“Nothing that was supposed to be out loud.” Evrain smirked. “What do you think?”
“Of what?” Dominic blinked in confusion.
“My work. That is what you were looking at?”
“Oh, sorry… It was laid out here. I didn’t mean to be nosy.”
“It’s not a problem. You’re welcome to view it.” Evrain’s drawing table was covered with story layouts from a superhero comic strip that he was working on for an advertising campaign for a new aftershave, but peeking from beneath the sheets of paper was a hint of something else. He pulled the papers free and spread them out so that Dominic could see them. Dominic spent a moment absorbing the images. He gasped.
The black and white graphic showed a naked young man bound helplessly to his bed by creeping vines, tendrils of the plant curling around his cock and balls. His head was thrown back, his expression one of ecstasy.
“Does the image appeal to you?” Evrain stood at Dominic’s shoulder and whispered close to his ear.
Dominic jumped. “I don’t, I mean… Why would you think…?”
“It appeals to me, Dominic. That’s why I drew it.”
“He looks like me,” Dominic murmured.
“He does, doesn’t he? The likeness is remarkable.” Evrain smirked. “There’s good reason for that.”
Dominic reached out, letting his fingertips brush the drawing. “It’s so realistic. A couple of months ago I had a dream, well, a nightmare I suppose, and it was like this. It was the night after I met you at Aggie’s for the first time.”
Evrain froze. Could he somehow have influenced Dominic’s dreams? He’d still been so new to his power that day—his emotions had been all over the place. That’s right, try to convince yourself it wasn’t deliberate, Evrain. He cupped the nape of Dominic’s neck. “Was it a nightmare? Really? Are you sure it wasn’t a fantasy made real?” Dominic’s skin was warm and smooth to his touch.
“No, of course not!”
Dominic’s fake indignation was amusing. Evrain massaged his neck, kneading away Dominic’s tension. “There’s no need to be embarrassed, Dominic. We all have fantasies and kinks. Perhaps you are just discovering yours.”
Dominic leaned into his touch. A little moan escaped his lips. “It was so real. Scary but amazing.”
Evrain threaded his fingers through Dominic’s hair and pressed a light kiss to the side of his neck. “Then perhaps it was real.”
Dominic pulled away and stared at him, wide-eyed. “What are you talking about? It couldn’t have been real.”
Evrain gave him a lazy smile. “No, of course not. Now, we should go, don’t you think? There’s a lot to get done.” He didn’t wait for a response, just moved toward the door. “If I wear you out enough, perhaps your dreams tonight will be just as…stimulating.”
Chapter Nine
All the light and laughter that had surrounded Agatha’s cabin had gone, or so it seemed to Evrain as he and Dominic walked down the path toward the rustic building. Storm clouds loomed, promising rain.
“I still can’t believe she’s not around anymore,” Dominic said. “Have the police told you anything more about how the investigation is going?”
On the drive from Portland, Dominic had barely spoken a word, so Evrain welcomed the question, difficult though it was. He understood that Dominic had cared about Agatha just as much as he had.
“No, I haven’t heard anything new. The investigating detective, O’Shea, gives me a courtesy call every now and again, but I doubt they will catch anyone. The trail’s gone cold by now and they don’t seem to have any leads to go on at all.” Evrain’s tone was sharper than he had intended. “Sorry, talking about it just gets me frustrated and angry.” This was his first visit to the cabin since his grandmother’s funeral and the memories of discovering her body were still horrifyingly fresh.
“I thought she was just sleeping when I found her.” He paused on the path, kicking at fallen leaves. “I’d brought her shopping as usual. I wandered around, unpacking, talking to her. She didn’t answer and I assumed she’d dozed off. Normally she’d be telling me off about something less than five minutes after I arrived. When she didn’t stir, I went to check on her but she was gone.” He began to walk again. “She was an old lady, she should have died peacefully in her sleep. Instead she had this expression on her face.” He shuddered. “It was just awful.” There was no need to share the gruesome details with Dominic.
“It must have been a terrible shock,” Dominic said.
“It was if the world slowed down for a moment. I suppose it didn’t sink in straight away that she’d been murdered, but I should have realized immediately. She was fit and healthy. Even at her age there was no reason for her to die so suddenly.”
“She kept up with me in the garden just fine,” Dominic agreed. “She was in great shape.”
“After that, seeing her face, everything’s a blur. Calling the police, waiting for them to arrive—which seemed to take forever—and then the endless questions.”
They reached the garden gate. Dominic pushed it open and they approached the cabin door together.
“And of course they suspected me.”
Dominic’s eyes widened. “Why on earth would they do that?”
“I think close relatives are always the first port of call when it comes to suspects. I don’t blame them at all—they were just doing their jobs. Once the medical examiner confirmed the time of death and I was able to provide rock-solid alibis, they left me alone.”
“They spoke to me too,” Dominic said. “But I’d been so busy I hadn’t seen her for a couple of days, and, fortunately, I had plenty of witnesses to my whereabouts at the time of her death because I’d been redoing the window troughs outside the library. I do wonder, though, if I’d called in that evening, would I have been able to save her?”
“Or ended up dead yourself?” Evrain said. “Believe me, I’ve been through all the ‘what if?’s. Someone wanted her dead and neither you nor I could have been with her twenty-four hours a day. A determined person would have got to her sooner or later.” He pushed open the door.
Inside the cabin, everything was exactly the same as it had been weeks earlier. Evrain could picture his grandmother sitting in her usual chair, scolding him for some minor infraction. He wandered around touching things, letting his fingers absorb what was left of her presence. It provided a measure of comfort.
“I’ll light a fire, shall I?” Dominic asked, moving toward the hearth.
Evrain felt the chill for the first time. “Good idea, it’s cold in here.”
Dominic scooped ash from the grate using a small brass shovel that Agatha kept nearby just for that purpose, depositing the waste in a copper bucket. He scrunched up some newspaper to line the grate, then added some kindling from the wood basket. Everything was very dry and caught well when he touched a match to the paper. He quickly added bigger pieces of wood and finally a couple of chunky logs. Soon a toasty blaze was roaring away.
Evrain took one of the armchairs next to the fire, and, after making sure that the flames were well established, Dominic sat in the other. An awkward silence followed, broken only by the crackle of burning wood.
Evrain took a deep breath. “I suppose we should open our letters and see what Grandmother has to say for herself,” Evrain said, feeling strangely nervous.
Dominic nodded. He turned his envelope over and over in his hands. “Okay. You first.”
Evrain ripped open his envelope, extracted the note from inside, then began to read. He chuckled. “It seems you have to hear this too.”
He cleared his throat and began to read aloud, “Dearest Evrain, that you are reading this note means that I am gone earlier than I hoped and the challenges ahead of you have consequently increased. Mr. Pitt—and, yes, I know what impression he makes, but he is a good man and someone you can trust—should have told you to open this when you and Dominic are together. I hope, for once, you’ve obeyed instructions. You must read y
our letter aloud in Dominic’s presence. He should then do the same.” Evrain rolled his eyes. “Still telling me what to do, even from beyond the grave.”
Dominic giggled. The sound went straight to Evrain’s heart.
“I hope you will follow my wishes and move to the cabin immediately. You’re a stubborn boy but it’s for your own good. The cabin is warded and will provide a measure of protection for both you and Dominic while you learn to master your craft.”
“Wait, does that mean what I think it does?” Dominic asked. “She wants us to move in together?” The pitch of his voice rose. “And what is she talking about? What wards, what craft?”
“Don’t worry about that for a minute. Looks like she wants us to be housemates,” Evrain replied. He waved his letter. “Let’s see what else she has to say.” He carried on reading. “Be diligent in continuing your training. Self-discipline is vital—I have shown you how to proceed, now it is up to you.
“My dear, you have enormous talent, but it will only truly mature once you can channel through a life partner. I have done what I can to set you on the right path in this but you can only follow your heart. You will never be an easy person to love—recognize that in yourself and it will help because I know you have it in you to love the right man deeply.
“There are those who would seek to harm you or to use your gifts for evil. Be vigilant. Protect yourself and the one you will come to love. I know that you will fulfill my expectations and be all that you can be. My spirit will be watching over you. Grandma.”
Evrain looked up and met Dominic’s questioning gaze. Tiny flashes of orange reflected in Dominic’s blue eyes as the fire blazed in response to Evrain’s emotional state.
“What is she talking about, Evrain?” Dominic asked.
“Why don’t you read your letter, then everything might become clearer?” Evrain really hoped that Aggie would do the explaining for him.
Fingers trembling, Dominic broke the wax seal on the envelope and pulled out his own letter. It began in a similar way to Evrain’s, instructing him to read it aloud.
“Dearest Dominic, I’m sure that you have known, or suspected, for some time that I am, or should I say was, a witch. I could see the knowledge in those beautiful eyes, but you were always too shy to ask. I am glad you were able to accept me and hope that you have learned from me.”
Dominic stopped reading.
“It’s true,” Evrain said. “You knew it, just like she said.”
“I suppose I did.” Dominic lifted the letter again. “The talent runs deep in my family—my grandson possesses more power than I could ever have dreamed of. Evrain is the first warlock to be born to my family line in several hundred years.” Dominic’s eyes widened but he carried on reading, “For his own protection, he only gained full access to his abilities on his twenty-first birthday. The two of you are close in age so I’m sure you can understand a little of what he is going through. Powerful warlocks control their power by channeling some of their emotional energy through a life partner. This can only be achieved consensually and through a bond of love. I will not deceive you, Dominic, channeling is very painful. A relationship with a warlock is not to be taken lightly.
“You are bright enough to realize by now that I saw you as a potential partner for Evrain and that I planned to bring you together. Your quiet strength will provide the perfect counterpoint to his assertive confidence. Forgive me for putting you in this position, just promise me that you will think about my words before you make any decisions.
“However the future unfolds, I know that you will make good use of the land I have willed you. Do with it as you see fit, with my blessing. With much love, Agatha.”
Dominic leaned back in his chair, staring at the piece of paper in his hand. “You have got to be kidding me. Did you slip something in my coffee back at the solicitor’s?”
Evrain just sat and looked at him implacably.
“It can’t be true. This is the real world, warlocks don’t exist.” He stood up and ran agitated fingers through his hair. “A witch I can handle. Aggie was great with remedies, that kind of thing. If that’s witchcraft, then fine, who am I to judge? But a warlock? Jesus, I’ve stepped into a bad B-movie.”
Evrain twisted his fingers into the required shape, made a gesture and the fire flared brightly next to them.
“No… I don’t believe it. This is madness.” Dominic got up. He backed to the door and opened it. Outside the rain was coming down in sheets.
Evrain made another gesture and a gust of wind slammed it closed again.
“It’s true, Dominic. I realize it’s a lot to take in and I don’t blame you for being skeptical. I can’t help what I am, but I’m sorry if that scares you. Leave if you wish, I won’t try to stop you.” He sighed as Dominic reopened the door and edged out into the cold. “It sounds like an old woman’s ramblings, believe me I know,” he whispered the words at the dancing flames and settled back to wait.
Outside Dominic turned his face to the sky and let the raindrops spatter against his skin in an attempt to clear his head. He walked to the back of the cabin, to the potting shed where he kept all his tools and gardening kit. He changed into an old pair of wellington boots that he stored there, tucking his jeans inside them. He grabbed a spade, then strolled to the vegetable patch and methodically began to dig over the ground. Several sections were planted and had been sadly neglected for the past few weeks. Turning the soil between the rows of growth was necessary work with all the weeds that had sprouted.
He let the contents of the two letters drift through his mind as the spade cut through the loamy earth. Deep down, he knew that Aggie wouldn’t lie. She’d been sharp as a tack and scrupulously honest. It was just so hard to accept. And she thought that he and Evrain could be together? That was even more unbelievable than the whole witches and warlocks scenario. Evrain was charismatic, beautiful and talented. What possible use could he have for a lowly gardener? Sure, they’d had a few moments where Dominic’s hopes had been raised, including one particularly astounding blow job, but that was it. Dominic had been too scared to risk his feelings any further.
Dominic dug until his muscles screamed at him to stop then dug some more. He could lose himself in the repetitive action of push, stamp and turn, ignoring the ache in arms and back. The rain got steadily harder and he was soaked to the skin before he finally paused. His thin shirt was plastered to his body, clinging uncomfortably to his skin. Rivulets of water ran down his face from strands of sodden hair. Absently he noticed the blisters on his hands where he had neglected to wear any gloves and shivered as his body temperature cooled. He abandoned the spade and walked slowly back to the house. He kicked off soaked boots before pushing the door open. He stood inside on the mat and shook as a puddle gathered around his feet.
Evrain took one look and swore. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, what have you done to yourself? Get over here by the fire.”
Dominic complied without resistance and steam began to hiss from his jeans as intense heat penetrated the cold, wet denim. The door slammed shut behind him. On its own.
“Strip.” Evrain barked the order.
Dominic gave Evrain a startled glance at the perfunctory command. “What? No!”
“You need to get out of those wet clothes before you catch pneumonia, Dominic, so strip or I’ll do it for you.” Evrain advanced toward him.
Dominic discovered that his fingers were shaking so much from the cold that he was unable to undo his own shirt buttons. Evrain stepped right into his personal space with an exasperated hiss and deftly undid them all. He peeled the fabric away from Dominic’s clammy skin and hung the soggy garment on the arm of the chair closest to the fire. Next he tackled Dominic’s belt, undoing the buckle and slipping it from its loops.
“I should use this to tie you down so that you can’t run away while I talk some sense into you.” He undid Dominic’s jeans then pulled them down to reveal snug black underwear that was also soaked through. “Were you t
esting the whole ‘soaked to the skin’ thing? These need to come off too.” Evrain twanged the elastic. “I’ll fetch a towel.”
Dominic stood and shivered miserably. He hurt everywhere. Evrain was gone barely two minutes, before returning with a couple of thick towels.
“You know, this isn’t what I had in mind when I imagined undressing you for the first time.” Evrain stood and stared. “You have an amazing body.” He threw one of the towels around Dominic’s shoulders.
Dominic pulled it close. He had no idea what to say, and even if he did, his teeth were chattering too hard.
“I believe I told you to take off your underwear.”
God he was bossy in the most appealing way. He stood there, hands on hips, waiting expectantly to be obeyed. Dominic guessed that if he didn’t do as he’d been told, Evrain would feel obliged to help. Dominic was in too delicate a state to deal with Evrain’s hands on his body so he slid his trunks down then stepped out of them, clutching the towel around himself defensively.
Evrain took the second towel and began to rub Dominic’s limbs roughly, generating heat through the friction.
“Now’s not the time to be shy, and besides, I know you have all the same parts I do. You weren’t so reserved that day back at the diner. I need to get your circulation going, you must be virtually hypothermic. What the hell did you think you were doing out there?”
“I’m sorry,” Dominic apologized through chattering teeth. “I just needed a bit of time to think.”
“And you had to do that in the cold and rain? Idiot!” Evrain scolded.
Dominic hung his head and shook miserably—there wasn’t much he could say and he didn’t have the strength to defend himself. Evrain was right, he shouldn’t have stayed outside so long, but surely he was due a bit of credit after all the revelations that had been dumped on him? Revelations he still wasn’t sure he believed.
“I’m going to put you to bed so you warm through properly,” Evrain said. “You’ll have to stay here tonight. Do you think you can manage the stairs?”
Elemental Love Page 10
