Edrei’s grin turned sly as he and Magda fell into step beside them. “We heard plenty of how Bridgette felt about it. Just wondered how it was to watch.”
Garrett smirked and said, “Whenever Bri’s having a goodtime, I’m having a good time. And you twodefinitelyshowed her a good time.”
Edrei laughed as Magda said, “If you ever want in on the fun, all you have to do is say the word.”
Garrett’s cheeks flushed dark, his grin crooked. “I know it. Maybe someday.”
It was no secret that Garrett often watched when Bridgette cast or conduited with others, but as Arlon stared resolutely at the back of Bridgette’s head, he imagined himself in Edrei’s or Magda’s place. His loose trousers hid how much his cock took interest in the idea, but he was so lost in the thought that he didn’t realize Magda had come to walk beside him until she slid her arm through his. The sudden, unexpected touch jolted him out of his fantasy.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” she said, and there was an uncertainty in her voice that surprised Arlon. “I wanted to apologize.”
Of all the things Arlon had expected her to say, that was not it. “For what?”
“For coming onto you so strongly,” she said with a wry grin. “I was afraid I’d scared you off the last time we talked.”
“Oh,” Arlon said, surprised for a second time.
“I’m used to dealing with other bloodline wizards,” she admitted. “Being forward with our interest is… routine for us, but talking to Bridgette and Garrett has opened my eyes a bit to how jarring the Crux must be for someone who’s new to magic.”
Arlon couldn’t help a small laugh, though hearing her address it made it feel like an invisible weight had just lifted. “Jarring is one way to put it.”
“And how would you put it?” Magda asked.
Arlon clicked his teeth, remembering the hungry look she’d first given him. “It feels like beingprey.”
Magda winced as her arm tightened around his. The longer she held onto him, the more he found that he enjoyed the warmth of the innocent touch.
“I’m sorry if I contributed to that feeling,” she said sincerely. “That wasn’t my intention.”
Arlon glanced down at her curiously. He’d always felt a rift between him and the greater population of the Crux, but this seemed like a chance to bridge it. “Let’s clear the air, then. What was your intention?”
Magda chuckled, brushing one twisted coil of hair behind her ear. “To let you know that I think you’re very handsome? And I’m curious to know more about you. Inside and outside of a casting room.”
The answer surprised him with its simplicity, and all at once, Arlon realized exactly what the rift he’d felt was. It wasn’t due to the disparity of his station or the shadow of his past. It was his willingness to let other people get close.
Arlon’s walls still stood, but it felt like his time at the Crux had loosened the mortar holding them all together. It left him feeling a little unsteady, a little off-balance with the realization that… it was just that easy, wasn’t it?
Dmitry’s voice pulled him from his thoughts as the man called out, “Jot me down as also curious.”
“And by ‘curious,’ they mean they’ll ride you like the fastest horse in the stables if you let them,” Bridgette said.
Arlon couldn’t stop a bark of a laugh, his face flushing hot. “Fucking wizards,” he muttered even as the thought of Garrett and Bridgette floated back into his head. “I’ll think about it.”
11
Arlon’s arm was locked tight around Garrett’s neck, legs hooked around his thighs in an iron grip. Every muscle screamed as Garrett fought against his hold, scooting them across the mat with the force of his struggles. Then, Garrett tapped his arm, and Arlon released him with a ragged shout of triumph.
For a second, neither of them moved, and Arlon was too tired to care that his legs were still hooked around Garrett’s. Finally, the other man stirred, rolling flat onto his stomach as he sprawled out on the mat.
“Fuck me, but you’re strong for a human.”
Arlon took a second to gather his own breath before he said, “Might not be all human. Might be part Tariten, but hell if I know.”
Above him, Bridgette stepped into his field of view, her finger hooked around the handle of a water jug. Arlon groaned, his core muscles screaming at him as he sat up to take it with a word of thanks.
“You know, that was the first thing Dmitry asked me aboutyou?” Bridgette said as she offered a second water jug to her husband. “He thought you might be Tariten due to your size.”
Arlon snorted but finished a few long gulps before he wiped his mouth. “He’s never met a full Tariten, then. Even the smallest have at least three heads on me.” He took another long drink before saying, “But you can tell Dmitry my cock is proportional to the rest of me. I know he’s wondering.”
