A Bond of Three (12 page)

Is this how a
Seruan
affects those around him or her?
To be able to cause physical changes in others, even from a distance, was evidence of impressive skills. As a result, Sorran’s nervousness increased exponentially as the hour drew nearer for his instructor to appear at his chamber. It helped little that Prince Tanish had been nowhere to be seen since his parents’ departure.

If this is how it is to be until our wedding, I hold little hope of developing a relationship with Tanish.
The thought filled Sorran with such a profound sense of sadness that his heart felt sore. His dreams of a fulfilled, happy life seemed remote. Yet there remained in him the hope that thirty days was more than enough time to forge a friendship with his intended.

From such beginnings, love may yet blossom.

Sorran ran his hands over his body, enjoying the feel of the water on his skin. Beside the bath stood a vial containing a sweet-smelling, viscous liquid. He poured a little into his cupped hand and ran it over his chest and arms, allowing it to wash away the cares and worries of the day. He slipped his hand lower over his taut belly and closed his eyes. There arose in his mind an image of Tanish on the beach, nude and beautiful. Sorran had never seen another person naked. What surprised him was his own apparent lack of inhibitions. He had removed his clothing without a second of hesitation, and it had felt so natural to be thus with Tanish. Sorran had strove to keep from staring when his gaze had alighted on Tanish’s cock. The sight of it, long and growing thicker, had sent heat surging throughout his body.

Sorran ran his fingers lightly over his length before cupping his testicles, feeling their weight in his palm.

Tanish will do this.
The thought sent shivers of anticipation coursing through him, and feeling bolder, he slipped a finger lower to circle his hole. He had touched himself in such a way in the past, but now the act had new meaning as he imagined Tanish exploring him, enjoying his body. Sorran wanted to push his finger inside, but something in him bade him refrain.

I must wait.

Sorran pushed out a long, drawn-out sigh and washed away the last of the cleansing liquid with his hands. He rose and climbed carefully out of the bath. Towels lay within his reach, and he grabbed one and wrapped it around his hips. He went to the window and flung it open to let in the warm breeze that played over his damp skin. On the wall beside it hung a silvered mirror, set within an ornate frame. He gazed at his reflection.

The markings on his skin seemed to glow in the early evening sun. He traced their lines with his fingers, remembering each dream that had brought him the designs.

When will I understand their significance?
The thought was a common one. Something in him told Sorran that one day all would become clear. He brushed his fingers over the red heart on his shoulder before moving lower to stroke the image of a key above his left hipbone. Finally he traced the tattoo around his left wrist, a thin circle of rope made up of strands of gold, red, and blue. Such strange images, and yet they had seemed so important when he had dreamed them.

His skin dry, Sorran discarded the towel and dressed himself in a light robe, tied loosely around his waist. He glanced toward the bed and shuddered.

What will this evening bring?

A light tapping on his chamber door broke through his musings. Sorran took a moment to collect himself before speaking. “Enter.” His voice cracked slightly.

The door opened, and a tall figure clothed in a
cashor
entered, head bowed, hands clasped together across his belly. He lowered his hands and closed the door.

“You are Feyar?” Sorran fought to keep his breathing steady, aware that his heart was beating strongly. The mark on his chest began to burn.

The figure bowed low and then lowered the hood to reveal his face.

Sorran stared in shock.
By all the stars in the heavens….

Feyar was taller than him, his chest wide beneath the robe. His face was bearded, his eyes blue and bright against the pallor of his skin. He did not smile. But what sent shock waves jolting through Sorran were the colors that rippled over Feyar’s body—exactly the same that surrounded Tanish each time Sorran laid eyes on him.

“I do not understand,” Sorran murmured, his skin growing clammy, hands tingling and hot, and all the while his birthmark was like a brand against his chest. His cock filled almost instantly, its heat searing his thigh.

“Your Highness?” Feyar frowned, head tilted. He moved closer, his manner cautious.

Sorran shook his head. “This cannot be… cannot… not two….”

Blood pounded in his ears, and Feyar’s features seemed to stretch and shimmer before him as he approached Sorran, moving as slow as honey on a cold morning. Feyar held out his hands and seemed to be speaking, but the words were distorted and strange.

Then the world faded to gray, and then gray gave way to black.

Chapter 9

F
EYAR
WATCHED
in horror as Prince Sorran’s eyes rolled back in his head, and he slumped to the floor. Feyar sprang forward to catch Sorran before he hit the stone slabs, and swung the inert figure into his arms. He carried Sorran easily to the bed and laid him down gently. The prince lay inert, skin pale, his breathing rapid.

What could have caused such a reaction?
Feyar stood by the bed and stared at the young man. Despite his intentions to keep Sorran at a distance, Feyar could not help but be concerned. Sorran’s distress had been all too evident. Feyar was about to send for Tanish when Sorran’s eyes fluttered open. Feyar stood still, hands clasped, head bowed.

Sorran sat up and stared at him. “What… what happened?”

“You lost consciousness, Your Highness.” Feyar kept his voice low. He glanced around the room and spotted the carafe of water and a glass on the table beside the bed. He poured out a glass and handed it to Sorran. “Drink, Your Highness.”

“Sorran.” Two dark brown eyes regarded him, their gaze growing more focused. “If we are to spend time together, you will address me as Sorran.” There was a quaver in Sorran’s voice, but with each word his tone grew stronger. The color returned to his cheeks.

Feyar bowed his head in acknowledgment. “Sorran.”

Sorran smiled and then took the proffered glass and drank deeply from it. He closed his eyes and expelled his breath in a slow pulse of air before looking directly at Feyar. “You must think me weak, to react like that.”

Feyar shook his head. “I would not presume to think such a thing.” He watched Sorran carefully, still unsure if he should send for aid. For a brief moment, panic had seized him. Sorran appeared so young and fragile in his arms.

Sorran gestured to the bed. “Sit, please. You make me nervous.” There was a brief flash of that smile once more.

Feyar chuckled to himself. Tanish had summed up Sorran with great accuracy. There was something about him that invited trust. “As you wish.” He sat on the bed, smoothing his
cashor
over his knees. Sorran regarded him, those dark eyes watchful. Feyar allowed himself to relax his posture.

Why can I not hate him?
Feyar was puzzled by his body’s reaction to Sorran. He had entered the chamber determined to act coldly toward him, but with each passing moment he found himself becoming more relaxed in Sorran’s presence. It was a struggle to remain aloof.

“I must confess, I am nervous.”

There was an edge to Sorran’s voice that spoke louder than his words. Feyar took in the way he held himself, biting his lip, the occasional tremor that danced through him. Guilt coursed through Feyar when he realized he was the cause of Sorran’s state.

And then his training surfaced and he remembered why he was there.

“I can remedy that,” Feyar murmured, edging closer. He leaned in until Sorran’s breath fanned his cheek. “Have you ever been kissed by a lover, Sorran?” He spoke softly.

Those eyes were so large and round. He heard the hitch in Sorran’s breathing. “I… I have never known the caress of another, save for my mother’s embraces.”

“Then follow my lead.” Feyar moved closer still and brushed his lips against Sorran’s, the movement slow and sensual. He slid his hand up Sorran’s arm, feeling him shiver when he trailed his fingertips over the warm skin of his neck. Sorran sighed against his mouth and then pressed his lips firmly to Feyar’s, inhaling deeply, breathing him in. Feyar licked along the seam of Sorran’s lips, smiling to himself when Sorran opened for him, inviting him to enter.

“Hmmm.” Feyar kissed him, stroking his tongue inside Sorran’s mouth, finally relaxing when he felt Sorran take control of the kiss, his hands reaching up to cup Feyar’s head, pulling him closer. Feyar kept his eyes open to watch Sorran’s reactions, but as the prince all but melted against him, he closed his eyes and lost himself in the increasingly sensual embrace. His body sang as Sorran’s kiss stirred his blood, and he wanted more. He slipped his hands under Sorran’s robe and eased it off his shoulders.

Sorran broke the kiss with a gasp. “You too, Feyar. I want to touch you.”

Feyar pulled Sorran to his knees on the bed and untied the cord from around his waist. He knew without seeing that Sorran was naked beneath it. The robe swelled over his obvious erection, and Sorran hissed as Feyar brushed his fingers over the swollen head of his cock, every line of it visible through the thin fabric. Sorran let out a little whimper that had Feyar eagerly unfastening the ties at his neck and removing the
cashor
. Feyar had deliberately left himself naked beneath it. Sorran’s hands were on his chest in an instant, his fingers playing with the dark layer of hair that covered it. Feyar sighed at the touch.

When they were both nude, Feyar lowered Sorran to the bed on his back. Sorran was breathing harshly, his chest flushed as he stared up at him.

“Such heat between us.”

Feyar felt it too. His cock was already hard and aching. With a shock he realized he wanted to be inside Sorran, wanted it with every fiber of his being.

What is he doing to me?

S
ORRAN
WAS
reeling from the erotic onslaught. His body was on fire. Every touch of Feyar’s hands, lips, and tongue sent him soaring higher, until he thought to die from the pleasure of it all. He concentrated on the sensations flooding through him while he tried to ignore the questions that clamored in his brain.

Two of them. There are two of them. How in the name of all things holy can there be
two
of them? And which one is my destiny?
His initial confusion and panic ebbed away with every kiss, every caress. When Feyar stretched out beside him on the bed and let his gaze travel up and down his body, Sorran held himself taut as Feyar stroked his chest.

“You kiss well,” Feyar said, his eyes shining, his hand never stilling in its slow circles.

“Thank you.” Sorran was unsure how to react to such praise. “But I simply followed your lead, as you instructed.”

Feyar smiled. “If this is how you follow instruction, you will be an excellent student.”

Sorran hungered for more. “Kiss me?”

Feyar’s eyes glittered. “Be truthful with me. Do I arouse you?”

Sorran groaned, grabbed Feyar’s hand, and dragged it to his cock, which was as stone. “Need you ask?” He had never achieved such hardness in his whole life.

Feyar chuckled, and he wrapped his fingers around Sorran’s shaft, making him moan. “Then this time, let your body lead you. Pour everything into your kiss. All your want, your need. Devour me with it.” He moved his hand slowly from root to head.

Sorran shuddered and then cupped Feyar’s head to pull him down into a passionate kiss, his tongue plunging deep into Feyar’s mouth. Feyar groaned into the kiss and slid his tongue inside. Sorran’s spirit soared to feel Feyar’s reaction, and he whimpered as Feyar worked his cock with a steady motion. Then he caught his breath when Feyar released his cock and moved his hand lower to stroke over his testicles, causing him to shiver. Feyar traced a line down to his hole. Sorran broke away, his eyes fixed on Feyar’s face.

Feyar gazed down at him. “Your body is sensitive there. Every little touch of my fingers makes your skin tingle, does it not?” Sorran could only nod as Feyar circled his hole, making him quiver with desire. “Then I shall make your whole body alive with sensation. Roll onto your belly.”

Sorran stared at him, shivering. “My… my belly?” His breathing was ragged.

Feyar grinned. “Trust me, Sorran. What I am about to do reduces
all
men to a quivering heap. You will be no exception.” His eyes shone. “And once I have you trembling and shaking, you will do the same to me. Follow my lead, Your Highness.”

Sorran dipped his chin in acknowledgment and then rolled to lie facedown on the bed. He stared ahead, his breathing shallow as he awaited Feyar’s next move. Feyar reached for the pillow next to his head and then roughly grabbed his hips, lifting them from the bed as he stuffed the pillow under him, pulling his shaft into view.