Wild Magic Two: The Dark of the Sun- a M/M shifter fantasy romance

3- The Answer is No

CAIN—

I never did make it out to run that night... or for the next week. Mostly because I spent the next few days trying desperately to avoid the Emperor.

It was as if he was everywhere I turned. I left the gate soon after Lady Sera had left me there alone, only to find him watching me from the window of his sleeping quarters, four stories up. His eyes lit up with amusement and gentle affection as he waved cheerily, but I ignored him and moved out through the gate without a backwards glance.

I wouldn't be pulled in by a man like that. Not even for the sexual release I knew he could provide.

It had been more than a year since I had vowed my celibacy to any gods who would hear me, and never before had I been so tempted to break that vow. I wanted nothing more than to run up the four flights of stairs and tackle the Emperor to his plush beds. Show him how a wild mage lost control.

But I couldn't. I wouldn't.

In the few days since his arrival, the man seemed to have some kind of foresight as to where I would be at any given time. Although I doubted he would need a crystal ball. The inhabitants of the castle seemed to find it amusing to send the man after me, no matter how I tried to hide.

Especially Robert and Dasan, although the prince wasn't much better. Though he was at least distracted by his upcoming wedding and Edon's coronation. Dasan seemed to make it his mission to keep track of me just so he could report back to the Emperor.

The first time he managed to catch me was the morning after his arrival. I was practicing against a straw dummy in the west courtyard— the training yards. I had removed my shirt as my sweat soaked it, and my feet were bare so I could feel the pulse of the earth beneath me.

His whistle was piercing and had me jumping and turning to him in a fighting crouch.

How had I not heard or smelled him coming?

My beast began to purr in my chest and I growled aloud, frustrated at his contentment and lack of warning. He all but licked his chops as I looked the Emperor up and down, my prick twitching as I caught sight of his pink nipples through the translucent shirt he wore.

"May I help you, your majesty?" I asked, wanting to roll my eyes as he chuckled and moved almost fluidly into the courtyard.

It was only then I realized we were alone.

Where were his guards? If they were under my command, they'd be strung up for leaving him to wander alone. He was completely vulnerable, and from the lack of muscles on his sinewy frame, and lack of weapons, it didn't look as if he could protect himself against any threat, no matter how minuscule.

"So, so many ways I wish I could answer that question, beautiful. But I'd love your name?"

His sensual, throaty voice sent shivers down my spine. It wasn't until he was just in front of me that I realized he was actually an inch or so taller than me.

"Cain," I answered, and it took everything in me not to take a step back as he pressed his chest up against mine, his hand coming up to flicker against my throat, the other resting against my hip.

"Cain," he replied, reciting my name with sex in his voice. I wanted to close my eyes, savor the sound, taste the hot breaths against my lips as he leaned forward, but I held his gaze and frowned sternly. "It's lovely to meet you, Cain. My name is Riece. None of this 'your majesty' nonsense, please. It makes me feel very... royal. And stuffy."

I gritted my teeth as his hand on my hip began making soft circles against my skin, gently tugging at the waistband of my leggings every few passes. His fingers on my skin were like brands.

It took everything in me not to pull him closer, press my hardening cock against his abdomen, and devour his mouth with my own. Instead, I grabbed both his wrists in ironclad grips and pulled his seeking fingers from my skin.

"I said no before, your majesty. The answer hasn't changed with the exchange of names. I'm not interested in what you're offering."

The Emperor's smile was almost guileless as he twisted his hands in my grip. Not to pull away from me, but to intertwine our fingers. The feeling of his fingers clutching my skin had my pulse racing dangerously fast.

"You are attracted to me. I know you are. So why do you say no, beautiful Cain? I'd make sure you were very... satisfied."

I'm sure you would, I wanted to growl, shoving out the anger and heated jealousy that burned through me like a wildfire at the thought of how many men he had thrown himself at like this. I was just one in a long line of many. I knew it. The Emperor was known for his sexual exploits— with men and women. He had three children by three different women, for the gods' sake.

My beast liked the thought even less than I did.

Mine, he growled. He demanded I claim the man, mark him as my own, scent him so others would know to whom he belonged.

But he could never be mine. And I was better than my beast. I was a man. I would never again be led around by the cock as I had for so long. I was still healing my soul from the last time I had thought a man was mine.

But your beast never claimed Kile, the sensible part of my brain whispered. He never declared him as his own.

I shook my head, pulling back and stepping out of the Emperor's reach before prying my fingers loose.

"The answer is no," I hissed, before turning on my heel and leaving him in the training yard.