“I certainly do not want it to end,” he mumbled.“Nothing could possibly feel better than this.”
Sage’s expression softened, despite the way his magic swirled in his chest.Had life treated him so harshly that a splash of oil and a little rubbing could bring him such pleasure?Sage’s hands slowed as his lips curved into a frown.He supposed he was equally as easy to please, all things considered.
“I knew you would find it agreeable.”
A short silence stretched between them until Conrad spoke again.
“It seems I am not privy to an entirely different sort of satisfaction, thanks to my inability to feel magic.Before our discussion at dinner this evening, I had no idea I was missing out on so much.”
Sage had to close his eyes against the tone of Conrad’s voice.So rarely did he sound disappointed.It was difficult to hear.
“Everyone’s abilities are different,” he said, trying his best to sound supportive, just as Conrad had done for him in so many of their private conversations.The party really had done a terrible job of being inclusive of those who were not as magically powerful, though.All they could talk about was how incredible it was to feel a connection with someone else on such a deep level.And of course Wyndham and Roger—plus the others when they eventually caught on—made pointed comments about it in Sage’s direction.It had been obvious that Conrad did not understand, and he couldn’t decide if that was better or worse.
Sage brought his hands up to Conrad’s ears.As he worked small circles into them with the tips of his fingers and thumbs, he marveled at the smooth curve where he expected a point to be.If he was honest, they were rather darling.
If he wasentirelyhonest, the man attached to them was darling, too.
Something squeezed in his chest at the thought.The trust that had cultivated between them made it so simple for him to talk to Conrad.Unnerving as it might be, he found that he liked being able to share things with someone so easily.Even things he would’ve otherwise found difficult to speak of came effortlessly when they were alone.It was this uncomplicated truth that had words burning on his tongue.
“I am afraid I’ve been less than forthcoming with you,” Sage admitted quietly, still distracting himself with Conrad’s ears.It had relaxed the man so much that his entire upper body was swaying a bit with the circular motions.
“Hmm?”was his drowsy reply.
“The incident at the lake was entirely my fault.”
“Rubbish,” Conrad said, a lazy grin tugging at his mouth.“It was a strong wind, that’s all.”
Sage let his hands rest on Conrad’s shoulders.“And I was the one who caused it to happen.”He watched as Conrad forced his heavy eyes open and they found one another in the mirror.“With my magic.”
Conrad’s confusion was evident.“Why did you do it?”
“I did not mean to,” Sage said with a slight whinge.“I did not even recognize that it was happening until I’d already ruined everything.”
Conrad spun himself on the ottoman to face Sage, hands finding his wrists as he gave them a gentle squeeze.“It was an accident, then.No harm done.We were able to fix your clothes, and the lantern was not damaged.”His smile returned.“And it allowed me to show you what a great tool cabbage can be.”
Sage gave a pitiful little laugh, bottom lip poking out.He was doing a poor job of explaining what he truly wanted to say.After reclaiming one of his hands, he smoothed it over Conrad’s short hair before he held the side of his face, sliding his thumb over his cheek as he considered his next words carefully.
“Do you recall the discussion at dinner?About magical compatibility?”
Conrad winced.“Hard to forget.Emrys was rather emphatic about it.”
“Yes,” Sage agreed, lip curling before he went on.“Fae consider magical compatibility to be highly important when it comes to matters of the heart.It signifies a strong connection between the two partners.It is the reason you find Wyndham and Roger’s joint magic so compelling, beyond the fact that they are both apt on their own.They are highly compatible, as are Emrys and Torquil; Keelan and Silas.Traditionally, the first demonstration is performed at the end of the wedding ceremony, to prove that the marriage will be a successful one.However, as you heard earlier, this may very well be the firstpublicdemonstration of compatibility, but it is certainly not the first time the couple might have experimented with it.”
“What does it mean?To be magically compatible.”
The tips of Sage’s ears went warm, and he had to look away from Conrad’s intense focus for a moment before he could answer.
“One cannot explain it until they have experienced it for themself.There are rumors, of course.All young fae like to pretend they understand it to impress their peers.”
Conrad chuckled.“Naturally.”
“I will admit that I have given in to the temptation before.Even with Wyndham, on a couple of occasions, though it was never reciprocated.”
“So you have felt it before.”
Sage searched Conrad’s dark eyes.“Not until very recently.”
“And was it the way they all described?”
