Chapter 5 #2
Silence descends, leaving only the sound of my rapid breathing between us as I try to figure out what to say. It doesn’t take me long before my curiosity gets the better of me.
“What did you do to him?” I ask as Xavier guides me toward the sunken lounge, but I balk, knowing what had just been going on in there.
A burst of power floats through the room and the cushions are replaced with new ones.
A table is now in the middle of the cushions, set with an exotic-looking pot and two cups.
There’s what looks like a hookah bubbling and smoking next to it.
He still hasn’t answered me as he helps me take a seat at the low table. Once I’m comfortable, he chooses a seat next to me, still shrouded.
“I punished him, as is my right, Lila. He insulted me by attacking you.” There is no remorse in his voice as he waves a mist-covered limb and the teapot floats over to pour liquid into each of the cups.
“Will he survive?” I ask him, not really caring either way, but I am curious. Xavier snorts, sounding disgusted.
“Yes, unfortunately. I didn’t think it would be a good start to our courtship if you saw me kill one of my harem members despite the insults he flung at you,” he grumbles, sounding quite put out, and I try to smother a smile.
I have come to realize that the alien species I have encountered are quite primal in their ways.
It’s fascinating seeing him temper his base instinct so as not to frighten me, and I can’t say I don’t internally squeal that he cares enough to do it.
“Our courtship?” I prompt, wanting to know more about what he thinks is between us.
“Of course!” He sounds surprised that I questioned him. “I assumed that with my mark on your shoulder and yours on mine, you would be amenable to such a thing.”
“I’m not saying I’m not, I’m just surprised that you return the interest, especially with a harem.” I’m feeling awkward again because it really is disconcerting sitting here looking at mist. “And they were not wrong about my power level, it is nonexistent.”
Xavier shuffles closer to me and leans in so that his mist drapes across my neck and shoulder, and a shiver flows through me at the feel of it.
“Oh, but phoeall, it isn’t your power that is delicious, it’s your raw emotions—your desire, your fear, your fascination, and your wide-eyed exuberance.
I haven’t ever tasted anything like it, and I only got a small bite of it the other day.
No, you are a smorgasbord for someone like me, and I wish to devour you.
” His mist dissolves, and I’m left looking at a deliciously sexy man who is staring at me like he’s starving.
His purplish-blue eyes twinkle with amusement as he calls me that word I still don’t understand and my chip doesn’t translate.
Xavier is not wearing his armor like he was the first time I saw him.
Instead, he has on a flowing pair of black, wide-legged pants and a tank top which lets me see all his lovely lavender skin and silver markings.
His indigo hair is down around his shoulders, and the jewelry in his ears, nose, and eyebrows all have turquoise accents today.
“What you did to Mithus, is that what you want to do to me?” I ask as he strokes a finger over my hand before taking it in his. My body shivers with need, but I try to tamp that shit down hard.
“No. I absorbed Mithus’s power, which is why he shriveled up like a husk.
He will regenerate, but the process is painful.
He was punished.” He drops my hand and passes one of the full teacups to me.
“Drink this, it will help me assess your power levels.” He leans back on his pillow, indolent and sensual, and waits as I blow to cool it down and take a small sip of the startling green liquid.
It has a fresh minty taste, so I take a larger sip.
He smiles, pleased. “No, drinking emotions does not have the same effect as divesting someone of their power. I can assure you I can make it very pleasurable for you and you will enjoy it.” It’s a threat and a promise all in one.
“You know that I’m mated to Caspian now, right?” I ask, and he smirks.
“And knocked up, if what I hear on the circus grapevine is correct.” He grabs the long pipe sticking out from the hookah and takes a drag from it before blowing out smoke rings, which seem to float in the air.
“This doesn’t bother you?”
He shrugs nonchalantly before waving a finger through the hovering smoke.
“Why would it? You are Skarrian, and polyamory is common amongst them. I’m sure he gave you his blessing when he saw my mark on your shoulder.
I don’t doubt he gave you blessings for both Link and me. ” He sips his own tea now.
“No, you’re right, he encouraged it, but to be honest, I’m not sure I can compete with a harem of exotic beings. Nor do I want to.” His eyes close slowly in a blink, and his face blanks of all emotions. “It will only be a matter of time before you’re bored with me and you return to them.”
After speaking the words out loud, I can tell I truly meant them as a rock sits lodged in my throat.
“Ah, but won’t you do the same? You have a five strikes and you’re out rule.
It would never be a long-term thing for us anyway,” he points out and then he sits up.
“How about I make you a deal. I will assess your power problems, and once that is sorted, let me feed from you four times. We will both get something out of it, and then we can say our goodbyes. I will go back to my harem, and you will move onto someone new. I won’t have to worry about you growing feelings, and you will get to experience all that being with a warlock has to offer. ”
His arrogance knows no bounds, but I can’t deny I’m not tempted.
I mean, what are the chances that I’ll develop feelings?
But is it considered cheating on Cas if I go into this knowing nothing long term will become of it?
How the fuck do Skarrians make a decision about long-term futures in the time it takes to fuck someone four times?
Jesus, that could be within a day, and then you have to say see ya.
No wonder Magenta gets around. It looks like I may be doing the same thing.
What is the likelihood that he and I are compatible?
I couldn’t stand to have a partner who had to feed from other people.
I know that sounds hypocritical when I may have multiple partners, but Cas and I are mated.
There’s no sorry, I’m bored now, or I don’t like your flavor anymore, time for a new harem.
It’s a permanent connection, and from the looks of things when I walked in and the reaction from the three who attacked me, Xavier is not just feeding off the power of his harem.
Then there’s his attentiveness to me. His harem certainly seemed surprised when I called him by his first name and had been invited into his personal space, not to mention his very blatant smackdown.
It seems like it might be out of character for him, so maybe developing feelings isn’t as one sided as he makes it out to be.
I shake my head at the enticing being next to me.
“I’m sorry, I’m just not sure. I need to talk to Caspian first. The last thing I want to do is upset him.
I’m really happy with him.” I won’t meet the warlock’s eyes, but a finger under my chin has me lifting my gaze to meet his.
He has a surprised look of wonder on his face.
“Lila, I have never been turned down before. Everyone is always clamoring to get at my power. I can’t say this is a refreshing turn of events.” He sounds bewildered, and I smother a smile.
“Why would I be clamoring for your power? I don’t know anything about you or it. You could be evil for all I know. And what would I need power for?”
His look of confusion turns to a smirk. “You think I’m evil?”
I take another sip of my tea, thinking of the best way to word my answer.
“I don’t know. I don’t think so because I actually feel really comfortable around you.
Your power feels good against my skin when you’re using it, but Dylan proved I am a horrendous judge of character. He had me completely fooled.”
Xavier’s eyebrows jump when I mention his power feeling good. “Did my power not hurt you when I used it against those three fools?” He leans in again, eager for my answer, his chest almost brushing against mine.
“No, it felt like little hummingbird wings were brushing across my body. It tickled.”
“Hmm.” He rubs one pointy ear, playing with the silver jewelry in it. “Dylan was a man whore and a lying asshole. You weren’t the first one to fall victim to his smile. Many crew members did until he got what he wanted, usually sex.” He’s trying to reassure me, but he fails.
“The thing is, he never implied he wanted sex with me. I thought he was gay and becoming my best friend. I guess I latched onto the first kind voice instead of being wary like I always am. I’ve learned from my mistakes. I won’t trust so easily again.”
“Ah, of course, and my proposal sounds too good to be true, yes?” He leans back again, smiling like he’s figured things out. “I will prove to you that I can be a friend, and then maybe we can be friends of convenience.”
Friends of convenience? Oh. “You mean friends with benefits,” I tell him, and he grins.
“Yes, that, four times.” He holds up four fingers and wiggles them around, and I roll my eyes.
“We will see. How about we do what I came here to do first?”
“Ah yes, your Skarrian powers that the water is not activating. Okay, let us see what we can do with you.”