by A. H. Lee
Azrael stared back at him, pale as chalk, his clothes all askew. “I didn’t know,” he whispered. “I only hoped.”
Mal’s lip curled and he snarled, “I still want to eat you!”
Azrael said nothing.
Mal turned away—all of his magnificent human physique bunched in taut lines, his shoulders as straight as a knife edge. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. Finally he crossed his arms. He spoke between long breaths. “I…need…a vacation.”
Azrael took an audible swallow. “Alright.”
Jessica spoke with hesitant hope. “I would very much like to show you my home, Mal. And…and some other things.”
Mal spun back around. He spoke furiously to Azrael. “You are going to give us Jessica’s allowance and permission to leave this island for as long as I want.”
Azrael blinked, licked his lips. “Money. Yes. And I need to reverse Jessica’s binding. But you don’t need my permission to do anything.”
Mal stared at him as though he had not thoroughly realized the fact himself. He looked down at his own hands as though seeing them for the first time.
Jessica took a step towards him, excitement bubbling up like water from a deep spring. I don’t have to leave you behind! “Mal, I am going to show you so many things.”
He turned to her and the ghost of a smile began to play across his face. “Jessica.”
“Mal.”
“I nearly got you killed.”
“Funny, I was going to say the same thing to you.”
“I am so sorry.”
“It worked out alright.”
Mal crossed the room and swept her up in a hug. She could feel him relaxing, his tension draining away. She laid her head against his bare chest. “It’s going to be alright,” he muttered.
“It’s going to be more than alright,” said Jessica. “It’s going to be so much fun!”
They started for the tower steps, but as they reached the door, Azrael spoke apologetically behind them, “Mal…I need the collar.”
Mal stopped and turned. Azrael was standing in the center of the room, holding out his hand. He’d straightened his clothes and had a trace of returning composure. Mal reached up to touch the loose, silver links around his neck.
“Just take it off,” said Azrael quietly. “You can do that now.”
Mal reached behind his neck and flipped the clasp, but he still looked dumbstruck when the collar fell off into his hands. He disengaged from Jessica and crossed the room to give it to Azrael. For an instant, Jessica thought he wouldn’t let go.
“Thank you,” said Azrael, not quite looking at him.
Mal seemed to deflate a little. “I’m not going to eat you. Probably.”
“That’s reassuring.” Azrael was already turning away, but Jessica had sensed the opportunity for a more satisfying farewell, and she moved around in front of him.
“Oh, Lord Azrael! We all just survived something horrible. Let’s not leave things like this.” She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight in spite of his instant rigidity.
She didn’t let go, and after a moment, his arms came up around her, hesitant, embarrassed. “It is really quite absurd for you to keep calling me ‘lord,’” he muttered.
“Laurence,” she said with a giggle, and he flinched.
To Jessica’s pleasure and surprise, Mal put his arms around both of them. He heaved a great sigh, as though he wanted to stay angry and couldn’t. He leaned over and spoke against Azrael’s ear with a trace of his wicked humor. “Were you extraordinarily devastated when I disappeared?”
Azrael didn’t say anything and Jessica answered for him. “He was! I think he would have just sat there and let the ghosts eat him if I hadn’t kissed him.”
“You kissed him?” said Mal in surprise.
“Yes, I couldn’t figure out how else to get magic into him.” She paused and tilted her head back a fraction to look Azrael in the face. “Was that your first kiss?”
His color had gone from chalk to pink. “Yes.”
She grinned and leaned her forehead against his. “Do you want another?”
Azrael looked a little hunted. “I’ve already had another!”
Mal laughed, the sound rumbling pleasantly so close to his chest. He reached down and tilted Azrael’s chin up. “Your first kiss should have been me.”
“Hey, I’m a pretty good kisser,” shot Jessica. “There are plenty of other firsts available!” She spoke before realizing that she probably shouldn’t encourage Mal at the moment. He was starting to radiate his particular brand of magic again, this time with less threat. Jessica wondered whether she was doing the same thing without meaning to. The poor man doesn’t have a chance.
Mal was still holding Azrael’s chin. “Laurence…Nigel?”
Azrael gave a choking laugh. “What were you expecting?”
“I don’t know.” Mal let go and tucked Azrael’s head against his chest beside Jessica’s. “The janitor?”
“You want to hear about it?”
Mal considered. “Later.” He let go of them and stepped back. “Right now, we have a vacation to plan!”
Jessica took his arm again, infinitely more pleased with the new tone of their departure.
“Does that mean you’ll come back?” asked Azrael, looking everywhere except at their faces.
“Yes,” said Jessica immediately and then glanced at Mal.
If he had been a cat, she was sure he would have lashed his tail. “Yes,” he said at last, “after all, you will miss me terribly.”
Azrael smiled. Jessica thought he was trying to hide his pleasure. “I will. But I’ve got plenty of work to do in the meantime. I need to send messages to Aspiria and Solaria at once—explain to them that the necromancer is dead and was only ever after me. With the vortex gone, some of the ghosts may even find their way back to their bodies. Wallace was right, though. I also need to work on my wards; they are too predicated on people not knowing my name.” His eyes flicked to Mal. “And they’ve got too much of you in them.”
“You’re going to have too much of me in you,” quipped Mal as he headed for the stairs.
Jessica took his arm. “Do not torment the man,” she whispered.
But this only prompted Mal to call over his shoulder, “You’d better get some practice before I come back!”
“Practice at what?” snapped Azrael.
“Guess!”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Don’t believe everything your cat says!” she shouted.
She heard the faint echo of Azrael’s laugh. “Have a good vacation!”
“We will. And we’ll be back!”
Thank you for reading the Incubus Series!
Book 2 - Incubus Bonded
Mal and Jessica have spent four glorious months abroad, traveling to exotic places, enjoying other people and each other. However, they’re tired of traveling, and they both miss Azrael more than they expected.
When the sorcerer shows up on their doorstep, they’re excited to see him. However, Azrael hasn’t come on a social call. He needs Mal’s magic for a difficult task. Mal isn’t willing to wear Azrael’s collar again for free, no matter how he feels about him. Mal’s price: “You. No wards. Anything I want. And Jessica gets to watch.”
Jessica has deep misgivings. A night together could be bliss…or it could be a disaster that will break hearts and ruin everyone’s chances of the home they desire. As they work together to build a magical gate, dodging hostile wizards and fairies, can Mal and Jessica gain Azrael’s fragile trust and find their way into his heart?
Order Incubus Book 2 from Amazon.
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About the Author
A. H. Lee is a medical professional. She also writes epic fantasy under another name (which isn’t terribly difficult to figure out). You can connect with her on facebook. "Like" her Author Page to get major announcement
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