My next words would hurt Niki even more. “Danzig plans on tracking down and killing every necromancer. Adult or infant. I’m sorry, Niki.” I wasn’t sorry I told him. I was sorry there had been a need to do so.
This time the magic didn’t pulse, it coalesced into a solid wall, tightly surrounding Niki. Dark colored ripples wove their way through the magic, deepening into stunning jeweled tones. Niki stood there, fingers flexing and extending, his dark eyes tightly closed. Chest expanding and contracting, I imagined Niki was desperately attempting to harness his hurt and rage.
I’m not sure how much time passed before Niki’s eyes opened, their dark sharpness firmly focused on me as he asked, “Have you been harmed?”
“Just my pride and a few sore muscles. Honestly, the worst part was the conversation and listening to Danzig prattle on and on. I’ve got a headache.”
“I’ll get you a pain charm soon.”
“Thank you. You always know just what to say.” I filled those words with every ounce of affection I could convey.
“I do try.” A sliver of warmth briefly filtered into Niki’s words.
“Bind him, Raiden” Danzig ordered, immediately diverting my attention from my warlock. My eyes traced to Raiden, only to watch him uselessly tighten his fingers into fists.
“How would you suggest I do so?”
Danzig turned, only now seeming to realize he wasn’t the only one sans magic. The scene would have been amusing if not for the very real weapon still grasped tightly within Danzig’s grip. Flying into a rage, Danzig ran at Niki, wicked dagger raised and murder radiating from his eyes. The effect, or lack thereof, was immediate. Danzig’s body hit the barrier Niki surrounded himself with and bounced back, falling on his ass.
Turning his back on Bailor and Raiden, Niki’s actions indicated just how little of a threat they were now. “I’m going to get you out of these.” Niki’s eyes traced the shackles binding me, his lips pulled into a deep frown. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
I gave a mirthless chuckle. “I’m not surprised. Seems Tenzen made them just for little old me.” Niki’s eyebrows shot skyward. “He made them before Aurelia shoved Tenzen in the ground.” Relief relaxed Niki’s features. I glanced behind Niki. Danzig was still on the floor. Raiden and Bailor surrounded him, appearing both uncertain and furious in equal measure.
“They’re going to get wise soon and try and make a run for it.” As a general rule, I didn’t mind a good game of cat and mouse, but I was currently a little too tied up and tired to make a go of it.
“I sealed the doors,” Niki casually answered. “They’re not going anywhere.”
My grin was lazy. “Now look whose flirting.” I fluttered my eyelashes. “You really do say the sweetest things, Niki.”
“Only for you. Now, let me see what I can do.” Niki started at my ankles. I couldn’t see what he did exactly, but I could feel the magic sweep into the metal, breaking it apart and clattering to the ground. Niki released my tails next and then moved to my wrists. “I’m not sure how long you’ve been hanging there, but my guess is this is going to hurt when I release you.”
I wrapped my legs around Niki’s waist, holding myself up while he undid my wrist restraints. “I’m not opposed to a little pain.” I suggestively waggled my eyebrows.
Niki’s lips twitched. “Are you flirting with me? Now?”
“There’s never a bad time to flirt with you,” I countered.
Cupping my chin, Niki rested our foreheads together. He inhaled deeply, expanding his chest before exhaling. “I love you. I…I never imagined I would find my one and only, but Gaia has bestowed yet another blessing upon me.”
His one and only. I knew I was good for Niki, but to say I was his one and only… “Get me out of these cuffs. Now.” I wiggled, trying to get closer as my vision swam, happy tears spilling from my eyes. I needed to throw my arms around my warlock. I need to wrap my tails around him and crawl beneath his skin. I needed… I didn’t even know what, beyond that all-consuming word—need.
Niki’s rough chuckle shook my body. Reaching up, Niki forced more of his chest against mine as he shattered the shackles around my wrists. Sharp pain flared up my arms and into my hands as my arms lowered. I couldn’t contain the whimper escaping my lips. The fresh rage filling Niki’s eyes and magic soothed my soul and assuaged some of the discomfort.
“They took all my charms,” Niki grumbled. “I don’t like seeing you in pain.”
Laying my head between Niki’s chin and shoulder, I smirked into his skin. “They can take away your charms, but not yourcharm.”
“Weak, Hikaru. Very weak.”
I shrugged as best as my leaden arms would allow. “Maybe, but true all the same.” I wanted to wrap my arms around Niki, but they wouldn’t obey my wishes and hung limp at my sides. The needling pain of returning feeling was both welcome and detested.
Large hand cupping my chin, Niki pulled my head away so he could look in my eyes. Mischief like I’d never seen reflected in the warlock I loved. “I think it’s time to play.”
My ears perked up, only to deflate. I was currently too depleted to do much. “I think I’ll have to take a pass on that one.” Oh, how that hurt to say.
“Hmm…that seems unfair, especially when I have such an abundance of magic ready and willing to do as I wish.”
My heart raced as Niki leaned in, eyes hooded. I knew what he intended before his lips met mine. Magic sparked, tingling my lips before racing into my body, flooding me with its power and intention. I moaned into the heated kiss, relishing the feel of the replenishing warmth running through me. The barely there stub of my eighth tail lengthened, thick fur sprouting along its length as it joined the seven before it. My tails welcomed the new growth and added kick of power. They caressed each other, fawning over the new tail as if welcoming home an old friend.
