Brandywine Investigations Read online

  "Of course not. Is that why you're all covered up?"

  The eye-roll Charon gave him was practiced and pointed. "That's why I'm always covered."

  "Char…" Azeban caught the hand teasing at his hair and pressed it to his cheek. "Unless you take your clothes off and all your guts spill out, there's no way you'd be anything but lean, hard, and sexy to me."

  "It's confirmed. You're completely insane."

  Charon held his gaze as he unbuttoned his pajama shirt with slow deliberation. He pulled his arms from the sleeves and yanked his T-shirt off, head up, eyes blazing, as if daring Azeban to change his mind. Yes, Char was thin. Azeban would've said painfully thin if he'd been human. But he wasn't. On Charon, the spare muscle over oft-prominent bones was sleek and dangerous. Here was a being who could take down creatures of far greater mass and do it faster than the eye could follow. Deadly. Graceful. Beautiful.

  Azeban didn't smile or wink, as he might have with a different lover. This was far too serious, since Charon had risked dignity and comfort to trust him. "Yep. Still dead sexy."

  "Hmm. Terrible puns do sometimes earn points with me." While Charon's expression remained guarded, he took Azeban by the upper arms and lifted him so Azeban ended up straddling Charon's thighs. "Of course, I've seen you naked, so I suppose it's only fair. Putting aside the fact that you have no shame."

  'Cause it's dumb to be ashamed of being naked. Azeban didn't say that out loud, of course. Not everyone was him. "None at all. Beg for my supper. Cry if it gets me what I want. And run through the woods naked. Though not if it's snowing. Then I'd rather have my fur on."

  Charon slid his palms along the outsides of Azeban's arms, causing a ripple-shiver of delight. "You do have pretty fur. This aspect is lovely too."

  "Even though I have a bullseye on my butt?"

  "I'm sure there's some off-color remark to be made here. Though they all seem insultingly obvious," Charon drawled as his gaze traveled down to Azeban's eager erection. "And you really aren't blowing smoke up mine."

  Azeban leaned forward to press their heads together. "I've wanted you for a while now. So, yeah. It's real. But where are we going here? I mean right now?"

  "I suppose we'll see where it takes us." Charon ran a finger along Azeban's spine. "I do find you beautiful, you know."

  "I guess I do now." A delicious shiver of pleasure ran through him as that claw tip painted designs on his lower back. "This isn't, um, just for me, is it?"

  "Az, look at me. Up here." Charon put his hands on Azeban's waist and waited until he'd complied. "It's not that I don't like sex. Quite nice, from time to time. As long as I don't feel that it's an expectation, a stipulation, if you will, I'll mostly enjoy pleasing you."

  "So snuggles that lead to something, is that, um, expectation?"

  "Only if it always does. If you're only snuggling to push for more."

  "All right. I'm all for snuggles for snuggles' sake." Azeban shifted to kiss Charon's forehead, both hands on his shoulders. "One thing at a time here. And I'm gonna keep asking things, so no I'm not sure and I don't know. Clear yeses and noes."

  Charon gave him a crooked smile. "You're very bossy in bed, little god."

  "If you aren't enjoying yourself, we're stopping. That simple. I don't need you to feel like you have to compromise for me. All right?"

  The wry smile turned into a frown. "But once we begin, don't you need to—"

  "No." Azeban let his fingers trail down to Charon's chest, frost-pale and hairless. "Only an asshole thinks his partner owes him sex. I might be a thief and a con, but I'm not that kind of asshole."

  "You are what you are, Az." Charon's voice had taken on a soft, distracted quality. "I've never thought of you as any sort of asshole."

  Azeban snickered as he nuzzled at Charon's jaw. "You might be the only person in the universe besides Kau who thinks that. Good so far?"

  "Yes."

  "Can I undress you the rest of the way?"

  "I'm sure you can," Charon said with an airy wave.

  Azeban swatted his hip. "Jerk. May I, then?"

  Charon's expression grew serious again. "Yes. But I don't think I'll be comfortable lying here all exposed."

  "That's what blankets are for."

  Azeban kissed his jaw and slid down Charon's long legs so he could hook his fingers under pajama and brief waistbands. He didn't do a slow striptease, since that might be weird for Char, but drew the material down and off in a smooth, steady slide. As he crawled back up to snuggle against Charon's side, he pulled the covers up with him, uttering a contented sigh at the skin-to-skin contact. Head cradled in the crook of Charon's shoulder, Azeban slid an arm back over Charon and hugged him tight.

  "Just so you know, this is great."

  After a teensy hesitation, Charon closed his arms around Azeban, claws back to combing through his gray-brown hair. Really likes the hair.

  "You are quite the snuggler," Charon murmured.

  "Even more when I'm scared and worried, but it's one of my favorite things any time."

  "I think that's what puzzled me most about my reaction to you." Charon traced a delicate line down Azeban's back to stroke one of the globes of his ass. "I've wanted to hold you. Yearned for it. I don't recall that happening before. Hugs are wonderful, certainly, but I've never had this need to hold someone."

  "I'm—" Honestly, Azeban didn't know what he was. A rush of heat from his heart to the top of his head made him glad he was lying down with his face hidden against Charon's chest. Flattered, pleased, but that wasn't even half of it. In the still-sentimental part of his heart, he'd known the connection went beyond scratching an itch. He'd known, and still he felt like someone had hit him in the head with a bulldozer. "Wow."

  "Az," Charon whispered. "Do something. I'm a little at sea here with what you might like."

  "Up the Styx without a pole?" Azeban snickered when Charon swatted him. "Sorry. All right if I snuggle between your legs?"

  Charon's hands nudged him in that direction as he spread his knees to make room. "Yes. That was a definite yes, by the way."

  Azeban nudged at pale thighs, easing them apart before he climbed over Charon's near leg and knelt between his knees. Leaning forward, he placed his hands on either side of Charon's ribs, not touching, and lowered himself slowly, slowly…

  "Stop. Wait," Charon hissed as their cocks brushed. His hands flew to Azeban's hips and gripped tight.

  Azeban froze, holding his weight on his arms, prepared to scramble back. "Too far? Too much?"

  "A little overwhelming. Give me a moment. It's been… a while."

  Charon had shut his eyes tight, taking short sipping breaths through his nose. His hard grip on Azeban never lessened, but he pulled down, urging more contact, and his eyes snapped open as their groins met fully. Those eyes—black as sin, as three in the morning, as the river Charon had poled across for so many centuries—they were drowning eyes, pulling Azeban under until he wondered if breathing was really necessary.

  Air is overrated.

  The skin-to-skin connection was exquisite. The soul-to-soul one was dizzying. He needed to say something, but words had become alien birds that wouldn't sit still in his head. The corners of Charon's eyes crinkled with a gentle smile as he wrapped his arms around Azeban and pulled him into a warm embrace. There's that feeling again. Safe. Secure. Here in his arms like nowhere else.

  "This is wonderful," Charon murmured against his hair. "An Azeban blanket."

  "Oh, great." Azeban turned his head so his nose wasn't squished against Charon's throat, wriggling in the process to get a little friction going. "Objectified already."

  Charon drew in a sharp breath. "Do that again."

  "What? Complain?"

  "No." Charon chuckle was half snort. "Move like that."

  Happy to oblige, Azeban squirmed against him, rolling his pelvis so their cocks rubbed together. Eyes squeezed shut again, muscles rigid—Charon echoed his movements though tension radiated from him. Relax, rel
ax, Azeban thought at him as hard as he could, slowing his gyrations to match Charon's.

  "Hey. This isn't some endurance contest." Azeban stroked the thick fall of white hair over Charon's ear. "You promised to say if it wasn't fun anymore."

  A sound that wavered between growl and moan rumbled in Charon's chest. "Don't stop. Not now. I promise it feels good. Just… edgy."

  "Okay," Azeban huffed and dropped his forehead on Charon's shoulder as he ramped up the RPMs a notch. "So you know. I'm enjoying the hell out of this." He propped one elbow and reached between them. "Can I touch?"

  "No. Yes." Charon thumped his head back against the pillows several times. "Yes. Do it."

  Charon's reaction to his own arousal had all of Azeban's nerve endings standing at attention on tiny individual hot plates. He reached in carefully and wrapped his hand around both of their cocks, his touch gentle but firm enough not to tease. And holy fuck that felt good, especially when Charon grabbed a double-handful of ass and dug his claws in.

  That'll leave extra decoration back there. Azeban fought a snicker as he pumped slowly, gauging Charon's ever-more-labored breathing. He wanted to watch but couldn't keep his head up, squirming and gasping against his own approaching climax.

  When Charon trailed his hands lower and slid them between Azeban's thighs, he knew it was a lost cause.

  "Char… sweet mother…"

  Squirming devolved into gasp-punctuated humping as Azeban came fast and hard, spilling all over his hand and Charon's stomach. He didn't collapse, not yet, his own spunk providing the slick for faster pumping. Charon arched off the bed with a soft cry, the unexpected heat of his orgasm shocking Azeban into an answering moan. Carefully, he eased down and released Charon so he could work through the aftershocks unimpeded. Azeban eased over to the side with his hand on Charon's stomach, waiting.

  When Charon opened his eyes, he raised his head to glance down the length of his body. "Rather messier with two."

  Azeban put on his most serious face. "Double the volume. Scientifically speaking, you see." He laughed when Charon swatted his butt, not so much when he abruptly left the bed. "Hey, are you—?"

  "Come clean up, trouble. No wet spots on my sheets."

  That was all right, then. Not mad; just fussy. Azeban jumped out of bed and hurried into the bathroom after Charon's naked ass, which was fun all on its own. Only when they were both clean and dry did Charon allow a return to the bed for more snuggling. Azeban soon found himself warm and content, plastered against Charon's side again, calm enough for his brains to start running in useless circles about how he was going to fix the mess he'd made.

  "Stop thinking so hard, Az. I can hear the hamster wheel spinning." Charon glanced at the clock on his nightstand. "Two hours until Lady Hestia arrives. Let me at least have that much of a nap."

  Azeban snuggled farther under the covers with a hum of agreement. Two hours, and then he would have to face the world again.

  Azeban's Lightbulb

  Chapter Eleven

  Lady Hestia had no encouraging news when she left Lord Hades' room, but Charon hadn't expected any. Hoped, perhaps, but not expected. Still, he'd set out the good tea service and cookies so they could consult in what she would consider a civilized fashion.

  "He's as comfortable as he can be right now." Lady Hestia poured tea and handed a cup and saucer to Azeban, sitting to her left on the sofa. "Charon, dear, sit down and stop pacing so you and your charming little friend can tell me everything you've discovered."

  Azeban ducked his head and blushed at the compliment, but there was real discomfort in the gesture rather than connivance. "It's… I did this, ma'am. All of it."

  "Rather overstating the case." Charon eased into the armchair nearest Azeban. "His little paws are all over the physical steps, yes, but it's not quite so simple."

  A frown crease marred Lady Hestia forehead. "It would be appreciated if one of you could fill in the specifics."

  Charon reached over and patted Azeban's knee when he opened his mouth to answer. He didn't want his raccoon in tears again—

  His raccoon. Yes.

  "I'll tell it, Az. Drink your tea." Charon fought distraction as Azeban did just that, so cute and earnest, sitting there sipping from his lordship's best black china, feet swinging, since when he sat back, they didn't reach the floor. "Azeban made the mistake of sleeping with someone he probably shouldn't have."

  Charon went on to tell the whole story, trying his best to keep things neat and orderly. Unlike some gods, Lady Hestia listened politely and didn't interrupt with questions. When he finished, she set her teacup and saucer down, her frown as close to thunderous as she ever managed.

  "Azeban…"

  "Yes, ma'am?" Azeban looked like he was trying to shrink into the cushions.

  "It was a cruel thing she did to you and Kau. Terribly cruel." She took Azeban's hand in both of hers. "Itzpapalotl… she can be terrifying and vengeful when she's angry. Did she mention at any point why she's so angry right now?"

  "She didn't.… I mean, I don't know what set her off. I got the feeling it's an angry she's carried around a long, long time—things about rape and abuse. And maybe she just now found what she thought was a solution."

  "Great Mother, protect us from angry goddesses," Charon muttered. "Lady Demeter keeping the earth from producing. Amaterasu hiding the sun."

  "Tricksters can do a lot of harm, my dear." Lady Hestia hadn't turned from Azeban. "But the same gods often find resolutions. It was my silver-tongued nephew Hermes who brokered the peace between Hades and Demeter. And it was Ame-no-Uzume who drew Amaterasu out of her cave again."

  Charon watched the little god carefully. Azeban's spine had straightened, and his gaze had lost focus. If he'd been in raccoon form, his ears would've been tipped all the way forward. "Az? What is it?"

  With a hard twitch, Azeban returned to the conversation. He set his teacup down with a clatter and vaulted over the table, speaking in rapid, staccato sentences. "I'm sorry. Have to go. Sweet waters. Have to go. Kau!"

  He stomped into his boots without tying the laces and scurried over to the closet to retrieve his much-abused coat. Kau flapped around his head until he could settle on a coat-covered shoulder.

  Alarmed, Charon started across the floor to prevent whatever harebrained catastrophe was in progress. "Where are you going? Az, don't rush off like this. We'll talk through whatever it is. I'll go with you, if it comes to that."

  "I did this." Azeban crammed his hat on his head and skipped out of Charon's reach. "I need to fix it. Won't be long."

  Another skip away, the unmistakable snap of the Ways opening, and Azeban stepped out of reality as if he'd stepped behind an invisible curtain. Charon stood gaping, hand still outstretched toward the empty air.

  "You look a little shocked, Charon, dear. Maybe you should sit down." Lady Hestia patted the sofa beside her.

  "I'm not sure what's shocked me more." Charon sank down beside her with an ungraceful thud. "That he's suddenly recovered enough courage to run off on his own, or that he's feeling… responsible."

  Lady Hestia hummed and picked up her cooling tea. "It's probably safe to say that Azeban has never had a reason to feel responsible before."

  Charon frowned at her—the way she said it seemed to contain several meanings—but she studiously ignored him in favor of cookies and tea. He hated when deities got all superior and mysterious. So unnecessary.

  "Can you track him?"

  "Not without some hint of where he's gone." Charon shook his head and returned to his own tea. "I'll give him an hour. Then we release the hounds."

  "I do hope that's not literal. Poor dear."

  By this time, Charon was so confused he wasn't sure if she meant him, Azeban, or the dogs.

  Azeban squeezed back out into the everyday world in a snow-dappled park. "Pretty, huh?"

  Crrrrrreh.

  "Don't have to be rude about it." Azeban reached up to stroke Kau's beak. "And we've been colder places."


  Kau fluffed his feathers and croaked his discontent.

  "If this goes okay, we'll be back in the nice, warm condo in under an hour." Please, please let this go okay. I'm due for some luck here.

  Caw!

  "Fine. My aim was a little off. I'll run and you fly. We'll get there faster."

  They'd exited the Ways by the lake in Baker Park Reserve, so Azeban had to jog toward thicker trees first. Not a great time to try to find a place to change in a deciduous growth stand, but a messy bramble worked for a quick strip and raccoonification. Kau still grumbled as he flew along Azeban's course out of the park and down County Road 24. Azeban let him. He deserved a good grumble or twenty after what he'd been through.

  It was good to run through grass again, even if it was winter-dry and slick from snow. Still grass, still outside an entirely urban environment, still free. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed the simple joys of freedom of movement—no, he had. This exhilaration only emphasized how bad it had been.

  About a mile down the road, he turned onto a dirt-and-gravel drive with an adorable birdhouse-style mailbox in bright yellow at the entrance. Up and over a short rise, a snug cottage revealed itself, also yellow, with bright-blue trim and a walkway made of rainbow-hued glass cobbles leading to the lozenge-shaped front door. Though the wind was still, countless wind chimes—tubes, bells, frog-, butterfly-, and grasshopper-shaped—chimed when Azeban leaped onto the porch, and the front door opened with a champagne-cork pop.

  He used to find that hilarious. Now he wondered if the owner needed to work on her security system. Still, he'd always been welcome before. Maybe the door was screening visitors. He popped his head around, one paw holding onto the doorframe. "Uzume?"

  "Azeban! Stop heating the outside and come in!" Uzume called from the back of the house, her words bright and chipper as always. One deity who wasn't angry with him, at least. "Kau, don't you poop on my porch!"