The Archer's Heart (16 page)

“I suppose I’m going to have to explain to Yudar what happened in the forest,” Jandu remarked, thinking for the first time of what his brother might say of starting such a fire. “He won’t be happy about it.”

“Just focus on the gifts from Mendraz,” Keshan suggested. He raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t tell him about me sucking your cock though. I don’t think he’d understand.”

Jandu stopped on the road, reeling from the obscene impact of Keshan’s words. He steadied himself, concentrated on not blushing, then followed Keshan forward to meet his brother.

Chapter 14

The feeling was like a tremor, starting small and low, at the base of his spine, slowly building. It vibrated through his nervous system, expanding, the intensity increasing with each stroke of Jandu’s fist, each hot, wet breath. Keshan threw his head back and hit it against the boards of the storage shed wall. His fingers twined into Jandu’s hair and he pushed himself down Jandu’s throat. Jandu moaned and the sound made Keshan come, biting his tongue to stop from crying out loud at the exquisite explosion of pleasure.

Keshan slid down the wall, coming to a crouch. Jandu steadied him. He panted heavily, his eyes shining bright, his mouth swollen, a small drop of Keshan’s moisture evident on the corner of his lip.

Keshan pulled Jandu to him and kissed him, licking away the evidence.

An immediate surge of almost frightening ardor crossed over Jandu’s expression. But then it faded.

“We better go,” Jandu panted. “Yudar is looking for us. Well, for you in particular. He sent me to come find you.”

“And come you did.” Keshan smirked at his pun.

Jandu blushed. It amazed Keshan how, after all these weeks of illicit encounters behind outbuildings, in the woods, in storage sheds like this one, Jandu could still have enough innocence to be embarrassed.

Although naïve in the ways of love between two men, Jandu was a rapid, almost frenzied learner. There was an intensity to Jandu’s passion that Keshan had never experienced, a piercing

focus, as if the rest of the world melted away and only Keshan’s body existed. Jandu fixated on Keshan’s body like a target. His blue eyes took on a predatory sharpness, and then Jandu consumed him, a need to somehow improve and intensify dominating every moment they spent together. Jandu didn’t seem to realize that making love was not a competition. But Keshan could not complain, because the fervor of Jandu’s affections was staggeringly effective. Just seeing Jandu across a room was now enough to burn every nerve in Keshan’s body with fiery arousal.

In the weeks following the encounter with King Mendraz, they hadn’t been able to spend much time alone. Something had happened between Iyestar and Darvad, and so now Keshan spent his days relaying messages between them, talking with Darvad about his plan for changing the laws. And on top of that Ajani needed to be escorted to markets and to be entertained. That morning Jandu appeared, like an answered prayer innocently carrying message from Yudar.

That look had been there. That hungry, predatory look, and Keshan felt the blood rush to his groin, and within minutes he mumbled some excuse to his wife and followed Jandu into the nearest dark place, a shed near the stables.

Keshan warned Jandu that they needed to be cautious. Jandu merely blinked at him, as if unaware that their actions were not only considered immoral, but illegal, punishable by death. Keshan continued to urge caution, but then Jandu’s long fingers snaked their way through his clothes and were gently stroking the underside of Keshan’s testicles, and Keshan could feel his resolve weakening. Jandu kissed him, his tongue surging inside of him, both domineering and yet soft, and Keshan lost the thread of his argument entirely. There was no point in trying to discuss reason with Jandu when Jandu was pursuing him thus. Jandu was the most singularly focused individual Keshan had ever met, and now that Keshan was his preoccupation, little distracted him.

In the storage shed, Keshan stood and straightened his peacock blue dejaru. Ajani had purchased the fabric for him a week before and applied the golden trim herself. It was a gorgeous garment, and guilt flickered briefly in Keshan’s mind as he ran his palms along the silk to press out the wrinkles.

“How do I look?” Keshan asked, straightening his diadem and pushing his hair back.

Jandu looked like he wanted to devour him. “Fucking fantastic.” He leaned in to kiss Keshan once more. Keshan held him off, pressing his palm into Jandu’s warm chest.

“You look like you’ve been screwing in a shed.”

Jandu quickly straightened his own wrinkled clothing. They searched the dark shed for Jandu’s diadem, which had tumbled off in their initial, frantic embrace.

“Here it is,” Keshan called. He lifted the simple silver diadem and placed it on Jandu’s head. Normally, Keshan didn’t like silver, but on Jandu, the simplicity of the metal suited him. It emphasized the bright color of Jandu’s eyes.

Jandu smiled at him. “Let’s go.” He took Keshan’s hand and pulled him out of the shed, peering around surreptitiously for onlookers.

As they walked, Keshan concentrated on not gravitating towards Jandu’s body. He forced a distance between them, exaggerating it as they bowed their heads and passed a group of Draya priests.

They circled the central garden and then passed through an open banquet, where Darvad entertained his ministers. As they walked by one of the tables, Jandu stole a butter pastry. He broke it into two, handing Keshan half.

“I’m famished,” Jandu said.

“Me too. Fucking always makes me hungry.” Keshan whispered it just to see the instant bloom of color across Jandu’s cheeks. It was fun to taunt him this way. Jandu was uninhibited, even raunchy in closets, but in open spaces, the mere whisper of a lascivious word set his face ablaze.

The summer heat made certain rooms in the palace unbearable, and so Yudar held his court in a large room built into the wall of the palace, where the breezes from the river could drift in from the open balcony. The floor was covered in khaki and brown silk carpets, every furnishing tasteful, muted, and refined. Dozens of servants fanned the prince and his attendants with large feather fans, but this merely pushed the hot air around the room.

The herald at the door announced Jandu and Keshan.

Yudar’s allies watched Keshan enter warily. They clustered around Yudar protectively.

Keshan bowed low to Yudar, touching his feet in a sign of respect.

“Prince Yudar,” he said. “You have summoned me?”

“I summoned you half an hour ago,” Yudar said, looking angrily at Jandu. Jandu stepped backwards into the crowd of ministers and messengers, and then disappeared from Keshan’s sight completely. It was almost a relief when Jandu left the room. At least Keshan could concentrate on the task at hand.

“As the founder of the movement to refresh Marhavadi law, I thought I would turn to you for advice in choosing my successor as Royal Judge, should Regent Mazar select me as king.”

Keshan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He stared at Yudar in suspicion. He then noticed Mazar, watching the proceedings from the doorway. This was obviously a political move designed to show Yudar’s ability to create consensus were he to be named king.

“I would be honored to assist you in this task, Prince,” Keshan said. He kept his face carefully free of expression. He did not want Yudar to know that Darvad had already promised the position of Royal Judge to Keshan himself. “Although I admit I’m puzzled, since you must know that my legal views differ greatly from your own, and from the precedents you have set as Mazar’s Royal Judge.”

Yudar bowed his head. “This is true. But it is always preferable for those with opposing viewpoints to agree on a matter beforehand. Therefore I would like counsel. I have been considering my youngest brother Jandu for the position of Royal Judge. He is an apt learner and, under my tutelage, would provide a steady, reliable mediator for the people of our nation.”

Keshan froze in shock. Jandu? As
judge
? Keshan’s first reaction was to burst out laughing, but he stifled this quickly.

“I know you are friends with Jandu, and we continue to be grateful for the sacrifice you made in saving his life,” Yudar said. “Without you, Adaru, this court would be plunged into grief.”

Keshan bowed his head, mostly to give himself a chance to control his emotions.
My God.
He thought Jandu was an incredible lay, but could he ever seriously consider him in a role of power? The idea was terrifying. Brash and young, Jandu would be no more than a puppet for Yudar’s outdated policies.

“Jandu is inexperienced in matters of governance, Prince,” Keshan said, raising his head.

Yudar nodded. “I know. I would be surprised if he could recite even one passage from the Book of Taivo.” Yudar smiled indulgently. “But he is intelligent, and if given a task, he can focus with dedication and drive that surpasses even the greatest of scholars.”

Keshan knew very well how effectively Jandu could focus. A memory of Jandu, his eyes narrowed, concentrating on the tip of Keshan’s shaft, as if he could pleasure Keshan just by looking at him, washed over Keshan, and he shuddered in remembered delight.

Keshan suddenly had an idea. What if
he
were to instruct Jandu on how to be Royal Judge? Couldn’t he influence Jandu’s decisions as effectively as Yudar? Perhaps Keshan could even make Jandu understand the plight of those who were not Triya noblemen. If he could instruct Jandu, lead him, then Jandu would be a better choice than any of the stodgier traditionalists Yudar could suggest.

 “I do believe Jandu has great promise,” Keshan said. “He has integrity and a good soul, and I would support such a nomination.”

Yudar seemed surprised by Keshan’s approval. His eyes widened, and then he clapped his hands together. “Excellent! This is wonderful news, Adaru. I am grateful for your blessing, and look forward to discussing such issues with you further.”

Yudar dismissed Keshan, and Keshan left quickly. A giddy excitement coursed through him. If Mazar chose Darvad, then Keshan himself would be Royal Judge, and would be in charge of changing the society from the top down. But if Yudar was chosen, Keshan had little doubt that he would be able to influence Jandu.

Keshan wanted to begin work right away. He found Jandu in Suraya’s garden, having lunch with Suraya and Ajani. Ajani rushed over to Keshan, hugging him affectionately. As always, Jandu quickly glanced away as Keshan returned her embrace.

“How have you been?” Keshan asked his wife.

“Wonderful! Join us for lunch. Suraya was just telling me about the priest who predicted she would be married to three men.”

“Oh?” Keshan sat down next to Jandu, his knee brushing against Jandu’s brazenly.

Ajani grabbed Keshan’s hand. She had a habit of doing so, and it bothered him, but he smiled patiently. “Tell Suraya about your visions, Keshan! I’m sure she would understand.”

Keshan spread a thick layer of creamy cheese onto a slice of bread. “I am going to eradicate the castes, starting with the Triya.”

No one said anything. Once again, Keshan managed to bring all conversation to a halt. Keshan casually drank from his teacup. He was used to this sort of reception.

Jandu just shook his head. “The shit that comes out of your mouth…”

“It’s true,” Keshan said.

 “But why?” Jandu frowned. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Keshan shrugged. “It’s the only way to improve this society.”

“And you are doing this because you saw it in a vision?” Suraya asked.

“I am doing so because it is right,” Keshan said. He disliked discussing his visions because they were so personal and powerful, but at the same time he couldn’t say if they were messages from God, telling him that he followed the correct path or just a side effect of his half-Yashva nature. Iyestar believed that they only granted him an ability to visualize the repercussions of his actions. Regardless, he knew that they were meant to be acted upon. But that wasn’t the kind of statement that would convince a man like Jandu. Words alone seemed to have little impact on him. Keshan supposed that hours of listening to his brother Yudar’s wearisome ruminations had made him immune to long speeches.

Experience informed Jandu’s actions in a way lectures never would. One look at his friend told him that Jandu already tired of this conversation.

 “And what makes you so sure this new world is going to be any better or any more righteous?” Jandu smirked.

 “Don’t speak to him like that!” Ajani snapped. She glared at Jandu.

Jandu frowned. “I’m just saying—”

“No, you are questioning Keshan! Can’t you tell he is special? Different from the rest of us?” Ajani’s voice rose.

Keshan moved to reassure her, but then Jandu grinned. “Different is definitely one thing to call Keshan.”

Keshan burst out laughing. But Ajani was still not pleased.

“When Keshan was five years old,” Ajani went on, “he defended a boy who was homeless on the street. An untouchable. Keshan sided with the untouchable against the son of a priest, a Draya. And the courts of Tiwari condemned Keshan to death for fouling himself with untouchable air, and for not protecting the Draya.”

Suraya’s eyes widened. “What happened?”

“I take it from his presence that the decision was overruled,” Jandu said, smirking at Ajani.

Keshan laughed again which only further infuriated Ajani.

“Yes, the decision was overruled!” Ajani said, her voice rising. “And do you know why? Because he showed them all what true compassion is! It isn’t some ancient code written in a book, it is a living, active decision that people make every day! And Keshan had the power to change these high courtier’s opinions, at the age of five! Keshan is no ordinary person! Can’t you see that?”

Jandu looked into Keshan’s eyes. Keshan felt the stare through his entire body.

“I can.” Jandu swallowed. “He is extraordinarily convincing when he wants to be.”

Ajani looked at both men, which seemed to make her even more angry. “So apologize to him! How dare you question him!”

“Oh, Ajani, calm down,” Suraya said, reaching over to pat her friend’s shoulder. “Just ignore Jandu. He’s always like this.”

Jandu shrugged. “I’m always like this.”

“He’s obnoxious,” Keshan added.

“And rude,” Suraya said.

“And he argues about things he knows nothing about, because he has to be right about everything,” Keshan said.

“Hey!” Jandu frowned.

Keshan reached forward to pour Jandu more tea as a peace offering, but found the teapot empty.

“Shall I order more?” Suraya asked, getting up to call a servant.