Mastery (Sex Wizards, #2)

by Alethea Faust

“No one will blame you. You have to do what’s best for you.” Alix shakes his head. “I know,” he says. He gives a small, humorless laugh. “I don’t conduit often, but before Lucien was kicked out of the Crux, I did for him. I thought I trusted him.” His fingers slide through his short hair and pull tight. “After all he did to me, it’s fucked that a part of me is going to miss him.”

Garrett goes to strike as I find the enchantment I’m looking for. The last one Arlon and I made that night he stopped us. I release it the second before his fist connects with Arlon’s face. Garrett jerks like he’s just waking up. Like he’s been doused with cold water. He blinks, and I see him again. “Oh gods,” he whispers. “What’s happened?” Arlon groans as he goes limp underneath him. “You broke my winning streak.”

The guard’s hand opens, and Diran’s focus falls out of his grip. It bounces against the stone floor and rolls away from us as he blinks the glaze from his eyes. He looks down, and his eyes widen with surprise when he finds his hand around my throat and his knee pressed between my legs. I follow his gaze, grinning wryly up at him. “Usually I at least know the name of the person grabbing my throat.”

“How did he get it?” “He didn’t get it. It was forced on him,” I say. “He’s a corpimancer. Was in the Reach helping with the aftermath of an earthquake. He was ambushed on the road home.” “Or so he says.” “Look, I just learned that Garrett’s the King’s own fucking physician,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. Today has worn me the hell out, and now this guard’s keeping me from burrowing into a warm bed back at the Crux. “You think anyone that’s allowed at the bedside of royalty could just snap and level a city square?”

I froze. I-I didn’t know what to do.” Arlon tilts his head as he looks down at me. “What do you mean? You commanded him to stop.” “I’d forgotten all about my spells,” I admit, though my hand goes to them now. “I was wanting for my bow. Just wanted it to stop. When I said it, the spell just... went off.” Arlon’s hand pauses in my hair. “Curious,” he says. “It’s a rare wizard that can release a spell without it in hand. Was it touching your chest under your shirt?”

“It’s just how I’m made. Tried it a couple of times, and it... does nothing for me. You, on the other hand, seem willing to fuck anyone that consents to it.” “How ashamed my hometown is of me,” I say.

“You’re alright,” I promise. “No one’s going to hurt you.” I trail my fingers down the side of his thighs before I fold his knees and tickle the underside as well. He yelps as his eyes go wide. I don’t let up, holding his legs steady as he squirms helplessly. I wring another anguished laugh out of him, and I’m real glad that tickling wasn’t off the table. He asked for gentle sensation play, so I’m pulling out my tricks - even the mean ones.

I brush my lips against the shell of his ear as I ask, “Alix? How do you feel?” He lets out a long, contented sigh. “Quiet.” I smile and stroke my thumb down his neck. “I’ll keep going as long as you want me to.” Alix sighs again. “Just a little while longer.”

Then he rolls to face me and slides the focuses off of his fingers. I’m a little surprised to see that all six of them are charged. He closes my hand around three of them before he presses a kiss to my fingers. His eyes are glossy as he smiles. I know this is only a step down a long road for him, but I’m glad I was able to help him take it. I pull him into a tight embrace as I kiss his cheek. Alix sighs as he nuzzles against the crook of my neck. “Thank you, Dom.” “It was my pleasure.”

I settle on the bed next to them as they pull a comb from the drawer beside their bed. “Can I?” I ask. “You really are set on pampering me,” they chuckle but hand the comb over all the same.

“You didn’t do anything I didn’t ask you to,” they say. “In fact, I’d say you performed admirably.” “I felt like a monster,” I admit. “You’re sure you’re alright?” “Softie,” they purr as they pull me into a kiss.

“I’m from a small town where secrecy leads to suspicion, so why not let folks go out in pairs or more? It’ll remind the folks in town of who we are - patrons of their businesses, part of the community. That we’re just... people.” “And what if something happens?” Arlon asks. “Whether it be some idiot picking a fight or one of our own acting rash?” “You have to trust us. Trust that we can handle ourselves.”

“Sadism isn’t the point of all this.” Bridgette closes the door behind me. “No, I know that,” she says. “Doesn’t change the fact you’re being gentle with him.” Arlon chuckles at that and raises an eyebrow. “Me? Gentle?” Bridgette smirks and says, “Yes, gentle. I’m not denying you’re the perfect caster to help him reground, but at least make your punishments punishments.”

“I don’t nitpick how you cast.” “That’s because you’re usually gagged when I cast,” Bridgette says, and I nearly lose my grip on the tray.

When I settle next to him, I sit close enough that my shoulder brushes his. It’s not just for comfort, either. It’s cold down here, and Garrett runs even hotter than Arlon does. His gray skin feels as nice as a sun-warmed rock as I press against him. Garrett doesn’t seem to mind. Quite the opposite. He leans against me, scooting until his chin rests on top of my head. I smile and take it as permission to cuddle closer. We come to some silent understanding that whatever we’re in for today, we’re likely in it together.

“Well, you’ve certainly trained his hole,” Bridgette says. Arlon chuckles. “You have no idea.”

Once she’s finished, she returns to the corner, and I jump when I hear the loud click of the winch. It clatters, and the chain starts to retreat back into the ceiling, taking my arms with it. I’m forced to bend over at the waist with my arms stretched up behind me. It’s a stress position, and difficult to maintain by design.

“Do you like having your hole loosened?” “O-oh gods!” I gasp, words failing me as her thumb presses straight against that spot inside of me. “Ma’am please, I’m so close.” “Oh, that’s another thing,” Arlon says, like he’s just remembered. “He has the most sensitive prostate of anyone I’ve ever cast with. You can work him to an internal orgasm without even touching his cock.”

She yanks me towards Arlon, and for a second, my chest swells with hope. Maybe she’ll give me back to him? But then she stops me with a hand before she whispers something in Arlon’s ear. “Gods, you are cruel,” Arlon purrs, and my stomach drops.

I wail and bury my face against Garrett’s neck. I can’t move. Can’t get the leverage to lift myself up and ride Garrett like I so desperately want to. Garrett rolls his hips a little, but he’s just as trapped as I am. It’s such a simple abjuration bind, but so effective. Garrett and I feed off of each other, kept stimulated enough without being able to actually finish the damn thing. It’s as cruel as it is brilliant. Tied as I am, I’m nothing but a hole to keep his cock warm.

I lose track of things for a bit. I’m laid out on something soft before gentle hands spread my legs. Fingers gently grab my balls, and I groan. “No more,” I beg, a stop just behind my lips. I’m still so sensitive that even the soft touch is too much. “Hush,” Arlon murmurs and presses a kiss to my forehead. “I’m only checking to be sure nothing’s injured. Though with how hard that orgasm was, I don’t see how it could be.”

“Is the split tongue an orc thing, too?” Garrett slides one strong arm over my waist before pulling me closer with ease. He smirks as he says, “No. That was a corpimancy thing. Did you like it?” “It felt incredible,” I say, face heating. “You almost got me in trouble with that.”

“I didn’t realize you were petitioning?” I give a small laugh. “I wasn’t. But Arlon really liked the abjuration I made with Alix. Then he loaned me out to Bridgette for the day.” “Good gods. I’ve never cast with her, but Galiva’s told me tales,” Cancassi says. “What’d she do?”

“Let’s just say it was a test of endurance.” Cancassi leans their head against my shoulder with an exaggerated pout. “You’re no fun. But congratulations all the same. I’m sure with all three of them there, you more than earned it.” “You have no idea,” I say as I lean back against the lip of the pool. “Now could you make sure I don’t drown while I sleep for another hour?”

When his door clicks open, I’m greeted by the sight of his exposed ass, his trousers only half on. He tugs them the rest of the way up with a jolt and gives me a look over his shoulder. “Normally you knock,” he says. “Normally you’re still asleep,” I shoot back before I steal a quick kiss. He chuckles and finishes fastening the buttons on his pants. “I’ve got a lot to get done today,” he says before raising an eyebrow at me. “Up to and including you, at some point.” I flop onto his bed with a groan. “Deal, but I call top.” Olbric smirks. “I never assume otherwise on Tuesdays.

I saw you all head into the abjuration yard. If you had to contend with all three of them, I’m surprised you’re not in the infirmary.” “Not for lack of trying,” I say through a groan. “Bridgette is no caster to mess with.”

“Least I can do is treat you to lunch,” Olbric says as he pulls me to my feet. “Good,” I say with a laugh, “Because I’ve spent every last cent I have on a present for you.”

Thaddius gives me a sly look. “Sure you’re up for the trip? You’re walking a little tender.” I raise an eyebrow. “I’ll manage.” If he’s trying to shame me for conduiting, it won’t work. No shame in it with the spells Arlon and Bridgette were able to get out of me. No shame in conduiting anyway.

I can’t help but grin at that and glance up at the window as we pass. The older woman catches my eye and offers a small smile. “One of you - a red-headed lass - might very well have saved me from being trampled last week,” she says. “If you see her, send her my regards.” “Will do, ma’am,” I say with a smile. Allisande will be happy to know she made an impression.

“I thought the Crux was locked down?” he asks as I hold my hands out to the fire. “Just reopened this morning,” I say. “Did you miss us?” Nikolai snorts, but his partner looks at me with new interest, her eyes going wide. “You’re a wizard?” “Hard to believe, right?” I say and wink.

Had no idea I was magic for the first couple decades of my life.” “How’d you find out?” Nikolai asks. I smirk as I catch his eye. “Slept with the right person.” Nikolai flushes red, and I can’t help but admit I like the sight. He’s handsome, and I wonder if I can’t make him blush a few shades darker. “Ever wondered if you have a spark of it?” It works. Nikolai scowls and shoves his hands close enough to the fire that I’m sure the embers kiss his fingers. “Nope.”

“It’s Dominai, right?’ “Right,” I say. “Good to meet you.” “Dom?” Olbric’s voice carries over the courtyard, and I wink at Teagan. “Got to go,” I say and glance at Nikolai. “Offer stands to you too.” Nikolai scowls, and as I go to meet Olbric, I can hear him berating Teagan, even as she laughs him off. Olbric raises an eyebrow at me as I fall into step beside him. “Causing trouble?” he asks. “I’d like to think I’m forging relations with the guard,” I say.

He looks like the highest priced mistress at a brothel, and I can’t take my eyes off of him. Olbric scowls, a flush already spreading across his cheeks. “What?” he demands. “You did this to me, you know!” “Oh, I know.” I beam at him. “You look even better than I imagined. You look beautiful, Olbric.”

“Arlon loaned you the dungeon?” “Sure did,” I say and unlock the door. I lead him inside and touch one of the globes on the wall to brighten them, chasing all the shadows from the room. I want to be able to see him. “I wanted to get my money’s worth out of that outfit I bought you.” Olbric bites his lip and grins at me, a hint of mischief crossing his face. “Oh, is that what this is about? You buy me some pretty small clothes and think I’m going to spread my legs for you?” Done up as he is, that coy look smolders. I grab his cock through the lacy black underwear, leaning close to nip along his jaw. “Yes.”

“You really are shameless, aren’t you?” I tease. “You may surprise me, Dominai of Airedale, but I’m fast to adapt.” He turns to face me, his smile bright as he flicks his hair over his shoulder. “Hmm, we’ll see how you feel when I parade you through the library when we’re done tonight,” I say. I have no plans to - I want him to myself for his first night collared, but the idea of it makes his eyes widen comically. “You’re gonna look far less put together than you are now.” In an instant, the blush returns to his face.

I remember that this was off-limits the last time we cast. I swear and grab the end, ready to undo the knot and free him. “Wait,” Olbric says. This close, I can feel his breath against my neck. “It’s alright.” I meet his eye as I drop the act. “You’re sure?” Olbric trusted me with collaring him. It makes my chest ache to think I’m fucking it up with bad memories. But then he leans forward to press a gentle kiss to the tip of my nose. “I’m sure.” I look at him, and the trust I see there makes my breath catch. Realization hits me like a brick. Olbric’s okay with it because it’s with me.

“You’re incredible,” I murmur and feel him smile in response. Then I take a fistful of his hair and tug his head to the side, wringing a gasp out of him. “But you still moved your hands when I told you not to.”

“Spread your legs,” I order. Mischief returns to Olbric’s face. The look he gives me smolders as he deliberately pulls them closed. “Make me.” “Bratty little harlot,” I murmur before I slap the crop sharply against his thigh. “You want me to redden that pretty skin?”

was that?” I ask. Olbric gives a small, breathless laugh. He doesn’t quite seem to know how to answer. “That was...” he runs a hand through his hair. “That was like being fucked for the first time all over again.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Olbric lets his head flop onto the bed as he lets out a long breath. “A good thing,” he says. “A very, very good thing. Fucking hell, Dom - that was incredible. You never stopped surprising me. And then when you put new focuses on? I thought I might actually catch on fire.”