Page 26

Chapter 26

The Edge of Fate

Cian

C ian was glad to be seated since Fenric passed out in his arms, though only for a moment. Fenric went limp and Cian caught him, propping him up between him and Rory, his brother helping to hold Fenric upright.

The bond sealed the connection between them and Fenric’s lashes fluttered, his peridot-green eyes opening slowly. Cian and Rory withdrew their combined essence from Fenric, and the mental walls around Fenric’s mind and soul rose again on their own, returning to normal.

Cian felt Fenric then, as his mind and body adjusted to the bond. A bit of confusion, then elation. Joy and love. Such happiness that when Fenric fully opened his eyes and sat up on his own, Cian was prepared for the most beautiful smile in the world and for Fenric launching himself at him. The kiss was full of smiles and laughter.

“I can feel you,” Fenric breathed out between kisses.

“I can feel you, too,” Cian replied, holding Fenric tightly.

Rory withdrew gently from their connection and he stood from the chaise, helping Daniel to his feet without a word. Daniel smiled at Cian and Fenric and waved goodbye before joining hands with Rory and following his husband. Rory and Daniel left the temple, quietly departing the underhill.

Cian stood with Fenric in his arms and carried his mate across the temple to the hallway to their bedroom. Fenric began purring in his arms, nuzzling behind Cian’s ear and nibbling on his neck. He felt the fire in Fenric, the desire and the want, and the control and restraint in play in case Cian wasn’t in the same headspace.

He appreciated Fenric’s care more than words could convey, and he sent his emotions across the golden thread of their growing soulbond. He had everything he never knew he wanted in his arms at long last, and there was a matching fire in his belly for his mate. His beautiful, murderous, fierce, delicious mate.

Fenric was at last all his and he was never letting go.

“May I have you, my kitten?” Cian asked as he walked them down the short hall and then into their bedroom.

“Yes, yes you may,” Fenric replied eagerly. “Please do.”

Cian set Fenric down on the bed and his kitten wasted no time in stripping off his clothing in seconds. Cian did the same, tossing aside the clothing without a care and then joining Fenric on the bed.

“Let me taste you first,” Fenric breathed out over his lips, kissing him lightly, teasing.

“Anything,” Cian replied, letting himself be pushed onto his back, head on the pillows, and he put one arm behind his head, watching Fenric crawl close to kneel by his hip. Clever fingers traced over his hips and thighs, avoiding his groin, but Cian enjoyed the anticipation and let Fenric take his time.

One hand took his cock and stroked him slowly, firmly, root to tip, getting him hard. Fingers played over the ridges, making Cian’s breathing speed up, his hips jerking at the touch. He lost all thought when Fenric bent over and lapped at the head, teasing out a drop of precum.

“Mmhmm,” Fenric hummed, expression as smug as a cat in the cream. Gorgeous green eyes glowed and locked onto Cian as if he were prey, that nimble tongue lapping and twirling around the head of his cock before pink lips parted and sucked him down.

“So good, kitten.” Cian rasped out, burying his free hand in Fenric’s soft black hair. Fenric’s mouth was stretched wide, and those soft lips gripped his length as he sucked. “That’s it, so sweet.”

A warm hand cupped his balls and gently rolled them, and Cian moaned, spreading his thighs to let Fenric slip over his thigh and between his legs. Fenric kept his hot mouth on Cian’s cock and nestled into place, one hand on Cian’s balls and another holding the base of his shaft. Cian sank into the pleasure of Fenric’s delightful mouth and let Fenric set the pace.

He pet Fenric along the back of his head, along his stretched jaw, fingers tracing over the lips wrapped around his cock. Fenric’s eyes glowed brighter, hotter, a few tears glistening on lashes. He felt the desire and satisfaction emanating from Fenric through their nascent bond. Fenric was ecstatic to have his mouth on Cian and his feelings were a heady aphrodisiac to Cian. He grew harder, the ridges along his cock growing fuller, more defined, and Fenric bobbed his head along the hard length in his mouth, humming in pleased arousal.

Chest heaving, balls pulling up tight, Cian got within a heartbeat of coming when Fenric pulled his mouth off Cian’s cock and squeezed the base of his cock hard enough to stave off the climax, and Cian groaned in frustration and rueful amusement. Fenric’s lips were red and swollen from blowing him and they were curved now in a wicked smile.

“I want you in me when we come,” Fenric said, voice a bit rough from the blowjob.

“Get up here,” Cian ordered. “I’ll get us both there.”

“Yes, sir,” Fenric teased, crawling up his body to rest his pert ass on Cian’s cock, grinding down a bit.

Cian grabbed Fenric and pulled him down for a kiss, tasting traces of himself on Fenric’s tongue. Hands slid down to grip Fenric’s hips, and Fenric kept the kiss going even as he helped Cian maneuver him into position, and clever hands gripped his cock and placed the head at the tight muscle of his entrance. Fenric pushed down, breaking the kiss with a gasp, head tossed back and mouth open as Cian breached him inch by torturous inch. Fenric was wet and ready for him, blessedly hot inside, muscles rippling in anticipation of those ridges locking into place.

Cian kept himself from coming by sheer force of will—Fenric was utter perfection and he wanted to flood his mate with cum, but Fenric’s pleasure was paramount.

“Fucking hell,” Fenric gasped out, face flushed red and eyes hooded with desire. “You’re fucking huge.”

Cian grinned, and with a twitch of his hips, he flipped them on the bed, putting Fenric on his back, those perfect thighs wrapped around his hips. He thrust deep into Fenric and pulled out before Fenric could lock him into place, tugging and teasing his inner muscles. Each thrust and withdrawal was meant for one purpose—to make Fenric feel as much as possible before he came apart on Cian’s cock.

He rolled his hips, making Fenric cry out, hands scrabbling at his shoulders, nails scratching his skin, head tossing back and forth, black hair spread across the pillows.

“That’s it, sweet kitten,” Cian murmured, kissing along Fenric’s jaw. “Take all that pleasure.”

“Cian!” Fenric sobbed out, breathing hard, writhing under him. “Please!”

Fenric was a chaotic mess of pleasure, need, and aching arousal, his cock leaking precum between them. Cian thrust in deep and held still, letting Fenric’s body clamp down on him and hold him into place, milking his cock. Fenric came, shooting hot cum across their stomachs and chest, a distinctly feline yowl escaping his mate, arms and legs holding him tightly.

Cian came, burying his face in Fenric’s soft hair, hips jerking as he flooded his mate with cum. Those delicious muscles gripped and massaged each ridge of his cock, encouraging and extending his orgasm, and he moaned his release as he continued to come.

They lay together for several long moments, hearts racing, cum and sweat dripping. Fenric shivered underneath him, aftershocks from his orgasm, and Cian thrust in deeper, making Fenric purr. The sound filled the room, and Cian remained buried in his mate, whose arms and legs were locked around him, that sweet purr settling into his bones.

Fenric

He blinked, thinking he was awake again, wondering what woke him, when a soft hand scratched gently behind his ears. He purred, stretching, and he froze when he realized he was on soft grass, the clear blue sky high overhead.

He was dreaming.

The cliff was high, gray stone reaching for the sky, and the ocean beat against the shore far below.

He knew this place. He had been born after his ancestors left this fair green isle but he knew where he was in the depths of his soul.

The Island of Danu, She who was the progenitor of the High Court Sidhe. The Goddess of the collective Elder fae. Danu was literally Cian’s mother and the mother of his species. Danu was a sibling of the progenitors of the cait-sidhe and other Elder fae peoples.

“I am, dear Fenric,” a voice said, and Fenric looked up to see a woman with long green hair in myriad braids smiling down at him. Her skin was a deep gold with umber undertones, and gems glittered from Her hair. She wore a long green robe that matched Her hair and left Her arms bare, the robes as green as the grass of the cliffside.

“Danu,” Fenric breathed, and he found himself in his sidhe form, kneeling at Her feet. “Mother of us all.”

“None of that now,” She chided gently, reaching down one lithe hand, taking his arm and making him stand. She was taller than him, statuesque and lean as a sapling in the breeze. The wind swirled around them, lifting Her hair. Her smile was gentle and generous.

“The twins look like you,” Fenric blurted out. The shape of Her face, the green hair, the bearing with which She held Herself, all given to the twins.

“They are my sons,” She reminded him. The corners of Her eyes crinkled when She smiled. Fenric smiled back, utterly charmed. “I called you here to thank you, Fenric.”

“For what?” he asked, lost. What could he have done to warrant the thanks of a goddess?

She shook Her head, and gently pushed a lock of his hair behind his ear that the wind had sent astray. “Can you think of nothing you’ve done? Truly?”

“You mean Cian,” Fenric finally realized. “I love him.”

“You do,” Danu agreed, joy suffusing Her features. “You did something miraculous, and got him to open his heart. My ruthless blade has danced on the edge of fate for eons, and you helped him take that final step into living again. Thank you.”

“Thank you for giving me my second chance,” Fenric replied.

“I heard your prayer that day at the obelisk,” She shook Her head, still smiling. “I may have put in a good word with my sister, Fate, but this has all been you and Cian.”

She took his face in both hands, Her palms soft and warm, and She leaned down, kissing his forehead. “Thank you, Fenric. Tell my children I love them, and rest well. Return to my son, your mate, with my blessings.”

Fenric

He woke after his dream of Danu, heart racing, and he knew the dream was as real as the bed he slept in, the air he breathed.

Cian slept beside him, and Fenric unashamedly stared at him. In sleep, Cian was relaxed and his walls were down. The resemblance to Danu was strong.

The bond glowed in the darkness between them, visible if Fenric opened his senses beyond the surface level. It was a golden rope of light, and Fenric ran his fingers along it, feeling the hum of energy.

Cian stirred, and Fenric let the bond go, fading from his sight. He felt when Cian woke, his mate groaning a bit as he stretched. Stormy eyes opened and Fenric smiled at the sight of the tempest at rest. The swirling was slow, calm as a clear summer day, and within, Fenric saw and felt a sense of peace and love that had him leaning over and kissing Cian before speaking a word.

Cian kissed him back, slow and sensual. No heat, just affection and love. So much love.

“Good morning,” Cian sighed when the kiss ended. “How fares my mate on this beautiful day?”

“I’m really good,” Fenric replied, and he snuggled in closer, Cian opening his arms and pulling him to his chest. “How do you know it’s a beautiful day?”

“The underhill tells me,” Cian kissed the top of his head. “Regardless, any morning with you is a beautiful start to the day.”

“Such a romantic,” Fenric replied, cheeks warming.

“You bring it out in me,” Cian replied, making Fenric look up at him. Cian brushed the hair out of his face, cupping the side of his jaw. “I was never so sentimental before you, but I find myself indulging with greater frequency now.”

“Does it bother you?”

Cian took a moment to reply. “No, it doesn’t. I don’t dislike emotions, merely the exhaustive consequences of other people’s feelings. There are a few exceptions, and you’re one of them.”

“Oh, and who else doesn’t exhaust you with their emotions?” Fenric asked, a bit teasingly, but mostly curious.

“Rory, of course. Daniel, now. The wee beastie has yet to exhaust me. I suspect the youngling Leandro is another who won’t.”

“You’ve become a softie,” Fenric whispered, lightly teasing, kissing Cian’s chest. “Love looks good on you.”

“Does it now?” Cian asked, amused. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I dreamed of your mother,” Fenric finally revealed, certain he was meant to share it with Cian.

Cian pulled back enough to see his face. “You did?”

“It was real, I swear,” Fenric said.

“I believe you,” Cian assured him. “What did my darling mother want?”

“To thank me for loving you,” Fenric shared. “She told me to tell you and Rory that She loves you, and She gave me Her blessing.”

Cian closed his eyes and hugged Fenric fiercely to his chest, tucking Fenric’s head under his chin. Fenric held him back just as tightly, and he made no comment about the hot tears he felt drip into his hair.

Cian

Rory leaned into his shoulder, and Cian leaned back, holding each other up as they sat on the top of the dune, watching the sun rise. The white spot on the horizon grew slowly, shifting to gold at the edges. Dawn came softly, clouds and fog dissipating as the first rays of the sun crested the ocean and fell on the beach.

“I never doubted she loved us,” Rory said aloud, “but it is nice to hear it again after so long.”

Cian hummed in agreement, hands on his knees, thinking. “We’re both mated now. Just like she predicted. We could go home, introduce our mates to our mother, show them where we grew up.”

“We could,” Rory agreed. “But not just yet.”

“No, not just yet,” Cian said. “We have unfinished business here.”

“A new family to protect and safeguard,” Rory replied.

“And a life to live,” Cian added.

They heard footsteps climbing the dune, sand pattering down the slope, and then Fenric and Daniel joined them. Daniel sat beside Rory, and Fenric sat beside Cian. Fenric leaned into him, arm around his, and he rested his head on Cian’s shoulder.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Fenric said quietly.

Cian pressed a kiss to the top of Fenric’s head, breathing in the scent of his mate. “It really is.”