“I was just thinking the same thing. Rallorival is a traitor two times over, and he's convinced himself that she's his destra.”
“What is that?”
“It's the title of a woman in a sacred relationship. The male version is destru. The Source of Magic draws two people together, and if they claim each other, a magical bond forms. Until now, the bond only occurred between two Aethari. Thaxvarien is the first Aethari to form that bond with someone outside of our race. It's made others look elsewhere for love.”
“But I still don't understand. If Rallorival thinks Lena is his destra, why would he kidnap her?”
“A destru feels drawn to their destra. Sometimes the draw is so powerful that they don't even have to speak before he feels it. Once bonded, a destru will do anything to protect his destra. Laws do not sway him. Nor do physical limitations. A destru protecting his destra is unstoppable.”
“So Rallorival thinks he's justified in behaving illegally and immorally?”
“Just so.”
Mal turned to sit on one of the balcony chairs, and Evellor joined him, taking an Aethari chair beside him, the back narrowto accommodate wings. They were silent for a few moments as they stared out at the sea.
Then Mal took Evellor's hand. “Are there ever two destrus in a bond?”
Evellor smiled. “You're so transparent.”
Mal shrugged. “I see no reason to be otherwise.”
“I love that about you.”
“Then answer the question, Ev.”
He chuckled. “Yes, two Aethari men can bond. It's happened many times, as have two Aethari women.”
“Then, uh, maybe we could.”
Evellor lifted Mal's hand and kissed it. “The union is rare even among Aethari. Not bonding doesn't mean we don't love each other. The bond is a sign from Source that the relationship is blessed.”
“So you don't think your Source blesses our relationship?”
“Mal, I don't know what either Source thinks of us, and I don't care. If the Source of Magic told me to stay away from you, I wouldn't listen. You’re the only man I will ever love.”
Mal slid onto the ground and knelt before Evellor, a big grin on his face. “Oh, you just said the right thing, warrior.” He undid Evellor's pants, drew out his hardening shaft, and, with no preamble, sucked Evellor's shaft into his hot mouth.
“Oh, my sweet Mal, I do love you,” Evellor whispered.
Mal tightened his lips and moved faster, making Evellor cry out, his hands gripping Mal's head. Mal worked him wetly until Evellor writhed, and the chair creaked. Then he sucked free of Ev and stood up.
“I love you too, Ev.” Mal shucked off his boots and clothing, getting naked in mere seconds.
Seeing it, Evellor lifted his hips and shoved his pants to his ankles. Just in time too. As soon as he sat up, Mal straddled his lap and took Evellor into his body, right there in the sunshine with the sound of waves rolling around them. He grasped Mal's hips as Mal bounced up and down on him, hands latched onto Evellor's shoulders.
Evellor leaned his head back, spread his wings out to steady him, and stared up at his Nethren lover in bliss. Only there, in the safety of their home, would Mal remove his shirt. Which meant only Evellor would ever see that beautiful metal flesh, shining with droplets of sweat. Mal's body and all its secrets were his alone.
It was amazing how easy it had been to slip Mal into the role of a Medean. Most of the residents of Thennis were Medeans, and they accepted Mal as one of their own, never suspecting there was metal flesh under his clothing. Why would they? The closest fortress was miles away, and Evellor was a respected Aethari. No one would ever suspect him of living with a Nethren.
As the lover of Thaxvarien's second-in-command, Mal wasn’t just welcomed but also respected. Middle Ground was important to the people of Thennis. They were proud to have been a part of its creation. They had even come to defend Thaxvarien and Liria when the guards sent by the Speaker ofIcara had turned on them. The local doctor had saved Evellor's life.
Yes, Thennis was the perfect place for Evellor and Mal to spend their lives together. Everyone thought they were the first same-sex mixed-race relationship, and they were, but they were so much more than that. They were the first bridge between Aethari and Nethren, and Mal was the first Nethren, since his people had become Nethren, to live on the surface.
Evellor smiled up at his lover, hands sliding up Mal's belly to play with those lovely nipples, one made of metal and gleaming in the sun. Mal moaned and ground down on Ev, taking his cock deep. His metal parts made him strong and gave him incredible endurance. Mal could ride Evellor for hours and often did, glorying in their love, lust, and ravenous appetites for both. They'd pause only for climaxes, holding each other tightly, Evellor's flesh pulsing and releasing inside Mal. Then, they'd rise into pleasure again, and Mal would resume his merciless movements.
It was sheer bliss.
“Say it again, Mal.” Evellor stroked his hand up Mal's chest and then up his throat to cup his cheek. “Say it for me.”
