Page 37 of Dewitched

There was no slow and gentle lead-in this time. No coaxing or teasing. Instead, they came together with a wildness borne of feral need, their mouths crashing together in a brutal kiss as Fenix tumbled them back onto the mattress.

They pawed at each other, desperate to be closer, and when his mate finally sank into him, Owen held him tight as they raced toward the finish line. And when they fell over the edge, they did so together, murmuring words of love and longing as they tumbled into the abyss.

Sated and completely relaxed, Owen sprawled on his back, unable to move, even without Fenix’s weight to hold him in place. “I think I died.”

“Just rest,talei. I’ll be right back.”

“Love you,” he mumbled, his voice already heavy with sleep.

“I love you, too.”

He heard Fenix shuffle into the bathroom, followed by the sound of running water, but the siren call of slumber was too great to ignore. When he opened his eyes again, it felt like only minutes had passed, but the sky outside the window had darkened to a dusky blue. Lifting his arms over his head, he opened his mouth in a jaw-cracking yawn as he stretched his sore muscles.

“What time is it?”

“A little after six,” Fenix answered from the doorway of the bathroom. His dark locks hung wetly over his shoulders, and he had a towel slung low on his hips. “Iliana has called twice to make sure we’re going to the masquerade.”

“Of course, we’re going.” Crap, he couldn’t believe he’d slept almost the entire day.

Even so, it still required an extraordinary amount of effort to drag himself out of bed and stumble into the shower. If he planned to keep up with Fenix, he really needed to start working out. Well, in theory. He was self-aware enough to know that wouldn’t ever happen. He would legitimately rather die than lift a set of weights or take up running.

Thankfully, the hot water helped to wash away his exhaustion, and he managed to finish getting ready with ten minutes to spare. Just enough time to add a bit of smoky liner to his mate’s bottom lash line.

Their pirate costumes wouldn’t win any awards for creativity or originality, but he thought he looked damn good in the tight pants and brown vest. Though he had nothing on Fenix. Despite wearing an identical ensemble with a red bandana tied around his head, all those rippling muscles on display really brought the outfit together.

He also had a real sword strapped to his hip, unlike Owen’s plastic one. Kind of unfair in his opinion, but whatever. It was a miracle that he’d convinced the guy to dress up at all. Especially since none of the other Guardians would be in costume, even though they had all been ordered to attend the party.

“Are you ready?” Fenix asked.

He tugged at the hem of his vest and sighed. “I think so.”

“What’s wrong,talei?”

“I don’t know how to dance.”

He had never attended any kind of fancy party before, let alone one where there would be dancing. Hell, he hadn’t even gone to his high school prom.

“Do you want to dance?”

“Well, yeah. I just don’t want to embarrass myself.”

Stepping forward, Fenix offered his hand, pulling Owen to him when he took it. He wound his other arm around Owen’s waist, molding him against his front, and began to sway as a soft melody filled the room from seemingly nowhere.

“See,” he whispered. “You’re dancing. How is it?”

Owen’s entire being melted, and his eyes brimmed with unshed tears. He didn’t deserve this man, and he honestly didn’t know if he ever would, but he would spend every day of their lives trying.

“It’s perfect.”

Epilogue

One Year Later…

Fenix had warned hismate to be careful what he wished for, but in reality, Owen had adjusted to life in the Nightstar Palace with ease. As it turned out, he thrived on routine, and he had a lot less anxiety when provided with clear and concise rules.

To be sure, he didn’t always agree with those rules. Like when Fenix had insisted that he needed a bodyguard at university. Owen was nothing if not reasonable, though. Once it had been explained that someone might use him to get to Iliana or anothermember of the royal family, he had readily and happily agreed to a babysitter.

Fenix didn’t feelgreatabout misleading his mate, but knowing he would be safe, even when they couldn’t be together, eased a lot of that guilt. It also didn’t hurt that Owen and Cass had become thick as thieves in short order.

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