by AM Halford
“Care to dance, as well?” Nexus asked.
Taking a deep breath, Roy looked up to Nexus and smiled. “I’d love to.”
* * * *
Nexus watched as Calisto and Roy talked. He was glad to see Roy getting along so well with the other man. With all the changes taking place in his life, his little mate was going to need the friend.
“This will be good for Calisto,” Stylianos said, coming to Nexus’s side. “He’s been isolated from his own for too long. Having a like soul for a friend might cheer him up.”
“I wasn’t aware your mate was depressed.” Nexus glanced to his king in concern. “Everything okay?”
Stylianos sighed. “The contract they sign has many rules, and unfortunately one of them is silence to those outside. Plus, Calisto’s last human relative recently passed away. His sister.”
“I’m sorry. The loss of a loved one is hard to take.” A pang of guilt pierced Nexus’s chest as he thought of his friend Lane for a brief moment.
“Yes, but she lived a full life. She was ninety-four and went in her sleep,” the dragon admitted. “Calisto hadn’t seen her in years, at least not face-to-face. He still kept an eye on her though.”
“I understand.” Nexus’s gaze moved to his own sister, sitting at a corner table looking annoyed. “Sisters are a precious bond. I just wish I knew what I did to sever mine.”
“Yes, about Maria.” Stylianos’s voice changed. It was no longer gentle, but the voice of a ruler. “What are you going to do about her?”
“What do you mean?” Nexus frowned at his king.
“I mean…” The dragon met Nexus’s eyes. There was power there, and a reprimand. “She has taken steps to move against you. If you leave her unchecked, she could threaten more than just your seat of power. Remember, you have something far greater than your position to protect now, and a weakness to exploit, as well.” Stylianos looked past Nexus to Roy.
Nexus looked to his mate. It was like a hand reaching into his chest and squeezing his heart as Roy placed his hand on Calisto’s stomach. What Stylianos said was true. Maria could and would use Roy against him to get what she wanted.
“I’ll have her dealt with,” Nexus finally said. “Danyal.”
“Yes, Regulus?” Danyal seemed to materialize out of the crowd, coming to Nexus’s side instantly.
“Remove my sister from the ceremony,” Nexus ordered. “But do it out of sight. I don’t want the reception spoiled.”
“Yes, it shall be done.”
Stylianos placed his hand on Nexus’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I know it isn’t easy, but you’re a leader. The tough decisions come with the mantle.”
Yeah, Nexus was learning that every day he held the title of Regulus. “Excuse me, I need to give my husband my wedding gift.”
“Of course.” Stylianos nodded and went to collect Calisto, pulling him away from Roy.
Nexus just stood there, his eyes fixated on Roy. He fingered a small box in his hand as he considered what the future held for them.
“No reason to hesitate.” Cupid startled him, making Nexus jump slightly at the god’s appearance. “You’re already married, and Roy is coming to accept his new role in life.”
“Yeah, but at what price?” Nexus asked. “Does he truly understand what becoming my mate means for him?”
“You mean that whole living for several centuries thing?” Cupid joked. “No, I haven’t mentioned it. Then again, not my place.”
“Don’t you think he deserves to know that his family will grow old and die around him while he doesn’t age?” Nexus demanded.
“Yes, he does.” Cupid nodded. “But, it isn’t my job to tell him. Being each other’s support, that’s what marriage is all about. Besides, you’re the one that wanted to rush this. So now, go support your husband.” With a gentle shove, Cupid sent Nexus moving forward. At the same time, Roy looked over to him and smiled softly.
Was there ever a more amazing sight?
Nexus had never found one, and he doubted he ever would. He could watch Roy all day. His short brown hair, beautiful brown eyes, and tanned complexion was a vision. He wasn’t as dark as some of his ancestors, but Nexus was certain that was thanks to his mixed heritage. No matter, it made him all the more stunning.
“What?” Roy asked as Nexus finally came to sit beside him. “You’re looking at me really weird.”
“I’m just studying you.” Nexus reached out and touched Roy’s face. “Memorizing your face.”
Roy laughed nervously. “I’m not sure if that’s sweet, or a tad on the creepy side.”
“A bit a both,” Nexus confessed. Fiddling with the box for a moment longer, he just stared into Roy’s eyes. He wasn’t sure what he planned or hoped to find swirling amongst the specks of gold and green. They’d known each other for such a short time, so he couldn’t exactly read Roy yet.
“So, how did all these people get here so quickly?” Roy suddenly asked, breaking eye contact and looking back out to their guests. “Did Cupid use some kind of magic?”
Nexus knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help laughing at that. “No. Ever heard of a last-minute flight?”
Roy blushed and ducked his head. “Guess I’m still adjusting. Of course, an airplane flight makes a lot more sense.”
“Roy.” Nexus took his hand and pulled his attention back to him. “I know our wedding ceremony differs from that of humans, especially in one way.”
“No rings.” Roy bit his bottom lip and looked down to their adjoined hands.
“Right. So, I had these prepared.” Nexus produced the small box and opened it. Inside sat two simple platinum rings. “I’d like to make a vow to you, just between us.” He pulled out the smaller of the bands, and took Roy’s left hand in his own. “I promise that no matter what happens I shall always protect you and cherish you until our last days. You, and the family we will have, shall forever be my top priority.”
Tears glistened in Roy’s eyes as Nexus slid the ring onto his finger. He watched as his mate looked at the wedding ring with a newfound spark in his eyes. Their customs were so different compared to humans. This simple gesture was all Nexus could do to bring a bit of normality back to Roy’s life.
Roy beamed and reached for the ring still sitting in the box. “I guess it’s my turn.”
“You don’t have to.” Nexus hesitated when Roy reached for his hand.
“I want to,” Roy assured him. With a deep breath, Nexus allowed Roy to pull his hand forward and slide the ring into place. “I promise, from this moment on, that I shall be yours and do everything within my ability to support you, and love you.”
“Thank you.” Nexus leaned in and kissed Roy, sealing their private vows. Maybe it was because of the intimacy, but this moment felt far more impactful than their official wedding ceremony earlier. “You’ll never regret trusting me.”
“I’m counting on that.” Roy declared. “And thank you, as well. For this.” He looked down to his ring. “I needed it.”
“I’m glad.” They kissed one more time before Nexus stood and pulled Roy back out onto the dance floor.
The evening continued, with gifts being presented by the leaders in attendance, and well wishes being given. Dinner was a delight, especially considering the short notice. Nexus would have preferred a traditional wedding cake, but with the amount of time they had to get this ceremony done, he hadn’t been expecting it. The cupcake wedding cake was a wonderful alternative and a huge hit with Roy. His mate’s eyes had brightened considerably at the sight of the many chocolatey confections.
“Well, I seem to have underestimated you, brother.” Maria frowned as she walked up to them, a small package in her hands. Nexus held back a growl as he gripped Roy’s hand tightly. Where the hell was Danyal? Why wasn’t she gone already?
“Oh, what’s wrong?” Roy stood and smirked at her. “Kitty need a mouse?”
“Roy,” Nexus warned.
“No, it’s all right.” Maria stepped close
r. “I just came over to give you your wedding gift. From me and our uncles.”
“Thank you.” Roy accepted the box and opened it. “What the hell?” Nexus stood and could only stare in horror at the small skull rattle sitting in the box. Red paint dripped from the small toy, and the stem was broken in half.
“Maria, what’s the meaning of this?” he demanded of his sister.
She shrugged. “Interpret it how you like. Good luck, you two. You’ll need it.”
“Danyal!” Nexus shouted, but she was already leaving.
“Nexus, I…” Roy was shaking as he continued to look at the rattle.
“Get him out of here,” Cupid ordered, coming to their side and claiming the box. “Now!”
With haste, Nexus took Roy’s hand and led him from the hall. Outside they climbed into Nexus’s car, and he instructed his driver to take them home.
“Was that a threat to our future child?” Roy whispered after several moments of tense silence.
“I’ll never let it happen if it is,” Nexus proclaimed, pulling Roy into his arms.
Chapter Eight
Roy was still shaking when they arrived at a cabin—or was it a mansion—in the woods. It was certainly large enough to be a mansion by some’s standards. “Who lives here?” Roy asked as the car parked in front of the building.
“Us.” Nexus smiled proudly at him as he opened the door.
“Who else?” Roy frowned, taking Nexus’s hand and climbing out behind him.
His husband laughed. “Just us. There are a few employees that come and go. Three, to be exact. Two maids and the driver.”
“What? No cook?” Roy mocked.
“Do you want one?” Nexus asked, entirely serious.
“No, I can cook,” Roy quickly verified. Thanks to his upbringing, he actually enjoyed cooking. The evening meal was always a time for family, and preparing the food was a large part of it. Everyone helped. It was why he’d decided to go to culinary school. Maybe that would be something he could impart on his own family.
A flash of that rattle came to mind, and Roy’s hand went to his stomach as he stopped walking. He couldn’t think of any other way to take that gift except as a threat. What kind of person did someone have to be to threaten a child? Even one that not only wasn’t born yet, but hadn’t even been conceived.
“Roy?” Nexus tugged gently on his hand, pulling him from his thoughts. “Are you okay?”
“Your sister and uncles, why would they want to harm our future child?”
“I have no idea.” Nexus pulled Roy to him and held on to him securely. “But I won’t let anything happen to you, or any child we have. If you want, tonight, I can use a condom. Or we can hold off.”
The offer touched Roy, but he knew he couldn’t. A flash of that contract appeared to him, and particularly one part of it. He’d signed his life to guarantee a baby, and nothing could interfere in the first conception.
“You can’t.” Roy sighed, stepping away from Nexus. “But thank you for saying you would.”
Nexus frowned at him and followed him up the stairs. “Why can’t I wear a condom?”
Roy waited patiently for Nexus to unlock the door. He waited until they were inside and away from prying ears before saying, “Because my life is forfeit if we do anything that would hinder the conception of our firstborn.”
“Excuse me?” Nexus growled.
Taking a deep breath, Roy set out to explain the contract he’d signed with Cupid in limbo. About the few but specific clauses listed on it. He stressed the fourth clause, the one pertaining to their inability to use protection of any kind.
“And, judging by Cupid’s words at the reception, we’re expected to consummate our marriage tonight,” Roy finished up.
“Well, fuck.” Nexus tossed his jacket to the back of the couch and turned on a nearby lamp. “That’s some screwed-up fine print. I wish I knew about this ahead of time.”
“No big deal.” Roy shrugged. “I knew about it, and I went ahead with this knowing what is expected of me.”
“I don’t want you to do what is just expected of you,” Nexus argued. “I want you to want me, not to sleep with me out of contractual duty.”
Yeah, he could see how it came off like that. Except where Roy was genuinely starting to like Nexus. He was at least fond of the jaguar.
“I will not force you,” Nexus added on.
That earned him a laugh from Roy. “Sorry, it’s just a bit funny. After everything that’s happened to me since meeting Cupid, I’d say having sex with you ranks on the higher end of the list of good things. Your insane sister threatening our nonexistent child on the bottom end.”
“You want to consummate our marriage?” Nexus asked, a whiskey-deep rumble to his voice as he stalked toward Roy.
“Well, I mean.” Roy backed up until he met a wall. “You’re incredibly good-looking. If I am to lose my virginity, it might as well be with the one Cupid picked out for me.”
“Virginity?” Nexus blinked.
“Uh, yeah. I thought you knew that part.” Roy bit his bottom lip and flexed his hands in and out of a fist. “Only virgins that have been to limbo can be qualified to be the mates of the paranormal. Well, one other requirement must be met, but that is kind of odd.”
“You’ve never been with another man?”
“Or woman.” Roy nodded.
“But you kiss amazingly.” Nexus backed him up, his hand coming up to his face, and thumb tracing Roy’s lips.
Roy trembled as he looked into Nexus’s eyes, his dick stirring slightly. “Yeah, well, kissing doesn’t equal sex. I’ve had my share of boyfriends. I just never let any of them cross that line.”
“I get you all to myself.” Nexus seemed to be lost in whatever thoughts were inside his head as his other hand started rubbing up and down Roy’s side. “No one else knows this body.” Nexus’s hand slid beneath Roy’s dress shirt and across his stomach.
Breathing was suddenly very difficult as Roy concentrated on what Nexus’s hand was doing directly to his body, and indirectly to his dick. His cock grew ever more interested with each pass of Nexus’s hand on his stomach. “Only you,” he managed to say between shallow sips of air.
“Well then.” Nexus moved swiftly, picking Roy up and kissing him deeply. Thankfully he wasn’t standing anymore, because he doubted his legs would’ve held up as his body went limp in Nexus’s arms. Nexus said Roy was an amazing kisser. The guy had to be mocking him. Roy’s head grew light almost instantly as Nexus’s tongue invaded his mouth, claiming his territory and mapping out even more, practically orally fucking him with just his tongue. As Roy’s lungs burned and his cock rose fully to life, Nexus broke the kiss. “Let me do this right.”
“Right?” Roy asked like the inexperience dolt he was.
Nexus just leered at him and carried him up a large staircase. Roy kept his grip around Nexus’s neck, though he was certain his husband didn’t plan to drop him. They walked down a long hallway to a set of double doors. Nexus, using only one hand to hold Roy for a moment, opened one door into a large master bedroom.
A king-sized canopy bed stood directly opposite the door. A sitting area was to the right of them in front of large bay windows. To the right was a single door, leading to what Roy had a decent idea was probably a bathroom or closet, but he was far more focused on the bed and what was about to occur on it.
With great care, Nexus placed Roy on the soft comforter. He stepped back, knelt, and started removing Roy’s shoes.
“What are you doing?” Roy licked his lips as he watched Nexus, at the same time ignoring the insistent pulsing of his dick between his legs, pushing at his underwear and begging to be let out. Considering how long he’d known Nexus, and how long he’d been insistent about not doing it, the fact he desperately wanted this man to fuck him set his head reeling. “I can do that.”
“I know.” Nexus looked up to him. His eyes were smoldering, making Roy’s heart leap in his chest and his dick jerk in
his pants. “But as I said, I’m going to do this right. A first time should be special, even more so for my mate.”
What did he say to that? Roy honestly couldn’t think of anything, so he sat back and let Nexus take control. God, he hoped that was the right choice.
* * * *
Nexus almost purred when Roy stopped asking questions and just leaned back, showing trust in a rather intimate way. Knowing his mate was inexperienced changed everything. The only thing on Nexus’s mind now was showing his mate pleasure. More accurately, how pleasurable it was for two souls to become intertwined as marked mates. Hopefully it wouldn’t scare Roy.
With Roy’s shoes off, he moved to remove his pants and paused as a thin strip of red was revealed. Nexus couldn’t hide his surprise at Roy’s choice in underwear. A man’s thong, perfectly encasing Roy’s hard cock, was certainly unexpected for a man that had no experience.
“Did someone tell you to wear these?” Nexus asked, his fingers gliding beneath the silky fabric, teasing along Roy’s erection and up to his dripping cock head.
“What? Of course not.” Roy squirmed, a blush heating his face. “I find them comfortable. Why, something wrong?”
“Everything is fine,” Nexus growled. He removed Roy’s pants, but decided to leave the thong on. He never really thought about underwear, especially considering the fact he went commando, but damn. Seeing Roy lying on his bed, a white button-up shirt and a thong the only things covering him, had his cock standing at full attention. Just this image alone had him ready to fuck his mate into the mattress, but he controlled himself. This was about Roy, not him.
He removed Roy’s socks finally and started a deep massage at his feet, moving up his calves, continuing to his thighs, and sliding beneath him to knead his ass.
“I could turn over.” Roy bit his bottom lip, his eyelids at half-mast. Nexus didn’t need to hear the heat in Roy’s voice to know he was relishing this. His cock, which was pressing against the thong, a wet spot forming at the front, was evidence enough of his enjoyment.