#King’s Cage | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

vamxxpire · 8 months

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Thundering Storm. (18+)

Mare Barrow x Tiberias "Cal" Calore VII

(AO3 | Masterlist)

Summary: A continuation of what happened in the woods. (Book 3: King’s Cage, Chapter 22.)

Warnings ⚠️: Mild Angst/Comfort, Traumatic response(?), very light dom/sub undertones if you squint, inexperienced, awkward-ish first times lol

Wc: 5k

A/n: Hii this is written in a way to mimic the series to make it seem like an actual chapter. So after the — — at the start, it’s transitioning into my own writing. The — — at the bottom being the end of it and going back onto the book. Ignore if my writing feels different / weird in here; The goal was to replicate the writing style of the books but also keep my own charm!!

His chest flushed beneath my palms, rising with reckless heat. His skin looks even paler next to mine. Using his teeth, he unlatched his flamemaker bracelets and tosses them into the undergrowth.

“Thank my colors for the rain,” he murmurs.

I feel the opposite. I want to burn.

— —

A rough hand of his continued to trail down my spine, tracing the scars adorning my back. Julian called them Lichtenberg scars, something about my blood bursting from electricity and heat. It was confusing at first to understand, but it made sense. The sounder device used my abilities against me, my own lightings. I still struggle with its pronunciation, but it felt nice to have a name to these wounds. They serve as a constant reminder of what’s happened over the last year, what I’ve had to endure to survive, and who I am. Not Mareena Titanos, or the lightning girl.

But Mare Barrow.

Despite the cold droplets of the storm, Cal’s hands remain a comforting warmth, and are quite easy to pick out where they settled on my body. Not like I’d ignore his touch any time soon.

The palm he had wrapped around my neck, an earlier attempt Cal made to soothe any worries or malicious thoughts of mine, edged my body closer to him. He loomed over me, eyes darting all over my face, taking in every detail as if I’d disappear any second. Both of my hands pressed over his chest, proving I wasn’t some dream. A palm laid flat against the uneasy thumping of his heart that betrayed the calm expression on his face.

I found myself doing the same. I searched his face for any hidden intentions, a habit I’ve formed over the the past six months imprisoned by Maven. No matter how much I try to convince myself I’m safe, to not read so much into actions and people, I continue to do it.

Yet, I find nothing; He remained true to himself, real and raw under my touch. His skin buzzed at my fingertips, and for a moment it reminds me of the electric pulse of the storm, but it was something deeper I can’t harness. It was a heat only I could find in Cal. It danced beautifully in rainfall, drowning out the sounds of pouring water and thunder.

Cal leaned closer into me, pulling me into a kiss. It felt different compared to this morning’s; Gentler, nervous. He squeezed his eyes shut, and I followed suit, feeling the warmth of his fingers tracing the bottom of my scars shift onto my waist in a slow motion. His palm gently nudged my the bottom half of frame forward, bodies pressed against one another. I shifted on my footing, opting to stand on the tips of my feet, reaching upwards for his touch.

My mouth opened, tongue cautiously darting out to lick at his bottom lip for something, asking for anything he would give me. Cal is quick to catch on to my message, instantly being met in kind with his own opening up and pressing against my lips. He answered eagerly, sucking gently on my tongue in a way that made me stutter in breath. My fingers trailed down his muscles, defined from years of training for the war. Quick digits founding the hem of his tight training pants, now drenched and clinging onto his body. Similarly to how I am.

Cal feels me pull at the waistband of his pants, and gasps into my mouth, pulling back from the kiss. My first instinct is to whine out, wanting to continue feeling him even as my lungs scream for air. But it is quickly replaced by worry. “Fuck. Sorry, too soon?” I asked breathlessly. Apologizing came naturally to me now, coming from a place of genuine concern. He shook his head, small droplets dripping from the tips of his hair. He flushed in silver, his blood color reaching the ends of his ears. I understood now, he’s nervous. And so was, my own blush creeping itself onto my face now.

“I just don’t know what to do.” He answered bluntly, a hint of worry in his voice. He was used to planning out things, mapping strategies. He is a born soldier, it was second nature for him to have a clear route. This wasn’t, and it made him embarrassed; Guilty from the lack of knowledge. I felt similarly, maybe for different reasons, but all the while the same.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek, nodding briefly. “I can take off my pants too, if you want.” If. We both knew that word was unnecessary, the sizzling of water against his body was a clear indicator of what we both truly wanted. The heat radiating off him came in strong waves, and while it didn’t burn at my skin, I was grateful for the rain cooling us down enough.

Cal hesitantly nodded, excitement flickering in his eyes, a golden color that reflected his abilities. I pulled back my hands slowly, glancing briefly at my own training pants snuggly hugging at my curves from the rain. I brought my gaze back up to Cal, who intently watched me. I returned the favor, not breaking eye contact as I tugged at the lining of my bottoms, breaking the waist of them free and slowly pulling the fabric down. I didn’t bother to pull them all the way off, letting them sit on my calves as I bent down and brought myself up. I was already struggling pulling them with the weight of the damp material. I don’t want to imagine what it’s like putting them back on.

He swallowed down, jaw clenching as his eyes darted all over my figure, not knowing where exactly to settle themselves. Butterflies settled into my abdomen, and I realized he looked at me similarly the first time we met. It made me feel bare all over again.

He glanced at my crotch, dragging them up my figure and onto my breast, both clothed by black underwear and bra. For a brief second they eyed the spot where Maven’s burn mark original was. While painful, Sara burned at the skin again in order to properly heal it. It felt like a small victory, proof of no longer being in his chains. They finally landed on my face, but not for long. He looked elsewhere, looking everywhere but at me.

“Didn’t think you’d be so shy, Cal.”

His eyes snapped to me, “How can I not be? I’m not as bold as you, Barrow.” A lie, maybe. His voice came out barely above a whisper. As if he were afraid we would be caught if he talked any louder. The trees and sound of the howling wind disguised any trace we could possibly leave.

A half smile tugged at the corners of my lips, making you forget all about the embarrassment from earlier. Even now, the playful bantered continued. “Well. It’s your turn, isn’t it?” I looked down at his own tight pants, emphasizing my point. It did little to the imagination; What I assume is his length, was obviously strained against the wet article of clothing. Cal’s fingers on my waist twitched in response to my shameless eyeing, reluctantly pulling away from my waist. For a second I regretted it, missing the warmth of his hand. But any regret was quickly forgotten as I watched him pull it towards his body, rewarding me with a new sight of Cal pulling at the elastic material.

He stretched them down to the start of his knees, not reaching as far as I did since a hand remained occupied at my neck, spilling a soothing heat onto the skin. My breath hitched, eyes darting over his soaked underwear that matched in color with mine. My body didn’t dare to move, the hairs on it standing on point from the cold water. An electric current ran down my spine, drawing out the scarred tissue.

I didn’t get much time to ogle over the tent in front of me, as he pulled my face up, closer once more to his figure and directing my gaze to his blazing eyes.

“You stare so much.” He muttered lowly, face hovering dangerously close. I swallowed down a lump, trying to ignore the bubbling nervousness in my abdomen. “Same could be said about you. ‘How can I not?’ ” I repeated his words from earlier, though different. In response, he scoffed at me, a crooked smile forming.

“Looks like you’re missing quite a few lessons from Lady Blonos.” Cal hummed lowly and looked down at my lips while his free hand found itself back to its designated spot; Cradling my waist and pressing both our bodies flush. An electric current pumped in my veins, pulsing in time with my heart. I pulled eyes down to his own pair of lips. “Care to teach me, your highness?” I answered teasingly, feeling the his fingers twitch while he took the bait.

Cal was quick to pull me back into a kiss, his eyes closed. I followed suit, savoring how he riled me up. We were hungry, a type neither of us ever felt before unless it was from one another. That much was obvious, and didn’t need to be communicated. But after half a year of being starved of basic needs, of affection and tenderness, I felt desperate. Greedily, I wanted more; And Cal was no fool to the needs of mine, he felt it all the same. So when he pushed me against the dark oak behind me, I didn’t protest, answering with a groan at the sudden harshness. My hands separate from his torso as my mouth easily opened itself once more for him, never finding end to the delicious taste of his tongue. I trailed my palms down to my underwear, quickly pulling the fabric down to the mid of my thighs.

I pulled back for a gasp of air, trailing saliva connecting us, and took it as a chance to peek down. I swallowed down at the sight of his clothed groin pressed against my stomach, and looked back up at him, asking. His eyes searched me as well, and he nodded, giving me all the permission I need to continue.

I moved my gaze back down to his underwear, noticing my own was drenched in something else than rain. My face flushed, blood spreading itself quickly onto my cheeks. Quickly, I diverted my attention to Cal, and with shaky, twitching fingers, pried the hem of his underwear back. I dragged them down enough to spring his length free, gasping at the sight as it slapped against my stomach and warmed me up. He in turn hissed, what I imagine could be from my cool skin.

I felt my mouth drop and lungs stop taking in air, nervously eyeing his dick and its size. Cal squirmed under my staring, and I craned my neck back to stare at him with wide eyes. “Am I going to die?” I breathed out. His eyebrows furrowed together as he grinned, “Maybe. Try not to.” He joked, but quickly his expression softened. “We can take it slow, it uh— it doesn’t have to be today if you’re not ready.” Cal quickly added on. If. I hated the word, but it wasn’t like him to backtrack on his words. So I brought a hand up to his forearm, giving an enthusiastic squeeze.

“I want to.” I whispered, not breaking eye contact.

He stared back, silver blood paled his skin with a blush. “Right. Right, yeah, okay. I want to, too.” He mumbled to me, though it sounded that he was bracing himself more than assuring me. He was afraid for me.

I smiled at his sheepish nature, a new side I’ve never seen. I stood on my toes to wrap my hands around his neck, bringing Cal down for a quick peck at his lips. When I pulled back, I watched as he chased after me. He stopped when I began to slowly bring my kisses down to his jawline, eventually reaching his neck. When he sighed out in content and dropped his shoulders, I continued. “It’ll be okay. I’ll be okay. Just—“ My voice trailed off, bringing a leg up to wrap it around his waist. It doesn’t take much to understand where Im getting at, and without much effort he pulled me upwards, leaning me against the tree behind us. He pulled at one of the legs of my pants, freeing them and giving me free access to move them.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, and Cal held my hips tightly, making sure I don’t fall or slip away from his grasp. I don’t think I ever will, not again. From this position, we could both see all. From the way our chests moved as we breathed, to the way our bodies joined together. If we were back in Norta, anyone would scream at the thought of the Prince, destined to be king, and the soon to be Princess, doing such scandalous things. Lucky we were in Piedmont. And both our destinies were no longer decided for one another.

I watched as his erection throbbed in between my legs, gulping down saliva that pooled in my mouth. He shifted my weight against the bark, taking advantage of how I had my arms around his neck, and legs tightly crossed across his hips. I know Cal would never drop me. That didn’t mean I wasn’t opposed of meeting the floor. Especially when I’m so bare and naked. For once, I hadn’t notice the lack of coziness of his hands as he quickly moved his fist to grasp at his length, swallowing down a grunt, faint enough to be drowned out by the rain. But not my ears. I watched in awe, not being able to tear apart my eyes from the action. And it felt neither could he, his gaze never moving as he began to line himself up against me.

Without moving his gaze, he squeezed lightly at my neck, checking in on me. Asking for permission once more. I eagerly squeezed at his own toned back, fingers tapping against the skin now as embarrassment bubbled itself back; It finally began to dawn in at the vulnerability, nakedness of it all. Yet the fire between us refused to be extinguished by mere emotions.

That was all he needed, and he glided his dick in between my folds, as it was practically drenched with slick. After a few testing thrusts, and surprising whines from my end urging him on, he finally pushed. My eyebrows scrunched together, feeling my heart skip a beat while I focused on the sensation of him stretching me. I bit back any sounds, nearly breaking the skin under my lip. Cal wasn’t so subtle in his reaction, hissing out and cursing under his breath as merely the tip being popped inside. His fist, originally grasped at the base, flew onto my hip and gripped tightly for some sort of stability.

“ ‘M gonna start moving.” He said for both our well beings. Even as he hadn’t moved yet, It was a burn I’ve never experienced before. It felt similar to his fire and my lighting, sending jolts down my legs, and up to the nape of my neck. Yet it remained new, the sparks that danced along my skin not being familiar to me, fed by something entirely different. It felt good, and it wasn’t even as close to starting.

While originally he faced a bit of resistance, after a brush of his thumb at my scars, I calmed down and eased up. I watched as Cal inched inside me, agonizingly slow. While he inched in an unbearable pace, it was overwhelming. I was feeling myself being stretched, the hum of the storm, and Cal’s fiery blaze all wrapped up uncomfortably around us. My mind raced with various thoughts all coming to dead ends or reaching pointless conclusions.

For once I felt graceful the exiled prince didn’t have his flamemakers, in fear of what it would be like to sense the true intensity of his flames. It was the thing that defined him. Without it, he was just like any other red trained soldier. No, that’s not right. Cal is Cal, with or without his abilities. No one will be able to take that away from him, or me.

With a groan pulled out of the both of us, Cal finally bottomed out; Joining our bodies together, hips flushed against one another. He stilled his movements, and I was thankful for the thousandth time these last two weeks. Small tears clouded my vision as I blinked rapidly, swallowing down air into my lungs that lost itself from the exchange. I dragged my face up, eyes finding Cal who was already staring at me. The world around us seemed to fade, leaving us the only two people existing as of right now. Finally, I understood what the scholars in Julian’s book were talking about, why the Gods cursed us. It wasn’t for our abilities, or because of silver blood, but for the sins of humanity. I felt every hint of them; Pride, Greed, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, and especially Lust, as I stared up at Cal.

A part of me wondered if he felt the same, or understood what nonsense wracked my brain. For a second it felt like he did, as if he were a Whisper and could read my thoughts. Though, he seemed to be in his own head instead. I nodded briefly, encouraging him on once I felt ready.

Albeit shaking, from the rain or something else, he pulled back his hips in the same tauntingly slow manner. Only to move his hips forward and flush against me; He was more understanding with the purposeful and gentle pace he set. The air around us felt intoxicating, all sound drowned out by our small grunts and moans. “Tell me if it’s too much.” He said abruptly through gritted teeth. I knew I wouldn’t have to. I wanted to feel it all, no matter how bad. I nodded anyways for his sake.

With no warning, he picked up the pace, his hips snapping harshly against mine. I struggled to breathe as the air was fucked out of my lungs, involuntarily digging my nails into the flesh of his back for some sort of support. A moan was dragged out from my throat, and I dug my head into the crook of his neck to shut myself up. The action only fueled Cal, like coal to a flame, and the intensity of his thrusting picked itself up. “Look at me,” I hear his voice muffled; Drowned out by my voice, the slap of skin, and thumping heart in my ears. But this doesn’t stop the words from bringing me back to Norta, to Maven when he had asked for my gaze, seconds before using the painful device on me. And for a second I panic, bolts jumping under the tips of my fingers begging to be released. His words bring me to the sounding device, making me hear the painful ringing in my ear.

I squeeze my eyes shut, wanting to run away from my thoughts and sound. The storm on top of us rumbled with thunder, syncing up with my emotions as I began to hyperventilate. With a gentle but firm tug of someone’s hand deep into my hair, I’m pulled back to face something. I snap my eyes open and searched wildly, afraid. I quickly realized who brought me towards his face, making me look at him. And I felt grateful. It was still Cal.

Im safe; I’m safe; I’m okay. Repeated in my head. I could write the words with my eyes closed from how many times I’ve repeated them these last two weeks. But no matter how safe Piedmont was, how far away we were from Norta, Maven still had his claws deep into me. His brand, long gone, continued to burn under my collar. And while my body healed, my mind didn’t. As if sensing where my thoughts were going, he traced my scars with his thumb, slowly reaching his touch up to my cheek. This became a habit between the two of us. I panic, pulled into the dark place of my brain, and he pulls me back with simple touches that made the cold go away. “Hey,” He said with a hushed voice. I swallowed down, throat dry and vision blurred with tears I didn’t realize formed and were wetting my cheek. I pretend it’s just rain. “Hey.” I responded back, voice hoarse. His eyes flickered all over my face, studying it for the millionth time. He squeezed at my cheek, silently asking.

Are you okay?

I breathed heavily, I didn’t know the answer to the question, but still squeezed at his muscled back .

Yes.

After a moment given to control my breaths and calm down, he broke the sounds of our breathing. “Can I uh. Move?” He asks, and I’m pulled back into moment. I realize how tightly snug he fit into me, and how my body ached painfully for something else. Embarrassingly, I answered as soon as the words left his mouth. “ Yes.” I hissed, but it didn’t stop there. “Fuck Cal, please. I need it.” The prince wasn’t used to begging from me, neither was it. These months changed us. Though it seemed to have an effect on him, and I heard a shaky breath leave him. He gripped at my hair, tugging me back and making me groan mindlessly, clenching around his dick. His hips stuttered, and I watched as my actions indirectly pulled a low moan from him. He pulled me into a desperate, needy kiss. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve felt his lips today. Too focused on elsewhere, I returned the kiss sloppily, the feverish movements making it difficult to even keep my head straight.

I felt my mind swirl, and I squeezed my eyes shut again to concentrate on something, anything. But Cal wasn’t having any of it, he didn’t want to lose me again. “What are you thinking?” His voice beckons, and my eyes open to look at him. I hadn’t realized we stopped kissing. But I didn’t complain. The image of Cal itself almost finishes me, a coil tightly wrapping itself on my abdomen. It reminds me of the storm, close enough to feel it, but not quite there.

Cal stared at me with lidded eyes and blown out pupils, lips parted as he breathed heavily. It reminds me of when we shared a room back in Tuck. The words get caught in my throat, and after a particular thrust, I cried out. I searched for air, forcing myself to speak. “I don’t know.” I answered breathlessly. He dryly laughs, the grip at my hips tightening as he shifted, angling himself to fuck me better. It he weren’t holding me so tightly I think I would’ve broken apart, putty under his hot touch. “No Mare— Fuck. I mean. Do you feel good?” He paused in between words, catching his breath in the spaces with the occasional moan. As soon as I processed the words, my head snapped up and down, nodding. It was more than good, it made all of my senses fry, it didn’t feel enough yet it was too much. I couldn’t find the words, so instead my nails dug into his skin, dragging them back up painfully.

That was all he needed, a shiver rocked his body, and suddenly he was too caught up on me to entertain conversation. His movements became harsh, and with them his length jabbed at a particular spot that made the purple sparks of my electricity cloud my vision. My mouth fell slack, babbling nonsense as different kind of sounds left me. His movements were erratic, waves of pleasure hitting me harder every time. He leaned his face closer, teeth scraping against my cheek as silent words reached my ears. ‘I love you.’

Like a dam, I broke open. The cables of my abdomen was quickly becoming loose and springing around like a live wire, and all I could do was grab onto Cal; My anchor as I came. My walls squeezed at him without my knowing, and with a guttural groan from Cal, he quickly pulled out, with a twitch thickly spilling all over my stomach.

Fireworks continued to spark behind my eyes, not noticing the sudden emptiness. My body shook, jolting from the intensity of my orgasm. Sounds of our heavy breathing and gasping filled the air, still humid from rain. The storm was beginning to pass as it didn’t pour so heavily, indicating it’ll soon only be the two of us left.

I blinked rapidly, hauling Cal into view through teary eyes. I watched as his chest moved up and down with quick, shallow breathes. He laid his forehead against mine, the tips of our noses touching as we didn’t dare to stop looking at one another, afraid it could all be a dream. But we were both here, and very much real. I rubbed at his shoulders, feeling the traced shapes he drew into my skin.

After what felt like hours of crying and Cal brushing away my weeping with the back of his hand, muttering sweet words of encouragement and praise; He slowly moved me down from the tree. He held me steady until my feet touched the ground. Even then, he continued to hover his hands over my waist and neck, afraid I’d break apart, and I almost do, my knees buckling as I stood on wobbly legs. I was thankful for the rain, as it washed away the evidence of his orgasm on my stomach, and the remains of my sobs. The hand tracing at my neck scars trailed up my jaw, then chin, and he cupped at it softly, making me look up.

Too exhausted to speak, we opted to communicating wordlessly, a fun game. He kissed my forehead, ‘thank you’. Then pressed another at the top of my head, out of worry. I grinned sheepishly, kissing back at his collarbone and leaning into his touch. I pressed at his biceps, kneading the muscle. With a long drag from his arm to his side; I relished the last shiver I’ll pull out of him, for now. My fingers trailed until they bumped at his underwear, tugging his semi hard length back into its containment. I watched Cal grimace, and I burst out laughing. Speaking came too easy for us now.

“It’s cold.” He grumbled, for the first time his rough palm left my neck, both his hands trailing down my sides to grab at my underwear. He began pulling it up to cover at my bits, returning my gesture. My eyes narrowed, smiling at the complimentary actions.

“Water never sat well with the Prince of Fire, did it?” I answered back slyly , pulling up my training pants and and looking around for my shirt.

He pulled up his own bottoms, picking at his flamemaker bracelets he had previously discarded nearby. With a click, they latched onto his wrist, and he flexed his fingers. “I wouldn’t mind it if it meant we’d get to do this more often.” He answered nonchalantly, though I could hear the mischievous smirk from his tone.

I flushed, blood pooling at my face, and I bit at my tongue to hold whatever response was ready leave me. If I had it my way and didn’t know better, I would beg him to shove me against the tree for a second round. Instead, I shrugged, fighting back a snort and losing. I grabbed at my drenched shirt and twist it, watching as the water fell onto the grassy earth. “I’ll make sure to track the next storm then.” I joked back, making him pale with a blush. Now it was my turn to sneer as I pulled the wet shirt over my frame. I huffed, scrunching my eyebrows at the familiar feeling of cut skin at my back, probably from the oak tree.

As he stretched, I saw the same reaction be pulled from Cal. His eyebrows knit together, confused, lips forming a thin line. “Fuck Mare.. how bad did you claw at me?” He muttered, turning for me to view. I gasped softly at the state. Silver blood trailed down his back, long scratch lines and cuts dragging themselves on his back and over his shoulder. Despite it being his blood, the sight was oddly erotic. Blood trailed around his muscles and made them pop out. Bringing up my wrists, I looked at my fingers, finding faint metallic color on the tips.

I held back a giggle. “This is going to be awkward for Sara.” I bent down to grab at his shirt, and wrung out the water, handing it over once it felt dry enough. I moved my hands to repeat the action towards my dark hair adorned with grey curls, squeezing the water out. He smiled at me, pulling the top over his head and wincing at the cold fabric against wounds. “Not if we don’t get her to heal us. I’d love to keep these.” He winked at my direction, now it was my turn to turn away from him; Starting to walk as my face and ears felt hot at the implication.

Cal barked out a genuine laugh, jogging to catch up to me. “For the person who made the first move to fuck in the woods, you are easily embarrassed, Barrow.” He said lowly. I turned my face to glare at him, my grin betraying my look. “Whatever. You were shaking as if a Shiver touched you.” I scoffed, looking ahead as we made our way out of the woods. His own grin reached his eyes, narrowing happily.

His look shifted over to my curls, and he stifled a noise by bitting his bottom lip. “C’mere, you have something stuck in your hair,” Cal reached a lazy hand over, and began to pull out green vegetation from the tree out of me.

— —

I refuse to go back to the row house covered in mud, and due to Cal’s oh-so-inconvenient living quarters, I can’t clean off his barracks unless I feel like sharing the showers with a dozen other soldiers. He picks leaves out of my hair as we walked towards the base hospital, a squat building overgrown with ivy.

"You look like a shrub," he says, sporting an almost-manic smile.

“That's exactly what you're supposed to say."

Cal nearly giggles. "How would you know?"

"I— ugh," I deflect, ducking into the entrance.

#victoria aveyard #red queen #red queen series #book series #glass sword #king’s cage #mare barrow #tiberias vii calore #cal calore #red queen fanfic #marecal #calmare ?#I don’t know their ship name lol

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