A Mage's Power

by Casey Wolfe

“So, when do I move in?”

  That took Rowan off guard. “Excuse me?”

  “Well, I figure being bonded means we get to sleep in the same bed,” Shaw teased. “Among other things.”

  Rowan scoffed but was smiling all the same. It faded as he fully considered Shaw’s original statement. “You’d really move here? What about your home? Your squad?”

  Shaw looked rather confident as he answered, “They’ll understand. I love them—don’t get me wrong—but I love you more. And you? I know you’d never leave this place.”

  Rowan worried his lower lip. “I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it… Maybe?” Even he could hear the doubt.

  Shaw laughed. “You’re not very convincing.”

  “Well, it’s not like there’s ever been anything to consider.”

  “Don’t.” Shaw shifted off him to sit. “This is your home, Ro. That means it’s mine too.”

  Rowan was touched, but at the same time, he couldn’t justify Shaw throwing his whole life away. “What about your job?”

  Shaw shrugged. “Might be able to work something out.”

  “But, your friends—” Rowan tried again, only to be cut off by a fierce kiss.

  “I’m going to have to keep using that trick,” Shaw mused.

  Rowan swatted him. “You’re not getting out of this,” he warned. “We need to have a serious talk about this.”

  “Later.” Shaw stood, reaching down to help Rowan up. “Right now, I have other things in mind.”

  “Damn you,” Rowan muttered, letting himself be led toward the bedroom. “That is just not fair.”

  “Never claimed to play by the rules, darling.”

  “I DON’T LIKE this plan,” Caleb said—for the third time since arriving.

  “Caleb?” Rowan looked over his shoulder. “We’ve got it, alright?”

  Caleb huffed but stayed quiet. Which was fine by Rowan, who went back to looking through his grandmother’s books.

  They were in the turret room, which meant Caleb started to wander, touching everything. Rowan didn’t mind, knowing Caleb wouldn’t break anything—at least not on purpose. Really, it was about Caleb leaving his scent behind, whether he realized it or not.

  “Why are there two?” Caleb asked. He was holding the blood vial necklaces where they were hanging from a hook on the side of the bookcase.

  “One’s Shaw’s.”

  Caleb quirked a brow, letting go of the vials. “Yeah, that was the plan. The other mine, then?”

  “No, one is Shaw’s blood.”

  “What? Why?”

  Rowan’s lips twitched up into a brief smile. “He wanted me to be able to find him too.”

  Caleb’s face softened. “That’s…that’s actually really sweet.”

  “Romantic at heart,” Rowan teased.

  Caleb gave him a little shove. “I’m just happy you’re happy.” He leaned back against the table, glancing at the book. “Whatcha doin’ anyway? Been glued to that thing since I got here.” Caleb was getting nervous, not wanting Rowan to be alone, as though somehow the Inquisition were going to figure out their plan. Thus, he’d shown up shortly after Shaw had left for the temple.

  “Looking to see what Gram had about bondings.” There was no reason to lie about it.

  “Bondings?” It was said carefully. “Ro…”

  “I love him.” Rowan looked over, meeting Caleb’s honey eyes. “He’s the one.”

  “I don’t doubt that.” He twined their fingers together. “But we’re not talking marriage here. You’re talkin’ about bonding.” Caleb licked his lips. “What’s wrong with waiting a while? If you’re certain, then he’s not going anywhere.”

  That made Rowan grin. “Since when are you the reasonable one?”

  “Fuck off,” Caleb said, shoving Rowan, but he was chuckling all the same. “I mean it. Have you thought this through? You’re not just jumping into this?”

  “I have,” Rowan assured him.

  Caleb was pensive. As the silence stretched, while Caleb was clearly debating on something, Rowan raised a brow. Sighing, Caleb asked, “Have you ever considered the fact it could be false? Planted emotions?”

  Rowan was horrified by the mere suggestion. His argument was cut off before it even began.

  “No, listen. It’s a fair question. The guy’s an empath. I don’t want to think that he’s taking advantage. I mean, I think he’s being genuine. But, how well do we really know him? He could be projecting anything he wants onto you.”

  Rowan shook his head. “He wasn’t allowed to use his abilities on me. Not until recently.”

  “Really?” Caleb appeared relieved. “That’s… That’s good.”

  There was more, though; Rowan could tell. “What?”

  “We still don’t truly know him, Ro. It’s been—what?—a couple months?”

  “You think he’s using me?” Rowan crossed his arms over his chest.

  “What if he is?”

  Rowan threw his hands up, walking away as he muttered, “Unbelievable.”

  “Ro! Don’t be like that! It’s a valid concern.” He snagged Rowan’s arm, spinning him around. The beseeching look made Rowan hear him out. “This guy showed up out of nowhere, working for the Inquisition and keeping secrets. What else isn’t he telling us? What if it’s a ruse to, I dunno, get ahold of someone like you for their fucking experiments? We could be playing right into their hands!”

  Rowan understood the concern, but he still had to reason. “Seducing me helps how? If they wanted me so bad, they’d simply arrest me.”

  Caleb opened his mouth, then closed it. He tried once more, holding up his finger, but that time Caleb cut himself off with a grumble. “You make a point.”

  Rowan chuckled, holding Caleb’s shoulders. “I love you. And I’m glad you’re looking out for me. But…put aside the conspiracy for a moment? Please? Just…” Rowan sighed. “Lose all the shit going on with the Inquisition. Look at us.” He paused, meeting Caleb’s eyes. “What do you think?”

  Caleb licked his lips, gaze drifting away. Rowan let him think a bit. When Caleb looked at him again, it was with a smile curling at his lips. “It’s kind of ridiculous how you two work.”

  Rowan let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “You mean that?”

  “Ro, I’d have to be blind not to notice.”

  “So,” he ventured, “you’re okay with this?”

  “I don’t really think it’s the right time, given what’s goin’ on, but…” Caleb heaved a sigh, smile growing. “I love you, and I’m happy for you.”

  Rowan pulled him into a bone-crushing hug, both of them laughing. “Thank you.”

  “Hey, I can’t say I blame you.” Caleb looked a little sheepish as he admitted, “I’m kind of a little jealous, honestly. I can’t imagine how it feels, to find that person and just know.”

  Being a were-creature meant Caleb would be able to identify his destined mate by coming into physical contact, although wolves were known to pick them out by scent alone. Caleb was more than a little heartsick, waiting to feel that pull, distracting himself with pleasure and companionship where he could find it. While some might choose not to trade bites and seal their mate bonds, for Caleb, it would be a dream come true.

  Rowan smiled gently, nuzzling at Caleb’s cheek. “You will.”

  Caleb held him in return, rubbing their heads together.

  HE WOULD BE expected at the temple soon, not that Shaw cared. He had to change clothes, but his real purpose of going back to the apartment was for the privacy it offered. It didn’t hurt that there were silencing spells put on the walls, floor, and ceiling.

  Even knowing they had left for their mission already, that didn’t stop Shaw from dialing Thalanil’s phone. It would be in his footlocker—all their cell phones would be—but the message would be waiting when they returned.

  “Hey, Thal, can you put this on speaker?” He waited a moment to allow for Thalanil to do so before saying, “Hope
you guys are all okay. I’m going a little crazy even thinking about it. I’ll want a full debrief, you know. But that’s not why I called. I, uh… Shite, I didn’t really think this through. That mage I mentioned, Thal? Well, we’re getting bonded. I don’t know when or anything. Hell, we could be already by the time you get this. I just—I needed to share. I know you guys will love him as much as I do.” Shaw took a deep breath. “Well, call me when you can. Hopefully, I’ll have Marcus back soon.”

  Hanging up, Shaw felt his happiness wane into unfulfillment. Being an empath, he was always more in tune with his emotions than other people. Not having that sense of excitement returned was threatening to make him slip to the other end of the spectrum.

  Yeah, and who do you have to call? Shaw thought bitterly. His only friends were his squad. He supposed he could now count Caleb among them, but Rowan would want to speak with him first, no doubt. Rhys was a commander, not a friend, and he didn’t speak to his parents.

  “Hale.” A slow smile spread across Shaw’s face. Hale may have been Marcus’s sire, but he had rather adopted the whole squad—he was naturally paternal that way. Shaw dialed before he could talk himself out of it.

  “Shaw? Is everything alright? Have you found him?”

  He was hit with a pang of guilt. Of course Hale would assume that was the reason he would call. “Nothing’s wrong,” Shaw assured him. “I’ve got a new lead. It should take me straight to wherever Mar is.”

  Hale sighed. “You have no idea how glad I am to hear it.”

  “You and me both. Believe me.” Shaw grew more frustrated with every passing day that Marcus wasn’t back at his side.

  “I assume you weren’t calling about that. Nothing Rhys couldn’t have told me.”

  Shaw smirked, teasing, “You’re good.”

  “I raised eight kids. I know the tricks.”

  “Touché.” Shaw had no reason to feel nervous about his announcement, but his gut twisted all the same. “I met someone.”

  “Oh?”

  “Rowan. He’s a mage. Actually, he just made high master and was put on the Masters Board for the guild here.” There was no keeping the pride out of his voice. “He’s brilliant, selfless, funny, warm…”

  Hale chuckled. “You sound absolutely smitten.”

  “Who the hell uses that word anymore?”

  “I’m almost a thousand. I’m fairly certain I can use whatever words I like.” Hale sounded amused. “Now, no changing the subject. Tell me more about this Rowan.”

  And Shaw did. He talked at length about Rowan’s achievements, his personality, and may have gone on a little too long about those gorgeous purple eyes of his. “He’s just… He’s perfect. And I don’t mean that he doesn’t have flaws.”

  “Only that he’s perfect for you,” Hale finished.

  “Exactly.”

  “So, when’s the wedding?” he asked knowingly.

  Shaw cleared his throat. “Well, it’s funny you should mention that.”

  “Don’t tell me…”

  “We got to talking last night and…we discussed being blood bonded.”

  “That’s a dangerous endeavor, Shaw. That’s even ignoring the fact this is all very soon.”

  “I know it is, but he’s the one. I feel it!”

  “So, go down to the courthouse. Better yet? Wait until you find that pain-in-the-ass son of mine, and your squad is back, and have a nice little wedding somewhere. Why a blood bond?”

  “It’s not like we can have a true mating bond. This is the closest thing we’ll ever have.”

  Hale hummed, and then after a moment, sighed. “I understand. I can’t exactly say you shouldn’t. However, blood magic…? Well, we know our share. I worry about how well he could perform such a binding. It’s not exactly a process that’s taught anymore.”

  “I hear ya.” Shaw couldn’t blame Hale for his concern. It was more than valid. “Ro knows what he’s doin’ with blood magic, though, like I said. He wouldn’t do anything he wasn’t sure about.” Shaw smiled, thinking of Rowan bent over his books. “You should see him when he’s working.”

  “Smitten,” Hale reiterated, trying not to laugh. “If you’re certain, then I wish you all the best in the world, Shaw. For you and your Rowan.”

  “Thanks, Hale.”

  “And if he wants to discuss blood magic, you give him my number. We have no shortage of resources here for him.”

  Shaw chuckled. “Knowing him, he’s probably gotten it all figured out already.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  THE POND BESIDE the cottage was bathed in moonlight. Fireflies danced around them, crickets chirping, with the frogs occasionally chiming in. An owl hooted, taking flight and crossing over the water. The night was undoubtedly, in a word, perfect.

  “You’re sure about this?” Rowan checked.

  Shaw smiled up at him. “Are you seriously asking me again? Look,” he continued, cutting off Rowan’s reply, “I’m not about to try and explain whatever this is between us. We’re soul mates. It’s just something I know.”

  Rowan smiled in return, ducking his head to kiss him gently. “I feel the same. Just good to hear you say it.”

  Shaw held out his hand, showing the blood-filled vial necklace that matched Rowan’s own. “Let’s do this.”

  It had only taken Rowan five days to figure out the proper bonding spell. Well, four days, actually, but he had spent a final afternoon going over it again, just to be sure. It had already gotten a seal of approval from both Sacha and Hale—it turned out that Marcus’s sire really knew his stuff—but it hadn’t stopped Rowan from making doubly sure.

  Cradling Shaw’s hand, Rowan took his necklace off’. He placed both of them on Shaw’s palm, putting his hand on top so the vials were sandwiched in-between. “Ready?”

  Taking a deep breath, Shaw nodded. “Just repeat what you say, right?”

  “That’s right.” The corner of Rowan’s mouth ticked up. “Relax. You’ll do fine.”

  It was Rowan’s turn to take a deep breath, his eyes glowing as he tapped into his magic. He started the spell, pausing after each word to hear Shaw’s echo. “Cuore.” Heart. “Anima.” Soul. “Sangue.” Blood. “Vincolato.” Bonded. “Coniugo.” Mate.

  Shaw gasped and Rowan’s mouth fell open, but nothing came out. They were frozen in place, with a sensation that all the air had left them and they were suspended in time and space. Rowan swore he felt his heart stop.

  After what seemed to be an eternity, an energy slammed into them with such force that it knocked them backward. Rowan stumbled, coughing as air rushed into his lungs.

  Shaw grabbed him, gulping in air as well. “What… What was that?”

  Rowan took a deep breath, looking over at Shaw. A smile slowly appeared on his face. “That,” Rowan answered, “was our energies binding together.”

  Slowly, Shaw smiled back. Then he started to laugh. Straightening, he pulled Rowan into his arms and proceeded to kiss him breathless once again.

  Rowan could feel the magic ebbing and flowing between them. The overwhelming emotions were running on a loop from Shaw—nothing that he was able to control. Rowan fed into that, pushing out with all the love he was experiencing in that moment.

  “Take me to bed,” Rowan panted against Shaw’s lips.

  Shaw’s grin held intent. “Read my mind, darlin’.”

  Rowan’s quip about “That’s not part of the bond” was cut off with a fierce kiss.

  THERE WAS A pleasant ache of muscles to accompany the thrumming of energy in his chest. Shaw knew he was smiling like an idiot as he stared up at the ceiling. One arm was behind his head, the other was snaked around Rowan’s back, supporting him as he snuggled against Shaw’s side.

  Rowan’s touch was featherlight against Shaw’s skin. “I could stay like this indefinitely,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to Shaw’s shoulder.

  “Me too.” Shaw turned his head to brush his lips across Rowan’s temple. “I think, eventually, the rest o
f the world’s gonna have something to say ’bout that.”

  Ignoring his comment, Rowan played with the blood vial lying on Shaw’s chest. “When I have time, I’ll attach this to your mer scale. It can sit behind it.”

  On one hand, Shaw felt like arguing against hiding it, but he realized what Rowan meant. “The scale will protect it; that’s for certain.”

  “Mine will be a bit more tricky.”

  Shaw scrounged between them to get hold of both Rowan’s vial and that brilliant blue stone of his. “They don’t really go together,” he agreed, the two charms clinking.

  “Maybe I can carve out a piece of the gem,” Rowan suggested. “I can inset the vial, without the casing.”

  “Now that will look pretty wicked.” Shaw leaned over to kiss him. Modifying the charms like that was greatly symbolic of Rowan bringing Shaw so deeply into his life, into himself—whether Rowan had meant it that way or not.

  “Mmm, be right back,” Rowan said as he reluctantly extracted himself.

  Shaw heard him go into the bathroom. He rubbed at his chest at an odd sensation there, dismissing it as nothing important. It was that lack of feeling once he heard Rowan move from the bathroom into the kitchen that made him pay attention. There was no pain, just a distinct lack of…something.

  Before Shaw had time to truly question it, Rowan returned with two glasses, as did the unknown feeling. A flood of warmth swept over his body as he stared at Rowan open-mouthed. “What in the world…?”

  Momentarily taken off guard himself, Rowan eventually smiled and sat on the bed, one leg pulled up under him. He passed over a glass of water after Shaw sat up. “That’s the bond. We can sense each other’s presence now. I suspect it will grow stronger over time. And your empathy’s likely to make it more sensitive, I imagine.”

  “That’s incredible.” Shaw laughed, shaking his head.

  He hadn’t genuinely known what he was getting into with this bond. Admittedly, he’d simply jumped in headfirst. It wasn’t as if Rowan hadn’t explained the process thoroughly, but even he hadn’t been sure of all that might happen. Ancient magic no longer performed didn’t exactly come with a manual.