Page 19 of The Tides of March (Moon Murder Mysteries)

Eighteen

“ T hey’re still alive, then,” Ronan noted as he heard cheering and an idiot’s chorus singing Tony’s praises. He smiled and thanked the gods, then buttoned it up before the cottage’s front door was thrown open.

“Behold: the champion of Chesapeake Bay!” Nox declared as Tony was carried inside and set down by the bed. He received congratulatory nudges and claps on the back but Tony protested and waved everyone off.

“It was a team effort,” he said, earning several grumbled arguments from Fletcher and the twins.

Nox threw an arm around Tony’s neck. “You should have seen him, Ronan. He was amazing! We were on the ropes until Tony climbed up to the top of the lighthouse and zinged a harpoon right at the kraken. It was just like the old stories!”

“Did he now?” Ronan chuckled softly. “No offense but I already knew he was worth more than the rest of ye.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Tony said but his eyes glittered as they held Ronan’s, making the cottage feel way too crowded.

“Suppose the rest of ye can take off, if the matter’s been settled,” Ronan suggested and Tony scolded him for being rude.

“We wouldn’t have lasted the night without our friends,” he said, then remembered who else had helped. “Could a hellhound free a ghost?” Tony asked Bryn and glanced hopefully at Arawn. He explained about the Williams brothers and Arawn said he’d swim out and see if he could find James while Bryn went to the lighthouse to investigate. They warned that there might not be any trace of James and it was up to Elijah, if he was ready to let go.

Thankfully, Arawn returned just a moment later and reported that he’d found the ghost of a very young man clinging to a piece of wreckage in the bay. And Bryn was right behind him, happy to report that Elijah was no longer in the lighthouse. Elijah was able to move on and rest now that his brother had been found.

“Really? That was fast!” Tony noted, making Arawn chuckle.

“Time practically stops on the other side. What feels like a blink over here is like hours in the spirit realm.”

With that last bit of business concluded, Nox and his crew took the hint and shoved off, leaving Tony behind. “How are you feeling?” Tony asked as he curled up next to Ronan.

“Almost like me miserable old self.”

“Good.”

“And how do ye feel?”

Tony pushed out a loud breath, shaking his head. “Elated. Exhausted. Happy to be home,” he said, surprising Ronan and bringing tears to his eyes.

“Is this yer home now, then?”

“Aye.” Tony raised his head and pinned Ronan with a threatening look. “This is where I belong and you’re just going to have to accept it.”

“Are ye sure?” Ronan asked carefully, not wanting to jinx himself. He never thought he’d get to see or touch Tony again, let alone keep him. “Ye can’ make that kind of a vow to a merrow lightly, ye know.”

Tony nodded. “I know. Just like I know I don’t belong at Georgetown anymore. Nox doesn’t really need me and I think I can be more useful as an oracle.”

“An oracle?” Ronan couldn’t help smiling, he was so proud of his man. The last thing he had ever wanted was a man on his island, but fate and the gods had sent Ronan a beautiful wonder. It seemed just as unlikely that Tony would want Ronan or welcome a lifetime of isolation on an enchanted island, but apparently, oracles had terrible taste in mates. “Aren’t we a pair?”

“We are,” Tony agreed. “And from now on, we take care of each other. The next time there’s a kraken or Godzilla shows up, we face it together.”

“What’s a Godzilla?” Ronan asked, suddenly worried but Tony laughed softly.

“Just a monster from some old movies. I doubt we’ll be seeing the likes of him.”

“There’s a blessing, although I wouldn’ have expected to see a kraken in my lifetime.”

Tony’s lips pulled into a hard line. “Nelson’s been working on that. Apparently, someone created a digital siren to lure young, virgin men to feed to it. Nox and Merlin believe it’s the same warlock who created that zombie child who attacked us.”

“Aye, that seems like a safe assumption… I hope they mean to do something about him,” Ronan said, earning a sneer from Tony.

“If I know Nox, he won’t let it rest but I wouldn’t mind a few moments alone with him myself.”

“You and me both.” Ronan eased an arm around Tony, pulling him close. “I’m real sorry about all the terrible things I said. I didn’ mean a word of it and just wanted to get ye as far from the island as fast as I could to protect ye.”

“I understand that you panicked. Just don’t expect that to work ever again. I’ll never believe you.”

“No?”

“Nope,” Tony stated firmly. “You love me, you grumpy idiot, and I belong here with you.”

“If ye say so...” Ronan replied wearily, but he was humbled by how proud he was and how much he loved Tony. “I guess I can keep ye,” he teased, making Tony laugh.

The sound filled the cottage and warmed Ronan’s heart. “Hallelujah, he’s finally seen the light. Once you’re back on your feet, we can start making room for my things. I have a feeling my mom will be on the next boat out, after she hears that I’m staying. She’s going to want to meet you and get a look at this place, so batten down the hatches,” Tony warned.

Suddenly, Ronan had a new reason to be nervous.“I can behave if it’s yer mam,” he said, grimacing. “She won’ be too thrilled, though, once she gets a look at me.”

Tony waved dismissively. “My mom? Nah! All she’ll care about is that I’m happy and well fed.”

“I can certainly promise I’ll feed ye well and I’ll do everything in me power to make ye happy,” Ronan promised and Tony made a knowing sound.

“Or else,” he whispered and narrowed his eyes at Ronan. He kept a straight face for half a minute, then burst into giggles. “I can’t believe we did it and I’m actually back! I tried my best to settle in and move on without you, but it was like I’d left my heart here.”

“And to me, it felt like ye’d taken me heart with ye,” Ronan replied as he caressed the hair away from Tony’s eyes. “I dreamt of ye every night and it was the memories of yer face and yer voice that kept me alive. I’ll never let ye go again.”

“Good.” Tony nodded in approval, then slid Ronan a sheepish look. “Is there anything else you missed because I’m exhausted but I kind of feel like celebrating,” he said with a wiggle of his brows.

“Do ye now?”

Tony hummed as his fingers walked up Ronan’s chest and brushed through his beard. “If you’re feeling up to it…”

“Up to it?” This time, Ronan laughed. “Ye might have to take the lead because I’m still a tad weak. But if ye remember, there’s no better medicine.”

“Oh?” Tony scrambled up onto his knees. “I can heal you with sex? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“Well… It mighta been awkward with so many people in here and ye were busy fightin’ that kraken and savin’ the day.”

“Will we always heal each other?”

“Dunno…” Ronan shook his head. “Never known a merrow to keep a man—or an oracle—for more than a season. We’re usually a fickle breed and will toss a man back to the sea when we’re done with them.”

That earned a hard humph from Tony. “I’d like to see you try.” He stripped his sweatshirt over his head and Ronan groaned as he reached for him.

“I’ll never be done with ye, Tony.” He whispered his gratitude as he traced Tony’s shoulder and then his pec. Ronan spread his hand over Tony’s heart, cherishing the strong, steady beat. “Oracles can live long, long lives, if they don’ go mad, and if yer livin’ with a fae ye may live even longer. Look at that imp that MacIlwraith keeps.”

“Merlin?” Tony frowned. “How old is he?” he wondered out loud. Before being attacked, Tony had never asked and assumed Merlin was in his early to mid-seventies. He hadn’t thought to ask after, when he learned the truth about Nox.

“Dunno about that either but I’m a bairn, compared to Merlin Oglethorpe.”

“Wow! I had no idea. But he isn’t a demigod like Nox.”

“No… Just a magickal old pervert who’s been in the service of a demigod. He’d fade and die if he didn’ have the MacIlwraiths.”

“So we could have decades together?” Tony said excitedly.

“We could,” Ronan confirmed and wrinkled his nose. “If ye don’ decide ye’ve had enough of me and this ol’ place.”

Tony rolled his eyes as he unbuttoned his jeans and shoved them down, along with his boxers. Bless him, he was already hard as he kicked them off and straddled Ronan. “I don’t think that’s possible. I learn something new about myself every day I’m here and the more I learn, the more I realize I was made for you.” He quickly dealt with Ronan’s fly and his cock was freed. “Where’s the Vaseline?” he asked, looking around.

“Still under yer pillow,” Ronan rasped, too moved and aroused to manage much more.

How could someone so beautiful be made for him ? Why would a great, ugly oaf like Ronan O’Sullivan deserve that kind of magick? And what would possess Tony to settle for life on a cold, lonely island with a miserable merrow?

It didn’t make a bit of sense but he had never felt more grateful as Tony dove for his pillow and coated Ronan’s cock with Vaseline. Then, he brought tears to Ronan’s eyes as Tony slowly rode him. Tony stroked his cock as he took nearly every inch of Ronan’s length, whimpering and moaning in ecstasy.

“Oh, lad…” Ronan sat up and gathered Tony in his arms, already feeling stronger as the pain in his side receded. He kissed Tony, mumbling words of love and encouragement as his hands gripped and pulled. “Don’ stop!” he begged and urged Tony on. “Come for me and let me taste ye again.”

Tony nodded frantically. “Yes! I’m so close!” he panted as he leaned back, planting a hand on Ronan’s thigh. “You have no idea how much I’ve missed you, how much I’ve needed this!” Tony’s head snapped back and he was glorious, his skin shining with sweat and his chest heaving as cum spilled from his fist, all over Ronan’s stomach.

“I do!” Ronan nodded and growled in delight as Tony scooped up the cum with his fingers and shoved them in his own mouth. He swung forward and kissed Ronan hard and rough, setting his merrow’s soul aflame. “My love!” he cried as he rolled them and filled Tony with deep, driving thrusts.

“That’s it! Breed me, Ronan.” Tony flung his arm around Ronan’s neck and they were home. Their hearts synced and their souls touched as pleasure spilled through Ronan, a bright tide of joy that had him sobbing Tony’s name. He came deep, deep, deep in Tony’s ass, then obediently slid out and down his body. “Oh!” Tony laughed and purred as he parted his thighs for Ronan. His fingers twisted in Ronan’s hair and it was bliss, licking his cum from his beloved Tony.

“Yer just as sweet as I remembered,” he whispered and rested his head on Tony’s thigh.

“Hmmm…” Tony chuckled drowsily. He stifled a yawn, his arm growing heavier as it rested on Ronan. “When you’re ready, we should have Merlin do our ceremony. He might be an old pervert, but Bryn and Everly’s was one of the most sacred events I’ve ever witnessed.”

“Ceremony?” Ronan’s brows furrowed. “What kind of ceremony?” he asked and received another drowsy laugh.

“A wedding ceremony, silly. Although that sounds a little pedestrian and Christian, it would mean the world to my mom.”

“Ye wanna get married? To me?” For a merrow, it was an absurd notion, but Ronan understood that to a human like Tony, it was just as binding as any magickal enchantment.

“Just a little ceremony, here on the island. We don’t have to invite anyone but my mom and the people who helped us tonight. It’ll be tricky getting Nelson on a boat, but he’ll do it for our wedding,” he babbled.

“I might not mind that,” Ronan said and was content to let Tony ramble until he ran out of steam. He was being coy because Ronan wanted to get on his boat and drag the whole mangy lot back to the island and marry Tony that night.

Instead, he held Tony until he nodded off, then eased out of bed to open the door for the dogs. He ordered them to quickly do their business and come right back in, Ronan didn’t want them finding the kraken’s carcass and bringing pieces back to the cottage.

“I’ll pull it out to sea in the mornin’ before it starts to stink,” he murmured under his breath as he settled into his chair and lit his pipe. There was a happy sigh from the bed as Tony shifted, kicking away the quilt and exposing more of his beautiful backside. “No, I don’ think I’ll ever get tired of seein’ that,” he said and saluted it with his pipe before taking a few puffs. “Ye hear that, Myrtle girl? I’m marryin’ Tony. Not bad for a salty ol’ merrow. Not bad at all…”