Page 66 of D'Vaire or Nothing
Brinley kicked off his shoes and sat on the bed, relaxing against the headboard. “Yeah, but the problems were lifelong. They were pyris mages. Until our former leader famously burned himself to a crisp, along with a bunch of sycophants trying to prove that fire was the only important element. Our new rulers stepped in and declared the elements were equal. My parentsand siblings were pissed. They didn’t want to be equal or switch to calling themselves ignis despite that being in line with the other Latin element names for our people; they wanted to revel in being better. Since I didn’t agree, the fights were constant. The second I was old enough to get a job, I left. I have no regrets.”
“I should’ve asked Lochlan and his family to pop into Hearts bar to say hi to you,” Heathcliff groused, frustrated with himself. “Matebonds are easier in theory. I keep making mistakes.”
“Stop, I would’ve freaked out. I can’t believe you know the Magus Superus and the other rulers of my people,” Brinley said. He patted the bed next to him. “Come sit with me, Heath. I’m going to warn you; I’m probably going to embarrass the hell out of myself with your family. Although I’m reasonably sure I can act professional if any of these important titled folks come in for a drink, if anyone tries to talk to me, I’m going to squeal like a child. Maybe faint.”
Heathcliff laughed as he took a seat next to Brinley. Like his mate, he took off his shoes. He hoped they would have a couple of hours to learn more about each other before Brinley had to head home to get some sleep.
“I don’t believe that for an instant,” Heathcliff said. “You’ve been nothing but calm and collected since we met.”
“To be fair, I was so stunned I didn’t say much.”
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with your family and you’ve had to be on your own.”
“It’s been a long four years, but I’m better off without them.”
“You’re twenty?” Heathcliff asked, shocked. For some inexplicable reason, he’d believed Brinley was older.
“Yes, in the Council world, a veritable child. How old is the sexy phoenix shifter Fate paired with me?”
“Kieran knows what year I was born, but I refuse to ask. Pretty sure I was born in the mid-to-late 1960s,” Heathcliff said. “My former people practiced an ancient tradition started by our full-blood phoenix relatives. They celebrate phoenixes and their immortality by essentially killing the man so the phoenix is reborn. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy process for hybrids like those with elven blood. Our former chieftain had this special tea which thankfully has an antidote now, but I drank it twice. It’s either a volunteer situation where you opt to drink it, or you get nominated by other people. It robbed me of my memories. I lost my entire youth, and it cost me my best friend. Kieran hated that I was a different person, but we’ve mended our fences, and I like to think our relationship is even stronger now.”
Brinley reached up and scratched his head. “Did you agree to do this, or were you volunteered by someone else to drink this shit?”
“My parents believed strongly in our chieftain and nominated me the first time. As for my second go-round, I volunteered because no one had ever lost their memory twice and I needed to protect everyone I could. Kieran was pissed. Both times. It took me about six months to recover after each cup of tea. Brinley, your hands are on fire.” It was odd not to be startled by the small blazes rising from Brinley’s fists, but Heathcliff and his phoenix were mesmerized by the mage’s abilities.
“Fuck,” Brinley snapped as the flames disappeared. “I was a kid the last time my fire misbehaved. But what the fuck is wrong with your parents?”
“Now you know why I don’t talk to them or my other siblings. They were cool with me doing it. My mother drank the shit herself and knew how hard it was to recover. But she was still fine with me drinking it. With Kieran drinking it. I can’t forgive any of them.”
“Neither can I,” Brinley muttered. “Shit, Heath. Fuck them. I’m so sorry. I want to seriously set some shit on fire.”
“Maybe not here because I don’t want to explain to the Emperors why their beautiful resort is a roaring inferno.”
Heathcliff nearly chuckled at the way Brinley raised his fingers to his temple and rubbed. It was sweet how offended Brinley was on his behalf. Without thinking, Heathcliff leaned toward him and kissed him. Brinley’s reaction was immediate and fantastic. His mouth opened, and their tongues met.
Passion flared, and Heathcliff shifted so he could pull Brinley into his arms. The mage went willingly and molded his lanky frame to Heathcliff’s. It was marvelous, and desire flowed through Heathcliff’s veins as his phoenix shouted his approval in the shifter’s head.
Needing to touch him, Heathcliff slid a hand under Brinley’s T-shirt. It wasn’t enough, so he gently tugged it upward and pulled his lips away only long enough to fling it out of the way. Still, Heathcliff’s rising pulse and the throbbing in his rapidly growing erection demanded he get closer to Brinley.
Heathcliff dragged his top off and tossed it off the bed. Then he cupped Brinley’s pert ass in one paw as he thrust against his other half. Brinley whined and moaned as they made out. The sounds were music to Heathcliff’s ears, and his phoenix filled his mind with fire. It suited a man paired with a mage whose soul was made of flames.
To Heathcliff’s surprise and delight, Brinley laid a row of kisses along his jaw. Eager to allow Brinley to do whatever he wanted, Heathcliff offered no argument as Brinley’s mouth moved in a fiery path toward his belly.
Brinley touched his waistband, but Heathcliff rushed to aid him. After undoing his own belt, Heathcliff shoved his jeans and underwear past his ass. He dragged in a shocked breath as Brinley’s mouth closed over his hard length.
Shifting to give Brinley all the room he wanted, Heathcliff spread his legs as the mage sucked. It was so much sensation that Heathcliff could do nothing but feel. His head hit the headboard. He fisted the covers in his hands and tried not to thrust his hips into Brinley’s face.
Brinley swallowed around the head of his dick, and Heathcliff saw stars. Sparks flew along his spine, and he had no chance to warn Brinley as he shot down his throat.
By the time the roaring in Heathcliff’s ears stopped, his flaccid cock was shrinking in the cold air of the room. Brinley made a mewling sound as he dug his forehead into Heathcliff’s thigh. Feeling terrible and needing to ensure Brinley experienced the same height of passion, he was shocked as the mage’s body went rigid.
Brinley whispered something Heathcliff didn’t catch.
“Are you okay?” Heathcliff asked stupidly.
“I just jizzed on your jeans,” Brinley wailed as he curled into a ball between Heathcliff’s legs.
“It’ll wash out. Come here. I would’ve made you come.”
