...In the aftermath of their lovemaking, Gaige felt sated and relaxed. He knew from experience, however, that it would take very little to stir the fires of desire between Keiran and him again. A look, a touch, even a thought could cause the ever-burning spark between them to flare into yet another full-fledged blaze. Their relationship had been like that from the very beginning, as if they’d never be able to get enough of each other.

Keiran’s palm, callused and warm, stroked Gaige’s chest, skimming over his nipples. Each time he rubbed across the sensitive nubs, a new erotic tremor rippled through Gaige, yet also a feeling of contentment. The two reactions were no longer mutually exclusive—with Keiran he could feel lust and love, excitement and peace, all in the same breath.

“Do you remember what I’ve told you about draegan magick?” Keiran asked.

Gaige turned his head to look at his lover. “What about it?”

“How it works.”

“You mean by concentration and intention?”

“Mm-hmm. Remember how you put up a protective shield over the entrance to the caves when you helped the families with children escape Thrythgar, to keep Byram’s troops from finding them?”

Gaige rolled onto his side to face Keiran. As he did, one of Keiran’s knees slid between his legs, nudging against his groin in a slow tease, bringing his already half-erect cock fully back to life. His hand moved around to Gaige’s back where it traced a sensual motion up and down his spine. Between the two, it was hard for Gaige to think about much of anything else.

It took a moment to remember what Keiran had asked. “I wasn’t even aware at that point I was part draegan,” he said. “I didn’t know I could do anything like that. I didn’t even realize I had done it until long afterward.”

Keiran smiled, his eyes sparkling like rich silver gemstones, as if Gaige had just made his point for him—whatever it was. “Exactly. You had the intention of putting up a protective barrier, and so it happened, even though you weren’t aware you were doing it. You were surprised when you found out about the shield.”

“I couldn’t fathom how I had been able to use magick without realizing it. But you said the magick had always been in me because my mother was draegan.”

“That’s right. And now, because we’re mated, you have my blood—draegan lord blood—flowing through your veins as well, Gaige. So you’re capable of even more.” He leaned in closer and stole a kiss. It made Gaige’s skin tingle, and he felt a warm ripple in the air around them, which caused him to suddenly suspect Keiran was using a little magick of his own to seduce him.

He raised an eyebrow and shot Keiran a teasing smile. ::Are you trying to bewitch me, draegan lord? I’m already your hopelessly devoted servant. What more could you possibly want from me?::

This time Keiran’s grin shot straight to his groin…which was where Keiran’s hand had gone as well. He curled his fingers around Gaige’s shaft and began to stroke it. ::Who’s bewitching whom? That stirring of energy you’re feeling? It’s not me doing it. It’s you.::

Gaige’s eyes widened and he experienced a jolt of shock that he’d once again been unknowingly stirring magick. ::Are you sure?::

Keiran chuckled. In a low voice that caused flares of heat in Gaige, he said aloud, “I’m sure. You shouldn’t be so shocked. The magick is yours to use, any time, any place.”

Gaige smiled. “If you say so.”

But Keiran, suddenly all seriousness, cupped his cheek in one warm palm and gazed deeply into his eyes. “I mean it, m’aerlas. You have to believe in your abilities. You have to believe nothing is impossible. Once you do, there will be no end to what you can accomplish.”

The last was said in a whisper just before Keiran kissed him again and pulled Gaige into the warm press of his hard, welcoming body.