Page 101 of Martyr

Nix had resigned himself to this future. To a life with the Demons, a life where he couldn’t find and choose a lover on his own. A life where he couldn’t decide where he lived, or who with. In some twisted ways, a lot of that had to do with exactly what Lake had accused him of.

Even if it was wrong, even if the rest of the world wouldn’t understand or call him pathetic, Nix liked the way Lake and the others made him feel. He liked that they tested him and pushed him.

“I need full honesty going forward,” Nix continued. “I understand why you all lied about…you know.” He wouldn’t risk saying it out loud in the open like this, but they both knew he was referring to the tall tale Lake had spun about the hacker and the Club House. “But you made me a part of this even when I didn’t want to be. That part is done. There’s no turning back for either of us. You have to let me in, Lake. I don’t want a life of half-truths and half-hearted attempts. The man I spend the rest of my life with has to be someone I confide in, and who confides in me. Without that—”

Lake kissed him before he could finish, his pillowy lips sealing over Nix’s, stealing his breath away. He was persistent yet coaxing, the tip of his warm tongue licking across the seam of his to urge them to part for him.

When Nix gave in and did just that, his tongue drove forward, eliciting a moan that vibrated straight down to Nix’s toes.

It was tender but intense, and through it, Nix felt Lake’s longing.

And his silent promise.

Nix was going to need him say it with words, but later. Right now, this could be enough.

He wrapped his arms around Lake’s neck and pulled him in closer, rumbling when the heat of his body licked against his skin and seemingly engulfed him.

Neither of them noticed passing students, how they whispered and giggled, or how some of them pulled out their multi-slates to sneak a photo. For a brief moment, nothing else existed but the two of them and this invisible thread knotting them tighter and tighter together.

Until it was no longer even a matter of not being able to escape for Nix.

It was that he didn’t want to.

For better or for worse, claiming mark or not, the Demon had ensnared him.

There was no going back.

Chapter 24:

“Nix, over here!” Grady waved at him from across the gallery, Khloe standing at his side. When he spotted Lake, his smile diminished, but he didn’t rescind the invitation, waiting while the two of them walked over.

This was the first time Nix had visited the art buildings since his “fight” with Yejun, but he’d also never explored the massive gallery attachment before. The ceiling was high and domed, with a skylight that let in a rare midafternoon glow of sunshine. The walls and floors were stark white, and paintings and sculptures were displayed in neat rows throughout. There were four rooms in total, and Lake and he had just entered through the entrance, finding Grady and the others still occupying the first square space.

“Did you happen to see Dew out there?” Khloe asked once they arrived, frowning when Nix shook his head. “Where the hell is he?”

“Is he an art student?” Lake said to Nix, only mildly curious. He was doing his best to seem interested since these were Nix’s friends, and even though it was obvious, Nix sort of appreciated that.

“Yeah. He’s probably got work hung up,” Nix replied.

“He does,” Grady told them. It’s in the third room. We were just about to head there but we were waiting for him.”

“He isn’t responding to my texts.” Khloe clicked her multi-slate and then gave up. “What about Juri?”

“He’s busy,” Nix answered. He’d left Juri with Briant again. Or, maybe he hadn’t. They seemed happy in each other's company. Perhaps Juri was hanging out with his cousin less as a favor to Nix and more because he wanted to. “He told me to take pictures.”

“Figures,” Grady snorted. “He’s been super busy later. I can hardly ever see him.”

“Yejun’s piece is in the final room,” Lake informed him. “We could stop at your friends and then head there.”

Their group started walking, and though it was awkward at first, Khloe was the first to attempt to break the tension as they passed through the first room without stopping.

“Imperial Lake—”

“You can just call him Lake,” Nix interrupted.

She gave a wide-eyed glance to Lake, who nodded and then cleared her throat. “Lake, so, uh, how did you know Nix was the one?”

“Good Light,” Grady grumbled.

---