A Bond of Three (17 page)

Feyar gave Tanish a nod of encouragement.

Tanish perched on the edge of the bed and gestured for Feyar to draw near. Feyar sat at his feet, leaning against him. “It is true. Feyar and I are in love. It has been so for many years, since we first met.”

Sorran said nothing, but his gaze never left Tanish’s face.

“You and I have spoken of the
Seruani
, so you know why I can never declare my love for him. To do so would bring pain and suffering upon both our heads, and I would lose him forever.” Tanish swallowed. Feyar gripped his hand tightly to reassure his lover of his presence. Tanish gave him a grateful look before meeting Sorran’s gaze once more. “When our fathers announced their plans for the wedding, I had intended to tell you that you would be my husband in name only, that we would not be… intimate.”

Sorran nodded, his breathing suddenly more rapid. “And then my father changed all that.”

It was Tanish’s turn to nod. “When Feyar was chosen to instruct you, his first thought was to refuse, but….”

Feyar closed his eyes, the memory shameful.
We have hurt him so badly.

Sorran sighed. “Questions would have been asked as to why, questions you could not possibly answer without attracting suspicion.”

“Yes,” breathed Tanish, relief etched across his face.

Sorran’s jaw set. “So instead you chose the path of avoidance.”

Feyar rose to his knees and moved to kneel at Sorran’s side. “I beg forgiveness from you for the way we treated you. To do so was cruel.” He bowed his head, his heart heavy. He could have wept when Sorran placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He looked up into those dark eyes.

“I forgive you.” Sorran’s voice was almost a whisper. “I sense no cruelty in you, only love for each other.” He clasped Tanish’s hand and held it.

Feyar let out a sigh of relief at his words.

A comfortable silence ensued, broken by Sorran clearing his throat. “So you would be present when Feyar instructs me. Tell me more of this.”

Tanish appeared startled by this turn of events. Feyar nodded encouragingly. Tanish lowered his gaze and stared at their joined hands. “We would go on as before. You and I would marry, but instead of my keeping Feyar a secret from you and maintaining a marriage in name only, the three of us would be… intimate—together.”

Sorran stared at him. “So I would share my husband with another man.”

Tanish nodded. “To do otherwise would be unfair. The thought of Feyar teaching you his skills, out of my sight, was a torment to me.”

“And I could not bear to think of my
corishan
sharing his bed with another,” Feyar blurted out.

Sorran’s eyes widened. “What would you have us do?”

Feyar hesitated. Tanish had been shocked into stillness when he had first voiced the idea for their sleeping arrangements. “I am happy for Tanish to join us when I instruct you, but….” He lifted his chin to meet Sorran’s gaze. “I would have the three of us share a bed each night.” It was the fairest solution.

Sorran looked from Feyar to Tanish. “And this sits well with you?”

Tanish nodded. “I admit I was startled when Feyar first proposed the idea. But yes, I would have us together. Feyar has shared my bed for many years. I cannot cast him aside once I am married.”

Sorran pushed out his breath in a long sigh. “I need to think on this,” he said at last. “What you ask of me demands careful reflection.”

“And will this reflection result in your sharing how you come to know things you could not
possibly
know? Or reveal what happened to you a little while ago?” Feyar demanded. There was much he and Tanish did not know, and Sorran appeared reluctant to share with them.

Sorran bit his lip. “I… I cannot. Not now. Perhaps one day, when there is more trust between us.” He got to his feet. “I wish to walk in the garden and think more on this. I promise I shall speak with you as soon as possible.” He gazed at Tanish. “I will join you both in your bedchamber when I have thought on this.” Then his face creased in a gentle smile. “Thank you for your honesty. I would have no secrets between us from this day forth, if anything is to come of this.” He gave them a short bow and left the room.

Feyar stared after him. He had no way of knowing which way Sorran would go, but his last words kindled a small flame of hope in his heart.

“Do you think he will accept our proposition?” Tanish wanted to know.

Feyar gave a half laugh. “I think we are in the dark here. We must pray that Sorran’s decision brings light to show us the way forward.”

All we can do now is wait.

S
ORRAN
SAT
on the stone bench in the garden and closed his eyes, the afternoon sun warm on his back. He breathed deeply and evenly, seeking an oasis of calm from which to view his situation. The thought that he had not been honest with the two men weighed heavily upon him and did little to aid him in his objective.

Why did I not tell them of my visions?

His anger had ebbed away once he had seen the pain they suffered. He knew Tanish had no choice but to hide his love for Feyar. Yet when he spoke of the three of them together, Sorran knew Tanish spoke truth. It resonated within him and set his feet back on the path directed by his vision. In the stillness of the garden, Sorran could accept that Tanish and Feyar were both destined to be his, yet the idea of sharing himself with two men was something he found more difficult to contemplate.

I know this is how it was meant to be. Why then do I hesitate to share this knowledge with them?

Sorran sought deep within himself for an answer.

He could not deny that the thought of sharing his body with both men sent heat racing through him. He recalled his dream of the previous night, and the memory of multiple hands caressing him, arousing him, was suddenly so clear.

I had not thought it to be prophetic.
Yet still he resisted. There was something in his path that would not give way.

Sorran opened his eyes and gazed at his surroundings. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shadows that danced on the ground at his feet. All around was the joyous singing of birds, a balm to his troubled mind.

And then it came to him.

I am destined to love them both.

He was under no illusions. Tanish and Feyar had proposed this solution to spare him pain and ease their guilt. They did not know where this could lead.

But I do. I will be in love with two men, only one of whom I will be able to acknowledge as my lover.

However he looked at the situation, Sorran was bound for a world of hurt.

But is that reason enough to refuse them? Simply to avoid the pain I know will come?

He thought back on the vision he had shared with his father. He had seen the marriage robes, the rings he and Tanish would wear, and it had been clear. The one thing he had not understood was the image of three hands joined.

And in that moment, he knew the path he would choose.

Sorran rose from his seat and walked swiftly from the garden to the cool interior of the palace. He nodded in greeting to guards and servants alike, but he had but one purpose. He reached the door of Tanish’s bedchamber and paused to collect himself. His heart pounded at the thought of what he was about to do. Drawing in a long, steadying breath, he pushed open the door and entered.

Tanish sat at his table, Feyar standing behind him, rubbing his shoulders.

“That feels good, my
terushan
.” Tanish closed his eyes, a look of rapture on his face.

Feyar smiled and leaned forward to kiss Tanish on top of his head, the gesture tender and loving.

The sight filled Sorran with delight to see the lovers as they truly were, free to show their feelings for each other. “You will have to teach me how to do that,” he said.

Both men looked toward the door. Sorran watched how the colors playing around them flickered and changed, evidence of their apprehension. Tanish stood, his gaze fixed on Sorran, lips parted, his forehead creased. Feyar appeared watchful.

Sorran swallowed. “We three, then.”

Tanish let out a small gasp.

“You mean this?” Feyar’s eyes grew large.

Sorran nodded, conscious of his blemish, which grew hot. His hands tingled and suddenly a thought arose in his mind. “Take my hands, both of you.”

Both men hesitated. Feyar bit his lip. “Forgive us, but the last time we laid hands on you, it seemed to bring you great pain.”

Sorran nodded. “I know, but I seek confirmation that what we do is right.” He turned his palms upward. “Please, ask no questions but do as I ask.”

Slowly they approached him, hands outstretched. Sorran held his breath, aware of the heat spreading along his arms and over his chest. At the first touch of their hands to his, the heat became muted. He could not hold back his smile. “It feels… good.”

Smiles spread across the faces of the two men, and they drew closer, until Sorran could feel the heat radiating through their robes.

“I would seal this moment,” Tanish said, his eyes shining. He leaned close and cupped the back of Sorran’s head, pulling him in, his intention clear.

Sorran shook his head. “This moment is for all of us.” He put his arms around their waists and drew them to him. Having them in such close proximity for the first time sent shivers up and down his spine. “Kiss me,” he whispered. He held his breath as his soon-to-be lovers leaned in, the heat between them almost unbearable. Two mouths met his, and suddenly he was swept away on a tide of sublime sweetness as the three of them kissed, tongues parting lips in exploration.

Three men joined in one kiss. Sorran’s vision clicked into place with a rightness that took his breath away. His heart soared at the connection between them.

And then the kiss changed.

Tanish’s mouth was on his neck, making him shiver as he traced a line down to Sorran’s collarbone with his tongue. Feyar fused his lips to Sorran’s in a hungry kiss full of heat. Hands tugged at his robe, baring his chest, and Sorran groaned into Feyar’s mouth when Tanish flicked at his nipple with his tongue before taking it between his teeth.

Feyar broke away, panting. He stilled Tanish with a gentle hand and then grinned at Sorran. “Ready for your next lesson?”

Sorran was shocked into stillness when, before he could reply, Feyar reached down, unfastened Sorran’s robe, and pushed it off his shoulders to let it fall in a pool of soft fabric around his ankles. His heart beat faster when Feyar placed his hands on Sorran’s shoulders and exerted pressure. “On your knees, Prince Sorran.”

Sorran sank slowly to the floor and caught his breath when he found himself level with Feyar’s groin. He could see Feyar’s erection straining against the fabric. He lifted his gaze to look at Feyar, whose eyes glittered. He was aware of Tanish moving to stand behind him.

“Take out my cock,” Feyar whispered.

Trembling, Sorran reached into Feyar’s robe and wrapped his hand around a hot, rigid column of flesh. Feyar let out a low moan and swiftly removed his robe, dropping it to the floor.

“Slide your hand along its length. Feel its heat.”

Sorran obeyed, his breathing quickening as he leaned forward, inhaling the rich smell of pure male. Instinctively, he closed his eyes and pressed his face into the wiry curls around the base of Feyar’s cock, breathing him in.

Oh, the smell of him.
It was the scent of heat and raw passion, and Sorran could not get enough of it.

“Oh, by the heavens, you learn fast.” Feyar sounded breathless.

Sorran heard the whisper of fabric behind him and knew Tanish had disrobed. There followed a short explosion of noise as Tanish spat, followed by the sound of slick flesh being worked. But Sorran’s attention was claimed by a thick cock pressing insistently between his lips.

“Open for me, take me in,” Feyar bade him.

Sorran opened his mouth wide, and Feyar pushed gently, filling him with bare, hot cock, the taste unlike anything he had encountered. Feyar’s soft whimpers as he sucked him deeper were music to his soul. Feyar pulled free with a groan. “Run your tongue along the vein, then back to the head. Suck it in, keeping your lips tight around it.”

Sorran took in every word and applied himself to the sensual task. He could hear Tanish’s low moans behind him.

“Perfect, just perfect.” Feyar’s breathless praise had Sorran’s cock hardening. “Put your hands on me, stroke my belly, my chest.”

Sorran responded eagerly, his head bobbing as his mouth worked the head of Feyar’s cock, hands reaching up to slide over warm skin.

“Look at me, Sorran.” It was a command.

Sorran looked up through his lashes at Feyar, truly beautiful as he towered over him.

Feyar’s face was flushed, his eyes hooded. He groaned loudly. “You’re going to make me release.” He gasped. “Shall I spray my seed over your chest, or in your mouth?”

The thought of Feyar filling his mouth with seed sent Sorran perilously close to the edge. He pulled free with a loud groan. “In me,” he cried out before diving back to suck Feyar deep once more. He reached lower to grasp his own aching cock, but Feyar growled low in his throat.

“That is ours.” He pushed with his hips, plunging his cock deep into Sorran’s mouth. “Think of the sound you make, that hum of satisfaction when you taste or smell something good. Make that noise around my cock, as loud as you can.” Sorran obeyed, his lips vibrating as he hummed, his mouth full. Feyar groaned. “Oh, yes, Sorran. Like that.”

Sorran kept up with the vibrations, aware now that Feyar’s thighs trembled and shook.

“Slide a finger alongside my cock into your mouth,” Feyar ordered. Sorran did as he was asked. “Now reach between my legs. Find my entrance.”

Sorran slid his hand over Feyar’s testicles, brushing against them, causing Feyar to moan softly. He reached around to pull apart Feyar’s cheeks and rubbed his now-slick finger over the tight little hole. Feyar tossed his head back, panting. Sorran needed no instruction. He pressed his finger slowly inside Feyar’s body, marveling at how it sucked him in deep, tight and hot around him. Feyar pushed back, riding his finger, his breathing staccato. His body tensed, and Sorran stroked deeper inside him, the heat from Feyar searing his finger like a furnace.