11. Chapter 11

Chapter eleven

E ntering the castle the next morning felt like stepping into an entirely new world.

Nothing inside the Manor had changed. The lobby still looked like a haunted forest. Guests still moved excitedly from one activity to another. An added layer of excitement permeated the atmosphere in anticipation of the costume ball, but otherwise, life went on as usual.

Nothing about it was usual for Owen.

Years of habit still followed him, and he found himself swerving to avoid accidental contact, but the action no longer came with the accompanying panic. His heart felt light, his mind still, and for once, he actually had something to look forward to.

He held his mate's hand as they browsed the vendor stalls, but he did it because he wanted to, because it felt nice. Not because he needed Fenix to make sure he didn't fuck up.

As for the Guardian, he had adjusted to his new powers better than either of them had anticipated. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying them. Maybe a little too much.

With a magical bloodline of his own, he didn't need to steal from others. He could simply call upon his own energy to manifest all manner of mischief. Including the cloud he had enchanted to follow around Draven and dump glitter on him at random intervals.

Draven, of course, hated it, but everyone else seemed to be of the mind that it was the best thing ever. The rest of the Guard had been particularly amused when random people had rushed up to hug the shifter, just so they could capture some of his sparkle.

"You're kind of sadistic."

Fenix chuckled. "Just a little longer. It's good for him."

Owen didn't see how, but he was having too much fun to argue. "Where do you want to go next?"

"Wherever you want, talei ."

At first, it had made him feel a little guilty when Fenix said things like that. He didn't need to be spoiled or always given his way. He had quickly come to realize, however, that his mate didn't typically have a preference, and he truly enjoyed making him happy.

Besides, the guy made a thousand decisions in any given day. If he wanted Owen to be in charge of their leisure time, he would gladly accept the challenge.

"Hmm, let's go this way. There's something I want to do."

Now that he had been essentially de-witched, he no longer needed to worry about drawing attention to himself. He didn't have to melt into the shadows and pretend not to exist. Sadly, he couldn't do much about his wardrobe since he'd only brought plain, boring clothes.

He could, however, do something about his hair.

"What color will you choose?" Fenix asked when he realized the direction they were headed.

"Pink."

Iliana looked stunning in her rainbow locks. A small part of him had been insanely jealous at the time, but only because he had thought he could never have that again. Now that it was possible, he could try something new, but he really wanted to reclaim what he'd lost.

His neon pink mohawk had been edgy and fun, and he wasn't too proud to admit he had shed a few tears when he'd shaved it. He had a lifetime to go through the entire color wheel, but right then, he wanted the comfort of familiarity.

Although he didn't want to use magic himself, when utilized correctly, it was kind of amazing. What would have taken him close to an hour by traditional means had taken the pretty mage barely over a minute.

"What do you think?" he asked his mate once he had finished and paid, including a generous tip.

He had foregone any styling, deciding to let his hair grow naturally and choose a new cut later. Still, he loved the bright bubblegum pink, and he particularly liked how she had left steaks of his natural platinum hair to add depth.

"It suits you."

Owen frowned. He hadn't expected the guy to swoon and fawn, but a little more enthusiasm might have been nice.

"You hate it."

Hooking his finger into the collar of Owen's sweater, Fenix tugged him closer. "You are absolutely stunning, and I want to strip you naked and lick every inch of your body. So, unless you plan to get real comfortable with public indecency—"

"I get it," Owen interrupted, his cheeks flaming as he looked around to see if anyone else had heard. "I, uh, forgot something in the cabin."

Fenix released him and stood upright with a smirk. "What might that be?"

"Umm…" Fuck, all the blood had drained to his cock, making it impossible to be clever or witty. "My glasses."

"You don't wear glasses anymore."

"I really need my glasses."

"Well, then, I guess we better get them."

"Yes. Please and thank you."

When he turned to head out of the castle, however, Fenix grabbed him and crushed him against his chest. In the next instance, everything went black, the air was squeezed from his lungs, and intense pressure throbbed in his temples.

The uncomfortable sensation lasted only for a heartbeat, and when it ended, he blinked his eyes open to find himself standing inside their cabin.

"Neat trick."

"Oh, I have plenty more."

He placed his hands on top of Owen's shoulders, then gently caressed down his arms. Owen gasped when he felt his mate's palms against his bare skin, and he glanced down to see his clothes fading away into nothingness.

Damn, he could really get used to this.

There was no slow and gentle lead-in this time. No coaxing or teasing. Instead, they came together with a wildness borne of feral need, their mouths crashing together in a brutal kiss as Fenix tumbled them back onto the mattress.

They pawed at each other, desperate to be closer, and when his mate finally sank into him, Owen held him tight as they raced toward the finish line. And when they fell over the edge, they did so together, murmuring words of love and longing as they tumbled into the abyss.

Sated and completely relaxed, Owen sprawled on his back, unable to move, even without Fenix's weight to hold him in place. "I think I died."

"Just rest, talei . I'll be right back."

"Love you," he mumbled, his voice already heavy with sleep.

"I love you, too."

He heard Fenix shuffle into the bathroom, followed by the sound of running water, but the siren call of slumber was too great to ignore. When he opened his eyes again, it felt like only minutes had passed, but the sky outside the window had darkened to a dusky blue. Lifting his arms over his head, he opened his mouth in a jaw-cracking yawn as he stretched his sore muscles.

"What time is it?"

"A little after six," Fenix answered from the doorway of the bathroom. His dark locks hung wetly over his shoulders, and he had a towel slung low on his hips. "Iliana has called twice to make sure we're going to the masquerade."

"Of course, we're going." Crap, he couldn't believe he'd slept almost the entire day.

Even so, it still required an extraordinary amount of effort to drag himself out of bed and stumble into the shower. If he planned to keep up with Fenix, he really needed to start working out. Well, in theory. He was self-aware enough to know that wouldn't ever happen. He would legitimately rather die than lift a set of weights or take up running.

Thankfully, the hot water helped to wash away his exhaustion, and he managed to finish getting ready with ten minutes to spare. Just enough time to add a bit of smoky liner to his mate's bottom lash line.

Their pirate costumes wouldn't win any awards for creativity or originality, but he thought he looked damn good in the tight pants and brown vest. Though he had nothing on Fenix. Despite wearing an identical ensemble with a red bandana tied around his head, all those rippling muscles on display really brought the outfit together.

He also had a real sword strapped to his hip, unlike Owen's plastic one. Kind of unfair in his opinion, but whatever. It was a miracle that he'd convinced the guy to dress up at all. Especially since none of the other Guardians would be in costume, even though they had all been ordered to attend the party.

"Are you ready?" Fenix asked.

He tugged at the hem of his vest and sighed. "I think so."

"What's wrong, talei ?"

"I don't know how to dance."

He had never attended any kind of fancy party before, let alone one where there would be dancing. Hell, he hadn't even gone to his high school prom.

"Do you want to dance?"

"Well, yeah. I just don't want to embarrass myself."

Stepping forward, Fenix offered his hand, pulling Owen to him when he took it. He wound his other arm around Owen's waist, molding him against his front, and began to sway as a soft melody filled the room from seemingly nowhere.

"See," he whispered. "You're dancing. How is it?"

Owen's entire being melted, and his eyes brimmed with unshed tears. He didn't deserve this man, and he honestly didn't know if he ever would, but he would spend every day of their lives trying.

"It's perfect."