The Awakening Read Online Free

young man who could barely manage his way around a courtesan’s skirts.”
                  “Come morning, we’ll see who manages what manner of skirts, I think.” 
                  And so the easy banter between them continued for a time as they stood and watched the dance, enjoying the familiar pulse of the music.  It rolled across and around them, and the spirit of the evening carried those who danced along with it, their movements easy and graceful as they danced within one another’s arms.
                  It was an odd relationship the two men shared, more brothers than Master and servant.  Certainly they could not be called lovers.  Outside of those times when the bloodlust demanded the connection, Aramis felt no physical desire for Dominic, only a strong sense of love and camaraderie that transcended so much of what could be understood.  It had simply been an unfortunate mistake that Aramis had bonded Dominic to him when Aramis had been so young and inexperienced in such things, creating a connection so strong that his body routinely demanded Dominic’s for both feeding and physical release that he could get no from no one else.  Over the course of time he became more skilled in the art of bonding those who chose to serve him, but to Dominic alone he had given the gift of immortality, in those early days of coming to understand his abilities, not realizing at the time what such a gift would mean to them both.
                  Aramis had never again bestowed such a gift, once he understood and realized the strength of the feelings and emotions it invoked, the depth of need and spiritual connection it would intone.  He had never felt moved to do so. 
                  At least, not until now.
                  He watched her silhouette move with a new-found sense of her own womanhood, and he felt his soul stir and his body respond with a hum, wanting not simply to know the feel and taste of her, but to know all those things about her that made her so uniquely her.  Her aura was a warm blend of colors, forest greens and ocean blues, which seemed to cling and caress around her like a lover.  Even through the din of laughter and music, he could separate out the sound of her, soft and warm as she danced and breathed, lost to herself and to the moment.  Those around seemed drawn to her, responding to the brightness of her spirit with a natural desire to be close to her.
                  And then something deep and dark began to stir, for he came to see how she was being touched, fondled and caressed, becoming one with the others.  The Dance of Serpentine was a slow, sensual blending of movements meant to entice and arouse, to stroke the flames of desire, and compel those who danced to couple and come together.  And now she was a part of the night, a part of the dance, and already he could feel the heat of others as they moved close to her, not knowing who or what she was.  His eyes began to grow dark and his body hard and tight, and a low, soft growl begin to build and swell within his chest.
                  As soon as Dominic sensed his Lord’s shift in mood he responded, suddenly realizing his mistake in letting the two go below to dance.
                  “Stay here,” Dominic said firmly, “I’ll go and bring them back away from the others.”  Aramis nodded, knowing it best to let Dominic go below lest the beast surface and react to how so many seemed to be trying to get close to her.              
                  Unaware of what was happening, Thais continued to be swept away by the rhythm of the music, the nature of her being such that she could not help but become consumed by the outpouring of love and acceptance that seemed to call out from all around her.  She was aware that the mood had changed, a subtle shift from that of jubilant celebration to one that was