Beyond the Darkness (Dark Court 1) (7 page)

“Are you sure that’s the only way?”
“We can always head into the forest and most likely lose them but the waterfall is up and over.” Gunny pointed up the side of the mountain again. “Eljin said that would be the best place to breach the veil between our two worlds.”
“Just remember that Eljin can’t move as fast as we can,” Zack said. “I’m not putting him or the baby in any more danger than they are already in.”
“I can make it,” Eljin insisted.
“I have no doubt that you can, but we have to be careful. If you slipped or fell or got over exhausted it could hurt the baby.”
“But, Zack—”
“We’ll go, but you have to promise me you’ll tell me if you get too tired.”
Eljin rolled his eyes. “I’m stronger than I look, Zack. You have to stop treating me like spun glass.”
“Yeah, not going to happen, hummingbird.”
“Can we just go?” Eljin asked. “I promise to let you know if I get tired.”
Zane took a deep breath then grabbed Eljin’s hand, pulling him along beside him. Gunny said the waterfall was only ten miles away. Ten miles was a whole lot more when walking up the side of a mountain. Zack doubted they’d reach their destination before dark.
They made slow progress. Zack concentrated on getting Eljin up the mountain and let Doc and Rocky bring up the rear. They needed to hide the direction they went, covering their tracks and protecting them from behind.
About halfway up the steep incline, Eljin stopped, yanking on Zack’s hand. Zack turned back to look at him. “Eljin, what’s wrong?”
Eljin had a hand over his mouth. His gaze darted left and right before he leapt to the side of the small trail and lost whatever was in his stomach.
Zack dropped the backpack, opened one of the pouches and grabbed a small cloth and a canteen of water. He wet the cloth then quickly crossed over to squat down next to Eljin, holding his hair back out of the way as the man threw up.
Once Eljin seemed to calm a little, Zack handed him the cloth to wipe his mouth then offered the canteen. Eljin took several swigs, swishing the water around in his mouth before spitting it out. His face looked pale when he looked over at Zack, his lips turned down in a grimace.
“How are you feeling, hummingbird?” Zack asked as he took the canteen and cloth from Eljin.
“Like crap but I’ll be okay.”
“Do you need to rest?”
Eljin glanced up the side of the mountain then shook his head. “No, let’s get farther up the mountain first.”
“How about if I carry you for a little while, just until you can manage on your own? You can rest and we can still get up the mountain.”
Eljin’s eyebrows shot up nearly to his hairline. “Are you nuts? You can’t carry me and that backpack. That thing has to weigh at least eighty pounds and I’m well over a hundred. You’d never make it.”
Zack knew Eljin was right. He glanced over his shoulder at the backpack, chuckling softly when he saw Rocky, Doc and Gunny dividing the bag’s contents between the three of them.
He looked back to Eljin and grinned. “Not a problem, hummingbird.”
Eljin looked like he might protest for a moment but then shook his head, a small smile on his face. He stood and held his arms out. Zack carefully grabbed him and picked him up, cradling him close to his chest.
“Ah, hell, hummingbird, I think you weigh less than the backpack.”
“Funny.”
Zack chuckled and started up the hill once again. He’d have to make sure he thanked the guys for taking on his load without question. They’d always been close— fighting together tended to form nearly unbreakable bonds. You had to trust the person guarding your back when out in the field. He’d just never considered that bond might extend to his personal life.
Their trek up the mountain moved a lot quicker with Eljin cradled in Zack’s arms. It also created less work for Rocky and Doc. As military men, all of them were trained not to leave a trail behind. They knew where to step so they didn’t leave a trace and how to move quietly through most any terrain.
Eljin did not.
They reached the summit of the mountain just as the sun started to set. It’d taken them longer than Zack had anticipated because they’d needed to stop a few times so that Eljin could throw up.
Zack knew the situation was taxing on the man. How could it not be? They were running for their lives. Even Zack’s nerves were pretty frayed and he wasn’t pregnant. But Eljin hadn’t complained once.
His face was pale-white by the time Zack set him on his feet, his lips thinned into a tight line. Zack held on to Eljin’s arm when the man swayed a bit.
“Eljin?” Zack asked, afraid he’d pushed himself too hard.
Eljin waved him away and walked over to sit on a fallen log. “I’m fine, just tired and hungry.” He pointed toward the backpacks that Gunny, Rocky and Doc were pulling off their shoulders. “I don’t suppose you have a gourmet meal in there somewhere, do you?”
“Uh, no,” Doc said as he glanced over, “but would beef jerky and crackers do?”
“Hell, at this point I’d eat a shoe.” Eljin rubbed his stomach. “We’re starving.”
Doc dug around in the backpack for a moment before producing a bag of beef jerky, some dried fruit and a package of crackers. Eljin practically leapt at them, grabbing them away from Doc and carrying them back over to his log.
Eljin’s deep, satisfied sounding groan made Zack squirm. It reminded him of the moans the man made during sex. Zack wished they were alone. His cock throbbed in his pants. Not a good thing when surrounded by other people or on the run from madmen.
Zack walked over and sat on the ground next to Eljin. “Going to share?” he asked. Eljin’s eyes narrowed but he held out a cracker. Zack kept his eyes on Eljin as he leaned over and bit the cracker out of his hand.
Eljin’s soft laughter was a boon to Zack’s soul. It wrapped around him like a comfortable blanket, making him warm and content. He grabbed Eljin’s hand, and before he could pull back, he yanked the man down into his arms, sitting him between his legs and dragging him back against his chest.
Eljin continued to share his meal, offering up a cracker or a bit of beef jerky in between bites for himself until every crumb of food was gone. Zack had one last item for Eljin. He didn’t know much about pregnant men but he’d met a couple of pregnant women in his time.
“Hey Doc, want to toss me that little brown bag you have in your pack?”
Doc nodded, his mouth full of crackers, and reached into his backpack. He pulled out the paper sack and tossed it over. Zack caught it and reached inside for his secret weapon. “Here, hummingbird, your dessert.”
“Oh my god!” Eljin exclaimed. “Chocolate!”
He eagerly reached for the small piece of chocolate and shoved it into his mouth in one bite. He groaned loudly, his eyes closed, and a look that could only be described as one of pure ecstasy came over his face.
Score one for Zack!

Eljin curled into the curve of Zack’s body and pulled the green wool blanket up over his shoulders. It was getting pretty cold and Zack had told him they couldn’t have a fire because it would be visible for miles around.

Snuggled as he was against Zack’s larger body, he didn’t think the cold would be much of a problem. The man was like a furnace. Eljin nuzzled his nose into the soft curve of Zack’s neck, loving the musky, masculine fragrance that filled him when he inhaled.

I’ll get to smell that sweet scent for the rest of my life.
The thought brought him such joy he tilted his head and pressed a small kiss on Zack’s throat.
I wish we were alone,
Eljin said to Zack with his mind as he glanced over to where Doc and Rocky sat leaning back against their backpacks. Gunny had gone to scout out the area ahead.
“Me too.”
Eljin could hear the laughter in Zack’s voice even through their bond. It made him smile, and wish even more that they were alone.
“We could always go find a bush to hide behind,” Zack added thoughtfully.
Eljin laughed out loud. “No, as much as I wish we could, they’d know.”
Surprisingly, Zack’s snort transferred through their bond. “Like I care about that.”
“I would. There are some things that need to be private. Our sex life is one of them.”
The air rushed out of Eljin’s lungs when Zack’s hand covered his semi-hard cock. He pressed his face against Zack’s throat to hide his groan even as he parted his legs under the blanket.
“Zack!”
“Shh, hummingbird.” Zack worked Eljin’s zipper down and pushed his hand inside to grip his cock, which was hardening by the second. “Keep quiet and they won’t be any the wiser.”
He was supposed to keep quiet with Zack’s hand wrapped around his cock? Eljin wasn’t sure that was possible. His hands clenched against the fabric of Zack’s shirt as the man began to work him, stroking him slowly so he didn’t disturb the blanket.
His breath started coming quickly. He knew he wouldn’t last long. While they had been intimate just the night before, it had been too long since he’d had the touch of Zack’s hand on his body. He needed it more than air.
Eljin flushed when he glanced up to find Zack watching him, his gaze intense. His mouth was drawn tight, his nostrils flared. There was a little tic in his jaw that told Eljin just how much control the man was exerting.
In that moment, Eljin didn’t care who saw them. He needed Zack. He needed to share the pleasure flowing through his body. “Where in the hell did you say that damn bush was?” Eljin asked as he wiggled against the hard cock pressing against his ass.
Eljin muffled his groan of protest against Zack’s lips when Zack stopped stroking his cock. Zack began to fumble around then he grabbed Eljin’s hand and pushed into the opening of Zack’s pants. Eljin grasped the hard shaft waiting for him there.
At the same time, Zack shoved his hand back beneath Eljin’s waistband. A contest of sorts ensued where they tried to see who could stroke faster, harder, without moving the blanket and revealing their activities to their friends.
Eljin was pretty sure he lost when his hips began to involuntarily thrust against Zack’s touch. He turned his head and sank his teeth into Zack’s chest as he came, covering Zack’s hand with his release.
Eljin, fuck, don’t stop
, Zack whispered desperately in his mind when Eljin paused, panting harshly against Zack’s chest.
Sorry.
Eljin resumed his efforts.
The head, Eljin, rub the head.
Eljin smiled as he rubbed his thumb across the head of Zack’s cock and a shudder ripped through Zack. He wiped the drops of pre-cum away then switched hands. Making sure Zack was watching, he brought his thumb up to his mouth and licked the drops away.
“Christ, you’re going to kill me.”
“Maybe, but I’ll send you to heaven first.”
Eljin doubled his efforts, stroking longer, harder, quicker. He reached down with his free hand and gently cupped Zack’s balls, massaging the silky sac. Zack’s breathing quickened, his body tense, and he knew the man’s orgasm was just moments away.
“Kiss me.”
Zack’s immediately claimed Eljin’s lips with his own, the man’s moan of completion filling his mouth. Eljin slowed his movements, stroking Zack’s cock a few more times as come covered his hand. Zack’s mouth continued to plunder his even as he bucked against Eljin’s ministrations.
When Zack finally lifted his head, his eyes looked dazed but warm and happy. Eljin grinned. At that moment, there were no shadows across his heart, no demons to fight, just the two of them loving on each other.
“Love you, Zack.”
Eljin didn’t like the slight frown that crossed Zack’s face, the eyebrows that drew together. “How can you know, Eljin? We barely know each other.”
“I know you,” Eljin replied feeling relieved. Zack wasn’t denying Eljin’s love. He just seemed confused. Eljin hoped he could clear up that confusion. “I’m in your mind, Zack, in your heart. I know you probably better than I know myself.”
“I don’t know what love is, Eljin. I’ve never experienced it before. I grew up in an orphanage. I didn’t have anyone to teach me what love was. I spent my entire adult life in the service. I know how to track and shoot and defend the weak. I don’t know how to be gentle, and you need gentle.”
“You know what love is, Zack, you just don’t recognize it.” Eljin nodded toward the men sitting a few feet from them. “When you think of your friends, how do you think of them?”
“They’re my friends. There’s no one on earth I would trust more to protect me, or you. I know when I need them that they will always be there for me, as I will for them. I’d do anything for them, die for them.”
“And if something bad happened to them? What emotions would course through you?” Eljin already knew the answer to that but he wondered if Zack did.
“Sad and angry at the same time, I guess.”
“If something good happened to them?”
“They are my friends, Eljin, I want only good things to happen for them.”
“That is called love. It might only be love of one friend for another but it’s still love.” Eljin reached up and cupped the side of Zack’s face. “That’s how I feel for you. I don’t trust anyone on the earth as much as I trust you. I know that you’ll protect me, keep me safe. I know you’ll always be there for me and I’d do anything for you. Your happiness is my happiness. Your sadness is my sadness. You’re the most important person in my life.”
“Yeah.” Zak’s eyes seemed a little shinier than normal as the man blinked several times. “Then I guess I love you too because that’s how I feel about you.”
Eljin’s heart sang with delight at Zack’s words. He was blissfully happy, fully alive for the first time in his life. He had Zack, their baby growing inside of him, and now he had Zack’s love. He couldn’t ask for more.
Zack held Eljin cuddled against his chest, watching his lovely face until the man fell asleep. He was so tired but he never complained, and he tried to be so brave. Zack felt more admiration for Eljin’s courage than almost anyone he knew.
“He’s quite the man.”
Zack looked up to see Doc watching him and Eljin with a curious expression on his face. “He is,” Zack agreed. “He’s one of the best.”
“I never thought I’d hear you say that about another man.”
Zack chuckled. “Me neither but that was before I met Eljin. Now I can’t see my life without him. Eljin and the baby are more important than my life.”
“Dude, you have to know how weird that sounds coming out of your mouth.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve never been a gay basher or anything like that but you always made it perfectly clear that you preferred women over men. To see you so crazy for a man now… ” Doc chuckled and shook his head. “It’s like totally weird, dude.”
“Before Eljin I never even considered being with a man, not really. I’ve fantasized, but who hasn’t?”
Doc cocked his head to one side. “What changed your mind?”
“Truthfully, he did. Oh, hearing about Gunny’s lover had a small bit to do with it but Eljin was really the deciding factor. He gives me purpose. I’m a good soldier, Doc, and with Eljin, the things I have learned can be put to good use.”
“Is that all this is for you?” Doc asked. “Another someone to defend?”
“No, it’s Eljin I want to protect, Eljin and the baby. It’s like I finally have something that is mine and I will fight the world to keep them safe and happy. There’s just something about him that makes me want to slay all of his dragons, makes me want to be a better man for him.”
“You want to be his hero.”
Zack laughed nervously. “Yeah, I guess I do, but it’s more than that. In the beginning I was fighting this so hard. I’ll admit it, I was outright mean to him, but Eljin never called me on it. He just accepted my decision and made plans to leave my life because that’s what I told him I wanted.”
Doc’s jaw dropped. “Dude!”
Zack looked down into the sleeping face of the man wrapped in his arms. There was a small smile on Eljin’s plush lips. He looked serene, peaceful, as if he was exactly where he wanted to be.
“Maybe that was it. As much as he loved me he was willing to give me up because that’s what I wanted. In that moment, it didn’t matter anymore, not the gay thing or the male pregnancy thing, none of it. It just mattered that I do everything in my power to make him happy.”
“You’re in love with him.”
Zack glanced up, taking in the shocked look on Doc’s face. “Don’t look so surprised. Do you actually think I could not love him? He’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen and that’s just the outside packaging. The inside is much more beautiful.”
“And the baby?”
The smile on his face echoed in the warmth of his voice as he replied. “The baby is just a bonus.” Zack looked back down at Eljin. “Besides, he has the sweetest lips I’ve ever tasted. I’d be an idiot to give that up because I have a little confusion about what to do with the equipment.”
Doc laughed long and hard at Zack’s words, enough to have Zack frowning at him. He didn’t think his statement was that amusing. Doc held his hand up as his laughter trickled down to the occasional chuckle.
“Sorry, dude, but I just had a picture of you in my mind in bed with a very naked Eljin without a clue what to do with him. It struck me as funny. I think I would be in the same position if I had a naked woman in front of me.”
Zack chuckled, seeing the humor of the situation. “I kind of feel that way sometimes.”
“Just do to him what you’d want done to you,” Rocky added as he sat beside Doc and leaned back against his pack. “I assume you know what you like, right? Well, if it works for you then it will probably work for him.”
“Is it really that easy?” Zack was skeptical until Doc laughed again.
“Yeah, pretty much,” Doc said. “We’re men, Zack. We’re basically driven by the need to get off. We seek it, fight for it and try to charm our way to get it. Blow in our direction and we’re pretty damn happy. Don’t overanalyze it.”
“Okay, I hear you.” Zack still wondered if things were that easy but so far they seemed to be. Eljin loved his touch and Zack certainly craved Eljin’s. Maybe he was overanalyzing things. Maybe he needed to just let things happen when they happened.
It seemed to be working for them so far.
“We need to get some rest,” Rocky finally said as he stood up and scratched his abdomen through his shirt. “Doc and I are going to go check the perimeter while you get your little man cleaned up. We’ll be back in five.”
Zack’s face flamed as he realized that he and Eljin hadn’t hid their little sexual interlude earlier all that well. “Sorry, guys.”
“Don’t be. It’s great to see you with someone.” Rocky slung his rifle over his shoulder. “I just don’t think we should mention to Eljin that we know what you two were up to. It might embarrass him.”
“It would.”
Zack waited until Rocky and Doc walked away before laying Eljin back on the ground. He quickly wet a cloth and wiped them both down then zipped their pants up. Eljin slept through the whole thing, which told Zack exactly how tired he truly really was.
He wrapped the blanket more closely around Eljin’s body then picked him back up again, cradling the smaller man in his lap. Eljin’s head fell against his shoulder, his hand coming up to pat at Zack’s chest before he tucked it under his cheek.
He never opened his eyes.
“Sleep, hummingbird, I’ll protect you.”
Zack looked up as Rocky and Doc came back into the little clearing they were camped out in, taking in the anxious looks on their faces. “What?”
“Company is coming,” Rocky said. “Do we stay and fight, or go?”
Zack glanced down at the precious bundle in his arms and then got to his feet, holding Eljin close. “We go. I don’t want to put Eljin in the middle of a firefight. If we can get to the waterfall and Eljin’s veil we may be able to get to safety.”
Rocky and Doc nodded, quickly gathering their stuff and covering any signs that they were there. Zack started up the mountain, hoping he’d run into Gunny somewhere along the way. He knew Rocky and Doc would catch up to him but any head start he could get on the people following him, the better.
“Zack?” Eljin asked, starting to rouse.
Silently, Eljin, speak to me only through our bond. We need to remain as silent as possible. Our party crashers are still in pursuit.
Eljin was instantly awake, his eyes popping open, fear shining brightly in them.
Where are we?
We’re still in the woods, hummingbird, about five hundred yards from where we were when you went to sleep. I just left Rocky and Doc cleaning up our campsite.
Where’s Gunny?
He’s still out scouting the area. We should run into him soon.
At least, Zack hoped they did.
How close are they?
Zack knew that Eljin meant the guys after them.
I’m not sure, Eljin. I didn’t ask when Rocky and Doc told me they were close. I just decided to get us all out of there. The more distance we put between us and them the better I’ll feel.
If we can make it to the waterfall we’ll be safe.
You can’t know that, Eljin.
Yes, I can
, Eljin insisted.
If we can get to the waterfall we can cross through the veil to the Seelie Court. My family will protect us. There are always guards close by. They’ll get us home.
Great, you’re taking me home to meet the parents.
Eljin started to laugh then slapped a hand over his mouth but his eyes still held his merriment.
My parents will love you because I do. Besides, we’ve bonded. There is nothing they can do about it even if they didn’t like you. Once we’re bonded, it’s forever. And when they discover that I’m carrying, I doubt there will be much you can do wrong in their eyes. We’ve created the first royal child of the next generation.
I’m starting to like this bonding thing better and better, Eljin.
“Pick up the pace, Zack,” Rocky said quietly as he came silently out of the woods and started leading the way. Zack glanced over his shoulder. Doc was bringing up the rear. There was still no sign of Gunny.
The farther they walked, the more worried Zack grew. He had no idea where the waterfall was located and they had yet to run into Gunny. If they didn’t find one or the other pretty soon, they’d just have to keep running aimlessly.