Chapter Nineteen

Tucked in a corner booth inside the ship’s piano bar, Alexanders, Dane sat close to Marcus, the big arm draped over his shoulders, pure paradise. Greek accents and black walls decorated the dimly-lit, swanky lounge. Walter, the grey-haired druid who moonlighted as a bartender here, tickled the ivories on a baby grand near the stage. The soft melody created a perfect backdrop as Marcus and his friends talked, each man subdued after the intensity of the mourning ceremony.Dane had asked Adam to come with them, but he had to sling drinks on the late shift at the Caribbean Club, the ship’s disco.

More so than earlier by the pool, Dane felt at ease in the company of these men. After what happened on the island, he’d grown a new kinship to them.

He hoped they felt the same.

Dane thought he’d been proud of Marcus when he made it possible to save four Fae, but to see this new incarnation of his abilities?

Wow.

Marcus blew his mind.

The island itself possessed great magic because of the king and his consort’s demi-god powers, with portals hiding between the palm trees and pure magic in the plant life. Gregory the caregiver, a satyr, had infused his own unique magic into the island too. Somehow Marcus had connected to those powers and opened a door to the spirit world and the ghosts of Theron and Lewis’s past had come. To say goodbye? To bless the union? Dane could only begin to guess. But the Magi once had powerful magic, so doubtless they had something to do with the phenomenon too.

Overwhelmed by Marcus, Dane placed a supportive hand on his mate’s big thigh. Marcus must’ve appreciated the contact, because he brushed his fingertips across Dane’s knuckles before he picked up his beer.

“I’m in awe of you,” Lewis said to Marcus, taking the words right from Dane’s heart. “I mean, I saw people from both my lives. I got to say goodbye because of you. I’m so grateful, but I’m still reeling from the shock of it all.”

“I’m a little surprised myself,” Marcus admitted, bottle poised at his lips.

Dane’s chest swelled with so much pride he was surprised it didn’t burst. He squeezed Marcus’s knee, garnering another smile from his mate and a squeeze on his shoulders. Dane didn’t hesitate to burrow a little closer to his big warm mate.

What a fool he’d been, rejecting the gift from the Goddess! Never again would he doubt Her benevolence. It was obvious now the unicorn had been correct. The Goddess had great things planned for Marcus.

Dane was just grateful to be included.

He’d finally found his purpose. His home.

And it was Marcus.

With their thighs pressed close as the men shared a round of drinks, Dane quietly listened, offering very little as they each processed the incomparable gift his mate had given them.

“The Goddess has blessed you, Marcus, and you, in turn, blessed so many of us. Not only saving the four paras you discovered, but the gift of tonight.” Theron’s unique gold flecked eyes were a little red and still puffy from tears. He placed a fist over his heart. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Marcus said humbly, his gaze holding a permanently stunned quality.

“A chance to say goodbye,” Aleek said in a somber tone. “Many never have it. No forgiveness.”

Jeremiah reached out and took his twin’s hand. “The English word for that is closure,” he told him quietly.

Aleek nodded. “Many never have closure.”

Though appetizers filled the table, no one seemed inclined to eat much, including Aleek—whom Dane had often seen stuffing his face with any manner of seafood. The merman appeared unsettled. Dane recalled hearing Aleek had been banished from his pod because of his refusal to mate with a female. Then an unexpected contingent of merfolk—with the twins’ mother at the helm—had arrived at Jeremiah and Skip’s wedding to offer a blessing. As the Ka’ree’s heir apparent and the future leader of his pod, the banished merman doubtless longed for closure in his own life. But it wasn’t easy to dispel prejudices within shifter communities. They were so backwards in their thinking. The Goddess did not make mistakes in who a person loved or mated with.

Wisely, Dane didn’t say so. Not only did he not want to shame Mer society, he really didn’t want to remind Marcus’s friends about what an idiot he’d been to deny the Goddess’s will.

“Well said, Aleek.” Nathan raised his bottle to his friends. “I’m happy that you guys got closure. Some of us never will.”

Josh offered kindly, “Bridges are being mended with your mom.”

The incubus was estranged from his family too? That was something Dane didn’t expect to have in common with a demon. Josh was so nice, and his father had saved Dane’s mate, so maybe Dane could even learn to like Nathan.

Maybe.

“Yeah, I guess,” Nathan agreed, tenderly kissing his husband.

Unsurprised by a faint waft of arousal magic rushing over Dane, he buried his face in Marcus’s big chest. Rather than be angry at the incubus for something he probably couldn’t help, he let the warm sensations of pleasure and the herbal scent of his mate settle around him like a tender embrace.

Marcus drew him in tighter, caressing his back. “All right?” he whispered.

Since Dane wasn’t about to mention he now sported a semi, he simply smiled and nodded. But he stayed cuddled close, both to offer his mate any comfort he might need and because, well? He liked being close to him. Nathan wasn’t exactly putting off heavy pheromones, but his emotions must have been powerful enough some leaked out despite the shields Dane could feel Nathan had raised. He definitely had more control over himself than this afternoon.

“I’m not building bridges with my father,” Marcus continued the conversation. “It’s not possible. Even with what I learned about our connection to the dead, it doesn’t excuse how he treated me and my family. Understanding doesn’t equate to forgiveness in my book.”

“Not all bridges are meant to be mended,” Skip replied, his Southern drawl more pronounced with each beer he drank. “I give Jack-shit about what my mama and sister think of me, and Jack done left town. Daddy and the twins are all the family this country boy needs.”

Did all of these men have assholes on their family tree? Well, not Josh. Marcus said had a very supportive family. Dane hoped to have such a thing one day too. Perhaps these men would become a part of Dane’s inner circle. A found family, as he’d heard it called.

The notion pleased him greatly.

Apparently human families were as awful as many Fae ones. Or perhaps all of the Goddess’s creations had a selfish streak that, left unchecked or perhaps unfed by affection and gratitude, could be twisted just like magic could turn evil.

Something to ponder.

“I think we’re ready to say goodnight,” Lewis announced, setting his wine glass down. “It’s been an emotional day.”

“And you need your beauty sleep, princess.” Skip smiled brightly, though it didn’t reflect in his blue eyes. “You’ve got your big day tomorrow.”

“Yes, and I need every second I have tonight to process what happened so I’m not a blubbery, weepy mess tomorrow,” Lewis agreed.

“If you don’t cry a little at your wedding, you’re doing something wrong,” Josh said, smiling at his husband.

“Yeah well, when I cry my face gets red and I get hot. And hot me creates sweat, and sweat means frizzy hair,” Lewis drawled as he pushed his curls off his brow. “Not the look I’m going for.”

That brought a few chuckles out of the group, and everyone stood, ready to depart. Dane was eager to have Marcus to himself, especially after that little dose of incubus magic. He wondered if he should mention it to Marcus. If they were to spend any time in the future with his cousin and Nathan, it was bound to happen again.

Yes, I better mention it.

No more secrets. If it bothered Marcus, they didn’t need to be intimate tonight. But maybe they were in a better place now and Marcus would welcome the additional stimulant.

Theron hugged Marcus tight. “Thank you again, Marcus. I didn’t know how badly I needed to say goodbye until I saw my people. Thank you.”

“I still can’t believe it happened.” Marcus patted his back and Dane tried to squelch his jealousy at seeing another man embrace his mate. He had to get over it promptly as the men began hugging one another goodnight.

“Do you think it’ll happen to you at all funerals from now on?” Skip mused, hand-in-hand with the still visibly shaken Jeremiah. Apparently, the ghost of a former lover, drawn to his connection with Lewis, had also been amid the throng of spirits. “Like you’ll see a bunch of dead people welcoming the recently departed?”

“I sure the fuck hope not,” Marcus said, skin blanching.

“You won’t,” Dane replied confidently, grateful for a chance to soothe his mate. “The king’s island has much magic and secrets. I also believe the power of the Magi had something to do with the phenomenon tonight. They are not pure magic like the Fae, but their power was strong, obviously in the spirit world too. Doubtless they drew the rest of the spirits together. An entire race was all but exterminated. It was a reminder they once lived. Perhaps now that they have found closure some will be reborn to find their soul mates. Or perhaps they are happy on the other side of the veil. We may never know. The Goddess has Her own ways.”

Theron draped his big arm over his mate’s smaller shoulders. “However it happened, I am grateful it did. I saw my cousin Angus and he nodded at me and smiled at Lewis. I think he wanted me to know he would’ve accepted Liam as my mate. Though I have often thought poorly of his intentions since my return, I was glad to be wrong.”

“Everyone deserves a second chance,” Lewis remarked, beaming up at the Magus.

“Indeed, Acorn.”Theron kissed the top of Lewis’s messy curls.

As the men went their own way, Lewis’s words about second chances struck Dane in a way he hadn’t expected.

“Back to my cabin?” Marcus said, the barest hint of question in his gaze, as if he still held doubts about Dane’s commitment to him.

He squeezed their joined hand and smiled up at him. “Of course. Where you go, I go.”

His faint smile morphed into a huge one, full of relief and joy. “Okay then.”

As they walked to the cabin, Dane told himself if Marcus agreed, he would take him to bed and make him never regret the second chance he’d given Dane. Then tomorrow and every day hereafter, Dane would do everything in his power to make sure Marcus knew how grateful Dane was to have him as a mate.

Many second and third chances had brought them to this moment of harmony and hope. Dane had extended Marcus a chance, even before he learned about his gifts. The unicorn had given Dane even more chances. While some of his new friends were mourning the loss of family, Dane knew he wasn’t concerned with his own in the same fashion. But there were people in his life—one made of stone in particular—that might require some meditation.

Did Lowery deserve a second chance after all he’d done?

The notion nearly stopped Dane in his tracks. He would have to think long and hard about that, perhaps discuss it with his mate.

The joy of having a confidant was unfamiliar, and he liked it a lot. He’d grown close to Adam, but having a mate was so very different than a good friend.

They arrived at the cabin, but as much as he wanted to jump on his mate’s cock and ride it like he stole it, as the saying went, he didn’t want Marcus to mistake his passion for incubus magic again, though the lingering effect had left Dane more than a little hot to trot.

Then again, maybe the gorgeous hunk standing next to him caused it all.

Either way, he intended to be honest, always.

“When the incu—Nathan kissed his... Josh, you should know it had a small effect on me,” Dane said casually. “No doubt on the M—Theron as well.”

He needed to remember to use their names.

Marcus gave him the side eye as he withdrew his keycard from his wallet. “What kind of effect?”

Dane shrugged. “Like a small aphrodisiac, or a shot of tequila to some. Like cacao or oysters.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

As Marcus used the keycard to open the door, Dane explained, “Because I intended to make love to you tonight, but since it happened, I thought you deserved to know. Do you still wish to make love?”

Just as Dane asked, two women walked by dressed as Wilma and Betty from The Flintstones for the Howl at the Moon party. The caveman/sasquatch/werewolf theme allowed shifters to let their fur down while a shifter rock band provided live entertainment. The women had obviously overheard Dane because they giggled.

Cheeks warming, Marcus looked at the retreating women then smiled at Dane and hesitated, the door half open. “But you wanted me before that... right?”

He hated how he’d caused doubts for his mate. Wanting to reassure him, he placed a hand on his chest. “I cannot lie to you, heart of mine. I always want you. I want to make love.” That was something Dane had never done before. “The passing whiff of incubi pheromones just made the want more... urgent, if you will. I’ve been half-hard ever since and with our bed so close, the urgency has only increased.”

Dane ran both hands over Marcus’s chest, the soft white linen of their funeral attire scratching his palms as he deliberately teased his mate’s sensitive nipples. “I will not lie to you, Marcus. I cannot. Being in Nathan’s presence always runs the risk of affecting me. If he feels or senses desire, his demon side responds, and therefore I will feel it, sometimes even when he has a shield up, like tonight. But know this, it is you that I want. It has only been you since I first laid eyes on you. Only you, Marcus. Do you understand?”

“I do.” And his entire body seemed to uncoil, right before Dane’s eyes.

“Now let us retire to our cabin, darling.”

“Where you’ll make love to me?”

“I will.”

As he slipped into the cabin, Marcus smiled so wide his eyes creased and almost disappeared.

But something he’d said dawned on Dane. “I enjoy bottoming and I know you let me take you our first time, but is it something you enjoy?”

Chewing his lower lip, Marcus nodded, then he hastily pulled Dane all the way into the cabin and shut the door before anyone else could walk by and overhear their intimate conversation. A small desk lamp provided the only light besides the stars and moon in the porthole window, but Dane could see the sudden fire in Marcus’s dark gaze.

“Yeah, I do like bottoming,” Marcus whispered, as if they weren’t alone. “But I had a question first.”

“What’s that?” Dane queried, toeing off his shoes and kicking them out of the way.

“Can you...?” Marcus hesitated, cheeks darkening. “In your... true form. Can you, I mean, do you have... um, you know?”

Dane grinned. “Is everything in proper working order in my true form?”

Gaze hungry, Marcus chewed his lower lip again, nodding.

“I assure you everything works, though it is much larger. Why? Would you like me to fuck you while I am in my true form?”

The lip chewing intensified along with his mate’s hungry blush. “I’ve um, never...”

“Never what?” Feeling predatory, he stepped closer to his mate. The man’s erection, like his own, made a rather obvious display in the linen pants. “Speak freely. There can be no embarrassment or any more secrets between us.”

Marcus swallowed hard and released his lip, now swollen and red. “I’m a big guy.”

“I know.” Dane ran his hand over said big chest again, slipping a hand beneath the hem of his white tunic to caress those warm muscles.Dane could practically feel Marcus’s submission like a heady drug, amping up his own arousal.

“I’ve always been the bigger guy when I have sex, and I usually top.”

Though Dane despised hearing about his previous sexual experiences, he listened intently, wanting to give his mate everything he’d ever wanted. “Go on.”

“I’ve bottomed enough to know I like that too. And I have a few toys.”

“I want to see you use them.” Dane effortlessly found one of his mate’s hot buttons—he intended to have them all memorized one day—and began to twist the bar piercing through his nipple.

Marcus shuddered. “Fuck yes,” he groaned, wrapping his arms around Dane and drawing his smaller body flush with his own. Dane pushed the linen all the way above his pecs and went to work on both nipples with his thumbs and fingers. Though he longed to suck on them until they were soaked and red, he kept his gaze on his mate’s face.

“What are you telling me, my sweet?” Dane whispered, trying on different endearments and liking every one more than the last.

“I’ve never been with a man big enough to... well?” He let out a breathless chuckle that ended on a whimper when Dane pinched both nipples and tugged on the piercings. Marcus’s hard cock pulsed hot against his stomach and Dane pinched again, harder.

“Tell me, my sweet.”

“I like that,” Marcus whispered.

Whether he meant the pet names or the rough play, Dane hoped it was both.

“I’ve never been smaller,” Marcus finally said. “I’d like to feel... safe and small.” His face reddened and scrunched up, gaze unsure. “Is that strange?”

The fear in his rich dark eyes made Dane run his hands up the rest of his broad chest until he cupped his face, craning his neck to make full eye contact. “Not at all. I love that you’re so much bigger than me, how you can wrap me up and hold me close. I’d love to make you feel that way. I want to please you, always.”

The words themselves were so honest, so pure Dane felt the magic in them. A vow of protection and care.

Of love.

Marcus grinned. “I also, um... don’t want you to take it easy. Manhandle me a little bit, okay?”

“Manhandle you, eh?” Dane grinned in return. “You’re about to get Faehandled.”