Incubus Bonded
Incubus Series Book 2
A. H. Lee
Published by: Pavonine Books
Cover by Starla Huchton
© 2017 by A. H. Lee. All rights reserved. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This material may not be reproduced, modified, or distributed without the express prior permission of the copyright holder. Artwork is displayed by agreement with the artists. All artists hold the copyrights to their work.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
About the Author
Chapter 1
Jessica
Jessica Imogen Charles came home one afternoon to find a man on the front porch of her cottage. She was glowing with exercise, unprepared for company, and her first thought was chagrin at her rumpled clothes. Her thick blond hair was coming out of its coil at the nape of her neck. She was wearing men’s trousers, a cotton shirt, and fitted jacket—all of it rumpled from vigorous activity. It was early autumn, and the air was a little crisp, but she was still sweating.
However, as the man rose from the porch swing, Jessica forgot about her appearance. “Lord Azrael!”
Before he could do anything so silly as bow to her, Jessica dashed up the steps and hugged him. As usual, he was all whipcord rigidity against her softer curves, but after an instant, his arms came up around her, and he chuckled into her hair. “Jessica. It’s good to see you.” He was wearing a charcoal pinstripe waistcoat and bowler hat of the type popular locally. His cravat was the only splash of color—a blue that matched Jessica’s eyes.
She stepped back, holding his hands, looking him up and down. His fine, dark hair had been trimmed recently, closer to his head in a style that fit the bowler hat. Otherwise, he was the black-eyed, intimidating sorcerer she remembered with a face that gave nothing away.
“What are you doing out here?” she asked. It had been almost four months since Jessica and Mal had left the Shrouded Isle, and they were now in the northernmost of the Provinces, so far from the Shattered Sea that spells hardly worked.
Jessica had written occasional letters to Azrael over the past few months, but she’d never gotten a reply. She told herself this was because Azrael could not be certain of their ever-changing address, whereas Jessica could always be certain of his. Mal was not a letter-writer, although he occasionally offered clever suggestions when Jessica sat down with a pen. He didn’t think she included them, although sometimes she did.
“Mal has missed you so much,” she said before Azrael could formulate a reply to her question. “He won’t say it, but he has. He is ready to go home.”
Azrael’s dark eyes flicked away from her face. “You think so?”
“I know so. Come inside; I’ll make you tea. Can you stay for dinner?”
“Possibly.”
She turned to unlock the door and Azrael said, “Are you unsafe here?”
“Unsafe? Oh!” Jessica patted the sword at her hip. “Not at all! Well, no more than usual. I just decided I wanted to learn swordplay. I’ve been taking lessons. That’s why I’m dressed as though I intend to bale hay. I do apologize; I didn’t realize I’d have company.”
“No more than usual?” repeated Azrael as he followed her indoors. The cottage was a seasonal vacation rental and not very large. It included a sitting room, kitchen, washroom, and bedroom. It did have a small garden out back, and the kitchen included a dining area with enough space for four people to sit comfortably. After a moment’s consideration, Azrael pulled out a chair at the table.
Jessica unbuckled her sword, leaned it in a corner, and then put on the kettle. “Yes, you created an incubus’ paradise on the Shrouded Isle. I don’t think Mal appreciated that until he left. Without you following along behind him changing people’s memories, he—well, both of us—we created some problems for ourselves. We’ve been doing better lately; we’re learning.”
“Stalkers?” guessed Azrael.
Jessica nodded. “Stalkers. Angry boyfriends. One angry wife, and I swear the man told me he wasn’t married! Being fed on is pleasurable. Euphoric, even. And some people mistake it for love. They have sex with one of us and…” Jessica threw her hands in the air. “They start following us around! Sometimes it gets ugly. We’re learning to pick our partners more carefully, but sometimes people just don’t behave as you’d expect.”
Azrael gave a wry smile and said nothing.
“Mal is a hulking great beast when he wants to be,” continued Jessica, “but I am tired of feeling helpless. So…” She gave a flourish of her hand towards the sword. “I’m learning to do that. It’s almost like dancing! My instructor says I’m good at it.”
Jessica lit the stove. “There’s not a bit of magic in this cottage, but the plumbing and electric lights work fine. I’m going to take a quick shower and change clothes; feel free to look around if you like.”
Jessica emerged fifteen minutes later, barefoot, damp-haired, and wearing a cotton housedress in red and gold. Azrael was still sitting at the kitchen table. He’d taken a book out of his pocket. Jessica stood for a moment in the doorway, watching him read. Mal has missed you. And so have I.
He spoke without looking up. “Has Mal retained the birth-control charm I gave him?”
Jessica laughed. “Yes. Don’t worry; he’s not leaving a trail of little demons behind him. Gods, what a lot of trouble that would be! I certainly haven’t tried to get rid of the charm you gave me.”
“I figured that.” He closed his book as she set a cup of tea and a cookie in front of him. “I trust you’ve enjoyed your tour of the kingdoms?”
Jessica grinned. “Very much! We’ve walked in the sentient forests of Karth and seen the great underground cities. We’ve swum with whale sharks and spoken with the enchanted machines of the Desert States. We’ve hiked the Cloud Lakes, and we’ve been all over the Provinces.
“Mal met my family, and they like him, although we decided not to…explain everything. My mother thinks he’s
quite a catch. I’m afraid she will be disappointed when she learns we can’t have children together.” Jessica hesitated. “We can’t, can we?”
Azrael shook his head. “Incubi and succubi can only get children with mortal partners, and I would advise against that.”
“Because you don’t think we should make more demons?”
“Yes.”
Jessica had additional questions in this line, but she could tell that Azrael was distracted by whatever he’d come to say. His eyes darted to the clock on the wall and then past her, out the window. “Where is Mal?”
“Hunting,” said Jessica. She laughed at his expression. “Not for people, for actual game in the mountains above town. He goes with a bow, but I don’t think he ever uses it. I’m not even sure he knows how to shoot.” She sipped her tea. “He doesn’t get to be a cat very often lately, and I think he needs an outlet. Polite society doesn’t have a place for panthers the size of ponies.”
“He got tired of being a panther around me.”
“Yes, well, he’s had some time away. Plenty of time on two legs.” Jessica peered at Azrael. “What have you been doing for the last four months? Besides not answering my letters.”
Azrael looked at his hands. “I thought you both needed a break from me.” When Jessica said nothing, he continued. “I’ve re-worked a lot of the major spells that keep my estate running, particularly its defenses. I’ve made certain they’re proof against people who know my name, and I’ve put other magic into them besides Mal’s. I’ve investigated other sources of magic in general, but...”
But Mal was always your biggest source of magical energy, thought Jessica, and you can’t bring yourself to summon another astral demon. “You need his magic,” she guessed.
Azrael pressed his thin lips together. He spoke so softly that she could barely hear the words. “If he says no, I’ll leave.”
“He’ll say yes,” said Jessica. “Although, he might…” She bit her lip. “We’ll just see what he says.” She looked hard at Azrael. He was difficult to read at the best of times and now he was being particularly opaque. I wonder if we were gone too long.
Azrael had been shaken to his core by Mal’s near-death. The idea of a life without Mal had clearly been unthinkable to him in that moment. Now, however… He’s had time to put himself back together. His emotions, his defenses, his magic…his wards? Jessica exerted a little of her own erotic power. She’d learned to do that over the last few months, learned better control.
Azrael’s eyes snapped up at her. He can feel it, she realized.
“Do not pull on me, Miss Charles.” He spoke as calmly as if she’d been tugging on his sleeve and not his cock.
“You’re warded,” said Jessica in surprise. Mal had shredded Azrael’s personal wards last they’d met, but Jessica had a feeling these would stand up to Mal, even with the knowledge of his summoner’s true name.
Azrael raised one eyebrow. “I’m a sorcerer, Miss Charles. Only a very foolish sorcerer would go looking for a couple of demons unwarded.”
“Oh, you’re not that warded.” Jessica looked up to see Mal leaning in the doorway. He’d come in the back way through the garden, cat-quiet. He was grinning. “Hey there, Boss. You must want something.”
Chapter 2
Jessica
Azrael turned in his chair. He and Mal stared at each other. Mal’s shirt was half unbuttoned, probably because it was made of real fabric, not magic. He’d taken it off to hunt. The dark curls on his head matched the ones on his chest, and his green eyes glinted between long, dark lashes. He was much broader than Azrael in the shoulders and half a head taller. Mal looked like he could break Azrael in half. Jessica, however, knew better. Mal hadn’t managed to kill his master in twenty-three years of actually wanting to. He didn’t look like he wanted to now.
He spoke to Jessica without taking his eyes off Azrael, “There’s a dead goose in the shed.”
“I shall try not to scream when I run into it in the dark.”
Mal’s expression soured as he came on into the room. “Your wards smell like…” He sniffed the air and made a face. “Lucy. You really think she could keep me out if I wanted in?”
Azrael stood up, reaching into his pocket as Mal paced around his chair.
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Mal, stop it. I know you’re happy to see him. Give each other a hug like normal people. Then sit down and have a cup of tea.” Jessica stood, hoping she was right and that they were not about to have a magical duel in the middle of the kitchen. She had no idea who would win. Probably Azrael, since he’d come prepared, but she wasn’t sure. Mal was a powerful astral demon and intimately acquainted with Azrael’s magic. “Who is Lucy?” she asked over her shoulder.
Jessica turned back to hand him a cup of tea. “How contemptible.”
“Yes. I mean, no.” His eyes flickered towards her. “I didn’t mean you.”
Azrael removed his hand from his pocket. He sat deliberately and after a moment Mal sat down across from him. Jessica sat between them with an internal sigh of relief. Mal sipped his tea. “You didn’t come here to test your wards.”
“No, I would not come here if I had not already done that,” said Azrael dryly.
Mal snorted. “What do you want?”
Azrael drew a deep breath. “King Laramie of Kotos has died. His son, Gabriel, immediately asked for my protection and help in negotiating a truce with their neighbors. The invitation is not official, as he does not assume the throne until his inaugural ball. However, I have been invited, and I know why.”
Mal sat back in surprise. “Well, that’s new. Kotos has never been friendly. Don’t they have their own wizard cabal? I didn’t think they liked you much.”
“They don’t,” said Azrael, “but that’s not my primary concern. Rumors have circulated for years that Gabriel is a changeling.”
“Ah.” Mal nodded. To Jessica, he said, “Queen Mab has been trying to get a spy onto the Shrouded Isle since forever. It makes her so angry that she can’t see what’s going on there.”
“I don’t want to bring Kotos under my protection if Mab is pulling strings,” said Azrael. “I’m afraid it may be a poisoned gift.”
“But you want Kotos,” said Mal thoughtfully. “Control there would make keeping peace in Zolsestron so much easier. All those border raids…” He thought a moment longer. “You could evaluate Gabriel more thoroughly in your home territory. But if he’s a faery, and you let him onto the Shrouded Isle, there’s no telling how far Mab could stretch her tentacles. You might never be rid of her. You don’t want to risk it…which means you have to go to him, and you don’t like going to other people. Outside your own territory, you’re more vulnerable. You also have enemies who’d love to pounce on you.”
Mal paused. Azrael watched him with a bland expression. “Do keep going. Since you’re such an expert on what I want.”
“I’m an expert on what everyone wants,” said Mal with an evil grin. “But we were talking about Kotos.”
Azrael sipped his tea.
Mal leaned forward with his chin in one hand, dark curls falling into his eyes. “I mean, if you really want me to tell you what you want—”
“The inaugural ball is in a week,” interrupted Azrael.
Jessica frowned. “Isn’t Kotos rather a long way from here?” She and Mal had used numerous forms of transportation in the last few months, but she couldn’t think of a way to travel that far that fast.
Mal nodded. “You seem to be on the wrong side of the Shattered Sea, Boss.”
Azrael inclined his head. “I do not intend to actually sleep in Kotos. That’s too dangerous if the court really has become corrupted by faeries, or if, as you put it, my enemies decide to pounce. I need a way to get out fast.”
For the first time in their conversation, Mal looked surprised. “You intend to…to gate all the way to Kotos? From here?”
Azrael raised
one eyebrow. “Don’t think you’re up to it?”
Mal sputtered. “We’ve never tried to gate that far! I’ve never heard of anyone gating that far!”
“And if you’ve never heard of it, it’s surely never happened,” said Azrael.
“Have you?” shot Mal.
Azrael said nothing.
“What’s gating?” asked Jessica. She could guess, but she wanted the particulars.
“It means he’ll open a portal to take us straight there,” said Mal. “Or he’ll try. That’s one hell of a long gate.”
“Not us,” said Azrael. “Just me.”
“Just you and Lucy, you mean,” snapped Mal. “Why aren’t you asking her for this kind of magic? If she’s all you need.”
“I didn’t say she was all I need.”
Jessica had to force herself not to laugh. She’d never seen Mal jealous before. I really must meet this Lucy person.
“Why not open the gate from the Shrouded Isle?” asked Mal. “That’s halfway to Kotos—an easier distance—and you’d be at home on the other end of your portal. You’d need a lot less magic to make it work.”
Azrael shook his head. “If an enemy found the gate and followed me through, they would be in my backyard.”
Mal screwed up his face. “Alright. But why from the Provinces? Spells are harder to work here. It’s…” He scratched his head. “You’ve picked the hardest gate possible. Do you really think you can do it?”
Azrael spoke in a voice as soft as the rustle of pages. “I can with you.”
Chapter 3
Jessica
“Also,” continued Azrael more firmly, “if an enemy did follow me through, they’d have a harder time attacking me with magic out here. Anyone scrying for the other end of the gate would never expect to find it in the Provinces and might not even be able to see it. I admit that the only reason I came here initially was to find you, but now that I’ve had a chance to look around, I think this is a good place and a safe distance. I’d like to open the gate here. Or try. You’re right, though: I can’t do it with Lucy.”
Azrael reached into the inner pocket of his coat and drew out a familiar circlet of silver links. He laid it on the kitchen table, where Mal regarded it as one might a poisonous snake. “I won’t bind you,” said Azrael. “Now that you know my name, I’m not sure I could. But I do need you to wear the collar so that I can draw on your magic. If you don’t want to, I’ll go away. I won’t ask again.”