Page 38 of Immortal Bonds

Creighton couldn't. He spent the first half of his life trying. He really did. But there comes a point in everyone's life where the mask slips away, where they can no longer pretend.

For Creighton, that mask slipping away led to his need to leave.

"One day you will tell me all of it," Thalric rumbled as he lifted Creighton higher up the bed and nuzzled against his cheek. "You will tell me, and it will be handled."

Creighton hummed happily. The promise of those words, the threat behind them, was petty of him to enjoy… but he really, really loved it.

The two of them lay together, cuddling, whispering back and forth about how good the other one felt, how comfortable they were, how relaxed it all was.

Eventually, though, the need for more overtook Creighton. It made him ravenous. How could he not want more with a man like Thalric beside him, beneath him?

Creighton whimpered as he pressed against his mate. "Daddy," he whined.

His Daddy was happy to be there, happy to pull him closer and rub against him.

"Need you. Want you."

As soon as he said the words, Creighton was placed onto his back with Thalric hovering over him. They kissed, and it was everything and more. Creighton sank into it, into the touch and feel of his Daddy. The other man's hands roamed all over Creighton, stroking his skin, squeezing. When those large hands wrapped around Creighton's cock, he jolted.

"Oh, Daddy," he panted.

Thalric took those words and ran with them. He stroked faster while lavishing attention on Creighton's neck, tasting him, licking and sucking, no doubt leaving marks. Even though Creighton's skin was golden brown, it could still bruise. He had no doubts that it would, but his mate was making sure anyone who saw him knew he was no longer available.

"Please," he panted.

Thalric pulled back and tore at their clothes. Soon enough they were naked, and it gave Creighton a sense of relief to have his body bared to his mate. Thalric leaned down until their skin was touching, and he began to rut against Creighton. Their cocks were lined up, but neither was touching them directly. They simply let the natural friction bring them both closer and closer to their release.

Creighton whined. He wanted more, wanted everything. He wasn't sure that he could have it though. Not when there was still some truth not yet shared.

His Daddy wasn't taking no for an answer, though. The next moment, he felt the weight shift on top of him, and Thalric was moving down his body until his mouth hovered over Creighton's cock. His Daddy licked his lips, staring at Creighton's length like it was the most delicious thing he'd ever seen.

"Daddy," he whispered. He was too focused on the look in his mate's eyes, the way that he seemed ready to fall completely apart, to say anything else.

His Daddy swallowed him down nearly whole. It was an overwhelm of euphoria. He arched up, crying out at how good it felt. He craved more of this. His Daddy made him feel so good. So, so good.

"Daddy," he panted. "Please."

Thalric hummed. His mouth wrapped around Creighton's shaft as his head bobbed up and down, over and over again, practically sucking Creighton's soul out of his body. At least, that's what it felt like. It felt like he'd never find balance again. He was seconds away from coming when his Daddy pulled off.

"No, no, no, no," he reached out as if to stop the other man.

His Daddy shook his head. He quickly crawled back up Creighton's body and took his mouth in a passionate kiss. Creighton kissed him back recklessly. Their tongues tangled together, and it felt like nothing could be better than this. He wasn't even mad that he'd been left hanging, that he was on the edge without reprieve.

But then his Daddy pulled back, and in the man's hand was a vial.

"What's that?" Creighton panted.

"It's to open you up. The castle’s Fae healer made it for me. He’s become part of the horde in a sense."

Creighton's eyes went wide. "The Fae healer as part of the horde?"

It was not unheard of for him to come across the Fae. He'd seen several in the shop over the years when they'd come to San Noctis. A few were regulars who ordered from him and had it shipped. But to know that the royal family was using one for their own efforts was different.

"Little Biter," Thalric said, his gaze moving from the vial to Creighton. "Would you like me not to? I can find something else."

"No, it's fine if you think it's okay. But when did you⁠—?"

Thalric smiled, and it was almost a sheepish look. Creighton giggled.