Ties That Bind

By Alex Whitehall

For Chel, Tomlin, and Mathias, life is simple but good. They share a home and a love, and despite a few conflicts of personality, are happy. Mathias runs a magic shop, where he makes magic items and potions for his customers, and Tom is his familiar, helping supply his magic. Chel, who's not magical, works at a bookshop and makes sure dinner is on the table for his lovers.

When Mathias suddenly comes down with a mysterious illness, Chel and Tomlin seek out answers. As Mathias's familiar, Tomlin can sense that nothing is wrong with the magical parts of him, but when a trip to the doctor's indicates nothing is wrong with him physically either, they start to worry.

Then Mathias collapses, and the search to find the truth becomes urgent.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alex Whitehall
• Release date: Aug 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463034378

Alex Whitehall

Alex Whitehall is forever searching for their happy ever after, but in the meanwhile strives to give everyone else theirs. They hop between writing fantasy and contemporary, sometimes shuffling them together when the mood strikes.When they aren't chained to the keyboard, they ride horses, knit, watch anime, and play tabletop role-playing games. They live with a forest of aloe plants in Pennsylvania, and are just as cool as they thought they'd be in high school.

Book preview

For Chel, Tomlin, and Mathias, life is simple but good. They share a home and a love, and despite a few conflicts of personality, are happy. Mathias runs a magic shop, where he makes magic items and potions for his customers, and Tom is his familiar, helping supply his magic. Chel, who's not magical, works at a bookshop and makes sure dinner is on the table for his lovers.

When Mathias suddenly comes down with a mysterious illness, Chel and Tomlin seek out answers. As Mathias's familiar, Tomlin can sense that nothing is wrong with the magical parts of him, but when a trip to the doctor's indicates nothing is wrong with him physically either, they start to worry.

Then Mathias collapses, and the search to find the truth becomes urgent.

Ties That Bind

By Alex Whitehall

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.

Cover designed by Kirby Crow

This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.

Second Edition August 2019

First edition published by Less Than Three Press, LLC

Copyright © 2019 by Alex Whitehall

Printed in the United States of America

To everyone who cares for me when I’m not well: thank you.

Ties That Bind

Alex Whitehall

Chel

Outside the sun sank into the dying light, but inside, a lamp cast an orange glow around the living room. Chel sat on the couch, staring off into space in the direction of the television's blank screen, his fingers absently rubbing the top of Tomlin's head on that special spot between his ears that he liked so much. Tomlin lay purring on Chel's lap as a cat, his fifteen-pound body a firm security while his soft amber coat offered comfort.

Chel stirred from his thousand-yard stare. Mathias is rather late tonight. I hope he's okay.

No response from Tomlin.

A glance at his cell phone showed no missed messages.

Tomlin snorted, as if he could hear Chel's internal fretting.

What? I'm worried he's working too hard. He comes home later every night, and he didn't have energy for sex yesterday! He even fell asleep while we were talking. But Tomlin should know best, shouldn't he? He might be flighty—and flighty would be an understatement—but his magic was entwined with Mathias's. He had a direct connection to their lover that a boring non-magical human like Chel couldn't hope to comprehend.

Tomlin adjusted on Chel's lap, kneading Chel's thigh, as if to comfort him.

I know, but—

The front door opened.

Tomlin leapt off Chel's lap, and Chel was a second behind in standing and rushing to the door, through which Mathias had trudged. Chel pulled up short, heart pounding as he took in Mathias's dull black hair, dark bruising under his eyes, scruff on his square jaw, and the crumbling slope of his shoulders. He looked even worse than he had this morning.

Oh, darling. Chel stepped closer and opened his arms, welcoming Mathias into them.

Mathias slumped the final step between them and collapsed against Chel's chest, letting most of his weight sink against him. Chel wrapped his arms around Mathias, gathering him close and holding him so he didn't end up a puddle on the floor. His poor sweet lover seemed so small in his arms today.

Oh, Mati. The now-human Tomlin flattened himself along Mathias's back, his arms reaching all the way to Chel.

Mathias exhaled, long and slow, as if he could discharge all the tension in his shoulders. This is the perfect way to be welcomed home.

Chel sighed his own relief and pressed a kiss to Mathias's temple. I'm glad you're home. I was worried about you. Already thoughts of feeding him and getting him sprawled on the couch started to form. Mathias needed rest and nutrition to get better, and Chel would do anything to get that done.

I wasn't, Tomlin chirped, wiggling closer to Mathias, which drove Mathias closer to Chel. No one complained.

That's because you saw him a few hours ago and I haven't seen him since this morning, Chel argued. He pressed another kiss to Mathias's forehead. You seemed so tired, and then you sent Tom off and you were late and you know how I am. He said this last with a slight laugh, because he was a worry-wort and he knew it.

Sorry, love, Mathias murmured. I had a few things that needed wrapping up, and I didn't need Tom underfoot—sorry, babe, but it's true—so I thought I'd send him home to bother you.

You're so meeean, Tomlin complained, then contented himself with nibbling kisses along Mathias's neck.

Chel rolled his eyes and ignored their dramatic lover. And you've been working this whole time?

Mathias sighed and sank a little further into Chel's arms, as if he could burrow into the strength. I fell asleep.

Chel tried very hard to keep the concern from his voice. To keep his tone light and casual, even as his need to tend to his lover rose. Did you not sleep well last night?

I slept like the dead. Mathias