The trees opened into a clearing and the light grew more intense, almost blinding. In the middle of a vortex, Aidan stood, arms stretched to the heavens, voice deep, thunderous as he chanted. Pale forms swirled around him, wraiths and ghouls whipping the branches of trees as they passed.

Evan stopped right at the line of the trees. The grotesque sight of the animated spirits around Aidan was the only reason Evan paused. When something passed by his foot, Evan looked down. Seeing the growing spattering of blood near his feet confused him.

Spirits began to show more than a passing interest, a few flying close to Evan. Aidan seemed oblivious to it all, his eyes closed, the chants growing louder, stronger.

Even though the lure of the energy tried to drag Evan forward, he began to feel the pain of the cuts lacerating his body and face. The blood was his, and the thought finally connected in his head, and the unexpected interest of the specters made Evan step back.

One hovered in front of him—a woman. She smiled sweetly, but then her eyes went dark. Spectral flesh gave way to bone and she roared at him, the look menacing.

Not even bothering to gain Aidan's attention, Evan struck out at the woman then whirled around, racing back through the trees. This time he could fully feel the invisible force slashing at him. Thankfully it wasn't far to the palace.

Aidan's chants rang out into the dark night and red light drowned the surrounding area without warning. Then, as if in a vacuum, it was sucked back toward the mage again. Seconds later, an explosion rocked the land.

Slammed to the ground by the force, the wind was knocked out of Evan, leaving him unable to breath. He couldn't scramble to his feet and laid there desperately trying to draw in air.

Silence fell around him—not even an animal daring to come out. Then red fog began creeping out of the forest. A figure stepped out of the blood-colored mist, his red eyes blazing, hair and clothes in disarray.

"Evan?"

Only a gasp answered Aidan as Evan still struggled with the simple act of breathing. Grasping at his throat, Evan managed to sit up and turned his head enough to see Aidan.

"Gods, what are you doing out here?" The mist faded and Aidan bent to help Evan up.

A surge of the residual energy jolt up Evan's arm, and he almost fell back as he got up. It wasn't painful, but it was powerful. His voice sounded shaky. "I came out to see you."

Aidan caught him and held him close. "You've been hurt." The mage closed his eyes. "Hang on."

Evan just closed his eyes to the dizzying whir of displacement and clung to Aidan. Once they were safely in Aidan's chambers, he opened his eyes. "I didn't realize what you were doing. But it felt like I had to go out there."

"It's not safe, Evan." Aidan led him toward the bed. "Come on. Lay down and I'll get you cleaned up. Then we can look to healing you faster. Some of the lesser wounds have already begun to close."

Feeling the throbs of pain from the cuts, Evan let Aidan take over. Looking up at Aidan as he laid down on the bed, Evan asked, "Did you accomplish what you wanted? I didn't mean to interrupt your ritual."

"You didn't interrupt anything, love," Aidan said as he began undressing Evan, removing what was left of the shredded clothes.

"I realize I really shouldn't have been out there, but it felt like something was pulling me." He tried to help Aidan get rid of his clothes, but any movement was painful. Most of the damage had been covered by material, and Evan was surprised to see the slashes across his body.

"My magic is dangerous, Evan. You could have been killed." Aidan slowly peeled the cloth off of Evan.

A moment later, the bedroom door opened and Atael walked in, carrying a bowl of water and several rags. He grimaced when he saw Evan. "You're lucky." He set the bowl on the bedside table. "Anything else, Master?"

"No thank you, Atael. That will be all."

Evan flashed Atael a cheeky grin before he left. "I always am."

The brief show of humor vanished when Aidan began to attend to the wounds. "Aidan, I didn't even realize what was happening until we got back here."

"I know." Aidan looked at him for a moment. "I've seen this before, only worse." He leaned over and wet one of the rags, then began washing the blood off of Evan's skin, taking care around the cuts. "How are you otherwise? Magic can have lingering, deeper effects."

"I feel okay, sort of, and my head feels woozy."

The mage nodded and wiped the last of the blood from Evan's cheeks. "The healing will hurt a bit, but it's necessary. Are you ready?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

Aidan lifted his wrist to his mouth and bit down. Then held his arm over Evan's chest and, closing his eyes, began chanting softly. As the blood touched Evan's cuts, it sizzled, hissing and smoking.

Evan jerked slightly with the increase of unpleasant sensation and grit his teeth while Aidan worked on him. Watching the drops of blood spill onto his skin, Evan was fascinated by the display of Aidan‘s power but found it difficult to concentrate on.

Warmth slowly filled him and the cuts began to heal, the flesh mending and leaving no scars. Aidan lowered his arm and opened his eyes. "You're going to be sore for a bit, but it should pass in an hour or so."

"Thank you, Aidan. Sorry about the trouble." Evan signed quietly. "I know you have enough with the Sunderlind and Sercenia delegations about to show up."

Aidan leaned down, kissing him softly. "It's okay, love. No trouble."

"Yeah, right." Evan's arms went around Aidan, tugging him down. "Sore or not, I don't suppose we have time before they'll want an audience with you, do we?"

Grinning against Evan's lips, Aidan slipped a hand between them, fingertips stroking along Evan's inner thighs. "Oh, I'm sure we can make them wait a little bit…"

"I'm all for that." The cheeky grin returned, and his legs parted to Aidan's touch. Yeah, he might be a bit sore, but Evan wasn't about to let it stand in the way.

"We're wearing too many clothes," Aidan whispered, giving Evan's lips a slow lick.

It took only a second for Evan to get rid of the pants he still had on. "No, I'm not."

Aidan stood and undressed, then got the oil before crawling between Evan's legs. He hissed as he rocked his hips, sliding their cocks together. "Get me ready. I need inside you."

Grabbing the oil from him, Evan opened it then poured some into his palm. With a great deal of pleasure, he covered Aidan's cock with the lubricate. He didn't let go at first, letting his fingers stroke playfully to his cock.

"Gods…" Aidan groaned, thrusting into Evan's fist. "Evan…"

His own need grew the longer he played with Aidan. Shifting, Evan's legs twined to Aidan as his hand guided Aidan's cock lower to his ass. "Play later, fuck me now."

"Gladly." With a growl, Aidan thrust, driving his cock deep inside Evan. He grabbed Evan's wrists and pinned them to the bed, kissing him hard.

Evan nearly came off the bed as Aidan filled him. The glorious sensation flooded him, and he met each hard motion of Aidan's body. His teeth scraped over Aidan's tongue then bit down, responding to his lover. The sensations built inside Evan, increasing with the quickening fiction of Aidan filling him.

With a slight shift of his hips, the angle changed and Aidan‘s growl rose as he hit Evan's gland over and over.

A small tinge of blood flavored their kiss, and Evan's mind and body gave into the demanding force possessing him. Like a whirlwind the taste and feel of Aidan excited Evan beyond understanding. His nails clawed in a line down Aidan's back as he kept pace with the frenetic demand on his body. When it all became too much, Evan broke away from the kiss, crying out sharply to Aidan. God, he needed. How much he needed.

Never once slowing, Aidan sent Evan over the edge, leaving him shaking with the pure pleasure. Trying to regain his breath, Evan watched the play of expressions crossing Aidan's face. The sight of his lover lost in his own need enthralled him. His body might hurt like hell, but he'd never give this up for the world.