Page 49 of Reforging Onyx

Dominic continued to stroke his hips, studying Onyx’s expression every bit as much as Onyx was studying his. “I want to fuck you,” he agreed, his voice soft and encouraging. “I want to bring you pleasure, show you how good things can be.”

Onyx wasn’t sure what to make of Dominic’s tone, the way he spoke almost soothingly of something that had been so violent and painful in the past — except for when Dominic had turned his pleasure against him, and that had been equally traumatic and terrible.

Dominic hummed again. “You will pick two subjects, and magic can be one of them. And for your lessons, you will wear a plug,” he offered.

A plug. Could he do that?

Despite everything, he found himself actually considering Dominic’s offer.

Why?

Onyx knew that witches went insane without their magic. He had already cracked; was this just another facet of that? He shouldn’t have been willing to entertain any of this. Months ago, he wouldn’t have.

But that had been before.

“I want to practice,” Onyx said, not quite disagreeing even as his mind fucking screamed at him to stop. “I want to be able to try the things I’m learning.”

“You will still have the times in the warehouse with access to your magic,” Dominic pointed out. “I have already told you that you will have those. But if you want lessons in the warehouse, then that is something that we can negotiate for later.”

If he was already going to have time in the warehouse, what was the point of wearing a plug just to get magic lessons at all? He didn’t think it was worth the humiliation. But then, he was already suffering through the indignation — and unwanted pleasure — of having Dominic’s fingers inside of him, knowing what they were slowly but inexorably working toward.

“I’m not wearing a plug just to get magic lessons, especially if I have to do other lessons, too,” Onyx replied, shaking his head.

He was rattled, though; he’d been willing to offer more than a plug to get the chance to learn, properly learn.

Maybe part of him just wanted to get the inevitable over with — for the right price. If he could get magic lessons in the warehouse, would it be worth it? Moreover, was he ready for that? Could he even handle it if Dominic made the offer?

“Very well,” Dominic said. “Then we can discuss magic lessons at some future time. What would you like for dinner?”

Onyx stared down at Dominic, his eyes narrowing. He wasn’t ready to abandon this particular discussion just yet, but at the same time, what price was he willing to pay? “Magic lessons and the plug,” he countered. “No other lessons. You have to bribe me to take lessons, not the other way around.”

Dominic chuckled. “And what is your price to take lessons in an additional subject?”

“Not having to wear the plug,” Onyx countered. “You want me to cooperate; I want magic lessons. I don’t want the plug. Your fingers are bad enough.”

At least those — sort of — felt good, though. The plug was just humiliating even though the thought of it had his body threatening to respond uncomfortably, and he shifted restlessly from one foot to the other.

Why did he get aroused so easily, so often? Had all those months of being constantly dosed with aphrodisiacs changed something inside of him?

Dominic laughed. “I am willing to negotiate magic lessons for the plug, but one of the conditions is that you will take lessons in an additional subject. And no, not wearing the plug is not an option.” His lips twitched. “I think you will find that it is not so bad as you imagine… or remember.”

Onyx’s breathing wasn’t quite even, especially as Dominic reminded him of wearing the plug before.

“So now we have the price,” Onyx mumbled. “You’re gonna make me take your dick if I want those magic lessons in the warehouse, aren’t you?” He met Dominic’s eyes, unable to fully catch his breath. “The plug for the lessons is to get me ready for more. Right?”

He took a step back.

“I want time alone,” Onyx said flatly. “For the extra lesson. I want a break from you being so overbearing or having someone else around all the fucking time.”

Dominic’s smile fell away. He didn’t reach for Onyx, allowing him to put distance between them. “I have never lied about my intentions, Onyx,” he chided mildly. “And you are well aware why giving you time alone is not a viable request at this time. Perhaps at some point, yes. But not yet.”

“Then no deal,” Onyx said, his voice still devoid of emotion. “I can’t… I can’t handle you being all over me all the fucking time. If you want me to take these lessons, if you want me to wear a plug, you have to meet me halfway. I’ve kept my word too, haven’t I? I said I wouldn’t do that again.”

And he didn’t really want to become a vampire. If he tried to kill himself, that was exactly what would happen. As long as he had vampire blood in his system, he’d keep his word to Dominic… and since Dominic was keeping a steady supply of that, fueling Onyx’s addiction, that meant he’d continue to keep his word.

He didn’t have a choice.

“You said you wouldn’t do that again, but there are a great many things that you have not given your word about. And while never let it be said that I would not call the kettle black, I don’t intend to seek out every possible loophole to which your word may not apply in order to make you give it,” Dominic said dryly. “But as I said before, we can revisit this discussion at some later occasion.”