“Still, it might be easier to miss out on the heartbreak of losing me and just wait for Chander 2.0.”
“That’s assuming I don’t have any feelings for you now.”
Chander bit his lip. “We’re not in love, Alaric.”
“No, not yet, but I think we could be if we worked harder and had more time.”
“That’s what you want?” Chander asked. “Because I should warn you, I’m horrible at decision-making, and I might wind up hurting you.”
“I have no relationship experience. I’ve spent my whole life at a compound,” Alaric said. “I could just as easily be the one to hurt you.”
“Fair enough.”
“I’d like to try to be a real mate to you—if that is something you’re interested in being my partner in.”
“I’m scared,” Chander revealed. “But I think I’d like that too.”
“Tell me how you think this should work.”
“I’m not sure. I am going to be at home for a while until I can build up enough strength to return to my job. You have your own duties at the compound.”
“I do, but they don’t require me to be there all the time. The sentinels don’t need me every day. Their routine doesn’t vary. The only thing I can offer them right now is someone to talk to.”
Chander looked away from the sharp green eyes. “You’re always welcome at the condo.”
“Good, I’d like to live with you.”
Lifting his gaze, their eyes met. “Victor took the empty room. You’d have to share with me.”
“Is that so bad?”
“No, I mean I don’t think I’m ready for extracurricular activities yet, but I have no objection to sharing my bed with you.”
“I pretty much assumed your equipment wasn’t even in working order,” Alaric said with a grin.
Chander glared. “I assure you, it still works.”
“Too bad, you’ll have to keep your hands to yourself until you’re better,” Alaric replied, still smirking like a jerk. “We wouldn’t want you to overdo.”
“And to think I used to feel sorry for you because Fate stuck you with me.”
“No, you used to feel sorry for yourself because Fate stuck you with me.”
Chander laughed. “Okay, maybe before we took that spell off you.”
“I was annoying.”
“Yeah, I like you now though.”
“I like you too.”
“That’s so cute,” Baxter said from the doorway of his room. “You guys are like a bunch of seven-year-old kids.”
Chander blushed. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Only long enough to hear you guys liking each other,” Baxter responded.
“What’re they talking about?” Benton called from over his shoulder.
“It’s too bad we have to take them home,” Alaric stated.
Chander nodded. “We can always call the Reverent Knights and have them tranqued again.”
“No more tranquilizer guns,” Baxter insisted.
“Does this mean you guys are going to try and be real mates?” Benton asked as he pushed Baxter aside so he could enter the room.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes,” Chander replied.
“Stop being mean,” Benton demanded. “Of course it’s our business. We’re a family.”
“Don’t chastise him,” Baxter countered. “He’s finally pulled his head out of his ass.”
“And I’m the mean one,” Chander said to Alaric.
“That’s okay. They’re the insane ones,” Alaric responded.
“I can’t even say mean shit back to him because he’s our leader,” Baxter told Benton.
“We were having a private conversation in here,” Alaric complained.
“And we’re thrilled,” Benton replied. “We’ve wanted you two to take this seriously since we found out you were mates.”
“Never mind we found that out before they even knew one another,” Chander added to Alaric.
“We were together right after that,” Benton countered. “And that was months ago.”
Baxter lifted a brow at Benton. “Like you didn’t play hard to get.”
“Are you insinuating Chand’s decision to not be with Alaric was due to my own example? Because if you are I’m going to stab you,” Benton snapped.
“I hope you don’t begin threatening me with sharp instruments,” Alaric said.
“Nah, I’ll use magic as soon as I can cast spells without hurting myself,” Chander responded.
“Please, you would have to use a shitload of it to hurt your own mate,” Benton reminded him. “That’s a ridiculous idea.”
“So much better to carve into him with a dagger,” Chander replied.
“Exactly,” Benton agreed.
“Or you could punish me with your rod,” Baxter suggested. Chander chuckled as Benton’s face turned a fiery shade of red.
“I would have never thought a deadly assassin could blush so hard,” Chander observed.
“He’s an embarrassment to all our kind,” Alaric intoned.
“I feel sorry for Victor,” Chander said.
“Why?” Baxter asked.
“He’s had a month of enjoying a quiet condo all to himself,” Chander explained. “And now he’s going to have to deal with all four of us annoying the shit out of him.”
Benton laid his head on Baxter’s shoulder. “He said all four of us.”
“I can send them back to the compound, right?” Chander asked Alaric.
“Absolutely,” Alaric replied. “Having three sentinels at home is probably overkill.”
“You would miss us,” Baxter assured him as he tugged Benton close.
“I’m on a lot of medication. I’m not right in the head,” Chander told him.
“That’s cute,” Baxter responded. “He thinks he was normal before he got sick.”
“Go to your room,” Alaric ordered and shooed the complaining idiots from the room.
“They really are annoying.”
“But they’re your family.”
“Yes, which means you’re now stuck with them just as you are with me.”
“I can live with that,” Alaric replied before leaning forward and bussing his cheek.
Chander pulled himself up into a sitting position and used the hand not gripped by Alaric’s to lift it to his mate’s cheek. Then he bent toward him and pressed their lips together in a brief kiss. Relaxing back against his pillow, he offered Alaric a smile. His future was uncertain, but he was glad he would have Alaric at his side.
* * *
It was two mornings later when Chander was finally preparing to be released from the hospital. The three sentinels had packed up everything that wasn’t nailed down and brought it home. Victor was reportedly trying to find homes for all the flowers and gifts. He was also preparing a special dinner to welcome Chander back. Chander was supposed to steer clear of magic, so they were driving home. Clothes had been brought for him to change into, and he’d eaten so well in the hospital he nearly had to lie down on the bed to get them zipped. He was tying the laces of his sneakers when Dr. Tranelephas walked in.
“You look ready to bid this place adieu,” he observed.
“You and everyone else here have been incredible,” Chander said as he straightened up. “But yeah, I want to get the hell out of here.”
“I’ve got a stack of prescriptions for you to fill today,” the doctor replied and handed them to Alaric who was standing beside the bed. “You’ve got plenty of refills but you’re going to come and see me again in two weeks. In the meantime, we’ll keep working on your anomaly and corresponding cure.”
“Sounds good,” Chander said.
“You need to stay away from stress. Eat right. Drink plenty of fluids and rest whenever you feel tired,” he ordered.
“No worries, I have three sentinels who aren’t going to let me stray from your dictates.”
“One more thing, Arch Lich, before you
go.”
“What’s that?”
“I realize you are rather newly mated, but you’re still recuperating from a massive heart attack,” Dr. Tranelephas said. “You’re going to have to abstain from sexual relations for a few more weeks yet.”
Chander heard a snicker and knew Baxter and Benton were listening from the next room where they had been gathering whatever was left to be taken back. “Thank you, Dr. Tranelephas. I appreciate all you’ve done for me.”
“We’ll see you soon, take care.” The doctor shook his hand and left the room.
Baxter sauntered in. “Do we need to get you a chastity belt, Chand?”
Benton was right behind him. “We can’t have Alaric taking advantage of our dear Arch Lich.”
“They’re definitely going back to the compound.” Chander stood up and grabbed Alaric’s hand.
“Oh yeah,” he agreed.
Baxter chortled as he locked palms with Benton. “The next couple of weeks are going to be so fun.”
“I think you two should abstain as long as we have to,” Chander suggested.
“Oh, fuck you very much. I don’t think so,” Benton snapped.
Chander grinned at him as they walked toward the elevator. “Seems like a fair idea to me.”
“Which makes me question what kind of medication they’re giving you,” Baxter responded. They got to the car without trading any more barbs, and Chander relished his first taste of fresh air. He was glad to be going home and was happy to be doing it with Alaric at his side.
Chapter 33
Baxter climbed into bed next to Benton and was so damn relieved to be back home.
“It feels so good to be in our bed.” Benton rolled to his side to face Baxter.
He kissed him and then propped his head up on his hand. “Yeah, think of all the things we can do in this bed.” He waggled his brows.
Benton rolled his eyes. “Stop thinking with your dick.”
“It’s your fault. You wouldn’t do more than a hand job and that was only in the last two weeks.”
“In case it escaped your attention, we were in a hospital.”
“Duh.”
“We can’t fuck in one,” Benton said with a glare of his blue eyes.
“No one would have known if we had.”
“Not true—you scream like a hooker when you come,” Benton countered.
“Only when you top. I could have been the one plowing your fine ass.”
“I’m getting hard and I want to talk to you.”
Baxter let his hand drift under the sheet and fondled Benton’s more than half-hard cock. The other sentinel slapped him and yanked his goodies out of reach.
“Fine,” Baxter grumbled as he rolled onto his back. “Talk.”
“What are we going to do about Chand?”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s dying, Bax.”
“I know that, but he’s got a few years,” Baxter said as he rolled back to face Benton’s worried face. “He’ll figure out what’s wrong before then. He’s got plenty of help to do just that. No one is smarter than he is.”
“I wish they’d figure it out already.”
“Me too.”
“I can’t believe those fucking elders didn’t contact him this whole month,” Benton complained. “Why don’t they fucking care he nearly died? That he’s still dying?”
“Everyone knows he almost died, but very few know he’s still sick. Alaric told us to keep it quiet, and you know Chand isn’t going to advertise it.”
“He’s not exactly able to hide that he’s ill. Magickind, unless they are elderly—which he should never have been with that much power—don’t get that sick. And even if they somehow sustained an injury like that to their heart, they would have healed by now.”
“We’ll figure something out, but I think it won’t be more than a couple of weeks—maybe months at the most before Chand and the other sorcerers figure out at least some kind of better treatment than what he’s got now,” Baxter said. “Let’s try and focus on the positive here.”
“At least he’s letting Alaric stay.”
“Sharing his bed.” Baxter gave him another waggle of his brows.
“You heard the doctor. They aren’t going to play hide the sausage anytime soon.”
“You have such a way with words.”
“My mate likes it.”
“Damn right he does.” Baxter slyly moved a bit closer to Benton on the bed.
“I want Chand to be happy.”
“He’s got Alaric now. He will be.”
“I’m glad Fate chose them to be together. I really think they’re going to be a good match.”
“Me too,” Baxter agreed. “He never left his side all month and that was after Chand all but kicked him out of his life.”
“Of course not, he’s a fucking sentinel. We’re the best.”
“True. Victor did an excellent job of straightening up this place while we were all gone.”
“Yeah, he even cleaned that disaster area of Chand’s office.”
“I don’t know how he found room to move all his books in there.”
“The man’s obviously a genius,” Benton said.
“Aren’t we smart for hiring him?”
“I am,” Benton responded. “You’re just here to look hot and let me do wicked things to you.”
Baxter flopped onto his back and spread his limbs out. “I’m waiting.”
Benton laughed but climbed between his legs and then lowered himself down, shoving his arms under Baxter’s and placing his weight on his elbows. Baxter’s hands found Benton’s firm ass.
“What do you want?” Benton asked before kissing him.
“As much as I’d like you inside me, I can’t wait that long.” Baxter flexed his pelvis upward so Benton could feel how hard he was. Benton nipped his lip and settled his body over Baxter’s so their cocks came into full contact alongside each other.
“I was hoping you’d say that. I can’t wait either,” Benton said before mating their mouths. Baxter squeezed his cheeks and they began moving against each other, seeking fulfillment. Benton used his teeth and his tongue to torment Baxter. He responded by spreading his legs wider and bending his knees so Benton was cradled between his thighs.
Benton moaned into their kiss and began grinding against him. Baxter’s rigid dick slid alongside Benton’s and it felt so damn good he dug his feet into the mattress so he could press even closer to the other sentinel. There was no time for words, not even through their mindlink, as their bodies heated and their desire increased.
Lips locked, perspiration broke out over Baxter’s skin as he continued to thrust over and over up toward Benton who was expending the same amount of energy. It was a race but not against each other. Their goal was a common one, and Baxter knew it would not take long to reach the finish line. He clutched Benton’s ass tighter and, needing oxygen, tore his mouth away. Benton latched onto his neck when Baxter ground his head back farther into the pillow.
His eyes crossed as the pleasure swamped him. He could hear the faint squeak of the bedframe as they wrestled against each other. Baxter’s balls were straining with the need to empty, and he mindlessly rocked his dick against Benton’s. The friction was sharp and so necessary.
Benton’s teeth bit down on the skin between his neck and shoulder and it caused sparks to fly down his spine. Letting out a shout, he planted his feet and arched his back as his orgasm tore through him. Benton’s body jerked above his own and he heard him moan. He ran his hands up Benton’s sweaty back as soon as he could catch his breath again. Benton was still panting against his skin.
“I love your dick.”
“He loves you too,” Benton mumbled into his throat. They lay like that for so long Baxter was afraid they were going to be permanently stuck together, but it was so good to be home that he was reluctant to complain. Eventually they got cleaned up and snuggled close to get some sleep. Baxter’s last thought before he drift
ed off was that there was definitely going to be some cock-to-hole action in his near future. He didn’t think Benton would have any argument with that.
* * *
Alaric woke up the next morning and looked at the clock. The digital numbers read 8:15. He’d slept for ten hours; it was the first time that had happened since he’d had his spell removed. It took no time at all for the disorientation that slumber could bring to fade away and he realized he was not in his bed. Grinning, he remembered it was his bed, the one he now shared with Chander.
Turning his head to the right, he saw the necromancer Fate had given him nearly buried under the covers. The previous night had been only a little awkward. They were both new to sharing such intimate quarters, but with sex out of the picture, they’d settled down to rest with a quick peck.
Careful not to get too close to Chander so he didn’t roll on him while asleep, he’d heard his mate’s breath even out soon after his head had hit his pillow. That wasn’t surprising; he’d had a big day getting out of the hospital, and Chander had given Victor time to show him all the changes he’d made while they’d all been away. Luckily Conley’s box was still in the living room, and Chander had seemed genuinely thrilled to see his books organized on shelves in his office.
Alaric edged off the mattress so he didn’t wake Chander and headed down the hall to the bathroom to take a shower. Once clean, he donned his gray uniform and whispered his daggers to his sides. He returned to the bedroom and saw Chander laying against his pillow. Chander was blinking and yawning, so he figured he hadn’t been up long.
“Morning.” Alaric sat on the edge of the bed and kissed Chander’s mouth.
“Don’t kiss me,” Chander ordered. “My breath probably smells like something died in there.”
“I’m a sentinel,” Alaric said. “I’m used to sights and smells worse than death.”
“You realize that’s not a compliment.”
“Absolutely,” Alaric replied before kissing him again. Then he stood and went to Chander’s dresser to collect clothing. “Do you have a pajama preference?”
Rise of the Lich Sentinel Page 23
