“The pros will be hormonal equalization, a resolidification of the mate bond, potential discovery of his shifted form, because after heat, most familiars shift to reset things. How’s progress on his wand? If you inundate his magic reservoir, it may also create a surge of oxytocin strong enough to create something that will overstimulate the trauma cycle.” Dr. Vans drummed his pen on the desk before scrounging around for his notebook.
“Because as I see it, the cons are potentially triggering a sexual abuse memory, full meltdown in the hormonal throes of heat. Or, I could get him pregnant! That must be the worst idea ever! How’s that for trauma so—” Marquis halted when Dr. Vans slammed his notebook down.
“Worst idea ever? Orbest. He lost a babe, essentially, Marquis. Nothing will replace the childhood he lost withRexford, but see how he interacts with the babies when you take him to Redsky later. If he’s in his own head and happy as a lark, it may be the best thing for him.” Dr. Vans raised a brow, and Marquis swore under his breath.
“I’ll propose it to Mads. I want you to talk him through things, though. I want him fully willing, aware of the consequences, and prepared for every eventual.” Marquis held the bridge of his nose and sighed. “I don’t even know if we should get back together. After what we’ve both done… It’s been so long it may hurt more.”
“That’s why you should go on this trip.” Vans made another note and sat the book down. “Now go get Mads and have fun. Please. And be yourself.”
“There’s nothing left of myself that I won’t have to relearn. I became a different person the day he left.” Marquis sighed heavily. “But I look forward to being his one day. If it’s possible.”
Dr. Vans laid his notebook down and stared at Marquis. “He prays that you’ll look at him and see him like you used to. He wants you back. And honestly, he’s getting his libido back, and if I have to hear him whinge about needing something he wants, something he wasn’t forced or drugged into doing—”
“Drugged? We know for certain it was drugs?” Marquis pursed his lips.
“It’s been my foremost theory. I was able to do a hair analysis early on, and it was easier to say what hewasn’tgiven. I just didn’t know if any of it affected him. Most human drugs don’t… Though we were certain he has shifter blood, so we cannot really rule out that they used some sort of bane or poison.” Vans threw his hands up. “But it’s up to you. It’s your bed, and I don’t get to decide who warms it.”
A sharp knock on the door drew both their attentions. “Dr. Vans, is Marquis here with you? I thought I heard his voice, but it’s been a while.”Mads.
“Yes, he’s in here. Come in.” Dr. Vans gave Marquis an evil look before grinning wide. Once Mads’s face caught Marquis’s gaze, the doctor spoke once more. “I was taking a few moments to impress upon Marquis how beneficial I think it would be for you two to spend a heat together.”
Mads froze, eyes wide. No horror or pain flashed, onlyhunger. “Really?”
Hope blossomed in the omega’s voice. Brightness flashed in his eyes.
“Truly. Marquis is reticent because he fears for your constitution and trauma.” Vans stood and gestured for Marquis to rise.
“Oh.” Disappointment, this time. Mads truly wanted a heat with Marquis. “I can’t beg you. I can’t ask that of you if you aren’t readily offering.”
“I am thinking about it. I desire you as much as ever, Mads. But I wish for us to rekindle, first. I do not want to hurt you.” Marquis cleared his throat and stood, offering his arm.
“Let’s see if your resolve lasts as long as it did the first time.” Mads smirked. Marquis had refused to sleep with Mads until they were officially mated and wed. It was a tense time, but he scheduled their wedding the week after Damien and Baron’s. It was convenient since family had still been around and Baron had left with Damien for their honeymoon.
“I held out until our wedding.” Marquis sniffed imperiously.
“You proposed on our third date, and we were married in two months.” Mads huffed. “Some resolve.”
“I’m a weak man.” Marquis gave the doctor a wave and set off. “My resolve grows weaker, still, when you’re near me.”
“Ahem. Wand?” Dr. Vans stuck his head out of the office as they made their way out.
Marquis reached into his front pocket inside his jacket and pulled free a wrapped sleeve. “I was going to give it to him…”
Mads held his hand out gleefully, and Marquis set the bundle in it with a proud smile. He unraveled it with absolute joy on his face and stared down at the waxed surface of the gleaming wand. “You made this for me. I can feel you in this wand.”
Marquis hid a nervous chuckle.
“I bet you can feel his other wand, too, if you li—” Marquis jerked his elbow back and hit Dr. Vans in the stomach with a gruffoof.
“I probably could, but it’s more fun to tease him until he’s willing,” Mads said, beaming with his full lips stretched wide. “His resolve is tissue-thin.”
Marquis took a deep breath. “Gods be with me. I am a weak man with temptation with a wand and two legs following me.”
Mads picked up his bag sitting in the hallway and smiled. “Come on, Marquis. Let’s go see our son.”
Our son.Something about that made Marquis happier than he’d been in eighty years.
Chapter Eight
