Page 89 of Only You, No One Else

“Hi…”

Caster leaned forward, his lips halting Mark’s next words, his intention to communicate his relief. Mark’s smile remained, his open mind communicating his own relief. The kiss was not the all-consuming affair he was used to. For reasons he was unsure of, tenderness infused the moment. Mark released all inhibition, surrendering to the tenderness melting Caster’s resolve.

His fingers replaced his lips, daring him not to close his eyes. Mark’s teeth grazed his lower lip, his hand gripping Caster’s wrist, further adding to the evidence that this was real.

“How do you feel?” His voice was hoarse, trapped by emotion he couldn’t name.

Mark’s smile returned. “Good.”

Caster could not have restrained his need in the moment if he called on all his strength. But even in his desperate need to gather more evidence that the love of his life was alive and well, he could not overcome the tenderness. The kiss deepened, and Mark’s moan floated between them to further increase his need.

“I want you!” His whisper, spoken into Mark’s welcoming mouth, was met with another delicious moan. Mark’s surrender tore the last of his resistance as he opened himself up to Caster’s desire in pure Mark fashion, further evidence that this was real.

Caster had no memory of their undressing. His mind caught up with his body’s actions as he pushed his tongue into Mark’s mouth, sighing the moment his cock was engulfed by the warmth of Mark’s welcoming body. He lost his soul in that moment, melding into Mark as subdued movement carried them to further evidence of their reunion.

Mark held on to his forearms, his body rising to meet each subdued thrust. The driving urgency that often called to them in similar moments was replaced by the desire to hold on to this moment for eternity. Mark threw his head back, his body tightening around Caster as he cried out, but not for release. His open mind spoke of a desire to remain connected to Caster for as long as they could.

The beginnings of his body’s desire to dissolve to its constituent pieces tingled Caster skin, but he too tried to push it away. Their mutual desire to hold the pleasure away for a moment longer fought against the natural call to fall into it, and Mark’s cry swallowed Caster’s roar as the pleasure won.

They trembled through it together, unwilling to let go of each other. And even when the orgasm relented, severing the connection they’d found at its zenith, the tenderness remained. Mark opened his body further, granting Caster permission to fall into him, and then wrapped his legs around his waist. Labored breathing turned into a synchronized chorus of sighs, and it was only then that Caster concluded that the love of his life was back in the safety of his protection. Their forever was about to begin.

CHAPTER 62

The last few days since he’d woken from the brightness of what he now knew was his new enhanced mind space had been a whirlwind of well wishes from his now expanded family. The moment Caster allowed him to leave the safety of their bed, he’d been engulfed in the Queen’s love and her endless care. Mark had been hugged so many times by the Queen and Amelia, who wouldn’t stop crying; he was beginning to feel like a stuffed animal.

He’d made Caster tell him everything that had happened while he’d remained imprisoned by his own fear. The manner of Ethel’s death remained a concern, but both Edie and Riley had assured him that she was gone. They’d spent the first few days after her death scouring the earth and the border between the Underworld and their world for an inkling of her soul, finding nothing.

Pierce had never returned, and while his presence in their world was also a cause for concern, Mark would not let it interfere with the joy of the day. For the first time in a while, they were happy. He could not contain his smile as he watched Cy, Caster and Damien more relaxed than he’d ever seen them. Dean had told him of Caster’s grief after the witch had attacked him, the rage it had brought, and how they all worried he would harm himself or others. So, the carefree smile he wore now was a gift Mark was determined to hold on to.

“You brought him that joy.” Too lost in his love for Caster, he jumped at the King’s low voice. He was certain the barrier keeping his thoughts private was still intact, but there was no harm in making sure.

“He saved me.” The truth of his confession washed over him, and he realized its impact. Caster tore him away from grief he was sure would swallow him whole, gave him purpose, and now promised an eternity of happiness. Thoughts of their future life together brought to his attention their main problem at the moment. “We need a place to live.”

“You can stay here as long as you want.” The King chuckled. “My wife would love that very much.”

Mark could not help his own laugh, drawing Caster’s attention. They smiled at each other from across the room, and his joy increased. “I’m sure she would.”

“But you have something else in mind?”

Like his son, the King had the uncanny ability to see more than the physical; at least that’s what it often felt like.

He turned away from Caster, who remained engaged in heated conversation with his brother and cousin. “Can we talk about it?”

The King nodded and indicated the privacy of his study. He glanced at Caster before following the King to the more private quarters. He accepted the offer of both the comfort of a seat and a much-needed drink.

His plan had come together as the threat of Pierce’s unknown whereabouts and the niggling sense that they had not seen the last of Ethel threatened the security he’d found. The King looked at him with the same patient expression his son often wore, waiting for him to find his voice.

“None of us have a home, and I think it would make sense for all of us to be in the same location in case we have to deal with a threat such as the one…”

The King nodded, but his patience remained, encouraging Mark to present his idea.

“I found one.” He watched the King’s expression, overcome by the way he already sought his approval. The only other person to elicit a similar desire in him had been his grandfather. He fortified his mind against memories that would only bring grief and took a breath, reaching into his pocket for his phone. “I haven’t told Caster yet. I wanted to speak to you about it first.”

The King smiled. “If it is anything like your plan to end Ethel’s threat to this family, I am sure it is good for everyone.”

He nodded and scrolled through his phone for the property he’d found a few days ago. Caster had been telling him of his plans to rebuild the cabin, Damien’s destroyed properties, and how unsafe it felt to have both Bastian and Zeke imprisoned in this house when the desire to find a more permanent solution had taken root. His mind had gone into planning mode, and a few hours of searching had yielded what he thought was the perfect solution.

He located the advertisement on his device and handed it to the King, watching his face with anticipation as he read. It was an island in the Pacific, cut off from any major cities, far enough away from humans that they could be themselves, but above all, easily defensible.