Page 13 of The Tides of March (Moon Murder Mysteries)

Twelve

T he beautiful dream that had been Tony’s time on the island ended just as abruptly as it had begun, quickly turning into Ronan’s worst nightmare. If he’d had any inkling that it would be their last day, Ronan would have made the most of it. He would have been on his very best manners. Ronan would have done more to show his gratitude and he would have cherished each moment with Tony.

Not that every day with Tony wasn’t already perfect. But Ronan would have done his part and worshipped Tony while he still had the chance.

“Mornin,’ captain!” Tony was beaming like he had swallowed the sun when Ronan opened his eyes. His fingers walked up Ronan’s chest before twisting in his beard. Tony pulled Ronan’s lips to his for a slow, hungry kiss. “Ready to be boarded?” he teased in a sultry growl.

Ronan caught Tony’s hand and guided it lower, past his semi hard cock. “In the mood to take me, lad?”

He knew very little about the world of men, having spent most of his life avoiding them. But Ronan wouldn’t have written the whole lot off if he had known about the pansexuals. They were a rare and wondrous breed that mated with humans who identified as men, women, and in between, much like a merrow.

“I was hoping you’d ask.”

Like Ronan, Tony could find pleasure in just about any activity as long as they were together. They touched and explored every nook and cranny and Ronan was surprised to discover that he enjoyed ‘bottoming’ as much as he enjoyed ‘topping’ Tony.

Maybe more.

It didn’t seem likely that Ronan would ever have a mate, so he hadn’t put much effort into practicing. Touching himself had never had any appeal and he had certainly never explored his own backside. Why torment himself with needless desires, Ronan had reasoned, choosing to keep them dormant.

The bay wouldn’t have been as peaceful if Ronan had known what was possible before Tony. He practically melted when Tony’s fingers swept into the cleft of his ass and Ronan purred as his hole was strummed.

“I woke up hungry,” Tony said and flicked Ronan’s nipple with his tongue, then sucked on it. Heat flared in Ronan’s core as goosebumps spread down his neck and arms.

That was another wonder Tony had introduced Ronan to. He had no idea his nipples were so sensitive or that he could be reduced to whimpering and begging with just a few pinches. Or that he could get off like that, but Tony had whipped Ronan into a swearing frenzy after washing his hair, causing him to come in the tub without even touching his cock.

Tony nibbled on the other nipple before nuzzling his way down Ronan’s body. He rubbed his face all over the hair on Ronan’s chest and round belly. There was a delighted groan as Tony shifted lower and dragged his cheeks and lips along the insides of Ronan’s thighs.

“So much merrow and he’s all mine ,” Tony whispered greedily as he parted them.

“Only yers. Always.”

Ronan cradled Tony’s head lovingly and gasped out breathless pleas and words of encouragement as his puckered flesh was kissed and gently fingered. He was so patient and so playful, making Ronan smile as his toes curled. It was easy to forget about how old he was at times like these, Tony erased the years between them by making Ronan laugh as many times as he cried out in ecstasy.

“Good. I’ll fight anyone who tries to steal you from me,” Tony threatened cheekily.

Ronan would have laughed then, if Tony’s fingers weren’t massaging his prostate. “Ye don’ have to worry ‘bout that. Now, Tony!” He reached for him and Tony was already slick and ready.

“Now,” he agreed, sucking on Ronan’s tongue and lips before sitting back on his heels. Tony guided the head of his shaft to Ronan’s hole, then wound an arm around each of his thighs. “Is this mine?” he asked as he rocked his hips, sliding deep.

Ronan nodded drunkenly, his eyes crossing as Tony ground hard. “Yes! Please don’ stop!” His head thrashed on the pillows and Ronan was mindless, bucking and gyrating as he rode Tony’s cock.

“That’s it. Now, touch yourself,” Tony commanded, his voice low and husky. His olive skin glistened and his hair clung to his brow and temples, making him even warmer and more vibrant. He was radiant—ethereal—and enthralling, and he had a damn dirty mouth. “Stroke that big, merrow dick for me, Ronan.”

“Gods, lad!” He had never heard anything as salty and that was saying a lot because Ronan had spent a few decades at sea, negotiating with pirates and sailors, before settling on Pooles Island. But this merrow was helpless, happily under Tony’s seductive spell. “The things ye say!” he panted as he tugged at his length.

Tony made a breathless, but knowing sound. “You love it.” He reached between them and gave Ronan’s sac a firm knead. A long string of pre-cum dripped from the head as heat and pleasure spread from Ronan’s core.

“I do! I love it!” he cried as pressure pushed into the base of his cock.

“Do it, Ronan. Come for me,” Tony said over the loud slap of his hips against Ronan’s ass. “I want to watch you shoot your load and then I want you to feed it to me.”

“Tony!” No one had ever said anything that scandalous to Ronan before and the effect was immediate. Heat swept up Ronan’s spine as cum spilled from his cock, landing in thick puddles on his stomach.

“Now, feed it to me.” Tony pumped his hips faster, his rhythm failing as his tongue stretched.

Ronan complied quickly, smearing his fingers through his cum, captivated as he shoved them into Tony’s mouth. Tony moaned as he sucked, loudly blissful as wet heat flooded Ronan’s passage. “Yes!” Ronan’s body arched off the bed, gasping at another tremor of miraculous pleasure. He caught Tony when he fell forward and kissed him gratefully. “Ye should be ashamed. I love ye,” Ronan said with a wheezing chuckle.

“I love you too.” Tony whispered the words as they kissed, setting Ronan’s heart aflame.

“I don’ think I ever knew warmth before I met ye.”

“I thought you preferred the cold.”

“Alone is cold, but I feel like I’m alive when I’m with ye.”

Tony groaned dramatically as he pushed off the bed. “It’s too soon for me to get off again but it looks like I have to blow you now.”

“No, ye don’!” Ronan laughed and chased Tony out of bed so they could feed each other soft-boiled eggs, toast, and sausages for breakfast.

Later, Tony proudly showed off the newly organized bookshelves in the upstairs loft. “Ta-dah!” he announced with a grand sweep of his arm. “All of your nautical books are on that back wall. The bird books are over there and the rest of your books are arranged by author. The alphabet starts downstairs, that way all your favorite Austen and Byron books are easier to reach when you’re drinking your tea.”

“Looks good. I like the way ye tidied me frames too,” Ronan said with a nod at his work table. His paintbrushes had also been gathered into an empty can. Tony had painted the can white and tied a bit of twine around it while Ronan made a batch of scones.

“I was glad to do it! There wasn’t much that needed tidying, you’re so neat. Now. ”

“Did that have to include me head?” Ronan had asked as he pointed at himself. He had been skeptical but Ronan finally caved in and agreed to some extra grooming. His beard had been trimmed to the middle of Ronan’s chest and his hair closely cropped. Tony had even plucked his brows and filed Ronan’s nails. “Not bad,” Ronan had conceded when Tony held up the sheet pan. He had polished the underside and kept it on a nail over the sink as a mirror when Ronan wasn’t baking biscuits or scones.

“My cousin, Aria, squared me away when we were in high school and made me promise I’d get my back waxed so I wasn’t a yeti like the other men in my family,” he said, then chuckled wryly. “I always wondered why there were so few men on my mom’s side. I have a ton of cousins, but most of them are girls.”

Ronan nodded slowly. “I think most of the Epona folk were women,” he said, making Tony scratch his head.

“I recall reading that the Roman cavalry were big believers in Epona. They were mostly men.”

“Aye,” Ronan had agreed. “But not in the temples and after the empire fell. It was the priestesses who took the following underground and kept it alive by passing it from mother-to-daughter in secret. Fer some reason, they rarely had sons,” he explained and Tony laughed in disbelief.

“You’ve taught me more about myself and my family than my own mother and you wonder why I don’t want to go back.”

“Bah!” Ronan waved it off as he went to add more logs to the fire so Tony wouldn’t catch a chill. “I told ye: ye take too much of that personally. Yer friend and yer mam probably wanted to tell ye but had better reasons not to. I’ll get more wood. The weather’s turnin’ and it’s gonna be a blustery night,” he predicted.

“You’re right. I’m not the center of the universe and I’m not that important in the grand scheme of things.” Tony wasn’t being facetious or sarcastic. “It just stings to be reminded so regularly.”

“That’s not what I’m sayin’,” Ronan said as he hauled Tony to him. “I can tell ye were the center of yer mam’s universe but that doesn’ mean she had to give up her other responsibilities. Ye don’ know what kind of vows she made or what she was protectin’ ye from.”

“You’re very wise, Mr. O’Sullivan. Did you know that?” Tony stretched on his toes so he could wind his arms around Ronan’s neck. “Let’s get back in bed and I’ll read to you. It’s too yucky out to do anything else.”

“Twist my arm if ye must.”

The pack was happy with a brief tussle in the front yard and did their business before Ronan called them back inside. They settled into their favorite spots by the bed and by the fire while Ronan joined Tony under the covers. It wasn’t long before Tony nodded off, leaving Ronan with his thoughts.

The soft pop and crackle of the fire, the dogs’ contented snores, and the steady cadence of Tony’s exhales were a tranquil symphony and worth the stifling heat. Ronan didn’t care that he was roasting. It was bliss, having Tony snuggled against his side, humming Ronan’s name as he slept.

Tony’s nap lasted for about two hours. He woke up randy and rode Ronan’s beard and his cock, then stated that it was his turn to make lunch. That suited Ronan just fine and he felt like a king as Tony prepared a hearty pasta dish with roasted vegetables. Without donning a stitch of clothing, of course.

“I can’t say that I’ve had a lot of Italian food, but I don’ think yer supposed to be naked when ye do that,” Ronan warned again. He felt obligated to at least try.

That late, lazy lunch was Ronan’s last easy moment with Tony. An icy wind blew into the bay and a foreboding ache grew in Ronan’s gut as the sun set. He suggested Tony return to bed, not wanting him to get a chill. Normally, Ronan welcomed a wild storm but his nerves rattled along with the widows, he had such a terrible sense of dread.

He had put on the record player and got out his knitting, but they had failed to distract him from the storm coming in with the tide.

“I should start dinner,” Ronan said, giving up on Tony’s scarf and bundling it all back into the bag.

Tony wrinkled his nose. “I’m not that hungry, are you?” he asked and Ronan shook his head.

He was too nervous to eat but he didn’t want to worry Tony. “Still full from lunch.”

“I can fend for myself later. There are still a few scones from earlier.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Ronan said, then turned toward the window. He jumped at the strange, distant shrieks and cracks of thunder, goosebumps spreading down his arms as his already stretched nerves were plucked. “Stay here,” he told Tony.

Tony’s book dropped onto his lap and he frowned, concerned as he glanced at the window. “You’re going out? In this?”

“Nothin’ out there that can harm me. The dogs need to get in at least one good run before I turn in.” He lowered and shushed when Tony started to protest. “Won’ be long,” Ronan said as he caught Tony’s chin and shut him up with a kiss. “Rest, lad. Don’ need to overdo it, ye just got yer health back.”

There was a wry snort from Tony as he grabbed the front of Ronan’s shirt, holding on tight. “I’ve spent most of the day in bed.”

Ronan chuckled and nodded, reveling in the way their lips clung and the taste of Tony’s breath. “Aye, but ye still managed to put in some hard work and now ye should rest,” he said, rising and wagging a finger at Tony when he tried to follow. “No ye don’. Stay there and practice bein’ beautiful. Or take a long bath or enjoy a cup of tea if ye must move, but don’ worry about me.”

“Fine,” Tony sighed with a swat at the door and a roll of his eyes. “If I must… I’ll practice in the tub with a cup of tea.”

The thought brought a smile to Ronan’s face as he pictured it. “Lovely. Perhaps I’ll join ye when I get back.”

“Oh! Maybe I’ll take the Odyssey and linger…” Tony mused, winking as he rolled toward the bedside table, tapping his chin as he perused the pile. It was steadily growing as Tony made himself at home.

“Do that.”

Tony was putting the kettle on as Ronan pulled on his boots and coat and headed out with the dogs, leaving Myrtle behind to guard Tony. The night had grown bitter and bleak and the wind stung Ronan’s face, making him shield his eyes as he made his way to the beach, following the pack as they barked and howled at the noisy gusts and roaring waves. Another shrieking cry reached Ronan through the fog and mist, making him sniff at the air as he searched around him.

The awful foreboding that had gripped Ronan all evening had his gut churning as he searched the shore ahead of them and scanned along the horizon. The sun had set and the rising moon was shrouded by clouds and fog as the bay swelled with the tide.

His gaze caught on an unusually large mass as it emerged from the water. A hulking blue beast heaved itself toward the shore, dragging its long tentacles. Ronan’s blood ran cold and he was momentarily paralyzed, terrified and furious as an ancient horror lumbered toward the coast. It slowly lost its soaked, bloated, blue pallor and formed into a towering, muscular, man’s body, but with six long, lashing tentacles. A gray, gilled face with a single glowing red eye took shape in the mist, alarming Ronan and igniting his fury.

“Go back where ye came from!” Ronan shouted, running at the Fomorian, shedding his coat and sweater as he stormed into the water. He made himself as large and ugly as possible as he dove through the rising waves and went to meet it. The thick hairs on Ronan’s massive arms glittered in the moonlight as he rose, calling forth the tide and throwing it at the Fomorian.

A tremendous wave slammed into it, but the giant easily swept it aside and continued its advance. Ronan snarled, baring his great teeth as he charged at it. The Fomorian let out a defiant roar, lowering and preparing for impact.

“Get yer kraken ass back in the sea where ye belong!”

They collided and Ronan sent the beast staggering back but its tentacles slashed at his legs and arms, knocking Ronan off balance. Ronan used his legs like a tail and swept the kraken’s tentacles out from under it, pouncing while it was down. He punched with all his might, aiming for its face. It was too fast and its limbs too vicious, making it impossible for Ronan to land a decent punch.

One of the tentacles smacked Ronan’s cheek and he quickly swatted it away, mindful of the suckers. He dodged another tentacle but shouted as one wrapped around his leg, shredding his thick wool trousers. Ronan twisted and worked the knife from his belt as he kicked at it, then stabbed the blade into the tentacle around his leg. He gave it a brutal slash, nearly severing the tentacle before swinging at the kraken’s eye.

Ronan missed but he sliced its cheek before the blade lodged in the beast’s neck. “Go back!” he shouted just as he was grabbed around the middle and hurled at the shore. He held onto the slashed tentacle, ripping it off as he flew, skidding and rolling onto the wet sand. Ronan swiftly recovered. “Is that all ye got?” he asked, waving the tentacle as he stalked back into the water, pausing when the kraken let out a furious roar and receded into the waves. “Don’ even think about comin’ back, ye big, blue bastard.”

But Ronan knew that it would be back and it would be angry . He took a closer look at the tentacle and the rows of suckers, swearing at the tiny, pin-like teeth. His thick seal fur had protected him from them but Ronan didn’t have to guess what the wounds would have looked like. He recalled the young man that had washed up after the seal and felt like a fool for not realizing it was the sign of a kraken feeding.

He didn’t understand why or how, though. Had he upset the gods by healing Tony and binding his soul to a human’s? Or had someone summoned the kraken to Pooles Island through magick to fulfill a grudge? The dead seal and the second body suggested the latter and it seemed far more likely to Ronan that they were connected to the undead child that had attacked him and Tony. Which meant that it probably had something to do with MacIlwraith. Ronan wasn’t all that concerned about the witch god—MacIlwraith could handle himself in a fight—but he didn’t want Tony caught in the middle again.

“There’s nothin’ else to do,” Ronan accepted, his heart breaking as he called the pack and trudged back to the cottage.

He would have gone in after the kraken if he thought he had a chance of actually defeating it. He would have done it if he thought he had half a chance, if it meant more time with Tony. Ronan knew it couldn’t last forever, he just hadn’t realized this was their last day.

“At least it was about as perfect as a day can get and I have a few hours left.”

He’d make the most of it and shower Tony with all the love he had to give. Ronan had until sunrise and then he’d have to get Tony the hell off of Pooles Island and make sure he never came back. To do that, Ronan would have to crush Tony’s beautiful heart and shatter their magickal bond.

The farther Tony went away, the faster Ronan would probably die. But as far as Ronan was concerned, the safer Tony was, the better. He’d hold the kraken for as long as he could, then let Lennox MacIlwraith worry about it.