Inked

Trillian.
    “Of course,” Trillian said. “I’m a man of my word.”
    “But not,” the stranger said, “necessarily a righteous man.”
    “Righteousness has nothing to do with morality,” Trillian said calmly. I sensed this wasn’t the first time they’d had this debate.
    “But morality without righteousness is a hollow victory for honor.” The stranger shook his head. “You cannot eliminate the power of belief, the power of the gods.”
    Trillian snorted. “The power of the gods often leads to ruin for anybody but the gods themselves. Righteousness applied to morality is a dangerous mix, and zealots usually end up killing anybody who disagrees with them. No, give me my ethics, and leave religion out of it.”
    The other man regarded him quietly, then smiled. “As always, you stand by your beliefs, regardless of how much I prod you. All right, you will have your help, but remember—the marker is forfeit and next time we meet, I won’t have any restrictions on killing you.”
    “Done. But only for you . The rest of your brotherhood are not involved. This is our fight. We leave my people and your people out of it.” Trillian glanced at me. “And our friends, family, and lovers.”
    “Agreed.” He said the word so mildly that I barely caught it, but I could feel the mixture of respect and anger welling off the man. Whoever he was, he didn’t like Trillian. I had the feeling Trillian had just cashed in his safety net.
    “Wait here,” the man said, and glided toward the other end of the room.
    I pressed my fingers onto Trillian’s arm, giving him a questioning look. He shook his head.
    “Don’t ask. Not here.” After a pause, he gazed into my eyes and whispered, “Camille.” Then, without another word, he slid his arm around my waist and grazed my lips with his. As we touched, like a jagged spike of lightning, a jolt of energy seared its way through my core. Before I had time to gasp, an orgasm ripped me apart. But the energy didn’t stop there. It grew stronger, weaving a cord between us, knotting our auras together in an intricate pattern. I could feel the magic shift and dance, drawing me in, pulling me to him.
    I clung to him, shaking. “What’s happening?”
    Trillian looked just as dizzy and confused as I. He tried to push me away but the draw between us was too strong.
    “Lady Hel preserve us,” he whispered, clinging to me, his lips on my hair, my forehead, my neck, covering my face with kisses.
    Another wave washed through, turning me topsy-turvy. The cord between us was now visible, sparkling like a thick string of faerie lights. My fingers tingled under the sensation of his skin. I welcomed the pressure of his mouth as he played me like a skillfully tuned harp.
    “We shouldn’t be doing this here.” Once again, I tried to break away but he held on, leaning me back against the seat, his eyes gleaming with a hunger so deep that I thought he might gobble me up.
    His own voice was just as breathless as mine as he pressed himself between my legs, holding me down. “I don’t know…I don’t know…unless…”
    “Unless what?” I managed to roll out from under him, but it took every ounce of self-control I had not to throw myself back into his arms.
    He grabbed hold of my hands and held tight. “I’m one of the Charming Fae…There are legends that sometimes a Svartan will meet another Svartan with whom the mesh is so right that they spontaneously bond. For good . It’s rare, but it does happen.”
    “But I’m not Svartan.”
    “Svartan or not, I think that’s what’s happening.” Trillian lifted my chin and gazed into my eyes, a haunted look crossing his face. “When souls mate, nothing can undo the link.”
    I stared at him. He wasn’t bullshitting. From the core of my gut, I knew that what he said was true.
    “We haven’t even had sex yet,” was all I could say.
    “I know. But think about what it’s going to be like when we do,” he murmured, then quickly straightened himself as the strange man reappeared.
    The man ignored me as he handed Trillian two small medallions.
    “Wear these. They will block your signatures from everyone. While you wear them, you will appear as dwarves. They will only last for a little while, so you’ll have to work fast.”
    Trillian nodded, then stood. He inclined his head. “The blood-debt is paid. You are free. But next time we meet, before raising your sword, think back on our discussions. Perhaps you won’t be so hasty