Page 6 of The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon

The seed stopped short of landing, floating before my entranced mage as he watched tiny roots crack the shell, preparing to offer inspiration.

The roots of mine reached out, whispering high-pitched Fae tunes, and I snatched the seed with black and crimson tendrils, devouring it beneath my essence. All the magics carried inside the seed decayed to nothingness. I didn’t desire inspiration, so I repurposed the power into fuel.

A snap of fingers boomed throughout the auditorium, and the snow-white hand retreated as the musical notes of the performance continued.

“Absolutely stunning.” Wally didn’t sit awestruck for long, though.

He traced tiny sigils of intricate incantations around the growing seed which sought to attach itself to him. Protective wards sprang to life, taking the shape of a cube no bigger than a six-sided die, and locked the seed inside.

“Stealing?” I tsked, shaking my head as disapprovingly as I could muster without breaking out into laughter. “Shame on you.”

“I’m not stealing,” he whispered, tucking the warded seed in his jacket pocket. “You can’t expect me to pass on the opportunity to study unfiltered Fae magics.”

“For shame, Walter,” I teased. “I don’t expect to hear you call out my so-called thievery after this.”

“This isn’t stealing, Bez. They gave me the seed for inspiration,” he said, determined to justify himself. “I simply believe I’ll find it more inspiring to study than to have it course through me.”

“I wouldn’t want anything other than me inside you anyway.” I winked.

Wally blushed, returning his attention to the ongoing performance.

I continued enduring the banal show of Fae trying too hard to shoehorn in the unique styles of a dozen different Mythic arts, watering them down for mortal eyes, and butchering classical wonders with off-key melodies. All the while, Wally remained captivated. His hand bounced on my thigh, not in a desiring sense, but one craving to scribble notes. I could assuredly discern the gears of his mind whirled with a thousand different tests he’d planned on using in his study of Fae magic. Of course, this would all come after he’d properly preserved the seed, keeping the energy intact.

Without his repository, he lacked the true foundations to complete tasks as he once did. Perhaps that should be something I strive to obtain for him, yet it’d only become a hassle moving such an assortment of tools every couple of months. Hopefully, he’d remain content even if I couldn’t offer him everything like I’d so boldly professed when dragging him from Seattle.

I remained lost in his lovely eyes until the performance ended. As the final bows set in, Fae vanished from the stage, and the audience returned to themselves, applauding for the illusion weaved into their memories, but none clapped as hard as Wally, who rose to his feet, unknowingly inviting others into an undeserved standing ovation.

Wally could barely contain himself as we exited, snorting at the mortals making sense of the lost time, those dazed by the inspiration that’d hit them come morning, and the subtle wavesof glittering Fae hands as they veiled themselves behind the fabric of this realm.

“This was the most amazing night ever.” He strutted beside me, arm wrapped around my waist, squeezing and holding me close. “So what’s next?”

“Next?” I asked, lingering by the exit, indulging in the soft movement of fingers which lightly strummed, tugging at the fabric of my shirt tucked into my slacks. “What more could this city possibly have to offer you?”

“No dinner plans, nightcap somewhere, sightseeing perhaps?”

“Have you not had your fill of excitement, my love?

He let out an exasperated sigh. “Suppose you’re right. Not sure anything could top that.” He smiled, hand sliding until he gripped the front of my belt and pulled me toward an unoccupied wall neighboring the front doors. “Well, almost nothing.”

Stepping in close, my chest warmed, heat spreading throughout my body as Wally trailed his knuckles under my shirt, running them along my abdomen.

“We should probably get home,” he whispered. “I’d like to show you how much I appreciate just how thoughtful you can be.”

“Why wait until we get home?” I leaned in, kissing Wally.

His sweet lips tasted of strawberries, always the most delicious fruity flavors from his lip balms. I kept myself reserved during the performance, but now I wished for nothing more than to have him, hold him, unleash all my pent-up desire. The kiss, which began gentle, turned assertive, biting, all-consuming.

Wally rubbed my sides, running his hands up to my ribcage, then hesitated. They initially went to my back, prepared to reel me in closer. His leg had lifted, thigh rubbing against mine. Buthe stopped himself, stopped me by shifting his hands to my front, pushing away just enough to separate our lips.

“PDA, Bez.” He nodded to mortal bystanders gawking, clearly jealous.

“No worries, my shy beauty. Not a soul will see or hear the pleasures I intend to elicit from you.” I unveiled my wings, releasing a gust of black wind carrying a fast-acting haze to completely cloak our presence. “Shall we continue?”

“Bez. I’m not letting you fuck me against the wall of a crowded lobby.” Wally giggled, grabbing my hand and pulling us toward the exit.

“Prude.”

“Watch it.” He tightened his grip, interlocking his fingers between mine. “As flattering as a Diabolic haze in The Chicago Theatre is, I was thinking something a bit more secluded.”

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