Chapter 19
The ground shook under their feet and Will cursed again. The attack had begun so suddenly none of them had had a chance to get positioned or prepared to put up any defense. The boulders coming at them now were not as large as the ones yesterday, but there were more of them at the same time and Will couldn't stop them all, not from the inner wall where the prince had ordered them to stay.
The outer wall was coming down in places. Holes large enough to drive a wagon through them had opened up around the west gate, and the enemy cavalry and infantry were advancing.
"Archers!" Lieutenant Beyn yelled and the signal blared. The archers on the outer wall took up their bows and made ready to release a deadly rain of arrows.
"They'll have a shield," Sernan mumbled, his gaze focused out over the walls.
"Can we break through it?" Will asked.
"Perhaps, but not until we know what spells it's created of."
Will cursed under his breath. He realized now that yesterday's attacks had only been to test their strengths and find their vulnerabilities. It was now that the real battle began and Will scolded himself for not seeing it, for letting the enemy sorcerer know just what he was capable of and then be shown his own weakness.
Stones impacted and shattered against each other as yet another series of boulders broke down a section of the wall. The Adeban soldiers scrambled to avoid the wreckage and survive another hit.
"Call them back!" the prince shouted. "Get them out of there!" He knew they had come to the point where even the sorcerers would have a hard time defending it.
Another signal blared and the men on the outer wall hesitated for an instant before they made a hasty yet fairly organized retreat.
"They'll loot and burn the lower city," Kell growled, "and then they'll come for the inner wall and the rest of it." His leather-clad hands curled into fists in anger.
"Our men are ready, my prince," Beyn said. "Captain Heon will lead his men back here, but turn and fight as soon as you give the signal."
Will saw the dilemma in the prince's eyes. He didn't want to send his men into a battle that he knew they would lose, but at the same time he refused to give up the city without a fight.
"Curse that pig bred Uriche," Kell growled. "Sound the signal for attack as soon as the enemy enters the city. Archers on the wall and keep the horses ready." For retreat or attack he didn't say.
The enemy soldiers entered the city soon enough, breaking through the debris around the broken-down wall, and horns blared up and down the lower city in warning. Battles began to erupt throughout the streets where Heon's men encountered the invaders, and the sounds of steel against steel, and the screams of wounded and dying reached them. Will's fingers bit into the cold stone of the wall, if he could only go down there he could help push the enemy back instead of standing up here waiting until they had come close enough for a direct attack. He hated to stand by and wait.
A horn blared from somewhere among the buildings below and the prince cursed. "Heon needs help. Send out the infantry!" he ordered.
The central gate opened to let the soldiers rush out and defend their homes. Even one or another of the Keep guards had snuck into their ranks to join them. Will bit his teeth together, if they could go out there and fight, so could he.
"My prince, I can do more if you let me go down there." He said it as calmly as possible, knowing arguing or even begging wouldn't get him anywhere with Kell right now.
"No," came the firm answer. "I need you all here when they attack the wall. Without this wall the Keep will fall into their hands, and I refuse to let them hurt the women and children."
He was right, of course, as usual. And Will had made a promise to two frightened girls that the Keep would be safe. So he relented for now even though it badly tried his patience.
For a while it seemed like the infantry and captain Heon's men would push the enemy back, the Iloron men wavered in their onslaught and too few of the cavalry had yet come into the city proper to support them. The Adeban soldiers had the advantage of knowing the city and its vantage points and narrow alleys.
But then the real bloodbath began. Enemy riders breached the wall and Will could easily sense the magic one of them exuded, it was practically rippling through the air. The riders moved systematically through the city and killed with weapons or magic every soldier that tried to oppose them. Adeban men fell helplessly before them.
"I have never felt anything like it," Sernan whispered, shocked. "I never thought I'd see a sorcerer get himself involved in such a brutal slaying."
Will could hardly speak, his anger and frustration was so great, only rivaled by the shock of what was going on below them. "My prince…" he ground out between gritted teeth, but was interrupted.
"No! You're staying here, that's an order!" fierce, blue eyes wavered on the color of purple because of the same anger and frustration Will felt. And fear, too.
But Will would have none of it any more. "I won't stand here and watch as men die when I have the power to stop it!"
Kell's grip around his arm was hurtfully strong, his fingers digging into cloth and flesh. "You go now and I will have you confined to your quarters for disobeying a direct order, sorcerer."
Will could see Thomy's and Sernan's shocked and wary faces in the corner of his eye, but he didn't care what they thought right now. "Fine," he growled. "But I won't let them die!" He tore his arm free of the grip and spun around to jump up on the crenellations. With an airkin spell he gathered the air around him and took a step off.
"NOOO!" Kell's frightened voice stabbed straight through Will's heart and made his resolution waver for an instant, but other screams reached him and he made his choice. He released the spell and levitated to the ground, and even though his descent was controlled the impact as he landed made his knees buckle and his feet ache; the wall was taller than he had anticipated.
High above his head he heard the struggle as Thomy and Sernan held the prince back, he heard Kell scream his name and hurried down into the lower city to save himself the anguish.
Afterwards when all was over Will couldn't remember how many times he turned his eyes away from the horrifying sight of a mutilated body or the dark red color of blood that ran like small rivulets between the cobblestones. He stopped several times to heal men enough to allow them to get within the inner wall where Piotry or Thomy could heal them properly. A few times he could only watch as the man died in his arms.
The clash of steel against steel guided him through the streets and he hurried towards the battle. Adeban soldiers were fighting for their lives, outnumbered two to one and outmatched by cavalry cutting into their flank. Will pulled a breath and released an airkin spell that sent the riders well off their horses, the animals fled in panic.
The arrival of a sorcerer was all it took for the invading men to turn and run, but Will stopped them with a wall of earthkin and rock and cobblestones that he pulled up around them.
"They won't get out of there anytime soon," he said to the wide-eyed Adeban soldiers. "Find your comrades and regroup; they need you to defend the inner wall."
"Yes, master sorcerer," one brave man said and gave a somewhat shaky salute, and they hurried down the street, armor and weapons jangling, one or another limping from injuries they were determined to ignore.
Will stood still for a moment, trying to hear where the next battle took place, there were bound to be quite a few, and shouts and clashes soon reached his ears. He hurried that way, methodically gathering his spells in preparation. The men were grateful when Will helped them end a fight that would have been their death, and once more he urged them to return to the prince.
"Will De'Noa!" a familiar voice shouted over the jingling of armed bodies.
"Captain Heon!"
"I'm glad to see you, but I thought the prince held you sorcerers in reserve at the wall?"
Will grimaced. "Well, he did… still does, the others are up there now. I came on my own."
Heon blinked. "You disobeyed orders?"
Will flushed, hoping he didn't look as embarrassed as he felt. "I couldn't let you die," he mumbled, glancing at the captain.
"Well, I for one am grateful, but I have a feeling you'll be severely punished, if I know the prince right, sorcerer or not," Heon murmured with something akin to sympathy in his voice. Sorcerers stood above the royalty. But this was in the midst of battle where heeding authority was greatly more important than titles if lives were to be saved. Even so, Will still felt he'd done the right thing.
"Your men are at the gate, captain," Will said to change the subject, he would have to deal with the prince later.
"Be careful, master sorcerer!" Heon led his soldiers towards the wall, swords at the ready and eyes scanning the streets.
~Will. Do you feel that?~ Ashiná said uneasily, stirring within him.
He stilled and almost held his breath, searching. Then the waves of power rippled over him, faintly at first but increasingly stronger as if the source of it neared.
~I can't see,~ Ashiná whispered and she sounded afraid.
Will started walking towards the center of that power, stopping at every crossing and street corner to get his bearings. He knew he was nearing the sorcerer, the air was dense now, vibrating with all the spells he held leashed. Will began to gather his own.
He heard the sounds of men fighting before he saw them, echoing across the small market square, heard yet again the clashes of weapons. Cries of pain and victory. The smell of panic and sweat and blood. The smell of magic.
The heavy horses were crashing through the destroyed stalls, trampling pottery and produce alike. The riders slashed gleefully into a group of soldiers wearing Adeban's colors, the green and yellow soiled and stained with dirt and blood. The enemy wore dark cloaks, shimmering in deep purple when the sun hit them, the hoods pulled up to hide their faces in shadow. Two of the Adeban men fell under the wide slashes of long swords, others tried to parry but were cut down from behind by axes or maces. But no magic.
Will could sense the sorcerer among them, though not distinguish him from the warriors due to the cloaks, and the man did not use his powers to kill at the moment. Perhaps he deemed them too easy victims for his warriors, unworthy to die by his hand.
Or maybe he was waiting for Will.
Spells were suddenly unleashed, rippling through bodies like a storm wind through dead leafs, and many of the soldiers fell. Will started at the unforeseen release.
"No!" Thought and action became one when Will released his firekin spells, closely followed by airkin to increase the damage the fire caused. Horses shied and neighed in fear but none of the riders took any harm, the fire slid off them like water off a goose and burned the building behind them.
~A shield. Be careful, Will!~
The sorcerer had shifted his attention from the men to Will, a more worthy opponent that could actually fight back. The next series of spells were aimed and focused on him. He saw them with sorcerer sight, rushing towards him like a net of earth and air. The shield he pulled up was barely enough to save him and it shook under the force.
Gods of mercy! How can he be so strong?! Will sucked in air to calm his thundering heart, that attack had left his right arm numb from holding the shield up.
The Adeban soldiers that were still alive and standing took the moment between attacks when the two sorcerers gauged each other, to scramble away from the riders and towards Will, who stood still like a statue at his end of the square. He was already gathering his powers to put up a new shield to protect the men; he didn't dare attack when it meant innocents would be caught in the crossfire.
The cloaked riders held their horses, waiting for their sorcerer's next move. It came in a series of firekin spells that slashed through the air like rapiers. Will's shield repelled most of the attack but was torn by the blades of flame and the damage was mirrored to Will. He screamed as fire seared through his coat to burn the flesh across his chest. The strength left his legs and he fell to his knees, bracing both hands on the ground.
No! I won't give up! He gritted his teeth and looked up at the riders. They weren't approaching or turning away, they just waited for what would come next.
"Master sorcerer?" one of the men behind Will said, and terror was plain in his voice.
"Go! Get to the wall and warn them…" Will choked on the bile rising in his throat and hissed, pain clawing through his chest. He must be worse hurt than he thought if he felt it so deeply. "Warn them in case I fail…" He didn't take his eyes off the enemy, but he heard the men turn and run.
"My turn now," he murmured through gritted teeth. He forced his legs to keep him standing, cold sweat breaking out along his spine from the effort. He barely took the time to breathe before he unleashed a series of earthkin and airkin spells at the riders. The shield repelled them all but Will was able to see the spells it was made of.
Piotry was right! I know this pattern! Will was shocked by the recognition. Even distorted by the shield he knew he should be able to identify it.
However, he wasn't given the time to think further about it before a new attack forced him to protect himself. The cobbled street trembled under his feet and the air swirled with such force he was lifted off the ground and hurled through the air. It sucked the breath out of him and he couldn't focus enough to protect himself from the impact with the solid wall of a rough brick building.
He hit his head with a crack and slumped to the ground with a moan of pain. The surroundings began to spin and blur before his eyes. He tried to get up, tried to move, but his arms and legs refused to obey him. Then he heard the sound of horses nearing, steel-shod hooves against cobblestones, through the ringing in his ears.
~Oh, no,~ Ashiná breathed and her voice trembled.
Will grunted with the effort as he finally managed to roll to his side and get an arm under him, but his body was too heavy to lift.
~Will…~ She sounded so afraid.
The daylight was blocked by a large, dark shape, and the smell of horse and blood and sweat reached Will's nostrils, almost making him gag. He was too weak to move, let alone gather a spell to defend himself with. And the dark rider, shimmering so strangely in purple, was too close to avoid, close enough to run the long sword through Will's body without even getting off the horse.
Will closed his eyes to the distant sight of the world and braced himself for the blow that would surely be his death.
I'm so sorry, Kell. Breathing was hard through his tightening throat. I'm sorry I failed. His last thoughts went to the prince and all the things that would remain unsaid between them.
My tiger.
And then pain and darkness took him.
* * * * * * * *
It was a strange sensation to feel rough wool under his fingers and hear the sounds of voices and people moving around. Some voices he recognized, others were too muffled or weak to be properly heard. Breath filled his lungs and left them in a slow exhale and he felt the restrictions of a bandage around his chest.
He forced his eyes open when the sensations of the world once again made impressions on him. The walls and the ceiling that slowly came into focus were familiar to him, but he couldn't place them right now, and he wondered where he was.
Not his room. Not his bed. Or Kell's.
Kell. The prince. Gods! It all came back to him in a rush that made his whole being ache. He had failed. He had met the enemy sorcerer and the riders, and the power of their attacks had forced him to his knees, had weakened him, and he had been so sure he'd die in that street. The helplessness and defeat he'd been too weak to feel then overwhelmed him now and tears filled his eyes to blur the room yet again, and he couldn't stop them from falling.
Someone walked by his bed and there was a faint gasp. Will fiercely rubbed at his eyes to stop the shameful tears. A girl appeared in his vision, hesitant and shy, her arms around a bundle of bed sheets, and when she saw he truly was awake a smile spread on her lips. Then she turned and hurried away again.
Will knew her. Grey eyes and long, curly hair. Mirja, one of the maids in the Keep. He was in the infirmary.
He turned his head to see where she went and he saw her on the other side of the room, beyond the rows of occupied bunks, talking to a man with golden hair.
Will's heart skipped a painful beat and his breath hitched in his throat as blue eyes turned his way. He was suddenly overwhelmed by new emotions. He needed the prince near him, needed to say all the things he had feared were lost out in that street, needed to whisper them in Kell's ear and have them whispered back. Oh, please.
But the prince only nodded to the maid and dismissed her with a gesture with his chain mail-wrapped arm, before he left the room, guards on his heel. Will's heart dropped and wouldn't stop falling. It was hard to breathe all of a sudden and his body trembled in gut-clenching hurt.
Mirja came back to his bed and warily sought out his eyes. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "The prince said he's got duties to attend." She took a step closer. "I'm sure he's glad you're awake finally."
Will had to swallow to be able to speak past the lump in his throat. "How long have I been out?"
"Since yesterday. You were in pretty bad shape when they found you, master sorcerer. Sorcerer Piotry has healed you several times already." She lowered her eyes for a moment before she murmured, "The prince refused to leave here before he knew you would be fine. He hardly slept all night."
Will pulled a shuddering breath; once again he had caused the prince to worry. He wondered regretfully if Kell had thought Will to be dead, like he had himself. He knew Kell wouldn't be so easily appeased this time if he didn't even want to see him now.
"Can I get you some water or food?" Mirja asked and tilted her head to search his face.
Will shook his head. "No, but I will need my clothes." He made to sit up and Mirja's eyes widened.
"No, master sorcerer! Sorcerer Piotry said not to let you leave once you woke up. He must heal you again."
"I must go," Will persisted, ignoring the soreness and the twinge of pain through his body. "I can't let him leave like this."
Mirja gave him a worried look and then hurried away. But she didn't return with his clothes as he had asked. Piotry came marching down the row of beds, the girl in tow, and gave him a stern look as he pushed him back down against the pillow much too easily.
"And what do you think you're doing!"
"I must go –"
"You'll go nowhere until I let you and then it's straight to your room. The prince has confined you to your quarters as soon as you're fit enough to walk."
"What?" Will stared. He remembered the prince threatening him with it before he left the inner wall, but he hadn't thought it to be important right now. He saw Mirja take a few steps back, as if to give them privacy; sorcerers' matters were not for her ears.
"You disobeyed orders, Will. He won't let it pass this time. You almost got yourself killed again." Piotry seemed irritated and the tense lines around his eyes told Will not to argue.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled.
"I hope so. You were supposed to lead us, not jump off the damned wall!"
"And you said I was the strongest of us so I thought it was my place to protect the soldiers since I could!" Will argued despite his earlier intentions, shame and guilt fueling his words.
Piotry leaned forward and his grey eyes bore into Will. "No. It was your place to command the rest of us to protect them. Not go sacrificing yourself out of stupidity and misguided honor!" Will opened his mouth to disagree but Piotry pressed his palm to his chest again. "You were only lucky – LUCKY! – that you were still alive when the men found you. And the prince was almost mad with fear for your sake, you stupid boy." He pushed him forcefully into the bed. "Now, lie still so I can heal you."
It was strange to hear so much anger from Piotry and Will didn't get the chance to answer before healing magic rushed into his body. The world went away for a while and when it came back again the bandages around his chest were gone.
Piotry sat on a stool by his bed and his eyebrows drew when their eyes met. At least he didn't scold him anymore.
Will pushed himself up to sit and saw his shirt and coat folded over the foot of his bed.
"You can go now. "Piotry sounded tired as he stood and the strain in his voice accounted for the strain he was under. Will felt guilty for having put him in that position but didn't know how to apologize properly. Piotry waved for a man further down the room. "I need the bed for men who are actually injured. You can go hibernate in your room."
Will wanted to ask if he needed his help, but the redheaded sorcerer left and the man came to stand by the bed. An armed soldier, Will realized.
"I'm to escort you to your room, master sorcerer," the soldier said in answer to Will's stare. "A mere formality, I'm sure you understand."
So the prince really was serious about his punishment. Will felt hurt even as he could understand the need for public reprimanding. He wondered what this would do to his reputation as a sorcerer. His kind was supposed to be above such things, acting on the orders or mortals only out of choice and loyalty to the kingdom they lived in, but he guessed getting intimately involved with the prince would complicate matters like this. He was certain his pride would have to suffer more often than not if he wished to keep his relationship with the prince. He resigned himself to it with such ease it almost scared him.
Will dressed in silence, taking stock of his body and the remnants of healed injuries; he was hardly even sore after Piotry's healing, and his body was certainly not as bad off as his drained powers. How could that sorcerer have been so strong? Something didn't seem right.
It was shameful to be escorted through the corridors to his room by the soldier, even though the man kept a respectful distance two steps back and to his right. Heads turned to look after him and he couldn't help but hear some whispered speculations, some less courteous than others. But at least he got some information out of the situation. He needed to know what had happened after he left the wall and politely asked the soldier.
"The enemy left last night after they broke through the outer wall. They took everything of value they could carry and burned much of the rest to the ground."
"They just left?" Will asked, baffled.
"Yes, dumped all the heavy wagons behind and took off back west. Not even a scout stayed behind to keep an eye on us. The prince has decided to go after them tomorrow, to make sure they go back across the river and not stay on this side to cause more trouble."
Nothing about the situation seemed right. "And the inner wall?"
"Still standing. Though it took some heavy damage. It'll take to some damn hard work to get it secure again. I just hope they won't be back before it is. One more good hit and it would've gone down. Thank the gods the sorcerers were there."
He hadn't said it with reproach, probably not even thinking about whom he was talking to, but Will turned his face away so the soldier wouldn't see his shame. If he had stayed he could have helped defend the wall as the prince had ordered him to.
Will reluctantly opened the door to his room and went inside. The soldier stood outside until he had closed it properly, and a few moments later he could hear the heavy footsteps as the man left. Apparently they deemed him honorable enough to stay in his room without a guard. Or maybe the prince was testing him. That thought made him uneasy, because he knew he would let him down again.
Weary he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He was tired in his limbs but he couldn't rest, too many thoughts were running through his head.
~Ashiná?~
~Yes, I'm here.~
That was all he needed to know and her warm voice helped him to focus a bit. He took off his grey breeches and coat, eyeing it uneasily. There were burn marks and dark patches of dried blood on the wool, and Will shuddered as he tossed the clothes into a pile next to the door. He took off the shirt, equally stained, and washed off the sweat and what dried blood there still was on his skin after Piotry's and, he suspected, Mirja's cares. Oddly enough the thought of that girl taking care of him was comforting, she was kind and polite, and had very pretty eyes that looked at him with such respect. And she obviously must have some sort of talent for caretaking, or Piotry wouldn't have let her in the infirmary.
With the washing off done he donned a clean pair of breeches, and the brown tunic and the new shirt the prince had given him. He couldn't stay in his room, not with the prince angry at him and leaving in the morning. Honor be damned, Kell couldn't expect him to stay behind when he had his duty to see to. Not when so much was at stake.
As he wrapped the belt around his waist the belt pouch thumped heavily against his hip. He realized it was the vial with the oil Piotry had given him, still in the pouch and still unused. He wrapped his hand around it, feeling the contours of the glass through the leather, his chest feeling tight and his throat working to swallow. Too much was at stake.
It was easy to leave the Keep, willing anyone that he met not to take notice of him. Though he considered himself lucky to have avoided any of the other sorcerers, they wouldn't have been fooled by his spells and would surely have seen him and taken him back under sharper guard.
Smoke from the burned down buildings in the outer city still lingered in the air, drifting in over the inner parts of the city with the late afternoon breeze, the smell stung his nose and eyes. The citizens would begin rebuilding the city as soon as they knew it was safe from another attack, but it would take time and a lot of effort.
Will hurried on foot through the empty and quiet streets towards the prince's manor. He hoped Kell would be there tonight if they were marching out tomorrow, to get some rest and to put everything in order in the household. And if he wasn't there Will would wait. He had to see him.
The manor was heavily guarded but Will slipped past the grimfaced and armor-clad men just as easily as the guards at the Keep. He went through the gardens to avoid any of the members of the household milling around inside, hastily preparing for the prince's departure, and soon he stood outside the prince's room. The terrace doors were open and he could hear voices from the sitting room.
Gods, his heart was racing and his mouth went dry as he silently neared the doors. The voices belonged to Kell and his manservant, and as Will carefully peered into the room he saw lord Calon's standing not far away from where the prince sat in a tall-backed armchair. Will couldn't help but scowl angrily. What was that man doing in Kell's rooms!
Janu bowed to his list of orders and was dismissed by the prince. Will could hear the sigh that escaped Kell's lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Surely you can take your rest now, my prince," lord Calon said amiably and it made Will want to rip the man's tongue out. Kindness just didn't go well with the intent look in his eyes.
"I still have some business to tend to." Kell sounded tired. He got out of his chair and went to the cupboard to pour a glass of wine, but he didn't drink it, merely stared into the red liquid.
"Shall I stay, my prince," Calon whispered. It was not a question and barely a suggestion. He slowly walked closer, his eyes fixed on the prince's back.
It took a moment before Kell answered and when he did his voice was low. "No. I'll be fine on my own. You should go take care of your sister and her ladies, make sure they have all they need for the journey."
They were leaving? Will wondered why now and why Kell would let a noble – even this noble – leave at such a precarious time. But he was relieved as well; them leaving would mean one less worry on the prince's shoulders.
Calon stopped and gave the prince a close look. "You should just get rid of him, put him in the dungeons or disband him from your army. It's a grave offence to disobey orders, especially is such a serious situation."
Will ground his teeth as he realized just whom they were discussing.
Kell sounded the smallest bit annoyed when he answered. "I can't very well do that, he's been too valuable to me so far."
"A good horse is valuable," Calon sneered. "He only brings you trouble and grief, my prince. Pray tell, what value is that?"
Kell turned and gave him a dark look. "Leave, Calon. I don't have the strength nor the time to argue with you right now. And you should very well leave my affairs alone."
The lord snorted softly. "When you ascend the throne your affairs won't be solely yours anymore. You should consider that when you're dallying with the sorcerer." He left with one last look at the prince, his smile dangerous and full of promise, and bowed gracefully before he closed the door after him.
Will stayed where he was, uncertainly watching as the prince spat out some colorful curses and put the glass down with a bang that threatened to break the delicate stem. He scowled angrily at the room in general and started pacing. Will knew this look, and hesitated to enter. But he had to make himself known sooner or later, and time was precious. He took a deep breath and slowly stepped through the open doors.
The prince noticed him immediately, his scowl darkened and his hands clenched into fists. Faced with the stiff-backed anger of the prince Will wasn't so sure any more this was what he should be doing, but sense of duty pushed him on.
"My prince." Will quickly bowed his head and glued his eyes to the floor by his feet. He was not above humbling himself if it would make the prince less hostile towards him now.
"So now you have disobeyed my orders yet again!" the prince growled. "You have been confined to your quarters, sorcerer!"
"I know, I'm sorry, but I had to see you." He didn't dare look up at the prince, the sharp, restrained tone of anger in his voice was enough to let Will know he was treading uncertain ground.
Kell snorted. "I will deal with you when I return. I don't have time now. We're marching out tomorrow and I have to prepare –"
"No!" Will stumbled a few steps forward and his hands reached out before he could stop them. "You cannot leave." Not without me.
"No?" The prince's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You cannot command me, sorcerer, no matter who you claim to be to me. I have a kingdom to defend and I intend to do so."
"I…" Will went closer, his eyes hesitantly fluttering from the prince's grim face to his chest and the crest of the queen embroidered there, a large oak with a crown above it.
Strange how he hadn't seen it before. But then again, he supposed it wasn't so strange since he had rarely seen Kell in any strictly formal tunic, even out in the field, and the only crest he had seen then had been the seal of the prince's own tiger's paw. Now he was dressed as the Queen's emissary, since her favored city had been attacked. Kell must have had a meeting with his commanders. It didn't help matters that Will was unsure of whom he was approaching now – Kell or the prince of Waunban. "I came to ask you to forgive me, my prince," he said quietly.
There was a short silence before Kell spoke. "Forgive you?" he asked with a hint of surprise in his voice.
Will didn't dare look up. "Yes," he whispered. "I let you down."
"I can't let this disobedience go without proper punishment, Will. Not only did you disobey me, you left your fellow sorcerers without command as well, and all this in a very dangerous situation. The risk to your own life is the least of these offenses." Will nodded and flushed with embarrassment. But the prince wasn't through. "I know Piotry and the brothers can handle themselves, and frankly so can I, but my men won't respect my command properly if I let you go without a reprimand now. If I can't make you obey me, why should they?"
Will kept his eyes lowered as he slowly stepped closer. "I understand, my prince." Kell was only a few feet away now and Will felt his anger radiating like heat from him. He stood still for a long moment, within reach of the prince, hesitating even now because he couldn't really tell what would happen.
Care for the tiger, Sharican's warning whispered within him.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't moved or said anything for such a long moment that he could catch the price off guard, that made it possible for Will to touch him. He reached out and took Kell's right hand between both his own and raised it to his face, palm upwards. Gently he opened the curled fingers with his thumbs.
"Please, forgive me," he whispered as he bent over the hand, still unable to look up at the prince. He let his lips flutter across the palm as he asked forgiveness. He noticed the hand he held trembled a little at the touch, and he patiently waited to hear the answer he hoped for with all his heart.
Then suddenly Kell yanked his hand out of Will's grasp and returned it in a rush and a shocking sting over the side of Will's face. He gave a startled gasp. So Kell wouldn't forgive him then. He closed his eyes to the tears threatening to spill and suffered through the first wave of despair Kell's hand had left him with.
"How dare you!" the prince hissed.
"I never meant to hurt you," Will whispered without opening his eyes, the prince's face was the last thing he wanted to see right now, he knew the raw emotions in it would be his undoing.
"But you did," Kell retorted.
Will just stood there breathing, willing himself to work through this, because leaving now would be to never return and to never return would mean to never see Kell again. He couldn't even bear the thought, it hurt so much.
"I ordered you not to go," the prince was saying, his voice hoarse. "I don't need stupid heroics from anyone, let alone you sorcerers. You are too valuable."
Will opened his eyes then but kept them lowered, fixed on a spot on the floor between them. "I know. I'm sorry, my prince." He pulled for breath. "I'm sorry I disobeyed orders, I truly am. I know how important it is to follow them in battle. But I'm not sorry I went. I'm not sorry those men are alive to fight again and perhaps even go back home to their families when this is all over." He raised his gaze and met the prince's eyes, the blue so dark with anger and maybe even fear to turn them almost purple. Will couldn't help it, but oh how he loved those eyes.
The prince stared at him without even blinking, his eyes riveted on Will's face, his posture tense, as if he couldn't decide whether or not to agree or disagree with what Will said. The safety of his men was important after all. Still. "You shouldn't have gone." His voice was low and strained.
"Yes, my prince." There was no point in arguing it anymore, it had been done and he couldn't let this come between them. He wouldn't!
Care for the tiger.
Outside the city bells struck seven. The rest of the world went on outside this room, towards morning when the prince would leave the city to go hunt his enemy. Without Will, because he was still being punished; he hadn't been freed from his confinement in word or gesture.
Will lowered his eyes again as not to let Kell see the hurt in them. But he couldn't let the prince leave without him; he must be by his side to protect him.
Care for the tiger. It throbbed behind his eyes.
And still he couldn't move and a tense silence fell between them. He wanted so badly to reach out and touch Kell, pull him close and hold him. He needed Kell's forgiveness. "Please, my prince," Will could barely whisper. "Will you consider my apology? I can't watch you leave tomorrow without knowing you still believe in me."
He hoped desperately for an answer and when it didn't come his heart almost stopped beating. Gods! His throat was so tight it was hard to breathe. He couldn't stay any longer or the prince would see him cry.
He finally shifted on his feet and turned to leave with a bow, a last respectful gesture to the prince.
The unbelievable happened and he thought it to be his imagination. The prince's hand darted out and grabbed Will's sleeve in a firm grip that forced him to stop. With his breath lodged in his throat he slowly turned to Kell, a hesitant, uncertain question in his eyes. The hand on his arm trembled.
"Don't…" the prince began but broke off to swallow. His hand moved from Will's clothes to his shoulder and the grip was strong, almost hurtfully so, but Will welcomed it. "I believe in you." His voice was hardly more than a whisper.
Will could've cried with relief, the tension that had coiled up inside loosened its hold and his shoulders slumped a little. "Thank you." He guessed his relief shone through in his voice, for the hand on his shoulder almost pulled him closer.
"Please stay, Will." The words were quietly spoken and they made Will's heart soar. But they also confused him and he hesitated.
Only minutes ago the prince had scolded him and reinforced his punishment by almost letting him leave without absolution. Now he was reaching out to him and asking him to remain in his company. Will searched Kell's eyes and saw a kind of desperation there, one that made him wonder about the reason.
The prince saw his hesitation and took both Will's hands between his own, raised them to his face and showered the palms in kisses. Will could only stare, confusion warring with the sensation of warm, moist lips over his fingers.
"Please," the prince whispered over and over again. "Please, please, please. Stay."
Will stared in surprise at the prince's sudden and very overwhelming display of affection, the gesture of forgiveness taken from him and used to coax him to stay. He opened his mouth to try and say something, explain that Kell was not to ask Will of anything when it was he who had wronged the prince. But not a sound came out.
The prince's eyes moved over Will's face to fix on his lips. He stepped closer, holding their hands between them, and leaned in to kiss first one corner of Will's mouth and then the other. A gesture of respect Will couldn't believe he'd been given, so soft the kisses that they made his skin tingle.
He gasped, as much out of surprise at the gesture as the sensations it sparked. The prince moved closer and breathed in Will's escaped breath. Will shuddered and then Kell pressed his mouth to his.
Gods of earth and air! But how he could've cried then, all the sensations and emotions that rushed burning through him and stole all coherent thought. Kell's tongue dove into his mouth and Will's arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer. They tried desperately to devour each other, breathing in the other's breath and scent, tasting the other's flavor, both aware of how close they had been to losing the delicate relationship they were in.
But it wasn't enough. He wanted more. He needed more.
Care for the tiger.
Will broke the kiss reluctantly, driven to follow his master's warning even now. He leaned his head on Kell's shoulder and tried to calm his breathing. It was hard when fingers caressed his neck and tangled in his hair. He didn't wish to endanger the tentative truce they seemed to have formed, but he had to. He grasped hold of the back of Kell's tunic and plunged on.
"Please, don't leave with your men tomorrow, my prince. Let captain Heon lead them instead." He felt Kell tense against him and the hands stilled on his body.
"I cannot do that," the prince said, his voice low and hoarse. "I won't let Uriche believe he's intimidated me into staying safely behind in the city, while my men risk their lives for king and country in my place."
Will knew he wouldn't, the prince's sense of honor and duty was as strong as his own. "Then let me go with you," he asked quietly. The fingers in his hair curled slightly. "I must go with you."
The prince was quiet, a hesitation in his body as he inched away from Will. "I don't…" Kell began but fell silent again. He knew why Will asked and although he perhaps didn't believe in it like Will did, he couldn't deny the sorcerer the chance to do what he was honor bound destined to do.
"I can't let you go without me, my prince," Will said, pressing the issue as the silence lengthened.
"I can't forgive what you did, Will. I don't know what to do with you." He shook his head. "I can't let you come as one of the sorcerers."
"Then let me come as your protector, my prince. I can't let you go without me now when the enemy has so clearly shown they still haven't given up."
Kell sighed into his hair, warm breath brushed against Will's ear. "How can I deny you when I know what it means to you."
Will raised his head from Kell's shoulder and looked into his eyes, so beautifully blue. "I won't fail you, my prince."
Kell smiled faintly, an ironic twist to his lips. "But you'll disobey me again, I'm sure."
Will smiled too and leaned in, in no ways believing the matter had been settled, but glad to follow the prince's lead for now. "Always."
The response he got this time was a gentle kiss, lips brushing lips, and a tentative tongue that flickered out to taste him. Will savored it and met Kell's with his own, his hands slipping around Kell's neck to grip the braid.
"Will you stay?" Kell asked against his lips and Will's whole body tingled in response to that mellow, husky voice.
"Yes." He kept his fingers curled around the braid when the prince's hands moved down his back in slow, firm circles to slide down his hips and buttocks. Oh, but that felt good and the stirring that had awakened in his loins turned to burning, and he gasped as his hips pressed helplessly against Kell's body.
Kell smiled. "Like that?" he husked.
"Yes." Will's voice was just as hoarse.
It was a slow but determined dance then, a divesting of clothes that allowed them to explore each other's bodies closer. Will let his hands wander in under the prince's tunic and the soft linen shirt to touch bare skin. It was warm under his fingers, and the muscles hard and quivering ever so slightly.
Kell was working to open the clasps at the front of Will's tunic, his fingers moving swiftly as his lips traced warm and moist along the tendons in Will's neck, occasionally flicking out the tip of his tongue to tickle the skin. Will couldn't help but moan and shudder with pleasure when that wonderful mouth found that sensitive spot below his ear.
"Oh, my prince," he moaned.
"Say my name, Will." Kell looked at him with lust burning in his eyes.
Will wetted dry lips and complied. "Kell."
The prince's chest heaved once and then his breath hitched as their hips pressed together, equally hard ridges rubbing against each other. Will bit back a moan and pulled urgently at Kell's tunic and shirt, and they both came off quickly enough. He pressed a kiss to Kell's lips before he turned his attention to his breeches. Lacings were untied and he could slip a hand inside. His fingers traced the hard muscles of a flat belly, the sharp angles of hipbones, and then the coarse hair that nestled his goal. Kell stood with his feet braced apart, hands around Will's waist and his head tilted back as if to easier pull air into his lungs. He breathed harshly when Will's fingers touched his cock, heated and stiffening rapidly in its confined space.
"Oh, Will," Kell moaned. "Please."
What he wanted wasn't hard to tell, but Will was a bit uncertain how far he dared to take this. He knew now he wanted all the prince could give him and more, and he would give equally in return and beyond. But he also knew Kell would hesitate, perhaps even stop before it came to penetration, shying away from that most intimate joining. Calon had done that to him.
A burst of anger flared up in his chest amidst all the desire. He wanted Kell so badly and now perhaps he could never have him that way. His hand began to stroke Kell more firmly, in response to his own need.
"Oh, gods." Kell's hips rolled forward and his lips sought and found Will's in a heated kiss. He pulled back again long enough to speak. "Bedroom. Take off your clothes."
Will smiled at the urgent tone in his strained voice and pulled his hands back from the touching and caressing of Kell's body. Despite it being Kell's idea, Will got a grunt and a narrowing of blue eyes in protest.
But they got to the bed and the rest of their clothes were discarded in a mutual pile on the thick mat. With a deep kiss and his hands moving from Kell's shoulders to his chest and down to the slim waist, Will urged the prince backwards onto the bed. He crawled up after him on his hands and knees, hardly even breaking the kiss, until he lay half atop Kell's body with Kell resting among the pillows.
Will slowly pulled back then and looked down into deep blue eyes, at the parted, moist lips, and the pink tip of the tongue visible just beyond white teeth. "You're beautiful," he murmured and let fingertips trace the contour of a cheekbone and the sharp line of the jaw. Then he slid his hand down to pull away the leather string that held the prince's braid together and combed it out. Golden hair fanned out over the white linen of the pillows and Will couldn't help but tangle his fingers in it. "So beautiful."
Kell smiled. "You too. Please, Will. Touch me."
Will looked down at him again, blue eyes now half-covered by lowered lashes. "I will, but at my own pace," he answered. "Do you trust me, Kell?" he asked.
Kell blinked once, a slight drawing of his eyebrows. Was he faltering already? "Yes."
"Will you let me make you feel good?"
A brief hesitation, Will kissed it away. "Yes," Kell answered when they broke apart.
"I'll care for you. I'll keep you safe." Will leaned in again for a deeper kiss that allowed no doubt to his vows.
He felt a slight tension in Kell's body, a bit of apprehension to just how far Will would go, but it slowly melted away under his warm, gentle kisses and caressing hands.
"Relax," he whispered, one hand moving down the side of Kell's chest to circle the waist and hipbone. "I won't hurt you."
Kell nodded slightly, his eyes dark blue slits. "I know," he whispered, his voice sounding tight and husky.
Will kissed those beautiful lips, nibbled a little on the bottom one and slipped his tongue inside. Then he moved lower to trace a line down Kell's sharp chin and the taut muscles of his throat, towards the hollow between his collarbones. He dipped his tongue and Kell shuddered, goose bumps rising on his warm skin. It tasted of the first salty sheen of sweat.
"So good." Kell's hands roamed from Will's shoulders to his waist, tracing the odd fingernail along his spine, which sharp sensation caused Will to groan against Kell's chest, and his hips to dip and grind against the man under him. That movement brought undeniable attention to the heated erections that lay between their bodies, Kell's cock reaching for his navel and the tip moist with pre-come. Will moaned at the sight and felt this own cock ache in response, he pressed it harder against Kell's firm thigh to ease the throbbing.
Just a while longer. Slowly, for Kell's sake, to build up the trust and need and passion that would allow them to consummate this. Will knew even that could prove not to be enough, fear was a strong adversary, but it could be chased away with patience and understanding.
But his best intentions seemed fragile when Kell's hands moved down to grasp his buttock and hold him firmly as he rubbed his thigh against Will's erection. Kell's eyes were shadowed by lashes but Will could see the lust in them. Warm breath escaped his parted lips and brushed Will's skin.
Will bent his head and kissed his way from the prince's neck, down a shoulder and hard chest muscles, to wrap his lips around a nipple. It stiffened when he sucked gently and tickled it with the tip of his tongue. His fingers found the other one and treated it equally lovingly. Kell moaned under him and his chest heaved in deep, shuddering breaths.
Will let his hand move down Kell's chest and belly, firm muscles under soft skin, to trace a circle around his bellybutton, before dipping a finger in it. Kell smiled, relaxing a little with the play, and one of his hands went back up into Will's hair to tangle in it and urge him on. Will's hand slid lower, to circle teasingly close to Kell's erection, but detouring to a hip as he kissed his way across his chest to the other nipple.
Kell grunted impatiently and shifted to try and make him move his hand to that most aching need. But Will's fingers had found something on the prince's hip and he raised his head to see what it was. A scar the length of his little finger and slightly curved across the hipbone, pale against the prince's faintly golden skin. The scar lord Calon had given Kell, he realized, and once again that anger shot through him.
Kell's hands had stilled on his body and he looked up at the prince's face. His eyebrows were drawn, his lips pressed together to a thin, miserable line, and he was staring up at the ceiling with dull eyes, bad memories swirling behind them.
Will moved up his body to get into his line of vision and attract his attention. "We'll make new memories," he murmured and saw a change in Kell's blue eyes. "Good memories to replace the bad."
"Yes." Kell held him closer. "Please."
Will kissed him and Kell answered with such passion Will knew just how badly he wanted to forget what had happened so long ago.
Again he moved his kisses down Kell's chest, but this time he didn't stop there. He remembered Kell's kisses to his own scar, how the pleasure had chased away the pain that the body remembered when the mind wanted to forget. He traced a moist line down Kell's waist, as his hands caressed his chest and sides. He could feel Kell's heartbeat under his hands.
His lips found the scar on the prince's hip, traced it with his tongue and kissed it. With his mouth and tongue he sought to undo the hurt lord Calon had caused, banish it with warm, loving kisses. He kept kissing and nibbling until Kell gasped and tugged him up by his hair.
"Stop teasing, Will. You're driving me crazy."
Will just smiled. One of his hands moved along a firm thigh, kneading the muscles from groin to knee and slowly back again. All the while he looked at Kell's face; he recognized the moment when the prince understood what it was he wanted and the uncertainty returned. Will moved slower now, dipping his head he trailed kisses from the small indention of Kell's navel to the soft, sensitive skin at the junction of leg and hip, soft hairs tickling his nose. Kell shuddered and his legs spread almost imperceptibly wider. Even if the motion wasn't completely followed through Will was encouraged at the hinted invitation, and he let out a warm breath across the taut muscles in Kell's lower stomach.
He let out one more breath over the moist tip of Kell's erection and watched him tremble in anticipation. The hands in his dark hair trembled too, and tangled almost hurtfully as he bent down and placed a first, trying kiss to the tip of Kell's cock. Kell cried out and his hips bucked up off the bed. Will licked his lips, savoring the salty-sweet tang of precome. Not a completely unpleasant taste. One that was all and only Kell. One he wanted more of, he found.
He bent down again and put gentle lips to the heated shaft, slipping out his tongue to caress the moist, silken skin.
"Oh, gods!" Kell husked between one heavy breath and the next.
Will shuddered at the sound of pure pleasure in the prince's voice and parted his lips wider to take in the head. It fitted so perfectly into his mouth and he got bolder. He'd never done this before, and although Sharican had been very thorough in his teachings, theory could only guide him so far. But one girl he had been with had done it to him once, and what he could remember from that brief encounter was that it had been very nice when she used her tongue as well as her lips.
He did so now, curling gentle but firm fingers around the base of Kell's erection to hold it, as he swirled his tongue over every inch of throbbing flesh he could get at. The moans and sighs he heard encouraged him to go on, that this was right and very much what the prince wanted. Relaxing his throat not to gag, he slid his lips down as far as he could, almost touching his lips to his fingers, before he had to let up again to breathe.
Kell was breathing faster now, his lips parted and his eyes closed. The hand in Will's hair still held a firm grip around a handful of dark tresses. His hips began a slow rolling motion and Will opened his jaw wider to keep his teeth out of the way, he didn't want to rasp or hurt that perfect length.
Secure and more confident with each slow movement, Will slid his other hand down from the thigh to cup Kell's sack and tease the skin behind. When Kell let out a moan and his hips began to move with more purpose, Will pulled back and let his cock slide out of his mouth.
Kell lifted his head with an effort to look down at him. "Please, don't stop," he said with just an edge of desperation to his voice.
Will smiled back, his hands still on Kell's body. "Like?" he teased.
Dark blue eyes narrowed slightly as Kell recognized this game. "Oh, yes." The 'get on with it' was implicit, hovering between them, but Will wouldn't rush this.
He slid up Kell's body, ignoring the impatient look in his eyes, and kissed him, let him taste himself on Will's lips. "This is you," he whispered. "This wonderful taste is all you." Their eyes met and Kell's gaze was calm now. Focused and calm, and wanting more.
With a lazy smile to his lips Kell moved his hands down Will's back and hips to caress his buttocks. Will couldn't stop his eyes from fluttering shut, the caress was so good. Then Kell touched Will's neglected erection and he had to bite his teeth together around a groan. The prince's fingers curled around his throbbing shaft and began a slow stroke from root to tip and back again. Will let out a gasp and forced his eyes open.
"Wait…" he breathed. A few more strokes and he would have spilled himself, and he couldn't let this end already. Kell's hand stopped but still held him. Will swallowed and found his voice. "Wait."
Kell looked almost confused. "Something wrong?"
"No. It's perfect. I just remembered I haven't let you see that new salve I got."
Kell blinked and his eyebrows drew into an uncertain expression. "Will…"
"Shh." He brushed his lips over Kell's. "It's okay. I won't do anything to hurt you."
Kell let him go when he slowly disentangled himself from the long, handsome body under him. He shuffled off the bed and quickly rummaged through the pile of clothes to find his pouch. There it was, and he palmed the vial before he moved back up the bed on hands and knees to sit by Kell's side. Kell looked a bit warily at him but when he unstopped the vial and the heady scent spread, there was also curiosity.
"Here." Will held it out for Kell to take it if he wanted to. "It feels like velvet on your skin."
Kell took it and carefully dipped a finger inside. "What is it?" He seemed just a bit intrigued by the scent and the feel of the salve.
"Something we'll need." Will leaned in for a kiss and to his relief Kell answered. "Let me show you." He took the vial back and dipped two fingers inside. A liberal amount coated his fingers when he slowly slid them between Kell's thighs. Kell gasped into the kiss when he began stroking small circles on the soft skin behind his sack, slowly edging closer to his goal.
He watched Kell's face closely for any sign of fear or hesitation, but none were to be seen. The hitching breath and the low moans with each flick and rub over the hidden bud were a good sign Kell still wanted this.
Will withdrew his fingers for a moment and once again dipped them in the salve. Kell seemed to almost hold his breath until he felt Will's hand return. He moved to sit between Kell's long legs, to get better access for his ministrations, and after one last look at Kell's beautiful face, bent down to trace a line of wet kisses along the inside of a thigh towards the heated length resting hard and twitching against Kell's belly.
When he wrapped his lips around the head again and Kell cried out, he let one of his fingers slip just inside the tight ring of Kell's opening. Kell's eyes flew open and his body trembled, and Will stopped at the second knuckle. Kell was breathing heavily and his every muscle had tensed up. Will looked up at him, concerned yet still hopeful, and leaned up to seek out his eyes.
"You can tell me to stop whenever you want me to," he murmured when he got the prince's attention. "But I want to do this with you, Kell." He placed a gentle kiss on his sweat-slicked chest. "Will you let me make love to you?"
Kell shuddered. "Yes," he whispered, his cheeks flushed and his eyes dark and shining, and Will thought he had never looked more beautiful. "Please, Will."
Will nodded and slowly began to move his finger inside Kell's body again, gently coaxing the muscles to relax and welcome the invasion, as he kissed and nibbled at pink nipples. Slick, tight heat surrounded his finger as he pushed it further inside, and his own cock twitched and leaked precome as he imagined how it would feel to be completely buried in this beautiful body.
Kell moaned and rolled his hips, and Will decided it was time to move a little bit faster, they could only wait for so long before it became unbearable for the both of them. He joined his finger with a second and twisted around to find that special spot he knew to be there.
And he knew he had found it when Kell's eyes shot open again and he cried out. He arched into the pleasure and impaled himself deeper on Will's fingers. When the first wave of intense sensations had ebbed a little he managed to relax his body and blinked to focus glazed eyes on Will.
"What was that?" he panted.
Will smiled at the amazement in those blue eyes. "Your pleasure spot. Should I do it again?"
"Gods, yes." Kell smiled and his lashes lowered teasingly. "Again."
"I will." But he didn't, not yet. Instead he pulled out and curled his fingers around Kell's throbbing cock and began to stroke it slowly. Kell kept his eyes fixed on Will's face for as long as he was able, but they soon drifted shut.
Will wanted the prince deep in pleasure and when he was fairly certain he was, he reached out and dipped his fingers in the vial again. He coated himself generously and blood rushed through his cock at the touch of his hand alone.
Kell looked up when Will settled between his legs and hooked an elbow under one of his knees. "Relax," Will murmured as he positioned himself. "I'll go slow." The tip of his cock nudged at Kell's opening and he felt the tension begin to coil through Kell's entire body. "Relax," he whispered again and then pushed through the ring of resistance.
He had known it wouldn't be easy, that Kell's body remembered the violence Calon had forced upon it and would try to defend itself against more hurt, despite how much Kell wanted this to happen. Instincts weren't so easy to quell.
Will held where he was, barely entered, even though his body screamed at him to push all the way home. Kell lay tense under him, muscles straining, his hands knotted in the sheets and his head flung back. Kell's eyes were squeezed shut and his lips parted in a soundless cry of pain as his body fought to repel the invader.
Will bit back a groan at the clenching heat around him and pulled a deep breath. "Kell," he murmured and moved a hand soothingly up Kell's side. "Look at me."
"Gods, Will. It hurts!" Kell hardly breathed.
"Shhh. It's okay. Let me ease it for you." He moved his other hand down Kell's thigh and under his buttocks, stroking his fingertips along the base of Kell's spine. Healing magic flowed from his fingers into Kell, chased away the pain and left only the feeling of Will. Kell pulled a shuddering breath and slowly, haltingly, let his body relax. He looked up at Will with wonder in his eyes and shifted his hands from the sheets to grasp Will's arms.
"Don't stop," he whispered then and Will needed no other encouragement.
He exhaled and slowly pushed all the way inside. For a moment he could do nothing but hold there, surrounded by such incredible heat and tightness, he hardly remembered to breathe. Then Kell was moving under him and he looked down into deep blue eyes that were riveted on his face.
"Will…" Kell urged and Will began to roll his hips. He held Kell's gaze for as long as he could, but his eyes drifted shut when Kell began to move to meet him.
So beautiful. So good. His body was all burning with strength and pleasure, surrounded by the tight welcoming heat of the prince's body. He grasped Kell's hips with his hands to steady him and long legs wrapped around his waist to pull him deeper.
And then Kell cried out loud and arched against Will as he hit his sweet spot with the tip of his cock. Will couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
"Gods… Will!" Kell gasped, his grip on Will's arms tightening, and looked up at him with a bit of urgency in his eyes.
"I know." He moved his hand to curl around Kell's cock and began stroking it, circling a thumb around the tip to spread the fluids leaking from it. It eased his strokes and he moved a bit faster, his grip firmer.
Kell moaned and rotated his hips in time with Will's thrusts, and when Will once again hit his sweet spot, Kell came with a cry and a violent shudder. Will kept moving through the rippling waves of Kell's orgasm, stroking the white seed out of him, watching it spurt onto his belly and Will's hand.
Only when Kell was slowly coming down from that high place did Will make his last few deep thrusts, letting the wave overtake him, and allowed his own release. He screamed and gripped Kell's hips hard to keep him still and himself buried as deep as possible inside him. His vision spiraled into a white haze and he knew he had never come this hard before.
As his breathing slowed he gradually returned to awareness and opened heavy eyelids to look at Kell. His heart almost stopped beating; blue eyes had turned to purple and they were fixed on Will.
"Oh, Kell." He reached out a hand and stroked trembling fingertips across a high cheekbone. "Your eyes…"
Kell smiled and turned his face into the caress. "I know. Because I love you, Will. Because you make me feel so good."
Will leaned down and seized Kell's mouth with his own, inhaling the heady scents of sweat and passion and musky semen, all that was Kell and Will mingled together. He tasted Kell's sweet lips and tongue, and gladly savored every nuance.
"I love you too, my prince," he murmured against Kell's lips when they broke apart for air, and he knew it to be true.
"Your prince," Kell smiled and blushed a little. "No one else's."
As much as he had wanted to stay joined with Kell for as long as possible, the movements of their bodies made him slip out and then there was almost a feeling of loss. He fought to ignore it but all it did was settle itself in a back corner of his mind, a dark ball of restlessness troubling him.
"We should probably get cleaned up before we fall asleep," Kell mumbled, sleep already a noticeable influence in his voice.
"Let me. You just stay here, I'll get a washcloth from the bath." Will put a small kiss on the prince's forehead and got out of bed, almost glad for a moment alone to figure out why he suddenly felt so apprehensive when all he should be feeling was overwhelming joy.
~Perhaps they are trying to tell you something.~
~Ashiná!~ He started at her sudden voice. ~They?~
~Fates. Gods. Dreams.~
~Something's going to happen…~ He stopped with his hand on the edge of the copper bathtub.
~You weren't warned by your master for nothing, Will.~
~But why now? There's so much going on already with the war and this new sorcerer, and we've just…~ he stopped and pulled a breath. ~I don't want to lose him. I couldn't bear it.~
~You won't have to as long as you heed the warning.~
Will bit his teeth together and reached for the washcloth. He'd do anything in his power to protect Kell, now more than ever. But still, that Ashiná too, although not in so many words, warned him that something was about to happen made him more than a little uneasy. He couldn't prepare for every eventuality, but he could make sure he marched out with the troops in the morning.
The prince lay on his side among the pillows and watched him with sleepy eyes as he padded back to the bed. Will wiped away the traces of their passion that was drying on Kell's skin and cleaned gently between and around his thighs, making sure with a careful strand of magic that nothing was hurt or tender. Kell gave him a satisfied, thankful smile and reached out for him to come back to bed. He did, pulling the covers up over them, and with Kell curled so close to his side, their arms and legs twined around each other, he tried to find the feeling of sated and fulfilled pleasure. He almost succeeded. Almost.
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