Elias glanced back at him, flicking his long white hair. “You’ll see soon enough.”
Gerard chuckled. He glanced around, looking for some clue as to what Elias had planned. But seeing nothing, he just watched Elias’s walk, admiring his figure.
He is mine. My husband. My love.
Elias came to a stop. Gerard came up behind him,wrapping his arms around Elias’s waist. He held his warm body close, buried his face in his throat, and inhaled his scent.
Gerard pressed a kiss to the top of Elias’s head. “Well?” He looked in front of them. The sandy beach seemed to widen at this point. But otherwise, it did not look any different from any other part of the beach. “Are you going to explain now?”
“No,” Elias said, voice melodic and light.
Gerard huffed.
“I’d rather show you?” Then Elias lifted his hands in front of him, and his fingers wove in the air.
“What are you?—”
But Gerard did not have time to finish his question. Elias raised his hands to the sky. Light danced on his fingertips before lightning shot up into the air.
Gerard’s arms around his waist tightened. His mouth fell open as he watched the lightning dance. His scars tingled.
But he did not feel even a hint of fear. Not anymore. All he felt was awe and wonder at his husband’s abilities. He’d seen Elias’s power several times since they’d fought together. He knew in his core that Elias would not hurt him. Well, not hurt him again, anyway.
Then Elias flung his hands forward, aiming at the ground. Lightning struck the sand. Gerard jumped. Elias’s laughter rang out as the lightning disappeared. He walked forward.
Gerard released his hold and walked beside Elias. “Want to tell me what that was about?”
Not answering, Elias stopped a few paces away. He knelt, and Gerard knelt opposite him.
Elias leaned forward and brushed at the sand. “It worked!” he cried out. A smile split his cheeks.
“What wo—” Then Gerard cut himself off.
Because between them, the tip of a fulgurite poked up from the sand.
Elias clapped his hands. “Now that you have me, I can make you all the fossilised lightning that you want!” Then he paused. “Although, maybe it isn’t as special now, when they can be made whenever you want them.”
Gerard smiled. He reached out and took Elias’s hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed Elias’s fingertips. “You made them. How could it not be special? My hoard will be filled with fulgurites made by you.”
With a laugh, Elias leaned forward and kissed him. Gerard cupped his cheek, returning the kiss. As one they moved away from the fulgurite. That sticking in your back probably would be unpleasant.
Gerard lay back on the soft sand, pulling Elias on top of him.
Elias straddled Gerard’s lap. He undid the sash wrapped around his waist. Then he pushed the blue robe off his shoulders, revealing pale skin that shone in the fading golden sunlight.
Gerard slid his hands up the smooth skin of Elias’s torso. He wrapped a hand around the back of Elias’s neck and pulled him down for a slow kiss.
“But you’re still fully clothed!” Elias protested against Gerard’s lips.
“Well, you best remedy that, then.”
Elias undid the buttons of Gerard’s coat. They had to break apart, and Gerard had to sit up to remove it from his shoulders. He then pulled his tunic over his head. The sun warmed his skin. Meanwhile Elias already had moved on to Gerard’s belt, trousers, and boots, removing them and casting them aside.
Gerard lay back naked on the sand. Elias shoved his own shoes and tights off before once again straddling Gerard. They kissed, and Gerard caressed Elias’s silken hair with his hand. He pressed kisses to the naked skin of Elias’s collarbone.
“You’re so beautiful,” Gerard whispered.
“You are too.” Then Elias shoved Gerard back. He smiled and trailed his fingers down Gerard’s body as he moved back, until he straddled Gerard’s calves.
