WIZARDSCOTT

by Scott

  Dallan began the trek at a fairly brisk pace. Slade couldn’t believe it. Dallan was walking faster, carrying him, than he was before. He must have been walking slower earlier so that Slade could keep up. He’s amazing. How’s he doing this? That was Slade’s last conscious thought for a while. He passed out.

  ****

  As he trudged along, Dallan became more and more concerned. He’d felt Slade’s body go slack soon after he began walking. He must have passed out again. He’d noticed when they’d stopped to rest that Slade was very pale and obviously weak. His sense of urgency to get him home so that he could treat his injuries increased with every step he took. Once there, he could mix an elixir for him to drink that would restore his stamina and also prepare a potion for his arm.

  I swear by everything that’s holy to me that he’s going to listen to me and obey me. I’m going to save him if it kills us both.

  Just as dawn was breaking, Dallan saw his house in the distance.

  Almost there. Hang on, Slade. Don’t you die on me now that we’re this close, baby.

  For the last twenty minutes or so, Slade had been mumbling something that Dallan couldn’t quite make out. His body felt hot and he was delirious, so he obviously had a fever and it was getting worse. It had taken more time than he’d anticipated since he hadn’t been able to walk as fast while carrying Slade. At first, he was moving swiftly down the trail, but that hadn’t lasted long. Slade was larger than the average human, tall and muscular, so even though Dallan was larger, Slade’s body weight slowed him down.

  At last, he was in the house and had placed Slade on the bed. He looked over and saw Harry getting settled in on his perch. “Oh, no, you don’t, Harry. You can’t sleep yet. I’m going to write a message to Levi and I need you to deliver it. I can’t go and Levi needs to know what’s happened and send someone after those damn Dark Elves.”

  He wrote the message and tied it to Harry’s leg, sending him on his way. Then he turned back toward the bed and began undressing Slade so that he could check his injuries. Once he had the dirty and torn clothes off, he began a thorough investigation of his body for wounds of any kind. What he saw made him sick. Slade had bruises of all sizes all over his beautiful body. There were scratches on his arms and chest and that one nasty gash on his left arm. It looked as if it was already becoming infected and Dallan knew that once contamination from one of those filthy beasts took hold in Slade’s body, it would be difficult to save him.

  Dallan left Slade only long enough to get some water and towels so that he could bathe him and cleanse his wounds thoroughly. He also picked up his book of spells and potions so that he would be sure that he was mixing the correct ingredients. Everything had to be absolutely perfect or Slade could die.

  By the time he was done mixing the elixir for him to drink and the potion for him to bathe the wounds with, Harry was back, having delivered his message to Levi. He flew into the bedroom and landed on the bed next to Slade, making a cooing sound. He looked from Slade to Dallan, making the cooing sound again. Dallan seemed to understand what he was asking. “I don’t know, Harry. I’m going to give him this elixir to drink and treat his wounds. Then, we’ll just to wait and see. Go get on your perch and rest. Thank you. I would never have found him in time if not for you.”

  Once Harry was on his perch, Dallan began treating Slade’s wounds. In his delirium, Slade tried to fight him as he slathered the potion on, especially when he got to the big gash. He was so weak, though, that Dallan was able to handle him easily, touching him gently and speaking soothingly to him. Finally, he was done and he picked up the elixir, holding it to Slade’s lips, forcing them open so that the liquid could slide down his throat.

  When he was satisfied that he’d done all he could for the time being, he drew the sheet over Slade and went to hurriedly bathe himself. Coming back into the room, he saw that Slade was restless and mumbling and had kicked the sheet off himself. He climbed onto the bed, covered him again, and pulled him into his arms, trying to calm him. Slade was still muttering, but Dallan couldn’t make out anything intelligible until he heard Merlin. He smiled and let his own exhaustion overtake him.

  A loud pounding on the door woke him and he sat bolt upright, looking over at Slade, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully for now. He’d probably need to give him some more of the elixir soon to help him regain his strength, so that his body could fight the infection.

  The knocking continued, so he slid off the bed, thankful that he had put on sweatpants and a t-shirt after his bath. He looked out the peephole in the door to see who was knocking, not wanting a replay of yesterday’s events, and saw that it was Levi and Cole.

  He quickly opened the door. Poor form to leave your king outside pounding on the door. “Come in, Your Highness.”

  “I hope we didn’t disturb you, but Cole was insistent that we come check on his friend. How is he?”

  “Not good. They hit him over the head with something. One of their clubs, he thinks. He also has scratches from their claws and one large gash, which looks to be infected. You know how dangerous that can be. He’s had a fever and has been delirious for hours. I’ve done all I can do, so we just have to wait and see. He seems to be sleeping peacefully right now.”

  Cole spoke up. “He’s a tough one, Dallan. If anyone could pull through, it’d be Slade.”

  “I agree. He’s strong all right, but stupid. Won’t listen to a damn word I say. I warned him, but I might as well have been talking to the wind.”

  Levi laughed. “I understand completely. I have a close association with someone just like him. I prefer to look at it as stubbornness rather than stupidity, however. I’ve learned that it’s easier to embrace it and learn to live with it than try to live without it.”

  Cole gave him a withering glance. “I’m standing right here, you know, and I prefer not to be referred to as an it. Now, Dallan, would you mind if I just looked in on him?”

  “No, certainly not, go on in. He gestured toward the bedroom and turned to Levi. “Did you get the ugly bastards?”

  “Yes, we did. Do you have any idea why they did that, other than the fact that he’s a human?”

  “I don’t think that was it. As I told you, I’ve been receiving messages from someone wanting me to open a blood gate and I imagine it was them. I think they took Slade for ransom, not for money, but to hold him hostage to get me to open the gate.”

  “That makes sense. Once they had him, they would have realized that he was human from his scent and they would have killed him no matter what. You’re lucky you found him in time.”

  “I know, but I’m not sure I was in time. I’m not sure he can be saved.”

  Cole came back into the room looking shaken. “He looks awful. It was worse than I expected.”

  Levi walked over to him and put his arm around him to comfort him. “We need to be going. It’s getting late, and I prefer that we not be traveling after dark. Your friend’s in good hands with Dallan.”

  “I know. Take good care of him, Dallan. Don’t let him die.”

  “I’ll do whatever I can.”

  Levi spoke up. “I’m sure that you will. If you need anything, let us know.”

  “Thank you. I will. By the way, what did you need to speak to me about? Yesterday, you said that you wanted to talk to me about something.”

  “It’ll wait. Get Slade well first and then we’ll talk. Keep us posted on his condition and we’ll come back to check on him in a couple of days.”

  ****

  On the trip back to the hollow hills, the home of the Sidhe, Cole was subdued. He turned to Levi with a sad look. “I don’t think he’s going to make it. I don’t see how anyone could look like he does and live.”

  “He’ll make it. Dallan will see to it. He’s a much better wizard than he gives himself credit for, and he loves him.”

  “Loves him? Levi, Slade has only been here for a few days. Lust, maybe. Slade is, after all, a han
dsome man, but love? I don’t know about that.”

  Levi frowned. “Just how handsome do you think Slade is?”

  “Very.” At Levi’s deepening scowl, he smiled. “He’s very handsome, but I much prefer gorgeous, sexy demons with cute little horns.”

  Levi laughed, content with the answer that he’d been fishing for. “Anyway, don’t say that it’s too soon for Dallan to be in love with Slade. You fell in love with me the first time you saw me, didn’t you?”

  It was Cole’s time to laugh now. “Don’t flatter yourself. Lust, perhaps. You were sexy as hell, but scary, too. Also, quite arrogant. Some things never change.”

  “Ah, but you love me nevertheless.”

  “It’s true. I do.”

  ****

  As soon as Cole and Levi left, Dallan went to check on Slade. He was still a little restless, but not as bad as before, and he didn’t feel as feverish. Dallan picked up the elixir and crawled onto the bed next to Slade. Sliding his arm under Slade’s shoulders, he lifted him up and managed to get some of the concoction down his throat.

  Slade shivered as if he were cold so Dallan wrapped his arms around him, holding him close. Don’t you die on me, Slade. I’m not giving you up now. Dallan lay there holding Slade, as if by holding him, he could will him to live. He’d only known him a few days, but he knew that he loved him. Beautiful, stubborn man.

  Dallan hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but he had, still tired from the night before. He didn’t have any idea how long he’d slept. The room was dark so it was nighttime and something had awakened him. But what? He lay very still, his arms still wrapped protectively around Slade, listening for any noise. That’s when he heard the whisper.

  “Dallan?” Slade was calling him.

  “Slade, do you need something?”

  Slade nodded weakly. “Thirsty.”

  Dallan jumped up and hurried to the kitchen, bringing back clear, cold water. He lifted Slade’s head so that he could drink. “Not too much now. Just a few sips at first.”

  For once, Slade obeyed him, taking only a few swallows. He smiled up at Dallan. “Good.”

  He’s going to be all right. He’s going to make it. Dallan could hardly contain himself. He wanted to grab Slade and hug him, but knew that his injuries wouldn’t permit it, so he eased him back down onto the pillow gently.

  Slade’s eyes opened, unclouded by fever or delirium, blue and clear and alert. He smiled up at the man who had saved his life and said, “Thank you, Dallan.” He raised a hand to touch Dallan’s face and winced. “Hurts.”

  “I know.” Dallan pulled the sheet back. “Let me check your injuries. Just lie still.”

  The bruises on Slade’s body were a myriad of colors from black to purple to yellow, and they were everywhere. The scratches on his arms and chest were no longer red and angry-looking, which was a good sign. Dallan couldn’t tell about the gash on his left arm because he had bandaged it after applying a large amount of the healing potion to it. He gestured toward it. “I’ll remove that bandage tomorrow and see how that cut is doing. The others are looking better already.”

  “What about my head? It’s still hurting.”

  “I think that you have a concussion and you’re going to have to take it easy for a few days, but you should be fine. I won’t know about your arm until I can look at it, but I don’t want to remove the bandage tonight.”

  “Good, because I don’t want you to. I’m not ready for any more pain today. Can I have some more water now?”

  ****

  This was the third day that Slade had been confined to the bed and he was sick of it. Since waking up this morning, he could tell that he was a lot better, feeling more like his old self. The first two days, he hadn’t really felt like getting up, but today he did and, no matter what Dallan said, he was getting out of this bed.

  He looked over at the man lying beside him and a rush of feeling overwhelmed him. Dallan had saved his life and he was grateful for that, but this feeling was something more, a warmth he’d never felt before. Love? Oh, get serious, Delaney. You don’t fall in love. You fuck ’em and leave ‘em. No muss, no fuss.

  Still watching Dallan sleep, he realized that he didn’t want it to be that way with Dallan. He couldn’t get enough of him and he sure as hell didn’t want to leave, never seeing him again.

  Slade threw the sheet off, looking his fill at Dallan’s naked body. He was perfect, and Slade felt his cock growing rigid as his gaze slid down Dallan’s chest, over his stomach, following the golden treasure trail to the wizard’s morning wood. Smiling, he slid over next to Dallan, rubbing his erection on his hip.

  Dallan’s eyes flew open at the contact. “What are you doing? Are you delirious again? Stop that. You’re too sick for this.”

  “Actually, I feel great, and this is exactly what I need to make me feel even better.”

  “Slade, I don’t think….”

  “That’s right. Don’t think, Merlin, just feel. Now, roll over and face me so I can kiss you.”

  Dallan hesitated for a millisecond before turning and putting his lips on Slade’s. As the kiss deepened, Slade threw his leg across Dallan’s hip, pulling their bodies close, so that their dicks were touching. He began a slow, steady rhythm of rubbing their cocks together, creating a delicious friction.

  Slade knew that he wasn’t going to last long, but when Dallan reached between them and took both cocks in his large hand, stroking in time with the dance of their tongues, it was over. He groaned Dallan’s name and came. Dallan followed soon after.

  They each lay there spent, trying to catch their breath. Dallan asked, “Are you all right?”

  “Never better. Just what the doctor ordered.”

  “Do you feel like a bath?”

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  “I’ll go get the water and a towel.”

  “No, I want to get in the tub. I think a good soak would help get rid of some of this soreness.” At Dallan’s frown, he continued, “Of course if you think that I might be too weak to get in there alone, I certainly don’t mind having company.”

  “Okay. Just remember not to get that arm wet. I’ll change the bandage after we bathe.”

  ****

  Slade’s strength returned very quickly in the next couple of days and his arm was healing nicely. There would be a nasty scar for a while, but that would fade in time. Dallan had sent a message to Levi, informing him of Slade’s recovery and inviting them to come see for themselves when it was convenient.

  Slade was sitting in the living room, sipping on some of the elixir that Dallan had made up for him, when someone knocked on the door. He started to get up, but Dallan stopped him. “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not good at this.”

  He watched Dallan look through the peephole. He smiled, opening the door to Cole and Levi. Cole walked over to Slade, saying, “I don’t believe it. The last time I saw you, I was sure that you were dying.”

  Levi walked over. “And I assured you he wouldn’t. When will you learn to listen to me?”

  Cole simply raised an eyebrow at Levi, making him chuckle, before turning to Dallan. “You truly are a great wizard, Dallan. Thank you for saving my friend.”

  “My pleasure, but I really didn’t do that much. His own strength did most of the work.”

  Slade spoke up then. “Don’t let him kid you. I wouldn’t have made it without Merlin here.”

  They laughed at the reference to Merlin, and at Dallan’s stern look. Levi turned to Dallan and said, “We’d like to speak to you about what I was going to discuss with you both before all this happened. Cole and I were wondering if Slade would be interested in becoming a member of WRAITH.” He turned his attention to Slade. “You understand that if we’re unable to neutralize you, we can’t allow you to leave.”

  “I know that that’s been your policy, but someone has to check on my mother, and I have a job. I can’t simply disappear without someone noticing.”r />
  “I know, but joining WRAITH would solve all those problems. I can speak to the bureau chief and have you assigned to the organization so that the FBI would merely have to tell your boss that you had been reassigned. Once your training is complete, you would be able to travel back and forth between our two realms whenever you needed to and could, therefore, check on your mother whenever you felt you should. As a matter of fact, you could choose which realm you wanted to live in.”

  Dallan spoke up before Slade could say a word. “He would stay here with me, of course.”

  Slade stared at him. “What do you mean ‘of course?’ I think that would require some discussion between us, don’t you?” It was exactly what he wanted, but he refused to make it easy for Dallan. He was way too bossy as it was.

  Dallan gave him an imperious look. “Fine. We’ll discuss it later, but the end result will remain the same.”

  “We’ll see, Merlin, we’ll see.” Of course, he would stay. He loved this man more than he’d ever loved anyone, but he was too complacent about getting his way. He’d make Dallan work for it before he agreed to staying, and have a hell of a lot of fun doing it. Starting tonight.

  THE END

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Susan E Scott lives with her husband in a small town in north Georgia. They're both owned by their Yorkie, Sophie, who is the undisputed queen of the household. Susan enjoys scrapbooking, traveling and reading and writing romance. Susan writes M/F and M/M erotic romance.

  WRAITH: THE BLOOD PRINCE

  SHANNON WEST

  When FBI agent Cole Gregory is called to his bureau chief’s office and recruited for a special task force called WRAITH, he is confronted with the commander of the force, a handsome, enigmatic man named Levi who makes Cole feel restless and uneasy.

  The two men tell him an unbelievable tale of a world beyond our own, a world where Fairies and Demons rule, and where Fae and Paranormal creatures exist and sometimes cross over to our world to interact with humans—the Vargr Realm. They’ve known about our world for thousands of years and are attracted to humans. WRAITH is a special Vargr task force established to retrieve those of the Vargr Realm who travel between the dimensions unlawfully and to neutralize any human witnesses who come in contact with these travelers.