“I was thinking about Bastien fucking me.”
The words struck my ears like blunt objects. A grin spread across my face as I choked back a laugh.
“You can’t laugh!” Cirian bellowed, his eyes going wide as he covered his mouth quickly, throwing a glance over his shoulder.
I only laughed harder, no longer able to contain the jovial outburst.
“Be quiet this instant,” Cirian hissed. “I don’t want the whole bloody sanctuary to hear.”
“Are you taking a piss?” I asked, leaning in closer and lowering my voice. “Because good on you, I needed that laugh.”
“I’m not joking,” he replied, cheeks the same scarlet color as the hair that framed his face. “When the stupid thread appeared, I was remembering what it was like to be with him. That must have been what triggered it.”
“Then why don’t you do it again?” I asked.
“Because I’m not trying to go around dreaming about lewd moments all day. I at least have a modicum of decency.”
Another bout of laughter bubbled in my chest, but I held it down. “What a curious time you’ve picked to think about your scruples. We need to find Bastien, and this is the best chance we have at that.”
Cirian huffed a sigh, folding his arms across his chest. It made him look years younger, like a youngling pouting to get his way. He was going to require more prodding, it seemed.
“It must have been some powerful hanky panky to garner such a reaction.”
Cirian’s barking laugh caught both of us by surprise.
“For someone who can disappear at will, you certainly lack subtlety.”
“You’re not wrong. I find it too difficult to hide my intentions. It’s easier to let them land where they fall.” I knocked my shoulder into his, my hand still resting on his knee. “We need to find Bastien. And if getting you to remember all the ways it made you feel to have him touch you is how we do it, then I will see to it that you are reminded of every hanky panky moment.”
“Please stop saying that. You’re not even using it correctly.”
“Try again,” I spurred him on. “There is nothing lewd about the act of mating. Especially with one you care for. It’s one of life’s great beauties.”
Cirian slowly closed his eyes, letting out a measured breath. It was obvious that he wasn’t in support of the idea, yet after justa few seconds, I knew that something was changing. The rhythm of his heartbeat increased at a steady pace. His breathing deepened too, a sudden ragged quality infusing each exhale.
Another moment, and the flicker of light from his chest made my own pulse skip. Unfurling, the thread passed through his hand, rushing toward the wall of shadow, same as before.
“You’ve done it. Look, Cirian. Look how well you’ve done.”
His dark eyes cracked open, reflecting the tether of cerulean light.
“It worked,” he breathed.
I was already on my feet, watching as the shadows at the edge of the sanctuary seemed to withdraw from the tether’s presence. “Come. We’ve not a moment to waste.”
Before Cirian could respond, the light of the tether dimmed, retracting quickly back towards where he sat on the bench and disappearing altogether.
“What happened?” I asked, returning to his side.
Cirian faltered, his gaze darting back and forth at the space in front of him.
“Cirian, are you okay?”
“A moment,” he responded, closing his eyes once more, his lips moving soundlessly as he did so.
I watched as the smoothness of his brow was disrupted with concentration, his fingers gripping the edge of the bench with such force that his skin blanched.
What could be causing him such distress?
