Elemental Hope

by L. M. Somerton

  “I need to spank you. You need to be spanked. That’s all there is to it.”

  “That argument doesn’t work for me.” Dominic squirmed away. He retreated further up the bed but Evrain grabbed his ankle and pulled him back.

  “I could tie you down and flog you instead.”

  “No! You wouldn’t dare.” Dominic flipped over onto his knees. He attempted to crawl away but Evrain clambered onto the bed and straddled him, pushing him flat into the mattress.

  “A compromise then. You keep absolutely still and I won’t fetch my best flogger from the closet.”

  “Fine.” Dominic grabbed a pillow, thumped it a few times then shoved it beneath his head.

  Evrain smiled. He might not fetch the flogger but he hadn’t placed any other restrictions on himself. Dominic needed to learn to be more specific. Taking a few moments to remove his top, Evrain admired Dominic’s lithe body stretched out on the bed. There was no sign of the silvery green tattoos that had graced his skin. They had been beautiful designs. Evrain wondered if he could persuade Dominic to get some more permanent ink. Some protective sigils perhaps.

  He pictured how the symbols might look whilst fetching a roll of bondage tape from the toy box in the closet. He also extracted a pair of scissors from his washbag on the dresser. He cut a length of the shiny black tape. He liked its tactile nature and the fact that it left no sticky residue on Dominic’s skin.

  “Legs together.” He chuckled. “Now there’s a phrase I don’t use often.”

  Dominic twisted his head so he could give him a dubious look. Before he could work out Evrain’s intention, Evrain slipped the tape beneath Dominic’s ankles then wound it around them in several tight loops.

  “Hey!” Dominic started to struggle just a little. Evrain gave him a sharp smack across the ass.

  “Be still. Put your arms above your head.”

  Damon stretched out with a huff. Evrain used more tape to bind his wrists together then attached them to the headboard with enough slack that he could turn over if Evrain desired it.

  “No warlock tricks?” Dominic asked.

  “Sometimes it’s good to be a bit more…hands on.” Evrain used the scissors to cut down one side of Dominic’s shorts. He flipped the resulting flap of fabric aside, exposing one smooth cheek.

  “What are you doing, Evrain?”

  “Uncovering my property.” He snipped the other seam. There was something satisfying and intensely erotic about seeing Dominic’s ass partially covered by ragged underwear. He pulled the scrap of fabric from beneath Dominic’s body, leaving him naked. Evrain couldn’t resist kneading the muscled cheeks he had exposed. He had to force his finger between them to rub Dominic’s hole. Dominic moaned.

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have tied your legs quite so tightly,” Evrain mused. “Still, you look so pretty like this.” He stripped off his pants and underwear, enjoying the cool air on his overheated skin. “Bring your knees up. I need better access to that gorgeous ass.”

  “Fucking megalomaniac.” Dominic had to engage in a kind of caterpillar crawl to get into position but ended up as Evrain wanted him, head down and ass up.

  “Perfect.” Evrain flexed his fingers. “You know you deserve this, don’t you?” It wasn’t really a question, just an absolute statement of fact. Dominic blushed.

  “There’s no need to feel ashamed of what your body craves.” Evrain rested his hand on the small of Dominic’s back. “Do you understand why I have to punish you?”

  “For rescuing your sorry ass?”

  Evrain gave Dominic’s butt a soft pat. “Try again.” Dominic pushed back against his palm. He smiled.

  “For putting myself at risk.”

  “That’s one reason.”

  “Then I should be punishing you!”

  “That wouldn’t be nearly as much fun for either of us, now would it? What else?”

  “I have no fucking idea.” Dominic squirmed but Evrain allowed him no leverage to rise. “Stop it! You can’t do this.”

  “I think I can. Much as I love to hear you beg, that sounded half-hearted. I don’t think you meant it.” Evrain punctuated his response with several hard slaps. For Evrain the feeling of his open palm connecting with the smooth, firm flesh of Dominic’s perfect ass was incredibly erotic. He knew that he was pushing boundaries, but he also knew that if he wanted to Dominic could stop what was happening at any time. “You also allowed other men to see you naked. To tie you down.”

  “It was necessary,” Dominic snarled. “You think I enjoyed it?”

  “Then you undressed in front of Imelda Krenick. I think you enjoy being naked, Dominic. I should confiscate your clothes and keep you that way all the time. Perhaps then you wouldn’t get up to so much mischief.”

  Dominic groaned. “There’s no reasoning with you, is there? You don’t need to make up excuses to spank me. Just get on with it!”

  “I thought a sense of injustice might make it even better for you.” Evrain chuckled. He could see how aroused Dominic was. His cock was rigid, the silvery gleam of pre-cum evident on its head. “You’re not to come until I allow it.” He landed a firm blow right in the center of Dominic’s ass.

  “I’m too close,” Dominic gasped.

  Evrain glanced around the room. His gaze rested on a copper dish on the dresser. Normally used for loose change or keys, it was currently empty. He picked it up then channeled his power, manipulating the molecules of metal into a new shape. When he was done the smooth copper ring had no joins.

  “Why are you channeling, Evrain? What are you up to?”

  Evrain slipped his hand beneath Dominic’s body. He placed the large ring around the base of his balls then muttered a few more words. The metal contracted and spread, then split into a set of joined rings forming a cage that would act as a very effective chastity device. Dominic ducked his head to peer beneath his body. “What have you done? I hope you know how to get that off.”

  “I told you to research the gates of hell, didn’t I? I never got the chance to go shopping but this is just as good—and the copper looks beautiful against your skin. Now you can focus on your punishment and not be concerned about coming without permission,” Evrain said, feeling smug.

  “You’re too kind.”

  “I know. I need to cultivate more a of a wicked warlock persona. Much sexier.” As if to illustrate his intentions he began to spank Dominic, landing a series of hard blows, his palm cupped. He kept up a steady rhythm, never striking the same place twice. Dominic’s initial yelps faded and his muscles relaxed. Evrain stopped when his hand began to sting. He admired the light red flush that blossomed over Dominic’s ass and thighs.

  “God, that looks delicious.” Evrain grinned and smoothed sore flesh tenderly. “How are you doing?”

  “How do you think?” Dominic sounded dreamy.

  “I think you’re a pain slut and you’re floating on a cloud of happiness about now.” Evrain snipped the tape binding Dominic’s ankles then tapped his calf, encouraging him to spread his legs. Dominic complied. He was breathing hard but seemed almost to be in a trance. “I adore you like this. So trusting. So utterly at my mercy.”

  Dominic answered with a needy whimper. Evrain grabbed the jar of lube. He slicked his middle finger then pushed into the small, tight entrance that beckoned to him so temptingly. He wiggled his finger and was rewarded with a contented sigh.

  “You want to come, don’t you, sweetheart?” Evrain crooked his finger, seeking Dominic’s prostate. “Not yet. I feel an overwhelming need to torture you some more.” Clambering onto the bed, Evrain got into position behind Dominic. He didn’t want to give him time to come down from the endorphin high he must have been riding. He slathered lubrication over his cock, using too much in his eagerness. He pressed against Dominic’s entrance then thrust forward in one smooth motion. Dominic cursed, but it was a cry of pleasure rather than pain. Evrain grasped his narrow hips hard enough to leave the bruises he loved to see on Dominic’s skin.
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br />   “I’m going to mark you, inside and out. Make you mine.” He thrust himself forward again and again. He grabbed some of Dominic’s hair, yanking his head back, getting the purchase he needed to drive deeper. The urge to claim, to possess, flooded him. “Turn over, love. Want to look into your eyes when I come.”

  Dominic mumbled a complaint but shifted onto his back. Evrain gave the tape binding Dominic’s wrists a quick check to make sure the change of position hadn’t tightened it too much. Content that Dominic’s circulation was unimpaired, Evrain shoved his knees back, bending him double. He wanted his cock back inside Dominic’s grasping heat but paused a moment to admire his lover. Dominic’s hair was a wild mess, his cheeks flushed and eyes bright. In its copper prison, his cock strained angrily. Evrain gave Dominic’s balls a squeeze, eliciting a half-scream. He grinned and plunged deep into Dominic’s channel, spearing him with aggressive thrusts. Despite all his intentions to make Dominic wait as long as possible, Evrain found he could hold back no longer. His back arched and he spurted hot seed into Dominic’s tight channel.

  He wasn’t sure how he managed to maintain the presence of mind to channel enough to release Dominic’s cock from the copper cuff, but he did. The release of pressure was enough to push Dominic over the edge. He spent with a few shuddering gasps, Evrain still inside him.

  When they separated, Dominic shunted a few inches sideways. A tumult of conflicting emotions played across his face. Evrain collapsed next to him. He stroked a lock of hair away from Dominic’s eyes.

  “I love you.”

  “You spanked me.” Dominic closed his eyes. “My ass is burning with enough heat that I won’t be able to forget it for a while either.”

  “Good. I want you to feel me for days.”

  “I could have resisted.”

  “You could. Of course you could, but you didn’t. You stayed there, displayed for me. It was so fucking hot I almost came just looking at you.”

  “You did?”

  “Of course.” Evrain trailed a finger down the firm planes of Dominic’s chest. “Your submission is a thing of beauty. My hand connecting with your backside doesn’t just make your ass burn, you know. It sets my cock on fire. Every stroke sends jolts of pleasure through my entire body.” Evrain thought Dominic needed to hear that confession. He was clearly going through some conflicting emotions.

  “I should be angry with you. You humiliated me. But all I feel is love.” He pulled a pillow over his face. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” He growled the words into the pillow.

  “I think we just did that.” Evrain stroked his stomach, enjoying the twitch of muscles beneath the skin. “That wasn’t about humiliating you, you must know that. It was about pleasure for both of us.” He gripped Dominic’s flaccid cock then gave it a gentle squeeze.

  “Hey! Haven’t you tormented me enough?” Dominic stayed hidden beneath his pillow.

  “Never. You could have stopped me at any time but you didn’t. Doesn’t that tell you something about what we both needed?”

  Dazzling blue eyes set in a very flushed face appeared from beneath the pillow. “Maybe I’m not quite ready to admit it.”

  “Well, when you are, let me know and I’ll give you another reminder.” Evrain smirked. He continued to stroke and play, then he dipped his head to lap at Dominic’s hard pink nipples.

  “What are we going to do, Evrain? We can’t stay hidden here forever, however nice it would be.” The sadness in Dominic’s voice was evident. “I want something close to a normal life.”

  “You really know how to ruin a moment, don’t you?” Evrain slumped back with a sigh. “We both need a decent night’s sleep. In the morning, I’ll talk to Gregory. First we need to take a shower. Come on.” He tugged on a lock of hair.

  “What do you mean, come on?”

  “I intend to have my wicked way with you…again”—Evrain brushed the back of his hand over Dominic’s reviving erection—“and you are clearly in the mood, so get that beautiful ass into the shower and brace yourself.”

  * * * *

  After a restless night’s sleep, Evrain was grateful Dominic had had the presence of mind to defrost bread and bacon the night before. Bacon sandwiches and coffee did wonders to improve his mood. So did watching Dominic shift in his seat.

  “Would you like a cushion, love?” Evrain decided that risking his life was worth it for the expression on Dominic’s face.

  “You spanked me then fucked me. Twice. It’s hardly surprising that I’m a bit tender, is it? I don’t need you bringing it to my attention either. I’m quite aware of how I feel.” Shadow jumped onto his lap then began kneading his thighs, clearly adding to the pressure on his sensitized behind. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. This is a conspiracy.” He glared at the cat, who stared back at him unblinking. Dominic gave in first. “If you bring me the first aid box, I’ll dig out some salve for your wrists. And my ass.” He whispered the last sentence under his breath but Evrain heard him anyway.

  Evrain went to the cupboard under the sink. He hauled out a wooden crate then carried it across to the table. “Calling this a box is a criminal understatement,” he said.

  “Agatha did like to be prepared for every eventuality,” Dominic replied, peering into the cavernous depths. He started to unload the contents onto the table. “Will I need dressings or just the salve?”

  Evrain examined his wrists. The cuts weren’t deep and they were healing nicely. The grazes on his arms were sore but didn’t need covering either. “Just the salve. And if there’s some arnica in there, that would be good. The bruises on my neck really ache.”

  Dominic rummaged around searching for the salve and anything that resembled arnica. The jars and bottles he lined up on the table looked as if they’d come from an early nineteenth century apothecary’s shop.

  “Belladonna,” Dominic read a label. “We could poison half the town with what’s in this box.”

  “Could come in handy then. I’m going to call Gregory.”

  “Okay. I hope he and Coryn slept better than we did.”

  Evrain dialed Gregory’s number then put the phone on speaker so Dominic could hear. It rang quite a few times before Gregory picked up.

  Evrain was still furious that Gregory had used Dominic in the way he had. He blamed his godfather for convincing Dominic to have the magical agrimony painted on his body. He knew how painful the magic must have been and was annoyed that Gregory had made no apologies for what he had done. He resolved to keep his thoughts to himself.

  “Good morning, Evrain. Still angry with me?”

  Evrain sighed. “Sometimes I think you’re a mind-reader, not a warlock. Yes, I’m still mad at you.” He rolled his eyes. Dominic grinned.

  “Good. The emotion will keep you sharp. He agreed to it, Evrain. He loves you and he wanted to do it for you. Just accept it and move on. We need to focus on the future. How are you both?”

  “A bit bruised and battered. We didn’t sleep that well. But we’re alive. That has to be a plus.” He paced up and down as he spoke. “How about you—everything okay at the hotel?”

  “I own it. Everything is perfect. Coryn and I have just had a very pleasant breakfast with Nathaniel and Felix. I’ve also spoken to your boss. Well, the CEO of your company actually. I told him we have some urgent family issues to deal with and that you needed to take a few days’ vacation time.”

  “Thank you. It hadn’t even occurred to me that my sudden absence might be noticed and I need my job. I don’t want to get fired.”

  “I told him the circumstances were exceptional.”

  “You could hardly tell him the truth. You didn’t mention Damon. Isn’t he with you?”

  “Damon, I understand, is having some quiet time. Yesterday’s events left him a little…overexcited. Nathaniel felt the need to calm him down some.”

  “Don’t be too hard on him.” Evrain could hardly believe he was sticking up for Damon. “Without him we’d probably be at Symeon’s mercy and I’d be a few pints sh
ort of a full quota.”

  “Nathaniel is aware of that. Trust me, he understands what Damon needs.”

  “Okay.” Evrain sighed. “So where do we go from here? Your plan worked to some extent because my blood is now useless to Octis, but they’re unaware of the taint. Imelda is not going to be happy we escaped. She’s not going to stop hunting me. I doubt Symeon will give up either once he’s recovered enough.”

  “I agree and so does Nathaniel. You’re too much of a temptation.”

  “That I agree with,” Dominic contributed.

  Evrain pressed his lips together to prevent a laugh escaping.

  “We need to put an end to this problem once and for all,” Gregory said. “I know we’d be taking a risk but the only way I can see to do that is to meet with Imelda face to face.”

  “I don’t like it, but I think you’re right. It’s probably the only way to get her off my back.” Evrain avoided making eye contact with Dominic.

  “But this time it will be on our terms. I could give her some of your blood myself, but she would never believe that it was yours. She needs to see it extracted personally. I will arrange a meeting. With Nathaniel and me there you will be well protected.”

  “It’s not me that I’m worried about and you know it, Gregory. If we do this, Dominic will have to be there too. Putting him in danger again isn’t acceptable.”

  Dominic tapped on the table to attract his attention then raised his eyebrows in question.

  “Hold on, Gregory, I think Dominic has something to say.”

  “Can you think of a better way to resolve this, Evrain, because I can’t?” Dominic looked so serious. “You have to let me help. It affects both of us, not just you. We need to end this situation and we need to end it decisively. It isn’t just your choice to make.”

  “I can see that you still need a little more educating about who makes the decisions around here,” Evrain muttered. “It will be my pleasure to teach you, but much as I hate to admit it, this time you’re right. I think I’m just trying to find a reason not to go ahead.”