Page 58 of Elemental Hope
“Yes, it is, love.” Dominic couldn’t imagine how Evrain was feeling. “Let’s go home. Tomorrow is soon enough to thinkabout all this.” When he moved toward the car, Evrain followed. Dominic gave a brief wave to Gregory and Coryn. For now, all he wanted to do was be there for whatever Evrain needed.
Epilogue
For the next few days, Hornbeam Cottage was an oasis of tranquility. An anonymous call to Portland PD had drawn their attention to an abandoned car near a local beauty spot. Imelda and the Octis Coven had gone to ground, melting back into their lives as if nothing had ever happened. From what Gregory had discovered Imelda had held on to her position by the tips of her lacquered fingernails. It would be a while before she caused mischief again.
After staying one final night in Portland, Gregory and Coryn had departed for Florida amid promises to return soon. Gregory’s parting words to Evrain had been, “Keep practicing. I’ve clearly underestimated your abilities. You’ll have to work much harder the next time we meet.” Evrain had repeated them to Dominic in the expectation of sympathy, but had gotten none.
Nathaniel and Damon had taken the company jet home. Talking to Dominic on the phone, Damon had confessed that he fully intended to join the mile high club—even though Felixwould be traveling with them. Evrain knew the bravado was a cover. Damon would need all Nathaniel’s care and attention for quite some time, to get over what had happened.
Evrain sat at the kitchen table, Shadow purring in his lap, while Dominic brewed some tea. Evrain had found the protective pendant where it had dropped, outside the garden gate, and it was now safely back around Dominic’s neck, though Evrain wanted to replace the cord with a nice, heavy padlocked chain.
“You think Damon will be okay?” Dominic asked, handing over a mug of steaming liquid that smelt mildly of apricots.
“He’ll be fine. Nathaniel will make sure of that. Who’d have thought Damon would turn out to be our most valuable ally?”
“And a good friend.”
Evrain nodded, then frowned. “What’s this?” He held up his mug.
“Agrimony tea. Gregory said you need to keep drinking it for a while to make sure your blood stays tainted.” Dominic stood over him expectantly, waiting for him to drink.
Evrain took a small sip. He grimaced. “Ugh! It’s disgusting!”
“Drink it. All of it.” Dominic sounded threatening. “We may have seen the last of the Coven, and Symeon is no more, but there’s probably a queue of goblins, demons and orcs at the gate, just waiting to get their claws into you.”
Evrain almost choked on his tea. He laughed. “Orcs?”
Dominic scowled. “Who the hell knows where you’re concerned?”
Evrain sipped the tea and tried to get the image of the denizens of Middle Earth rampaging around the vegetable patch out of his head. He didn’t quite manage to keep the humor from his eyes and when he looked up a strange expression crossed Dominic’s face. He turned on his heel then walked out into the garden, closing the door behind him.
For a moment Evrain just sat with his hands wrapped around his mug. He fought back a sense of panic. Of fear. It was obvious now that Dominic had been deeply affected by their run-in with the Coven and with Symeon. It was too easy to ignore that every day Dominic had to believe the unbelievable, to accept a world that only a few months earlier had been the stuff of fantasy novels. If that wasn’t enough, he was also expected to submit to a partner who could atomize him with a few flicks of his fingers.
Evrain put his head on his arms and groaned. “You dumbass, selfish bastard.” He had no doubt that Dominic loved him, he knew deep in his soul that it was true and it was proven every time he channeled. But he had never asked whether any of that love was rooted in fear. He had no misconceptions about his nature—he was demanding, possessive and seriously overprotective. Every time he looked at Dominic he had an overwhelming urge to keep him safe and well away from anyone who might dare to desire him.
His pushed his chair back abruptly then stood. It was time to show Dominic just how much he was loved.
Evrain found Dominic sitting on the stump of an ancient oak at the far end of the garden, head in his hands. He looked so miserable and Evrain’s heart broke at the sight of him. He made no attempt to conceal his approach, but Dominic didn’t look up until Evrain laid a hand on his shoulder. Beneath his touch, Evrain could feel Dominic shaking. “Are you crying?” He didn’t wait for Dominic to answer, but dropped to his knees on the damp ground in front of him. He took Dominic’s cold hands in his.
“I’m so sorry, Dominic. I should have taken a moment to consider how all this has been making you feel. Please come inside and give me a chance to show you how much I love you.” Bright blue eyes, shiny with unshed tears, looked up at him.
“You don’t have to do that, Evrain, I’ll be fine in a little while. I suppose I’m just finding it hard to believe that we’re finally safe and that there isn’t some new monster lurking out of sight just around the corner. It’s stupid, I know it is, but I feel that I’m missing something, a hint of something in the corner of my eye that I can’t quite see.”
Evrain squeezed his hands. “It’s not stupid at all, it just shows how much you care, and I can’t promise that there won’t ever be another Symeon, another Coven. It’s a dangerous world that I’ve dragged you into, but I can’t let you go, Dominic, I can’t face it without you.”
A tear rolled down Dominic’s smooth cheek. “You don’t have to. Don’t you understand how much I love you?”
Evrain kissed away the tears, then brushed Dominic’s soft lips with his own. “Come inside, you idiot, don’t make me ask you again.” He had judged the moment well. Dominic responded to the command in his tone and the gentle tug on his hands. Obediently, he followed him into the house and up to their bedroom.
“Sit down, don’t say anything yet.” Evrain took a deep breath and unbuttoned his shirt. He put it onto the back of a chair then slipped out of his pants, folding them carefully. He was wearing a pair of clinging black shorts that could not hide his arousal. He concealed his trembling hands by using them to roll down his shorts, then stepped out of them. For a moment he stood looking at Dominic, who was chewing on his lower lip, his eyes firmly fixed on Evrain’s jutting cock.
Heart pounding, Evrain turned and bent over the side of the bed, a position that he had put Dominic in so many times before. He didn’t speak—he didn’t need to. He waited patiently and listened to the sounds of Dominic removing his clothes. The first touch was a kiss, soft lips pressed against the curve of his ass, and it sent a jolt the entire length of his body. Dominic kneltbehind him and nibbled his way from the top of his thigh to the base of Evrain’s spine. He began to explore the valley between Evrain’s cheeks with his tongue. Dominic used his hands to part them wider and grant him better access. Very, very gently he licked his way around the edge of Evrain’s fluttering entrance. Every muscle in Evrain’s legs turned to jelly. He couldn’t stay silent any longer. He moaned as Dominic blew onto his damp skin. The cool sensation sent miniature bolts of lightning to his cock and his knees almost gave way.
The torture increased as Dominic pushed the point of his tongue into him. “Fuck me, Dominic, please, do it now!”
Dominic stood and reached for the pot of cool gel that stood on the bedside table. He scooped a blob onto his fingers then coated his cock until it glistened. Evrain watched with anticipation. Dominic dipped his fingers into the jar again. He smoothed more of the gel around Evrain’s virgin pucker. Evrain jerked at the contact and sank his teeth into the bedcovers. He felt Dominic’s strong, work-calloused hands grip his hips and the head of Dominic’s cock made the lightest of contact with his ass.
“Are you sure about this, Evrain?” Dominic’s voice was tight with nerves.
