Page 32 of Ceridor

"But would such spiritual pursuits change my relationship with you? I guess what we get up to—in the bedroom especially—is pretty worldly."

My lover again shook his head, this time his smile filled with love. "Marit and Corbi are proof. They've loved each other since they were teenagers just beginning training at the monastery, and their spiritual advancement hasn't changed that."

I wanted to meet Marit and Corbi (and Peter!), see how they got on together and what it was like to be companions on such a path.

"As long as it doesn't get in the way of my relationship with you, I want to sprint toward this. What I've felt tonight is not something I will easily forget. I want my higher soul awake and with me."

"Johann," said Ceridor, his voice filled with conviction, "Ulbrecht trains with the magewoman Ingeborg who serves as his advisor, and he has Wren guiding him in the magic of this world also. If you become a mage in addition to a warrior, that is a path that could lead to you not just gaining your homelandback, but also standing in line to succeed Ulbrecht, should this world ever need you to become the Danubian Dragon."

My lover's words settled over my shoulders like a mantel. They made me feel strong. I believed him. I knew he would bring his skills to bear and guide me toward such a destiny, to run alongside me.

I nodded, the weight of that realization too powerful for words.

Ceridor leaned in and pecked me on the cheek. "Welcome back?"

I held back a sigh. The heightened state of consciousness was gone. "Ja, I'm back."

"Should we get to the inn, so Effie doesn't miss her bedtime?" he prompted softly, slipping his hand into mine.

I twined our fingers together and took a deep breath, committing to increasing my daily spiritual and magical practices, starting now.

"Sure. Let's go home."

Chapter Twenty-One

Three days later

Johann

The lunch hour had just finished and everyone that was leaving had checked out of their rooms. I was stacking dishes to take back to the kitchen when Ceridor came in and swept by me, tossing a look over his shoulder that stopped me in my tracks.

He tilted his head back and wiggled his brows at me, a soft little sashay to his hips absolutely confirming the suggestive gleam I'd caught in his eyes, as if I could have missed that.

He closed the door to our bedroom, but I stood frozen to the spot, willing myself to move and at least finish helping Effie close the front room down before I took a break to pop in there.

"Oida."

I about jumped out of my skin, not realizing someone was right next to me. Effie had the corner of her apron in hand and was fanning her flushed cheeks with it. My own cheeks burned realizing she'd caught that look from Ceridor. My sister teasedme about my partner being so handsome, understandably whenever her Magnus was well out of earshot.

Effie waved at the door. "Go. See to his every need."

I smirked and saluted, then made my way there.

My lover bombarded me just inside the door, pulling me in and shutting it, then pushing me against it.

"I need to top you," he whispered in my ear, twining his arms around me.

"Have at it," I replied.

I wasn't much of a bottom, but I was willing to do it for him. He didn't crave it very often, so whenever he asked, it always caught me by surprise.

He prepped me quickly and slid inside, filling me up. I preferred to stand when I bottomed so he took me right then and there. Compared to our normal roughhousing, Ceridor topping was always so sweet. He knew I didn't like it as much and was just indulging him. Something about feeling so damn full didn't equate to pleasure in my brain, but it was enough that I was riding on a bit of a lusty sizzle by the time he finished and pulled out, panting and resting against my shoulder. "Danke."

"Bitte-bitte," I cooed. "My turn?"

He hooked his chin over my shoulder. "Want to visit the bath house?"

When that sank in, I chuckled and kissed him. So he'd been fantasizing about one of the private rooms at the bath house, and that had gotten him so riled up he had to top me first just to let off enough steam to be able to get over there.

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