LallaGatta

She screamed again and again, waking up from the dream. Though she had taken action to change the future portrayed in the dream, it still haunted her as if warning of something else. With a sigh, she got up and went to the temple's open space. Slender white columns enclosed the sacred area where ceremonies were held. She peered through the columns, her gaze sweeping to the fields in the distance, bathed with the moon's pale glow.
A little bit further, she caught the sea's glittering reflections, its slow waves adding to the illusion. The warm night seemed peaceful under the soft light and she was almost tempted to drown in the darkness, leaving the world behind, though she knew better. With a sigh, she turned around and faced the Temple's other side.
Atlantis rose beneath her, impressive in its stony beauty made softer by the moon's glow. Tall buildings dominated the city, imposing structures of fine sandstone, which reflected a warm brownish color. From the temple, she saw some parts of the city lit by torches that, mingling with the moon's glow, created odd flickering games of lights and shadows.
She loved Atlantis, born and raised on its green plains, trained inside the tall buildings that dotted the countryside. With one sweep of her gaze, she embraced it all. Atlantis was built in a great valley surrounded by hills, as if she wore an impressive crown. All the temples were outside the city on the hilltops, as if, being physically higher, the gods could protect the city better.
The Moon and Sun temples, Atlantis's main worship, faced each other on opposite hills. One was built in white washed stone, the other a bright yellow that made the sunrays dance. Otherwise, they were almost identical twins. The temples had stood there for generations, she had been told countless times, to protect the city from harm. Her family had lived here for generations and, now that she was the only one left, she could think of no other place in which to live. And yet…
"Keylar, honey," a male voice called.
She turned around and again the moon confounded her. His beautiful face looked at her with concern.
"Keylar," he repeated. "It's late."
"I know, but I couldn't sleep."
"The nightmare again?"
She nodded.
He stretched out his arms. "Come here, honey," he said softly.
She shook her head. That was the last thing she wanted, to drown into his sensual magic…especially after what had happened.
"Honey," he took a step forward. "Please come here."
"No, Vyler, you don't want me."
"That's not true, Keylar" he protested, black eyes blazing even in the darkness "I never said-"
"You don't need to say anything. I saw how you looked at him and it's probably only a matter of time before-"
"What you fear most has already happened."
He took another step forward and stood in front of her, so close she could smell his breath.
"But I still want you."
They stood on the temple's inner fold, surrounded by Atlantis's glow, which created the illusion of a place suspended in time and space. Then again, the Moon Temple had always been magical by its own right, protecting the city from harm. Innumerable generations had come up the hill and climbed the thousand steps to offer gifts to the Moon, to ask for forgiveness or simply for a brighter future. The Moon Goddess listened to all, blessing very few. Yet people kept streaming in, regardless of the result.
…the Atlantis people were convinced a moon ray had created their city. At the time, so the story went, the moon was not the Earth's satellite, but simply a star traveling on its own. One of its rays casually hit the valley and created the magnificent city. The Moon was so impressed by its creation that it decided to remain close to Earth so that she could admire Atlantis every day. And the Goddess helped its beloved city. The vast land around it was prosperous. Harvests were plentiful, poverty was unknown and everyone had more than enough to eat. Their society was a shining pillar of civilization, highly cultured and refined. And all thanks to the Moon.
"You are the most sacred of Priestesses," Vyler said, his hand gently stroking her long hair. "And the most beautiful."
No more time to run away. Helpless, Keylar watched herself, as if from afar, being pulled close to Vyler, his mouth looking for hers. His lips pressed against hers, while his tongue gently pushed its way inside. She fought back at first, her tongue engaging in silent battle with his, both striving for control. But of course, she knew exactly who would win.
"Tell me if you love him," Keylar repeated, clearly reading his thoughts.
"I do," he admitted at last. "But this love doesn't take anything away from us."
She fell silent. She knew this would happen if they shared physical love.
"Don't be cross, honey," he pleaded when the silence became unbearable.
"But he's a man!" she protested.
"So you're a woman. The world is made up of both genders, but mostly of people. I love Jaydon as a person, not because he's a man."
He sighed deeply, images rushing in unwanted. Yes, Jaydon had shown him a new way of loving, one he had not wanted to explore before. Actually, Vyler had never been attracted to men. Women were more to his taste, silky and curvy, soft creatures to conquer. So with men he had no experiences, always keeping a safe distance, at least until Jaydon. He was different from any man he knew and not just in a physical sense.
Reasoning later, Vyler could never tell what exactly happened or why Jaydon unleashed such a reaction on him. The fact was, when he saw him standing on one of Atlantis's hills, bathed in sunlight, something hit Vyler's stomach and drained his lungs of air. He had walked up that hill not really looking around, not wanting to see anything else, his gaze fixed on the beautiful creature in front of him. Then Jaydon had looked his way and things had never been the same since.
Sex on Atlantis was vital. People knew just how important it was and not merely for reproduction. That is why no one questioned sexual choices. Everyone was free to enjoy sex with whomever. Whether they shared the same gender or had opposite ones, it really made no difference to the establishment. Yet Vyler had always steered clear of those men who sent him longing glances. His beauty attracted many of them, but he believed he had no inclination, particularly no desire, to experience a man…until he met Jaydon.