by Lynn Hagen
“Sorry, dude, I don’t know.”
Nazaryth sighed deeply and went back to washing the black ooze from Theo’s body. If black eyes meant he got to keep his zaterio, then he would learn to love black as much as he loved golden-amber eyes.
He’d take Theo any fucking way he could get him.
Chapter Seven
As soon as Theo’s eyes opened he grabbed his head and rolled over, vomiting. What in the hell had he eaten? Theo never remembered feeling this sick before. And it tasted like he had licked the bottom of a garbage can in the sweltering heat of summer.
“Get it all out.”
Lord knows he was trying to. The rancid taste was burning his damn nose. “What did I eat?” Theo asked as he rolled back over, feeling too weak to get up and rinse his mouth. He wished he could because the taste was still there, lingering.
“Do you remember what happened?” Nazaryth asked as he ran his hand over Theo’s hair. “The hounds?”
Theo groaned when he remembered the snarly bastard biting him.
“He did this to me?”
“More precisely, his bite,” Nazaryth answered him as he got up from the bed, coming back a few moments later with a wet towel and a glass of water.
“Thanks.” He grabbed the water, swishing it around in his mouth, and then spit it into the wastebasket Nazaryth held up. Grabbing the towel, Theo lay back and then draped it over his face. “How did his bite do this to me?” he asked from under the towel. “I’ve been bitten by were-creatures before, and this never happened.” He felt the bed dip, and then Nazaryth took Theo’s hand in his larger one. “You were bitten by a hell dweller. They are very poisonous. Some creatures do not survive the bite.” Theo lifted his head as he pulled the wet cloth away from his face.
“They don’t?”
Nazaryth shook his head.
“You could have shared that tidbit of information before I fought him.” He dropped his head back down on the pillow, covering his face once again. Theo felt like someone had used his body for batting practice. He was sore all over, and what in the hell was that smell?
“There wasn’t time.”
He tried to remain still. His body hurt like hell, and the taste in his mouth, along with the smell lingering in the bedroom, was putrid, making him want to vomit again.
“There wasn’t time to tell me from the first moment they approached me in the tavern? You’re right, forty-eight hours isn’t nearly enough time to tell me ‘watch out, their bite is poisonous.’”
“I fucked up,” Nazaryth said angrily as the bed shifted, telling Theo that the beast had left his side. “It won’t happen again. Do you think I would put my zaterio in danger on purpose?” Theo’s head began to throb. He really didn’t want to argue. What was the point? What was done was done. “All right, but please lower your voice before my head splits in two.” Nazaryth was back at his side, grabbing Theo’s hand. “What can I do for you?”
Theo’s head spun with the way Nazaryth turned hot and cold. Did the man have a split personality? He didn’t think so. This situation was stressing everyone out, including him as his head pounded a reminder. “Just let me rest.”
“I’ll have some soup brought in later. Rest, zaterio.” Nazaryth kissed his temple as he tucked the blankets around Theo.
Theo planned on it, just as soon as he brushed his damn teeth…with a Brillo Pad.
Theo came awake slowly to find himself facedown on the soft bed. He stared at the floor, waiting for the nausea to kick in. As he waited he realized he felt ten times better than the first time he had awakened.
His splitting headache was now just a low throb, and his stomach felt more stable. The taste was gone from his mouth, and the rancid smell in the room was no more. Frowning, he rolled to his back and stared up at the ceiling.
“Careful, zaterio.” Nazaryth’s voice floated to him. Theo looked around until he saw the beast sitting in a chair across the room. The image seemed like a contradiction to what Theo had seen already of the handsome man.
Nazaryth had a book open on his lap, one leg crossed over the other, and there was a steaming cup sitting on the small table next to him. The picture Nazaryth painted right now made Theo think of a strong knight at rest.
“How do you feel?”
Theo moved around, testing his muscles and joints. “Much better,” he said as he placed his hands on the mattress and pushed himself up into a sitting position. There were no windows to tell him what time of day it was. He was beginning to lose track of time inside this mountain.
Nazaryth closed the book, sitting it on the table next to him. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the bite.” Theo shook his head. “I survived it. That’s the important thing.” And it was. After losing Dorian, the small stuff really didn’t matter to Theo anymore. He hated arguing and confrontation. He was alive, breathing, and staring across the room at his mate. That was good enough for him.
Theo could see how truly sorry Nazaryth was by the strained expression on his face, the sadness in his dark eyes. “I’m a bit hungry,” he said.
Nazaryth nodded as he stood. “I’ll go get something for you to eat.” A few moments later, Nazaryth returned with a tray in his hand.
Theo could see that his mate was really trying. The man was at his beck and call and was willing to do whatever it took to make him happy.
After the claiming, Theo knew that Nazaryth was his mate, and he also knew he needed to cut the man a break. The beast had done nothing but try and care for him. “Thanks.” Pushing his back into the headboard, Theo moved his arms aside as Nazaryth placed the tray on his lap. There was a steaming bowl of broth and a glass of water on the tray. “I would give you more, but I don’t think your stomach could handle it right now,” Nazaryth said as he sat down next to Theo on the bed.
“It smells great,” he replied as he lifted his spoon, blowing across the top as the steam scattered. He really was feeling a lot better. It seemed rest was all he truly needed. Theo was even feeling well enough to fool around, but he knew he needed something in his stomach first. He took a sip from the spoon as he watched Nazaryth watching him closely.
It seemed he wasn’t the only one hungry, but he knew Nazaryth was hungry for something other than food. “Have they come back around?” he asked as he dipped the spoon into the hot broth once more.
“No.” Nazaryth shook his head as his eyes followed the spoon’s progress to Theo’s lips. He wasn’t sure if his mate was aware of his actions as Nazaryth licked his lips as soon as Theo sucked the spoon into his mouth. Nazaryth cleared his throat as his gaze fell away.
“And that worries me.”
“How so?” he asked as he sipped at his spoon.
“They know where we are now. They should have been back trying to tear the mountain down. But nothing has happened.”
“What do you think that means?”
Nazaryth shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I don’t like it. I’m getting a bad feeling with the silence.” His mate looked down at the blanket, his fingers tracing small circles around the deep emerald-green patterns. “Tell me, Theo,” he said and then took a deep breath, but his mate didn’t continue.
Theo noticed that Nazaryth wouldn’t look at him. He sat his spoon down onto the tray, waiting. His mate wouldn’t look up at him, so Theo tapped his finger on the back of Nazaryth’s hand.
“When the fever was with you, had you considered joining Dorian?”
Theo was surprised by the question. He placed his hand on top of Nazaryth’s, giving it a gentle squeeze until his mate met his eyes. “I don’t even remember the fever,” he answered honestly, “but if I had, there’s no way I would have left you.”
Nazaryth stared at him for a moment, his eyes snapping around Theo’s face, studying it as uncertainty filled his eyes. He wasn’t sure if his mate believed him after everything Theo had said about Dorian, but he told the truth. There was no way he would leave Nazaryth alone. He knew how that felt, and he wouldn’t wish that
upon a man that had done nothing but care about him.
“The amber coloring has come back,” he said with a smile. Theo noticed the change of subject and let it go for now.
“What do you mean?” he asked as he finished off his broth.
“Your eyes,” Nazaryth said as he reached up and ran the tips of his fingers over Theo’s cheeks. “Your eyes had changed to black rimmed in red. I was afraid I’d never see your beautiful golden-amber eyes again.”
Theo batted his lashes, knowing he had to break the tension in the room. “What, these old eyes?” he teased. “You like them?” Nazaryth chuckled as he nodded. “That I do. They are beautiful gems.”
Theo placed his hands in his lap, feeling a heated blush creep over his face. “Why thank you, kind sir.”
His mate reached over, taking the tray from Theo’s lap, walking it across the room and setting it on a table. “You should rest,” he said as he turned back toward Theo. “You’ve been through a great ordeal.”
“I’m rested.” Theo could see the guilt once again in his mate’s eyes. That wouldn’t do. “Now I think I need some loving from my beast.”
Nazaryth’s eyes widened as he stood there. Theo patted the bed as he shifted around to make room for his mate. “Come over here, and I’ll show you what’s hidden under the blanket.” The beast shook his head back and forth. Theo could see that Nazaryth wanted him. “You’re weak. You’ve just fought to stay alive.”
“Now I’m fighting to get fucked?” Theo questioned with a snort and then changed his tone to a syrupy sweetness. “You know you want to.”
Theo slid the blanket aside enough to reveal the weeping head of his cock. “I don’t want to rest.” He pouted, his bottom lip sliding out as he ran his fingers through the clear liquid and then pulled the blanket back in place, hiding his erection. “I guess if you don’t want this,” he said and then licked the clear liquid from his fingers.
Nazaryth was at the bed in record time, peeling his clothes off and tossing them aside. His beast slid under the covers, his hot body pressing into Theo’s. “Do you think I would refuse my zaterio?”
“I sure as hell hope not.”
“But you must promise to let me do all of the work.” Theo was all for that. Whatever it took for his mate to give him some loving. Hell, he’d agree to be tied down just as long as Nazaryth filled him. Theo turned, pressing his chest against Nazaryth’s. “Okay, I’m not moving. Now fuck me.”
Nazaryth grinned as he reached behind Theo and slid a finger up and down his crease. Theo groaned as he pushed back, trying his best to get Nazaryth to impale him.
“You’re not supposed to be moving,” Nazaryth reminded him as he pressed the tip of his finger against Theo’s hole.
“Nazaryth,” Theo begged softly and then cried out his approval when Nazaryth’s finger sank deep inside of him. “More, I need more.
Please give it to me.”
“You beg so prettily,” Nazaryth crooned as he reached behind Theo and brought back a small glass bottle. Theo could see that it was filled with some sort of oil.
“What about lube?” he asked as he watched Nazaryth remove the glass top.
“This is so much better, zaterio.” Nazaryth dipped his fingers into the jar and then smoothed them around, coating his thick fingers with the oil. “Trust me.”
Theo did trust him as he lifted his leg up, placing it on Nazaryth’s thigh. He bit his lower lip as Nazaryth set the bottle aside and then turned back toward him. “No moving.”
“I promise,” Theo said as Nazaryth’s finger slid inside of him. He wasn’t so sure he could keep that promise. He was unable to resist the demands of his highly aroused body as his back arched and a moan slipped from his lips.
“You don’t listen very well,” Nazaryth softly reprimanded him.
“Do I need to stop?”
“You stop and I’ll bite you.” Theo growled out his threat.
“I’m hoping you do that anyway,” Nazaryth said as he grinned.
“Now lie still.”
Theo grabbed Nazaryth’s shoulders, trying his best not to move as his mate’s large fingers stretched him. He moaned, biting his bottom lip, suppressing the urge to fuck Nazaryth’s thick fingers.
“Does that feel good, zaterio?” Nazaryth asked as he nipped at Theo’s ear. “Do my fingers please you?” How in the hell was he supposed to remain still when Nazaryth started talking dirty to him? The man was asking for the impossible right now. If he kept up his naughty words, Theo was going to explode before Nazaryth had a chance to fuck him.
He gasped when Nazaryth rolled Theo to his belly, shoving another finger into his ass as he kissed him down his spine. “Answer me, zaterio.”
“I–I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because if you keep talking that way, game over.” Nazaryth chuckled against Theo’s skin. “Does it turn you on?”
“Big-time,” he admitted. “So if you want to keep talking dirty, then you have to do it while your cock is buried in my ass.” He heard a loud growl coming from behind him. “It seems I’m not the only one who likes to hear naughty words.” Theo canted his ass in the air. “Then we can have a full-blown conversation after you slide your dick into me.” He grinned when he felt Nazaryth move around, and then his cheeks parted, the blunt head of Nazaryth’s cock poking at his hole.
“That’s it, beast. Fuck me.”
Nazaryth snarled as he shoved his cock to the root. Theo cried out from the pleasure as he fisted the sheets. Nazaryth stilled, leaning close to Theo. “Is this what my zaterio wanted?”
“Hell, yeah.”
“How about this?” Nazaryth asked as he pulled his cock slowly from Theo’s ass, leaving only the head embedded inside of him. The action made Nazaryth’s cock slide over every nerve ending, grazing across his sweet spot. Theo gasped and panted as he nodded.
“Yes.”
“And this?” he asked before slamming his cock back into Theo’s ass.
“God, yes.”
“It seems you like anything I do to your body.” Duh. He wasn’t crying out to pass the damn time. Theo dug his knees into the bed as he raised his ass higher. “Show me what you have.”
“A challenge?”
“A challenge,” Theo agreed.
Nazaryth leaned back, digging his fingers into Theo’s hips. “You better hold on, then,” he warned right before he jetted into Theo’s ass, the sound of skin slapping ringing through the room. Theo’s cock strained for release as he shouted and begged for more.
He was close, so damn close.
And then Nazaryth stopped.
“More, damn you.”
Nazaryth chuckled. “Again?”
The man was turning out to be a sadistic bastard. He took Theo right to the edge where he teetered, and then stilled. Theo was ready to knock the man out. “Dammit!”
“I like to hear you beg me for my cock. It sounds so damn pretty.
Beg me again, Theo.” Nazaryth drew out Theo’s name, making it sound exotic and sensual. “Beg me to fuck you.” Theo got to his hands and knees, slamming his ass back onto Nazaryth’s long and thick length repeatedly as his orgasm built inside of him.
“No cheating.” Nazaryth gripped Theo’s hips, stilling him.
“You’re not supposed to be moving, zaterio.”
“Then fuck me, dammit.”
“Beg me again.”
Theo pounded his fists into the bed as he gritted his teeth. He may be ready to throttle his mate, but he wasn’t going to deny that the game turned him on. “Fuck me, mate.”
The word mate ignited a hailstorm behind him. Nazaryth hammered into Theo with such force that he almost banged his head into the headboard. “Again,” Nazaryth commanded.
Grinning, Theo looked over his shoulder, and then his breath caught in his throat. Nazaryth was perched behind him, his fangs gleaming in the low light as sweat glistened over his muscled and deadly body. His wings were fully spanned as his ski
n was a deep bloodred.
“I’ll beg all you want if you bite me,” Theo said unsteadily. The sight of Nazaryth in his beast form was almost Theo’s undoing.
Nazaryth struck, sinking his fangs deep into Theo’s neck as his pelvis pounded into Theo’s ass. He begged, whimpered, and shouted his approval as Nazaryth showed Theo how truly masterful he was in bed.
The electricity shot up his spine, and then Theo’s cock shot his cum so violently that his head began to pound. He cried out his mate’s name as Nazaryth punished his entrance. His mate licked the wound closed and then roared as his seed erupted inside of Theo’s body.
“Goddamn,” Theo panted as he fell toward the bed. “Keep that up and I just may keep you.”
“That’s my plan,” Nazaryth said as he pulled Theo into his arms, spooning behind him.
Chapter Eight
Theo opened the bedroom door slowly, sticking his head out and doing a quick check. With a roll of quarters and a tube of dice in his hands, Theo slid from the room and he closed the door behind him.
Nazaryth had been adamant about Theo staying in bed and getting his rest.
But he was getting cabin fever. Or was it bedroom fever?
He didn’t want to stay in the bed. That fucking session Nazaryth had just put him through had knocked Theo out cold for hours. Theo was rested enough. He knew his body and knew he was fine. It was childish to sneak out of his room, but Theo was sick to death of lying in that bed staring at the ceiling.
Theo was used to being around people and being around crowds.
He didn’t like being alone. It was too damn quiet.
He was well rested, so now it was time to get up and show these men how to have a little fun. Theo poked his head into the living room, glancing around to make sure he didn’t see his beast anywhere.
When he saw that there was no sign of his mate, Theo grinned. He stepped into the living room. The men that were gathered there in the room were either watching the television or sitting off to the side bullshitting. They turned their heads when Theo appeared in the doorway.
