Elemental Faith

by L. M. Somerton

  “Sounds good. I’ll deal with the food.”

  Earlier that day Dominic had made cheese straws, smoked salmon blinis and tiny bites of Melba toast with mushroom pâté. There was garlic bread to heat up in the oven as accompaniment to some soup for later on. He’d only just finished laying things out on the low table near the fire when there was a knock on the door. With Shadow weaving between his legs, he grabbed the candy bucket and went to open it.

  “Oh look, Momma, it’s a pirate!” The small child who spoke couldn’t have been more than four years old and was wearing a sheet with holes cut out for the eyes. Dominic tried not to laugh. Two adults stood a little way down the path and one of them gave him a wave. He recognized Annie from the shop in the town, which meant the little boy was her youngest, Toby. Toby was accompanied by a Ninja Turtle and a fireman. They all dug their hands into the candy bucket and carefully extracted one item each.

  “Go on, take another one each,” Dominic urged. “I won’t tell if you don’t.” He sensed Evrain’s arrival at his shoulder. The kids all looked up with wide eyes and nervous giggles.

  “Wow, how do you do that, Mr. Vampire?”

  “I can’t give away all my vampire secrets now, can I?” Evrain bared his fangs and the kids ran to their parents, screaming more from excitement than fear. As Dominic waved them off, he could hear the next group heading through the woods, chattering away.

  “We going to have a busy evening. What did you do just now?”

  “Just made a little fog.” Evrain waggled his fingers.

  “That’s cheating!”

  “But fun.” Evrain gave him an evil grin. “This evening is going to be much more entertaining than I thought. If only our visitors knew the irony of the reality beneath the costume.”

  “It’s a good thing they don’t know they’re visiting a real warlock,” Dominic said. “We’d probably get run out of town.” Shadow meowed her agreement. “Flaming torches, pitchforks, the works.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  They’d hardly shut the door before the next group arrived. For the next hour there was a steady stream of small witches, superheroes and one random kid dressed as a tomato.

  As the last gaggle of children trailed down the path, Evrain turned off the fairy lights and blew out the candles. Inside, Dominic was doling out two more glasses of mulled cider.

  “That’s it,” Evrain said, yawning. “If anyone else calls, we’re out. The candy supply is decimated and all I want to do is sit down and snack.” He put two more logs on the fire then slumped into one of the armchairs.

  “Happy birthday!” Dominic walked over carrying a black cat-shaped cake on a plate, a single candle burning in its center. “Make a wish.”

  Evrain blew out the candle, grinning. “When on earth did you have time to make this?”

  “I get to have some secrets too, you know. I hope it turned out okay.” He nibbled his lower lip anxiously. “It was a recipe I hadn’t tried before.”

  “Cut me a slice and we’ll find out.” The cake turned out to be a rich chocolate beneath the black icing, a layer of jam and buttercream running through its middle. The cat’s green eyes were made from two pieces of crystallized lime and the whiskers from sugar strands. “Did Shadow model for you?”

  “She was too busy trying to shove her face in the bowl of frosting. Blame her if you find a stray hair.” Dominic cut two sizeable chunks of cake then handed one to Evrain on a pumpkin-patterned paper napkin. He watched while Evrain took a bite, waiting for his reaction.

  “This is amazing.” Evrain munched happily. “I think I may have to have another slice, though—for quality control purposes, you understand.”

  Dominic took a bite of his slice. “Not bad. I’m getting better at this baking thing.”

  They sat in companionable silence for a while, eating and drinking, absorbing the warmth from the fire. Finally, Evrain rubbed his stomach. “I’m full. That was all delicious. Thank you for putting it together, you’ve worked really hard today.”

  “I enjoyed doing it. Would you like your present now?”

  “I thought all this was my present. You didn’t have to get me anything else.”

  Dominic fetched a parcel, wrapped in brown paper and string, from the cupboard beneath the sink. He had decorated it with dried flower petals. He handed it over and Evrain pulled him down for a long, slow kiss.

  “I hope you like it.”

  “It’s from you, of course I’ll like it.” Evrain ripped off the paper. “It smells gorgeous.” He squished the cushion between his hands releasing more of the scent. The applique cat on the cover was rotund, with a bushy tail, just like Shadow.

  “It’s got dried lavender and chamomile in it. I’m sorry, the sewing is not so great.”

  Evrain turned the cushion over in his hands examining every inch. “I recognize this fabric. It was in a box in the attic, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes, so were the jewels I used for the eyes.”

  “They catch the light.” Flashes of light came from the green gems as Evrain turned the cushion toward the fire. “A cake and now a cushion, I love the cat theme.”

  “You’ve been having nightmares, and the herbs inside the pillow should help you sleep peacefully.”

  Evrain pulled Dominic into his arms. Dominic straddled his lap. “You’re so perfect for me. I love you, Dominic Castine.”

  Dominic’s mouth was dry and he didn’t have the words to reply. He snuggled against Evrain’s chest, tears springing to his eyes. He wished there was more he could do to help Evrain forget the warlock test, but it continued to haunt his dreams.

  “I think it’s time we went to bed, don’t you? I’m going to strip you out of that costume very, very slowly.”

  Dominic swallowed, his cock jerking as much as it was able in the tight pants.

  “It’s my birthday, so I get to do what I want right?”

  “I think I might regret saying this, but yes. Does this have anything to do with the wish you made when you blew out the candle?”

  “Maybe.” Evrain’s eyes sparkled just as much as those on his gift. “Perhaps it’s my turn to surprise you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “I think we should indulge in role-play more often.” Evrain admired the tableau he had created. Dominic, shirtless but still wearing the thigh boots and trousers from his pirate costume, lay spread-eagled on the bed. His wrists and ankles chained to the corner posts.

  “If I’m the pirate, shouldn’t you be my captive?” Dominic asked.

  “Of course not. I was a rich paying passenger on your ship but you didn’t know my true vampire nature. When you tried to rob me, I showed you the error of your ways. You, of course, had already forbidden members of your crew to come anywhere near your cabin, so you are completely at my mercy and by the end of the night you will be mine.” Evrain gave a fake evil cackle worthy of any Vincent Price B-movie.

  “And I suppose you stayed below decks during daylight hours to avoid being fried by the sun?”

  “I’m such an ancient, powerful vampire that I can walk in the daylight, providing I cover my skin and wear sunglasses.”

  “Convenient, though I’m not sure pirates had sunglasses.”

  “Semantics.”

  Dominic tugged on his bonds. “And what exactly do you intend to do with me?”

  “For a start, you will address me as ‘my Lord.’ I’m going to play with you a little to make sure you understand your position.”

  “But if I scream the place down, surely someone will hear?”

  “Only the ship’s cat, but she’s bone idle. You do have a point, though.” Evrain walked over to the dresser. The bottom drawer housed a collection of his favorite toys. He extracted a bit gag with wide leather straps. “This should do the job.”

  Dominic’s eyes widened.

  “Don’t look at me like that—it was you who gave me the idea in the first place. Now lift your head so that I can buckle the strap.” Evrain made sure the g
ag was tightly in place and smiled at the evil look Dominic was sending his way. “You have the most expressive eyes.” He fished one of Shadow’s discarded toys from beneath the bed—a small plastic ball with a bell inside that Shadow loved to chase. He pressed it into Dominic’s hand. “You want me to stop, drop this. Blink if you understand.” Dominic blinked, his copper lashes glinting in the low light of the bedside lamp.

  “Time to get a little more comfortable.” Evrain had already discarded the cloak and fangs but now he undid his shirt and slipped it off. The color rose on Dominic’s cheeks. Evrain brushed the backs of his fingers across Dominic’s face. “So warm, I’d bet good money that the rest of you is burning up too.” He trailed his hand down Dominic’s chest to the waistband of his trousers. He didn’t undo them straightaway but slipped a finger beneath the waistband to touch the soft skin of Dominic’s belly. Dominic’s hips jerked, lifting his ass off the bed.

  “Definitely in need of cooling down.” A swift flick of the fingers dealt with the button then Evrain parted the zip. Dominic’s rigid erection pushed at the fabric of his shorts. “It seems my prisoner isn’t too bothered about his predicament.” He levered the underwear down, hooking it under Dominic’s balls. Dominic glared and mumbled around the gag.

  “For a pirate, you have a very pretty cock, which deserves some decoration, but first I’m going to harness your balls.” Evrain decided a running commentary would be good for his prisoner. He fetched the harness he intended to use. “You see one strap goes around your balls and one between them, then this buckle goes around the base of your cock. I think the tightest setting is appropriate, don’t you?” Evrain closed the snaps with unrestrained glee. A light sheen of perspiration coated Dominic’s skin and Evrain ran his finger through the moisture before flicking the tip of Evrain’s cock. “It’s always a little warm below decks.” He gave Dominic’s balls a light squeeze. “But now I have something really special for you.” He held out his hand, displaying the shiny metal object that sat on his palm. The claw head urethral plug wouldn’t be a surprise to Dominic because they had already discussed using it. Evrain had just been waiting for a good opportunity to get it out. He would never use anything on Dominic that he hadn’t already agreed to.

  “Pirates like their treasure, don’t they? Silver and gold… It’s going to look amazing and feel even better.” The smooth, tapered plug was about two inches in length, much shorter than the sound, which they hadn’t yet tried. Three ball-tipped arms would squeeze Dominic’s cock head, pressing against his coronal ridge.

  Evrain coated the plug with lube then, after checking Dominic’s expression for any sign of distress, he inserted it. “I’ll bet that feels good. Such a shame that cock ring means you won’t get to come any time soon.” He slowly twisted the claw so that the ball-tipped legs circled Dominic’s cock head and the plug spun in his urethra. Behind the gag, Dominic moaned. He threw his head back and jerked his hips as if desperate for more friction.

  “Perfect.” Evrain stroked Dominic’s balls, the separating strap between them pulling the skin taut. He explored further, reaching to apply pressure to the sensitive strip of skin behind Dominic’s sac. “Of course, the disadvantage of chaining you down this way is that I can’t get to your ass, but you’ll be glad to know, I thought of that.”

  Dominic jerked and struggled, playing the part of the captive pirate to perfection.

  “God, you look stunning. You turn my insides to mush when you let me do this.”

  Dominic blinked, his eyes bright with unshed tears. He clenched his fingers, tugging on the chains, sending a message about his impatience that Evrain get on with whatever he had planned.

  “Patience, sweetheart. The more you struggle, the more I like it.” With a whisper of power, Evrain unsealed the locks holding the manacles around Dominic’s ankles closed. He pulled two long, buckled straps from beneath the mattress then hooked them around the posts at the head of the bed. He passed one strap under Dominic’s thigh, just beneath his knee, then cinched the leather through the buckle. It was an effective way of pulling Dominic’s knee back almost to his chest, lifting his ass off the bed a fraction. When Evrain completed the exercise on the other side, Dominic was supported but held open and accessible. Except for his pants. Damn.

  Not wanting to appear as though he hadn’t planned appropriately, Evrain fetched a pair of nail scissors from the bathroom. “I promise not to nick anything important, providing you keep still.” He took his time slitting the seams of Dominic’s pirate costume and underwear until the tattered rags could be pulled from under Dominic’s body, leaving him bare apart from the thigh boots.

  “I could come just from looking at you.” Evrain shoved a hand down the front of his leather pants to give his cock a squeeze. The pain shifted him back from the brink. Should have put a cock ring on me too. He manipulated the air to form a circle around the base of his shaft, applying just enough pressure to buy himself some time. Gregory wouldn’t approve of me using my power like this, but it’s all good practice. Thickening air required a delicate touch.

  Watching him, Dominic grinned around the gag.

  “Laugh it up, Captain Sparrow. You just bought yourself a night in chastity.” Evrain wiped away a little drool that had gathered at the corner of Dominic’s mouth. “Someone needs to invent a gag that’s less messy.” He checked the claw covering the head of Dominic’s cock. The three claw arms were a perfect fit, each of the little balls applying enough pressure to be stimulating. He gave it a twist, eliciting a strangled moan from Dominic.

  “We definitely need to experiment with sounds. If this short insert makes you so sensitive, imagine what a full-length steel rod would do.”

  Dominic thrashed his head from side to side.

  “We’ll see.”

  Evrain debated whether or not to strip off his leathers, but Dominic loved the way they clung to his thighs so he decided to leave them on. He grabbed a pot of homemade lube and a stone dildo from the dresser. “Time to slick you up, love.” He swirled the polished granite rod in the lube, making sure it was well coated before pressing the tip to Dominic’s hole. He teased him with the tip, making the surrounding skin glossy, before pushing the first inch or so inside. Dominic’s cock slapped his belly, pre-cum gleaming around the claw. The skin of his balls, trapped in the harness, was smooth and taut. Heat came off his skin, furnace hot.

  “You’re so ready for me, aren’t you?” Evrain pushed the dildo home, pumping it a few times to make sure Dominic’s channel was well-coated with lube. Dominic squeezed his eyes shut and a single tear escaped from beneath an eyelid. Fucking Dominic’s slick hole with the dildo was fun but Evrain couldn’t wait to get inside him. Unzipping his pants was a huge relief. He withdrew the toy from Dominic’s grasping channel then smeared his cock with more lube. The jar and toy were swept to the floor when he clambered onto the bed, positioning himself between Dominic’s widespread thighs.

  “A real vampire would bite you, make you too weak to resist.” Evrain leaned forward and pressed his teeth into the flesh around one of Dominic’s hardened nipples. He bit just hard enough to leave a mark. “You should always have my marks on you. I’m going to make that a rule.” He licked his way down Dominic’s abs, which flexed and twitched beneath his tongue. Dominic’s familiar scent, his taste, his silken skin… Evrain couldn’t wait any longer. He lined up his cock and pushed inside Dominic’s body in one smooth thrust. Fully seated, he held still, taking a few deep breaths. He had made love to Dominic hundreds of times but this moment, when they were joined, never failed to take his breath away.

  “So good. So mine. Gonna hold you prisoner forever.” He jacked his hips, too close to the edge to be gentle. His control faltered and the ring of air around his cock dissipated. The release of pressure made him dizzy and only a huge effort of will kept him from collapsing across Dominic’s body. He had the presence of mind to unsnap the harness around Dominic’s balls and remove the claw.

  “Together.�
��

  Any hope of grace was lost. Evrain shuddered as he came, taking Dominic with him. Dominic’s back arched, his body pulled Evrain deeper, destroying any semblance of control Evrain might have clung on to. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” It was hard to focus, to think. Pulling free came with regret but he needed to release Dominic’s legs, undo the gag and massage his jaw. The wrist chains came last then, duty done, Evrain collapsed into Dominic’s embrace.

  “Why are you holding me?” he muttered. “Should be the other way around.”

  “Who made that rule, because it’s a stupid one? Can I take the boots off now, because they aren’t the most comfortable thing to have on in bed?”

  “Sure. But we’re keeping them.”

  “Well, as you destroyed my pants, the costume shop is going to be charging us anyway. You can explain what happened when you take that cloak back.”

  “You don’t want me to keep the cloak? I could amp up the whole warlock thing with a costume—doesn’t have to be a vampire.”

  “No. You’re quite warlocky enough without a costume. I really need to take another shower.”

  “Good idea. With all that water we can pretend I’m making you walk your own plank unless you grant me sexual favors.”

  “How long are you going to keep this up?”

  “Really? That’s the line you came up with? This is way too easy.” Evrain laughed as he rolled off the bed.

  “It’s your birthday. I’m being kind.”

  “Perhaps we should forget the shower for a while and make use of the leftover cake.”

  “I’m… No. Just no. The bed would be full of crumbs.”

  “Spoilsport.” Evrain pouted.

  “There is some leftover frosting…”

  “Stay here. I’ll be five seconds.” Frosting and a naked Dominic were a combination too good to resist.

  Chapter Twelve

  “What are you looking at on there?” Evrain leaned over Dominic’s shoulder to nosy at his laptop screen. Dominic, his legs curled under him, had been sat in the armchair next to the fire for the last hour.