T'ralla eyed the new arrivals at her brothers' home with uncertainty, biting her lower lip as she wrapped her arms around her knees. She sat at the second step of the stairs leading up to 'her' room – as Raha said – already for a good few minutes, ever since she walked downstairs and saw the surprise.

Her mom was sitting on one of the few pieces of furniture – that wasn't there yesterday! – in the massive room with an unfamiliar woman who had familiar hair. Raha's red hair. Same as the pair of kits that sat on the floor nearby women and looked kind of… scared? Maybe nervous?

A boy and a girl, sitting next to each other and holding their hands were the centers of her observation since she spotted that they had the same ruby eyes as Raha – only, strangely, one each. The boy's left eye was red while the other one was… greenish? Blue-green? And the girl's was exactly the opposite, the right eye red and the other green. She only saw it when their eyes darted to her nervously as she walked down the stairs, but after that, they both seemed to avoid looking anywhere but at their connected hands – and occasionally toward the women. The boy's red hair reached his shoulders while the girl's was bound into a long braid, falling over her shoulder.

They both didn't look much older than her – or maybe even the same age – and she really, really wanted to ask them if they wanted to play… but she was too uncertain. She had no idea who they were and how they got to her brothers' home – but by their looks, she guessed that they had to be someone related to her brother's mate… Which was weird because yesterday Senri said that Raha doesn't have a family.

And… were they also royalty, then? If Raha was a prince, and they're related to him, had to be…? Then they sure wouldn't like to play with her…

T'ralla sighed quietly, pursing her lips and staring at the ground between her feet with a frown. Last night, before they went to sleep – and it was so nice to be allowed to sleep in the same room as her! – her mom told her that Senri wanted them to stay here… for good. And she was beyond excited about that – even if her mommy warned that he planned to talk about it with Raha first – but she heard the redheaded prince ask her mom the same thing back in the forest. Not going back to the camp sounded like a dream-come-true, honestly, because then she wouldn't have to train in hurting animals. Instead, she maybe could learn magic! And she knew her mother was beyond happy to be able to see Senri – without other females around to laugh at her for wanting that.

But now, as her mom talked quietly with this new, redhead woman she didn't have a very happy expression. Actually… she looked very serious and perhaps… angry, holding the woman's hand and whispering something. That female was very, very pretty – if not for the big scar on her face. When she spotted it, T'ralla couldn't help but cringe – not because it was ugly, but because she thought that it must have hurt so much to be hurt on the face like that. She wondered if Raha knew a spell to fix something like that… and if he would teach her. Then she could heal the woman's face… and maybe then the kits would like her.

And she really would like that. Especially the boy… She blushed darkly, hiding her flaming face against her knees. She didn't know them, but when her eyes earlier briefly met the boy's unusual eyes, her heart fluttered wildly and since then she couldn't help how her eyes were constantly drawn to him. But he looked so much like Raha… so incredibly pretty… She dared another swift look toward him, and gasped quietly, meeting his gaze before he colored darkly and looked away back to his… sister? They looked nearly identical, so they had to be twins. She felt her face only grow hotter as she buried it in her lap again, hoping her stupid heart would calm down and scrambling in thought for a way to make friends with them… if they would want to, that is…

She almost jumped out of her skin when suddenly the front door of the house opened and then grinned involuntarily when her brother walked in. And considering Senri held something in his folded, big palms, she forgot all about her uncertainty and darted toward him with an embarrassing squeal of excitement, nearly missing her other brother walking in behind his mate.

"Easy, Ralla," her brother chided softly but with a smile and she automatically stopped a step in front of him, excitably peering toward his hands as her blonde tail went absolutely insane with enthusiasm when she spotted a tiny ball of fur in his palms. "She's a bit nervous so you have to be patient with her," he chuckled, walking over to the other side of the big room – closely followed by her – then kneeling down and finally letting her see the kitten clearly. She positively gushed when slitted yellow eyes peered toward her and it was sooo hard not to reach out and pet the cat, she had to fold her hands together to keep herself in check. She completely missed the complete silence ruling on the other side of the room, only almost jumped when a big hand delicately rested over her hair.

"Let her sniff your hand so she can learn your scent," said Raha softly and she looked toward him with the brightest grin, then followed the suggestion slowly reaching out her right hand toward the kitten, trying to keep calm as the animal hesitated then shifted in Senri's palms and sniffed at her fingers. Then she got the biggest surprise of her short life.

"Dad?" the kitten meowed happily, nuzzling its triangular head against her fingers as T'ralla's jaw simply dropped.

"Told you… she's very special, too," her brother's mate chuckled at her expression, leaning in to place a bag he was holding on the floor next to them. "Here are some of her toys, food, and snacks. We will set up a spot for you to play with her later, once the others arrive…"

"Wait.. dad?" Senri scowled visibly, looking toward the kitten with a funny expression. "What in the…?"

"Language, Snark," his mate hissed then ruffled her hair. "Ralla smells like you, silly. Sali's clearly recognizing that."

"Oh, so…" she giggled involuntarily when a very wide, goofy grin lit up her brother's beautiful face. "…she does love me!"

That had his mate snort a quiet laugh, but she was more focused on the kitten when her brother carefully put her on the ground near the bag. Then Senri opened it and pulled out a small grey ball, handing it to T'ralla.

"Here, that's her favorite toy," he said, still with that grin. "Simply toss it for her."

"Thank you!" she grinned back, then fell to her knees inelegantly, trying to contain the waving of her tail. The kitten seemed busy exploring her surroundings, but when she carefully tossed the ball next to her, the tiny animal looked toward it.

"Play?" it meowed, then pushed the ball back to her.

"Oh, Azeyma…!" she gushed and her tail went absolutely insane. "That's so cute!" she pushed the ball back, giggling madly when the kitten pounced at it, then pushed the ball back.

"I know, right?" her brother chuckled, then stood up to his impressive height. "Navi, Nari, you can play with her, too… if you wish," he said toward the other side of the room and she couldn't help how her fingers twitched nervously. And when she heard quiet, uncertain steps… Oh, Azeyma…!

"The kitten… it talks?" a soft voice of the girl had her look toward them with an uncertain smile.

"Mhmm," her brother hummed, moving back to let them see the animal better. "Only a few words so far… but she's learning quickly."

The girl seemed as fascinated by the kitten as T'ralla was, but her brother looked more interested in her brother's mate, staring up at him with an uncertain expression. No less uncertain than Raha's and she looked between them with confusion.

"Are they your kits, Raha?" she finally blurted out, frowning at him.

"Wha…?" he looked at her as if she grew another head. "No!"

"Ah… okay," she giggled at his shocked expression and instant, furious blush then focused on the kitten again, tossing her a ball. "They just look… so much like you I thought…"

"They're his niece and nephew," Senri said softly, motioning for them in invitation toward the cat and moving around her to stand next to his mate. The girl hesitated, but when Salina pounced at the ball again, she seemed unable to resist anymore and let go of her brother's hand to gingerly sit down near T'ralla, smiling toward her hesitantly and shyly.

"I'm Nari," she whispered, stretching out her hand toward her.

"T'ralla," she accepted it with a grin and shook the girl's hand seriously.

"Navi," the boy said with a sigh, dropping to his knees opposite of her and offering his hand next. Again, she shook it as a grown-up's would, but couldn't help her blush. His hand felt nice… and he blushed as dark, then dropped her hand hastily and rested his in his lap, looking toward the kitten. "What is its name?"

"Salina, and it's a she," she said proudly, picking up the ball after the kitten pushed it toward her. "But you should let her sniff your fingers… so she doesn't get scared."

"Adorable," her brother laughed softly, then sighed. "Come on, Raha… let's leave them to play."

"Ah… yeah," suddenly her brother's mate sounded very nervous and she looked toward him with a frown.

"Is something wrong?" she asked, looking between him and Senri.

"No, Ralla," her brother leaned in to ruffle her hair and his ice-blue eyes grew serious. "Just… take care of the twins and Sali, okay, little sister?"

"Sure!" she grinned, then turned back to the kitten just in time to see the boy hesitantly offer her his fingers to sniff at.

"Papa," Salina purred, rubbing her head against them and making Navi grin at her. And seeing his whole face and mismatched eyes lit up like that… Oh, Twelve, her face was on fire…!

T'ralla swallowed thickly the offered the gray ball to the girl, smiling hesitantly. Nari took it and then tossed it toward the kitten, stealing her attention from her brother. More hearing than seeing the adult males walk off to the other side of the room, she grew uncertain without their reassuring presence.

"So… he's your brother?" the boy whispered, leaning in between them slightly.

"Mhmm," she nodded shyly, mesmerized by his red-green eyes.

"You look nothing alike," his sister said softly, smiling.

"That's because he's special," she said back proudly.

"That's for sure," Navi whispered, looking behind her with a slight frown. "He's huge!"

"Mhmm," she nodded eagerly, then hesitated and sighed. "But no, I mean… he's the Warrior of Light," Okay, maybe she shouldn't brag… but Raha did say it wasn't bad to do. A little.

Both twins looked at her with wide-open eyes.

"What's that?" Nari finally asked, tilting her head curiously. "Is that why he can use magic?"

Seeing as confused look on the boy's face, she frowned and looked between them with surprise.

"You don't know who the Warrior is?" she whispered and gasped when they both shook their heads hesitantly. She shifted to sit on the ground instead of her knees and sighed deeply. "He's a hero," she added fervently, then sighed again and while the three of them absentmindedly tossed the ball for the kitten to play with, she set to tell them stories she remembered of her brother's adventures.


Leaving the kits playing with Sali, G'raha was incredibly grateful for his mate's reassuring presence as they neared the two women sitting on one of the couches he summoned for their guests' comfort before leaving last night. Ever since he walked in behind Senri, he was too uncertain to even look toward them – and seeing the kits with the mismatched eyes of his youth… simply made it too real.

The whole thing – the whole story behind his… exile – completely turned his life upside down and… made him beyond furious. Beyond even that – as each of his lover's hesitant words kept rolling about his head… and when he finally laid his eyes on the woman that was supposed to be his sister and saw the proof of it in their undeniably similar features… and that scar cutting her cheek in half and marring her otherwise beautiful face… he fought his temper, struggling to keep on a neutral expression.

He didn't remember her – didn't know her – but to think of how much pain she had to pay for trying to stay with him… He unconsciously caught his mate's hand in his, lacing their fingers tightly and holding on for dear life as his senses reeled in the boundless fury.

The woman – Jalla – sat motionless next to Senri's mother, looking toward him with huge, wide-open, cyan eyes. Her shoulder-length hair, a few shades darker than his, framed her face and a longish fringe shaded her eyes, but if not for the scar and the fact that she looked older than his body, they could be twins, the similarity was so staggering.

"Raha…" she gasped, her face nearly white like a sheet when they stopped but a few steps in front of them and he struggled to hold her gaze, tightening his fingers around his lover's painfully. "He didn't lie… You're alive… but your eyes…?"

"That's a long story," he said slowly, then cleared his throat and dropped his gaze between them. "I am sorry… but I do not remember you."

"Of course… you were so little…" she chuckled sadly when he looked up hesitantly. The mix of sadness and regret on her face had his throat close up instantly. "I tried to make them let me go with you…" her free hand seemingly unconsciously drifted toward her face before she caught herself and dropped it in her lap, looking away. "Even when I thought you died… I regretted that they… she wouldn't let me," she admitted with a sigh, then her gaze drifted behind him – toward the playing children – and her expression brighten up. "But then I wouldn't have them…"

"Ah, their father…?" Senri said softly. "Should I look for him?"

Watching her expression, he felt a pit open up in his gut when she paled impossibly and dropped her eyes to the hand in her lap that fisted in the material of her pants.

"No," she finally whispered without looking up. "He's not… He…"

"He's your father, too," T'rhasa almost growled, even as her hand squeezed his sister's in reassurance. His eyes shot to her and got stuck in the depths of rage in her dark, navy blue eyes. Utterly numb inside, he felt his mate's fingers tighten around his in a bruising grip, and even though he wished he could pretend he didn't understand… Senri's rapidly building up cold, vicious rage across their bond had all the blood drain from his face. "Those sick fu… people drugged her to force the heat early and tossed her to…"

"P-please…" Jalla gasped, and when he looked at her, her gaze was back on her kits. "That doesn't… matter, not anymore. They're only mine… that's all," she dropped her eyes again.

But that made them not only his niece and nephew, as Senri said, but his sister and brother, too… And wicked white, but he's going to be sick… G'raha closed his eyes for a moment after breathing in and out a few times, fighting sudden nausea… and with effort pushing back the red haze of fury, only made harder by his lover's cold rage spiking it so much higher.

Breathe, Raha, Damon's whisper became an anchor. In and out, slowly, my boy. We will make them pay, don't worry. Just focus on breathing… and try to get us at least one name, okay?

He opened his eyes and following his immortal's instruction, looked to the side and up, meeting his mate's eyes – more than ever reminding him of shards of ice. Seeing him shove his free hand in the pocket of his pants and feeling the sharp tips of his claws against his skin, he knew that his lover's leash was at the edge of snapping… he took another deep breath, moving his gaze back to the woman and trying to calm down, knowing his own temper was spiking Senri's as well.

"My Senri told me… what you told him," he said slowly, articulating the words carefully. When her cyan eyes rose to him, he tried to smile with reassurance… but what he managed could be called a grimace at most. "About… our grandmother," his eyes involuntarily drifted to the scar on her face and he had to look down quickly as breathing was becoming increasingly difficult. "What I don't understand is… why would she be allowed to… treat you like that."

"Allowed…?" his sister's quiet laugh was beyond bitter. "She made the rules, Raha. As the mother of the N-Nunh… she was – perhaps still is – the leader of the camp. None dared – or seemed to care – to oppose her. In the first year, whenever she would take you away from me and I had to steal you back… there was always someone willing to report me and earn her favor by whip…" she choked, looking away again as she cleared her throat. "Before she came to take you away… for good… I didn't understand why she was so… interested in you. She hated our mom… and we look so much like her… she seemed to take a special thrill in punishing me. When she stopped taking you away I hoped… but then…" she sighed softly, then let go of T'rhasa's hand and folded both of hers in her lap. "I… I'm glad you're alive," she whispered, raising her eyes and catching his stare. "And now… I'm beyond happy that… that man send that letter, Raha. Perhaps your… ah, mate… is right and he knew what they planned for you… I don't know. Seeing how she… molded our… f-father… I'm just happy you avoided that," she smiled at him shakily and his heart lurched painfully. "I know you can't remember… And I don't really know the man you did become… But I'm glad to know you're… safe, little brother. But I don't want to… trouble you or your f-family," she whispered, dropping her eyes again. "I don't know this land… but once I figure something out…"

"Just… please, stay," he said softly, again trying to smile when she looked up with surprise. He cleared his throat when he heard how hoarse he sounded, then exhaled slowly. "I mean… There's plenty of space here… and… and I do… I would like to get to know you… and your children," he tightened his fingers around his lover's, feeling his claws retreat slowly as his own heartbeat slowed down and breathing became easier. "You… all of you will be safe here, I swear. We're holding a party here tonight, just for our friends, but afterward, this home… can be yours," he finally managed that smile when her cyan eyes widened impossibly and moved between him and his Warrior. "You already met Senri's mom," he nodded toward T'rhasa who smiled at him reassuringly then clearly spooked his sister by moving closer and wrapping her arm around her shoulders. He smiled at her with a grateful nod, then motioned behind him, where the children seemed to discuss something in tiny, excited whispers while playing with Sali. "Your kits seem to get along with his sister… And we will be most likely busy for quite a while with our… tasks."

"My mother and sister never before left their… our tribe," his mate said in an easy tone, freeing his hand to wrap his arm around his shoulders and pull him tight against his side. Almost automatically coiling his arm in turn around his waist, G'raha leaned against his reassuring heat, drawing strength to keep back his temper from Senri's presence. "If you could teach them about the outside world, Jalla, while we're gone… I would very much appreciate that. Like Raha said, after today it'll be probably quite a while before we're able to visit… but I'll provide you with more than enough gil to make it as easy on all of you as possible. If you could as well look after Salina while we're gone… would be lovely. So if you like… you can treat that as a sort of job," he chuckled, pressing a fond kiss on top of his head.

"A job…?" his sister frowned, then looked hesitantly toward the other woman.

"My boy's quite right," T'rhasa caught on instantly, sending the younger Seeker quite a sheepish smile. "I know nothing of the world… and to have someone adult along to talk to and ask about confusing things would be beyond reassuring!" she giggled with a typical for his mate enthusiasm, then with her free hand waved toward the kits. "And just look at them! Ever since coming down, my Ralla can hardly keep her eyes off your boy," she added in a conspiratorial whisper.

"Huh?" his lover stilled, turning his gaze toward where she was pointing. G'raha followed his gaze around him and almost snorted a laugh when his Warrior startled, seeing his young sister blushing darkly and staring at the boy with downright sparkling, starry eyes. "Hey… she's too young for that," his lover grumbled, tightening his arm around his shoulders.

"It's a harmless crush, Senri," his mother chided softly, giggling madly at her son's expanse.

"Yeah, sure…" his mate sighed theatrically, then tossed T'rhasa a deadpan stare. "That boy looks just like a miniature version of Raha when I met him, mom. And you said yourself that Ralla likes the same things I do…" he trailed off, wiggling his dark eyebrows playfully. "She's a goner, I promise you."

"Navi's brave and kind," Jalla said with a smile, relaxing considerably while she looked toward the children. "I can assure you, he will never hurt that girl in any way."

"Oh, that's even worse," his Senri snarked, grinning his goofy grin when she looked at him with surprise. "Sounds just like my Raha, too."

And to see his sister snort a quiet laugh at that, then blush and cover her mouth quickly… he couldn't help but simply adore his beast, even more, tightening his arm around Senri's waist.

"You're overreacting, Snark," he joined in, rolling his eyes pointedly.

"Oh, yeah?" his lover chuckled, then tossed another quick look toward the kits. "Want to bet on that, Raha?"

"You're on," he grinned involuntarily and they exchanged looks.

Thought you're never taking bets you know you'll lose, my boy? Damon chuckled, sounding ungodly amused.

Hush, he replied, clearing his throat again before looking toward his sister.

"So… you'll stay?" he asked with a hesitant smile.

"I…" she grew serious and visibly took a deep breath before smiling back with uncertainty. "Well, put like that… It would be unreasonable to refuse," Jalla said quietly, then sighed and her smile grew more than a bit sheepish. "But if I can… pay you back somehow, please, let me know."

"Actually, you do," he freed himself from under his mate's arm and kneeled in front of her on one knee, gently catching her hands in his. "I… want her name, Jalla," he said quietly, looking toward the scar on her cheek. "The woman who did this to you… to us… Please?"

"I…" she hesitated, then tightened her fingers around his hands. "Why?"

"To make her pay," he whispered, holding her gaze next. "To make all of them pay."

Something fierce and fiery flashed in her eyes before she lowered them to their hands.

"Raha… revenge is not a…" she took a deep breath, then looked up, freeing one hand to delicately press it against his cheek. "You're safe… which is the only thing I always wanted for you. Don't let them ruin it. You don't know those people, little brother… Your eyes… If they get their hands on you…"

"Over my dead body," Senri growled softly, then sighed. "And it's not about revenge, Jalla," he said quietly and G'raha felt him lean over his back. "It's about making things right… To bring back equilibrium. What they did… What that woman did, to you, my mate, and what she would do to your kits if she got a chance… They need to be put down like the rabid beasts they act like… That's all."

"This world has enough suffering as it is, s-sister," he said softly, hesitantly leaning his head into her touch. "Please, let us make it right."

The woman sighed, then closed her eyes and leaned in until their foreheads met. And when her scent filled his nose, something deep, deep inside his head stirred, bringing back a fuzzy memory of warmth and gentle touch… that disappeared quickly, but was enough to have his soul steel itself in determination to make people who robbed him of knowing her pay for that. Who put fear in her eyes and that scar on her face.

"G'napa," she finally whispered, then leaned back and her expression hardened. "Her name is G'napa… and make it hurt," she added, tapping her fingers against his cheek.

"With pleasure," he nodded slowly, then let go of her hand and stood up, rejoining his mate's side. "Now… we get some preparation to do," he set his face in an easy smile, hoping to cover his impatience as he exchanged looks with his lover. "Some of our friends should be along shortly to help, as well, but could I ask you for a hand in setting things up?" he smiled toward the women much more honestly.

"Of course," his sister stood up, looking around the room hesitantly. "What could I help with, though?"

"Ah…" he frowned, rubbing his chin with consideration.

"Setting up a quiet spot for kits and Sali to play at would be lovely. Most of her things are in that bag," Senri suggested easily, with his free hand pointing toward the stairs. "I'll help Raha set up a bedroom for you and your kits in the meantime. Mom, Alisaie – the girl you met yesterday – and Y'shtola, another friend, should be along shortly with the snacks and drinks… Can you wait to let them in?"

"Sounds like a plan," his mother smiled, standing up while Jalla walked over to the children. Looking after her, T'rhasa moved closer to them, then her dark eyes caught his in a snare. "While I don't understand everything, my boy… What they did to you and your family is a travesty," she whispered, briefly catching and holding his hand. "There's no excuse for that… and as my beautiful boy said, they need to be put down," some of the too-familiar temper turned her eyes dark like a starless night sky. "And I hope… No, I believe, whatever you do… wouldn't be enough to make it right, but… there's no harm in trying," she did have Senri's grin… even the vicious tilt of his beast, too.

"Do not worry… m-mom," he stammered slightly but was rewarded with a very pleased look at that, then squeezed his fingers around hers gently. "I think, I have just a thing to make it… worthwhile."

"Good," she grinned, then freed her hand and shooed them toward the stairs. "Now, off you go, my boys."

Heading upstairs and followed by his lover, he released the breath he wasn't even aware he was holding.

"Your mom… is quite something," he whispered softly when they arrived at the second floor.

"Seriously, Raha…" his lover chortled, earning his indignant hiss and a fiery blush when he shamelessly swatted his behind. "Who did you think taught me that there's need to be a balance to… these things? My mom's maybe inexperienced with the outside world, yeah, but she's not naïve, my prince, when it comes to people's nature. What's more, she always seemed to have this… uncanny instinct about what's wrong and right."

"Sounds familiar," he admitted, then stopped, turning around. He fisted his hands in Senri's black shirt and pulled him down until their breaths mixed. "I didn't say it before… I wasn't sure… but thank you, Snark. For finding them and bringing them here," he whispered barely above his breath.

"My Raha…" his lover sighed, wrapping his hands around his face and smoothing his thumbs over his cheeks. "You never need to thank me, my heart. They're your family… therefore, they're mine, too. But…" his ice-blue irises grew cold and a vicious, fanged grin spread his too-pretty lips. "…yourrr fatherrr doesn't count, Rrraha… If he's still alive, I'll gut him, just so you know."

"I wouldn't expect anything less, my beast," he purred, dragging his hands up his chest and sinking his fingers into the ink-black strands to fist them and lifting slightly to meet his mate's heated kiss. Instantly dazed by his flavor and beyond aroused by the sharp edges of Senri's fangs, he merely gasped and mewled breathlessly when his lover fed him a delicious growl, then backed him against the nearest wall, devouring his mouth with fervor.

Keeping one hand in the black hair, he let the other drift down his mate's side to dig his fingers in his marvelous behind, instinctively begging his need in a breathy whimper his lover swallowed with relish. Letting himself get lost in Senri's taste, he almost whimpered when his Warrior broke the kiss with a gasp, then dropped his head against his shoulder, panting for air desperately.

"Keep it up, Rrraha…" his mate chuckled breathlessly, shamelessly dropping his hand to his ass and pulling him close as he rutted his more than eager cock against his stomach. "…and I'll have to fuck you again. Can neverrr get enough of you, my prrrince."

"I mean…" he drawled, tightening his fingers around the tight muscles on his lover's behind as he tilted his head and dragged his tongue over Senri's throat. Nearly tasting his delicious heat and his senses still swimming with his intoxicating scent… he couldn't help but purr in an instinctive invitation, choking on it when his mate growled against his neck with a warning, pinning him harder against the wall with his body. And feeling all that heated muscles surrounding him, dancing under his palm as his lover rutted against him insistently… G'raha swallowed thickly, then cleared his throat and meaningfully pushed against his beast's wide chest. "…later," he gasped, trying to collect his thoughts and calm his insane heartbeat.

"I'm going to hold you to that, my prrrince," Senri purred, pulling back just slightly to nip on his lower lip. "Beforrre this parrrty in overrr… and we'rrre going to play… I'm going to fuck you against one of those walls," he rested his hands around his shoulders and stepped back, freeing him… if he wasn't mesmerized by the unbearable heat of the icy irises as they trailed down his body to rise and steal his breath again when his beast bared his fangs at him in a slow, wide grin. "You can pick the wall…" he offered graciously with a wink. "…and betterrr before I do that," he added with a snicker at his dumbfounded expression and G'raha almost expired, nervously licking his lips as the temptation to simply invite his lover to fuck him right now grew almost unbearable.

"Awfully sure of yourself, Snark," he drawled instead, leaning back against the wall for support as his hands involuntarily tightened in his lover's shirt as he fought the impulse to pull him back to him.

"I can feel your temper bubbling up under the surface," his mate cooed, unceremoniously leaning in to nuzzle his cheek against his in an affectionate caress. "It's driving me mad, Raha. Though the reason behind it is pissing me off as well… I can't help but crave to burn in your flame," he purred, a deep and rumbling sound, as he trailed a scorching line of tiny, sharp bites along his jaw and down his throat. "So… there's simply no way I can last, my prince. You know my poor self-control…"

He did… and more than loved it. Taking a few quick, deep breaths to calm the fire in his blood – which wasn't really working as Senri's delicious scent filled his head with every single one of them – he forced his arms to gently push against his mate's chest, but when Senri met his gaze, he grinned triumphantly – surely seeing the agreement on his heated face.

"Later," he repeated, blushing even darker when his mate hummed with satisfaction, then winked playfully and took two steps back… almost making him whimper at the loss of his incredible heat. "Now, let's get to work, my beast," he pushed off the wall and trying to keep his composure, headed down the corridor around his lover. And he almost succeeded, until…

"Sure, sure," Senri chortled, then again swatted his behind when he passed him. "Work first, playtime later," he wiggled his dark eyebrows playfully when he tossed him a narrowed stare.

Okay… now he was going to pay for that…

"Glad we understand each other," he said innocently, heading toward the nearest door again… in thought considering how he was going to punish his beast for that… impertinence.

I might have just an idea to help with that, Damon whispered with amusement and suddenly an… image sparked inside his head that almost had him stumble with a gasp. Hiding his furious blush, he stepped inside the empty room and fought not to let his lover notice his expression as he pretended to look around the room.

Damon! He downright hissed. A word of a warning next time.

Ah… no outright denial? His immortal chortled. Progress!

Shut up, he hoped his mate won't somehow guess a reason behind his blush. But it does look… interesting.

Thought you'll think that, Damon chuckled fondly, then repeated the image with slight adjustments. Better?

He didn't answer – busy trying not to combust – but he didn't need to as the immortal downright cackled evilly, then settled back.

"Raha… are you okay?" his mate asked with a slight frown.

"Fine!" he gasped, straining to keep his expression as sheepish and innocent as possible. "Just… got lost in thoughts for a moment."

"Pleasant ones, I hope," his lover chuckled, briefly brushing his fingers against his heated cheek.

"Perhaps," he admitted, catching his wrist and placing a kiss in the middle of his palm before dropping his hand and turning his attention back to the room. "Okay… let us get it sorted out," he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then started to imagine how he wanted the room to look like… by now barely registering that his mouth moved in a long-dead language he didn't really understand.

"We do love to watch you at work," Senri chuckled fondly, leaning back against the wall behind him – his presence merely a pretext to cover the use of the spell.

Involuntarily smiling at the remark, feeling Damon's pleasure as well, he waved his hand slightly to silence his mate and poured all his focus into the magic.