Changeling Read online

  “The plants are all like the creatures that live so far underground or underwater that they develop glowing body parts and completely different eyesight. Right?”

  “Yes. Sometimes it’s a bit of an adjustment for us to be above ground long. It’s so bright up there. At least outside in the direct sunlight. I like it, but I’m always glad to come home to all the color. The more subdued atmosphere.” He extended his hand to me. “Come. I want to show you my favorite spot.”

  I threaded our fingers together as he led me down what seemed to be a path. There were lots of rounded pale pink stones, and as I looked around, the landscape began to make more sense instead of just seeming like a jumble of color. The brightness and luminescence sort of threw my depth perception off a bit at first, but I soon began to distinguish between objects much better.

  We walked up a hill, and the sound of rushing water became louder. The air around us felt cooler as well, and when we crested the hill, I saw why. There was a beautiful twin waterfall there, and the water reflected the colors of all of the vegetation in such a dazzling way.

  Lachlann helped me down a series of stepping stones on the other side of the hill, and we ended up down near where the twin cascades hit the water and began to flow into a river. “I’ve always loved coming here since I was a child. The royal court is about a mile from here in that direction,” he pointed to the right, “and our home is half a mile in that direction.” He gestured to the left this time. “Our world isn’t very large. Not even as big as the state you live in now. But there are many beautiful things and places to see.”

  “How many of your kind are there?”

  “Perhaps 10,000 by now. It’s been a few years since out last census.”

  I had to laugh. “You do stuff like that, too?”

  “Yes. It’s part of our history.”

  “What about taxes?”

  “We don’t collect taxes. We have gold and silver and gemstones, and those things do have value. But magic makes a big difference. We don’t need money the same way you do. There are rules about excessive magic use, but we’re a pretty peaceful people.”

  “I’m not surprised. It’s so tranquil here. How could your people be anything but perfectly content?”

  Lachlann laughed. “The same way your people are never happy with all the wonderful things they have. We’re a lot like humans on the inside as well as the outside.”

  We still held hands, and I drew closer to him, looking up into his eyes. They were a very light green, and I’d never seen eyes quite that shade before. He had full lips that I remembered as being very soft. “Are all of your people as beautiful as you are? I only vaguely remember what Wallace looks like now. He was handsome, I think, but of course that memory’s a bit tainted. I felt something strange when I looked at him.” I shivered.

  “Try not to think about it,” Lachlann whispered, cupping my cheek with his other hand.

  “I’m fine. It’s just … I think it’s because I looked up into your eyes first. I felt as if I’d come out of a trance, and even though you were a stranger, I felt safe. Then fear washed over me as I took in my surroundings. The shabbiness and the acrid smell. And the way Wallace looked down at me, his hand moving over his cock just inches from my face.” I shook my head and slid my arms around his chest. “Just hold me. Frightening as it was, it brought you to my rescue.”

  “But I would prefer it hadn’t happened at all,” Lachlann whispered.

  I drew away enough to look up into his eyes. “It’s a few bad memories. Nothing more.”

  “I tried to clear your mind as best I could. I told myself to stay away. But the thought of anyone ever harming you again nagged at me. I kept imagining all of the dangers in the world somehow descending upon you.”

  “So you sent your guard?”

  He nodded. “A mistake. But I knew I’d approach you if I did it myself.”

  I laughed softly. “You didn’t hold out very long.”

  “You began cursing in a public place. Loudly. I didn’t want you to cause a scene.”

  “You wanted to see me again. I mean, you took me home and put me to bed. Undressed me and everything.”

  Lachlann smiled. “I did that magically. I didn’t peek.”

  “Whatever,” I said as I ran my tongue over his lower lip.

  He sighed and tilted his head to accept my kiss. Our mouths met hungrily, and he soon lowered me to the ground, where we kissed and held each other until the sound of the waterfall lulled as both into a light doze.

  ****

  I woke up cradled in Lachlann’s arms, and I could hear someone humming. I rolled away from Lachlann and saw a young girl with copper hair coming our way, smiling. I sat up and shook Lachlann, who only rolled to his side and tried to bury his face against my stomach.

  “Lachlann, we have a visitor,” I said as I shook him a bit harder.

  His eyes opened, and he rubbed them as he sat up. When I turned back, the girl stood a couple of feet away from us.

  “Hi,” I said, trying to be friendly. Lachlann had said his people were peaceful, plus this girl only looked about fourteen.

  “Hello!” She came closer and sat down beside us, focusing on me. “I’m Veena.”

  “I’m Adam.”

  “I know. Lachlann asked father if he could take you as his—”

  “Veena, don’t you have anything better to do than bother us?” Lachlann said, his voice stern as he leaned closer to me.

  “No. I figured you’d bring him here, and I wanted to meet him,” Veena said. She smiled, her eyes dancing with delight. “I’m his sister, and he thinks I’m too nosy.”

  “You are,” Lachlann said.

  “So, does your brother bring all of his conquests here?” I asked, unable to resist.

  “No. Never. But he likes you so much I figured he would. It’s his favorite place. He comes here when he needs to think or he’s sad about something,” Veena said.

  “Veena, sweetheart, please go away. He’ll be back for a more formal visit another time. Maybe we can go for a picnic or something,” Lachlann said.

  I could tell he was trying to get rid of her while not seeming like an asshole in front of me. “That would be nice,” I said. “It probably is pretty late back home.” I paused. “Uh, what time is it here?”

  “It’s early morning here. We function on Greenwich Mean Time, since it never changes. No need for Daylight Savings Time with no daylight.”

  “So I’ve kept you out all night?” I asked.

  “He doesn’t mind,” Veena said.

  Lachlann sighed. “We just went on a date. He knows I like him. All right?”

  Veena stood up and brushed her dress off, and I noticed it for the first time. It looked like an ordinary sundress for a girl her age, but it was made of green shimmery material that seemed to have a life of its own. “If you keep being so cranky, he’ll never agree to be your life mate.” She turned on her heels after giving us a very pleased smile.

  Lachlann sighed as she walked away.

  “What?” I said. “She seems sweet. Obviously adores you. Otherwise she wouldn’t be so interested.”

  “Hmmm.”

  I leaned in and nuzzled against his cheek before kissing him lightly. “What are you so upset about? You already said you think I’d make a good life mate for you. Is it so bad she told me you talked to your father about it?”

  He shrugged, still looking a bit put out.

  “You wouldn’t be so upset if it wasn’t true.” I paused and waited for him to look up at me. “You did ask your father if he’d find me … acceptable?”

  “Yes.”

  “And?”

  “He said I was free to ask you. That he wouldn’t object.”

  I waited a moment before asking, “Are you serious about this? Or did you ask to avoid starting something you couldn’t finish?”

  A brief smile turned the corners of his mouth up. “What do you think?”

  “I’m not sure. That’s why
I’m asking. You know more about me, but marrying someone … that’s a big move.”

  He nodded slowly. “It is.”

  “And you’re a prince. You should marry someone suitable.”

  Lachlann frowned at me a long time. Then he took me by the shoulder and pushed me flat on my back before climbing on top of me. “Suitable?” He lowered his body until we were flush against each other. “The only suitable life mate for me is someone I’m in love with. Nothing else about him or her matters.”

  His lips captured mine, and this kiss was rougher and far more aggressive than any of our other kisses had been before. The embrace felt possessive, and I arched against him. One of his hands moved down to caress my cock through my pants, which he soon had undone. His fingers wrapped around my cock once it was free, and he finally broke our kiss.

  I gasped for breath, both from shock and because of my desperate need for oxygen. I blinked against the spots dancing before my eyes. I couldn’t think straight as he stroked me.

  He pressed his lips to my ear and said, “I want to give you pleasure.” He drew back and looked into my eyes. “We’ll make love in my bed, when the time comes, but right now I want to taste you.”

  I trembled at his words. My first boyfriend had been very sweet, yet no guy I’d ever slept with had been like this. His words made my chest tighten, and he smiled as he watched me. “I know you feel what I feel when we touch, Adam. Accept the pleasure I want to give you.”

  I moaned as he unbuttoned my shirt and kissed my chest. “Do I look like I’m rejecting it?” I whispered.

  He chuckled but didn’t say anything. His lips caressed my stomach, and I know I felt his teeth a couple of times. Then his mouth was on my cock, and nothing else mattered. He knelt between my legs and slid both hands under my ass, gripping my cheeks firmly and not letting me have much control over my movements.

  I could barely hold on. He deep-throated me and worked his tongue along the underside of my cock in a way that had me digging my fingers into the moss below me. I cried out when I came, trembling. I could hear him moaning as he sucked down every drop. I struggled against him a bit, my cock far too sensitive after my orgasm, and he released me, though he looked very reluctant as he drew back. He bent his head to kiss and lick my balls, and a few more drops of semen leaked from me. He licked it up, being very gentle as he looked into my eyes.

  He moved to lie beside me as I still struggled to catch my breath. “You’re breathtaking when you come.”

  I felt my face heat. “That was amazing,” I whispered. I wasn’t embarrassed, not really, but I’d never experienced that much emotion during a blowjob before.

  “It was.” He propped on one elbow. “We don’t play games with courtship. Not the way humans do. You seem to take marriage seriously, and I’m glad. I’d like the chance to win your heart.”

  I was still half undressed, and I sat up to pull my shirt together and tuck my dick away. When I glanced back at him, he looked somewhat concerned, worrying his lower lip between his teeth. I finished fastening my pants and then reached for his hand. “What are you looking like that for? How often does a man get an offer like that right after the most amazing blowjob of his life?”

  “Our worlds are very different,” Lachlann said. “I already care for you deeply.”

  I squeezed his hand. “I care for you, too. You saved me, and I liked you once I actually started to get to know you.” I lay back to be more on his level. “And my attraction’s pretty obvious. I was picturing you sucking my cock before I even knew your name.”

  “It’s why I returned. I told myself to leave you alone. But then I felt your emotions. Saw what you were picturing.”

  “How does that work?” I asked.

  “Enchanters can connect with each other through their minds. Forget anything you’ve ever heard or been told about psychic powers. It’s nothing like that. It’s a personal bond. You were able to connect with me because I’d used my magic on you. To clear your mind and get you home safely.”

  “You seemed kind of pissed when you showed up,” I said.

  He frowned. “I seemed drunk?”

  “Pissed off? Angry?”

  “Oh, yes. Sorry. Wrong continent.”

  I laughed. “Even though you didn’t seem too pleased with me, you being there turned me on more.”

  “Oh, I remember. I had to make myself leave the room. I wanted to push you back on that bed and fuck you right then.”

  “Maybe we should’ve started with that.”

  “I’m glad we didn’t. It would’ve complicated things.”

  “I guess.”

  He sighed. “You guess? Have you had that many lovers?”

  I gave a shrug. “A few. I just meant I wouldn’t have thought less of you if we’d had sex right away.”

  “Oh.” He caressed my fingers, playing with them. “How many lovers have you had?”

  “Will it make a difference?”

  “No. I’ve had many myself. I’d only be a tiny bit jealous.”

  I laughed. “Only a tiny bit, huh?”

  “Yes. Because they’ve already gotten to make love to you.”

  “I’m not sure I’d call much of it making love. Maybe with … this one guy. But the others? Nope. Just fucking.” I shifted to prop on my elbow and looked into his eyes. “I’ve been with seven men. One guy, Stephen, I thought it was love. We didn’t work out in the end.”

  “But did you love him?”

  “In a way, perhaps. But he had to move for work, and I just wasn’t willing to go with him.”

  “Can we keep seeing each other? Do you think you could love me?”

  “I … yes, we can continue seeing each other. Of course we can. But that other question’s hard. I want you. I like you. Is that enough for now?”

  Lachlann drew me to him. “Yes,” he whispered against my lips before kissing me thoroughly. Completely. More deeply than I’d ever been kissed before.

  “Are you sure you aren’t using your powers on me?” I asked when our lips finally parted.

  “No. I’d never do that. It wouldn’t be real. It’s not something one can sustain, so I’d only get my heart broken when I could no longer enthrall you.”

  “Is that what Wallace did?”

  “Yes. It’s immoral to use magic that way.” He grasped me closer, tighter. “Still drives me mad he used you like that.”

  “I’m not saying I want to remember, but what did he do?”

  Lachlann didn’t answer me.

  “You don’t have to tell me, but I wish you would.”

  Lachlann hesitated a bit before clearing his throat. “He showed me in his mind.”

  “Oh.” Our eyes met. “That’s why it affects you so much. You saw it. It’s more personal.”

  He nodded slowly. “You two talked in the bar. Flirted. But you lost interest. He began to work the spell and soon got you to leave with him. In the motel, you kissed. He touched you, through your clothes. Then he sat down and freed his cock, told you to kneel. That’s when I came in.”

  I let out the breath I’d been holding. “Thank you.” I touched his cheek. “Is there a way to make you forget?”

  “Yes, but I don’t wish to. I learned a hard lesson. I have to be more careful. Less trusting.”

  “There will always be duplicitous people. Perhaps more cautious. Not less trusting.”

  Lachlann smiled, his expression a bit sad. “You’re so sweet. Caring. At first, I wasn’t sure about you either. You never seemed to smile much. I wasn’t sure if it was your experience or not. I thought you might be cold or distant. I love your warmth and gentle nature.”

  “Gentle nature, huh? I don’t know about that.”

  He caressed my cheek, my hair. “It’s midnight. I know you have work tomorrow. Let me take you home.”

  I didn’t want to go. I wanted to spend the entire day with him. But I knew we needed to go slow, given what his goal seemed to be. I didn’t want to encourage him when I didn’t know w
hat I truly wanted beyond the next few days and weeks.

  I let him take me home, and I held him close and kissed him until he pulled away and vanished before my eyes.

  ****

  Two days later, at work, I realized I’d been staring at my phone ever since I got up the morning after my trip to Lanastel. I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing. Waiting for Lachlann to call me was pointless, as he likely didn’t even have a phone, plus he did have the power to come see me whenever he wanted, so why would he even call?

  Though, it would be nice to talk to him in bed. Of course, the live version would be much better, all things considered.

  But when would we see each other again? We hadn’t exactly made any plans. I could only call out to him if I was alone. The last thing I needed was a coworker noticing me whispering to myself. Or Lachlann suddenly appearing by my cubicle.

  I considered lifting my phone to my ear and saying his name, but would he know what I was doing? We hadn’t really talked about what happened on his end when I said his name. I also worried about bothering him since I’d learned that our days weren’t exactly aligned.

  “Hey, Adam?” a voice said.

  I turned and saw Jennifer, my department’s office manager, standing by my cubicle. “Yeah?”

  “You have a visitor. She says she’s a relative.”

  “Okay.” I stood up and slid my phone into my pocket.

  “She’s down in the lobby.”

  “Thanks.” I had no idea who it might be. The security guards downstairs all knew my mom, and I hadn’t been told anyone was coming into town.

  As the elevator doors closed, I froze. “Lachlann?” I whispered.

  He appeared at my side, glancing around briefly. “Yes? What’s wrong?”

  I gaped at him a moment, praying no one else would get on the elevator. He wore a white tunic over brown leather pants and dark brown boots. He did not belong in an elevator in my office building. “Someone’s here to see me. I don’t know who it is.”

  He closed his eyes briefly and then opened them again and said, “Your mother. Moira. I told her you wanted to meet everyone. Guess she couldn’t wait.”