Gion had obviously been expecting Ty to call a halt to their session. When she kissed him back, he groaned out something that sounded like, “Thank you.” Ty wasn’t sure if he was addressing her or Gaia, but she supposed it didn’t matter. Caught up in the hazy, pink cloud of unexpected longing, she was willing to follow Gion as far as he wanted to go.
His energy got faster, pulling her, tempting her and Ty didn’t resist.
She let more of her own powers go. Lowering the barriers between them seemed natural. For Matches, that would have been the next step before her energy combined with Gion’s and made them one symbiotic whole. Ty wasn’t sure how regular sex worked, but it just seemed like the thing to do. A biological imperative.
Except, the Water energy abruptly faltered as if it hit against the walls of a cage.
Too much.
Suddenly, it was too much.
Something was wrong.
Ty pulled back with a gasp. “No, wait.” Trying to break free of whatever spell Gion’s powers had cast, Ty dropped her gaze to his shirtfront. Her breath came in quick pants, from fear and an unfamiliar wash of lust. “I can’t. Something’s wrong. I’m… I’m sorry.”
Gion was breathing hard, too. Next to her, on the piano, his hand clenched so tightly that his knuckles went white as he struggled to pull his energy back under control. Gion’s powers had created an orchestra without straining, but now he seemed stretched to the breaking point.
And the worst part was, Ty wanted to keep going, too. She could have dealt with the panic. It was already receding. Her memories had threatened to pull her under, but just so Gion kept waiting for consent, Ty would have edged out to meet him.
But, something else inside of her was wrong.
She sensed it.
Knew it.
The further they went and the more their energy connected, the more her powers seemed blocked. Like Ty needed a password to access anything beyond a certain point. Her not-so-spectacular energy felt bigger and trapped. Caught in a web or something. That couldn’t be right. She’d never heard other Phases who’d had sex talking about their powers being hindered, so this wasn’t normal. She and Gion had to stop until Ty figured out the problem.
Ty certainly wasn’t going to ask Gion for his opinion, though. He didn’t like talking about their connection, at all. And he didn’t seem to notice the Water power’s sudden problem. Which either meant that Ty was broken internally or that she was the most inexperienced idiot outside of a Victorian novel.
Damn it.
“It wasn’t wrong. Just… unexpected.” Gion got out raggedly. “Your energy touching mine… I mean, it’s always unusual that we can do that. But, I didn’t anticipate the kind of… combustion it would set off when we were kissing. Not without a Phase-Match.” His jaw clenched. “Just give me a second here.”
Ty braced for some kind of furious outburst. He didn’t want to stop. She could tell. If it was up to Gion, they would have had sex. “I’m sorry.” She repeated, faintly, pulling the edges of her nightgown back together. “I got scared.”
Gion reached over to touch the side of her face and Ty reflexively cringed sideways, anticipating a blow.
He froze.
For a second, neither of them moved. Ty might have almost died at the hands of that mob during the Fall, but this was a more intimate retreat than she would have had from a flashback of that attack. It was the small, instinctive recoil of a woman who’d been hurt by another man.
“Son-of-a-bitch.” Gion bit off harshly. His palm fell away from her face and seized her arm, instead. “Who the fuck hit you?”
Ty’s eyes widened at his incensed tone. Gion never sounded like that. He was always so cold and reserved. “It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry. You weren’t going to strike me. I know. I just…”
“Who hit you?” Gion interrupted, giving her a small shake.
Ty tugged against his hold. “Let me go.” Gion wasn’t hurting, but that didn’t mean he could manhandle her to get his own way. “I told you to stop trying to intimidate me.”
He carefully released Ty’s arm and pushed away from the piano, giving her room. “Was it Parald?”
“Parald is the only other man I ever kissed and he once got very angry when I told him to stop.” Ty grudgingly admitted. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
Gion studied her for a beat as if he needed to get his emotions in check. Since when did he even have emotions, anyway? “Angel, did Parald…?”
“No.” She shook her head, knowing what he was about to ask and not wanting to hear the words. “He didn’t rape me.”
Gion relaxed slightly, but he didn’t let it go. “Did he try?”
Ty flinched.
Gion must’ve understood her reaction, because his power slipped. A windstorm crashed against the walls, sending paintings and artwork falling to the marble floor.
Ty jolted, more from his loss of control than from the noise.
Gion snarled another oath and pulled back on his energy like he was worried that he’d frighten her. “So, you stopped him from raping you and he beat you for it?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Ty didn’t like remembering this. She busied herself by fixing the neckline of her nightgown, rebuttoning the tiny pearl buttons. “It’s over.” She’d never shared what happened with anyone before. Not even Nia.
Gion’s gaze went to Ty’s lap as if recalling her sudden tension when he touched her thigh. “Parald tried to pry your legs apart, didn’t he?” It wasn’t a really question.
Ty’s lips firmed together. “I don’t want to talk about it.” She repeated. “It’s over.”
“Obviously, it’s not if you’re still terrified of him.” Gion retorted, repressed fury in his tone. “You should have told me this back then. I would have protected you.”
“You were an Air Phase.” Ty’s own temper sparked. “You worked for him. And, most of the time, you act like a snide, heartless, jerk towards me. Why would I come to you for help? You were on his side, not mine!”
Gion didn’t respond to that, but his body went stiff.
Ty had the strangest sensation that she’d just injured his feelings. “I’m sorry.” She said, again, her flash of irritation fading. She didn’t want to hurt Gion. It wasn’t his fault that Parald brought out the worst in her. “I’m just going to go back to bed and…”
Gion sighed, cutting her off. “Angel, you never have to be sorry for anything.”
The nickname got Ty to look at him faster than anything else could have. For so long, Gion had been her enemy. Things were changing so fast, she couldn’t keep up.
Pale blue eyes caught hers, burning into her soul. “I wanted you when you were eighty-four.” He continued conversationally. His voice became a calm contrast to the intensity of his face. “I was serious earlier. The first time I saw you in that damn white dress, I wanted you. I came to every concert that the Water House held, just so I could see you. I wanted you for myself, before Parald even knew your name.”
The words poured over Ty like a balm, soothing places inside of her that she hadn’t even known were sore.
“I didn’t know your exact age.” Gion shrugged. “But, I knew that you were too young. You weren’t ninety-three yet and it went against our laws. I knew that. And I wanted you, anyway.” His gaze slid over the folds of her nightgown as if amazed to be living out his “white dress” fantasy, at last. “I would have traded all my powers to have you, just for one night. I still would. Gladly.”
Ty swallowed.
Gion seemed to take her silence as a good sign, because he kept going. “I waited over a decade to touch you. And it was worth it.” He quietly murmured. “I’ll wait another eleven years to do it again, if that’s what it takes. I’m surprisingly patient when it comes to you. And I won’t ever, ever, hurt you. So, don’t be sorry. I’m sure as hell not.”
Ty’s mind stayed utterly blank for a long moment, just staring at him. In her entire life, she’d never
been so surprised. This was Gion. The man who’d tormented her for years.
Only he was an artist.
And he had a sense of humor.
And he said such beautiful things to her.
How could she have never seen this side of him?
Gion’s mouth quirked upward at her bafflement. He carefully adjusted the edges of her robe, retying it, and then lifting her off the piano. “Go back to bed, now.” The colored stripes at Phases’ temples were always more sensitive that the rest of their hair. He lifted a hand and brushed her turquoise streak, giving her plenty of time to avoid his touch.
Once before, he’d touched the highlight at her temple. Last time had been in the Air House dungeon, when Gion was trying to snap her out of a panic attack. Ty had told him to stop touching her and he’d dropped his hand. Now, Ty didn’t move as his thumb slid against her curls. Pleasure hummed through her at the brief contact and she leaned her head into his palm.
Gion’s expression softened and his fingers slowly fell away. “Goodnight, Ty.” He turned and headed out of the music hall, again.
She bit her lower lip. “Gion?”
As always, when Ty called his name he instantly stopped. “Yes?”
“Maybe tomorrow, you could play something else for me.” It took all of her courage to get the words out. “I like Handel almost as much as Strauss, you know.”
Gion’s gaze flared with some warm emotion that she couldn’t identify. “Water Music?” He guessed.
“I’m very fond of Water Music. And you can do the Air part of the first suite, if you feel like having fair representation.” That quiet flash of humor was as close as Ty could come to encouragement. It took all of her nerve to be even that bold.
Luckily, Gion didn’t need any more encouragement than a small, tentative smile. He stalked back to her, gripped the lapel of her robe and slammed his lips down onto hers, again. His mouth opened against hers, demanding everything that she had.
Gion was obviously a “give an inch take a mile” sort of guy. Now that he’d kissed her once, he thought he could do it whenever he felt like it.
Her cousins were not going to like that.
Ty found she was fine with the idea, though.
She positively loved that Gion wanted her. It gave her so much more confidence. For the first time in her life, Ty felt strong and beautiful.
Gion’s mouth marked her like a brand. Hard and hot and possessive, it burned away whatever lingering negative, mental associations Ty still held towards kissing. Kissing Parald always left her vaguely repulsed. But, amazingly, she liked the feel of Gion’s mouth on hers. It wasn’t just the energy and passion sweeping her up in the moment. She genuinely enjoyed the taste of him.
Ty’s lips softened beneath his, accepting.
She was just convincing herself that they should try the whole sex thing again, when Gion pulled back, leaving Ty dizzy.
“I’ll play you anything that you want.” He told her gravely, stepping away. “Except disco music and Dolly Parton.” Gion turned on his heel and went prowling out, again. “Make sure your bedroom windows are locked and secure.” He ordered over his shoulder.
Ty blinked.
He’d already checked her windows twice before she went to bed. He was just making an escape, because she’d been scared earlier.
Damn it.
Was Gion really serious about waiting ten years before touching her, again?
Ty pouted slightly.
…And she liked Dolly Parton.
Chapter Nine
Soft yielding Minds to Water glide away,
And sip, with Nymphs, their elemental Tea.
Alexander Pope- ‘Rape of the Lock’
Ty took a sip of her morning tea and tried to look as innocent as possible. “Cross, can I speak with you privately after breakfast?” She smiled artlessly. “It’s nothing important. I just have a little question.”
Ty was actually a better actress than people gave her credit for. In public, she’d managed to hide her panic and social anxiety behind a queenly mask of indifference for years. She thought she’s delivered that casual invitation to Cross with the perfect amount of “just another day at the office” boredom.
Unfortunately, her cousin saw right through her.
“What do you want to ask him?” Nia demanded. She hated to be left out of anything. “Why can’t you ask me?”
Nia and Cross were back in the Water Kingdom today. Certainly, that wasn’t unusual. Nia spent at least half her time in the Water Kingdom and she still represented the Water House on the Council. A big part of Ty saw Nia as the real ruler of the Water Kingdom. Her cousin was a hundred years older and a thousand times more qualified than Ty. The Water House was Nia’s home and she was always welcomed there. Ty adored Nia. Loved her more than her own life.
But, she still came very close to pegging an English muffin at her precious cousin’s big, dumb head.
“It’s a private question for Cross.” Ty said firmly. She glanced towards the dining room door for the fifteenth time since breakfast started. Gion hadn’t come down, yet. “And maybe for Tharsis.”
“Me?” Tharsis looked up from his Cap’n Crunch.
“Tharsis and Cross, but not me.” Nia scowled over at her Match. “What does Ty want to ask you about that I can’t hear?”
“I don’t know, baby. She hasn’t asked me, yet.” Cross drank some orange juice and shrugged. “Playing the odds, though, I’m betting it has something to do with the Phantom of the Air House. He’s her new pet project.”
It annoyed Ty that everyone was so negative about Gion. Granted, his past remained a bit checkered, but he did plenty of wonderful things, too, and he had staggering talents.
Gion was a good man.
“We’re getting more inquiries from Air Phases wanting to come here, because of Gion.” Tharsis chimed in. “Before, they all went to Job and the Earth House, but, now that Guy’s here, they’re petitioning us. They seem to feel safer with him clearing the path.”
Brokk frowned. “More of them? Don’t we have quotas?”
“No, we don’t.” Ty shook her head. “Anyone who wants to come here is welcome.” She poured herself some more tea, stirring it with unnecessary force. “And yes, as a matter of fact, my question for Cross does concern Gion. But, it’s private.”
“What could Cross possibly know about Gion that’s private?” Tharsis wanted to know. “Anything you wanna share with the rest of the class, brother-in-law?”
“Shut it, Thar. She wants to talk to you, too.” Cross glowered over at Ty. “Look, whatever you ask me, you might as well do it now. You know that Nia will just get it out of me later, anyhow.”
Nia shrugged. “He’s right. I will.”
Ty considered that. She looked over her shoulder, again. Still, no Gion. “Um… it’s sort of awkward to talk about over breakfast, so…”
“Just spit it out, Ty.” Tharsis interrupted. “Whatever it is, I’m sure Cross will take it like a man.”
Ty glanced at Nia, who nodded encouragingly. “Um… alright.” Ty let out a long breath and turned to Cross. “So, when you slept with women before Nia, did you experience any strange sensations?”
Cross choked on his orange juice.
Ty cringed slightly as he coughed. Cross gave a hacking sort of wheeze, trying to breathe. He face went red from lack of oxygen.
Brokk’s eyebrows climbed up his forehead.
Tharsis started snickering.
Nia whacked Cross on the back. “Honey? Are you okay?”
“Shit!” Cross gasped. “Ty… fuck. I’m not talking about that with you!”
She adjusted her glasses. “I don’t mean it as anything that might embarrass you…”
“I’m not embarrassed!” He lied.
“…It’s a completely scientific inquiry, I assure you. Nothing prurient.” Ty continued swiftly. “I just don’t know who else to ask. Nia waited for you, I know. Really, I just need to know about the Phazing ener
gy.”
“He didn’t feel Phazing energy with other women.” Nia insisted. “Only with me.” She considered that and flashed Cross a glare. “Right?”
“Of course!”
“But, how did your energy react?” Ty pressed. “Was it –like-- blocked or…?”
“No, I didn’t feel it, at all. It wasn’t there. There was no energy, because the other women weren’t my Match.” He looked at Nia as if she’d suggested otherwise. “No one else is my Match.” He repeated. “You know that.”
“Sure, I know it.” Nia fluttered her lashes. “Just so you know it, too.”
Cross relaxed, smiling slightly. He leaned over to kiss her. “Baby, it’s not something I’m liable to forget.” His hand went down to caress her stomach.
Nia winked at him.
Ty wasn’t satisfied. “Thar?”
Tharsis slumped down farther in his seat. “Yeah?” He asked warily.
“What about you?”
Tharsis slid so far south that Ty could barely see his eyes over the table. “You’re not supposed to be with anyone but your Match.” He hedged. “That’s not the way we were raised. It goes against the teachings of Gaia and ruins the… magical… something.”
Ty sighed. “Yes, I know that. But, I also know that you very rarely do what you’re supposed to do.”
A lot of Phases slept with people they weren’t Matched with, but the strict ruler followers and the faithful romantics both stayed steadfast in the belief that everyone should wait. The Water House fell into the latter group. At least publically. “For God’s sake, Thar, I don’t care if you had sex with some woman. I just need to know if you felt any energy.”
Tharsis looked like a pouty child being called in front of the principal. “No.” He muttered.
That wasn’t what Ty wanted to hear. “Nothing seemed… blocked?”
“Nope.” Tharsis developed a faraway expression. “Everything went real fluidly, in fact.”
Nia rolled her eyes.
Damn it. Ty’s fingers drummed against table in consternation. Her gaze slid over to Brokk. “What about you?”
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