Page 25 of D’Vaire or Nothing (D’Vaire #44)

H eathcliff yawned and stretched his arms above his head.

For half a second, he wondered why he’d crawled into bed without a stitch of clothing on.

The D’Vaires had a talented seamstress in Larissa D’Vairedraconis, and she happily filled dresser drawers full of pajamas throughout the mansion.

Heathcliff loved her fun fabrics and donned a pair every night.

But his confusion didn’t last long.

The previous night, Heathcliff had met his mate.

Although he hadn’t planned on dragging Brinley close and bringing them both to a fast, intense climax, Heathcliff didn’t regret it either.

Did Brinley? Was that why he’d left Heathcliff alone in his hotel room?

His phoenix shrieked in fright and bewilderment. Where was their other half?

Heathcliff loved mysteries but only in books. So, he sat up and grabbed his phone from the nightstand. It took two taps on the screen to have the device ringing in his ear.

“Heath? I’m so sorry.”

“What for?” Heathcliff asked with a scowl.

“Because you literally gained your sexuality yesterday, and we were only supposed to share a few kisses. Instead, I wake up in your hotel room naked after fantastic sex. This is a matebond, not a hook-up.”

“Do you regret having sex with me?”

There was silence on the other end, and Heathcliff wished they were together so he could at least try to guess the emotions on Brinley’s pretty face.

“Well, no.”

“Then don’t apologize for it. We were both willing participants. It’s Fate’s fault I lacked sexuality until yesterday, not yours.”

“Okay, but I don’t want you to think I’m trying to sleep my way into your good graces or something.

You’re a Duke, and I’m a guy who works in a bar.

I live in a shitty apartment because I’m saving up every penny I make so I can take a couple of years off work to study magic.

Or something. I’m not sure. I haven’t decided what I want to do with my life.

And I blew a bunch of money last night buying up every candle, bath salt, shampoo, and shit they had in a freesia scent because that’s what you smell like to me. ”

Heathcliff blinked at the information Brinley had dumped, and his frown formed.

“Freesia? I hate the smell of that. My mother used to put these nasty packets scented like it in the bathroom to keep it from stinking after people did their business in there. Now, I can’t smell it without thinking of shit. ”

“Wow.”

“Sorry, Kieran says I’m too blunt sometimes.”

“Ah, the hot brother.”

“His mate is a dark warlock, might want to reconsider categorizing Kieran as the hot brother. Scher may flatten you with a spell.”

Brinley laughed. “I’m trying to figure out my life, but I study and play with my fire every chance I get. Not that I want to steal his man or anything because clearly Fate already gave me a hotter phoenix than his, but I’d welcome that challenge.”

“Every sorcerer I know likes to play with magic; he’d welcome it too. Thanks for calling me hot. I think you’re beautiful. I especially like the look on your face when you come.”

“I’m glad you’re not mad about last night. We had fun, but I don’t want our relationship to be based on sex.”

“Me neither, but you didn’t have to leave. We could’ve had this conversation in person.”

“Heath? If you didn’t have anything on that thick purple cock I’m already obsessed with, I would’ve hopped on it and forgotten I even knew how to talk. But I think we need to stay clothed for now.”

“Agreed. I loved the way you made me feel, but there will be plenty of time for that later, once we’ve gotten to know one another. Speaking of which, do you want to meet up with me sometime today?”

“I’d love to. But I need to squeeze in a nap because I’m working tonight.

Would you mind hanging out with me after my shift?

Or I’m off tomorrow and we could spend the day together.

You guys aren’t checking out until Monday, right?

I’ll have a couple of days without work in the way because we don’t officially open until Thursday. ”

“I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to see you, so yeah, text or call me when you’re done tonight and we’ll hang out.

Yes, we’re checking out on Monday. Probably early if I know Brogan.

That’s the Grand Duke. He’s obsessed with security, and he won’t relax fully until we’re back at the mansion.

It’s protected with thick layers of magic and is impenetrable. ”

“It hasn’t hit me yet how many cool-ass sorcerers you know.”

“I’m sure they’ll love meeting you.”

“It won’t compare to meeting you, Heath.”

A lovely wave of affection swept through Heathcliff, and he grinned like an idiot. “Nothing in my life compares to meeting you either. Go take that nap. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Let me know how your book is, okay?”

It was either funny or sad that Brinley had already figured out that Heathcliff planned to spend much of his day reading, which made the shifter roll his eyes at his own predictability. “I will.”

Heathcliff said farewell to the captivating fire mage he already missed and sighed.

While Heathcliff hated the whole lack of sexuality prior to meeting his other half thing, he couldn’t fault Fate for giving him a sweet, handsome man he hoped to build a lasting relationship with.

He wanted the same happiness the couples in his family shared.

His phoenix screeched happily. Man and beast were united in the same goal.

∞∞∞

“So, what’s up with your family?” Heathcliff asked Brinley as they relaxed in his hotel room with a couple of beers.

Brinley’s face was scrubbed free of his cosmetics, unlike the previous night.

The lack of make-up gave him an innocent, ethereal air.

Heathcliff decided he liked both looks equally and loved the way he and his phoenix were tantalized by the captivating mage. “You left as a teenager?”

Brinley kicked off his shoes and sat on the bed, relaxing against the headboard.

“Yeah, but the problems were lifelong. They were pyris mages. Until our former leader famously burned himself to a crisp, along with a bunch of sycophants trying to prove that fire was the only important element. Our new rulers stepped in and declared the elements were equal. My parents and siblings were pissed. They didn’t want to be equal or switch to calling themselves ignis despite that being in line with the other Latin element names for our people; they wanted to revel in being better.

Since I didn’t agree, the fights were constant.

The second I was old enough to get a job, I left. I have no regrets.”

“I should’ve asked Lochlan and his family to pop into Hearts bar to say hi to you,” Heathcliff groused, frustrated with himself. “Matebonds are easier in theory. I keep making mistakes.”

“Stop, I would’ve freaked out. I can’t believe you know the Magus Superus and the other rulers of my people,” Brinley said.

He patted the bed next to him. “Come sit with me, Heath. I’m going to warn you; I’m probably going to embarrass the hell out of myself with your family.

Although I’m reasonably sure I can act professional if any of these important titled folks come in for a drink, if anyone tries to talk to me, I’m going to squeal like a child. Maybe faint.”

Heathcliff laughed as he took a seat next to Brinley. Like his mate, he took off his shoes. He hoped they would have a couple of hours to learn more about each other before Brinley had to head home to get some sleep.

“I don’t believe that for an instant,” Heathcliff said. “You’ve been nothing but calm and collected since we met.”

“To be fair, I was so stunned I didn’t say much.”

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with your family and you’ve had to be on your own.”

“It’s been a long four years, but I’m better off without them.”

“You’re twenty?” Heathcliff asked, shocked. For some inexplicable reason, he’d believed Brinley was older.

“Yes, in the Council world, a veritable child. How old is the sexy phoenix shifter Fate paired with me?”

“Kieran knows what year I was born, but I refuse to ask. Pretty sure I was born in the mid-to-late 1960s,” Heathcliff said.

“My former people practiced an ancient tradition started by our full-blood phoenix relatives. They celebrate phoenixes and their immortality by essentially killing the man so the phoenix is reborn. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy process for hybrids like those with elven blood.

Our former chieftain had this special tea which thankfully has an antidote now, but I drank it twice.

It’s either a volunteer situation where you opt to drink it, or you get nominated by other people.

It robbed me of my memories. I lost my entire youth, and it cost me my best friend.

Kieran hated that I was a different person, but we’ve mended our fences, and I like to think our relationship is even stronger now. ”

Brinley reached up and scratched his head. “Did you agree to do this, or were you volunteered by someone else to drink this shit?”

“My parents believed strongly in our chieftain and nominated me the first time. As for my second go-round, I volunteered because no one had ever lost their memory twice and I needed to protect everyone I could. Kieran was pissed. Both times. It took me about six months to recover after each cup of tea. Brinley, your hands are on fire.” It was odd not to be startled by the small blazes rising from Brinley’s fists, but Heathcliff and his phoenix were mesmerized by the mage’s abilities.

“ Fuck ,” Brinley snapped as the flames disappeared. “I was a kid the last time my fire misbehaved. But what the fuck is wrong with your parents?”

“Now you know why I don’t talk to them or my other siblings. They were cool with me doing it. My mother drank the shit herself and knew how hard it was to recover. But she was still fine with me drinking it. With Kieran drinking it. I can’t forgive any of them.”

“Neither can I,” Brinley muttered. “Shit, Heath. Fuck them. I’m so sorry. I want to seriously set some shit on fire.”

“Maybe not here because I don’t want to explain to the Emperors why their beautiful resort is a roaring inferno.”

Heathcliff nearly chuckled at the way Brinley raised his fingers to his temple and rubbed. It was sweet how offended Brinley was on his behalf. Without thinking, Heathcliff leaned toward him and kissed him. Brinley’s reaction was immediate and fantastic. His mouth opened, and their tongues met.

Passion flared, and Heathcliff shifted so he could pull Brinley into his arms. The mage went willingly and molded his lanky frame to Heathcliff’s. It was marvelous, and desire flowed through Heathcliff’s veins as his phoenix shouted his approval in the shifter’s head.

Needing to touch him, Heathcliff slid a hand under Brinley’s T-shirt.

It wasn’t enough, so he gently tugged it upward and pulled his lips away only long enough to fling it out of the way.

Still, Heathcliff’s rising pulse and the throbbing in his rapidly growing erection demanded he get closer to Brinley.

Heathcliff dragged his top off and tossed it off the bed.

Then he cupped Brinley’s pert ass in one paw as he thrust against his other half.

Brinley whined and moaned as they made out.

The sounds were music to Heathcliff’s ears, and his phoenix filled his mind with fire.

It suited a man paired with a mage whose soul was made of flames.

To Heathcliff’s surprise and delight, Brinley laid a row of kisses along his jaw. Eager to allow Brinley to do whatever he wanted, Heathcliff offered no argument as Brinley’s mouth moved in a fiery path toward his belly.

Brinley touched his waistband, but Heathcliff rushed to aid him. After undoing his own belt, Heathcliff shoved his jeans and underwear past his ass. He dragged in a shocked breath as Brinley’s mouth closed over his hard length.

Shifting to give Brinley all the room he wanted, Heathcliff spread his legs as the mage sucked. It was so much sensation that Heathcliff could do nothing but feel. His head hit the headboard. He fisted the covers in his hands and tried not to thrust his hips into Brinley’s face.

Brinley swallowed around the head of his dick, and Heathcliff saw stars. Sparks flew along his spine, and he had no chance to warn Brinley as he shot down his throat.

By the time the roaring in Heathcliff’s ears stopped, his flaccid cock was shrinking in the cold air of the room.

Brinley made a mewling sound as he dug his forehead into Heathcliff’s thigh.

Feeling terrible and needing to ensure Brinley experienced the same height of passion, he was shocked as the mage’s body went rigid.

Brinley whispered something Heathcliff didn’t catch.

“Are you okay?” Heathcliff asked stupidly.

“I just jizzed on your jeans,” Brinley wailed as he curled into a ball between Heathcliff’s legs.

“It’ll wash out. Come here. I would’ve made you come.”

“You were so fucking sexy as I sucked you. I couldn’t wait.”

“Would you please come here?” Heathcliff demanded as he tugged and shifted until he was finally able to pull a red-faced Brinley into his arms. Their lips met, and Heathcliff kissed him long and deep to taste his essence mixed with Brinley’s.

It was beautiful, and he craved tons of intimacy in their future.

They may have met the previous day, but Heathcliff was already addicted to Brinley.

His phoenix screeched happily; the beast was thrilled with Fate’s choice for them both.

“I fucking love the way you kiss.”

“Each time you get near me, it’s like my whole body is set on fire.”

“A phoenix and a fire mage. Makes sense.”

“I suppose it does,” Heathcliff replied, bussing Brinley’s nose.

Brinley sighed heavily as he settled more comfortably in Heathcliff’s embrace. “We weren’t supposed to have sex.”

“Then you need to work on being less sexy.”

“No, you do. You and that fucking gorgeous purple dick. Heath, why are you so irresistible?”

“No, you’re the one with those blue eyes, that fucking pouty mouth, and the hair that looks like flame.”

“You smell like freesia.”

“Not a compliment.”

Brinley chuckled. “I like it.”

“Will you stay? Will you sleep over and not sneak out because you think I’m mad at something we both want?”

“I’ll stay. But no more sex.”

“That’s a promise neither one of us should make.”

“I know, what’s wrong with us?” Brinley asked.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

Heathcliff held his lovely mage in his arms and couldn’t find any fault with him, them, or the tiny flame of their relationship he was convinced they’d nurture into a powerful fire.