He smiled slightly. “You can use the researchers if you like, if you trust me not to steal it away from you. As for the book, well, I thought I deserved a little present for myself after all the work my team and I did on getting Matthew Hopkins out of the way. Are you going to begrudge me my reward?”
“I had another sort of reward in mind for you, one that involved me, you and a rather interesting bondage spell. But I suppose that’s out of the question?”
“Hell, give it a rest!” Quinn shook his head in impatience. “Let me know when you want that parchment looked at and I’ll sort it out for you. Was there anything else?”
“There was but you’ll only shout at me again.” The witch laughed softly. “Other than the thought of you spread across my bed again in nothing but skin and some silk ties, there’s nothing else.”
Quinn remembered a similar situation he’d been in with her in a previous life and he his face tightened. “Good. Then I guess I’ll be seeing you next week at the summit. Good night.”
Quinn disconnected the call and looked across at Cade, whose face was a picture.
“Did she realise that I could hear everything she said?” Cade said angrily.
Quinn looked at her in surprise. “Really?” His heart sank as Cade nodded violently.
“Yes. My hearing seems to have become a lot more acute of late. I guess it’s my inner Fey working. Hell, Quinn, that woman is a menace. How dare she think she can proposition you like that? And as for that bit about being”—he huffed fiercely—“being tied down on her bed, that was just pure bloody mindedness. She knew I was fucking listening.”
Quinn sighed. “Cade, she likes to rock the boat. Don’t take anything she says seriously.”
“You have to spend two days with that woman next week at your summit. How am I supposed to feel knowing she wants to tie you down on her bed and screw you senseless?”
Quinn chuckled at the aggrieved look on his fiancé’s face. “That’s not going to happen. You have my word.” Privately he felt a little bit of apprehension at Valensia’s renewed pursuit of him. He thought they’d had an agreement to let the past be just that.
“Well, I’m not happy. Valensia is really pushing the envelope.”
Quinn sighed at Cade’s mutinous expression. Why couldn’t that bloody witch have kept her mouth shut?!
He reached out and pulled Cade over to him, sliding his hands down to his hips. “You are the only one I want tying me up and ravaging my body,” he whispered, as his mouth kissed the softly pulsing skin at Cade’s throat. “In fact, it sounds like a pretty good idea right now. Perhaps you could show me how that’s done. The whole skin and silk tie bit and me spread-eagled on the bed.”
He was feeling fairly horny himself with his own words, and when Cade reached over with darkened eyes and took the red ties out of his bedside drawer, Quinn knew he was in for a rough ride.
Chapter 21
It was a dark June night and Quinn and Daniel sat by the riverbank watching Cade swim tirelessly across the heath pond. His strong arms cut through the water as he propelled himself toward the opposite side of the bank.
Quinn thought Cade was certainly faster, stronger and more self-confident in the water than he’d been. Quinn couldn’t say exactly what the full extent of Cade’s powers were. All he had was the Sprite lore in his head and books. But they were learning more about the Sprite race together each day.
Now that Cade had more knowledge he was no longer worried about the ones in the pond dragging him under, and had in fact been a little disappointed that they hadn’t tried to make contact with him again.
In addition to Cade’s underwater breathing exercises in the bathtub, Quinn had even found Cade in a yoga position trying to “tap into his Spriteness” as he called it. Cade had been disappointed when the position of downward-facing dog had done nothing to help him find himself, but his practice of the position had done everything for Quinn’s cock. Seeing Cade’s pert arse tight and round before his eyes had definitely done things for Quinn’s libido. Finding out his boyfriend had done yoga in his past had fuelled Quinn’s sexual fantasies beyond the pale.
Quinn grinned now at the conversation they’d had one night while sitting around the dining table.
“Don’t they want to Sprite with me?” Cade had muttered peevishly. “Now I fancy getting to know them, they’re nowhere to be found.”
Quinn knew he desperately wanted to find out more about his potential healing abilities. Cade had tried to tap into them when he’d caught his finger in a door and cut it open, but unfortunately, the good old practice of spray plaster and disinfectant had been the sum total of his healing prowess. The fierce concentration on Cade’s face as he’d tried to think himself better had Quinn smirking behind his back. Cade had refused to let Quinn heal him either, saying peevishly that if he couldn’t do it, it would have to heal naturally, like a human. Cade was stubborn that way.
Quinn had chuckled. “They’re probably wary, given how you shouted at them the time they tried to make contact,” he’d remarked dryly. “I have no doubt they will soon, though. Your prowess in finding out a little more about yourself is making you more comfortable with who you are. They’ll soon pick up on that.” He’d licked his lips. “Now I, on the other hand, would love to Sprite with you.”
Cade had chuckled and ruffled Quinn’s hair which had led to bedroom calisthenics. Cade creatively demonstrated his ability to attain various yoga positions Quinn hadn’t even known were possible. Cade put his Kama Sutra book to shame.
Quinn had also reflected grimly that it was only a matter of time before Cade demanded even more information and he’d resigned himself to that fact. It was time to tap into Taliesin, who had been a complete and utter pain in the arse about his demand to help. Perhaps between them they could teach Cade some of the old Spritean language so he could make contact with them himself. Quinn felt a sense of dread at that thought.
“He’s an impressive sight to watch in the water, isn’t he?” Daniel muttered, drawing his old bomber jacket tighter around his shoulders. The cool night air was chilly and wrapped itself around the body like a blanket. “I can’t believe he has the stamina to get into that bloody water and swim like he does.”
Quinn chuckled. “Cade is probably more at home in the water than he is on dry land. If he doesn’t get his swim every day he gets tetchy and I can’t have that.”
“Is that why you magycked open the gate in the middle of the night and we snuck in here like a couple of teenagers skinny dipping?” Daniel remarked drily. “Gates are meant to keep people out. You can’t go opening them at whim and sneaking onto other people’s property. Did I teach you nothing when you were a boy?”
Quinn laughed, his eyes twinkling. “A tetchy Cade is more than I can bear. I’d rather face the wrath of a constable patrolling the park. Them I can enchant, make them forget they’ve seen us. But that man of mine in a bad mood does not bode well for my sex life.”
He grinned as Daniel shook his head in amusement.
Quinn eyed Daniel mischievously. “And it’s not the middle of the night, old man, although it’s probably past your bedtime. It’s only nine.”
Daniel reached out and punched Quinn hard on his arm, the force of his solid frame behind the blow making Quinn exclaim loudly.
“Enough of the cheek, you disrespectful bastard.” Daniel scowled. “Did I teach you no manners?”
The two men grinned at each other fondly. Not for the first time Quinn wondered what he would have ever done without this man in his life to turn to when things got dark.
“I was very proud of you when I heard the result of the Union Summit,” Daniel said quietly as Quinn watched Cade swim. “Not only did it go off without a hitch, you made history, you and Valensia together. Your father would have been very proud of you.”
Quinn felt warmth inside at his uncle’s praise. “I was pleased with the result too.
It took a lot to get us to this stage but I think we
’ve finally got a real ally we can work with.” His voice was dry. “Even though Valensia is not my idea of the perfect partner in this enterprise, she’s good at what she does and we have the same views on most things. And I know she can control her witches, so that makes things a lot easier.”
He smiled. “And I have a great ally in Misty Ravenbrook, the witch that used the original book in her spells and started this whole thing off. We see each other occasionally and she’s even coming over for dinner in a couple of weeks. We’ve become good friends. I want her to meet Cade.” His voice faltered. “I have an idea I want to swing by him before she does though, something pretty mind blowing and it will need both Misty and Cade to get comfortable with each other.”
Daniel looked at him curiously. “That sounds intriguing. Care to share?”
Quinn looked down at the ground, uncomfortable with how to broach with his uncle the subject he’d had brewing in his head for a while now. “Uhmm, not just yet. It’s too early. I really need to speak to Cade about it before I tell anyone else.”
“Wow. I’ve never seen you so ill at ease talking about something. This is a first. Fine, I’ll let my curiosity rest. For now.” Daniel grinned. “Are you sure it’s a good idea having another witch meet Cade? Your track record with them hasn’t been so good to date—Mary-Sophie, Valensia…” He chuckled at the expression on Quinn’s face. “Come on, don’t look so stricken. I’m joking.” He grinned slyly. “Of course, Cade still has a bug up his arse about Valensia and you working together. I mean, she does seem to have a real yen for you still. Cade isn’t happy, I can tell you.” Daniel’s voice was amused.
Quinn shrugged. “Cade knows the history we have, but I can promise you, Cade is more than enough for me.” He watched as Cade started his swim back and he closed his eyes, lying back on the grass, appreciating the solitude of the pond. The night birds called loudly in the trees above and in the distance he could hear what he thought was a badger snorting. Daniel did the same, lying back with his hands behind his head and looking up into the clear night sky.
Quinn felt a strange sense of peace flood his body. He hadn’t wanted to tell Daniel about his reason for inviting Misty over. In one of their lunch conversations, Misty had quietly asked him how the Fairmont line was to be continued if Quinn wasn’t going to marry a woman and let her bear his children. To be honest, it had always been a concern in Quinn’s mind but nothing that he believed he could solve easily. He’d been completely floored when Misty had said quietly that if he and Cade wanted, she was quite happy to be a surrogate for him and carry his child. The blood had rushed to Quinn’s head and he had gaped at the witch. It was an offer beyond his wildest expectations—to have a renowned witch and someone he liked and trusted be the mother of any future children. He’d stammered and stuttered his thanks and appreciation at Misty’s offer and she’d laughed gently, saying she knew it was early days but he and Cade must remember she was there if they needed her. Of course it was something Quinn needed to talk to his future husband about. He knew Cade loved kids but this offer was something else altogether.
They were both dozing when there was the sound of someone coming out of the water. He heard a sudden gasp, almost a deep sigh and he sat up, opening his eyes. He reached for Cade’s towel, ready to take it to him. It was dim and as Quinn’s eyes focused on the scene in front of him, his animal instincts kicked in and he leapt to his feet. Rowan Kirkpatrick stood over Cade, who was hunched on the ground near the steel steps, holding his hands to his chest.
Quinn rushed towards him, his heart beating wildly with fear. “Cade! Are you all right?”
Daniel sat up in alarm and scrambled to his feet. Quinn reached Rowan in seconds. He was trying to run away but had somehow got tangled up in Cade’s swimming bag, the handle of which had snaked around his foot. Rowan cursed as he tried to free himself, but he was too slow. Quinn’s palm connected flat against the other man’s chest in a burst of energy that threw Kirkpatrick almost twenty feet away. He landed in a heap on the grass, where he lay still, his sunglasses broken beside him.
Quinn knelt down beside Cade, his face grey as he tried to see what had happened. Cade sat on the grass, hands clutching the left side of his chest. Blood gushed out of a wound that yawned open at least two inches. Quinn could see the white tissue and slowly pulsing blood as it oozed from Cade’s body. It was reminiscent of the last one he’d seen on his Cade’s body when Andrew de Vere had sliced him open. But this wound went much deeper, mortally so, he feared. Quinn laid Cade down on the grass, his heart pounding. Daniel stood over him in horror.
“Hang on, Cade. I’m going to try and heal that. Just hold on for me.” His whole being went cold with dread. There was a terrible sense of déjà vu as he held his hands over Cade’s body, his mind already chanting the words to heal him. Cade gazed up at him with pain-filled eyes and reached out a blood-covered hand to his.
“Quinn?” he whispered. His face was white, lips already paling.
Quinn clasped Cade’s hand to his chest as he closed his eyes and desperately summoned the energy he needed into Cade’s body, his Withinner adding to the power. When Quinn opened his eyes, the wound was just as bad as it had been. His heart froze as he closed his eyes and chanted again, laying his hands on the open wound. Cade’s eyes were closed and Quinn could hardly sense his heartbeat.
“Dan, it’s not working!” Quinn whispered agonisingly. “Why isn’t he healing? Cade, open your eyes. Please, honey, open your eyes.”
Daniel knelt down beside Cade, his face grave. He leaned in and listened to his breath, his face turning white as he realised Cade was hardly breathing.
“Quinn, I can hardly hear anything,” he said falteringly. “Can you sense any heartbeat at all?”
Quinn shook his head, his eyes dazed. “My magyck isn’t working, I can’t heal him. We need to call 999.”
His Withinner’s voice echoed urgently in his ears.
Quinn, Cade will never make it. He is grievously injured. The wound has gone deep and he is bleeding inside. You have to lay him in the water. Let the Sprites take him.
“I’m not putting him in the fucking water to be taken!” Quinn spat out in agony. “He needs a hospital.” He reached into his jacket pocket and took out his phone with trembling hands.
Daniel laid a cold hand on his and spoke softly. “If Taliesin is telling you to put Cade in the water, do it, son. An ambulance will never get here in time. Your Withinner knows what he’s doing. Trust him.”
Quinn’s eyes flashed violently at his uncle. “I am not fucking losing him to the depths of a bloody Hampstead Heath pond.”
He knelt down beside Cade again, closing his eyes as he tried once more to heal, but the wound just kept seeping blood, now at a much slower rate than before. Cade’s face was ash white, his dark hair standing out starkly against the deathly pallor of his face.
Quinn. Your Cade is nearly gone. You have to put him in the water now before it is too late. There is no time for your modern medicine. He will not survive unless you do it now. The Water Sprites will take him and heal him as long as there is still a spark of life left in him.
“I can’t. Don’t ask me to do that. I can’t.” Quinn’s voice was strangled as he struggled to compose himself. His body was cold, his mind sluggish and he had never felt so desperate.
Daniel strode forward and despite his small and wiry frame, he picked Cade up in his arms. He looked at Quinn, his voice resolute. “He’s dying. This may be the only way to save him.”
Quinn growled and reached out with a hand to hold him back. Daniel sidestepped him and looked at him with a resolute expression. “You can hurt me if you want but it won’t help Cade. This is all we have left to try before he dies.”
Quinn’s hand still gripped him tightly and the older man winced.
“If anyone is going to do this, it’s going to be me.” Quinn’s voice cracked and he held out his arms. Wordlessly, Daniel placed Cade in Quinn’s outstretched arms and Quinn
pulled his lover closer to his body. He walked down to the water’s edge and waded in as Daniel watched helplessly from the bank, his face stark. Quinn gently laid Cade down in the water. He seemed to float for a while, hair spreading about in the water like black smoke. His face was still, eyes closed as Quinn held tightly onto his cold hand, rubbing his thumb over the engagement ring. Quinn’s vision blurred as tears filled his eyes.
You need to let Cade go. Let him join his kind below the water. Trust me.
Taliesin’s voice was soft, compassionate. Quinn heaved a shuddering sigh as Daniel joined him in the water, laying a comforting arm on his.
“I can’t—” Quinn shook his head in grief, his heart breaking.
His uncle took hold of his shoulders, firmly holding him back. “There’s no other way, son. Let him go.”
Quinn relinquished his grip on Cade’s hand, standing there as he heard a soft splash and saw the water rippling around them. As they watched, two sets of pale hands emerged out of the water, and slowly, lovingly, Cade was dragged gently beneath the dark waters of the pond. Quinn saw the hand with his ring on it slowly disappear under the water. It was the last glimpse he had of the man he loved.
His heart wrenched inside him, the pain impossible to bear. His life blood was being sucked from him and it hurt so much. His eyes flooded with tears and he blinked them back furiously. The water flattened as the two men stood in complete silence looking at the pond where Cade had been, its smooth surface belying what had just taken place.
Daniel reached out to Quinn. “Son, we have to have faith he’ll find his way back.”
Quinn shook his head, unable to speak. He looked down at the water again, hoping to see Cade suddenly appear. When he finally realised he was definitely gone, he turned and waded out of the water, toward the now-moving figure of Rowan Kirkpatrick.
Daniel shouted behind him. “Quinn. Don’t do anything stupid. Remember he’s human, not Fey.”
Double Alchemy: Climax Page 17
