A Bond of Three (16 page)

“Good morning.” Sorran blinked. “You stayed.” He smiled happily.

“It would seem so.” Tanish had not intended to spend the night, but the feel of Sorran in his arms, in a comfortable bed, had proved too great a temptation for his body.

Sorran tilted his head up to kiss Tanish, the briefest brushing of lips, and then dropped onto his back with another sigh. “I am glad.”

Tanish studied Sorran’s lean, lithe body with its strange markings. His gaze was drawn to Sorran’s chest, where an image was etched of a circle of three hands, each clasping the other about the wrist. “Tell me of this one. It is different in appearance from the others.”

Sorran nodded. “I was born with this. The others were of my design.” He flushed. “Although that is not strictly truth.” He bit his lip and regarded Tanish for a moment. Then he relaxed. “I saw the others in my dreams.”

Tanish gazed at the heart adorning Sorran’s shoulder, tracing down to the ornate key above his hip. But his attention was drawn back to the mark on Sorran’s chest. He traced it with a finger, noting how Sorran shivered at his touch. “Does it hurt?”

Sorran shook his head. “Not now, but at times it burns.” He stared at Tanish, eyes widened. “I have never spoken of these things to another.”

Tanish smiled. Sorran’s confession sent warmth flooding through him. “But I am not ‘another.’ I shall be your husband.” For the first time since his father’s proclamation of their betrothal, the thought of wedding Sorran sent a shudder of anticipation rippling through him.

Sorran’s cheeks glowed. “Thank you for staying. And for….” His blush deepened.

Tanish could not resist. He ran his thumb over Sorran’s lower lip, watching how he trembled. “My pleasure.” The sight of Sorran lying there, the sheet doing little to hide his arousal, sent heat racing through him. Their first kiss was burned into his memory.

“I am happy that you are pleased with the results of Feyar’s teaching.”

Those words made him stiffen.
Feyar.
He had completely forgotten his lover, who had surely lain all night in Tanish’s bed, wondering where he was.

How could I forget him?

Tanish threw back the sheets and reached for his robe and sandals. He rose from the bed and dressed himself quickly. He heard Sorran catch his breath.

“Tanish, what is wrong?”

Tanish turned to face him. Sorran’s brows were knitted, his eyes full of concern.

First I hurt Sorran, then I forget Feyar.
In that moment Tanish was filled with self-loathing.

“I spoke the truth last night when I said we would speak more,” he assured Sorran. “There is something I must do, but I shall return, I give you my word.” He met Sorran’s gaze unblinking.

Sorran regarded him in silence and then bowed his head. “I will await your return.”

Impulsively Tanish dashed forward and kissed him on top of his head. “Thank you, Sorran.” The look of surprise and delight in Sorran’s eyes lifted his spirits. Tanish smiled at him before leaving the room and hurrying along the corridor to his bedchamber. There was no one in sight. He pushed open the heavy door, and when he caught sight of the empty bed, its sheets rumpled, his heart gave a jolt.

“Where were you?”

Tanish swung around. Feyar was standing in the open window, his
cashor
already wrapped around him. Those blue eyes regarded him steadily, no trace of a smile.

Whatever I do, it seems I cannot win. I hurt them both.

“We must talk, my
terushan
.” He went swiftly to Feyar and held out his hand to lead him to the bed.

Feyar arched his eyebrows. “And this talking shall take place in bed?” He sniffed the air and his eyes grew round. “You were with Sorran. I can smell him on you.” His nostrils flared and his lips pressed together.

There was no mistaking his reaction.

With a groan Tanish tugged him to the bed and pushed him to sit. “
This
is why we need to talk.” He knelt on the fur rug before Feyar. “The first time you met Sorran, you felt guilty, did you not? As if your being with him was a betrayal?” Feyar stared and then gave a short nod. “And I admit it, I was jealous. The thought of the two of you together tortured me.”

Feyar’s expression eased. “Oh, my
corishan
.” He moved as if to embrace Tanish.

Tanish held up his hand. “And last night I found Sorran weeping. We did that, you and I. We avoided him and left him alone, a young man far from home and those who love him.” He watched Feyar’s reaction. His face flushed, and Tanish nodded. “Yes, now you feel as guilty as I. He was so lonely, my
terushan
. It made my heart ache to see him. And when I kissed him….” He closed his eyes, the memory stirring his blood.

Feyar let out a long, drawn-out breath.

Tanish opened his eyes and shook his head slowly. “We cannot continue thus. Both of us jealous when the other spends time with him, both of us gnawed inside by guilt.”

Feyar got to his feet and paced across the room, wringing his hands. “Then what are we to do? For if this continues, we shall all be in torment.” There was pain in his eyes. “Tanish, we torture ourselves in this way. You are to marry him in twenty-six days’ time. He will be a part of your life, political marriage or not.” He swallowed. “I can no longer hate him, my
corishan
, not now I have met him. How could anyone hate that sweet youth? But I cannot bear the thought of you sharing a bed with him.”

“And the thought of you touching him, making love to him….” Tanish shuddered. “I fear it will drive me mad.” He stood facing Feyar, a space between them.

It is as if Sorran stands there, invisible to the eye but making his presence felt, the three of us forming a trinity of….

Tanish froze, the image in his head so vivid that it took his breath away.
By the Maker, why did I not think of this?

“Tanish?”

He shook himself and met Feyar’s concerned gaze. Tanish smiled. They had been so blind, both of them. The answer had been there all the time.

“There is a solution.”

S
ORRAN
TRIED
not to fret, but as the hours passed and there was no sign of Tanish, his heart sank.

Did I dream it? Did I imagine his lips on mine, his body curled around me?

It had been wonderful to wake and find Tanish still there. Better still was the memory of that kiss. And although it had saddened him when Tanish left so hurriedly, Sorran took consolation in his promise that they would talk.

So where is he?

He had bathed, the fragrant water soothing away some of the worries. Adorned in a white robe, his favorite, he stood by the window and watched the birds take flight. They soared into the sky, free from all concern. Sorran envied them.

He caught the sound of footsteps in the corridor, drawing closer. Sorran’s heartbeat raced and his breathing quickened as the door swung open and Tanish entered the room, his face lit up in a smile.

“I said I would return.”

Sorran could not refrain from smiling. “And with such a happy expression.” The colors that played over Tanish’s skin had never burned so brightly, as if red and orange flames danced around him.

“I need to discuss something with you.”

Sorran’s skin began to tingle, and the blemish grew hot. His senses were suddenly alert. “Speak.”

Tanish regarded him intently. “Your lessons with Feyar will continue, but with one major change.” He drew in a deep breath. “When you receive instruction, I shall be present.”

Sorran became still. “You… you will be there? In what capacity? As an observer or….” He could not finish the sentence, the words dying in his throat. His hands were on fire, as was his chest.
Something is coming.

Tanish never broke eye contact. “I shall observe, but there will be occasions when I will join you.”

Sorran froze.
We will be three?
He sat still, letting the idea take root. Three. Something stirred inside him, something so deep that at first he could not identify its source. Then it came to him, the remnants of a vision. The thought sent a surge of heat pulsing through Sorran’s body.

Before he could speak, Tanish continued. “I have sent for Feyar, that the three of us may discuss this further.”

Sorran caught the sound of footsteps outside in the corridor. Feyar entered, robed in his
cashor
, his head bowed. Sorran watched as Feyar approached Tanish and bowed before him.

Then the world came to a juddering halt.

Sorran’s skin burned, but his veins were filled with ice. He stared, unable to process what his senses were telling him. He looked from Tanish to Feyar and then back to Tanish. He stared as the colors surrounded both of them, their meaning unmistakable. And in that moment, all thoughts of the three of them together fled him.

Sorran’s chest heaved as he fought to breathe. Tanish and Feyar were gazing at him, both wearing identical expressions of concern. Sorran shook his head and barked out a bitter laugh. “Oh, I am such a fool.”

Tanish’s brow furrowed. “What is wrong?”

Sorran closed his eyes to block out the sight. He counted to ten silently, always his way to calm down. When he opened his eyes, nothing had changed. Cold rage flowed through him, permeating every inch of him. He glared at Tanish. “When were you going to tell me that you are in love with Feyar?”

Sorran watched the color drain from Tanish’s face. “But how…?”

He shook his head. “And you think I would marry you, knowing you love another?” His heart was sore.
The visions are wrong.
Tanish was not for him, nor Feyar. They already belonged to each other.

And Sorran was in the way.

He closed his eyes. “Get out, both of you.” He heard their startled gasps, but the sound grew faint as the blood pounded in his ears. The blemish was a brand on his chest. He swayed on his feet, the tingling over his body now a white-hot feeling that threatened to topple him into unconsciousness.

And Tanish and Feyar had not moved.

Sorran opened his eyes and yelled, his skin now in agony. “
Get out!
”

To his horror, they came toward him, hands outstretched, mouths wide in silent cries. They took hold of his hands.

Sorran screamed as fire shot through his veins, and he knew no more.

Chapter 12

F
EYAR
LEAPT
forward and caught Sorran deftly in his arms. He cradled him, carrying him to the bed, and then laid him down gently. Sorran was breathing shallowly, his face flushed, his skin hot to the touch.

Tanish was at Feyar’s side, gazing anxiously at Sorran. “What happened?” He sat on the edge of the bed and took Sorran’s hand.

Feyar regarded Sorran’s pallor. “It was thus the first time I met him.”

“And you did not tell me?”

Feyar sighed. “He recovered, and I forgot about it. But now….” He held his arms wide in invitation. Tanish relinquished hold of Sorran’s hand, drew closer, and pressed his face against Feyar’s belly. “How, my
terushan
? How can he know of us?”

Tanish wrapped his arms around Feyar’s waist. “I know not. He sounded so certain, he spoke as if it were truth.” He sighed heavily. “Oh, my
corishan
, the anger in his voice….” His warmth seeped through Feyar’s robe. “He hates the idea. Part of me knew it might be so, but I was so hopeful.” A stifled sob shook Tanish’s body. “This will not work.” Feyar heard the catch in Tanish’s voice.

Feyar stroked his hair and tilted Tanish’s face upward to gaze at him. “You do not know this. Sorran spoke in the heat of the moment. We will wait until he is himself once more and then we shall speak of your plan. It is better to do this now, while there is time. He needs to become accustomed to the idea before the wedding.”

“There will be no wedding.”

Feyar gave a start and looked down at the bed. Sorran regarded them, his face still pale, his voice cracked.

Tanish broke free of Feyar’s embrace and moved closer. “Why do you say this?” He locked gazes with Sorran.

Sorran stared at him. “You ask this of me?” He arched his eyebrows. “You named him. You called Feyar your
heart
.” He turned to face Feyar. “And you, you called him your
love
.” He sat up, an expression of such sadness on his face that Feyar’s chest tightened.

Tanish’s eyes grew round. “How… how can you know of this?”

Sorran sighed. “It matters not how I come by my knowledge. You both know I speak the truth. That is sufficient.” He drew in a deep breath. “Since you have seen fit to ignore my wishes, it is I who shall take my leave of you.” He pushed himself up from the bed, unsteady on his feet.

Tanish rose and grasped his arm. “Please, Sorran. Sit with us. Hear us out.”

Feyar knelt before Sorran, his face upturned. “Listen to him, I beg you. For all our sakes.”

Sorran looked from Feyar to Tanish, holding himself still, and then he dropped back onto the bed, sagging against his pillows. “Speak,” he said wearily.