by Marie Medina
Lane handed his shovel to Edmund without saying anything, and he hugged Owen before walking away, heading down the road away from the cemetery alone. Edmund took Owen’s shovel from his hand and set them all aside before leading Owen over to a stone bench and making him sit down. He actually knelt down before Owen and took out a handkerchief to clean the dirt and sweat from his face.
“Something more than grief seems to be weighing on your mind,” Edmund said.
Owen urged Edmund to sit beside him, taking his hand once he was seated. “Now this part is over, I don’t know what to do next. She left me the farm, and I need to decide what to do.” He paused and met Edmund’s gaze. “About everything.”
“I can listen if you need to talk it out. No one expects you to handle all of this quickly by any means.”
“I know, but I began thinking just now. I’d already given it some thought to keep myself from going crazy.”
“Based on the few things you’ve said, it seems you enjoyed the time you did spend with her,” Edmund said. “Perhaps staying here for at least a little while would do you some good. Even if you have no inclination to stay.”
“All I know for sure is that I want you with me.”
Edmund smiled and squeezed his hand. “That’s a start. I can be flexible, despite my reluctance to leave the lodge.”
“You were coming to surprise me? Or were you worried about Lane? Just realized I hadn’t even asked you,” Owen said, feeling bad even though he knew he had good reason to not be thinking straight about anything.
“I intended to come separately from Lane, yes, as a surprise. I figured you wouldn’t expect me. I’d half expected Lane to return before I even set out. I thought he might be staying to encourage you about me. I hoped he might’ve met someone, secretly.”
Owen laughed, despite the gloom surrounding them. “Lane’s thought of as quite handsome. And mysterious. I think he’ll have no trouble meeting lots of women if he stays here a while.”
“We’ll both stay as long as you want us. All three of our horses are here with us, and the cats can all feed themselves quite well. We don’t have anything to return for just yet.”
Owen looked to the road, but Lane was already out of sight. “If I offered Lane the house and farm, would he take it? Want to live here?”
“Hmmm. He might object to just taking it without paying you anything.”
“I couldn’t sell it. I didn’t build it or pay for any part of it. I didn’t plant the vegetables or raise the chickens or anything. I’d rather give it to someone.”
“How about asking him to take care of it for you? He’d take to that wording much better, even if he suspected you were trying to give it to him.”
“Maybe. I thought about Ryan as well. He already does so much, and his parents’ farm is right next door.” He sighed and closed his eyes, leaning against Edmund. “I just don’t know.”
“And no one expects you to. It’s only been a couple of days.”
“I haven’t even asked you what you want.” Owen drew back and looked up into Edmund’s eyes. “I tell you that you can’t leave my side then don’t even consult you.”
Edmund tilted his head. “I thought that was what we were doing right now.”
“Kind of, but what do you think? The lodge is wonderful, but it is isolated. The farm’s nice, but it’s small. I don’t want to give up my travels completely.” He stopped and shrugged. “Tell me what you think.”
Edmund cupped his cheek. “I think I’ll follow wherever you lead. Given what I’ve survived in the past, I could be happy anywhere if you wanted me there with you.”
“Such a sweet answer.” He pressed Edmund’s hand to his cheek. “Meant to distract me so I don’t demand a real one.”
“That is a real one.”
Owen went still, genuinely surprised. “You’d travel with me? Despite everything?”
“Everything?”
“How people would react. All that. I don’t feel I’m worthy of … asking for that.”
Edmund drew him near for a chaste kiss. “I can assure you that you are, but you must believe that in your heart as well. Think on it, and we’ll do the work we must the next few days. You don’t have to decide anything right now.”
Owen swallowed, feeling so tired yet so content, which confused him. “Kiss me again. We’ve barely touched, and I know why, but I want more right now. Just another kiss.”
Edmund lowered his head and captured Owen’s mouth, calming all of his doubts and fears for those few stolen moments.
****
Edmund sat in a chair in Owen’s aunt’s bedroom, sorting through the books on the series of small shelves lining the wall on the far side of the room. Even though Owen hadn’t come to a conclusion about what to do, he wanted to go through all of his aunt’s personal items to be sure he didn’t lose anything special. Owen saw it as his last chance to get to know her more. Edmund watched him for a while as he sat at the small desk in the corner arranging old letters into piles. He hadn’t read any of them yet, perhaps seeing it as an invasion of privacy this soon after Anita’s death. Edmund glanced at a small sketch they’d found, not seeing much family resemblance. But Owen had said he resembled his father more. Only a few memories of Anita existed for Edmund, and he was almost certain they’d never had a conversation. He’d had no way of knowing, of course, but he secretly wished he had at least one story to tell Owen about her.
“How’s it going?” Owen asked suddenly, jolting Edmund from his thoughts.
“Most of them are poetry collections. A few have inscriptions from George, the brother of the man who showed up after the ceremony, I’d assume.”
Owen seemed intrigued. “Really? Does it seem like they were involved? I guess it doesn’t matter now, but I have been searching for letters from him.” He indicated the piles of correspondence. “Nothing yet. Whether they were just friends or something more, seems they must’ve cared for each other. Perhaps that’s all that matters.”
“He uses words like fond and dear, but they’re a bit vague. Perhaps on purpose.”
Owen sighed. “Once I knew about the reason I’d never met the rest of my family, I looked at my parents very differently. I never stopped loving them, but it bothered me that they’d deliberately hurt another that way. I always thought my father was a good man.”
“Good people do bad things. Perhaps he learned from his mistake. Tried to be as good as possible for you. To raise you with love.”
Owen gathered the letters and put them in a small trunk, closing it and then moving closer to Edmund. He sat on the end of the bed and said, “You never seem to blame Grace for what she did. You blame others. The gods chose her to love you, through the bad as well as the good. Did it take you a long time to forgive her?”
“Forgive isn’t really the word. She was so young, not sheltered but naïve. I was hurt and resented her. I guess I saw her as weak at first. But I was already bitter enough. I cared for her enough to wish her well. It’s hard to say after all this time. But I don’t begrudge her the life she lived without me.” He put down the two books in his hands. “Do you forgive your parents for what they did? Is that what’s on your mind?”
“I don’t know if I forgive them or not. If I’m angry my aunt never tried to reconcile.” Owen shook his head slowly. “My aunt said she’d come to peace with it all. I guess I believed her. I don’t even know who I’m angry at. What I’m sad about.”
“Loss. Isn’t it obvious? You wanted more time to figure out how you felt. It’s hard to find closure when you can’t talk to the other person.”
“Maybe.” Owen looked to the trunk they’d filled with clothes. “What should we do with them? I couldn’t throw them away. Would it be right to give them away?”
“Her will said she was fine with you disposing of everything the way you wished, even up to giving the house and farm away. Seems it wouldn’t be in poor taste, if someone needs them.” Edmund looked around the room as he thought.
“Perhaps ask Hattie. She’d be able to tell you what your aunt might’ve wanted. What would be seen as appropriate. There’s nothing wrong with you asking us all for help.”
Owen rubbed his eyes. “I’m so tired. My mind races.” He half stood and went down on his knees, hugging Edmund and snuggling close from his position on the floor. “I’d be half crazy without you here.”
“Let me bite you tonight. I know you say you sleep better with me near, but I can tell you lie awake a lot. Thinking and worrying.” They hadn’t made love since their reunion, and Edmund didn’t want to pressure Owen, even though he thought the release might do him good.
“Do I keep you up?” Owen asked, pulling back with a look of concern on his face.
Edmund couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “No. My love for you keeps me vigilant.”
Owen stiffened, his eyes flicking up to meet Edmund’s gaze.
“I want to give you time, but I can’t go on without saying that I do love you. I need you to know I’ll do anything and everything to help you.”
Owen seemed flustered, and he buried his face in Edmund’s neck. “Just hold me. Don’t let go.”
They stayed like that a long time, until Owen began to relax against him, his breathing changing. Edmund carried him to bed in the other room and slipped in beside him. Owen stirred as Edmund spooned against him.
“Bite me. I want you to,” Owen said quietly.
Edmund pushed the collar of Owen’s shirt aside and kissed his neck twice before sinking his fangs in. He drank slowly, only taking a little, and then he settled in under the covers as Owen slipped into a deep and much needed sleep.
Chapter Seven
Owen listened to Lane and Edmund talking in the other room. It had been four days since Edmund had told Owen he loved him. His lover didn’t seem impatient for an answer, but Owen didn’t feel right about going back to the lodge with him without making his feelings clear. Yet he was afraid.
He knew both Edmund and Lane would laugh if they knew that, but he couldn’t help it. Maybe they weren’t living in a storybook full of enchantments, but Owen still felt as if he was in some kind of a dream. It still stung every day to think that he no longer had any blood relative—and it likely would for some time—but he began to feel more each day that he was part of a new family.
Walking over to the doorway, Owen cleared his throat. Both men stopped talking and looked up from their work. “I’ve been thinking about something,” Owen said as he came into the room and sat down.
“What?” Edmund asked, though the look on his face said he knew what Owen was about to say.
“Well, we’re almost done packing up all of the personal stuff. It only makes sense to leave most of the furniture and cooking stuff and all.” He turned his gaze to Lane. “With me going back to the lodge, I was wondering if you’d look after the farm for me. I’m just not cut out to take care of it.”
Lane blinked, his mouth hanging open a moment before he said, “All right, uh, well, sure. Yeah.” He grinned at both of them. “But I think it’s more to do with you two wanting privacy.”
Owen tried to ignore his flaming cheeks. “Maybe. But also, with me there, Edmund won’t be alone. You’ve made friends here now, and you do need your own life. And privacy.”
“You gonna start acting all fatherly now? Hmmm.” Lane laughed. “It’s sort of cute.”
Owen rolled his eyes but still laughed. “I’m trying to do what’s best for all of us. You know you can come home if you don’t like it here or can’t manage it alone.”
“Hey, I can manage it just fine. And Ryan can help me. There’s nothing here one big strong man can’t handle with a little help now and then.”
“And maybe before long you’ll have a few strapping sons to help you out,” Edmund said, a smile on his face.
Lane actually turned a little red as he tried to shrug off the comment. “I’ve made friends, all right? One step at a time.”
Edmund smirked. “Like someone your age needs to be convinced he needs to get la—”
“All right, that’s enough of that kind of talk.” Lane closed the lid of the trunk he’d been filling. “I’m going for a walk now. Enjoy the night air.” He rushed from the room without waiting for them to reply.
Owen crossed his arms, pretending to be angry. “That was mean.”
“He’ll get over it.” Edmund sat back in his chair. “I’m glad that’s what you decided on.”
Owen walked across the room and sat on Edmund’s lap. “I think it’ll work out best for all of us. And more privacy will be a bonus.”
Edmund’s arms encircled Owen’s waist. “It will be nice to fuck you in any room at any time.”
Owen laughed, the warmth of arousal spreading over his body. “There’s something I want you to know before we go home.”
Edmund’s face grew serious. “Is something wrong?”
Owen shook his head. “No. Not at all.” He ran one hand up Edmund’s chest before circling it around his neck. “It just doesn’t seem right for us to start this next phase without you knowing,” he paused and moved his hand to Edmund’s cheek, “that I’m in love with you, too.”
Edmund stared at him for so long without reacting that Owen began to worry. He chewed his lip and finally asked, “What is it?”
Edmund kissed Owen’s palm before nibbling at the flesh there. “Savoring the moment.”
Owen let out the breath he’d been holding. “You scared me.”
Edmund laughed loudly before rising effortlessly with Owen in his arms. “Whatever. You know I love you more than anything.”
Owen rested his head on Edmund’s shoulder, somewhat embarrassed. “I thought you didn’t believe me.”
Edmund carried him into the bedroom they’d been sharing and kicked the door shut. “Why wouldn’t I believe you?” Edmund set him on his feet and began slowly undressing him.
That made it pretty hard for Owen to think. “I worried you’d think I was saying it because you had. Or because I’m sort of moving in with you.”
“Sort of? I believe you were the one who demanded I never leave your side.” Edmund pushed Owen’s shirt off his shoulders and then knelt to draw his boots off. He feathered light kisses and licks over Owen’s torso, palming Owen’s erection before unlacing his pants and sliding them down. His mouth moved over Owen’s hip before his lips and tongue brushed the shaft.
Owen made a strangled sound when Edmund’s mouth engulfed him. His head fell back as he reached out to grip the bedpost. Edmund’s tongue wouldn’t let up, and his hot mouth felt far too good.
“Slow down,” Owen said, pleading almost as he grew dizzy.
Edmund pushed him onto the bed and knelt over him, licking the length of his shaft. “I can’t.” He took Owen to the back of his throat again.
Stars danced behind his lids as Owen gripped the bedclothes beneath him and cried out Edmund’s name, mixing in incoherent words of love as the orgasm took over his body. Every nerve jolted with pleasure as he practically melted under Edmund.
****
Edmund swallowed Owen’s cum greedily as he enjoyed the sounds of Owen’s pleasure and the delightful way he trembled and gripped at the bed as if holding on for dear life. Edmund carefully pulled his mouth off Owen’s cock, though he couldn’t resist giving the head a teasing lick, as he knew how extra sensitive Owen always was just after coming. He was rewarded with a cute little whimper as Owen’s hips jerked, and then he began kissing Owen’s thighs.
“I thought … my heart would pound right out of my chest,” Owen said.
Edmund stood and stripped as quickly as he could. “Can’t have that. Ever. Will you let me turn you?”
Owen blinked up at him. “Don’t you need permission?”
“I have no family. And it’s just a formality. I wouldn’t let anyone deny me a lifetime with you,” Edmund said as he crawled on top of Owen. “I love you. I was afraid to, but you made it so easy.”
“Then turn me tonight. I’m
not gonna get any better looking.”
Edmund raised one eyebrow as his sated lover began laughing. “I’ll offer you a deal. You stop putting your own looks down, and I’ll vow to never again be paranoid about me. All right?”
Owen grinned up at him. “You’ve got a deal.” But then he shook his head. “But I’m going to keep reminding you how beautiful you are.” He propped himself up for a kiss, tilting his so their lips brush. “Sometimes I get hard just from seeing those blue eyes flick my way.”
Edmund pinned Owen down and kissed him deeply before pushing his head to the side and biting him. He loved the way Owen writhed beneath him, and he had to make himself stop before taking too much. He opened his wrist and let Owen drink, amazed at how erotic the act was. He’d never trusted anyone enough to let them drink directly from him before, and he felt happy he’d saved this part of himself for Owen.
Edmund wanted to give Owen time, but once Edmund had healed his own wound, Owen was all over him, more ravenous than he’d ever been. Giving in felt so sweet Edmund didn’t even think of resisting. Owen only broke his hold to roll beneath Edmund, arching back against him. “I’ve missed you inside me,” Owen said.
Edmund let a growl slip out, enjoying Owen’s responsive shiver as he always did. His animal side would always be a part of him, and it soothed him that Owen embraced it as well. He kissed down Owen’s spine and spread his cheeks wide, very grateful for the length and width of his tongue at the moment, as using it to prepare his lover made the other man practically howl with pleasure. He stretched and laved Owen’s hole until Owen begged to be taken. Excited about how much more primal their joinings could be now that Owen had been turned, Edmund thrust in hard, only waiting to be reassured by Owen’s cry of pleasure. Owen moved against him to encourage the claiming, and time seemed to still as he let go as he never had before.