I rock and rock. He sighs and moans. He feels so damn good. I’ll never be able to get enough of him. Of this.
The boy who would never look at me, is now staring into my eyes while we make love.
He tightens around me, and I groan from the euphoria. I can’t tear my eyes from him as he finds his release. His back arches. He cries out. But his eyes stay on me. I see him drift amongst the stars and it releases my own orgasm. We cry out and shudder together. We whirl amongst galaxies, two souls entwined as one.
His magic pours into me. Molten and iridescent. The very essence of his being, and it is so very beautiful and pure. Just like him.
I collapse boneless on the bed, with just enough strength to fall beside him and not squish him. He wriggles around and soon I’m the big spoon and he is the little spoon. His soft hair tickles my nose and I hold him tight.
My Luci. My Love. My soul mate.
Chapter twenty-seven
Drew
I’m glaring at this chandelier as if I can intimidate it into repairing itself. If only that would work. It would certainly make life a lot easier. But things are never that simple.
The tradesman left ages ago, seen out by George, yet here I am still standing here, glowering at the ceiling.
Soft footsteps have me turning around. Luci is gliding across the empty ballroom towards me. He looks incredible. His red dress is clinging to all the right places. I wish his legs were bare, but I understand the need for shimmery tights in an old house in winter. The ankle boots are fabulous. His white cardigan has sparkles in it and his hair is up in bunches that remind me of cat ears.
He is the most beautiful person in the world. And I’m married to him. How on earth did I get so very lucky?
“What’s the verdict?” he asks.
And it takes me a moment to realize that he is asking about the chandelier expert’s opinion.
“Expensive,” I say with a wry smile. “But never mind that. You look ravishing, my dear.”
I watch as Luci beams at my compliment. Praising him is nothing like praising other people. Luci takes each and every kind word, wraps it up carefully and tucks it in his heart to keep forever.
Compliments are his sunlight, and he is a flower that has been kept too long in the dark.
“Shall we dance?” I say suddenly as inspiration strikes. We are in a ballroom, after all.
Luci laughs, but as I hold out my hands, he steps forward and takes his place. I whirl him into a slow waltz. He follows my lead effortlessly. His dancing is flawless. Precise. Just like all the things he was trained to be.
I swallow down the bitter taste that thought leaves in my mouth, and concentrate on whirling Luci around the empty ballroom, to music only we can hear.
I have him now. He is mine. I get to help him heal and discover himself. The past is firmly in the past.
Luci smiles up at me as we glide across the floor. It’s a very different look to the one he gave me last night when I climbed into his bed and said I only wanted to snuggle and sleep. That had been a very bewildered look that had nearly broken my heart.
But judging by the way he ended up tangled around me, he loved it in the end. Which is perfect because there is no way we are going back to separate beds. Fuck that.
Suddenly, an itch at the back of my mind makes my blood run cold. Someone is at the front gate, trying to get in. A heartbeat later and I recognize the flavor of the mage’s magic. It’s Gregory. That’s better news than a Revivalist, I suppose.
Reluctantly, I end the dance.
“I need to see if I can find the funds to book the chandelier repair,” I say.
I hate how easily the lie comes to my lips, but I will not worry Luci for no reason. He doesn’t need to know. I can deal with Gregory.
Luci nods. There is color in his cheeks from our dancing.
“I need to go help the cook with a problem with a supplier,” he says.
I dip him down with a dramatic flourish. He lets out a tiny yelp, but bends gracefully. I claim his lips and kiss him. Nowhere deep or as long as I would like.
I straighten and pull him up. He looks a little dazed, but very happy. I grin in delight and resist the urge to pat his wonderful ass. If I do that, I’m not sure if I will be able to stop myself from ravishing him on the ballroom floor.
“See you at dinner,” I say, as if I truly am a gentleman.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he replies with the sweetest of smiles.
As we walk our separate ways, my heart is fluttering like a crazy thing. I just need to get rid of Gregory and then the rest of the day is going to be wonderful.
My feet crunch on the gravel. It’s four in the afternoon and the sun is setting. I truly hate winter. I’m so glad January is nearly at a close, and Imbolc is tomorrow. The turning of the seasons towards spring is always a welcome relief.
Unlike the sight before me.
Gregory is on the other side of the wrought-iron gate that leads to my property. And I know damn well that it is not the metal that is holding him back. He’d let himself in if he could.
“What’s with all these wards?” he bellows in exasperation as soon as he sees me.
I stop several paces from him and cross my arms over my chest.
