Page 23

Narsus’s kiss had been barely leashed banked fire. An inferno Lune gladly fell into. It had tasted of damp, smoky, scorched cotton. And tenderness. The texture of the cloth rubbing against his lips had gripped his gut, and his dick. It was a gift Lune would always treasure.

By the cracking of dawn, they stumbled back to their room.

The enclosed suite still smelled a bit smoky, and the bed linens of sweat.

Lune pursed his lips and his nostrils flared, enjoying the smell.

Light char dusted the bedding and unblemished walls.

He had a strange desire to roll in it, but voicing it had Narsus shaking his head, for he was still concerned about toxins and poisons.

Instead, he helped Narsus do a quick tidy of their room.

Bathed and fully dressed, they both lay back on the clean sheets of the bed to rest and recover.

They were propped up on their respective pillows and reclining against the headboard.

They listened in companionable quiet to the ebb and flow of the lulling ocean waves against the sand.

Watching the sunrise through the massive circular window.

Trying to unwind from the dramas of the evening .

Lune toyed lovingly with the length of his compass chain. Narsus held his sea shell, turning it this way and that. Angling its polished surface to catch the glow of the morning rays.

Lune shivered lightly because another jewel had winked out while they’d been at play. Making it the ominous day number nine. It was time to break the lulling good-will between them. Because Lune knew whatever the darken jewels meant, wasn’t a good thing.

“Narsus, it’s time to tell me. What happens if all the jewels stop shining? Why is it so important?”

His husband seemed to place deeper attention upon his wedding gift. “It’s a timer. To cement the bond-magic. Thirteen jewels, thirteen days before both compasses will go dark and reset.”

“Reset?”

Narsus nodded. “Usually it’s not an issue, as during the ceremony, the compasses are touched to the marriage stone, then to each other in order to fully sync up. I never gave us the chance to do that.”

Lune placed a hand to Narsus’s chest. “Please stop beating yourself up over this. We’ll get through it.”

Narsus sighed. “I’ll try. But I won’t fully forgive myself until the ceremony is complete.”

“So what happens if the jewels burn out before we can sync the compasses? Does the magic that makes us compatible just stop?”

Narsus left their bed, and Lune’s heart sunk. Was what he had to say so horrible? Quietly, Lune got up and followed a respectful distance behind.

The question upset Narsus so much that he got up, and as calmly as he could, moved to the window. He pressed his forehead against the cool pane and just stood there. He was grateful when Lune followed, hovering, but not close enough to touch.

“If the compasses aren’t synced up by the thirteenth day,” Narsus said tightly. “Our Compass-pairing’s lost. Our connection is lost. The compasses revert back to magical seeds and return to our bodies.”

“And the magic will search out a new pairing?” Lune guessed slowly. “With someone else?”

“Yes.”

“Oooohh!” Lune’s controlled, even tone that was more like a growl said it all. Narsus dare not turn to look at his husband. “Verdigris be damned!”

“I’m already damned,” Narsus agreed simply. “And undead.”

Lune loomed too close. Narsus flinched and stepped back. Thankfully, Lune did not further crowd him.

“This isn’t about your poisons, or your vampiric or demi-god status,” Lune said. “Don’t think bringing up those particular parentages will deter me from being angry. I should give you a good swift kick in that Compass-birthmark of yours.”

Lune crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. He wasn’t yelling. Narsus didn’t know if that was worse.

“I do understand why you closed yourself off,” Lune went on. “I do thank you for being so vulnerable and trusting with me. But how dare you make the decision to keep me in the dark.”

Narsus accepted the scolding. They had kind of talked about it, previously, but never really got into Compass-lore deadlines.

But now that they knew they could use Lune’s compass to track his, a lot of the stress was draining away.

Not all of it, but most. He beheld his husband from the corner of his eye.

Lune was standing straight up now. Arms still crossed, but foot tapping. This vision made him bust out laughing.

Lune’s eyebrows shot up and he wheezed out, “You find our Compass-separation funny?”

“What I find funny is that oh-so-familiar expression on your face. And the way you’re standing. Soooo proper! Oh, gods, it’s so Calico.” Narsus doubled over, holding his middle as he laughed at Lune’s offended reaction. “Oh, that scowl, too!”

This time Lune was fighting against a smirk. “I suppose being mad is a waste of energy. And seeing you laugh. So freely. Narsus…”

Calming himself, it took Narsus a moment longer for the mirth to subside. “I apologize with my entire heart, my Compass-mate. Know that I am working hard to make up for my mistakes.”

“I know,” Lune said softly, looking out into the dawn blushing against the horizon. “So let’s get to searching, shall we?”

“Oh, do I finally get to see your Jade Raptor?” Narsus asked eagerly.

“No. Sachin has her out on hire. Not sure when he’s coming back.”

“Then how—?”

Lune only grinned. With easy, flittering movements of his fingers, he motioned to Narsus’s arms. “You’re going to carry me.”

“W-what?”

“We’re flying, my Narsus. By phoenix express since the sun’s up. It’s the fastest way and we have a lot of work to do.”

Narsus was still unwilling to test Lune’s possible immunity to his poison.

So he’d frantically dug through storage closets in search of thicker clothing for Lune to wear.

Lune assured him Calico had taken most of his clothing with him, and that he wouldn’t find the capes and long-sleeved garments he was looking for.

The Star Land Islands were forever warm to serve phoenix-kind. There wasn’t a need for most people to own or even wear winter clothing—unless one decided to venture into the inner forests and mountains.

When Narsus grumbled at the useless search, Cinder handed his sturdy coat-cape with its hood and decorative tails to Lune.

The Cottage phoenix then retreated back to his shared quarters with Brightside without a word.

Before the orange phoenix closed the door, Brightside called out not to mind them, as they’d be heading back to the bookstore very soon to restock.

Narsus tensed when Cinder handed over the garment to Lune. Because Lune was just staring back at him, which made Narsus even more uneasy.

“You don’t mind?” Lune finally asked when Cinder had gone.

“Let’s not make this weird,” Narsus replied honestly, then dropped his voice into a low whisper.

“He was always a friend more than anything else. I was never in love with him. So no, it doesn’t bother me.

Because I’m trying to forgive myself. You’ve shown me I need to forgive myself. You’ve given me the courage for it.”

Lune left the coat thrown over the chair before opening his arms. “Hug? ”

Narsus walked into the embrace. Lingering, feeling the affection and love offered. Until he pulled back a little, and gave a gentle swat to the buttock that he suspected hosted the Compass-birthmark.

“Oh!” Lune jerked in his embrace and his eyes went wide. “Oh, my. Mmm. That was a delightful surprise.”

Lune’s startled giggle further melted his fears and doubts. “Time to go,” Narsus said.

His siren grabbed the coat-cape. “Lead the way.”