The Incubus and the Unicorn

Kalor’s eyes burned fiery holes between Sen’s shoulder blades. He could feel them like white hot poker’s slowly being pushed beneath the skin, and it made Sen’s skin twitch and jerk beneath his tunic. Shrugging off the unicorn’s furious gaze, Sen tried to push him from his thoughts entirely. Just the thought of the other man’s angry face was doing horrible things to his libido, and erotic images were dancing across his mind’s eye, all possessing silver eyes and wicked smiles. Instead he focused on navigating the treacherous undergrowth, keeping a wary eye out for mischievous tree roots.

Sen was leading the way, and close behind him were Kalor and Mage Boran, with Kalor bound with his hands behind his back. The unicorn might as well have had a spell of silence placed on him, since he had yet to open his mouth since Mage Boran’s attempt to cut off the mare’s horn earlier. Sen was still trying to decide if that was a good or bad thing. While a quiet Kalor was something to be treasured, the current circumstances made it less appealing and more creepy.

To put it simply, bad things happened when Kalor kept his thoughts to himself.

Close behind were several mercenaries, each one nervously clutching the handles of their swords as their eyes darted back and forth nervously. Sen couldn’t really blame them. The twisted, gnarled trunks of the Black Wood’s inner sanctum didn’t exactly inspire warm thoughts of happiness and joy.

At least not to humans. But then again, even non-humans got a little antsy this deep in the ancient forest. Except Ferik. That little bastard didn’t seem to understand why everyone else was so nervous around the old trees.

Sen frowned as he thought of the cheerful half-ling. He could have really used the other man’s green magic about now. It certainly would have made his life easier if he could just have the trees pick off the unwanted members of his little merry band, until only he and Kalor were left. Then they could finally finish what they had started in the forest earlier, and this time there would be no interruptions....

With a low oath Sen slammed the mental breaks on that train of thought. To his irritation, Mage Boran heard him swear. “I hope you are not having difficulties, Incubus. That would make me very annoyed.” the mage called out, burying his hand in Kalor’s silk locks to draw the other man to a stop.

Sen swallowed the fury that sliced through him when he saw the mage’s hand buried in Kalor’s hair. Golden eyes met blue in a clash of will power that set the air around them to crackling. “Nothing to be worried about, Mage. At least nothing that you can fix.” He smiled, flashing fangs that seemed to be growing longer with every passing moment. Soon, he knew, he would not be able to control the hunger. Even now, he was holding onto his control by a tenuous thread. It would take only the smallest provocation to snap it.

“Good. Because I would hate to have to punish the Herd Master for your mistakes.” A pale hand tugged Kalor’s head back, baring his throat to a splash of sunlight that had defiantly slipped through the thick foliage above. “He is quite a beautiful specimen, I must say.”

“Keep your hands to yourself, Mage.” Sen honestly couldn’t say who was more surprised, himself or the mage, when he appeared at the mage’s back in a blur of speed. Clawed hands pressed down on the mage’s broad shoulders. He ignored the faint shuffling of the mercenaries as they tried to decide how to react to his abrupt move. After a few tense moments the men stood down, taking their cue from the mage who had yet to react. “After all, it’s so easy to get lost in here.” Sen continued, his voice filled with seductive heat. “Even those of us who live here have to be careful from time to time.”

“You know the penalty should you attempt anything against me,” the mage said cooly. His discomfort wasn’t obvious, but Sen could sense it, and he would have smiled if he weren’t so busy trying not to stroke the mage any further. The mage could not react without giving away how threatened he felt, thus admitting that Sen had surprised him. “Your powers are no match against mine, Incubus.”

“Maybe not,” Sen whispered, allowing his eyes to meet Kalor’s blank silver gaze for a single breath of time. He felt himself crashing through waves of silver heat, and he could almost taste Kalor’s lips taking his in a fierce kiss. Then the moment was broken when Sen slid around the mage until he was face to face with him. A single clawed hand caressed Mage Boran’s cheek with carefully contained strength. “But your hoping that your threats will have meaning to me should I choose to cease this little game of ours.”

“Don’t try and convince me that the Herd Master means nothing to you. I see the way you look at him.” Mage Boran’s tone had cooled significantly, blue eyes challenging as he refused to step away from Sen’s touch.

“Then know that I can only be pushed so far!” Sen hissed. His voice carried an edge of desperation as his control slipped another notch, allowing his eyes to flicker crimson. “Step carefully, Mage.” The words were a command, but the tone he used was pleading. “Before I decide that your rules are made to be broken.”

Just as quickly as the rage came, it vanished, leaving Sen once more all coy seduction. “Fear not, Mage Boran. Just as you have implied,” Sen stressed the word knowingly, “that you would release the herd after I show you the Magic Spring, I have also promised that you will arrive there safely.” He held his ground for a moment, letting his words reach the mage. Then he stepped back with obvious reluctance, Sen allowing his fingers to trace the line of the mage’s cheek bone.

His point made, Sen was just turning away when Kalor spoke. “You should not have done this.”

Sen paused long enough to glance over his shoulder. Instead of seeing the blazing fury he expected, there was only sadness, as well as a deep pain that made Sen want to flinch away and hide. There was another emotion there, one that urged Sen to look deeper, but he broke the intense stare almost violently. Lifting his chin, he responded quietly. “Maybe not. But it was my choice to make, and I have made it.” Then he smiled, the gesture brittle around the edges. “Its too late to change my mind now.”

“Enough drama.” Mage Boran gave Kalor a sharp push as he leveled Sen with a dark look. “I want the Magic Spring, and I want it now.”

Resisting the childish urge to stick his tongue out at the mage, Sen contented himself with a fierce glare. Maybe if he was lucky one of the more mischievous trees would choose to trip the mage and make him land flat on his face. Happily running that image through his mind, Sen returned to the front of the group, following the invisible path that he had been following forever, until now. It was ironic, in a way. Just a few hours earlier he’d been thinking he would never have to make his trek to the Magic Spring again, and now here he was.

Obviously circumstances were different this time, but still.

Irony sucked.

Finally, after far too long, Sen caught the first glimpse of a willow tree in the distance. He unconsciously quickened his pace, eager to get the whole ordeal over with as soon as possible. Coming to halt at the barrier of willow branches, Sen turned, arms crossed over his chest. Jerking his head towards the willow at his back, Sen stared blankly at the mage. “Just beyond these branches is your Magic Spring.” He reached of Kalor’s arm. “Now that I’ve brought you here, I think Kalor and I will be going.”

Mage Boran pulled Kalor out of reach. “I don’t think so, Incubus.” He gestured expansively toward the curtain of willow branches. “After you.”

“Your lack of trust hurts,” Sen shot back snidely. Heart pounding, he slowly parted the willow branches, feeling their familiar caress across his arms. He could feel the willow’s silent greeting, his palms twinging from old wounds he’d made as he offered them his blood.

“Don’t think I’m unappreciative of your cooperation, Incubus. You’ve been a marvelous help. Its just that I can’t help but find your cooperation too good to be true.” Giving Kalor a push, Boran followed Sen through the willow branches. Before the two mercenaries could follow, the mage pinned with a dark stare. “Stay out here and stand guard. I do not need you beyond this point.”

The men only nodded, both sighing in silent relief that they did not have to pass through the willow branches. There was a power in the air, they knew. And it was coming from those trees.

Taking in the small clearing with greedy eyes, the mage stilled when his gaze found the shimmering spring. The light danced across the surface of the water, small sparks of color flicking in and out of existence. Pure magic. “Amazing,” he whispered, taking a helpless step toward it.

Boran was abruptly pulled out of his awed state when Sen stepped between him and the spring. “I brought you to the spring, Mage. Now hold up your end of the bargain!”

“Yes, about that.”

Sen saw the tell tale flick of fingers too late. The spell struck him hard across the chest in a burst of blazing agony. Head spinning as he gasped for air, Sen clutched a handful of grass as he writhed in pain, distantly surprised to find himself flat on his back. He was unable to hold back a moan as fire slid beneath the skin and sliced through his organs with malicious glee.

If he hadn’t been in so much pain, Sen would have laughed. For the first time in almost a week, he felt no hunger, no lingering desire to satisfy the need that lurked just beneath the surface. For a few endless moments, all he felt was pain; fiery, agonizing pain that burned him from the inside out. Then it was gone, and Sen rolled onto his side, pressing his sweat soaked face against the cool grass as he shuddered.

He did not look up when he felt the mage stand over him, unable to remember how to open his eyes. “I’ve changed my mind, Incubus. Your friend is simply too valuable to let go.” Sen felt a toe nudge him in the side, and he couldn’t even summon the energy to try and hit the mage. “I would be a fool to let such an opportunity escape me.”

“Bastard,” Sen wheezed. With the pain no longer occupying him, he could feel the hunger steadily creeping up on him once again. “...won’t let you get away with this.”

“Really?” Sen could hear the smile in the mage’s voice. The toe nudged him again, harder this time, making him groan and curl in on himself. “And how exactly are you going to stop me, Incubus?”

Sen struggled for words, but his mind came up empty. He knew there was no way he could stop the mage. There was only....but that was a stupid idea, and he didn’t even know if it would work.

When Sen failed to respond, Boran chuckled. “That’s what I thought. But don’t feel bad. You didn’t stand much of a chance anyways. Incubi aren’t exactly known for their...fighting skills.” The way he stressed the word 'fighting' made Sen clench his teeth. “Now the only question is what to do with you. I have no need for a starved Incubus, especially after seeing what you can do when suitably motivated.” Boran lifted a hand. “No. I suppose the only thing I can do is-”

The mage was cut off as a Kalor took advantage of the mage’s distraction and slammed into him, knocking them both to the ground. “Run, Sen! Get out of here!”

Still gasping for air, Sen back pedaling across the soft grass to distance himself from the two combatants rolling around on the ground. Kalor fought desperately, but there was only so much he could do with his hands bound behind his back. There was a bright flash and Kalor was blasted off the ground and into the air, falling hard a few feet away.

Furious, Boran managed to regain his feet and stalked towards the unicorn’s supine form. “Stupid fool! Who do you think I am!” A thin hand sank into the long strands of Kalor’s hair and jerked his head up from the ground. Kalor was unable to contain his wince as fire raced along his scalp. “I am Mage Boran, and will one day be the Archmage for the King himself. Do you really think you could best me? Some abomination of unicorn and human!”

“You are no great mage,” Kalor retorted cooly, refusing to flinch when Boran twisted his hand in his hair. “You are a simple, foolish little man that is too greedy to look beyond his dreams of grandeur to what is real.”

“Why you-”

“Your heart is black and rotting,” Kalor said, calmly cutting off the mage’s furious retort. “I can feel it withering as we speak. There is nothing good in you, Mage Boran.” The unicorn’s tone deepened. “As one who can see inside the hearts of men, just touching you is enough to make me sick.”

Boran bared his teeth in a mad snarl, eyes wild with rage. “If that’s the case, then I see no need to keep you alive.” With his other hand he reached into his tunic and pulled out a small dagger, the edge gleaming with small runes. He raised it high. “I’d had plans for keeping you alive, Herd Master. But, your horn will have to be enough!”

His snarl turning into a mad grin, the mage slashed downward.

“No!”

Sen ignored the pain that shot through his chest when he lunged to his feet, instead feeling only a fierce rage that threatened to shatter his bones. Teeth bared, he barreled across the grass, slamming into the mage just as Kalor had only moments earlier. “You will not touch him!”

Boran yelped in shock as a solid weight struck his side, and in his shock released his grip on Kalor’s hair. He stumbled back and had almost righted himself when his last step back took him over the edge and into the Magic Spring. Sen’s blazing amber eyes met the mage’s surprised blue before the mage hit the water in a shower of sparkling droplets.

Sen stood stock still as the water rippled and thrashed from the mage’s abrupt entry. His mind screamed for him to run run run run, but he couldn’t move, even as silence descended to unnatural stillness in a silent warning that something terrible was about to happen. He didn’t turn as Kalor moved to stand beside him, only reaching out absently to slash the bonds tying his wrists with his claws. Together they stared at the still rippling waters.

The mage’s gasp was sharp as he broke the surface, thrashing for a hold as he greedily sucked in air. Blood shot eyes fixed on Sen and Kalor with murderous intent. “I am a mage!” He screamed, dragging his soaking body out of the spring. “You are nothing compared to my power!” Staggering to his feet, he pointed at the two of them. “The Magic Spring is mine!”

“No,” Kalor said quietly, face blank. “The Magic Spring belongs to the Willows. And you did not ask their permission to touch their water.” As the unicorn spoke, the air was filled with wood creaking, and the willow branches began to shift to an invisible wind. “Now you will pay the price for stealing their life’s blood, Mage.” Slowly, Kalor began to back up, a hand on Sen’s arm urging him to follow his lead.

“What!” Boran tried to follow them, but he was stopped when several branches snaked towards him. He shrieked in fear and tried to run, only to be met by more thin branches. “This can’t be happening!”

As Sen and Kalor approached the curtain of branches, they shifted to let them pass. Sen paused and glanced over his shoulder, golden eyes watching as the willow branches caught him and twined around his writhing form, his screams gradually growing muffled. “I said I would show you where the Magic Spring was. I never said I was actually going to give it to you. Not when it is not mine to give.” Reaching up, he caressed one of the slender branches, feeling the whole branch shudder in response. “Now we leave this human to your tender mercies, Guardians. May he never leave the Black Wood.”

As the curtain of branches slid closed behind them, Sen and Kalor ignored the agonized screams that managed to filter through to them. Instead they breathed silent sighs of relief that the mage had finally been....taken care of.

“You were planning on him angering the Guardian Willows all along weren’t you?” Kalor asked softly. He pinned Sen with his fierce gaze, one eyebrow raised.

“Yes,” Sen replied just as softly, continuing a few steps so that all Kalor saw was his back. “It wasn’t much of a plan, but I had that idea in mind once he made it clear he wanted the Magic Spring.”

“It was stupid.”

“Maybe it was. But it worked.” Sen glared at Kalor over his shoulder. “Now if your done sulking, we should see what we can do about your herd. With the mage gone, the men might try and take things into their own hands.”

“You two don’t need to worry about that. They’ve been taken care of.” Ferik materialized out of the gloom a few feet away, brown eyes uncommonly serious. “And so have the two men standing guard out here.”

Sen didn’t bother glancing around for the two guards. Bodies didn’t stick around long in the Blackwood. “Am I right in guessing that we have you to thank for that, Ferik?”

The half-ling smiled grimly. “Yes, and no. I simply spread the word that there were some human’s causing a ruckus in the unicorn meadow.” The smile hardened. “The other denizens of our charming home merely took the matter into their own hands.”

“You can be very scary when you want to be, Ferik.” Sen moved to walk past him. “Now, if the humans really have been taken care of I am going home. I’ve had a long night and all I want now is my bed.” He’d barely moved two steps when a branch from a nearby tree snagged in his tunic. Swearing, Sen tried to untangle himself from the offending branch, only to have the thing prove irritatingly persistent in retaining its hold on his tunic.

His temper pushed beyond its limits for the day, Sen spun around to glare at Ferik. “What the fuck, Ferik! Get your goddamn tree to let go of me this fucking instant!” When the half-ling didn’t reply right away, he exploded into a scathing tirade that threatened to singe the ears of his listeners.

Ferik weathered the incubus’s tirade calmly, waiting for the other man to cease yelling before deciding to reply. “No.”

“What do you mean, no?” Sen asked, voice cold and surprisingly calm considering his recent tirade. Only his eyes revealed the frantic desperation that churned beneath the surface, flicking back and forth, unable to fully settle on either of the two men watching him.

“As if I’d really let you run off in your condition,” the half-ling said patronizingly, earning a choked sound from Sen. “What? Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? The reason you got tangled up in this whole mess in the first place is because you came to Kalor for help. And from the look of you, I’d say that your little problem hasn’t been fixed yet.”

“We were getting to it,” Kalor said, deciding to chime in, much to Sen’s vexation. “Unfortunately I was forced to cut things off before they got too serious when I felt a disturbance in the meadow.”

Ferik winced, but was unable to completely hide his amusement. He smirked at Sen. “Ouch. I guess that put you in a more foul temper than normal. That explains the body of that mercenary. He didn’t have a mark on him so I was wondering what had done him in.” The half-ling instantly regretted his words when Sen blanched, then began to fight the tree branch’s hold on him in earnest. “Wait, Sen. I’m sorry.”

“Fuck off!” Sen snarled, chest heaving as he paused in his efforts long enough to slash the half-ling with his furious gaze. “You act like its one big joke. Oh jeez, I guess Sen has to fuck somebody. No big deal. But it is a big deal!” He clenched his fists tightly, claws biting into the soft flesh of his palms. “You don’t know what its like!” Letting loose a single furious cry, Sen slammed his fist into the nearest tree trunk, almost whimpering in relief as he felt pain explode through his hand and up his arm. Anything to numb the clawing hunger that twisted through him with razor sharp intent.

So intently was Ferik watching Sen’s self destructive behavior, he started when a hand settled on his thin shoulder. Head snapping around he stared up into solemn silver eyes. “I think you should leave us alone.” Silver flicked up to watch the incubus, then returned to startled brown. “We have some talking to do. Among other things.” A smile twitched at the corner of the unicorn’s sensual mouth, and Ferik was unable to help himself when he responded in kind.

Then the smile slipped away, replaced with solemn concern. Ferik’s lips shifted into a thin line. “Do you understand what your getting yourself into?” His voice was soft, and did not carry to wear Sen continued to struggle with the restraining branch. The incubus swore as another branch joined its fellow, curling around his forearm with gentle firmness.

“I know what he needs from me.” Silver glittered with a volatile combination of want and possession.

“Are you sure?” Ferik met Kalor’s glare unflinchingly. “You know as well as I do that Sen’s anger has more to it right now. He is fast descending into the hunger madness that plagues his kind. Can you handle that?”

Kalor squeezed Ferik’s shoulder, then let it go, striding past him to where Sen was still struggling with the restraining branches. “Always,” the half-ling heard, the single word drifting over Kalor’s broad shoulder. Ferik watched him go, then turned and slowly walked away without a second glance. Reaching out to the trees he whispered a warning not to let anyone or anything approach the two would be lovers. Things were far from settled, and knowing Sen he would go out of his way to make everything more difficult than it had to be. It would be best if there weren’t any bystanders to get in the way, leaving Sen only one target for his lusts.

Ferik smiled as he slipped into the surrounding shadows. He almost felt bad for the incubus. But the prick had it coming to him for putting things off for so long. At least now there was some interesting gossip to share.

Kalor didn’t turn as he felt Ferik’s presence gradually fade, instead keeping his intent gaze on Sen. The incubus seemed unaware of the Herd Master’s approach, wholly intent on grappling with the pesky branches that resisted his attempts to free himself with unnatural stubbornness. Then on some silent signal that Kalor was sure had come from Ferik, the branches released the incubus, pulling back with such abruptness it knocked the growling Sen off his feet and onto his back.

Muttering obscenities about trees and something to do with sharp axes, Sen got to his feet, brushing off his tunic with quick jerky movements that revealed his inner struggle to Kalor’s knowing eyes. Taking his time, Sen only looked up to meet Kalor’s eyes once he was sure every last speck of dirt had been flicked off. He looked about to continue his tirade when his eyes darted over the Herd Master’s shoulder, narrowing when he didn’t see a familiar half-ling. “Where is Ferik?”

“I thought it best that he make himself scarce.”

“And why would you think that?” Sen asked suspiciously, once again making a point of not looking Kalor in the eye.

Kalor’s eyes narrowed in silent warning. “You know why.”

“About that.” Sen hesitated, small pink tongue darting out to lick suddenly very dry lips. “I’ve decided that asking for your help probably wasn’t the best of ideas.” He couldn’t do this. It had taken all he had to ask for the Herd Master’s help the first time. Sen didn’t think he could do it a second time. No matter the way he was feeling.

“Really?” Kalor took a few steps closer, smiling faintly as Sen’s nostrils flared, pupils becoming dilated. “That’s funny. Earlier you seemed quite determined to keep me alive.”

“That’s different.” Sen snapped. He retreated for every step Kalor took towards him. Why did he always seem to be retreating when it came to the stupid unicorn, he inwardly ranted. It was getting really irritating. But as miffed as he was with his responses to the Herd Master, he wasn’t about to try and hold his ground. Not this time. Last time he hadn’t been riding the edge so hard. This time it would only take a single touch before he lost himself in the heady scent that Kalor exuded.

And he wasn’t going to think about his earlier revelation. That was just too corny dammit!

“Really? How?” Kalor continued to advance, making it seem as if he was simply walking forward instead of stalking with predatory intent.

“It...it just is!” Oh real smooth. He was bound to believe that one. “Just leave me alone.”

Kalor shook his head. “I can’t do that. I won’t do that. Not when we both want this so badly.” He reached out to touch Sen’s cheek, but the smaller man shied away. The unicorn sighed. “Stop fighting me, Sen. You agreed to this earlier. What changed?”

“Maybe the fact that you left me,” Sen retorted bitterly, dancing once more out of reach. “Leaving me hard and wanting is hardly the way to inspire confidence!” Sen nearly moaned as memories from their earlier encounter flickered through his mind, making his already straining erection into more of a source of pain than pleasure. Sen wondered how long a man could sport an erection before going mad. He figured he’d broken some kind of record already, not that he would ever share his accomplishment with anyone. Not that is was much of an accomplishment.

“I had no choice,” Kalor responded calmly, gradually herding Sen towards a large tree. “Now stop making lame excuses. I know you’re not that petty. After all, you followed me. You didn’t have to do that. You could have chosen to stay hidden in the trees and the mage and his men would have never found you.”

Sen scowled, seeing through Kalor’s plan and darting away from the tree before the larger man could catch him against it. “Sure, some help I was. After what I did, I’m surprised you’re even talking to me, none the less resuming your attempts at molestation.”

Kalor stopped, eyebrow lifting in question. “What are you talking about?” But he knew. He knew exactly what Sen was talking about. Everything clicked into place for Kalor, and he understood what was bothering the incubus now. He would have taken the smaller man into his arms and kissed him if he would have permitted it. But he knew Sen would resist, and so Kalor would have to soothe his aching heart with words for now. Touching would come later. “You did what you had to. There is nothing to be disgusted with.”

Sen flinched again, shaking his head. “You have no idea what I did.” Wide, frightened amber eyes lifted. “How much I enjoyed sucking the life out of him.” Kalor tried to reach for him, but Sen leapt back, the wounded look in his eyes swamped by anger. “Don’t touch me! How can you want to touch me after what I did?” Sen’s mouth tightened. “Earlier you said I had a pure soul. How about now, Kalor?” Amber glittered with rage and pain. “How’s the state of my soul now that I killed a man and enjoyed it?”

Silver eyes flashed with hidden temper, and Sen could only utter a single startled squeak before Kalor pounced, knocking him to the ground. A large hand cradled the back of Sen’s head, keeping him from slamming it against the ground as he was pinned beneath Kalor’s larger weight. “Kalor...what the hell!” This was the second time in a matter of hours that he had been manhandled by the black unicorn, and just like before, his body was making it known just how much it approved, the traitor. Then a hard thigh was pushed between his legs and Sen forgot all about his anger, arching helplessly as the firm muscle pressed against his aching arousal. “Aaah!”

Kalor pinned his wrists above his head when he tried to grip the unicorn’s arms in an attempt to anchor himself. “I’m only going to say this once, Sen. So listen closely.” The unicorn’s voice was firm and perfectly controlled. “You are an Incubus. You were following that nature earlier today when you took out that mercenary. Not only were you frightened, but you were under influences currently out of your control. There is nothing wrong with that.”

Sen would have snorted if his throat hadn’t decided to lock up with the force of his emotions. All he wanted to do was bury inside the unicorn’s body and curl around the vibrant core that made the unicorn shine from the inside out. He forced himself to listen as Kalor continued. “There is nothing tainted in you Sen. If killing alone were enough to do that, than my own soul would be as black as night.”

That stunned the incubus. “What...what are you talking about?” He struggled to speak past the haze of want and desperate need, unable to keep his hips from bucking up in a silent plea. Sen knew he was fast reaching the point that speech would be beyond him. But he had to know.

Kalor sighed, and nuzzled into Sen’s lavender hair. “I am the Herd Master. That means that I am in charge of my herd’s safety. I will kill to keep them safe, and have done so already.” His lips traveled along the line of Sen’s jaw. “I would have killed the mage myself if the Guardian Willows hadn’t taken care of it themselves.” He bit down lightly on the soft flesh just beneath Sen’s chin. “When I saw what you were forced to do in order to defend my herd, what you allowed yourself to become, I knew that I would never let you go.”

A guttural groan escaping his lips, Sen let his head fall, his neck too weak to support his head. “If you leave me again without finishing what you started -” he gasped as Kalor chose that moment to roll his hips, making stars explode across his eyes. Shaking, he struggled to capture his former train of thought. “I will kill you. Got it?”

“Agreed.” Then Kalor claimed Sen’s mouth in a fierce kiss that echoed his determination. He wasn’t going anywhere. Tugging his wrists from Kalor’s hold, Sen wrapped his arms around Kalor’s neck, opening his mouth to draw the unicorn’s tongue deeper into his mouth. The kiss quickly turned brutal, hunger pushing Sen until he was trying to crawl into Kalor’s mouth.

Kalor chuckled against Sen’s mouth, his tongue twining with the Incubus’s in an ageless dance as he fueled the need that ricocheted through the smaller man’s body like a fly away bullet. When Kalor finally broke the kiss, Sen chased after his mouth with a desperate sound, growling when a firm hand snaked into his hair to hold his head captive. Kalor rumbled his approval, tugging the incubus’s head back to nuzzle at his throat, licking and sucking contentedly. “Let’s take the edge of, shall we?”

With one last nip, Kalor crawled down Sen’s body, taking his time to worship every last bit of exposed skin he could find. Strong hands pushed up the plain tunic Sen was wearing, baring his narrow chest and slender stomach. Kalor took an especially long time worshiping the incubus’s belly button, his tongue thrusting into the shallow indentation until Sen was keening low in his throat.

Clawed hands gripped Kalor’s hair desperately. “You are such a bastard!” Sen grit out, forced to say each word slowly for fear of his tongue stumbling over such a simple phrase. His mind was definitely not on top of its game right now. Or on top of anything for that matter.

“I resent that,” Kalor murmured into Sen’s belly. Reaching up, he quickly unfastened his trousers, smiling warmly when the other man’s erection sprang free. He traced a single finger up the swollen length and over the slit that leaked pre-cum. “This looks painful.”

Sen arched his back at the light touch, his scream slicing through the woods. The soft touch was almost painful against his brutally sensitized flesh. Releasing his hold on Kalor’s hair, Sen’s claws bit deep into the lush dirt beneath his back, trying to scrabble away from the unicorn and his touches. Kalor was having none of it however. Seeing what Sen was attempting to do, he gripped the smaller man’s hips, dragging him back beneath him. “Easy Sen. It’s going to be okay.” Lowering his head, he exhaled on the throbbing cock, earning a whimper. Kalor took a moment to consider his next move, eyes drawn to Sen’s face. The incubus’s eyes were clenched shut, his face twisted as if in pain. Kalor nodded to himself. It would have to be fast then. He could do fast.

With no warning, he swooped down and engulfed Sen’s cock, taking it in all the way to the root. His fingers were iron strong on Sen’s hips, pinning the incubus to the ground as he shrieked and bucked beneath him. All Kalor had to do was suck hard once, and then Sen exploded into his mouth. Kalor swallowed eagerly, enjoying the taste of his lover, savoring the spicy flavor that suited Sen’s temperament perfectly. Only once he was sure he’d gotten every last drop did Kalor finally pull off of him, licking his lips.

Crawling his way back up Sen’s prone form, Kalor kissed his cheeks, then his mouth, coaxing the swollen lips to respond. “Feel a little better?”

“Yes,” Sen whispered desperately against Kalor’s warm mouth. “But its not enough. Only..ah..only actual intercourse can make it go away....uh...”

“Make what go away?” An elegant brow arched.

“The hunger.” Sen bucked his hips against Kalor’s still full erection, and Kalor was surprised to feel that the other man’s erection had returned in full force. “I’m so hungry!” Sen’s eyes shot open and instead of seeing familiar amber, Kalor was confronted by heated crimson, the pupils reduced to thin slits.

Instead of feeling alarm, as he felt he should, Kalor only felt his interest sharpening. He was not taken by surprise when Sen abruptly lunged upward, knocking him onto his back. A warm weight settled on top of him, and Kalor reached up automatically to hold Sen’s hips as the incubus clawed at Kalor’s tunic. Kalor did not mind the pain as claws dragged across his flesh, too entranced with watching Sen as he was steadily reduced to a more primitive state.

It was definitely a side of him he’d never had the chance to see.

The normal Sen would never have torn his shirt off with such reckless abandon, all the while his eyes glowing a fierce unbridled crimson. Kalor couldn’t help wonder if this was how Sen would normally make love, and the thought intrigued him. He would have to experiment with his new lover once things were more settled. For now though, there was a certain starved Incubus to take are of.

Sen rumbled low in his throat as he licked a long, wet line up the middle of Kalor’s chest, earning a strangled sound. The smaller man chuckled wickedly, mouthing the outstanding line of Kalor’s collar bone. He pressed only hard enough to hint at his fangs, delicately dragging the sharp points over hot flesh. “You taste good.”

“That’s good to know,” Kalor rasped, tilting his head back as Sen nibbled a path up the strong line of his throat. When Kalor made to sit up, fully intending to take control once again, Sen growled in warning, his teeth tightening their hold on his neck.

“Mine,” came the rough growl. Sen’s clawed hands mirrored the spoken claim by running over Kalor’s muscular chest, flicking at stiff nipples before soothing the accompanying ache with the soft skin of his palms. Pulling back, Sen let off touching Kalor to brace his hands on either side of his head, leaning over to take the unicorn’s mouth in a devouring kiss. Kalor allowed the domination for now, his tongue eagerly rushing forth to do battle with the slick invader that caressed his gums and the roof of his mouth.

As their mouths dueled, their hips rocked against one another and Sen groaned desperately as hunger dragged red hot coals through his body. Kalor’s scent was a silent siren song in the air, floating through his mind and suffocating him. Though if there was ever a way to die, drowning in the Herd Master’s scent seemed like a good way to go.

Kalor returned the desperate kiss equal fold, liquid heat pooling in his lower belly and pushing him closer and closer to the edge as he felt Sen’s magic snake through his veins. He groaned when Sen’s magic sank white hot claws into his groin, and with a quick shove, Kalor pushed Sen off of him. The incubus yelped in surprise, so taken aback that he was unable to resist as Kalor rolled him onto his stomach. Then he snarled in outrage. “Kalor!” When he would have shoved up onto his hands and knees, Kalor covered his smaller body with his own, large hands pinning his wrists to the ground.

“I don’t think so Sen.” Kalor’s lips caressed the sharp point of Sen’s ear. “Maybe next time.”

Sen’s angry retort was lost in a low moan as the warm weight of Kalor’s body seeped into his body, pressing him tightly to the ground. It was hard to be angry when every part of him craved the unicorn’s touch with a fierce need that made breathing seem irrelevant. He pushed his hips back against the hard heat pressing against the cleft of his ass. “Fine,” he ground out, in spite of knowing that he didn’t have much of a choice either way.

His hair was brushed away from the back of his neck, and warm lips feathered over the vulnerable skin. “So glad you feel up to cooperating.”

“Don’t get used to it.” Clawed hands bit deeper into the soft soil as there was a loud rip, followed by a sharp tug that left him naked from the waist up. “I’ll get you for that.”

Kalor lifted his head long enough to admire the pale form laid out beneath him before lowering his head to nibble a trail down the length of Sen’s spine. “You’re in no condition to make threats.” To prove his point, he pressed harder against Sen’s hips, grinding his ever prevalent erection into the ground. The move earned a hoarse shout, and Kalor caught Sen’s hips between his legs when he began to thrust helplessly. “Not so fast.”

“I hate you,” Sen hissed passionately, crimson eyes flaring as he renewed his struggles. Kalor rode out his protests easily enough. Once he tired of the incubus’s struggles, he caught a fistful of shining lavender hair and gave it a firm tug. Not hard enough to cause pain, but just enough to get his attention. “For someone who wants this as badly as you say, you seem pretty intent on fighting.” He slid his hand down Sen’s side, caressing the smooth skin and taught muscle. “I’m getting mixed messages.”

Sen struggled to find the right words as need writhed in his lower belly, his erection growing steadily more painful by the second. “I do want....,” he gasped, resting his cheek against the damp earth. The rich scent was intoxicating, but not nearly as intriguing as the warm scent of Kalor himself. “I want everything...and yet....I want to....,” here he hesitated, grasping desperately for any other word than the one that blazed in the for front of his mind. “Devour.”

Kalor did not respond immediately, allowing chills to slither down Sen’s spine as he wondered if maybe he had finally succeeded in driving the unicorn away. Then a hot mouth was pressed against his shoulder blade and Sen arched helplessly into the touch. “Next time don’t wait so long.” Then a strong hand pulled at his trousers, the other pressed against his lower spine, a silent warning to remain still. Sen chafed at the silent command, but did not try to regain control. Instead the hunger reached out with greedy fingers for Kalor’s magical core, sinking beneath his skin with every caress and flowing through his veins to mingle with his shining blood.

The Herd Master felt Sen’s magic as it mingled with his own. He did not panic, instead choosing to embrace the invading magic. He was no human whose very life force could be sucked away by Sen’s nature. Kalor was one of the truly immortal creatures that roamed the earth, and he knew that no matter how hard Sen tried, he could never come close to hurting him. Exhausting, yes. Even as an immortal, he would have to fight to keep up with Sen’s libido, but he was up to the challenge. Oh was he up to it.

Kalor made a low sound of approval when he tossed aside Sen’s trousers, eyes feasting on the incubus’s nude form with obvious relish. He did not hesitate to sink his teeth into the fleshy globe of Sen’s ass, humming in approval. “So sweet.” Gripping Sen’s hips tightly, he lifted his backside higher into the air. With no warning, he swiped his tongue across Sen’s opening, earning a startled yelp followed by a strangled hiss. When the incubus began to wriggle, Kalor reached up and gripped the base of his tail tightly, earning another low sound.

“Kalor!” Sen could only pant as Kalor’s free hand pushed his thighs farther apart, opening him further to Kalor’s probing. “I want to touch you!” The desperate plea burst out of him, his voice raw.

Kalor stilled his ministrations, pressing his cheek against the firm swell of muscle. “I know. But now is about sating your hunger. Later will be about sating the senses.” He pressed a gentle kiss to one of the bites he’d left on the pale cheek. He knew he was being abnormally rough, but the way Sen was right now, it was doubtful he would be able to keep him subdued with gentle caresses and soft kisses. There was time enough for that later. Now was for...other things.

Then his tongue once more went to work, thrusting strongly into Sen’s tight opening as he eased the way for what was to come. Sen’s claws left long gouges in the ground as he endured Kalor’s preparation. With Kalor’s still too tight grip on his hips, he couldn’t even attempt to rock against the ground, earning himself a much needed relief. The sharp edge of his desire slicing him to pieces, Sen reached a shaking hand for his weeping cock. Moments before his finger tips would have touched the aching flesh, he retracted his hand with a muffled sob, clenching his hand into a fist tight enough to draw blood.

There was no use. He knew there was no use. He would not be able to find satisfaction from his own touch, only worsen the sensations until he was tearing at his own skin in an attempt to make it all stop.

Sen jumped when Kalor pressed flush against him from behind, the sensation of flesh against flesh spiking through him almost painfully. He hadn’t even heard the unicorn remove his pants he’d been so involved in his own inner conflicts. “Easy, Sen. You’re going to have to relax.”

“Fuck relax!” The incubus snarled, shoving his hips backwards to press against Kalor’s own erection. “Just fuck me!” The anger abruptly drained away and he let his head hang forward, resting his forehead on his arm. “Please.”

“How can I resist?” Having used his tongue to smooth the way, Kalor had no trouble sliding his finger into Sen. Sen moaned as the single digit pushed inside, inner muscles clenching as his body adjusted. It had been a while since the last time he’d had sex, and more often than not he was the aggressor. What with it being his magic that needed the sex and all. That Sen was the one on the bottom now added a whole new dimension to his and Kalor’s relationship. Only to Kalor would Sen bottom. It was as simple as that.

“Kalor!” Sen’s mouth gaped open as the Herd Master inserted another finger. “Ah!”

“Hold on a little longer, Sen. Just a little longer.”

“I’ve already been holding on for forever,” rasped the incubus.

“And who’s choice was that I wonder?” Finally Kalor was pumping three fingers in and out, and Sen was shuddering and twitching beneath him. “Brace yourself.”

Crimson blazed. “Just do it already!”

Kalor grinned darkly, aligning their hips until he was pressing against Sen’s entrance. Heat licked at the head of his cock, and Kalor swallowed hard, taking a deep breath to steady his hand on his already precarious control. Sen was not helping when he attempted to shove back, only Kalor’s firm grasp on his hips stopping him. “Try not to scream too loud.”

“Why you-shit!” Sen screamed as Kalor slid fully inside him. Tears of pain squeezed past his eyelashes even as pleasure whipped through him, spiraling outward from the secret places within. He unconsciously shifted his legs wider to ease the strain, his bare knees being ground into the dirt. Even as the pain threatened to split him in two, he could feel himself feeding off the pleasure as well. Gradually, the pain lessened, and in its place the pleasure grew. “You can continue,” he said, knowing that Kalor was giving him adequate time to adjust.

Sen couldn’t see Kalor’s nod, but he didn’t have to, not when the unicorn began to thrust shallowly. Sen widened his legs even further as his mind focused on the seductive glide of flesh within flesh. With every thrust the pleasure built, and the higher the pleasure soared, the deeper Sen reached into Kalor. He could taste the unicorn’s magic on his tongue, could feel the undertones that were distinctly Kalor compared to the other magics Sen had been forced to consume in the past.

Even as he began to draw it into himself, Sen knew that he would never be satisfied with anything else. Damn Kalor. The man did that on purpose. It wasn’t fair that one man could taste so damn good! And he was a unicorn, dammit all to hell! What was wrong with this world?

Then Kalor’s thrusts grew stronger, and Sen found it too much effort to think. Not when the pained hunger that had festered inside him for ages had finally begun to ease. Soon all he could focus on was the steady glide of magic between him and Kalor, as well as the rough pace the unicorn was subjecting him to.

Pleasure slowly tightened around him like a noose, only Sen had no intention of trying to escape this rope’s grasp. Beneath the boiling satisfaction, pain arced and danced beneath the skin, a heady combination that pushed Sen closer and closer to the edge with wicked purpose. Sen had no warning. One moment he was in the grip of the kind of pleasure he had not seen in decades, the next he was writhing in ecstasy, wild sounds clawing their way out of his throat as his inner muscles contracted. The force of his orgasm was painful as his seed forced its way out of the swollen head of his cock, coating the already moist earth beneath him with his essence.

He knew later that Kalor would gloat about not even having to touch his cock to make him come. The bastard.

Sen barely had time to recover from his own release when Kalor’s steady thrusts grew stronger, and more erratic. He only had time for one ragged breath when Kalor’s climax blasted through him. Sen had thought his climax was mind blasting, but he hadn’t been prepared for the catalyst that Kalor’s magic would become. Heat speared him as Kalor released his seed deep within his body, and a wild vortex of magic surged through him, released by Kalor’s orgasm.

This time Sen did scream, head thrown back, body arched as he voiced the indescribable sensations that sliced through him with beautiful razor edges that cut him even as they made him weep with joy. Sometime during the release of magic, Sen felt darkness sweep him away into a cocoon of warmth, leaving him relaxed in a way he couldn’t remember ever being.

When he finally opened his eyes, Kalor’s chin was the first thing he saw. Muscles still limp from his orgasm, Sen didn’t try to lift himself up as he was first tempted to. Instead he leaned in to press a kiss against the warm curve of Kalor’s throat. Kalor chuckled, pulling him closer. “You just woke up and now your already raring to go.”

“After going as long as I did without a decent fuck, its going to take a lot more than that to satisfy me.”

“Oh?” Sen could se a single black brow lift in question. “Is that what we did?”

Sen was tempted to let his simple ‘yes’ slip from his lips, but bit it back with a silent curse. There was no way he would deny Kalor the truth. Not when, for the first time in a long long (long) time, the hunger was not looming over him like some dark bogey man just waiting to pounce. “What we did now, yes. That was fucking.” Before Kalor could react, Sen slid on top of the unicorn, meeting carefully blank silver eyes. The incubus sighed. “Is that all I want from you? Not a chance.” Feeling cheesy but knowing the words needed to be said, he leaned over to take the Herd Master’s lips in a sweet kiss. “You’ve been chasing after me all this time. And now you finally have me. What are you going to do about it, Kalor?”

Warmth bloomed in the hidden depths of the Herd Master’s silver eyes, and warm fingers reached up to deliver a firm stroke down Sen’s bare sides. “I’m never going to let you go.”

Sen nodded thoughtfully. “That’s a good beginning.” Then he smiled wickedly, amber eyes dancing with innocent mischief. “But I thought I remember you mentioning something earlier about ‘sating the senses’?” The tip of Sen’s tail began a teasing caress along the inside of Kalor’s thigh, steadily moving higher.

Kalor smiled then pulled Sen’s head down in a warm, heart stopping kiss that would quickly lead to a more intimate joining. “That I think I can do.”