Page 103 of Found in Obscurity

Lorin placed his mouth at Kit’s ear, whispering the words, “I love you.”

Kit’s breath hitched, an animal whimper escaping his throat.

Lorin clutched him tighter, cupping his head, his voice rough. “My soul knew it and chased you down the path before I even knew the way.”

It was the reassurance Kit had needed. The only thing he wanted to hear for the rest of time. And he could feel it filling him up. He was loved, he was wanted, he was claimed, but he was free.

Kit clutched Lorin’s back, raising his own mouth to Lorin’s ear as he begged his damaged throat to carry the words. “Lorin, my mate, I love you. I searched so long.”

Lorin pulled back to look him in the eyes. He moved the hand on Kit’s head to cup his chilled cheek. “We would have found each other. I see it now. Everything is so much clearer to me. My journey was always leading me here. I’m sorry you had to wait so long.”

Kit shook his head, grasping the back of Lorin’s neck with cold fingers and pulling his mouth down to claim. “Forever,” he whispered against his lips. “I would wait.”

Lorin embraced him tenderly, mouth moving against his as the sun kissed both of them.

Lorin drew them inside between kisses, closing the door. His mug was abandoned outside for the frost to leech the last of its warmth. They ended up in front of the small fire, Kit drawing Lorin down to the rug and lying on his back with his arms held loosely on either side of his head.

Lorin stoked the flames and sat back to observe Kit, watching the orange flames paint him rosy, dancing on his pale skin. Lorin followed their steps like a diligent student, first with his fingers and then his mouth.

Kit shivered under the attention, curling his fingers, small gasps of pleasure escaping his parted lips as Lorin explored the valleys of his body.

He kissed behind his knee, found the hollow of his hip and thigh, devoted himself to the curve of his belly button, tongue dipping inside.

Kit watched him from beneath heavy-lidded amber eyes, unable to tear them away. He felt like a canvas being painted as a masterpiece as Lorin left more marks on his skin, like flowers to bloom beside countless others.

As Lorin settled his shoulders between Kit’s legs, his thighs parted. His mouth followed the path farther down, and Kit arched off the floor, sweet moans filling the air as Lorin opened him up on his tongue.

The push of magic along their bond, no longer needed but electrifying his skin, sent him over the edge, stars bursting in his vision.

After they lay sated once more, the corner of the blanket clinging to their tangled calves, Lorin found words again.

They were nose to nose, eyes locked. Lorin was running his nails from shoulder to elbow, leaving faint lines that disappeared with every pass. Kit’s hands were curled between them, resting against Lorin’s collarbone and tapping a disjointed rhythm every now and then.

“I understand better now,” Lorin whispered. “My father.”

Kit hummed. He could feel it too and knew instinctively what it meant.

They were connected at the heart. At the soul. If one of them went, the other would soon follow no matter what. It wasn’t a choice. It was inevitability.

“It still scares me a little,” Lorin said. “But there’s peace too.”

Kit nodded his understanding, rubbing their noses together.

“I’m really happy,” Lorin breathed. “My light in the dark.”

Kit took his mouth in a gentle kiss, his heart singing with the words. Like this, it was easy to forget about the loomingspell and the coven still lurking outside their door. For now, Kit allowed himself to forget.

The front door’s handle depressed and squeaked, the door thudding like someone had walked forward, expecting it to open.

Both of their heads snapped that way.

There was only one person who invited themselves in unannounced like that.

Kit didn’t remember either of them locking the front door at any point, and he wondered if the house had done it for them. He giggled.

“Hey! What gives?” Glenn’s muffled voice was still loud. “I just nearly broke my nose!”

Lorin rolled his eyes and called out, “Go away!”