Chapter Twenty

Caspian found life on the island to be refreshingly peaceful. He soon settled into his new home and the routines of daily life.

Weather permitting, he spent his mornings gardening. Jake came over to help him every two days, and on the alternate days, Caspian went to his house to return the favor.

Marin came to visit him every few days and they spent the afternoons getting to know each other. Marin didn’t ask for any more training with the trident and Caspian didn’t offer. Marin stayed overnight on a couple of occasions, but only after falling asleep on the sofa. Caspian thought their relationship was progressing nicely and he was confident that he was able to separate his memories of Phoebus from the man with him now.

Odessa came to visit him, mainly to ensure he didn’t forget his invitation to the Isle of the Gods for her monthly dinner party. Caspian didn’t really want to go and listen to the immortals bemoaning the loss of their status, but he could see no way out of it. He would much rather have a nice cozy meal with his parents and sister.

Cari hadn’t been to see him at all. Caspian wondered what was keeping her away, but he hadn’t reached the point where he wanted to track her down to ask. He supposed he couldn’t put that off much longer.

Relations with his adoptive son were much better and Justin visited him nearly as frequently as Marin did.

The island dwellers also found that they had surprising new neighbors who had appeared overnight.

Fabian, the disowned son of Mariana, and his merman lover Delwyn had taken up residence as well. Finn was delighted to have his best friend so close by, even if it meant that they were all roped into what seemed to be a constant stream of building repairs.

Medina was no architect and while the house she had magically constructed appeared to be structurally sound, there were some quirks to the property in the form of dodgy floorboards, drafty windows and a perpetually leaking roof.

“So, why did you decide to come here to live?” Jake asked as he, Fabian and Caspian worked on the roof.

“Delwyn missed the ocean and his friends, especially Finn,” Fabian replied. “So I spoke to my aunt about it and she thought you might not object to a couple more neighbors.”

“She was right,” Jake said. “It was pretty lonely around here—before Caspian moved here, that is. You know the mer are happiest in the ocean, so I was on my own a lot.”

“I’m sorry,” Caspian offered. “I guess I didn’t think about that when I moved you all here.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” Jake assured him. “I have my guys close and they’re far happier than they were in England. I didn’t realize how much they missed the ocean and their people until we came here. I’m sure you’ll see a difference in Delwyn too.”

“I already have,” Fabian replied.

Caspian hoped their little community would soon include an equally happy Marin, but he didn’t say anything to the others. He couldn’t bear to see the sympathy in their eyes if things didn’t work out between them.

Almost as if his thoughts had summoned him, Marin appeared at the edge of the clearing where Fabian’s house stood.

“I think someone is looking for you,” Jake said, having seen Marin arrive through the trees as well.

Caspian nodded and handed over his tools to the others. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting him to visit until tomorrow.”

“He couldn’t stay away, huh?” Jake teased.

Caspian ignored the insinuation and climbed down from the roof. He waved goodbye once he was safely on the ground and went to meet Marin.

“Another leak in the roof?” Marin asked with a nod to Fabian’s home.

“Yes. Medina had good intentions but would never make an architect. It’s a wonder her temples have lasted as long as they have.”

“I suppose being underwater, no one would notice a leaking roof,” Marin replied.

Caspian laughed. “You have a point there. So, what brings you here today?”

“You were right about the sea dragons moving into the Pacific,” Marin said. “A clan arrived today from the southern seas. They reported the loss of two of their warriors to a group of sea dragons. The sea dragons didn’t follow them north to the colony, but they’ve definitely moved out of the Atlantic.”

“They will head to the colony in time,” Caspian said. “I’m sure of it. The reports I’ve heard from the other immortals who are monitoring them is that they’re moving slowly so they don’t miss any other large colony on the way.”

“Are there many?”

“No, but they are unlikely to know that. They haven’t left Atlantis since their transformations. They won’t necessarily know about the decreasing mer population and the loss of so many of the larger clans. We have a little time before they reach the colony.”

“And when they do?”

“I don’t know,” Caspian said. “I wish I did. If they aren’t stopped, they won’t rest until they’ve driven all the mer from the ocean.”

“Or killed us,” Marin added with a visible shiver.

Caspian didn’t bother to confirm that would happen. It was obvious to them both.

Marin hissed and hopped on one foot.

“What is it?” Caspian asked.

“I trod on something sharp,” Marin replied as he tried to examine the sole of his foot. “Fabian needs a better path.”

“I know. It’s on our list of chores to do once his house is in order.” He guided Marin to a large rock and sat him down. “You’ve cut it, but I don’t think it’s too bad. It’ll heal as soon as you transform again.”

“Um, okay.”

“What is it?” Caspian asked. “We’re nearly at the clearing where my place is and I have a nice soft path leading to the beach. I think you can make it that far.”

“I know. It’s just…”

Caspian sighed. “You forgot I’ve lost my power to heal, right? It’s okay. I forget myself sometimes. Old habits die hard, and I do have to stop myself from trying to heal various scrapes and bruises I seem to accumulate on a daily basis.”

“That’s not what I was going to say,” Marin said. “It’s just I was hoping to visit with you for a while.”

“Oh, of course. Well, since you’re here anyway, there’s no real point in you swimming back to the colony, only to come back again tomorrow. I’ll see what I have in the first aid kit to clean up your foot.”

“Thanks.”

Caspian hooked Marin’s arm around his shoulder so he could lean on him and avoid making the minor injury any worse. “Come on, and don’t expect me to carry you.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Marin replied. “Well, unless you’re carrying me into the bedroom to throw me down and ravish me.”

Caspian snorted. “Ravish you? You’ve been spending too much time with Finn and Delwyn.”

Marin laughed as he hopped alongside Caspian. “They do love the stories that were told on the walls of the sunken city, and there was a lot of ravishing going on in those tales.”

“Well, I can’t fault Delwyn’s translations.”

At the house, Caspian grabbed the first aid kit, noting as he did that it needed replenishing, and settled Marin on the sofa so he could tend his foot.

“You’re pretty good at that,” Marin commented.

“I’ve been getting quite a bit of practice,” Caspian replied. “I swear I never used to be so clumsy, but since becoming mortal, I seem to get more injuries in a week than I used to in a decade.”

“Or maybe you’re just noticing them more.”

“Perhaps.” Caspian placed Marin’s foot down on the floor and sat back on his heels. “There you go.”

He moved to rise, but Marin stopped him with a nudge of his foot. “I like you down there.”

Something in Marin’s voice sent a shiver down Caspian’s spine. He glanced at Marin’s groin, saw he was hard and swiftly looked away. There were times when he did rather wish the mer would wear clothing.

“Caspian, I want to have sex with you.”

“Marin…”

Marin placed a finger over Caspian’s lips. “I know what you said before, and I think we’re ready.”

“What makes you think so?” Caspian asked.

“Don’t you think we are?” Marin replied.

“I’m not sure. Sometimes I think so, then you’ll say something or look at me a certain way, and suddenly I’m thinking about Phoebus and remembering how he’d use the same phrase and had the same glint in his eye.”

Marin smiled and shook his head. “Perhaps I’m looking at you the same way because I’m feeling the same as he did.”

Caspian lowered his gaze, his hopes rising along with his cock. It was on the tip of his tongue to ask about Calder, but he couldn’t bring himself to say the words that might shatter this moment.

It seemed that Marin had anticipated his concern. “I’ve not forgotten Calder, and I don’t need to tell you that I never will. But I’m ready to love you too.”

Caspian rose on his knees to meet Marin’s lips as he leaned down.

For a brief moment the memory of the last time he’d kissed Phoebus flitted across his mind. The ghost of his former lover was banished when Marin slipped his tongue into Caspian’s mouth and took control of the kiss.

Caspian moaned as Marin pulled him up onto his lap and tugged at his clothes.

“Damn it, Caspian, robes were so much easier to remove.”

“They aren’t exactly in fashion these days,” Caspian pointed out.

“Which hardly matters here on the island,” Marin replied as he fumbled with the buttons of Caspian’s shirt.

With no such obstacles in his own path, Caspian wasted no time in running his hands over Marin’s chest. So familiar and yet also different. He rubbed his thumb over the nubs of Marin’s nipples, causing Marin to moan loudly in response.

“You like that?” Caspian whispered.

“Yes!”

Caspian pinched the nub, squeezing it tight. “How about that?”

“Fuck!”

Marin pulled back and swatted Caspian’s hands away. “I need you naked, now.”

Caspian chuckled and climbed off him so he could undress. “How would you like to take this upstairs?”

“Is there something wrong with the living room?”

Caspian nodded to the portal crystal. “Only that this is where unexpected guests appear.”

“Ah, I see. I guess I’m not the only one to have changed over the centuries. You didn’t used to be so shy. I remember when you whipped out your cock right there in the temple so I could suck it.”

“That was before I understood what it was to love someone.” Caspian held out his hand for Marin to take.

They went upstairs and Caspian guided Marin over to the bed. “What do you want to do?” he asked.

Marin took hold of Caspian’s cock. “I want to suck this.”

“You know I’d never have a problem with that idea,” Caspian said as he sat on the edge of the bed and tossed a pillow onto the floor.

Marin knelt before him and smiled. “It might not be what I need to break my fever, but I do like the feel of a stiff cock in my mouth and the taste of a man’s pleasure when he comes.”

“No one ever sucked me quite as well as you did.”

“Never?” Marin gave him a skeptical frown.

Caspian took Marin’s face in his hands. “No one.”

With a wicked grin, Marin dove on Caspian’s cock, taking it deep into his mouth, and sucking with such enthusiasm Caspian worried he might embarrass himself.

He didn’t need to worry. Marin knew what to do to hold him on the brink. He gripped him at the root until the desperate need to come had passed, before beginning the process all over again.

Caspian let Marin set the pace. He moaned encouragement but without thrusting into his lover’s mouth.

As Marin licked and teased him, Caspian could tell he was using his knowledge from his time as Phoebus to give him the most pleasure he could. It was strange that even though they were taking their first real steps to becoming lovers, Marin knew his body so well already.

“Marin, I’m going to… Marin…”

Caspian’s warning went ignored. Marin sucked him down to almost the base. Caspian came with a shudder, filling Marin’s mouth with his cum. Marin hummed contentedly as he drank him down before letting him go.

“Good?” he asked.

Caspian snorted. “Like you even need to ask. Now, come up here and kiss me.”

Marin hopped up and pushed Caspian down onto the mattress.

“I like it when you take charge,” Caspian said as he grabbed Marin’s buttocks and pulled him closer.

“Good, because I like being the one on top.”

Marin wriggled around until he was straddling him, his arse nudging Caspian’s cock, which hadn’t yet got the message that he was no longer an immortal with incredible stamina and seemed to want to participate in the next round too.

Caspian waited for Marin to settle down, eager to see what he had in mind now. He wasn’t kept waiting for long. Marin stroked his cock as he met Caspian’s eyes.

“You like watching me?” Marin asked.

“Yes.”

Marin grinned and raised himself up a little. “How about touching me?”

Caspian didn’t need any more encouragement. He slid his hand between Marin’s legs and stroked him.

Marin moaned and rocked against Caspian’s hand, his own hand still on his stiff length. “I need you in me.”

“I can’t get it up again just yet,” Caspian said with a laugh.

“Use your fingers,” Marin ordered. “Fuck, Caspian, I should have asked Finn to order some of his toys for us.”

Caspian nearly choked. “What do you know about Finn’s toys?”

“Enough to know I should have put an order in months ago,” Marin replied. “That’s it, Caspian. You feel so good inside me. I need more, give me more.”

Caspian inserted a second finger into Marin’s arse and was surprised to find the merman stretched more than he would have expected. “Are you sure you’ve not been borrowing one of Finn’s toys?”

Marin shook his head and moaned loudly. “No…fuck…just been doing a bit to prepare myself the last few days.”

“It sounds like you’ve been planning this.”

Marin gave him a what a stupid question sort of look. “I have. Fuck!”

Caspian stroked Marin’s prostate, causing him to cry out as he began to spill over his chest. “That’s it, Marin. Let me see you come.”

Marin didn’t need Caspian to do much. He fucked himself on Caspian’s fingers with the determination of a man who knew what he wanted and had every intention of getting it.

“More… fuck… more,” Marin pleaded, until Caspian eased a third finger inside, and Marin lost the power of speech altogether.

Watching his lover lose control was as thrilling to Caspian as anything else they had done, and he cursed his lack of stamina. He yearned to be inside Marin, watching his merman ride his cock with the same abandon he now rode his fingers.

Marin cried out as he came, collapsing onto Caspian’s chest, his breathing ragged and short.

“Caspian?” Marin whispered a short while later.

“Yes?”

“Are you sure you can’t persuade your parents to at least give you back your power to come a dozen times a night?”

Caspian laughed. “Sorry, darling, but I’m afraid you’re going to have to put up with a mere mortal from now on.”

Marin propped his chin on Caspian’s chest. “Darling?”

Caspian’s face heated. “Sorry. It just slipped out.”

“It’s fine. I like it. I’m just worried about the solstice.”

“Why? I told you. Whatever you need from me, you can have it. I let you fuck me last solstice, remember?”

“I know… It’s just…”

“Marin, whenever you want to fuck me, you only have to ask, and on the solstice, you don’t even need to do that. I’ll be right here, my legs spread, ready for you to give my arse a pounding.”

“I know. It’s not that that’s worrying me.”

“Then what is it?”

“I’m mer and you know what our sex drives are like during the mating season. What if I wear you out?”

Caspian couldn’t help it. He laughed loudly until Marin smacked him on the chest.

“I’m serious. When we were together—when I was Phoebus, I mean—we fucked all the time. I’m just as horny now.”

Caspian got his mirth under control, though not without some difficulty. “Marin, just across the island there is a human named Jake. He lives with two mermen who both go through the mating season, the same as you do. As far as I’ve seen, he manages to keep up with them, satisfy them and even do chores around the house. I’m pretty sure that if he can keep up with two of you sex maniacs, I can manage one.”

“Then you’re not missing your powers right now?”

Caspian sighed. “I’m always missing my powers but there’s nothing I can do about it, so why worry about something I can’t change?”

“Is there no chance they could be restored to you? I mean, is it even possible?”

“Oh yes, it’s possible but highly unlikely. Besides, I’m not sure I’d even want to be immortal again, not now.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Probably, but I would rather not watch the man I love grow old and die while I stay forever young. I’m quite fond of the idea of sitting out there on the veranda with you beside me, watching the sun go down during the twilight of our lives.”

“That was very poetic,” Marin teased. “Have you been reading those stories in Atlantis too?”

“There’s no need for me to read them. I was alive when the events they portray were happening.”

Marin chuckled as he snuggled into Caspian’s side. “You can’t fool me. You’re a closet romantic.”

Caspian harrumphed and declined to comment. He supposed there were worse things to be.