A Bond of Three (15 page)

Erinor became still. “I believe you,” he whispered.

Sorran regarded the color that surrounded him, now a pale, beautiful green. It made his heart lighter to see it. Then he had an idea. “Erinor, where does your family dwell?”

A spasm of red glowed around the Seruan for a moment before fading to green. “They live near the palace. My mother sells flowers by the palace wall, and my father makes robes.” He frowned. “Why do you ask?”

Sorran smiled. “Because there is something I
can
do for you now.”

B
EHIND
HIM
,
Aroman made a clucking noise of disapproval. “You were going for a ride, I seem to recall.”

Sorran sighed. “The mood passed. Right now I have something more important to do.” He nudged Forena through the street, which widened as they neared the palace at the top of the hill. He spotted the stall with its bright flowers immediately and signaled to Aroman. “Wait here for me.” Before the guard could protest, Sorran dismounted and approached the beautifully dressed woman who stood behind the stall.

Her eyes grew large when she saw him, and she bowed her head. “Your Highness.”

“Be at peace,” he told her. She raised her eyes to meet his and Sorran smiled. “I bring a message to you.”

“A message? From whom?” The skin around her eyes crinkled.

Sorran lowered his voice. “Your son wishes you to know that he loves you very much and that you are in his thoughts and prayers every day.”

She became so still Sorran feared she was about to swoon. His heart soared to see the fierce look of joy that etched itself across her face. “You spoke with Erinor?” The words were a whisper.

Sorran nodded, feeling the prick of tears at the corners of his eyes. “And the next time I go out riding, I will stop by here first. If there is aught that you wish to give me, I will see that it gets to its rightful destination.” He let his words register.

The woman began to cry. “Thank you, Your Highness. I cannot thank you enough.” Around her the air glowed with a soft gold sheen.

Sorran stepped forward and hugged her impulsively, his own tears falling onto her robe. “May the Maker bless you and
all
your family,” he whispered. He released her and stepped back.

She wiped her face with the back of her hand and nodded. “May it be so.” Her eyes shone.

With one last smile, Sorran climbed back onto his horse and headed up toward the palace, Aroman behind him. He breathed deeply, bringing himself under control. As they entered the palace gates and rode through the courtyard, his thoughts were of Tanish, who would one day be king. Sorran would endeavor to keep his promise to Erinor, even if it meant defying his future husband.

This cannot go on.

He dismounted and patted Forena gently on the nose. “Good boy,” he murmured softly. Forena pushed into his hand, and Sorran stroked his mane.

“Do you need some company, Your Highness?”

Sorran stiffened and turned slowly to face Aroman. “Thank you for accompanying me today,” he began, striving to hold his temper in check. “But I think your idea of keeping me company differs greatly from mine.”

Aroman swaggered over to where Sorran stood and planted himself in front of him. He gazed down at Sorran, eyes glittering. “Why do you deny what your body needs?” he said in a low voice. “I feel the heat between us. You want me.”

Sorran closed his eyes and breathed deeply, counting silently to ten before he spoke. He opened his eyes and looked directly at Aroman. “I do not want you. I shall
never
want you. And now that I am to marry Prince Tanish, I find your suggestions even more objectionable than they were before.”

Aroman’s jaw set. “So now that you are to marry a prince, I am too lowly a man to consider sharing your bed with me?” He gripped Sorran’s upper arms. “Do you think I will stand aside and let him take what should be mine? I had the first claim on you.”

Sorran shook himself free of Aroman’s grasp. “I shall forget your words—for now. Repeat them again and I shall not be so tolerant. Repeat them again and I go straight to King Feolin. Is that understood?” And with that he marched out of the stable and into the palace. Once inside the cool interior, he leaned against the stone wall and closed his eyes.

Tanish, where are you?

Sorran had never been so lonely in his entire life.

Chapter 11

S
ORRAN
WAS
in heaven.

Soft hands stroked his back, his chest. Lips pressed against his nipples, his belly, and finally his cock, making him cry out with exquisite pleasure. He was surrounded by a sea of warm flesh, afloat in an ocean of sensation, where the underlying current was one of love. Sorran felt himself accepted, cherished. He had no clue as to how he knew this. The knowledge was simply
there
, as natural as breathing. He reached for his unseen lovers, wanting more….

And awoke, alone in the dark.

Sorran sat up, the dream fleeing from him, fast becoming a mere memory. He held himself still, searching his senses for any sign that it had been a prophetic dream, but there was nothing to hint at that.

I wanted it to be real. I wanted to be held, caressed… loved.

The thought sent waves of sadness rolling through him. It wasn’t real. He was alone, far from home, from his mother’s comforting embrace, from the familiar faces around him. He sat there in the dark, his knees drawn up, hugging them, and assessed his situation.

Instead I am in a kingdom that condemns those with sensual skills to a life of loneliness. I spend my days alone. I am betrothed to a man who avoids my presence. I am to receive instruction in the ways to please him from a teacher who spends but one hour with me and then vanishes for days. And I am pursued by an aristocratic warrior who wants nothing more than to take me to his bed, with no thought of my intended marriage.

It was all too much.

Sorran threw himself facedown on the bed and sobbed bitterly into his pillow, heedless of the noise he created. He was past caring.

Who is there to hear me? Everyone sleeps. Everyone but me.

Sorran wept, his tears soaking into his pillow, body aching with the force of his sobs. He yearned for the warm touch of another’s hand, a gentle voice,
anything
to let him know he was not alone.

The darkness gave him no comfort.

T
ANISH
STRETCHED
,
his aching limbs a physical reminder of his two days of rough riding and sleeping on hard ground. It pleased him that the soldiers treated him as one of their own and accorded him no leniency, but his body yearned for the comfort of his own bed.

He walked quietly along the corridor toward his chamber. The palace was still, and the only sound that filtered in through the open windows was the chirp of insects. The thought of Feyar in his bed awaiting him filled Tanish with a warm glow. He knew his lover would be there. They had not spent a night apart for many a year. Tanish smiled to himself, already anticipating the feel of Feyar’s strong arms around him, drawing him close and holding him through the night.

He paused by Sorran’s chamber, and his stomach tightened. The decision to go on patrol had been an easy one, but that first night, thoughts of the young prince had plagued him. He knew he ought to have spoken with Sorran before departing. Tanish sighed. He would have to speak with Sorran the following day.

The thought gave him no pleasure, but consumed him with guilt.

His mind focused on Sorran, he almost missed the soft sounds emanating from his chamber. Tanish strained to listen. It was unmistakable. Prince Sorran was weeping. Tanish caught his breath at the edge of despair evident in those tears. Try as he might to ignore it, he could not pass by and leave the prince in such distress.

He pushed open the door and went into the room. The faint glow of moonlight through the window gave him enough light to make out Sorran’s form on the bed. Sorran’s body shook, and his sobs rent the still night air. As Tanish approached the bed, Sorran’s weeping ceased abruptly, and he sat upright, peering through the gloom.

Tanish held up his hands. “My apologies, but I could not pass by when I heard you weeping. I had to see what had reduced you to such a state.”

Sorran wiped his eyes. “So you have seen me, and I have embarrassed myself. I wish you a good night’s sleep, Your Highness. I will be sure to trouble you no further with my tears.”

Tanish stifled a groan at hearing Sorran’s words. With a sudden flash of insight, he knew the root of Sorran’s unhappiness.

This is my fault. I have treated him with nothing but indifference since the betrothal was announced.

He sat down on the edge of the bed. “Forgive me, Sorran,” he said quietly. “I have been neglectful in my duties, but worse, I have treated you badly. I have no excuse.” None that he was prepared to share with him, at any rate.

Sorran stared at him, cheeks streaked with tears that appeared silvery in the moonlight. His silence was disconcerting.

Tanish sighed. “Please, share with me what is on your heart.”

Sorran’s breathing hitched. “I… I have been so alone.” His bare chest rose and fell rapidly.

Tanish’s heart sank to have confirmation of his fears.
This is my doing.
He had left Sorran to his own devices, completely forgetting he was far from his own land for the first time.
How could I have been so cruel?
He rose to his feet. “And the fault lies with me.” He bowed his head. “I can only beg for your forgiveness and for the opportunity to make things right between us.” He lifted his chin to meet Sorran’s gaze. “We shall speak of this in the morning.”

“No!” The word burst from Sorran’s lips. “Please, I beg you, do not leave me.” His lip trembled, and fresh tears sparkled in his eyes. He drew in a deep breath. “I am sorry. I should not have cried out like that.”

The sight of his betrothed in such a state was more than Tanish could bear. He kicked off his sandals, unfastened the cord from around his waist, and slipped off his robe, letting it fall silently to the floor. He stood beside the bed, naked, the night air cool against his skin. “I will stay with you until you fall asleep. Will that be acceptable?”

Sorran stared at him with wide eyes. “Yes.” The word came out as a whisper.

Tanish pushed back the sheets and climbed into the bed beside Sorran. He lay down and held his arms wide. “Come, let me hold you. We shall share our warmth.”

Sorran took a moment to react and then moved to lie in Tanish’s arms. Tanish pulled him close, inhaling Sorran’s scent, a warm, spicy fragrance that stirred his senses. He was slighter in build than Feyar, and shorter in the body, but he seemed to fit perfectly in the circle of Tanish’s arms. He listened to the sound of Sorran’s breathing, harsh at first but becoming more regular with each passing moment.

“You feel good.”

Sorran’s whispered utterance lightened Tanish’s heart. “I am glad.” Sorran’s body felt better than good. There was a…
rightness
to this, a sense that Sorran had been made to lie in his arms. Warm, sweet breath tickled his chin, and he looked down at the young man nestled against his body. Sorran gazed at him, lips parted, eyes catching the light. Tanish was suddenly aware of every curve and line pressed against him. Those lips invited him, but it was an invitation he dared not accept. To do so felt like a betrayal.

“Tanish, please.” Sorran’s voice quavered, and he swallowed. He reached up to lay a gentle hand on Tanish’s cheek, Sorran’s breath hot as it met his lips.

Tanish knew what was being asked of him. Invitation accepted.

With a groan he lowered his face to meet Sorran’s mouth in a tender kiss, his lips whisper-soft. Sorran closed his eyes and surrendered, opening for him. Tanish explored him leisurely with his tongue, his cock hardening at that first taste of him. Sorran moaned into the kiss, pushing his fingers through Tanish’s hair and shifting his body closer until Tanish could feel the heat from his cock.

Tanish broke the kiss and pulled back. “Oh, Sorran,” he whispered. “You
have
been a good student.” He smiled, and to his delight, Sorran smiled back at him.

“I wish only to please you.”

Tanish stroked his dark hair. “And you do please me, be assured of that. But now is not the time. Lie in my arms and sleep. We shall talk more of this in the morning.” He cupped Sorran’s cheek. “I will stay with you until sleep takes you.”

Sorran snuggled up to him, sighing contentedly. “Thank you.”

Tanish held him close, reveling in the feel of this beautiful man in his arms. He felt Sorran relax, his breathing slow and steady. The physical demands of the patrol finally took their toll, and Tanish slipped into a deep sleep.

T
ANISH
OPENED
his eyes and stretched—and froze when he encountered a warm body that was definitely not Feyar. Sorran let out a sigh and rolled onto his side to face Tanish, eyes heavy with sleep. The sun had begun its slow ascent into the morning sky, and Sorran’s chamber was filled with the soft glow of dawn.