?
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
EVAIN
Evain has spent two and a half centuries wandering the human realm. No part of his journeys prepared him for the feeling sweeping over him now. Something deeper and darker than desire. Something more all-consuming than obsession.
He doesn’t know how he’s survived this long without knowing how far the flush of exertion spreads down Leth’s chest. Without knowing how Leth’s eyes narrow, then widen with the force of penetration.
Without knowing that when he breathes, “Fuck, Leth, I could spend the next year inside you,” Leth clenches down even tighter around his cock, igniting every drop of Evain’s blood.
Leth’s fingers are white-knuckled in the bedding. “You really don’t shut up, do you?”
“There are several ways to shut me up.” Evain rolls his hips, drawing an ego-boosting moan from Leth. “But right now, I don’t think you can manage any of them, so I’ll just have to tell you that your ass feels enchanting. Your every moan is like music. Your eyes…” He thrusts in harder, earning another exquisite tightening on his cock, and a punched-out breathy sound from Leth. Bending down, the angle forcing him even deeper into Leth’s body, he says, “Your eyes say you want me dead, but the way you’re clinging to my cock tells another story.”
“You’re insufferable,” Leth hisses, hooking one hand into Evain’s hair. He drags Evain down as if by a leash, and the sting in his scalp makes the kiss all the hotter.
Physical and magical pleasure build on each other. Evain has to pause when he’s fully seated inside Leth, fingers reflexively digging into Leth’s thighs, as a wave of magic surges through him. Only years of experience allow him to redirect the magic, channeling it safely into the core of his soul, without losing control.
He’s no longer sure where he ends and Leth begins. He viscerally hates any remaining separation between them.
Next time he’ll go slower—and he’s certain there’s going to be a next time. Because right now, he can’t last for long. Quickening his pace, he reaches between them. Leth’s cock fits perfectly in his hand, and Leth shudders with his touch. The wave of desire nearly sends Evain over the edge early, putting centuries of sexual practice to the test. It’s all he can do to control his angle and keep up the rhythm on Leth’s cock.
Making Leth come first is a point of pride. Evain braces on one hand as Leth’s cock jumps in his grip, so he can see the moment Leth’s eyes roll back. Leth goes rigid beneath him, too trapped beneath Evain’s weight to arch up, and spills onto his own stomach.
Leth’s choked-out moan hooks deep into Evain’s subconscious. He’s going to remember that sound forever.
Evain wants to say something, but every language he’s ever known departs him. All he can do is drive one last time into Leth’s tight body and come with a breathless moan of his own.
Afterwards, Evain withdraws reluctantly, and sprawls out on the bedroll beside Leth. Sweat cools on his skin. His breath steadies, and the magic settles slowly inside him, incorporating into his core.
When Leth sits up, Evain grabs his wrist without thinking. “Five minutes? Cuddle with me for five minutes, and I’ll be happy.”
Leth tenses under his grip, then relaxes. He lies back down and pillows his head on Evain’s shoulder. “Three minutes.”
“Your generosity astounds me.” Evain’s fingers wander into Leth’s hair, while his thoughts wander towards the future.
He was a fool for ever thinking this could be temporary. That after having Leth once or twice, he could move onto the next conquest. Instead, every taste only deepens his obsession. Evain has been trapped in arrays before, and it feels a little like this: if he steps beyond the lines, he’ll die. But he can break free of array traps given enough time and power. No magic exists to break his heart free from Leth.
Leth’s breath tickles across Evain’s chest, and his hand slowly relaxes against Evain’s stomach. Evain wants a hundred years of this—but that means telling Leth what he really is.
Sooner or later, Evain will have to choose between telling the truth or running away. There’s always a new name, a new country, a new life to explore. Sooner or later, Leth will notice Evain doesn’t age, or that he never summons the demon from his contract. Evain will make a mistake, and Leth will see through the deception.
Probably sooner. Leth is clever.
When we return to civilization and reunite with the paladins,Evain decides, looping a loose strand of Leth’s hair around his finger.When he’s not trapped with me in wilderness and ruins. I’ll explain when he’s not dependent on me. It’s too dangerous here.
Twenty minutes later, Leth moves. Evain is deeply proud of how unsteadily he rises to his feet. “We should look around this place,” Leth says, not meeting Evain’s eyes.
Evain would really like to continue cuddling, but he isn’t offended by the slight retreat. He stretches out on the bedroll, and sure enough, Leth glances over at the spread of muscle and skin. Leth’s definitely still interested in Evain, but one incredible fuck isn’t going to resolve all his control issues.
Maybe two incredible fucks. Or three, or a dozen… Evain drags his imagination back to the present and rises to his own feet. “I’ll check on Daisy.”
***
After confirming Daziroth is doing just fine—and surreptitiously wiping blood from the horse’s chin—Evain returns to the library, where Leth is sorting through a pile of dusty leather and paper. He’s righted one of the tables to work at and put more wood on the fire, but shadows still waver deep in the corners.
Evain sends a light mote overhead to brighten the room further. He has plenty of stored magic to burn.
