Once he was confident his nervousness would not be a detriment, he opened the door to the bathroom and flipped off the light. He walked down the hall, closing himself into the bedroom to find Chander already in bed. The necromancer had the blanket pulled up to just below his black skeleton. It seemed Chander had decided to dispense with his sleep shirt. Lifting the covers and climbing in, Alaric discovered Chander hadn’t bothered with anything below the waist either.
“You’re naked,” Alaric observed.
“The question is, why aren’t you?” Chander replied.
“I didn’t realize it was a requirement.”
Chander looked puzzled. “I thought we were going to have sex.”
“We’re going to do more than just ram my parts into you.” Alaric scooted close enough to pull Chander close. “I thought we could take our time.”
Chander’s skin was smooth, and Alaric liked the feel of it. He enveloped Chander in his arms and pulled their bodies flush. Chander responded by bringing a hand to his cheek and kissing him.
“Minty fresh,” Chander murmured before he tilted his head and slid his tongue out to play. Alaric deepened the caress and then used his teeth to bite down lightly on Chander’s top lip. It was slightly larger than the bottom one and Alaric was enamored by it. His mate wriggled a little against him and Alaric could feel he was growing hard.
With their mouths locked, Alaric’s own dick was responding the same way. They’d made out like this before, and it was always at this point he was forced to stop. It was a heady feeling to know this time they could go further.
“Clothes,” Chander complained. “They need to go.”
Alaric drew back and pulled his shirt over his head. Chander’s fingers traced over the muscles of his chest and stomach as Alaric removed the rest of his clothing.
“Well, that’s certainly a big part,” Chander said as he slid his hand down Alaric’s length.
“If you keep doing that, it will never make it into your part,” Alaric replied as he pulled Chander’s palm to his lips. He tugged Chander close again and reunited their mouths. This time the kiss was more carnal, and Alaric reveled in the pleasure of it. His cock was heavy and he was thrilled by Chander’s body rubbing against him.
Alaric raised a hand to Chander’s jaw and stroked his thumb over the line of it as their tongues glided against each other. There was a part of him that wanted to battle harder, press Chander into the mattress, and not stop feasting until he was delirious with need. To love him until he screamed out his release but Alaric knew he had to be careful with him.
They made out in earnest as Alaric pulled Chander’s thigh over his hip so their rigid shafts would be more firmly fitted together. He wanted more friction and he got it. Chander rocked his pelvis and it caused sweat to bead on Alaric’s heated skin. Lust burned through his veins and it was a feeling he could easily become addicted to. Chander’s palms found their way to his back and his touch was scorching.
Chander moaned. “Alaric.”
“What do you need, baby?”
“You.”
“And where do you think I’m going?”
Chander dragged himself away and their eyes met. Alaric saw two pools of molten pewter staring back at him. The necromancer’s face and upper chest were flushed pink from the passion they’d created. He had never looked sexier.
“You have a strange look on your face,” Chander observed as he cocked his head to the side.
“I like the way you look right now,” Alaric replied with a kiss to his swollen mouth.
“Your eyes are greener.” Chander palmed Alaric’s dick. “And he’s bigger.”
“He’d like to get to know you better,” Alaric teased.
Chander chuckled and released him. “I’d like that too.” He rolled away to grab a bottle from the bedside table he’d obviously set out earlier. “Lube.”
“Definitely going to need that.”
Lying on his back, Chander poured some of the liquid onto his fingers. “We need to slick you up too.” Alaric held out his hand so Chander could apply it. Once he was done, Chander tossed the lube aside and spread his legs wide with his knees bent. “Climb on down there, Lich Sentinel.”
Alaric crawled to a spot between Chander’s knees and watched as he reached down and slid a finger into his own ass. The sight made him a little light-headed. It was that erotic. Though he didn’t want to look away as he began pumping it in and out, Alaric wanted to see his face.
Chander’s eyes were closed and he wore a small smile as went about his work. Then his lashes lifted and the pewter was nearly swallowed by the black of his irises. “You want to help me out here?” he asked.
Alaric nodded and ran a palm up the outside of Chander’s thigh. Then he took one finger and edged it around the puckered skin of Chander’s hole. He let out a moan and Alaric knew he was enjoying it. It made him brave enough to slip that same digit in alongside Chander’s. With no effort at all, they succeeded in finding an easy rhythm as they opened him up.
“Another,” Chander breathed out and Alaric dutifully pulled out and returned with two. He carefully worked them inside and they once again united as a team to prepare him for Alaric’s coming invasion.
“How does it feel?” he asked Chander who was firing out swear words in between loud groans as together they pumped in and out of his ass.
“Crook your fingers on the way out,” Chander demanded.
“There?” Alaric asked as Chander let out a yell.
“Oh fuck, yes,” he heaved out. “Right there.”
Alaric continued to touch that spot inside of Chander until he was panting. His dick was lying flat against his firm belly and leaking all over it. Alaric’s own was in a similar state. Chander’s toes were curled into the mattress and his body was undulating. Then he pulled his hand away and latched his eyes on to Alaric’s face. “Ready?”
“Isn’t that a question for you?”
Chander let out a strained chuckle. “It’s your turn to lie on your back.”
“Happy to oblige.” Alaric removed his slick fingers from inside Chander and crawled up the mattress so his head would be cushioned on a pillow. He lay down and Chander scrambled over and straddled his upper thighs on his knees. Chander had the lube in his hands as Alaric ran his palms up to his hips.
Chander dumped some slick into his hand and then fisted Alaric’s cock. It was like being branded—the touch was welcome but it singed every nerve ending he had. Chander took his time covering him with the liquid before he flung the bottle away.
Their eyes met. “Just hold him straight and I’ll hop on,” Chander said.
Alaric grinned and spread his hand so his dick was held steady between his fingers. Chander shuffled forward on his knees. Once he was in the perfect spot, he reached behind to guide Alaric in as he lowered himself. Chander’s tongue snuck out and his lids fell shut.
The tip of Alaric’s cock met resistance and then he felt Chander’s body stretching around his head. Chander was moving slowly downward, and Alaric’s own eyes closed when the heat of Chander’s snug channel registered. It was more than hot—Chander was tight and it was glorious. It took forever until Chander’s ass was resting against Alaric.
He wasn’t going to miss the sight of his mate and when he lifted his lashes, he saw Chander watching him. Alaric slid his hand out from between them and grabbed Chander’s firm thighs in his palms.
“Good?” Chander asked; his voice was strained and Alaric knew why. His whole body was solely focused on where they were joined. He needed release and he needed it now.
“Move, baby,” he demanded.
Chander bit his bottom lip and braced himself on Alaric’s chest. Then he began moving on Alaric’s aching cock. He set a slow and steady rhythm, and Alaric did his best to thrust upward as Chander traveled down. Chander seemed to appreciate that; the sounds he was emanating grew louder and his pace picked up.
Alaric knew he was ready to come, but he would not
do so until his man had reached his own orgasm. It was their first time, and he didn’t want it rushed. He clamped down on his frustration and watched Chander ride him. It was a sight he could watch forever. His skin was shiny with perspiration, and his breath was coming out in short, choppy exhales.
His grip on Chander tightened and his mate’s back arched. It seemed to heighten his enjoyment—he began moving faster and his moans were becoming whines. Alaric’s spine tingled and he had no choice but to close his eyes. If he continued to stare at Chander, he was going to lose the battle.
Chander began panting out his name with a smattering of curse words, and then his movements became frenetic. He let out a yell and his hole clamped down hard on Alaric’s dick. Chander’s come splashed onto his belly, and Alaric’s release screamed through him. The world around him shrank. His body jerked upward as he emptied his seed into Chander.
When he could think somewhat rationally again, Alaric realized he had a death grip on him, so he flexed his fingers and hoped he hadn’t left behind bruises. Opening his eyes, he saw Chander gasping for air above him. His fingers were still locked on Alaric’s pecs. Lifting a hand, Alaric cupped the back of Chander’s head. The damp curls were soft against his palm. Chander looked at him with reddened cheeks and his lips curled upward.
“You okay?”
“I’m way better than okay,” Chander puffed out. He sucked in a deep breath. “I’ve never come without touching my dick before. Your parts are magical.”
Alaric laughed and lifted himself up to kiss Chander who met him halfway. “I can’t begin to tell you how sexy you looked.”
“At least I had good hair.”
Their mouths tangled in a tender kiss. “You could shave it off and I’d still want you,” he whispered.
“I think you might like me,” Chander said with a grin. Then he let out a sigh and lifted himself slowly off Alaric. It was a loss Alaric would have preferred not to endure, but they couldn’t stay joined forever. Chander reached over to grab Alaric’s shirt, but he took it from him and handled the cleanup.
He tossed the dirty garment in the general direction of the hamper before he lay down and tucked Chander into his arms. He kissed the corners of his mouth. “I do like you.”
“I should hope so. I wouldn’t like to think you’d just hand your virginity out to anybody.”
“I was glad to give it to you.”
“Oh, you definitely gave it to me,” Chander replied.
“I think you enjoyed my gift.”
“Did I ever.”
“I’m a sentinel.”
Chander looked confused. “I know that.”
“We have a reputation you know,” Alaric said. “In fact, three of the four mated sentinels have pulled me aside to remind me of it. Gavrael is more circumspect than the others, so he kept his silence.”
“I’m afraid to know where this is going.”
“We must excel at every activity and to excel we must practice.”
“Are you saying we need to have a lot of sex?”
“I’m afraid so.” Alaric kissed his forehead.
“Yeah, I can live with that,” Chander said before pressing his cheek to Alaric’s chest. Those words were music to Alaric’s ears. He adored Chander and wanted to spend all his time pleasing him. It was good to know they were on the same page.
Chapter 40
Settling his crown on his head, Chander studied his reflection. Seven weeks had passed since he last wore it, and his life was completely different. His health was precarious but he’d never been happier. That was because he was in love. He hadn’t told Alaric yet, though he would when he was ready. A part of him was afraid to jinx his matebond; it was so much more than he deserved. The other half was pure chicken. He blew out a breath and focused on the mirror.
It took him another couple of seconds to figure out why he looked so strange. The glasses were missing, but that wasn’t what made his crown look more regal. It was the fact that it wasn’t sitting on top of a haystack. The thought made him chuckle and he wandered out of the bathroom to where the Lich Sentinel was waiting. Alaric tipped his chin up and kissed him.
“Ready to go?”
“It’s crazy. I’m actually looking forward to a Council session,” Chander said.
“That’s because you’ve been slacking for almost two months,” Baxter replied. “Let’s roll.”
Chander slipped his palm into Alaric’s, and they made the journey to the parking garage. Once they were all settled inside, the drive took only a few minutes. After parking the car and leaving it behind, the foursome walked through the giant glass doors of Council Headquarters. The first thing Chander saw was a grinning Venerable Knight.
“Well, look who finally decided to come back to work,” Vann announced. He’d boomed the words out and all the fallen knights in the huge lobby turned in Chander’s direction. To his humiliation, they started clapping and cheering.
“Welcome back, Arch Lich.” Vann winked as he slid their ID cards through the scanner. The sentinels removed their weapons and went through the magical scanner. Chander couldn’t be exposed to sorcery yet so Vann had him walk around it. Once they were all done with security, they made it across the short distance to the designated area for Council leaders to get to their vestibules in the assembly room.
There was a second security post and therefore more applauding from fallen knights. They got through without incident and reached the large wooden doors to the maze of hallways each Council leader and his aides and security had to traverse. The Order of Necromancia was one of the founding races of the Council and so Chander had an uphill climb to his space.
He couldn’t dash his way there the way he had in the past, but his sentinels didn’t remark upon it. They all strode the path in an unhurried fashion while other Council leaders wandered around and offered greetings. Several minutes later, they made it to the necromancer door and Chander was happy to be back doing what he could for his people.
Baxter and Benton stayed in the alcove while Chander led Alaric into the small room inside the assembly hall.
“This is impressive,” Alaric said as he took a seat. “Meant to intimidate.”
“Yeah, I love it.”
He watched the sentinel’s strong profile while Alaric took in his surroundings. The man was beyond gorgeous. It made Chander want to stand up and announce to the whole damn room he was his his his his. But he quelled the desire and turned his attention to the other Council leaders wandering in. Lights flicked on inside the individual areas and it gleamed off crowns, striking embroidery, and crisp sashes.
More than one leader of their expansive Council had brought forth the idea of doing away with all the trappings of their Headquarters but Chander was glad the majority preferred the tradition of the finery. He was a student of history and liked seeing it in living color. It made each race stand out with their unique interpretation of what a Council leader should look like. For his own attire, he’d stuck with much the same thing over the years.
His suits were always a shade of dark gray or black. Chander had no talent in fashion, so Evergreen matched his ensembles for him. Over it he wore cloaks sent to him by talented necromancers who took time out of their own lives to sew and adorn garments for the sole purpose of gifting them. They were in the same color palette as the rest of his clothes and embellished with skulls which were the symbol used by his people since the first resurrected soul had been returned to life.
A golden light lit up on the expansive desk next to the microphones and Chander rose to his feet. He’d prepared Alaric for this day, and so he did the same. Then he watched as Emperor Chrysander Draconis walked in.
“Ladies and gentlemen, good morning,” he greeted. “Please have a seat.”
Chander did as he was told. After Alaric was settled next to him, he reached over and grabbed Chander’s hand. He smiled at him and laced their fingers.
“Today is an extremely important day,” Chrysander said. “Sev
en weeks ago, I stood before you and announced Arch Lich Chander Daray had suffered a catastrophic heart attack. He was gravely ill for many weeks, but his life was saved by Grand Warlock D’Vaire and the Coven of Warlocks as well as the brave doctors and nurses at Las Vegas Council Hospital. I cannot be more pleased to tell you that today he is back with us. Arch Lich, welcome home.”
Emperor Chrysander rose to his feet and began clapping. The other leaders in the room joined in on the applause and Chander watched as they all rose in an ovation. His eyes stung but he would be damned before he’d cry in an assembly hall. Looking over at Alaric, he saw him wink. Chander squeezed his hand and stood. As did Alaric. When the noise finally died down Chander spoke. “Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you to everyone here. I was more inspired than you’ll ever know to heal so I could rejoin the amazing people assembled in this room, and it’s all because of the caring you showed by sending your well-wishes to not just me but my mate and my sentinels. I have taken immense pleasure in each card, every flower, and each box of chocolates my sentinels have devoured that you sent. Please know I would not be standing here today were it not for my mate, my sentinels, and all of you. Thank you.”
There was more jubilation but Chander was finally able to take a seat and the room eventually quieted down.
“We’re going to make sure you stay on the road to healthiness,” Chrysander said. “We’ll be nearly as determined as your mate. And, of course, Baxter and Benton.”
“Thank you again, Your Majesty,” Chander replied. When Chander had called Chrysander to tell him he was returning, he’d not expected to get such a welcome but then there was no one classier than the dragon emperor.
“We’ll stay with the men in the Order of Necromancia box. Today’s agenda begins with the petition that has been filed by Lich Sentinel Alaric Daray identified by this Council as Arch Lich-mate,” Chrysander announced. “The request is to add the sentinels as a separate race and to allow them to have the full complement of rights and privileges. There’s an additional petition from the Order of Necromancia to block this. Due to the conflict, today we will begin with preliminary questions, but we will not vote on this matter. Questions may begin.”
Rise of the Lich Sentinel Page 28
