~ Chapter Sixteen ~ #2
His hard-on pulsed against the barrier of his underwear and jeans as if to counter his thought.
Regan leaned back in the kitchen chair, impressed with his breakfast. Nothing was overcooked and everything tasted pretty darn good, if he did say so himself. His only complaint was that the veggies could have been a little firmer, but other than that everything tasted great.
Lutin finished off the last of the fruit and inhaled. “That was excellent. Thank you.”
“Happy to do it.”
“Well, I appreciate all you’ve done. You’ve gone way above and beyond.”
Regan’s cheeks rose in a grin. He had enjoyed everything.
All of it. He appreciated cooking and having someone to share a meal with.
He enjoyed their sexual rendezvous this morning, despite not getting off himself, but as he matured, he found that an orgasm didn’t always matter.
Sometimes taking care of one’s partner was satisfying enough, despite how much his balls and dick protested.
There would be plenty more times for him to come when they were together.
“I wanted to ask you some questions if you feel up to it?” Regan leaned forward, resting his chin on his clasped hands.
Lutin’s gaze narrowed. “Blaise calls me Nubs because my antlers took a long time to come in. He knows the nickname annoys me, which is why he does it.”
Regan bit at his smile. “Okay, but that wasn’t the question.”
“Oh.” Lutin’s skin pinkened and his gaze dropped.
“It’s about the Trolls—well, all the magics, really.”
“Okay.” Lutin’s gaze met Regan’s.
“Is there some kind of universal magic law or something that keeps people, everyday people I mean, from seeing magic and magical creatures? If magic is happening all around the world, how has magic not been seen or found out?”
“Ah. In general, yes, there’re universal laws at play. But there are a lot of people, more than you think, in the know.”
Regan nodded.
“Then there’s Magic Blindness.”
“Magic Blindness?”
“Most humans like living in a world where science is the law of the land, so when something goes against that belief, they refuse to believe, despite the evidence. And with technology improving and image manipulating software, people are even less willing to believe in magic. How many videos have you seen of things that you can’t explain and shrugged the image or video off as someone creating the video for views and likes?
People think oh, it must be fake because nothing like that could possibly be real.
” He chuckled, raising his hands and causing a swirl of colors to beam up and around him.
“How do you think Bigfoot has stayed hidden for so long?”
“Wait. You mean to tell me Bigfoot is real?”
Lutin lowered his hands, the light show vanishing. “A lot of those legends and myths are real.”
“So, people are idiots.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. They are less willing to believe in things that science says are impossible. Despite what people say, they want to live in a… in a familiar world, one they understand. So, if they don’t know something or weren’t born into it, they won’t believe it. Look at politics.”
He’s not wrong there. People refuse to see the truth even when it’s standing right in front of them.
“What happens when science and people can’t shrug something off? Like the Trolls?” Regan sipped his refreshed tea. “I mean, they’re huge and don’t really look human.”
“They have a glamor that keeps them camouflaged, like me and the others.”
“But their auras give them away.”
“To Witches like you. I can see them for who and what they are—most of the time their spells don’t work on me or other magical creatures. It’s like we belong to a club and know all the members.”
“Basically, humans are dumb and blind.” Regan huffed out a laugh. “What happens if someone tries to break the spell… or whatever?”
“Then they are dealt with. That’s when the laws come into play and are enforced, but typically people don’t do that.” Lutin picked up his mug of tea. “We understand humans and know what you would do to us if we were ever discovered. Even the Big Bads don’t want that.”
“Big Bads?”
“The really nasty magical folk; vampires, werewolves, goblins… Trolls.” Lutin waved his hand.
“Granted, they aren’t all bad. I know a lovely vampire who lives in Los Altos Hills.
She’s quite brilliant and keeps to herself.
” He smirked. “She really keeps the vamps in… well, pretty much most of North America in line.” He sighed. “I know there have been some issues?—”
“You mean to tell me all those things—people—creatures… are real?”
“Yep.”
“And fear of humans keeps everyone in line?”
“For the most part.” Lutin reached out a hand. “There have been times when a few have tried to cause trouble, but you humans took care of them. Do the Salem Witch trials ring a bell?”
“Crap.” Regan took the offered hand.
Lutin gave Regan’s hand a squeeze. “That was a mess.” He released the hand, leaning back. “What else you got for me?”
“Well, I’m curious about Fae antlers.” Regan pointed.
“Ah.” Lutin rubbed his mutilated antlers.
“Well, if you haven’t figured it out by now, you soon will—I’m sure Max has lots of info on that.
Anyway, a lot of our magic comes from them; our antlers are where we can draw power.
It’s not the only way or place, but our antlers and our tattoos are the biggest and most important.
” He laughed. “Think of our antlers like solar panels and our tattoos like storage. That’s why it’s a big thing when they are damaged or broken. ”
“Oh wow.”
“We don’t really talk about our vulnerabilities with non-Fae, but you’ve kind of been there and seen how things work. But please don’t tell people.”
“I won’t.” Regan sighed. “Why do they glow and sparkle during…” His neck and face warmed. “You know.”
Lutin laughed. “It’s kind of like why your body will flush during sex. But sex helps amplify our abilities to pull energy from the environment and can help us heal or recharge.”
“I figured something like that.”
Lutin covered his yawn.
“I was kind of hoping you’d show me some of those spells you mentioned?
Like keeping in touch with you? And maybe the starting fire thing?
Some of the basic more everyday spells that I didn’t have time to learn.
But…” He gestured at Lutin. “But we don’t have to do anything today. I know you need the rest.”
“Nah. That’ll be fun.” Lutin beamed. “Help me get my footing without overdoing. And sorry about the yawning—you’re not boring me. I think I might have eaten too much.”
“Okay, well, if you want to rest or want me to leave, tell me. Why don’t you rest and I’ll get this cleaned up?”
“Nope.” Lutin grabbed his plate. “You go sit and I’ll take care of all this.”
“Are you sure?”
“You’ve done more than enough already. I don’t need a nurse maid, no matter how sexy he is. And I don’t want to ever take advantage of your kindness.”
Regan’s heart skipped a beat again as his neck and cheeks warmed.
He could give too much sometimes and end up getting hurt, especially by people who have made a career and a life out of using others.
He pushed the thought away and watched Lutin grab an apron.
Other than Max, Lutin was the only person to ever say such a thing to him, and it was nice hearing him say those words.
He really does seem to be a good guy.