Page 27 of Pregnant With Their Babes

“Dag,” Oz crooned. “Tonight is supposed to be—”

“It’s already too late for that, Oz,” Dagr said before offering Llyr his arm.

Llyr was unsure what he should do. He’d torn two loving men apart. He hated himself for it. After a moment, he took Dagr’s arm and rose from the bench. He could feel Oz’s stare burning holes in their backs as they departed.

This wasn’t the way he’d envisioned the night going.

Not at all.

Guilt churned in his gut with every step toward the exit.

5

The night air was cool as they strode outside the tavern and headed for the docks. Dagr’s mind was at war—not only was he fighting the attraction he had for Llyr but struggling with the tension tormenting him and Oz. They never fought. Rarely had a cross word for one another. Dagr looked down at the man who was to blame for it all.

To blame?

Maybe that was a bit too simple and allowed both he and Oz off the hook too easily. They were gentlemen. They were supposed to be in control of themselves. Blaming another for their bad behavior was lazy and unchivalrous. That being said—none of this had started happening until Llyr had arrived, so hedidplay a role in the debacle.

Heavy silence hung between them. Only the sounds offshore and the cadenced clicks of their steps along the cobblestoned street sounded. A misty fog rolled in from the water, giving the night a macabre mood that was too akin to his temperament.

“I’m sorry,” Llyr said suddenly, dragging him from his contemplations. “I hate that I’ve caused you and Oz to argue.”

“I’m not sure I’d call what happened an argument. I simply didn’t wish to be in his company tonight. Not like that.” There were so few nights left. He almost felt guilty for walking away. But that wasn’t the way he wished to spend a night in Oz’s arms.

“Because of me,” Llyr added.

Dagr clenched his jaw, aspiring to agree. Saying so would get them nowhere.

“He wants me here, and you do not.”

Dagr gazed down at the top of Llyr’s head. Shrouded moonlight and the slight illumination from the street light they passed gave him a ghostly appearance. “I never said Ididn’twant you here.”

“You didn’t have to,” Llyr scoffed. “Your dislike rolls off you in waves.”

Dagr paused in his step and focused on Llyr. “Ineversaid I disliked you, either.” No, the problem was that he cared far more for Llyr than he wished to.

Llyr stopped a couple of steps away and turned to face him. The candlelight from the street washed over the man, the flickering of the flame casting shadows and light in a dance over his lovely face. It only seemed to add to his beauty.

And caused Dagr’s body respond in ways that shocked him.

“There was no need to tell me. It’s obvious you dislike my presence.”

Dagr yearned to tell Llyr how much hedidenjoy the man’s presence—but he was still unsure of their supposed merman’s motives. Instead, he remained silent, fearful he’d open his mouth and the wrong words would come out.

“I’ll leave on the morrow,” Llyr finally said, once the silence grew too heavy. “Once the sun is up. And you won’t have me to worry about… or get in the way. Just know, Inevermeant to cause strife. Quite the opposite. I can tell you two care deeply for one another, and I would never do anything to tear that asunder.”

Dagr took a step forward, closing the gap. He grabbed ahold of Llyr’s arm and dragged the man closer. “You’ll go nowhere.”

Llyr’s stare lifted to his, a soft hiss coming from his soft, pink lips. Was it fear in his eyes? Or was it lust? Maybe it was both… Dagr was unsure.

All he grasped was that he needed…

“Am I your prisoner?” Llyr asked softly, his body trembling ever so slightly.

His cock was hard as stone against Llyr’s belly—and he nearly moaned for the sensation of that barest of touches. “No… you’re no prisoner. We… we need to see the witch in the morning. Then we’ll have our answers.”

“Does it really matter anymore?” Llyr asked. “It’s obvious I’m in the way.”

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