by Serena Yates
"Can you make another bed appear, like you did in the cave?” Kaythan looked hopeful.
"You liked that, did you?” He grinned, waved his hand and a sturdy wooden bed with a soft mattress, white sheets and a warm duvet appeared. “So did I."
They both undressed. He used some water magic to clean them up, much to Kaythan's delight, then dried them with air magic. More tired than ever before, he slid between the sheets and sank into Kaythan's wide-open arms. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
* * * *
Elryk awoke to the sound of soft snoring right next to his ear. He was half buried under Kaythan's body, the other man having crawled over him in his sleep. He grinned. Their legs were entangled, groins pressed tightly together, chests mashed against each other. Kaythan's head had taken its customary position between his neck and shoulder.
Elryk lay there for a moment, enjoying the physical closeness. He was getting used to having a mate, and not just when they were awake. Sleeping with another man in his arms was so much better than spending his nights alone in beds that had always felt too big for him. As if he'd get lost in them without someone else to share the available space.
Without thinking about it, he moved his hand along Kaythan's back, loving the feeling of the warm skin under his fingertips. With a final snuffle, Kaythan stopped snoring and lifted his head.
"Sorry.” The other man tried to move away.
"Stay?” Elryk tightened his embrace to make sure his mate got the message.
"Anytime.” Kaythan yawned and settled his head back onto Elryk's shoulder.
"Did you have a good sleep?” He felt so much better himself, he hoped the rest had done Kaythan as much good.
"Yeah. I feel much better now.” Kaythan grinned and his hand wandered to Elryk's growing erection.
"I can feel that.” He grinned and reciprocated by finding the hard length between Kaythan's legs.
"Hmmm.” Kaythan stroked him slowly.
Elryk moved his other hand down along Kaythan's spine until he reached the man's ass. Circling and kneading the taut globes, he approached his mate's crack and slid a finger between his mate's buttocks. Kaythan moaned and spread his legs as he thrust into Elryk's fist.
Elryk moved his finger closer to Kaythan's opening and circled the ring of muscles. Gradually increasing the pressure, he finally moved the tip inside. It made Kaythan shudder and speed up his movements. Soon the other man was sawing back and forth between Elryk's fist and his finger, fucking himself with abandon.
"More.” Kaythan had stopped moving his hand on Elryk's cock, just holding on instead. The pressure was delicious.
Elryk added another finger, pushing it slowly inside, not wanting to hurt the other man. Kaythan moaned, pleasure clearly visible on his face as he moved faster and faster. When Elryk added a third finger, Kaythan bucked wildly and shot spurts of hot semen into Elryk's hand as he shuddered through his orgasm.
The sight of his mate's pleasure on the gorgeous face, and the scent of his spunk between them as he erupted, combined to push Elryk over the edge. He came into Kaythan's tight fist, flooding it with his semen.
They were both still panting when they entwined their fingers as Kaythan sagged back down onto his body, pressing him into the mattress. He loved his mate's weight on him like this.
They disentangled themselves and after Elryk cleaned them, lay on their sides, his arm around Kaythan's shoulder, the fingers of his right hand and Kaythan's left entwined. Before they knew what was happening, the crystals in their wrists touched and the golden glow was back.
It was stronger than ever and spread gradually outward as they were watching lazily. When it had reached the chamber's walls and ceiling it stopped.
"Not so different than before after all.” Elryk sighed.
It made his chest move against Kaythan's and his cock made a valiant effort to get hard again at the touch. The golden glow intensified. Elryk pressed his groin against Kaythan's, feeling renewed desire travel up his spine. The golden sphere pulsed as if it was breathing.
Kaythan watched every reaction with narrowed eyes.
"I think we've found our solution.” He grinned in anticipation of what he was pretty sure was going to be next. “Let's see what happens when we kiss."
The kiss may have started with the purpose of seeing what would happen to the golden sphere, but as soon as Kaythan's tongue invaded his mouth, he forgot everything and focused on the sensations and feelings his mate created by kissing him. The slow caresses of tongue on tongue became his whole world. He responded with all the passion he felt, and soon they were playing an exciting game of tag that moved their tongues in and out of each other's mouths in rapid succession.
When Kaythan pulled away, he wanted to follow. He didn't want the kiss to stop this soon. Kaythan grinned and pointed at the ceiling.
The golden glow was now everywhere. It was more intense than ever before. As he watched it, he thought back to their earlier lovemaking. The golden sphere expanded farther, pushing against the multicoloured lights of the magical barrier.
His eyes widened. Then he remembered the kiss, making a conscious effort to recall all the feelings it had made him experience. The golden sphere kept pushing outward, the glow ever intensifying.
"This is a new kind of magic, isn't it?” Kaythan's eyes were big.
"Yeah, it definitely looks as if it's linked to the mate bond.” For the first time since they'd been imprisoned by Rhunnyt, there was hope. “Let's try and break through again."
Kaythan nodded.
They held onto each other's hands, making sure the crystals were touching, and he focused on his emotions for Kaythan. Slowly, but inexorably, the golden sphere pushed outward until the multicoloured lights vanished with a surprisingly soft plopping sound.
The golden magic had worked.
They were free!
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Chapter Eleven
* * * *
Kaythan had never been as relieved in his life as when the golden sphere finally broke through the protective layer Rhunnyt had left behind. They still needed to transport back to Tah'Nut, but now that Elryk's magic was fully back, that shouldn't be a problem.
"This is amazing.” He looked at their joined hands, marvelling at the soft glow of the crystals. “I never thought I'd be able to do magic."
"It's something we've created together.” Elryk lifted their hands and kissed his knuckles. “There isn't any mention of it in the old legends. So either it was kept a secret, which I find hard to believe, or the appearance of golden magic is a sign of the new times."
"I wonder whether the wizards who made the Muyd'Othar knew that its material would one day create a new type of magic?” He frowned. “Seers might have anticipated the event, but to have the ability to invent a new type of magic boggles the mind. It would also mean they knew that the Magic Shield was going to be destroyed at some point."
"Or they realised that if it ever got destroyed, something new would need to take its place, to maintain the balance.” Elryk shrugged. “I'm sure the scholars will have a field day researching this."
"You're right. We should leave it to them to figure it out. We've got more urgent things to worry about.” Like leaving the temple of Tah'Muyd to confront Rhunnyt yet again.
"I hate leaving the shards of the Muyd'Othar behind.” Elryk frowned. “I'd like to find out if other bonded mates can use them like we have. More golden magic might be a good thing."
"Do you want to take them with us? I think there are too many to take all of them.” He eyed the heap of shards. “Maybe we can take a few?"
"I wish we could.” Elryk sighed. “But I think it would be too dangerous if they fell into the wrong hands. Leaving them here for now, protected by concealing spells, probably makes more sense. That way we can come back to get them once everything on Tah'Nut is back to normal."
He nodded and watched as Elryk did his thing. He'd never get tired of watching h
is mate do magic. He just hoped nobody would find the now hidden shards. Not that anyone knew to look for them, but still.
It was night by the time Elryk transported them back to the house they'd stayed at before. He did some careful checking and found out that a Magic Council meeting had been called for the next morning. That was most likely when Rhunnyt was going to make his move to take back control.
Returning to the bedroom where they'd first realised they were mates stopped them both in their tracks. Sleep was suddenly a secondary requirement as Kaythan turned to Elryk and watched him blush under his gaze. Apparently, the other man was thinking the same thing he was.
"I want you.” Kaythan was getting harder by the second and they hadn't even touched yet. Crap, there was more to this need to be close to Kaythan than sex. As unbelievable as it seemed to his inner cynic, he was beginning to have feelings for his wizard that went beyond the physical.
"You have me.” Elryk's smile was soft, his eyes bright with anticipation as he stepped closer.
The other man's body heat made him realise how little space there was left between them. He bent his head for a short kiss, forcing himself to hold back for just a little longer.
"Naked?” He grinned when Elryk's eyes widened. “Can I have you naked, please?"
"Naked is good.” Elryk nodded and stepped away, only to start taking his clothes off.
Kaythan was too mesmerised by all that pale skin to be able to move. Elryk's almost hairless chest was revealed when the other man took off his shirt, the deep, red-brown nipples drawing Kaythan's attention as much as the flat abdomen. His eyes were glued to Elryk's hands as his mate opened his pants and shoved them down his strong thighs, taking the underwear with him. When he stood back up, totally nude and proud, Kaythan licked his lips at the thought of sucking the beautiful cock.
"Now you?” Elryk reached out and started opening Kaythan's shirt.
He nodded and let it happen, enjoying the little caresses Elryk gave his skin as he peeled off the clothes bit by bit. He tingled all over by the time he was finally naked. Elryk continued stroking him as he moved him towards the bed. Pushing him to make him sit, then lie down, he grinned as he crawled over Kaythan, motioning him into the middle of the mattress.
"Just where I want you.” Elryk straddled his thighs, sitting down just right for their groins to touch.
"Tah', that feels good.” He moaned when Elryk wriggled, making their balls touch and their erections rub together.
"It'll get better.” Elryk bent forward, supporting his weight on his hands next to Kaythan's shoulders and licked first one nipple, then the other.
Returning to the first, he gave it some serious attention. Little bites were followed by soft licks and by the time Elryk started sucking the first nipple, Kaythan was ready to explode. Elryk didn't let up until the second nipple had received the same treatment.
"Please.” He didn't care what was next, as long as he was allowed to come.
Elryk grinned as he sat up, scooted forward and lifted himself far enough up so he could put the tip of Kaythan's cock at his already slick feeling opening.
"Fuck!” The feeling of Elryk sinking down on his cock was indescribably good. Tight heat clutched his length like a vice, and it took everything he had not to come right then.
"Please.” Elryk's eyes were closed as the other man bent down until they were chest to chest, encircling him with his arms to hold on as he turned onto his back, taking Kaythan with him.
Kaythan was now on top and he pushed inside Elryk with as much power as he dared. Elryk pushed back up and it didn't take long before they were both panting for release. He bent forward until their lips touched and the kiss was hotter than fire magic. He managed a few more thrusts before he started coming, filling his mate's tight channel with his semen.
Seconds later, Elryk convulsed below him, warm semen spurting onto their stomachs as his mate moaned his delight.
He couldn't speak as he held onto the man shaking in his arms, but his own feelings were clearly mirrored in Elryk's eyes. They lay like that for the longest time before Elryk cleaned them up without moving. Kaythan tried to turn them to their sides, fearing he'd get too heavy for his mate. But Elryk shook his head, pulled him back on top and held on. The other man's soft sigh as he closed his eyes said it all.
* * * *
Kaythan awoke to the first rays of the sun tickling his nose. Apparently they'd moved, since he was now on his side with Elryk still asleep in his arms, back spooned against his front. All he wanted was to stay here with his mate, to live their lives in peace. He needed this mess with the Xoh'kas, the magic thieves and now Rhunnyt to be over.
Instead, he woke his lover and they got dressed before heading downstairs for breakfast. Compared to their recent adventures, it all felt very normal and domestic. Nice. He wanted more of that. They'd have to fight for it, but it was something worth fighting for.
When they were done, they put on their boots.
"Let's transport into the Magic Council's meeting room and get this over with!” Elryk looked as if he was ready to do battle. Well, he had personal reasons enough to want to defeat Rhunnyt. Finding out that the bastard had been behind his family's deaths must have been a major shock.
"Sure, I'm ready whenever you are.” Kaythan smiled and took his mate's right hand with his left. “Ready to make the connection anytime we need it."
"I'm sure that'll be soon.” Elryk frowned. “In fact, I think it might be best if we went in there already linked. We don't know what they'll throw at us."
Kaythan nodded and shifted his hand so their wrists and the little crystals inside them connected. The small golden sphere formed instantly, much faster than before.
"Hm, this might work better with practice.” Elryk stared down at their linked hands. “It's amazing because it gives you some magical ability and I can feel your strength and support flow into me."
"I'm just grateful that it works.” Kaythan wanted to get this over with.
"I am.” Elryk looked up at him with that brilliant smile of his.
Kaythan bent down and kissed his mate on the mouth.
"Let's go.” He pulled back, forcing himself to focus on the upcoming fight rather than his mate's tempting lips.
Elryk closed his eyes. There was a light tingle in their link before they stood inside the Magic Council's meeting room. Nine very pale and slightly crumpled wizards in purple robes sat around the round table. The tenth wizard stood. His black robe hung in loose folds, and his grey-streaked hair was held back by a black leather strip. Rhunnyt, as expected.
"What—how dare you enter here"” Rhunnyt's voice was shrill and many of the other wizards cringed.
"We dare with the right of those wanting justice.” Elryk stood tall and proud. “You wronged Tah'Nut two hundred years ago by selling out to the Xoh'kas. You're about to do so again by taking over a Magic Council too weak from continuous theft of their power to fight you. We will not allow this."
"You will not allow...” Rhunnyt turned beet red and sputtered with rage. “You have no say here."
"Neither do you.” Elryk smiled. “I will ask you once to step back and leave. If you refuse, I will let the golden magic decide for all of us."
Kaythan almost laughed. His mate sure made it sound as if he knew what he was talking about. Maybe he was? He'd had no idea Elryk was this clever a negotiator.
"Golden magic?” Rhunnyt's laughter was a nauseating mix between a screech and a shriek. “Don't be ridiculous. There is no such thing as golden magic."
"Will you yield and leave the Magic Council never to return?” Elryk stared into the reddening eyes of the evil wizard.
His mate showed no outward sign of weakness, but Kaythan felt his hand shake. He gripped Elryk's fingers more tightly and the shaking stopped.
"Never.” Rhunnyt lifted his hands, electricity crackling between his bony fingers. “I'll destroy you this time!"
Elryk lifted their hands so everyone coul
d see the small golden sphere.
"You've been warned.” Elryk's voice was heavy with authority. “We banish you from all worlds and dimensions containing life. Be gone."
The golden sphere expanded as they both repeated ‘be gone’ under their breaths. Rhunnyt stared at the approaching golden wall and smirked. He lifted his hands and threw a lightning bolt at the energy. Kaythan tensed, his body getting ready to fight off the threat, even though he knew he was totally dependent on Elryk to protect him against magic.
The lightning bolt hit the slowly advancing golden wall with a hissing sound. Kaythan felt the impact in his wrist. It wasn't painful, more like a dull thud. It travelled up along his arm and made its way into his brain where it fizzled out. It was over almost before it had started.
At the same time, the sphere reflected Rhunnyt's bolt of lightning back at him and the evil wizard barely managed to protect himself. His eyes widened, but he tried again, this time throwing two bolts of lightning simultaneously. Both bolts hit the sphere, and Kaythan felt another thud in his wrist travelling up to his brain while watching both bolts being reflected back at Rhunnyt.
Luckily, the wizard didn't manage to protect himself completely. His left arm was hit by his own lightning, making him scream with the pain. He lost his balance from the force of the impact but righted himself quickly, looking even angrier than before.
"You've got to try and relax while the magic does its work.” Elryk kept a wary eye on the advancing golden sphere as well as Rhunnyt while he was speaking. “It'll hurt less if you just let it flow through your body."
"It didn't hurt.” Not yet at least, but if Rhunnyt upped the power on the third try, who knew what would happen. “Thanks for the warning, though."
"Here he goes.” Elryk took a deep breath and focused on Rhunnyt and the golden sphere, which was now only a foot away from the evil wizard.
Rhunnyt snarled as he drew a protective energy circle around himself before resuming his attack. This time he threw a bundle of lightning at the advancing golden wall of energy. The reflection was so fast that it hit the wizard's protective shield with more force than it could take. It imploded in a flash of hissing sparks that burned the wizard's robe where it touched and scorched the skin on his hands and face.
