by Lisa Oliver
Owen sensed Baby turning, felt the burn of his gaze. “I’m not sure I can stay isolated from life, I’m sorry. Not even for you.”
“Ah,” Owen draped his arm around Baby’s shoulder, keeping them walking. “The rather long-winded point I was trying to make is that you don’t have to. I did originally think, for an exceptionally long time, that secluding you away was the best thing for both of us, but that idea disappeared after meeting you. Don’t you see, what I was doing with you was no different from the countless scholars who claim they know so much about the ancient gods?”
“I’m not sure what you mean by that. Watch out, that’s a large tree root right where you’re going to put your left foot.”
“Thank you.” Owen beamed as he stepped over the offending root. “You already know, scholars took minimal facts, none of which were verified, combined those tiny nuggets and built a story around the gods even though they’d never met one. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I did the same in regard to you. I never saw you at a library. I didn’t realize you kept up with the news. All I saw was a playboy who seemed to thrive on attention, just like Himeros and Poseidon used to. For that, I’m sorry. That was wrong, and I had no right to make assumptions about you before we’d even shared a single sentence.”
Baby didn’t say anything, at least not immediately. Instead, he led them to a fallen tree, thick enough to take their weight. Clicking up a blanket, Baby urged Owen to sit, and then he did the same, sitting close enough so their shoulders were touching.
“I always wanted for people to see the me behind my facial features,” Baby said softly, looking out over the wide expanse of land. It was a beautiful spot, untouched by houses, barns, or even fences. “Artie was the one who taught me how to read and write. The odd times I saw Poseidon, he used to tell me how much I looked like Himeros, and how I’d be a chip off the old block. I grew up knowing only two things for certain – Himeros was the god of desire, and Poseidon expected me to act just like him when I was an adult.”
“It was Artemas who actually raised you – him, along with Nereus and Lasse. Surely they didn’t see you that way?”
“To them I was a nuisance. I was cute until I started walking, but then once I could start following them places, they didn’t want me.” Baby’s shrug was rueful. “They were all older than dirt when I was an infant. I’ve always believed that’s why I’ve never had a proper name. To Poseidon’s family, I was just ‘the baby’. Himeros has only been in my life a hundred and twenty years, and he called me that from the day we met, which suggested I’d been discussed but he’d never wanted to visit.”
“I didn’t realize,” and Owen hadn’t. He’d always assumed Baby was an affectionate name given to Poseidon’s youngest son because he was a lot younger than his older brothers. Much like people considered Nereus and Lasse twins, even though they’d been born two years apart. When lifespans are eternal, a few years here and there didn’t make a difference. But he’d felt sure Baby had originally been named something else. Names held a lot of power and were often key to a person’s identity. To know Baby had never been cared about enough, to be given a proper name was intensely sad.
“It makes no difference, so it doesn’t matter.” Baby huddled in his jacket. “Everyone has to be called something, right? Could have been worse. I could have gone through eternity as ‘hey you,’ or ‘asshole’ or ‘shitty diapers’ or something equally distasteful. But you were saying, before I went all maudlin on you, about how you used to view what mating with me would be like. You never said how you viewed the concept now.”
Baby was very clever, Owen realized. He mentioned their mating as a concept, rather than a definite event. Owen could only hope that meant he was still open to the idea, because frankly, his animal side was about ready to take over and bite the young god and to heck with the consequences. Twisting around on his butt, so he could face his mate, Owen took off his glasses. He knew his eyes were a weird icy color, but Baby deserved to see all of him.
“I mentioned before, I see you now you as life, a life I’ve never had. For the first time in a very long existence, I don’t have a plan beyond being with you.” He gestured over his shoulder at Baby’s house way in the distance. “This is your first home, the first place you decided to put down roots. Do you think me so unfeeling that I’d rip you away, hide you in my castle, when you’ve expressly told me you couldn’t live that way with me?”
“I barely know you at all.” Baby twitched as though uncomfortable. “Maybe we could compromise, I don’t know. I mean, I bought this house because it was isolated and away from people who just use me or who see me as nothing more than a good time. It’s hard to explain. It was like, after I left you, I realized I didn’t have anywhere to go. I could go and see Artie, but he’d want to know what was wrong so he could fix it for me. Poseidon has his own life with the twins. Himeros,” Baby shook his head. “The only thing he ever talks about now is trying to come between Poseidon and Claude. I didn’t have anywhere. No friends. No home of my own. And then I just thought, I could have those things. I just had to go out there and find them for myself. So, I did.”
“So,” Owen said slowly. “Maybe, what we could do is get to know each other here, in your space, if you’re happy with that. And maybe, when you feel more comfortable about being around people again, we could go out, travel, or whatever you like. I’d like to show you my realm, but we don’t have to live there. I mean, once the snow comes here, it’s a lot like my own realm anyway.”
Baby chuckled, which morphed into laughter. Within seconds he was cackling like a hyena, to the point of rubbing his eyes. Owen smiled, even though he wasn’t quite sure what was amusing Baby so much, but happy to see what that laughter did to his mate’s aura.
“I’m sorry,” Baby said at last, swiping his face with his hands. “I’m so sorry, it’s just we sound so formal around each other, like negotiating a merger or something. Don’t get me wrong. After your overbearing attitude at our first meeting, this is a wonderful compromise, but I feel as though we’re tip-toeing around each other like old grannies.”
Owen allowed himself a small chuckle. “It’s a novelty to me, that’s for sure. But I don’t - I don’t want you to feel pressured by me. I made a huge mistake in our first meeting and I’m worried you’ll disappear again or ban me from your lovely old home. I just want to be with you.”
“Are you sure? I mean, you can’t see me, even if you can use your senses enough to ride that motorbike of yours.”
“I’m sure, very sure.” Owen spread his hands around in a circle, outlining the aura he could see. “You shine, like the sun, from the inside. Every emotion shows like a flare around your physical body. I don’t need to see you with my eyes to know you’re beautiful on the inside. I want to get to know you. I want to be with you, because of who you are inside.”
“I could be really ugly,” Baby said, but Owen could hear the teasing note in his voice. “I could have a triple chin, a giant wart on my nose, pimple scars all over my cheeks and a bushy monobrow shading my dishwater eyes.”
“Hmm. I doubt that.” Owen held up his hands. “Would you let me see?”
“With your fingers?” Baby turned so he was mirroring Owen’s stance. “Don’t poke my eyes out.” He tilted his face up, a face that Owen could now see as his animal side came forward. Even in shades of grey Baby’s face was crafted with love in mind. He may have been the result of a casual fuck, but Baby was born from the best of his fathers’ genetics.
“I’m not feeling any acne scars,” Owen teased as he rested his fingers lightly on Baby’s cheeks. “I feel a fine face, with well-defined cheek bones, the hint of stubble along your chin and over your top lip.” His fingers gently traced the lines he was talking about.
Trailing his fingers up the side of Baby’s face, he ran one on each hand, and then lightly scratched the spot between Baby’s eyes. “Definitely no monobrow,” he chuckled as he ran a single finger down Baby’s nose. There wasn’
t a bump on it. “No warts either that I can see.”
Owen felt Baby’s cheeks move as he chuckled. “Should I apologize for the scruff? Being out here, I didn’t think about shaving.”
“It’s soft. It’s lovely actually.” Owen held his breath for a second then said, “I wonder what it would feel like if I kissed you?”
He felt, rather than heard Baby’s gasp. “Just a kiss?”
Owen closed his eyes, counted to ten, and then said evenly, “Just a kiss for now.”
“Okay.” The word was whispered, caught up and flung across the moors by a sudden breeze. But Owen heard him, and as he leaned closer to Baby’s now upturned face, he knew one kiss was going to change his life forever.
Chapter Eight
This was the test. Baby wasn’t immune to Owen’s presence. In fact, he’d never felt so hot and bothered over anyone before and he imagined that had a lot to do with the mating pull the Fates were keen on adding to the mix. His hormones were screaming at him to strip down and present his ass for the taking. But Baby had meant it when he said he wanted more from a mate than anything he’d shared with another before. Sex was easy. Baby could do it in his sleep and could actually remember a few times when that had happened. But intimacy, the thing Baby craved, took time, trust, and getting to know the other person.
If he takes this too far, I’ll ban him from my territory. Baby leaned in and let out a sigh as their lips touched for the first time. The shock, the electricity that flowed between them was intense, and Baby’s arms moved so he could cup his hands around Owen’s waist. He leaned closer, tilting his face, letting Owen’s lips play on his, learning his taste and the way the bigger man touched him. Owen had his own scruff going on, darker than his which was surprising with his white hair, but it rubbed softly against his chin making Baby want to purr.
In the end, the simple kiss didn’t last long enough, but Baby felt a pang of relief when Owen pulled back, stroking down his cheek. You didn’t let me down. You actually stopped. Am I losing my appeal? But no, Baby knew the last silly thought in his head was exactly that – silly. The look on Owen’s face; the controlled tightness in his jaw and the brightness in his unseeing eyes told a different story.
“Is that your animal form peeking out at me?” Baby reached up, stroking gently by the side of Owen’s eyes. “Hello, in there. I do hope we’re going to be good friends, you and I.”
“Never doubt my animal spirit’s devotion to you already,” Owen’s voice deepened. “Mine as well. Shifters are like that, even one like me.”
“Just one of the wonderful things to explore about you over time. Owen…” Baby’s heart was so full; he didn’t know if he could get the words out. “You have no idea… how precious what you just did was…”
“The kiss?”
“Definitely our first kiss, but also stopping the kiss and not taking things any further. Not yet, anyway.” Baby’s heart was fluttering. “No one has ever…”
“I am different,” Owen reminded him. “However, that said, I have an awful lot of pent up energy that’s got to go somewhere. Shall we head back to the house and finish your door frame?”
“Yes.” Baby let out a long sigh of relief. Owen wasn’t the only one with raging hormones and aching balls. He leaped up, taking Owen’s hand, making sure his mate had his feet firmly on the ground before they started walking. “And you know, that will be our door frame soon enough, don’t you think?”
“Nothing would make me happier.” Is that an extra bounce in Owen’s steps? Baby liked to think so.
Working alongside someone else was a novel concept for Baby. Owen was built and had more than enough muscles to get the job done. But he always deferred to Baby first, and what was even better, he let Baby do his fair share. They cleared away the rotten wood, together. They inset the new frame, together. The only thing Owen did alone, was to set the original nails in the new wood, with magic, so as to not put any stress on the metal.
When Baby stepped back, looking at their progress, he realized the afternoon shadows were long, and the sun had almost disappeared. “My goodness,” he said, glancing over at Owen who was still running his fingers over the nails. “I didn’t realize I’d kept you busy for so long. Did you have things… or was there somewhere…?”
“I am right where I want to be,” Owen said, and then he rubbed his stomach as it growled. “But you’ll have to excuse my stomach. I haven’t done this much physical work in a while. Would you think me very forward if I invited you out for a meal?”
“Out?” Baby looked over his shoulder, to where his driveway disappeared through the trees. “I’m not sure that two men going out together as a couple is a good idea in Thurso.”
“Gay marriage is legal in this county, around the country even, but perhaps you’re right.” Owen accepted his concerns with the same calmness he’d taken most things during the day. Except during that kiss, which Baby could still feel the imprint of on his lips. “However, just because you want to renovate this house using tools and your natural abilities, doesn’t mean we have to forgo our powers if we wanted to travel anywhere else for a meal.”
That was true. The problem was, Baby didn’t have a clue where he wanted to go. “Did you have somewhere in mind?” he asked hopefully. He was more of a ‘go where the wind took him’, and ‘follow the flow’ type of guy. “I suddenly realized I have no idea what you like to do for fun.”
“Those are things we learn about each other over time.” Owen held out his hand. “Come on. I’ll take us to my favorite place.”
Baby held up his hand, indicating he needed a minute, while he swept his other hand over the tools still sitting on the steps. He was still getting used to being a homeowner, but he did know most people didn’t leave their things laying around outside, even in a remote area. Once he was certain his tools were put away, and his front door securely locked, he took the hand Owen offered him.
There was a flutter of butterflies in his stomach, as Baby felt the translocation tingle pass through him. He’d never been on a date before, although he cautioned himself, Owen hadn’t mentioned this was a date as such. They were just going to share a meal together, and a week into his self-imposed isolation, Baby was ready to be among people again – a warm bar or restaurant, some hot food, and good company. With a hunky older god beside him, Baby could even hope he wouldn’t be hit on during the evening and he could actually have a good time for a change.
Baby’s feet landed, and he immediately shivered. Looking around, his butterflies sunk as his anxiety started to simmer. “Where are we?” he asked as if the glistening white walls weren’t clue enough. Everything was white – the walls, the curved ceilings, the furniture. “Is this all made out of ice?” Pulling his hand out of Owen’s, Baby took two steps and stroked down the wall, pulling his hand back instantly as his fingertips ached from the cold.
“This is my home, my realm, part of my domain.” Owen pulled his jacket off, clicking his fingers so it disappeared. “Any restaurants or bars that might have been around the last time I had a meal out have probably fallen down by now, it’s been so long. I brought you here, so I could prepare…”
“I said I couldn’t stay here.” Baby shivered harder, and his breathing quickened. He felt as if the walls were starting to close in on him. All that white. There weren’t even seams in the walls. It was like he’d landed in a huge cavern – a cold frigid cavern from which there was no apparent escape. “I thought we were going out to eat.”
“Well, this is out, for you.” That damn calmness in Owen’s tone was going to be the death of Baby, although the growl was new. “A new place, a new realm, a new experience.” He tugged his jumper over his head and seconds later Baby was staring at miles of beautifully tattooed skin.
“What are you doing?” Baby backed up as Owen came towards him. The bigger man had the grace of a panther and Baby got the distinct impression he was being stalked. “I wanted to go out somewhere, a place where there’re people and th
e smells of good cooking.”
“This is my home. My favorite place in all realms and don’t worry about the lack of clothes. I don’t feel the cold. My pants are on, for now.”
Owen was close, too close. Already, Baby could feel his body responding even though he was sure a minute before his balls had shrunk into his body. Baby shuffled back, clipping his shoulder on an ice shelf. The sudden pain made him cry out. “I’m not ready for this. I don’t know you,” he yelled, panic causing black spots to appear in front of his eyes.
“You’re here, in my domain. We’re mates. What more do you need to know for me to claim you?” The growled edge in Owen’s voice increased, and Baby felt the sheer power of the shifter in front of him.
“You… you…” Now Baby felt like he was having a heart attack. Fuck, I’m truly going to die here, and no one will know or care. “I thought you were different!”
“Oh, I am.” The corner of Owen’s lip curled upwards. “Unlike the others you’ve toyed with, I’m never letting you go. You. Are. Mine.”
“No. No, you can’t do this.” Baby’s heart was racing so hard he knew he was seconds from passing out. In his panic, he couldn’t think to translocate. So upset, so distraught at being so betrayed, Baby did the one thing he thought he’d never do – he called the waters.
Of course, the water concerned was frozen, but the molecules still headed his call, albeit sluggishly. A large crack zigzagged its way across the ceiling. Walls shuddered then tumbled over themselves. Rumbles sounded through the ice around them, and Baby almost fell over. A large shelf teetered, and then fell, smashing over Owen’s head, causing him to drop to his knees.