cat offered no struggle. This irked them even more, unfathomably so.
“What…?” Narinder mubmbled, staring at them with half-lidded eyes.
“My name, Narinder. Do you know it?” They leaned closer, just like before, staring into his eyes.
“Hufff… Yes.”
“Then say it. Carve it into your mind, this luxury I afford only to a few.”
“Hrrrrrmmmmm… Lambert,” Narinder finally said, his groan reverberating through his body that The Lamb felt. “Your name is Lambert, last of your kind. My vessel.”
“All are true.” They nodded, but a frown stayed on their lips. “Except the last one. I am a vessel no longer, you my lord no longer.”
“Yes…” Narinder gritted his teeth, attempting to lean up to them but they gave him no inch. “Yes, true. All of it, true. Please…”
“So you do know.” At last, a smile replaced their expression. “I believe you have earned this, beloved.” The Lamb leaned down, meeting Narinder’s lips with their own.
(a broken god, the crown hissed gleefully, yours to treasure)
‘Hush now.’ The Lamb could feel Narinder’s purring from beneath them as they leaned even closer, chests touching together. ‘Let this be a moment of peace for him. For me.’