Page 63 of A Highland Gargoyle's Lucky Star
“Are you… sulking?” Nasser asks incredulously.
Noah leans closer to me in the boat. “I have no doubt your tail can give one of his tentacles a run for their money. And I can’t wait to try that out.”
It’s my turn to shiver, and not from the cold.
“Noah, your magical feelers, as I like to call them, are much like my tentacles.” Nasser explains. “Think of them like they’re invisible appendages associated with your magical abilities.”
Noah does a little dance in his seat. “Screw feelers. I have my very own magical tentacles. Love that for me.” He grins atNasser and extends his hand to him. “I can be your invisible tentacle bro. High five.”
Fuck, my mate is too bloody adorable. And so wonderfully kind.
Nasser’s cocky façade drops away for a moment as he flashes a shy smile and uses one of his tentacles to gently tap Noah’s hand. “I’d love to be your tentacle bro. Thank you, Noah.”
I’ve known Nasser a long time and I can tell he’s truly touched by my mate’s immediate acceptance and offer of friendship.
Nasser clears his throat awkwardly. “Back to the matter at hand. When you awoke to your powers, what did it feel like?”
Noah ponders this for a second. “Well, the very first time, it was a lot like being struck by a bolt of lightning, or at least what I imagine that might feel like. Or maybe being tased at maximum voltage?” He shivers. “It was electrifying, but—not gonna lie—also pretty fucking scary.”
“Aye, until you learn to adjust the flow of magic in and out of your body, it can be overwhelming. That supercharged sensation you mentioned will ease with time, especially as your control improves.”
“I hope so,” Noah says, and the look of worry in his eyes makes my gut clench.
Nasser’s voice becomes soothing and soft. “Close your eyes and focus on your senses. Try to search out that same kind of electrifying energy in the world around you.”
“God, you and my New Ager mom would totally be friends,” Noah whispers to himself and then closes his eyes, scrunching them up in concentration.
Several long moments pass as we rock gently in the boat, a chill autumn wind in the air that makes our breath fog.
Like Nasser, I’m not terribly affected by the cold. My body, and my skin in particular, is designed to withstand extremetemperatures. But Noah remains huddled in his oversized coat, shivering. The longer we sit here, the colder he’ll get.
I know this is necessary to help him learn how to use his powers and tap the ley line, but at this moment I also want to say, “Fuck it,” take him into my arms, and give him all of my warmth.
We wait patiently until Noah finally opens his eyes and sighs. “Sorry, I don’t know how to look for what you’re talking about. I’m trying, but it’s all a bit too… abstract.”
To my surprise, Nasser’s much more patient than I would have expected. “Here, touch me,” he says, dangling the tip of one of his enormous tentacles above Noah’s head.
My mate stares at it warily. “Um, you’re not going to yank me into the lake with this bad boy, are you? We might be tentacle bros now, but that’s not a prank that I’d be hip to, just so you know.”
Nasser chuckles. “I swear on the Goddess, I won’t pull you into the lake.”
With a reluctant sigh, Noah reaches up his hand and takes hold of the tentacle tip.
I bristle a little inside. My reaction is ridiculous and I realize that, but watching Noah touch another man isn’t enjoyable in the slightest. Evidently, when it comes to Noah, I’m far more territorial than I’ve ever been with any lover in the past.
I let out a deep rumbling noise of dissatisfaction but bite my tongue. This is for the safety of my clan as well as my mate. I can’t lose focus now.
“Whoa, this is kind of awesome.” The aquatic appendage wriggles in his grip, and Noah giggles.
“One of the reasons Elryk brought you to me is the fact that I can share magic in a fashion similar to a Conduit, but not to the same degree,” Nasser says. “I’ll transfer a bit of my power to you so you can get a better feel as to what you’re looking for.”
Invisible energy fills the air and Noah jolts. “Holy moly, I can feel it. That’s kind of intense.”
“Does it hurt?” I ask, frowning.
“Not at all. It’s actually rather nice. A lot better than what I experienced the first time, when my plane landed in London.” He closes his eyes and smiles. “This is genuinely kind of warm and comforting.”
I’m instantly relieved. Pain isn’t something Noah should ever have to experience.
