Page 19 of Overwhelmed By Magic

I don’t even know what to say to that. My essence isn’t actively trying to strangle me and I don’t have a hard time manifesting whatever I need using it. It also isn’t actively trying to kill the person next to me. Ambrose steps in, drawing our attention to him. “After Stellan, how do you feel?”

“Hungry,” Jade whispers, a breathy sigh leaving his lips afterward.

“You were in pain, Jade. I saw it.” Stellan’s essence was burning him and even though Jade wanted it, he couldn’t withstand much longer without being hurt.

“It was just too much at once like the floodgates were open but I still need more. It’s never enough. It feels better when I’m drinking essence rather than sucking it all in at once. I can’t reserve it. Fuck, I didn’t mean to make it seem like I didn’t like you fucking me. Rumi, I do but if you’re only doing it to make me feel better…”

Goddess, he’s so broken. Unable to keep from holding him any longer, I close the distance between us and drag him into my chest. “Maybe I should have told you that I was in love with you years before now but you’re not only in my bed for relief, love. You’re in my bed because I want you. I want my mark on you. I want everyone to know that you’re mine. If you need essence from somewhere else, I will find that for you but fuck, I want you, Jade.”

Giving him my mark is nothing so barbaric as a bite like in some of the werewolf lore I’ve found in the public libraries. It’s simply an exchange of essence, a mark on the skin just below the wrist. The color always matches our aura and the design is from Mother Nature, herself. I’ve been dying to see it on Jade’s perfect flesh but that will have to wait.

Jade is still clinging to me when I look to Ambrose for ideas, wondering if there are any steps that we can take. I’m sure sitting outside and pulling from the Earth is an idea but it’s also an addictive reserve of essence.

“If he needs essence, I have plenty.”

That’s not a thought that has crossed my mind, mostly because it requires touch. Jade immediately vetoes the idea, as do I. Ambrose might be a pain but I’m not ready for the fucker to die.

He shrugs. “Fine, then I’ll give.” He flicks his hand a few times, winding green essence into a little flame that slowly becomes larger before letting it float between the three of us. I stare at it, the essence completely detached from his body, and yet fully formed. In all my years, I’ve never seen essence without a purpose. It’s just… there.

I have more questions.

“That’s a thing you can do?” Jade questions as he pulls away from me, both of us eyeing the little ball of flame. None of our professors have taught this technique and I’ve never seen it done. Even when my essence isn’t attached to me, it has a purpose like when it was following Skye.

“Sure. Our essence is a tangible thing. It might be attached to a specific Magila, but it doesn’t always have to be in use.” He points to the fire, tilting his head to the side. His hair falls with him, masking his usually deviant persona. Ambrose actually looks concerned for once. “Jade, it won’t stay like that forever.”

The Incubus reaches forward and cups his hand beneath it before the aura slowly seeps into his skin. Jade’s eyes roll into the back of his head, his nostrils flaring as he staggers back a few steps. He blinks a few times, his eyes flashing a brilliant green before turning to that nearly black color and then I smell the sweet scent of an Incubus in need. It’s similar to Skye’s but not as strong.

It is mouth-watering, however.

I lick my lips as a wild smile plants itself on Jade’s face, Ambrose cackling at the change in his demeanor. “That’s my fucking clue to leave. Enjoy your angel, Jade!”

“Not an angel!” I yell after him but my attention is torn from Ambrose when Jade grabs my chin and thrusts his tongue into my mouth.

“No more talking.”

“His essence that good?”

“It’s strong. Dark. Old. Like a fucking drug.”

Jade returns to claiming my mouth and he is the only person or Magila I know that can be so forceful and yet need me to take the reins. I push us toward the bed, loving the way Jade plops onto the mattress. He drags me on top of him, shoving my pants down to grab my cock in one fell swoop.

“Jesus, Jade. What the fuck?” I’m not mad in the slightest but I’ve never known essence to make him aroused. Or at least, this aroused.

He doesn’t respond though, grunting until I have him on his back, his head up against the headboard, two fingers deep into his ass coated with an obscene amount of lube. His entire body settles, his legs wrapped around my waist as his gaze bores into mine. “Claim me.”

I still, unsure of what Jade truly wants. Does he want this because I do or out of obligation? “Jade-”

“No, you’re right. We’ve been doing this dance for years. Fuck me. Claim me. Tell everyone I’m yours. I've loved you since the day that I met you and I know that I won't hurt you. Claim me.”

I won’t deny him that and seeing my mark on him has me replacing my fingers with my cock, not stopping until I filled him completely. “Goddess, I’ve been waiting years to claim you. You’re mine, Jade. And I’m yours.”

He lets out a heavy breath before a small smile takes over any lingering worry. I’ve all but just told him that I want his claim as well. “I am?”

“Since the day I met you, love.”

13

SKYE

---