Fingers fisted in Alaric’s hair; he moaned as the sentinel’s knuckles bumped into his now rigid sex. Once his zipper was down, Alaric tugged the front of his underwear down so Chander’s dick bounced free. He fisted it and Chander’s spine arched. His back tickled and for the first time during lovemaking, his wings unfurled. Chander’s demon surged through him like a ravenous beast and he was at the mercy of the being that shared his body.
Alaric was stroking his cock and Chander tried to focus on that, but his demon didn’t ask permission for control—he took it. Without warning, Chander’s fingers tightened in Alaric’s hair and as if from somewhere far away he felt himself tug his mate’s head to the side. He licked his neck and then his demon sank his fangs deep. An orgasm tore through him, and his seed shot out like a bullet. He heard a shout as his soul finally merged fully with Alaric’s. Unlike at their mating ceremony, this was a complete connection and he finally understood why it was talked about with such fervency. Alaric was as much him as anything else. Two souls became two halves of the same whole. This was mating, and it was a moving experience Chander would never forget. Tears leaked from his eyes and he became aware his teeth were still embedded in Alaric.
He pulled them out and though Alaric’s marks healed in a flash, he laved the spot for good measure before laying a kiss there. Gripping his mate’s biceps, he eased away. Gently he pressed his lips to Alaric’s before leaning back to see his eyes. They were filled with love and annoyance. Chander could feel a tension in the air now and began to grow wary. He wasn’t fond of suspense, so he ventured forth and asked, “You okay?”
“I just came in my pants,” Alaric retorted.
Chander couldn’t help but laugh at Alaric’s irritation. “Sorry.”
“I’m sitting here in underwear full of my own spunk.”
“You’re going to want to take those off before they dry.”
“I had imagined a romantic moment where I was inside you while you connected our souls fully.”
“Believe it or not, I was picturing the same thing.”
“Nasty demon.”
“I love you,” Chander said as he kissed him and cupped his strong jaw in his hands.
“I love you too, and I hope you like your new wings.”
“My new wings?”
“Take a look.”
Chander turned his head to the side and saw a formerly jet-black wing which appeared as if it had been dipped in chartreuse green. It was the same brilliant color of Alaric’s eyes and covered the bottom third of each wing completely and snaked through in thick ropes to nearly the top. “That’s the coolest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
“I agree, but I’m still sitting in dirty underwear.”
Chander chuckled. He shoved his dick back into his briefs and saw he’d splattered Alaric’s T-shirt with come. Alaric really was a mess. He moved off his lap so Alaric could get cleaned up. It was the least he could do after his demon mauled the poor man.
Chapter 33
Alaric’s evening hadn’t gone as he had expected. He’d been glad when everyone had cleared out, and he’d been looking forward to spending a few hours in Chander’s company before hopefully talking him into the bedroom so they could enjoy each other. However, once Baxter and Benton had left for their date, Chander had pulled a book out and stretched his small frame over the sofa. After all the demanding work he’d done during the week, Alaric wasn’t going to complain about Chander’s choice of what to do in their leisure time. He’d turned on a movie and figured he’d give Chander some time to work on his dragon project before he stuck his tongue down his throat.
It was his good fortune that not only had he picked a shitty movie, but he’d complained about it. That action had opened a conversation Alaric was thrilled to have. He knew he wanted to move forward in his relationship, but everything was still new. All he’d been hoping to do was convince Chander to go out with him occasionally. Instead, he’d been offered the world on a platter. Alaric had jumped at the chance to have Chander’s teeth sunk into his neck. Of course, he’d wanted a bit of romance to go with that and was shocked when first Chander’s wings had appeared and then he had chomped. He’d come like a geyser into his underwear while his soul had wrapped snugly around Chander’s. It had been both the most beautiful moment in his life and the most embarrassing.
After that, they’d retreated to the shower. He’d considered making love to his mate there, but Chander’s height was an issue. The only way they could was if he pinned him to the wall and while that was certainly no problem, Chander was too much of a control freak during sex to fully enjoy it. Instead, he’d knelt behind him opening him up first with his tongue and then with his fingers and some waterproof lube. Chander had all but burrowed into the tiles as he’d whined out his pleasure. Then he’d plucked him out of the shower and they’d fallen into bed. Now Alaric was enjoying the pleasure of his man straddled over his lap while he rode his cock. Chander’s short fingernails were biting into his pecs while he bounced on top of him. Alaric’s hands gripped his thighs and he saw Chander’s fangs as he panted and whimpered.
Alaric was close and wanted Chander to come first, so he grabbed the slick he’d pulled from the drawer earlier and dumped some into his hand. Tossing the bottle aside, he wrapped his hand firmly around Chander’s dick and began stroking. Chander started muttering incoherently and retaliated by squeezing his inner muscles around Alaric each time he drove his body downward. The pleasure made Alaric’s eyes cross. This was his favorite way to fuck. It not only reminded him of their first time together, but he also got to watch Chander as he barreled toward his orgasm.
Chander’s rhythm sped up and his moans had become gutteral. His man was close. Alaric squeezed harder on Chander’s shaft and increased his tempo. The noise of their sweat-soaked skin slapping rang louder in the room before Chander yelled out. His hole clamped tight around Alaric and his release spilled over his fist. Alaric’s back arched and he jerked up and came in one nearly violent motion.
“Shit,” he heard Chander grumble when his blood was no longer pounding in his ears. His hand was still covering Chander’s cock, so he let go of the softening flesh. He grasped the back of Chander’s throat and tugged him down for a kiss.
“You okay?”
“I’ve made a decision,” Chander said against his lips before straightening up. He spread his hands over Alaric’s chest and he slid out of his mate as Chander lifted his body first up and then off him. Rolling to the side to grab whatever clothes they’d tossed onto the floor, he found a T-shirt and wiped them mostly clean.
“What’s that?” Alaric asked as he got rid of the soiled garment and tugged Chander down to lie over him.
“I’m okay with dating.”
Alaric barked out a laugh. “It’s the least you can do after forcing me to come in my pants.”
“The saddest part of having an eternity with you is I have a feeling I’m never going to live that down.”
“Your demon is rude.”
“With all due respect, Lich Sentinel, he’s had to wait much longer to have you then I have.”
“That’s really his fault.”
Chander planted a kiss on Alaric’s chest before speaking. “I’m pretty sure it’s mine.”
“Nope, he’s the one who took over six hundred years to show up.”
“That’s true. The bitch even tore my heart open.”
“I have a feeling he’s going to want to bite me again in the future.”
“I’ll make sure you aren’t wearing pants next time.”
Alaric let out a yawn. “Please do.”
Chander sat up and retrieved the covers from where they’d shoved them earlier. He lay down next to Alaric and covered them both. Rolling to his side, Alaric slung an arm over Chander when he did the same. This was one of his favorite things in the world. He loved lying close to Chander as they both slumbered, and the pleasure was doubled in the morning when he woke up in the same warm proximity. “S
leep,” Chander ordered.
“Love you,” Alaric said as he kissed Chander’s tangled curls.
“Love you too.”
* * *
The following morning, Alaric was smiling at Chander who was sucking down coffee like it was going to be snatched from him any second when Baxter and Benton came downstairs for breakfast.
“Something is different,” Baxter observed. “You feel more mated. How’s that work?”
“Is he serious?” Chander asked Alaric as he finally set his mug down.
“Mr. Daray is demonic. He needs to bite his mate to snap his matebond into place,” Alaric replied.
“Oh, that’s awesome,” Victor exclaimed. “Just like a shifter. High five.” The cat shifter lifted his manicured hand and Chander dutifully slapped it.
“Which answers the question of what you did last night,” Benton said. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” Chander answered. “And I have plans for today as well. I’m checking out of the hotel.”
“About fucking time,” Baxter retorted. “It shouldn’t take us long to move in here.”
“Who invited you?” Alaric asked.
Baxter’s mouth fell open and he and Benton stared at Alaric like he’d just asked them to swallow their daggers. Alaric would have been able to keep a straight face and try to convince them he was serious, but he heard Chander snickering next to him just before he let out a loud snort. He looked at him and joined in his merriment. Baxter’s jaw snapped shut. “You two are terrible.”
“I can help you guys choose decor for your room,” Victor offered. The discussion turned to their plans for color schemes and how they would need to go to D’Vaire to get help from Larissa and everyone else there to make it wonderful.
“Did you want to change anything in our room?” Alaric asked Chander.
He looked at Alaric like he was insane. “No. Again. You saw our last place. The only way I’m going to make it through the sentinel complex is with massive help from Victor, Evergreen, and the D’Vaires. I’m gay but I wasn’t given any decorating or fashion sense.”
“You always looked nice in your suits when you went to Council sessions,” Victor commented.
“I’m surprised you don’t know my secret about that,” Chander remarked.
“Evergreen picked out all his shit,” Baxter conceded.
“Does that mean I can help you now too?” Victor asked. “Seriously, you let me buy like three new pairs of jeans when you started gaining weight again, but you need a wardrobe overhaul.”
“If I don’t have to go shopping, you’re free to do whatever the hell you want,” Chander said.
“Give me a spending limit and I’ll do it. I never buy anything at full price, so you’ll get tons of bang for your buck,” Victor offered.
“I don’t care how much you spend. Pick some shit out and I’ll hand my card over.”
“You need a new card,” Alaric observed.
Chander looked at him. “Old card. Drystan never destroyed my Lich Sentinel-mate one.”
“Wow,” Benton responded. “You guys are going to shred your separation papers?”
“Yes, but we don’t want any fanfare about it. It’s for us to know and our close friends and family,” Alaric stated.
“You’ll have to tell the sentinels,” Chander insisted. “They deserve to know.”
“Yeah, but sentinels are discreet, so if you guys don’t want a bunch of shit about it then it’ll be fine to tell them,” Baxter said.
“I’m not reluctant for people to know. I just don’t think it’s anyone’s damn business,” Chander replied.
“Fair enough,” Benton agreed.
“What about rings? Ben and I have them. It’s nice. You should have them too. So does every other mated sentinel. We’ve made it a sentinel tradition, so you should honor it,” Baxter suggested.
“He doesn’t care that it’s none of his business, does he?” Alaric asked Chander.
“Not at all,” Chander said before turning back to Baxter. “We’ll get rings. Calm the fuck down.”
“Mating marks?” Baxter inquired.
“Shit, we forgot to do that last night.”
Alaric kissed Chander. “We did.”
“Alaric, you should use one of the daggers Chand created for the fallen knights like you did at your mating ceremony, it was nice.” Baxter’s words came out in a rush.
There was something going on, but Alaric didn’t know yet what it was.
Chander frowned. “Why would we do that? We can use Alaric’s. Your daggers are beautiful. He can cut himself and then remove the poison to cut me.” The light in Alaric’s brain went on. Baxter was afraid Chander would figure out somehow the green poison which rested on most of the sentinel daggers wouldn’t cut him. It was apparent the man had forgotten Alaric used both poisons; he wasn’t going to tell Chander it was the application of the black poison that was going to allow him to bleed.
“I prefer to use my own dagger,” Alaric replied. “Even more so now that the combination of black and green poisons match Chander’s wings.”
Baxter sat there dumbfounded for a moment, and Alaric could see Benton all but boring a hole in the side of his head with his eyes. No doubt they were using their mindlink and he was reminding him Chander wasn’t going to figure out that little sentinel mystery when they mixed blood. After several moments, Benton said, “Wait, Chand’s wings are black.”
“After I bit him, they changed,” Chander revealed. The three men that weren’t there last night begged to see them. Since Chander was now done with his breakfast, he rolled his eyes and pushed away from the table. Standing up, he peeled off his T-shirt and seconds later, his wings emerged from his back. They were the same brilliant green and black as the night before. Without thought, Alaric reached out and trailed his fingers down one. Chander shuddered and gave him a red-eyed, fanged look of promise. It appeared that they were sensitive, something Alaric and Chander would have to explore when they were alone.
“Fucking amazing,” Baxter enthused. Chander switched back to his normal self and redressed as they gushed over his new demonic appearance. Alaric had to agree—he’d always thought Chander’s other half was impressive before, but the new look was incredible.
Chander took Alaric’s jaw in his hand and planted a deep kiss on his willing mouth. Then he pulled his phone out of his jeans and barked into it. “Drystan, do me a favor and shred my separation papers.”
Alaric couldn’t hear the fallen knight’s response, but he saw Chander’s brow furrow. “I have to check with Alaric,” he said before moving the phone away from his mouth. “Drystan and Conley want to give us mating bands.”
“Is that usual?”
“Not really. I asked them if I could do it for them, but I had their original ones from when they were dragons so if it makes you feel uncomfortable, I can tell them to fuck off.”
“It’s an interesting idea. We have no concept of design.”
“I didn’t have any ideas.”
“Tell them to go ahead.”
Chander brushed their lips together and then returned to his phone call. When he hung up, he said, “The jerks already have the rings. They want us to meet them at D’Vaire later to give them to us.”
“Let’s go get you packed and moved.”
Chapter 34
Alaric teleported to D’Vaire seconds after Chander arrived. Victor, Baxter, and Benton had decided to come along as well so they could make plans for their new space. Chander’s clothes had been stowed away in their bedroom and the small number of books he had kept with him at the hotel were now in the office that he’d been smart enough to line with floor to ceiling shelves. The former Arch Lich had a ton more in storage, but they would find time for that sometime soon.
“Hey,” Drystan said in greeting.
“You have the rings before Conley steals Alaric and drags him outside to fight?” Chander asked.
“We’ll give them to you if you follow
me,” Drystan responded.
“And you come with me,” Conley told Alaric.
“What the hell?” Chander complained as Drystan began tugging him out of the room. “Don’t you think you should ask my permission before you separate me from my mate?”
Alaric grinned at the irritation in Chander’s voice. “What’s going on?” he asked Conley.
“It’s called a surprise. Now follow me,” Conley ordered.
He was led to the Duke’s Den where he had agreed to give Chander a second shot not so long ago. Conley shut the door and turned to face him. “Okay, you need to change into the clothes hanging up there and then go to the throne room.”
Alaric saw a charcoal gray cloak trimmed in chartreuse. “Why exactly am I doing this?”
“Come to the throne room and you’ll find out,” Conley responded before stalking out.
Eyeing the outfit, Alaric put the pieces together and figured out the Reverent Knights had decided they needed a second mating ceremony. He wasn’t about to argue and as he undressed, he thought about the first one he’d shared with Chander. There had been no changing into an ensemble appropriate for the occasion. The spell altering his mind—that he hadn’t even known was wrapped around his brain—wouldn’t allow it. Instead, he’d made his promises in his everyday uniform. He’d stared into the sad eyes of his necromancer mate and wished for so much more than he had believed they were destined to have. That wish had been answered almost immediately when Chander had discovered the enchantment and then removed it, freeing him.
Not that it made much of a difference for the two of them then. Chander’s disinterest in their relationship had resulted in Alaric returning to the compound wondering if he would ever share his life with the man gifted to him by Fate. Now he was going to make those promises with the man he loved. One who had broken his heart only to mend it and in doing so had created one two times larger than it had been before. Once Alaric had the sleeveless gray shirt and matching pants on, he shoved his feet into his boots and laced them up.
Fall of the Arch Lich (D'Vaire, Book 6) Page 23
