All That Shimmers

by N. J. Nielsen

  “That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Eland nodded, but Eric wasn’t sure the man quite meant what he said. Not that Eric could blame him. Nobody liked being put on the spot.

  Eric shook his head. “All righty, then, I think I’ll be shutting up now. I’ll be the day warden sitting in the corner, not saying a word while the rest of you go about conducting your guild business. Unless of course you have questions you need me to answer.”

  He fled to the corner, knowing his face had become bright red. Sometimes words seemed to jump right out of his mouth, especially when he didn’t want them to. It was like he had no brain-to-mouth buffer at all. If he thought it, someone else soon heard it.

  Yep, definitely no buffer at all.

  Eric sat and listened as questions were thrown at him about Jory.

  “How do we even know they’re real? Lilliana asked. “This could be all something you’ve made up.”

  Eric frowned at her. “Why would I lie? Do you think I’m trying to make extra work for us all? Hell, no. But on the off-chance Jory is real then I’m going to do everything in my power to fix this. No one should be held against their will and used as a sex slave. What would you do if it was your family out there? Would you sit back and watch? I highly doubt it.”

  Thallon stood and paced the length of the boardroom. “This Jory isn’t even your kin. Why are you so determined to track him down and free him?”

  Before he could answer, Tagh jumped into the conversation. “Because it’s the right thing to do. Eric is right. We need to free these people.”

  “I agree,” Eland stated.

  “I still don’t see why this is our problem,” Thallon argued.

  Enough is enough. Eric got to his feet and walked until he stood right in front of Thallon. “This is your problem because you are the guild. You’ve sworn to make and uphold the law. It is your bound-duty to protect all our people. Jory and his friends need protecting. So now you are going to pull your head out of your ass and find these people so they can be safe.”

  Thallon opened and shut his mouth, like a fish out of water. His bluster soon faded as the other guild members crossed the room—figuratively speaking—to lend Eric their support.

  Maybe now Thallon had calmed down somewhat, they’d stop fighting the princess and guild master long enough to put out feelers to see if this was real. In his dreams, Jory seemed real, and that was good enough for Eric.

  Chapter Eight

  Once the guild had agreed to seek out Jory’s zoo and organized the sending out of numerous search parties to track down any information that might steer them in the right direction, Tagh brought the conversation back to one of their earlier topics. His mate had meant well by joking about his duties, but Eland had made a valid point, one he and Eric had briefly talked about. With Eric about to transition, how would he be able to keep up with his duties as a day warden? They needed to get this out in the open. Tagh knew they’d have to go along with whatever the guild decided.

  “About my mate’s day warden status? You know he will begin to transition soon,” Tagh put the question on the table and waited to hear what everyone had to say. He only hoped he liked what he heard.

  Phaedra spoke first. “He will need to be replaced. We cannot allow a guild member to remain vulnerable during the change.”

  “Eric has been with me for over five hundred and twelve years. That has to count for something,” Daven said.

  “I know you have a strong bond with Eric, but Phaedra is right. Once Eric fully becomes a warrior like Murtagh, he’ll have other duties to perform,” Princess Telarah stated.

  Daven hit the table with the palm of his hand, “And who the hell am I supposed to find as a replacement? I’m already bonded to Eric and I won’t willingly give that up. I mean no offence, Tagh, but Eric belonged to me long before he was ever yours.”

  “Why can’t he still perform his duties to Daven?” Thallon asked. “I thought they all lived under the same roof.”

  “They do, but during Eric’s transition who will protect Daven?” Lilliana asked.

  “Why not Gabriel?”

  Tagh smiled when Eric spoke up from the corner where he sat.

  “I mean, he’s already been a day warden once, and he does live with us, as well.”

  Phaedra frowned. “You would trust your charge in the hands of a warden who on more than one occasion tried to kill his own charges?”

  “Gabriel’s changed. He’s part of the family now. Besides, he’ll have two demon clans on hand to help him kick butt if he needs to.” Eric gave them all a smile. “Okay, then, what about if we do this? How about I remain Dav’s warden, and if Gabe proves to everyone he’s reliable, he can take over my duties while I’m transitioning?”

  Tagh turned and looked at his mate. “You do realize that if Gabriel takes over your position, he will have it for the rest of their lives? They will bond, which will negate the bond you have with Daven.” He knew his mate hadn’t thought about that. “Remember how Gabriel told us he felt empty when we bound Mitch to Isiah and Claude?”

  He didn’t like to see the worry on Eric’s face and wasn’t surprised when Daven went and gave Eric a hug.

  “I don’t want to lose what we have, either. You know way too many of my secrets. Who is going to look after me the way you do?” Daven said softly.

  “What do we do?” Eric asked. It hurt when Eric added, “I don’t think I can stop the transitioning now. We’ve already completed half of the ritual. There is only the ceremony to go.”

  Daven shook his head. “I wouldn’t ever want you to give up your mate and the chance to be happy. I think you’ll have to teach Gabriel, or whoever takes your place, exactly what needs to be done.”

  “I can do that.” Eric nodded against Daven’s shoulder. Even though Daven acted all nonchalant, Eric’s former charge wasn’t happy. Daven didn’t do well with change.

  Tagh’s thoughts were brought back to the meeting when Princess Telarah spoke. “Then we’re agreed that former day warden Gabriel Gillis will be instated at some stage as Daven’s day warden.” It wasn’t a question, more of a statement of fact.

  “What else is on the table for today’s meeting?” Tagh relaxed back into his chair as the meeting got back to normal.

  * * * *

  “Eric, we need to start planning our ceremony. I know I said I’d give you time…”

  Eric looked up from his book and smiled at him as Tagh walked into the common room.

  “Didn’t I tell you? Princess Telarah and Simon decided this needs to be a big showy event like the one introducing Mitch to our world. They’ve taken the planning out of our hands. All we have to do is relax and wait for them to tell us when and where. Have the scouts found anything yet?”

  Tagh shook his head. “Not yet. So far only dead ends and abandoned buildings.”

  Gabriel chuckled from his seat across the room. “Well I hope for your sakes your ceremony runs a lot smoother than that night, or should I just save time and stock up on weapons?”

  “You’ll be too busy doing your duty as a day warden,” Eric claimed.

  “But you forget. I’m no longer a day warden,” Gabriel answered with a touch of sadness.

  Eric looked confused and started speaking before Tagh could stop him. “By then, you’ll have taken my place with Daven. Hasn’t anyone told you this?”

  “No.” Gabriel seemed stunned and hopeful all at the same time. “Are you sure?”

  Tagh grimaced when he saw an equally shocked Daven standing in the doorway. He had to wonder why Daven hadn’t informed Gabriel of what was going to happen. The guild had decided Daven should be the one to fill Gabriel in on the situation. Things were going to get dicey if Daven had gotten cold feet.

  “Oops, my bad. I thought Daven had already talked to you.” Eric shrugged before obviously pretending to read his book again.

  Gabriel turned on Daven. “Did you know about this? When the hell were you going to fill me in?”

 
“I’ve been waiting for the time to be right,” Daven retorted.

  “Waiting for the time to be right. What the fuck? Don’t you think I had a right to know?” Gabriel demanded.

  Daven threw his hands in the air. “See, this is why I didn’t tell you. I know you would be a dick and react this way.”

  “For the love of monkeys, you’d better sit your ass down and tell me every little detail before I punch you so hard you won’t land until next Tuesday.”

  Tagh sat beside his mate and looked on as Daven had no choice but to explain the situation to Gabriel. Eric had been right. In one respect, Gabriel deserved some warning about how his life was going to change. Leaning toward his mate, he whispered, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

  “Daven needed a shove. He would never have gotten around to talking to Gabe if someone hadn’t given him a swift kick in the ass. At least this way, I can openly start training the guy to take my place.” Eric bumped shoulders with him. “I have my very first bit of marking. I discovered it when I went to the bathroom earlier. I’ve been waiting for you to come home so I could show you.”

  Leaning to the side, Eric pulled back his hair near his ear, and Tagh saw the faint markings making themselves known. “After the ceremony is completed, they’ll come in darker and faster. Our guardians—that’s what you’ll be—are like a perfect and strong anchor stopping a full-blooded warrior from fraying apart. My very soul will be partially joined to you and you’ll be able to call me back from the brink of death if need be.”

  “Are you bullshitting me?”

  “Nope. Not much is known, but what you see here,” he touched his own face, “is the story of our people. Well, my family in particular. There are a special few of the warriors who find their mates. Most find someone who will hopefully keep them grounded enough to stay alive. I’ve heard of a few warriors who have taken their own lives after accidentally killing their chosen lovers.”

  Eric stared at him. “And we’re sure I’m your true mate and not just some stand-in?”

  “You wouldn’t have these if you weren’t my mate—my true mate.” Tagh touched the beautiful marking beginning on his mate’s flesh.

  “Will you make love to me?” Eric asked before he got to his feet and held his hand out for Tagh to take.

  Murtagh stood and took Eric into his arms, not caring who watched them, and slowly but thoroughly kissed him. It wasn’t until he heard faint giggling that he remembered Remi’s children were playing in the room. “I guess we should take this back to our room and away from prying eyes.”

  “I’ll race ya.” Eric laughed and took off at breakneck speed toward the bedroom they now shared.

  Tagh took the time to grin at the few catcalls aimed his way before he followed behind his mate and hoped like hell he found a naked Eric sprawled on their bed, playing with himself.

  Once Tagh arrived, he took a few moments to stand there and drink in the erotic scene before him.

  God, can life get any better?

  Chapter Nine

  Eric almost shot his load when Tagh stopped just inside their bedroom and watched him. A slow-building heat consumed him as he fisted his cock, while he slid the thin dildo in and out of his ass. He wanted to be ready for his mate. His body badly needed to be fucked. He’d spent the whole day walking around with a plug in, making sure he’d well and truly stretched his ass. Also, he really liked the feeling of being full.

  “Are you going to help me out, or just stand there gawking all day?” Eric hissed the very second he managed to peg his prostrate. “I want to suck you while you suck me and play in my ass with this toy.”

  He’d learnt from the beginning that sex with Tagh was better when he came right out and said exactly what he wanted. He wasn’t disappointed when Tagh stripped and lay on his back on the bed.

  “Why don’t you get on top and give me a taste of your pretty cock?” Tagh slapped Eric lightly on his balls and sent a delightful shiver surging through him.

  No need to tell me twice.

  Eric turned around and straddled Tagh’s face. He took a few seconds to fuck his mate’s mouth before leaning forward and sucking Tagh deeply. He whimpered as Tagh wiggled and rotated the toy in his ass. He rocked ever so slightly when Tagh flicked the small switch, sending vibrations through them both.

  The very taste of his mate was addictive and Eric knew he would never survive if he lost the right to be this intimate with Tagh. He moaned as Tagh alternated between slapping his ass, playing with the toy and sucking on his cock. So many sensations at once. The bite of the slap and the vibration of the toy combined with the heat of Tagh’s mouth were an aphrodisiac to Eric. The best part was that Tagh could fuck him all night long and never tire. There had been plenty of nights where Eric had only to move in the slightest way and Tagh would be on him, taking him in every position they could think of.

  One of Tagh’s ways of making love was different to his. Tagh loved it when he could watch them in the mirror. Eric knew right now Tagh was watching them in the one over the bed. A shiver of delight ghosted over him, knowing Tagh would be watching that toy slide in and out of Eric’s ass as they sucked each other off. Eric had never felt sexier. His body trembled with appreciation while he fulfilled his lover’s every desire. Why should Tagh have all the fun? They had to change positions. Right now.

  Eric let Tagh’s penis slip from his mouth. “Time to swap. Want you to fuck me through the bed in about five seconds flat.” His body quivered in time with the thrum of the toy still buried in his ass. “Before that, though, I need to lick your balls. It’s been driving me mad that they were so close and I couldn’t reach them. Stroke your cock while I play.”

  The heat in Tagh’s eyes was overwhelming. Eric waited until Tagh grabbed his own cock and stroked it up and down close to his body, giving Eric better access. Eric had never known how much of a ball man he’d become until the first time he’d gotten the guts to lick Tagh for nearly an hour straight. Every time he’d thought Tagh had gotten close to spilling, he would stop and press his nose into the heavy sac. The fact that Tagh was hairless down there turned him on even more.

  He knew he wasn’t going to be able to draw their playing out tonight because right now he really needed for Tagh to use his cock to plow his ass. Spreading his legs, Eric moved until they were in a position for him to sit and press his toy deeper. He moaned in want as he swiped his tongue over his lover’s balls.

  “Enough.” Tagh released the hold he had on his cock and lifted Eric to his feet. “You have teased me enough, mate, and it’s time to pay the piper.”

  Eric grinned as Tagh helped him kneel in the armchair so they were facing the mirror. He inhaled sharply as Tagh yanked the toy from his ass and replaced it with a hard thrust of his cock, filling him to the hilt. He clutched at the back of the chair as Tagh fucked him with strong determination. While Eric watched their reflections, Tagh’s gaze seemed riveted to where his cock now reamed Eric’s ass, and Eric loved every moment, knowing he could make his lover lose control.

  The first time Eric had realized how long it actually took Tagh to come had shocked the hell out of him, but now they made a game of it to see how many times Tagh could make Eric come before he finished. He knew his lover was close by how hard he gripped Eric’s hips as they fucked. Tagh had told him that once the ceremony had been completed, it would take anywhere up to six minutes for Tagh to finish orgasming. Most people might have been scared by that fact, but Eric couldn’t wait. When Tagh came, he didn’t stop—he evidently still had enough energy in him to continue thrusting into Eric, riding the wave with him.

  Eric moaned when Tagh helped him stand. They somehow turned the chair and Eric knew they were going to end up in another of Tagh’s favored positions. He grinned at his lover in the mirror as Tagh sat and brought Eric into his lap. Eric did the same thing he did every time they wound up this way. He rotated his ass, trying to get Tagh as deep as possible. Then he lay back, spread his legs, and stared
into the mirror as Tagh wrapped one hand around Eric’s cock and fondled Eric’s balls with the other.

  “Love you like this,” Tagh mumbled against his shoulder.

  Eric had no words by that point. All he could focus on was the emotional storm surging through him. Heat crashed over him, followed closely by a full-body shiver. A fine film of sweat ghosted across his exposed flesh. He used his hands to spread his legs farther, wanting Tagh to have as much access as possible. In doing so, it exposed them enough so he could see Tagh’s rock-hard cock invading his body. There would never be a more erotic sight in all the world. They both moaned in unison as Eric squirmed on Tagh’s lap.

  When Tagh kissed his shoulder, Eric brought his hands up and began pinching his own nipples. He needed a tiny bite of pain to keep him focused. He panted in want when Tagh lightly slapped his balls.

  “You keep that up and it’ll all be over and done with, and I know you’re not ready for this to be over yet.”

  Eric shook his head and immediately dropped his hands.

  “Good boy.”

  “No!” Eric complained when Tagh let go and helped Eric stand. The slide of Tagh’s cock pulling free of his ass was unwanted and Eric tried to remain seated.

  “Stop fighting me.” Tagh chuckled. “Or I’ll never get back inside you.”

  Tagh led him back to the bed and laid Eric out on his back. “Hold on to the top of the bed.”

  When Eric did as told, Tagh seemed to be willing to move again. He lifted Eric’s lower half until his ass rested on Tagh’s thighs. Eric’s heart raced as Tagh pushed at Eric’s legs and held them wide apart. The slowness of Tagh thrusting back inside him was quickly becoming too much. Eric’s body flamed with desire as Tagh picked up his pace and rode him hard. The way he held Eric’s body at the perfect angle to peg him was Eric’s undoing. Each graze against his prostate hurtled him toward the orgasm ripping through him.