Page 39 of Trial By Fire

“Yes,” Malekith said. “Let them dance together, the flames and the shadows. Let them weave a new kind of magic.”

Aric’s breath stuttered, the power of it all threatening to overwhelm him. But he focused on the spell, on the way the shadows obeyed his command, and with a flick of his wrist, he sent them lashing out toward a row of stone pillars. The stone crumbled under the force of the blow, and Aric jolted with a triumphant cry.

“Excellent,” Malekith said, and when Aric opened his eyes, there was a fierce pride in the demon’s gaze. “You are a natural, my love.”

As night fell, they retired to the great bedroom of the villa, the opulent surroundings a stark contrast to the tension that still lingered between them. Malekith had offered to let Aric take the grand bed, but Aric had refused, and so they both lay on a thick carpet of furs and brocaded pillows, the scent of incense and Malekith’s dark, smoky perfume hanging in the air.

“I’m sorry,” Aric said, after a long silence, his voice barely more than a whisper in the dimness. “I know I disappointed you, with my lack of control.”

Malekith turned to look at him, his eyes gleaming in the candlelight. “You have nothing to apologize for. I know this is all new to you, and the power of the void can be . . . intoxicating. But you must remember what I said. You are in control of the shadows. They are not in control of you.”

Aric nodded, but he couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in the pit of his stomach. “And the other spells you showed me. They were . . .”

“Disturbing,” Malekith said, with a sigh. “I know. But you must understand, the void is not inherently evil. It is a source ofpower, like any other, and it can be used for good as well as ill. It is all in how you wield it.”

“I want to believe that,” Aric said. “But I also saw the strain it put on you. The way it twisted your magic, and the toll it took on your body. Is it worth it, to risk so much for that kind of power?”

Malekith tucked a lock of hair behind Aric’s ear. “I would be a hypocrite to claim that the lure of the void has never tempted me. But you are right. The cost is too high. For me, and for those around me. I would not see you fall into the same trap, my love.”

Aric covered Malekith’s hand with his own, the touch a soothing balm. “Then what is the point of it all? Why risk so much, for something that you yourself do not fully trust?”

“Mm. I have spent my life fighting a war that I no longer believe in. But it is all I have ever known. To turn my back on the path that has brought me to this point . . . it is a terrifying prospect. And yet, when I am with you, I can see another way. A future that does not have to be defined by bloodshed and betrayal. I only wish I had the courage to reach for it.”

“It is a hard thing, to turn from the path that has defined you,” Aric said, his voice gentle. “But you do not have to face it alone. I will stand by your side, no matter where this journey takes us.”

Malekith’s gaze softened, and he brought Aric’s hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles. “You have already given me more than I ever dared to hope for. To have your trust, your compassion . . . it is a gift beyond measure.”

Aric’s heart swelled, and he shifted closer to Malekith, their bodies fitting together in the darkness. “It is not a gift. It is what you deserve.” He hesitated, his words fragile in the stillness of the night. “I care for you, Malekith. More than I ever thought possible.”

Malekith’s arms came around him, drawing him into a warm embrace. “And I for you, my love.” He kissed the top of Aric’s head. “More than words can ever say.”

Aric closed his eyes, letting himself be enveloped by Malekith’s scent, his warmth. In this moment, there was only the two of them, alone in the darkness, and Aric felt a sense of peace that he never wanted to let go of. He wanted to stay like this forever, wrapped in Malekith’s arms, his heart entwined with the demon’s.

“Malekith,” he said, his voice muffled against the soft fabric of Malekith’s tunic. “I . . . I want to know everything about you. Your past, your present . . . your hopes for the future. I want to understand the man you are, the man you wish to be.”

Malekith was silent for a long time, and Aric thought he might have overstepped. But then the demon’s fingers were carding through his hair, a soothing caress.

“I would like that, my love. But there are . . . things you must understand. Secrets that I have kept, for both our sakes.”

Aric nodded, his heart aching with the desire to know Malekith completely. “I trust you. And I will keep your secrets, as you have kept mine.”

Malekith’s arms tightened around him, lips pressing against his hair.

“You already know more of my past than most. But there is one thing I have not yet explained. The mark that I left on you, the sigil that bound us together.” Malekith’s voice was a low murmur, a vibration that sank deep into Aric’s bones. “It is a . . . magical link, of sorts. It allows me to . . . to send messages to you, to appear in your dreams and share my thoughts with you. But be warned, my love. It is a two-way bond, and if you are not careful, your own thoughts and dreams may be laid bare to me as well.”

Aric shivered, the implications of that sinking in. “I had no idea.”

“I did not tell you at first, for fear that you might reject it. But it is a part of the bond between us, and you deserve to know all that it entails.”

“I . . . I don’t mind. The thought of you with me, even in my dreams . . . it is a comfort, not a burden.”

“Good. But know that you cannot respond to me, not without risking interception. It is a safeguard, to prevent any from exploiting it against us.”

“Understood.” Aric laced his fingers through Malekith’s, holding on tight. “I don’t need to respond. I only need to know that you’re there.”

A soft, pleased sound rumbled in Malekith’s chest, and he drew Aric up to meet his lips. Their kiss was a slow, sweet exploration, the taste of it a balm to Aric’s fears. Malekith’s mouth was soft and warm, and he kissed Aric like he was something precious, something to be savored. Aric’s heart swelled at the thought, and he clung to Malekith, losing himself in the demon’s embrace.

Malekith’s hands were gentle as they roamed over Aric’s body, the touch of them leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Aric shivered, his skin prickling with a mix of nerves and anticipation. He had never felt so exposed, so raw and vulnerable. But with Malekith, it was a different kind of vulnerability, a sense of being cared for, cherished even in his most fragile moments. He trusted Malekith with every fiber of his being, and he knew that the demon would never hurt him, never take more than Aric was willing to give.

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