Page 48 of Elemental Love
“You should never use your abilities to harm another, no matter the provocation,” Gregory had lectured him one day. “There is always a cost for such action.”
“What kind of cost?” Evrain had asked, imagining withering away like the old man in Coven, one of his favorite films.
“Your own peace of mind. Use your power for harm and it will eat away at you for the rest of your life. You can defend yourself if the occasion arises, protect what’s yours, but use your imagination. There are ways to achieve your goals without directly attacking another.”
At the time, Evrain had been dubious. Now, with the man he loved in mortal danger, he could picture spearing Symeon Malus’ corrupt body with a lightning bolt without the slightest hint of guilt. Dominic was his, body and soul, he could feel the strength of their connection even in his absence. Their one night together had melded their destinies with a seal stronger than forged iron and Evrain couldn’t imagine the pain of losing him.
He froze as a knock sounded on the door, firm and determined, then relaxed as he realized that the wards around the cottage would have warned him about an unwelcome visitor. He flung open the door with a thought and managed a shaky smile for the two men that entered.
“I always knew that being your godfather would get me into trouble,” Gregory said.
Evrain accepted his warm embrace gratefully. Gregory didn’t change. The silver in his hair glinted in the firelight but his dark eyes still sparkled with vitality.
“Aggie reckoned you were a handful. Too bright for your own good and far too pretty. You do favor her in her youth…” Gregory sounded a little wistful as he turned to his companion.
“He does,” Coryn agreed.
Evrain gave Gregory’s husband an enthusiastic hug. “Coryn! Thank you so much for coming… I hoped… But this isn’t your fight. You got on a plane for me?” Tears welled in Evrain’s eyes. The tension of the previous twelve hours broke through the dam of his resolve.
Short iron-gray hair bristled above sharp blue eyes, the lines around them crinkling in sympathy. “You’re my godson just as much as Gregory’s. And anyway, I was hardly going to let him have all the fun without me!” Coryn gazed at his partner with the gentle affection of a relationship that had spanned four decades.
“I just hope that Dominic and I get the chance to spend as many years together as you two have. I can’t bear to think about what Symeon might be doing to him.”
“Well, that’s why we’re here—to make sure that you have a long and happy, uneventful life together! I can’t wait to meet the man who has captured your heart. Aggie waxed lyrical about him on more than one occasion and I am most peeved that Gregory already got to meet him when I haven’t. He must be very special.” Coryn took Gregory’s hand.
“Grandma saw Dominic and me as partners long before we even met, Coryn, but her intuition was spot on. I loved him from the first moment I set eyes on him.”
“How did he react to discovering your…heritage?” Coryn asked with a slight smile.
“He dug over the entire vegetable patch in a rain storm. I think it’s safe to say that he had a bit of difficulty processing the wholeconcept for a while. Aggie being a witch he had no problem with. He knows you’re a warlock too, Gregory, just not that you’re significantly more powerful than me.”
Gregory raised an eyebrow. “Only because I can channel through Coryn. I can feel the power in you, untapped and unrealized. It’s enormous. Far greater than my own. You haven’t channeled yet, have you?”
“No. Dominic knows what it is, what it means, but I don’t want to hurt him. I have more control just from being near him, that’s enough.”
“Oh, Evrain, your concern for him does you credit, but sooner or later you will have to channel,” Gregory said. “You won’t be able to stop yourself, and you shouldn’t. We are lucky, you and I, to have found such strong men to love. If he loves you as much, Dominic will understand. If he is as strong as I suspect he is, he will be able to handle the pain.” Gregory kissed Coryn’s cheek.
“It’s not that bad,” Coryn said. “I barely feel a thing now, I think I’ve become immune over the years. Gregory’s power is so much a part of me—I’d feel odd if he ever stopped channeling now. Dominic will accept it, just as he accepts you.”
Much as he hated to admit it, Evrain knew in his heart that Gregory’s words were true. The urge to channel was virtually irresistible. He would worry about that later, though—for now he had to think about how they could free Dominic and put Symeon back in his box once and for all.
He made a pile of toast and a huge pot of coffee. The three of them sat around the kitchen table. Evrain went back over everything he knew. It seemed ridiculously domestic but the normality helped to relax Evrain. Just having Coryn and Gregory with him helped him be more optimistic that things would come out in their favor. For his own sanity he had to believe that it would not be long before Dominic was back in his arms.
The sun was well risen when the phone rang. Evrain answered the call and gave a slight nod to Gregory’s mouthed, “Stay calm.”
He was no longer alone—seeing Coryn and Gregory together gave him strength and the patience he would need to deal with Symeon.
“Yes?”
“Were you expecting someone else to call, whelp?”
“Charming as always, Symeon.” He kept his voice calm and controlled. “Why don’t you cut to the chase and tell me where you want to meet?”
“So eager to abase yourself. That pleases me. Do you not want to know how your troublesome boyfriend is this morning?”
“I would rather see him than talk about him.”
“Keeping him under control has proved to be something of a challenge. He is rather…spirited. I would have thought that you would prefer someone a little more compliant.”
