Kindred Truths

by M. D. Grimm

  “Yes, I noticed them before.” Nordik looked closer at one photo, and Poe cringed. Nordik glanced at him. “Is that you?”

  “Unfortunately yes. My awkward stage.”

  “Skinny as a beanpole and bullied as well,” Carol said, always willing to help.

  “You had long hair,” Nordik said.

  “A phase. Also didn’t wash myself much during that time.”

  “You were a headbanger, admit it,” Carol said.

  “Not ashamed of it. Still am, just without the hair. And more baths.”

  “I like the picture,” Nordik said thoughtfully.

  Poe’s eyes widened. “Good God, why?”

  Nordik’s smile was soft when he looked at Poe. “It was from a time before I knew you. All these pictures, they tell your story. Your past and why you are the way you are. I enjoy hearing about it, and now I get to see it. Your family really loves you. You’re blessed.”

  Poe swallowed hard at the emotion in Nordik’s voice. Despite the crowded house and onlookers, Poe slid his hand into Nordik’s and linked their fingers. At that moment he knew Nordik needed the contact, and Poe found Nordik’s sentiment sweet.

  He suddenly heard the sound of someone taking a picture with their phone and turned to see Carol grinning madly at them. He sighed loudly.

  “Seriously, Carol?”

  “Seriously, Byron.” She slipped her phone into her pocket. “There’s another picture to tell your story.”

  He wrinkled his nose at her.

  “I would like a copy,” Nordik said.

  “Sure thing. It was a good one too.”

  It wasn’t long before another small group of family wanted Nordik’s attention. Poe and Carol were shuffled aside, and Poe simply rolled his eyes. God forbid they wanted to talk to one of their flesh and blood.

  He and Carol found another corner to sit and talk. Or bicker. Whichever seemed the most entertaining. But it wasn’t long before Carol started to speak of her own family, and her expression became troubled.

  “Do you remember my oldest? Sean?”

  Poe nodded. Carol had three sons, and her oldest had to be… sixteen? Seventeen?

  “He’s the moody one, isn’t he?”

  “Aye,” she said. She glanced around at those closest to them before turning back to Poe and leaning forward in her chair. That made Poe frown, his internal alarms going off.

  “He’s getting worse. I’ve spoken about it several times with Tom, but he’s not home enough to know what I’m talking about.”

  Tom was her husband. He was also in the army and often deployed.

  “What do you mean by worse?”

  Carol lowered her voice, and Poe leaned forward to hear her.

  “He’s just so… isolated. He finished secondary school and doesn’t seem to be doing anything. He doesn’t have many friends, and the ones he does, I don’t like. They’re hoodlums, troublemakers. He shirks responsibility to his brothers, is gone most nights. He won’t talk to me. Every time I try, it just… it leads nowhere.”

  Poe rubbed Carol’s arm, feeling her worry and pain.

  “Has anyone else in the family tried to talk to him?”

  Carol nodded. “Nothing seems to work. I just don’t know what’s going on with him. I can’t even make a guess.”

  Poe tilted his head as he regarded his cousin. Then he sighed. “You want me to talk to him, don’t you?”

  Carol’s eyes brightened with hope, and she nodded, gripping his arm in return. “Please. Would you? He always liked you. Would follow you everywhere when you visited.”

  “I remember.”

  “I’m sorry to ask. I know you don’t like to get involved that way, but I’m at my wit’s end.”

  “I’ll do what I can, Carol. But I can’t promise anything.”

  “You don’t have to.” She tried to smile, but it faded quickly. “I think you might be the best to speak with him. I think… I think he has an ability. Like you.”

  Poe’s brow rose. “Yeah?”

  Carol shrugged sadly. “He won’t talk to me. But I’ve noticed some things and, oh, I don’t know. Maybe I’m just going crazy.”

  “You’re a lot of things, Carol, but crazy or paranoid or hysterical aren’t any of them. If your gut is telling you something’s wrong, then something is wrong. People don’t trust their gut enough.”

  Carol took a steadying breath and lightly cupped his cheek. “Thank you, Byron.”

  “Don’t thank me just yet.”

  IT HAPPENED that Sean was there at the house, but instead of being inside mingling and laughing with family, he was outside, sitting on one of the many rock walls that cut over the green land. Poe found him and walked over, wondering if Sean would just get up and leave. He didn’t. But Poe had the distinct impression he was being watched out of cold eyes hidden by a thick flop of black hair. It was unnerving to be under such inspection from someone he remembered as a kid, one who ran, tripped, and scraped his knees. The hair on the back of Poe’s neck stood up.

  He had told Carol to trust her gut. He was going to follow his own advice, even if it put a sharp pain right under his heart.

  Poe neither hurried nor sauntered over to Sean. He made the stroll casual, and nothing in his posture or expression conveyed his true feelings. He was good at avoiding telegraphing.

  “Hey, Sean. How ya doing?”

  Sean just stared at him, slightly hunched over. He was big and dark where his mother was slim and light. He took after his father in appearance, but his temperament certainly didn’t come from either parent. He was always a moody child, but a lot of children were moody and perfectly well-adjusted.

  Poe sat on the wall beside Sean and watched the house and the people through the windows. He’d let Nordik know where he was going but was firm on going alone.

  “You know, if you want food, you better get in there. They’ll devour the plates if they don’t watch it.”

  Still no answer. Poe frowned at Sean. “Your mom’s worried about you.”

  There, there it was. Annoyance flashed in his dark eyes as he glanced at Poe.

  “My mam’s a simpleton.”

  Poe raised an eyebrow at the obvious belligerence and arrogance in his tone. “Your mom is your mom. You owe her respect. Who do you think brought you into this world after hours of pain?”

  Sean sneered. “That’s all she was good for.”

  Poe’s eyes widened. What the hell was wrong with him? Sean might have been moody before, but he was never hostile.

  “I see you brought your beast,” Sean said before Poe could speak.

  Poe frowned heavily as he glanced at the house, following Sean’s line of sight. Nordik stood in obvious view through the window, holding two other small children—again. He was making them laugh, and one of them was playing with his white hair.

  “Funny, I don’t remember bringing an X-Men character with me. Unless you see a big blue furry mutant and I don’t.”

  Sean looked right at him and scowled. “You know exactly what I mean. You brought that beast to meet the family. It’s disgusting.”

  Poe tensed and curled his left hand into a fist. “I would be very careful if I were you, Sean. Nordik is a guest. He’s my mate. And if you think this cast is a hindrance to me, think again.”

  Sean sneered again and hopped off the wall. “Oooh! The big bad agent is angry. What will I do? You’re a shame to this family, and you disgust me. Being with the beast is no different than bestiality.”

  With that he turned and stalked away. Poe couldn’t move. He gaped as Sean disappeared down the gravel lane, night rolling in around them.

  Chapter Nine

  NORDIK KNEW something was very wrong. He said nothing when Poe came back inside, pale, his eyes too dark and haunted. He said nothing when Poe claimed fatigue and closed himself off in the room they would be staying in. He managed to wait for perhaps ten minutes before making his excuses and following Poe upstairs.

  The room was dark except fo
r a single lamp illuminating a small table set in the corner. Poe sat at the table, obviously in deep thought, his eyes distant.

  After shutting the door behind him, Nordik walked to the bed right beside the table and sat. It didn’t take long for Poe to realize he was there. Poe stirred and blinked, then regarded Nordik with shielded eyes.

  “What happened?” Nordik asked softly.

  “I don’t really know.”

  Nordik frowned. “What did he say?”

  “He—” Poe shook his head. Then he told Nordik word for word what was said. Indignant, Nordik jumped to his feet and prowled the room. The low burn of anger made him want to shift and run as his bear. A growl bubbled up from his chest.

  “Easy there, Nordik,” Poe said.

  Nordik looked over to see Poe carefully watching him. “If he tries to harm you or any of your family, I will stop him.”

  Poe stood. “Nordik, he is family. He’s the son of a woman I consider a sister.”

  Nordik stood straighter. “Blood is not the only thing that makes a family.”

  “I know that.” Irritated, Poe kicked the desk. Nordik knew his strength wasn’t behind the kick, or else he would have broken it. “It was unnerving, Nordik. When I was near Sean and he spoke that way, it… it was like I was listening to a knight.” Poe’s eyes were indeed haunted when he turned back to Nordik. “I hope to God that’s not the case here.”

  Nordik realized Poe didn’t need his anger. He needed reassurance and comfort. Pulling Poe into his arms, Nordik held him tightly and kissed the top of his head.

  “Not everyone likes shifters, and not all of them are knights. His friends could be influencing him. Or perhaps he’s had bad dealings with a shifter. We don’t know anything yet.”

  Poe nodded, his cheek pressed against Nordik’s chest. “That’s what I keep telling myself. But my gut doesn’t think so.”

  Nordik tucked a finger under Poe’s chin and lifted his head. Those beloved pale blue eyes were filled with worry and fear and pain.

  “You need to rest, Byron. We will figure everything out tomorrow.”

  Poe regarded him for a long moment in silence before grabbing his hand and kissing his fingers.

  “I love you so much, Nordik,” Poe whispered. “More than I thought I was capable of loving anyone. And now my family loves you. And you love them. And sometimes I can’t believe this is my life. As I stand here, I have to wonder if this is a dream and I’ll wake up in the Agency’s bunk room having never met you. I don’t think I could survive that.”

  “You won’t have to, mate.” Nordik was deeply touched by Poe’s words and cupped his face with both hands. Poe rarely spoke like this. They often expressed their devotion and love in other ways, through actions or physical touch and through their lovemaking. So when the words were said, they were achingly sweet to hear.

  “I am right here with you.” Nordik pressed their foreheads together. “And I have fallen in love with your family. And no hate or fear or bigotry is going to sever what we have forged together. You have my oath.”

  Poe smiled. It cheered Nordik’s heart.

  “And you have mine,” Poe said. He gripped Nordik’s collar and tugged his head down. “Now come here.”

  Nordik grinned right before their mouths connected. It surprised him how much Sean’s accusation of bestiality had bothered him. He half worried Poe had taken it to heart. But his words and the kiss quashed his fears. Nordik slid his hands around Poe’s waist and down to cup his firm ass. Poe slipped his arm out of the sling and used it to hook Nordik’s neck, keeping his head in place. He brought his other hand down between them and cupped Nordik’s bulge that was growing larger with each passing second. Nordik groaned and deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue possessively inside Poe’s mouth. Poe opened his mouth wider, demanding more.

  Poe rubbed and cupped Nordik’s erection through his pants, and Nordik responded by squeezing and stroking Poe’s ass. Their explosive sex was one main reason Nordik preferred to be naked all the time. It saved precious minutes that stripping off clothes took away from pleasure. But it was one of the sacrifices he had to make when leaving Sanctuary and spending more time in his human form. Clothes were damn constricting.

  Grunting in frustration, Nordik slid his mouth along Poe’s jaw and down to his neck, sucking the skin hard enough to create a bruise. He worked impatiently at Poe’s zipper and finally managed to shove down his pants and underwear. Then he once again claimed Poe’s ass and snuck his fingers between Poe’s asscheeks. Poe gasped and moaned, pressing harder against Nordik. He managed to shove his hand into Nordik’s pants and touch his throbbing cock. Nordik shuddered and licked the sensitive skin behind Poe’s ear.

  “God, I love your hands,” Poe said on a moan. “And your mouth and… holy fuck. You turn all of me into an erogenous zone.”

  Nordik huffed a laugh and pulled back to see Poe’s eyes shiny, his pupils wildly dilated. He was sure his own eyes were glowing, and his muscles slithered and jittered under his skin. He needed Poe. He needed him badly. But he didn’t want to rush it. The need to claim and dominate was nearly all-consuming, but unlike other shifters, it wasn’t his bear that pushed him to claim. He and his bear were so merged into one being that it was impossible to separate one from the other. He didn’t see his nature as being two spirits in one body, but one spirit with two faces. He suspected his long life served to fuse them even tighter. What he thought and felt in his human form, he felt as his bear. It was only his physical form that changed.

  “I need you to have me tonight,” Poe said, his voice low and husky. He dragged his tongue up Nordik’s neck, causing Nordik’s cock to leap in pure lust. “I need to feel you inside me.”

  Nordik cupped Poe’s face and skimmed his lips over Poe’s mouth. “You know I’m always willing to oblige.”

  Poe grinned. “Yep. That’s why we’re perfect together.”

  Yes. They were.

  Nordik proceeded to strip both of them before guiding Poe to the bed. Poe sat on the edge, and Nordik knelt in front of him, slipping between his legs. Needing to touch him everywhere, to worship him, Nordik kissed his muscled chest, paying special attention to his pink nipples. Poe grunted and gripped his head with his good hand.

  “Nordik,” Poe said, panting.

  “Let me. I need this. I need you.”

  Nordik knew it was hard for Poe to let himself be taken care of in such a way. He was certainly a fair lover who gave as good as he got. But at that moment, Nordik knew Poe needed to be pampered and catered to. Nordik wanted Poe to forget, if just for a moment, about Sean, the war, everything. And getting lost in Poe would allow Nordik to do the same.

  Poe flopped on his back, surrendering to Nordik’s touches. His surrender was arousing and Nordik’s cock hardened further. It was a struggle to keep his ministrations slow, to indulge.

  There wasn’t an inch of fat on Poe. He was nothing but sculpted muscle and firm skin. His abs were any man’s envy, and his rounded biceps would’ve caused some damage even without his fae strength. His trinity knot tattoo right above his heart deserved special attention. It was Poe’s reminder to himself of the interconnectedness of all things. His understanding that fae, humans, and shifters were bound together and if one failed, then all the rest would. Poe understood and accepted what Arcas and the Knights of the Dawn could not.

  They were family.

  “You taste amazing,” Nordik said as he slipped his tongue over Poe’s ribs.

  Poe whimpered. “You’re driving me insane. You know I’m paying you back for this.”

  Nordik grinned and met Poe’s eyes before continuing his descent. “I look forward to it.”

  “You say that now.”

  Chuckling, Nordik tortured them both by skipping over Poe’s solid erection. It was certainly impressive for one of his stature, and it lay as solid as a broom handle across Poe’s stomach.

  He continued down Poe’s shapely legs, as well-toned as the rest of him, and ev
en dropped a kiss on the top of his feet. There wasn’t an inch of Poe he didn’t love and cherish and obsess over. There wasn’t one thing about Poe he would change, not his courage or stubbornness or dedication to the point of obsession with his job. All of that made up who he was.

  Nordik worked his way back up Poe’s other leg and couldn’t resist anymore, even though he was enjoying torturing Poe. He slid only the head of Poe’s cock into his mouth and suckled it, jabbing his tongue against his slit. Poe cried out and gripped Nordik’s hair with his good hand.

  “Oh fuck! Oh fuck, oh fuck!”

  Nordik slid his hands up and down Poe’s inner thighs as he, with aching slowness, swallowed Poe’s entire cock. He hummed as he sucked, bobbing his head, delighting in Poe’s taste and sounds of pleasure. He had managed to reduce this fierce warrior into a quivering, needy mess, and the power of that was intoxicating.

  “Please. Nordik, come on. Please!”

  Nordik popped his head off Poe’s tortured cock and regarded his trembling, sweaty mate.

  “Please what?”

  Poe scowled at him. “You know very well what. Fuck me already.”

  Nordik chuckled. “Not yet.”

  “Oh for the love of—” Poe broke off with a grunt because Nordik devoured his cock again. “Damn bear!”

  Nordik grabbed Poe’s legs and spread them while also pushing them toward Poe’s chest. Poe must have known what was going to happen, and he gripped his own legs, using the cast to hook his right one. Nordik used his mouth on Poe’s balls as he continued to stroke his erection steadily—but not fast enough for him to come. He loved on Poe’s balls for a few solid minutes before lowering even farther and using his mouth on Poe’s ass.

  Poe gasped. “I don’t know why you get off on that. But keep going.”

  Nordik pressed closer and pushed his tongue inside. Poe’s scent and taste surrounded him, and his cock hardened to the point of pain. He tormented Poe as long as possible before he was as geared up as him. Nordik stood and found the lube. Without hesitation he shoved his slick fingers inside Poe’s ass, preparing him.