We entered what looked like a lounging room with high ceilings and elaborately decorated furniture.

Eros threw Zephyr to the floor and I cringed at the sound of the impact. Caerus held me as tight as possibly and tucked me behind him.

"You crossed a big fucking line Zephyrus," Eros hissed and pressed the toe of his show onto Zephyr's open palm, "so you deserve a very bad punishment."

I stifled a cry as Eros smashed his hand. The crunching of bone made me feel sick to my stomach. But to his credit, Zephyr didn't flinch.

"Tell me what you did," he growled and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"I talked back and I disobeyed, Master Eros," Zephyr's voice was tight with pain as Eros crouched down and snapped his wrist with one hand. I trembled so badly against Caerus that finally turned his back to them and cradled me to his chest.

"You piss me off so fucking much," Eros seethed and pushed his toe into Zephyr's side. My friend blanched as it no doubt caused detrimental damage to his body. "Cupid's whore, isn't it Zephyrus? That's what they all call you, but it's not really true is it?"

"No, Master Eros," Zephyr's voice was barely above a strained whisper.

"That's right because you're just a whore, there's not a single person in there who hasn't had their go at you," Eros pushed his foot harder against Zephyrus' ribcage.

"I am just a whore, Master Eros," he whimpered in defeat.

"Good," his master gave him a wicked smile and turned to us.

"Come here, Kellen," Eros called to me and I was convinced Caerus stopped breathing. But I stumbled over to him anyway. "Good boy, drink this."

He pulled out a tiny vial of pink liquid, barely more than a few drops.

I took it and tipped it into my mouth with trembling hands. Zephyr was pale as a sheet and gaped up at me in mortification.

"Please, please, Master Eros, don't do this," he begged and I finally saw his eyes wet with tears, "don't make me do this with Kellen."

"But you're just a whore, aren't you? You'd throw yourself at anyone," he turned to me, "sit."

And pointed right at Zephyr's lap.

I let out a quiet sob but did as instructed, the male beneath me winced at the pressure on his probably broken ribs.

"Touch him Zephyrus," Eros commanded and I trembled as tears flowed from my eyes. Zephyr groaned in pain and shook his head vigorously.

"No, no, I can't," he panted as his master narrows his eyes to slits.

"Just as well, Kellen, you touch him," my hands shook with so many emotions I just froze.

"I don't know. I don't know how," I sobbed as Eros strategically placed his foot over my toes.

"Even better. Zephyr knows how, show him Zephy," sweat ran down Zephyr's forehead as he shook his head again and moaned in pain.

And then I screamed.

I screamed and sobbed in excruciating pain as Eros shattered the bones in my foot.

"No, no, no," Zephyr whispered over and over again, "Stop it! Stop hurting him!"

"I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him Zephyr, I swear it," Eros seethed and my friend rolled me onto my back and shielded me with his own body. I cried out for him as his master's foot collided with his side. "Get off him. Now."

"No, no, kill me first, you won't touch Kellen," Zephyrus panted and remained over top of me. Eros' foot continued to smash into him over and over again.

"That can be arranged for later," his master growled and I could see the wild panic building in Zephyrus' eyes even through my own pain.

A powerful gust of wind exploded from Zephyr that even knocked Eros back a few feet.

I sobbed as he eased off me and rocked my body against his chest.

"Kellen, Kellen," he cried under his breath as he squeezed me tighter, "I'm so sorry, I failed you, I failed you, I'm so sorry."

Eros stalked closer but Zephyr twisted his head toward him.

"Stay the fuck over there, don't you even dare," the smaller male hissed and Eros' face contorted into rage as he tried to step forward but a whirling barrier of wind stopped him.

Zephyrus brushed the tears from my cheeks and pressed his lips to my forehead. He kissed away the cold sweat and hugged me like he'd never see me again.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I hurt you," he sobbed and rocked me closer. My lip trembled as Eros began tearing through the wind.

I wrapped my arms around Zephyr as tightly as I could when his master finally broke through.

"Please, please Eros, don't hurt Kellen, don't hurt Kellen," Zephyrus begged Eros until he was standing barely a stride away.

"Give me one good fucking reason then," his voice brimmed with unending rage as he stared down at us.

Zephyrus waited for a few sickening heartbeats before kissing my forehead and giving me one last hug.

"Kellen- Kellen is my son."

crying