Chapter 295 - Butterflies

A hundred guards had been tasked with catching fish for Levia. The Leviathan was fed till its stomach was filled and the kitchens of Silisia emptied of all their food. After the meal, she turned back into a little monster and followed Syryn to the ship. The crew members were surprised to see her. They'd never laid eyes on a creature like Levia and they never were going to in the future.

A glowering Enkansh who was wearing an amulet that gave him legs joined them reluctantly. The siren did not want to leave the ocean but Drevin had told him to explore and have an adventure for the both of them since the silver mer couldn't leave Silisia and his kingly duties. Besides, what was Enkansh going to gain from staying at Silisia? He had already spent years doing nothing in the mer kingdom. 

"What do you think?" Syryn gestured to the evening sky dotted with stars. The air was crisp and cool against their skin. 

Enkansh raised his head to gaze at the stars. The ocean had made him feel small but the sky made him feel insignificant. 

"I'm kind of glad I came with you," he replied softly. The wonder in his eyes made Syryn smile. And when he thought about getting back to his old life and discovering everything with Enkansh, he felt a thrill of excitement go through him. 

"Syryn, come with me for a moment," Rowan told him. 

Leaving Levia to snuffle around the deck of the ship, the mage followed the anti mage to their shared room. Rowan closed the door behind him and turned to Syryn who was taking off his wet clothing. 

"Remember I told you about a housemate you have called Riha," Rowan told the mage who was completely and unashamedly naked. Syryn had his back turned to Rowan, searching for a towel in the small closet of their room. 

"Yeah, what about him?" 

Rowan felt his blood go south. They hadn't had sex in months and it was taking a toll on the anti mage every time he slept with Syryn or saw him undressed. He swallowed and averted his gaze away from the mage's behind. It was still so plumpy, soft, and round. And Rowan was tempted like hell. 

"Rowan?" Syryn looked at him when there was no response from the blond. 

The anti mage was still standing against the door, looking anywhere but at Syryn. Rowan tried to distract his mind by thinking about how much bullshit was waiting for him back at the HQ. His superiors were probably losing their minds after being served notices around the same time from both Rowan and Artemus. 

"Yes, well, I wanted to let you know that Riha is a selkie," Rowan said as he made strong eye contact with Syryn so he wouldn't have to see other parts of the beautiful mage.

"A selkie?" Syryn frowned, trying to recall what he knew about the creature. 

You attacked him and drank his blood. Just letting you know.

"He is the last of his kind. I'm telling you this because I don't exactly know how Enkansh might react to Riha and vice versa."

[Damn. Did I enjoy it?]

Very much.

"I guess we'll see how it goes then," Syryn replied. "Let's introduce them first. We'll decide what to do based on their interaction." 

The mage was starting to notice Rowan's discomfort. The anti mage was seated stiffly and avoided looking directly at Syryn when he wasn't speaking. It wasn't some sort of mystery that the mage couldn't understand. Blushing a little, Syryn wrapped the towel around his waist and cleared his throat. All of a sudden he was thinking about physical intimacy. 

All these weeks he had known Rowan, the blond had only kissed him. He had been nothing but a gentleman towards the mage who saw him as a stranger. Syryn had been given plenty of space though he never asked for it. The mage was grateful and also a little dejected by it. He had thought that Rowan didn't physically desire him much and that's why the anti mage hadn't made any moves.

"Syryn," Rowan began when he saw the mage lost in his thoughts. 

"Yeah, sorry-" Syryn replied, throat going dry from the nervousness he was feeling. His overworked heart was thudding against his chest in tandem with the butterflies that fluttered in his stomach. Why was he acting like some loser about to confess to his crush?! 

"I'll uh wait outside," Rowan informed him. There was no way his boner was leaving while Syryn was before him, a delicious half-naked sprite tempting him to take what he wanted by force. 

"No, wait," he heard Syryn abruptly speak. "You don't have to leave." 

Rowan glanced at the mage who looked just as ruffled as he was feeling. A high blush sat on the mage's cheekbones like a dusting of rouge. His eyes were bright and nervous. A quick tongue darted out to lick soft lips and it drew Rowan's eyes to it. 

For a few seconds, they just looked at each other, unsure and wanting to touch but unable to ask. The anti mage wanted to respect Syryn's condition and that was why he never asked the mage for anything more than a few kisses and light touches when they slept in bed together.

Syryn's lips parted to say something but Rowan made the first move. The anti mage swiftly closed the space between them in two large strides and pulled Syryn in for a kiss that had his knees going weak.

Rowan smelled so good and tasted even better. Syryn enjoyed the feel of the anti mage's tongue delving into his mouth and tasting all of Syryn.

'Knock Knock' came a sound against their door. It was ignored by the lovebirds who couldn't get enough of each other. 

"Syryn, your pet is harassing the cook!" Enkansh shouted from outside the room.. "Hurry up before Levia gets into a fight with the man."