Tainted

Tainted Cardinal Sin Kady Ash Published by Kady Ash, 2023. This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental. TAINTED First edition. February 20, 2023. Copyright © 2023 Kady Ash. Written by Kady Ash. Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Dedication CONTENT WARNING ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN FOURTEEN FIFTEEN SIXTEEN SEVENTEEN EIGHTEEN NINETEEN TWENTY TWENTY-ONE EPILOGUE Other Books by Kady Ash About the Author Your worth comes from within you, not from how those around you see you. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. CONTENT WARNING This is a fictional world with a fictional religion. This is not meant to depict any existing religion or their followers. With that said, this particular made-up religion has some extremely harmful beliefs, and the one that is explored here is no exception. I’d like to point out that I wrote this not because I agree with those beliefs, but because I understand firsthand how harmful some real-life beliefs can be, and I don’t believe anything is black and white. With that said, this is a standalone, taboo m/m romance with step-siblings, forced proximity, heavy religious undertones, drug-induced dub-con that borders non-con between the two main characters, references to a past sexual assault, suicidal thoughts, unaliving, revenge, breath play, a little touch of somnophilia, rough sex, and pain play. Please be kind to yourselves. ONE Aiden I’m already damned. It’s not a question or a fear, it’s the truth. Everyone knows it, so the fact that my parents are acting surprised that I’m not their angelic little boy anymore is just fucking stupid. “It was just a little artwork, Ma,” I argue. “The courthouse is an ugly building. I made it better and you can’t deny it.” My step-brother Maverick frowns over at the front door like he’s looking for an escape, but Mother’s voice interrupts my gawking. “It isn’t about what I can’t deny. It’s illegal, Aiden. I’m sick and tired of living day-to-day worrying about what you’re going to do.” “What a fucking inconvenience for you,” I mutter under my breath. She has hope, she has a future and a guaranteed spot in The Light when she dies. Me? I had my spot stolen from me and I have the mark to prove it. “So what? I’m grounded again? How long this time?” I can see the anger building inside her as she stares me down, but it’s my step-father who speaks next. “I think it’s time you move out.” Suddenly, all the anger in my five-foot-seven body replaces itself with fear. “What? You can’t be serious! Where am I supposed to go?” Mom averts her gaze. “Well, we were thinking—” Maverick’s attention suddenly snaps to the conversation at hand, his frown only tightening more as she gives him a look we know well. We aren’t about to be given a choice. “Your brother has a spare room.” “You mean my weight room? I don’t even have a spare bed,” Mav argues. “You have a couch, and if Aiden needs a bed, we can get him one. It’s your brother.” Mav scoffs. “Don’t do that. It’s your son and you’re just kicking him out because you’re mad at him. If anyone should feel like shit here, it’s you.” We might not always get along, but I didn’t think he’d outright deny me like that, or carry on calling me an ‘it’ like I’m not a fucking person anymore. “Look, I get that I’m a burden to everyone, okay? Fuck this. I’ll find my own place to live.” I stand up roughly, knocking the table so the flowery china plates all clatter and jump, then kick my chair over as I take the stairs two at a time with my heart in my toes. I don’t have anywhere else to go and I can’t fight my way out of a paper bag. I learned that lesson thoroughly last year when someone decided they wanted me whether I wanted them or not. All of this, every part of it is his fault. Sex before marriage is the worst thing you can do. It’s worse than thievery, worse than assault, worse than murder. And I’d been fine with that, I had been. I’d been willing to wait despite mounting, raging hormones and a step-brother who looks like Maverick does. He’s twice my size with deep eyes and a beard I want to sit on, and I’ve still been good. I’ve always been good. But someone decided for me that I didn’t deserve to go to The Light, and my life has only gone downhill since then. Maybe I deserve to be on the streets. Whatever, then. I’ll go. My suitcase is old with a broken zipper but it’s all I’ve got to pack things in, so I tug it from the top shelf of my closet and toss it on the bed as the blood in my veins pumps harder. A firm knock on my door startles me before the door swings open and reveals my step-brother. “You’re coming to stay with me. Stop being dramatic and pack your shit.” Fuck, he’s so fucking pretty. It takes a second for me to breathe and meet his eyes, but most of the fight is gone from me by then. “Why? Why go from one place where I’m not wanted to another? The whole fucking world sees me as tainted.” He can’t argue with that, nor does he try. “You’re not not wanted, Aid. They don’t know how to keep you out of trouble and I didn’t want you to be sleeping on the ground, but they’re ordering you a bed. You’ll just crash on the couch for a few days. Bring your pillow and shit.” I study his face — the three inches of messy brown hair on the top of his head leading down to almost-bald sides, the beard and mustache that cover his strong jaw, the depth