Chapter 20
Kell sighed deeply and reached out a hand in blind, sleepy haze to find the body that had been a warm and comfortable presence next to his own for most of the night. But all he found was cold, empty sheets where Will was supposed to be. He blinked open his eyes, for a moment uncertain whether it had been real, that all of it had only been a dream encouraged by intense longing, and that Will had never been there at all.
But no. His body felt sated and spent in a way it only did after sex, and he felt suspiciously, wonderfully sore between his thighs where Will had filled him. His heart raced with the memory. Will had been so gentle and caring, patient and loving. And that place he had touched inside Kell; he shuddered. Calon had never been so generous; never even come close to showing any of the care Will had overwhelmed him with last night.
Gods! Where was he?
Kell looked around and saw evidence that he was not alone. It was still dark outside but in the light from the single burning lamp he noticed a pile of clothes on the floor by the bed; more clothes than could only be his, and then the rumpled bedding next to him where he hadn't slept and the dent in the pillow he did not use. So Will was still here then. He scanned the room but saw no sign of the sorcerer. Where had he gone at this hour of the night?
The open terrace doors let in a whiff of night blossoms and a cool breeze, and Kell shuddered. "Will?" he called out loud.
"I'm here, my prince," came the quiet answer from the terrace.
Kell smiled, relieved, wrapping a sheet around his waist as he got out of bed, and padded over. Will stood just outside the doors, arms across his chest, wearing Kell's robe. The dark purple silk let him melt into the night as easily as if he had cast a spell. Maybe he had.
The sorcerer was quiet, looking pensively up at the Keep and its small, flickering lights. Kell wondered how much Will could see in the dark. He knew sorcerers had exceptionally good eyesight, but he doubted even they could penetrate the dark of night as well as the distance from the royal manor to the Keep.
He shook his head; these thoughts didn't matter right now, and stepped up close behind Will. He didn't touch him in any way except for the breaths he let out across an ear and the bare skin of the sorcerer's neck. He smiled when goose bumps rose on Will's skin.
"You should be asleep, my prince," Will said quietly, and turned his head slightly to look at Kell over a shoulder.
"And you should be there with me," he replied, and let out another warm breath down the collar of the robe, Will shuddered visibly. "You need the rest too if you insist on coming with us tomorrow. We leave early, you know, and cannot wait for those who fall behind."
Will gave him one more look, lowered his eyes and then turned back to look up at the Keep.
Kell followed his gaze, wondering what he saw up there, and reluctantly acknowledged the feeling of being excluded. But that was not fair on Will; he would never consciously keep Kell unawares of anything important. No, he'd just scare his friends to death dealing with whatever it was on his own, Kell thought wryly.
He knew Will felt guilty for making Kell worry yet again for him. But he also knew Will didn't regret his actions when he threw himself heedlessly into the battle. It could only be expected, right? Will took his responsibilities as sorcerer seriously, perhaps a bit too seriously at times.
And that was what Kell loved so much about him; his deep loyalty and strong devotion, the seemingly endless courage he showed in the heat of battle. Qualities every warrior envied in him. It made Kell proud to know him.
Even so, when Will had tore free of Kell's grip, after word for word disobeying a direct order and stepped off the wall, Kell's heart had stopped in pure panic. He hated to feel as helpless as he had then; only able to watch as Will disappeared into the city. It had been a great effort of self-control to remain and see to the rest of his men. But Will had saved those soldiers.
Kell had been almost crazed with worry for Will when the battle was over and he had allowed himself to contemplate the fate of the sorcerer. Thomy had sent out men to find Will, while Sernan did his best to keep Kell calm and safely within the inner wall, until they could be sure the entire enemy force had left the city. To Sernan's relief it didn't take long before the men returned with Will on a haphazardly made stretcher, which had made the price even more worried until Piotry had told him Will would live.
Gods, he hadn't slept much that night. After the fear of nearly losing the sorcerer he felt no shame at taking such comfort in Will's patient touches and body. He was glad now that he had.
And here Will was now. Safe and whole, and very much a warm body that Kell refused to ever let go of. He wrapped both arms around Will, slipping them along Will's own and twined fingers with fingers. Will leaned back against his chest and he inhaled the scent of Will's hair, nuzzling his nose against the nape of his neck. Will shuddered again and let out a warm breath that curled misty white in the cool night air before it vanished. Life was as fleeting, Kell knew that now, and regretted every harsh word he'd uttered the evening before. He wished to make amends now.
"Gods of earth and air," Kell murmured against Will's skin. "You know not how I believe in you!" He tightened his grip. "I cannot be without you, Will. Don't ever leave me like that again!" Will tensed slightly, not more than a straightening of his back, but Kell perceived. "What's wrong?" he wanted to know.
"I… nothing."
"Don't do this to me, Will. You can't protect me against everything in life. And as good as your intentions may be, keeping things from me can also be dangerous." He flexed his fingers around Will's and the sorcerer turned his head to look at Kell. "If you tell me, I might be able to avoid the danger or at least defend myself."
Will seemed to contemplate his words for a moment and then sighed deeply. "I don't know what it is. Perhaps it's just the aftermath of the battle, but I have a bad feeling something is about to happen. My guardian warned me as well."
Kell's eyebrows drew and he urged Will to lean against him again, needing to feel his warmth to ward off the creeping feeling of apprehension. "I'll be careful, then."
"It's… I don't think that will be enough, Kell. This will be beyond your capacity to handle. Perhaps even mine." Will sounded uneasy, almost uncertain.
"I'll deal with it," Kell decided. If Will couldn't be strong, Kell would have to be. "We both will."
"You don't understand," Will mumbled and twisted in Kell's arms as if he wanted to be released, but Kell held him firmly. He stilled after a moment, his shoulders slumping, and Kell dared let up on his grip a bit. "He was so strong, Kell. I could hardly even keep my shields up."
It took a moment before Kell realized whom Will was speaking of, and then he wished he hadn't pushed; this was not a subject he wanted to bring into his bedchamber.
"He threw me into that building as if I weighed no more than a leaf. Why didn't he kill me when he had the chance?" his voice fell to a whisper.
"Don't say that!" Kell pressed his face against the curve of Will's shoulder. "Don't question your fortune or the Fates will rob you of it and you will die for sure next time."
There was a twitch in Will's body, as if he snorted. "Still, I was defenseless. Leaving me alive only ensures our next encounter. It's not logical to leave an adversary alive. Although, next time I'm not so sure I will be once he…"
"Stop!" Kell growled. "I refuse to listen to this."
Will fell quiet and still in Kell's arms, and even though he didn't say it out loud, Kell knew Will finished that sentence in his head. Kell struggled not to do the same. "Come back to bed with me," he whispered instead and brushed his lips up Will's neck. "There's still hours before we need to prepare for the march."
"So I'm allowed to go with you, then?"
"No, I'm not allowing you. You know I cannot retract my orders or I would lose face. I'm ordering you to come. So I can keep an eye on you, make sure you do your chores." Kell made an effort to lighten the mood, change the subject, seeing this would not make for an easy rest, and they needed it.
Will half turned to look at him, a bewildered expression on his face. "Chores?" he asked.
"Yes. Well," he shrugged, "I don't know precisely what they are yet, but I'll think of something. Besides, as the prince I must have a few perks."
"Perks?" Will seemed more suspicious now.
"Yes, being allowed to choose my own manservant, for one."
"You already have a manservant," Will observed.
"Yes, but he will be staying here. He is the steward of the royal manor after all, and he needs to oversee things here while I'm gone." Will didn't argue that Janu hadn't stayed here before. "And he's too old to keep up the pace tomorrow," Kell added anyway. "You won't avoid punishment that easily, sorcerer," he murmured, not unkindly.
Will smiled faintly and sighed. "I suppose not." He turned wholly around and leaned closer. "You said something about a bed?" He seemed to have gotten his more gloomy thoughts in order.
"Trying to trick me now?" Kell asked, feigning offense.
Will grinned. "No, what makes you say that?"
"Oh, perhaps it's the hand you've got on my behind?"
"What hand?" Will murmured and pressed his lips to Kell's. It warmed just as much now as it had last night, and Kell slipped his own hand inside the robe Will was wearing and down a lean hip. Will nibbled on his lower lip and pressed his whole body against Kell's, heat stirred between his legs and he grunted as fingertips teased the crevice between his butt cheeks.
"Make love to me, Will," he murmured against those sweet lips. "Like you did before."
Will met his gaze, his dark lashes half lowered. "You sure?"
"Oh, yes. Please?"
Kell had no clear idea how they got back to the bed; his mind blanked almost completely when Will gave him one of those heart-stopping kisses and his hands roamed across every inch of skin on Kell's body. He wondered absently where the young sorcerer had learned all this, but all questions were scattered as Will took the head of his erection into his warm mouth. And, gods, that tongue. Like velvet wrapping around him, caressing confidently just below the head, driving him almost to the edge and over. He couldn't keep himself from thrusting when Will began to suck.
But it was like Will could tell just how close Kell was, how deep in passion, for he released him gently with one last lick to the tip and then his weight lifted briefly. Kell forced his eyes open to see Will dip his fingers in the vial and coat himself. Then dip them again and in the next moment he felt a finger circling slowly around his opening, sending anticipation through his body.
He met Will's dark gaze and almost blushed at the pure lust and need he saw there, mixed with a determination he hadn't seen before. He felt honored at having it focused on him alone, welcomed it, because he knew that determination was born out of Will's loyalty and love for him. He would use that determination to protect and care for Kell no matter what the cost. But it was that cost that scared Kell, because he could tell how high it would be.
Will slipped a finger inside him, coaxing tight muscles to open up, twisting around and then rubbing against that spot that sent intense jolts of nerve searing pleasure through Kell's entire body, effectively banishing all thoughts.
"Gods… Now, Will," he urged when he could speak again. And Will did so without hesitation. He leaned forward, bracing himself on Kell's hip with one hand, and guiding the tip of his erection with the other. Kell raised one leg against the side of Will's chest, angling his hips to give him easier entry, and circled the other leg around Will's hips.
Then Will shifted his weight forward and eased himself inside. There was pain at first, Kell knew there would always be, but Will eased it for him again and allowed him to enjoy this intimacy they shared and would always have together.
Will made a first rocking motion and thrust slowly inside him, almost touching that spot again. Kell moved his hands up Will's arms and shoulders, to his neck and into rich, dark hair. Will looked at him through ragged bangs and Kell locked eyes with him. Will began to move a bit more, deepening his thrusts but still keeping them agonizingly slow. In time with his breaths, Kell realized, inhaling as he pulled out and exhaling as he pushed back in.
Such control, even now, using it to make this last. But Kell didn't want it to last; he wanted Will to come, to feel him, to know he was really there, inside him. Love and strength and passion.
"Kiss me," Kell husked and pressed fingertips against the base of Will's skull. He received a small, indulgent smile before Will leaned in and brushed lips against lips. Kell wrapped his arms around him and held him close, chest against chest, and he was almost certain he could feel Will's heartbeat.
Then Will found his pleasure spot and Kell's entire body clenched down for one breathtaking moment.
"Don't stop," he groaned when he could breathe again, and moved now to meet Will, wanting to deepen the joining, to make Will come as deep inside him as possible, to wear the sorcerer's mark like it would protect him against all the bad of the world.
Will pressed a hand down between their bodies to curl it around Kell's cock and began to stroke it in time with his thrusts. Kell's eyes wanted to close but he willed them to remain open and fixed on Will.
"Kell," Will whispered, his breath a heated breeze over Kell's sweat damp skin.
"Don't stop." Kell shuddered with pleasure when the thrusts got firmer, faster. Will filled him so completely. "So perfect."
He knew from the look on Will's face that his eyes were changing color again. He wasn't much surprised, he had rarely felt this way, never had these strong feelings for anyone.
"Oh, Kell. My prince…" Will bent down for a deep kiss and moaned when Kell slid his tongue into his mouth.
"I can feel you," Kell whispered. "You're so deep inside me, it's like you're touching my soul."
Will shuddered and his eyelids drifted down for a moment, and when he opened them again there was a golden gleam among the dark brown. "She wants you to know her name," Will said, his voice steady and deep despite the effort to speak while rocking his body into Kell's. "She's offering you that gift."
Kell stared, his grip in Will's hair tightening and his lust momentarily forgotten. "Why?" A spirit guardian's name was known only by the sorcerer it protected. Anyone else with the knowledge was considered a risk and a threat to the sorcerer's safety.
"She trusts you. She loves you." Will's movements slowed as he waited for Kell, eyes more golden than brown now.
"Will?" he said, suddenly uncertain in the face of this honor. He needed to know Will was still there, conscious of his own actions, or if the guardian was taking over.
"I'm here." Will's voice was gentle, as if he understood.
"I trust you. I trust her." He pulled their faces together. "I love you." They kissed, lips brushing, tasting, and tongue tips meeting briefly.
~Ashiná,~ a warm, deep voice murmured in Kell's head as much as in his heart, and he almost cried with the beauty of it.
Will was hitting that spot with every thrust, hardly allowing Kell to breathe after cresting on one wave before sending him over the next. Kell arched into him and rode the tide, until finally he came, spurting strings of white over both their bellies and Will's hand. Will came a heartbeat later, grinding deep inside and holding there until his body stopped trembling.
Kell held him close and they lay still joined and panting for a long while, as heartbeats slowed and minds cleared. "She has a beautiful voice," Kell said quietly, twining a finger in dark strands.
"She does."
"I'm honored."
Will lifted his head to look at him. "So am I."
Kell arched an eyebrow. "How so?"
"That you let me love you, do this with you."
"I wouldn't want anyone else to do it. You're the only one I'll ever let inside."
Will looked at him, an unreadable expression on his face. Then he smiled faintly and kissed him.
* * * * * * * *
As the city bells chimed five in the morning there was a discrete knock on Kell's door before it opened. Before Kell was completely awake and aware he felt Will roll off his arm and push at the covers.
"Good morning, my prince," Janu called out his greeting and entered the room with a tray in his hands. "I've brought you breakfast and clean garments. Would you care for a bath after breakfast?" He put the tray down and turned to Kell in bed, expecting an answer.
Kell was waiting for that surprised, maybe shocked expression when Janu would realize the prince wasn't alone, but it never came. The manservant just stood patiently waiting with neatly folded clothes over his arm. Kell frowned and turned his head to Will, or rather where Will was supposed to be. The bed was empty except for himself, and there was no sign whatsoever in the room that Will had ever been there.
Janu saw Kell's blank expression and took a worried step closer. "Something the matter, my prince?"
Kell stared a moment longer at the empty bed and then the room, before he found his voice and managed an answer. "No, no. I'm fine. Just tired, that's all," he mumbled. "Didn't sleep much, what with the march today and all." Kell frowned and flung his legs over the edge of the bed and rose. Janu didn't seem convinced, having seen Kell in the field and under much more stressful circumstances, but didn't argue.
Where was Will? What happened? He had disappeared again, and though Kell knew for certain he'd been there his stomach still dropped a little at the suddenness. He raked a hand through his hair, frustrated, and put on the robe Janu held out for him.
"The bath, my prince?" Janu reminded him.
"No, thank you. No bath, I don't have time for it." He and Will had cleaned up last night; he couldn't dally on such trivialities this morning.
Janu waited until Kell sat down at the table and reached for the tea, before he put the rest of the clothes aside. "Will that be all, my prince? I shall go and see to your traveling arrangements."
"Yes, thank you." Kell nodded and the manservant left. Kell put the teacup down with a pang and stared unseeingly out into the room. He didn't know what to believe. Gone. Just gone, like the morning mist.
"Hmm, that smells good," came a soft, hushed voice from behind to the left, and Kell jumped out of the chair with a startled cry. Will blinked at him, an eyebrow arched, where he stood not far from the bed, his gathered clothes in his arms.
"Gods of mercy!" Kell gritted out through his teeth. "Where were you? How..?" He gestured helplessly around the room.
Will smiled. "Oh, I was here all the time, just did a little hiding spell, that's all," he said simply. "After all, I shouldn't be here, remember?"
Kell snorted disapprovingly. "I don't like it when people disappear without telling me."
"I'll remember that," the sorcerer said peacefully, and Kell could have sworn he saw him smile. Will sorted through his clothes to find his shirt and smallclothes. Kell found it was hard to be angry with him for long when he had reappeared again, and so gloriously naked too. He sank back down into his chair and watched as the sorcerer dressed. It was interesting to see how much care he took in that everyday routine, how meticulously he tied every lace in his clothes and smoothed out every wrinkle. Kell was a bit regretful when it was all over.
"I have to go," Will said and looked around for his boots.
"Why?" Kell didn't want him to leave just yet.
Will gave him another arched eyebrow. "First you rob me of decent sleep and now you deny me breakfast too? If there's even any left in the Keep's kitchen."
"Rob you of decent sleep?" Kell asked, incredulous. "I recall it was you who showed up on my doorstep last night."
Will lowered his lashes and shot Kell a look through his bangs. "I remember it was you who asked me for more," he said, his voice low and husky.
A tingle passed through Kell's being, hairs standing on end, and he had to swallow before he could answer, truthfully, "I did. I do not regret it."
"Nor do I," Will said and after a moment nodded. "I'll stay a while then. All I have to do is pack before we march."
Kell sighed slowly and gestured for him to take the other chair. They shared what Janu had brought him and Kell looked on as Will ate, carefully and neatly, like he enjoyed every bite. His lips closed around a hardboiled egg, biting through it and sucking a little. Kell felt a grin on his face as he thought of the kisses those lips had given him; nothing careful or neat about those, only burning and hot and hard.
"My prince?" Will's voice broke the stare Kell had fallen into and he raised his eyes.
"Just daydreaming."
Will smiled like he knew what it was about. "A good dream?"
"Most definitely."
Will took a piece of bread and cheese, and half an apple, and folded them into a napkin. "I should go. Piotry will want to see me before we march, and I need to come up with an excuse to go with you." He shook his head. "He'll wonder about it."
Kell shrugged. "Tell him I asked for your presence, as part of your punishment, that I asked for you to take Janu's place."
Will looked doubtful but nodded. He rose and came over to where Kell sat. For a long moment all they did was stare at each other. Then Will leaned down and kissed him. A sweet lingering touch of lips.
"Please be careful today," Will murmured against Kell's lips.
"I will. And I will have that same promise from you, sorcerer." Kell felt it was in his right to demand it. "I want to see you in my tent tonight, where you should be."
A wrinkle appeared and as quickly disappeared between the sorcerer's eyebrows and Kell wondered about it. How he dared demand anything of a sorcerer, anything so private. It felt strange, this whole morning, this conversation. Something tugging at his soul, wrapping around his heart.
But then Will said, "I'll see you in camp, then," before he straightened, and it was all gone.
"Yes," Kell agreed, regretfully letting go of Will's tunic. "I'll see you then." Watching as Will left his room by the terrace and whatever path he had come the night before, he took a deep breath and tried to push down the anxious feeling gnawing at his gut.
* * * * * * * *
A jingle of weapons and armor mixing with the rustling of bodies and horses filled the Keep courtyard as the men mounted on a command from captain Heon. Kell surveyed his troops with an approving eye. Heon had personally picked the men for this, even having to deny a number who volunteered to come with just to make sure the city had sufficient protection while they were gone. The soldiers were more than eager to be on the way to return favors with the Iloron. After this defeat Kell was forced to make a show of strength or Uriche would believe he had free passage into the kingdom.
Sernan would stay behind in the city to see to the still wounded and for defense in case the worst should happen, while Thomy and Piotry were going with the troops should they engage in battle. Kell couldn't say honestly which he hoped for, considering the strength of the enemy sorcerer. It didn't matter how much he wanted revenge, he had his men's safety to consider.
No one knew yet that Will would be coming as well. But as he wouldn't be attending as sorcerer Kell was reluctant to tell the others anything, he didn't know how without making a fool of both himself and of Will. This was not an ordinary situation.
He turned in the saddle to look for the sorcerer in question, but couldn't spot him anywhere among armor and horses. He beckoned Thomy and Piotry closer, hesitant but needing to ask. "Have you seen Will this morning?"
Piotry's eyebrows drew at Will's name. "No. He's probably still in his quarters, where he should be."
Kell almost slipped then and told them Will hadn't been in his room all night, but bit his teeth together. He wasn't in a habit of lying, he'd had a better upbringing than that, but he did so now for Will's sake. He frowned to hide his awkwardness. "I've ordered him to come with us, he has chores to tend to and I won't tolerate any further disobedience."
Both sorcerers stared at the prince now. "Chores?" Thomy said disbelievingly.
"Yes." Kell put on a stern face.
"But… he's a sorcerer," Piotry said, as if that should explain it all. And it did, sorcerers didn't do menial tasks, even to wait on a prince. "He has agreed to this?" His disbelief was very evident in the way his voice rose.
"Does he have a choice?" Kell shot back, tamping down on his conscience. "I'm the prince and he has to follow orders."
The two exchanged a look and Kell pretended not to see. Will had been very adamant that he joined them today, and as much as Kell was obligated to see to it that his men followed orders and took their punishment as it came, he couldn't refuse Will now. So he lied instead.
"I'll find him, my prince," Piotry offered, dismounting, and shouldered his way through the crowd.
"Is there anything else we should know, my prince?" Thomy asked a bit dryly, his eyes narrowing just the slightest bit.
Kell gave him a reproachful glare that just passed the man like air. "Just keep your eyes open, sorcerer. I don't want to walk into any unpleasantness out there."
Thomy mumbled something that sounded very much like Kell needed to have his sanity evaluated, and half bowed where he sat on his horse. Kell had to bite his tongue not to snap at him. He held nothing but respect for the sorcerers, and immense gratitude for what they had done for him and the kingdom during the past year, and he hated to be at odds with them. But he couldn't very well tell them the real reason Will was coming, correctional chores would have to do for now. He supposed they might find out sooner rather than later anyway.
Captain Heon steered his mount closer and saluted, his tunic spotless and his helmet gleaming like it had been polished. "We are ready for departure, my prince."
"Good." Kell turned his horse around to face the captain, glad to be out from under Thomy's disapproving eye. "How many wagons will be following?"
"Only three. I decided the men won't need tents for this little trip, since we'll be passing the main camp on the way, and as long as there's fresh grazing and water the horses will be fine with just grain. If we need to we can send for further supplies later."
"Very well. Prepare to sound for march, captain."
Piotry returned as the gates were being opened and took his reins from Thomy. "I found him in the back of a wagon. He didn't look too happy."
"He's not mounted?" Kell had to ask, but then realized that would probably not have been part of the punishment; better for appearances to sit in a shaking, stuffy wagon.
Piotry arched an eyebrow at him. "No, should he be?" Then his eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Kell closer. "What are his chores, my prince?"
Kell couldn't come up with anything appropriate fast enough. "That's between him and me; I don't think he'd appreciate you knowing every detail."
A muscle twitched in the corner of Piotry's mouth and he tilted his head. "I'm sure you'll give him proper punishment, my prince. Let me know if you need anything, though. My herb pouch is fully restocked and I can probably provide you with anything you'll need."
Kell couldn't help but scowl at him, trying in vain to hide the blush that slowly crept up his neck and cheeks. Piotry knew, or thought he knew the reason. Kell couldn't say which was worse. "Well, let's move out. We won't catch any enemies here." He waved at Heon and a horn blared. The troops slowly fell into place as they all left the Keep and the city behind in the morning hours.
* * * * * * * *
Scouts had been sent out ahead of the troop to pick up the enemy's trail and it wasn't really that hard to find it, even Kell would've managed. He guessed the traces of thousands of men and horses weren't that easily concealed, shield or no shield. But what irked him was that so large a force had managed to slip past the outposts and the guards in the main camp in the first place. Twice now, if they didn't catch up before they reached the river.
Kell sat grimfaced and silent on Runner's back, willing just one of the scouts to come back with good news. But then again, the Iloron force had had almost two days to disappear, all Kell could hope for was that the riders he had sent to Rión the day before had gotten there safely and warned the high commander.
They reached main camp in the late afternoon, having pressed the horses almost too harshly, and Rión greeted him with a grim look on his face.
"No sight of them, I take it," Kell said and the commander cursed vehemently; unusual for the man, his honor must have taken a rather harsh blow.
"I swear I could hear them move past us late in the night, but not as much as a horse's rear was seen. Not even my best rangers had anything to report."
Kell nodded and clenched his fist. "According to the sorcerers they had some kind of shield that hid them."
Rión's eyebrows drew together. "Like the ones we used at the Knee?"
"Perhaps. Piotry or Thomy would know more."
"I truly apologize for my negligence, my prince," Rión said then and bowed his head. "If I had done my job properly they would never have reached Adeban."
Kell shook his head and sighed. "It's not your fault, Rión. They had us all fooled." Kell was in no mood for consolation right now, blaming himself as well for not following his instincts in the matter. Rión would have to deal with his own shame by himself.
"Are you moving on today?"
"I wish we could, but the horses need the rest in case we catch up with them and engage in battle. Though I strongly doubt we'll find them. Provided they move fast enough they'll be able to cross the river tomorrow or even tonight."
"I could send out a small troop on fast horses to find them, my prince. My men are rested."
"No. I appreciate your readiness and I sympathize with your want for revenge, but I won't have any more of my men slaughtered if I can avoid it." He remembered how they had fallen under arrows and boulders alike. "We'll stay the night and leave at sunrise. I don't want to risk an attack out there in the dark in case they linger on the east shore."
Rión nodded and hurried off to oversee the making of a temporary camp for the prince and his men.
Kell sighed frustrated and stalked down the path, heading for what would be his tent for the night. It stood not far from the spot where the large council tent had been no more than a week past, and he glared, almost accusingly, at the empty spot of grass. With a grunt and a slashing motion of his hand he threw back the flap to his own tent and marched inside.
The dusk inside was welcome and the thick canvas muffled most of the noises from outside. There was a chair next to a small table and a bunk that looked more comfortable than it probably was. Kell cursed under his breath and flopped down in the chair to scowl at his surroundings in general.
Damn that pig bred Uriche and his devious machinations. And Kell's own father too, for falling for them. The King should've known the Iloron bastard wasn't going to let it all pass so easily, not after all the defeats he had suffered recently. And Kell felt caught in the middle of it all, having felt it wrong to leave main camp undermanned so soon after the last battle. It was an invitation Uriche couldn't ignore, surely. And now look where they were.
This was not how he had planned to spend his day – or the days past and those to come. After leaving main camp last time he had secretly hoped the warring to be over, to let him go back home and live out his life as he damned well pleased, preferably with Will by his side. But Fate and the gods had not allowed him the fulfillment of that wish. He cursed them too, just for good measure.
Busy entertaining such gloomy thoughts, Kell merely glanced up as the tent flap was pushed aside and Will slipped in. His expression was unreadable as he put down a covered tray on the small table and then took a step back to look at Kell.
"What?" he snapped, harsher than he had intended, not quite able to stave his anger and frustration.
"Your supper, my prince," Will said in a flat voice.
Kell glared at him. "What are you doing?"
"My chores, my prince. I assumed this was one of them since your manservant isn't here."
Kell stared at him for a moment longer, then sighed and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry, Will. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"It's understandable. It's been an unfulfilling day," Will murmured.
"Indeed. I'd love to get my hands around some Iloron necks."
Will didn't answer, he stood quiet and unmoving, staring at the ground between them. Kell remembered his words then, from the night before, his fears that something would happen. He studied the sorcerer and saw the strained lines around his dark eyes. The day had been hard on him too, not riding in the front with Kell and the others, but sitting in the back of a wagon where he'd be the last to know if anything happened. He was worried, Kell realized, and most likely quite frustrated over his current position. Which probably was punishment enough for a sorcerer that could do most anything by the flick of a hand. Running errands for the prince, waiting on him hand and foot – Kell was suddenly very ashamed of himself.
"You needn't do this, Will."
"Why? Are you changing your mind already?"
"It's not right to waste your time running my errands when you should be with your fellows. You are much more needed in the lines if it should come to battle."
"May be. But I won't neglect my chores if they are what I need to do in order to be freed of my punishment."
"Stop," Kell said exasperated. "You are freed already, don't you understand that!"
Will just looked quietly at him.
"What?" Kell snapped again.
"And what about losing face. The men look oddly at me already. They know you commanded me here and think it strange that I've agreed to it. If you free me now there'll be no end to the rumors."
Kell stared. "So you're willing to endure this," he gestured at the tray, "to save yourself the gossip, at the expense of your honor?"
"Your supper is getting cold, my prince," was the only answer he got.
Kell scowled. "If I'd known you would be so meek I'd have set you tending the horses," he muttered unkindly, not sure if he regretted it or not.
But he got no reaction out of Will for it, which was probably what he had wanted, feeling a good fight would clear the air and release some frustrations. Will went quietly about the tent to put it in order for the night, his rigid back more often than not turned to the prince.
Kell ate and with each swallow grew more and more ashamed. He seemed to accomplish that so easily these days, when all he really wanted was to hold Will close and warm away all the worries and tension in Will's body, for none of them belonged there. He wanted Will to be happy, like he had been last night for those wonderful, breathtaking hours when they had shared bed and bodies. Kell's heart beat heavier with the memories and his throat closed when he thought how easily he could lose it all.
"Anything else you'll need, my prince?" Will asked when he had turned down the bed. He still kept his expression blank and his eyes lowered.
"You," Kell said in a hoarse voice. Will looked up then. "I need you. Stay with me tonight."
"You know I can't, my prince. Janu never did and it would be improper for me to do so. It already is."
"Damn improper!" Kell exclaimed and got out of the chair. Every frustrating minute of a very long day suddenly washed over him and out through his mouth, stabbing words at his lover. He didn't mean for it to be so, but it was and him unable to stop it. "I don't care what people think. I need you to sleep in my bed tonight. I need you to keep the cold and the dark and the loneliness away." He desperately grabbed a brown-clad shoulder. He had never felt this urgent need for closeness before, like it was the last night they would have together. His gut clenched at the thought, and he whispered, as if it would make it less true, "Without you I will perish."
Will's eyes widened and his face paled. "Don't say that!" he hissed, shocked. "You are a man who can take care of himself, who believes in your own abilities, remember?" His hand moved to cover Kell's on his shoulder and the grip was tense, trembling. "You'll never perish; you're too stubborn and brave to go under so easily. You're too strong."
"Am I?" Kell looked into Will's dark eyes, wanting to take his words to heart and believe in them. "How do you know?"
"I know." Will stepped closer. "I've felt your strength."
Kell grabbed the front of Will's tunic with both hands and pulled him chest to chest, pressed their bodies together, and sealed Will's mouth with his own. Will answered just as strongly and the heated kiss transformed into a heated embrace. Kell wanted more. His hands moved over Will's tunic and swiftly undid the clasps, unbuckled the belt and let it fall to the ground, before he pulled up the shirt and found bare, warm skin. He let his hands roam freely over Will's back as he kissed and nibbled greedily on an earlobe and down his neck.
Will moaned and pressed his hips against Kell's, an urging as eloquent as any verbal one. Kell stopped caring about the shirt and tunic, and moved to undo the breeches. Will stiffened slightly as Kell slid one hand down his taut belly and inside his breeches.
"Perhaps we shouldn't do this now," he said in a rather strained voice.
"Yes, we should," Kell murmured against his neck.
"Someone might… come…" he tried to argue, but it came out in a gasp when Kell curled his fingers around him.
"Set wards, then." He wasn't about to let doubtful privacy stop him now, his need was too urgent, too desperate. They might not be able to make love like they had last night, but there were other things they could do. He remembered a few of the things Will had done to him rather vividly. His own flesh stirred to life with the thought.
As he began a slow stroke Will gasped and clenched his teeth together, his hands grasping for something to hold on to and finding the table behind him.
"Good?" Kell asked and brushed his moist lips over Will's.
"Yes," came the husky answer.
"I won't let you leave here in a foul mood, sorcerer."
Will looked at him from under lowered lashes and dark bangs. "I'm not angry," he disagreed, or rather tried to when his hips rocked forward and his voice broke.
"I'll make sure of that." Kell pressed his mouth to that sensitive spot below Will's ear and sucked gently. Will shuddered and then Kell heard a faint mumbling as Will set a ward over the tent. Of what nature he had no notion, but he hoped it would keep any visitors away for at least the following hours, preferably the rest of the night.
He pulled both Will's tunic and shirt up, and the sorcerer willingly discarded them. Kell smiled and began kissing his way down Will's torso, licking one nipple and then other, making Will groan out loud. His erection was hard and leaking in Kell's hand, and he descended past chest and belly to free it from breeches and smallclothes.
Will murmured something unintelligible and he shot a glance up at his face. Dark eyes were riveted on him and a hand transferred from the table to his face. "You don't have to, Kell."
"I want to. I want to make you feel good."
"You do that with your touch alone."
Kell smiled softly and slowly licked his lips, Will pulled a shuddering breath and his hand slid into Kell's hair. Kell shifted his gaze to Will's erection and breathed in the musky scent of it. He could do this, he told himself. He wanted to, because Will was so good to him and how could he be any lesser? He ran two fingertips along the side of Will's cock, it twitched almost as if in anticipation and a bead of precome dribbled from the slit.
Kell leaned forward, almost entranced by the sight, and flicked out his tongue to taste it. It was a mix of bitter and salt, an unfamiliar and new tang on his tongue, and he tried it for a moment. Will's fingers stroked soothingly through his hair and his breath was heavy. The sorcerer's obvious pleasure resolved the issue for Kell.
He leaned in again and nuzzled at the dark curls around the root, feathered his lips up the length and then tentatively opened his mouth to take in the head. Will let out a strangled cry and the grip in Kell's hair tightened. Kell squeezed his eyes shut and held still until it eased again. Only then did he allow himself to feel.
The cock in his mouth was hard and warm, eager for his touch. Its head rested against his tongue and he moved it experimentally. The loose skin around the head slid with his ministrations and he pulled back to look at it. Will's one hand moved up his own length and unhooded his cock. Kell looked up and saw the need for release in Will's eyes, felt it in the trembling of the hips under his hands.
He took it in again and slid his lips as far down as he could manage, which wasn't far before it felt like he would gag, and Will pulled back slightly with a soothing hand in his hair.
"You don't have to," he murmured again, but Kell refused to stop now.
He circled his tongue against the underside and grasped the root with one hand to keep it steady. It wasn't so bad when he didn't think too hard about exactly what he was doing, but rather who he was doing it to. This was Will; Will's flesh in his mouth, Will's body under his hands, and Kell loved him. He would make sure Will understood that.
"Kell…" Will said hoarsely. "I need to…"
Kell opened his jaw wider and looked up, keeping still as Will began to slowly thrust into his mouth. He slid a hand up between Will's thighs and cupped his balls, caressing them and the skin behind. Will's lashes fluttered down and he made a whimpering sound deep in his throat.
Kell closed his eyes and took deep breaths through his nose, feeling the last of his dying erection wilt, trying to stay calm even as he felt the tension build in Will's body. This is Will, he repeated to himself. This is Will and I love him.
"Oh, gods. I'm close," Will breathed above him and Kell began to suck, stubbornly holding on with one hand to the hips before him. He needed to go through with this as much for himself as for Will. He couldn't stop now.
Then Will tensed and his breath hitched, and before Kell could react Will was coming. Hot, bittersweet semen hit the back of his throat with the first few spurts and he almost pulled back in shock. But he steeled his resolve and only pulled back enough to be able to swallow properly.
He glanced up as the erection in his mouth finally began to soften. Will stood on trembling legs with his head tilted back and his eyes closed. His breathing was slowing down and the fingers in Kell's hair had begun drawing small circles against his scalp. Kell released Will from his grasp and placed a soft kiss on a hip as he gently tucked him back inside his breeches. Then another kiss on the other hip and a third, lingering one on his warm belly, breathing in Will's scent. He stayed there, eyes closed and just breathed, while the grip in his hair turned to long, soothing strokes. He knew Will was watching him, he could feel his eyes, but for some reason he couldn't look up and meet them.
Will's other hand moved to caress gentle fingertips along the side of Kell's face and then Will was urging him to look up. "Kell," he said softly. When he refused Will knelt down in front of him and cupped his face in both hands. "Look at me."
Kell forced his eyes open and met a golden gaze.
"You didn't have to."
"Yes, because I love you," he replied tensely.
"No, there's no force in love."
"You liked it," Kell said, stubbornly clinging to his belief that he couldn't be any lesser than Will.
Will smiled. "Yes, I did, I won't argue that. Perhaps next time I'll be able to enjoy it a whole lot more if I know you like giving it to me."
Kell blinked. Will had sensed Kell's unease. And really, why was he surprised? Will was so damned perceptive. "It's you, Will," he tried. "How can I not like it?"
Will's eyes turned serious then, more piercing for the gold in them. "Calon forced you to do this to him, didn't he?"
Kell pulled back, away from his hands, gritting his teeth against the bile suddenly rising. "Why do you always have to bring him up?!" he exclaimed, more than a little upset by the images of a heavily breathing lord, the hand fisted in the hair on the back of his head forcing him down past chest and hips, before he could find the strength to resist it. Not now, not anymore. Never again. He squeezed his eyes shut to banish memories and tears alike.
"I'm sorry." Will whispered. "I'm sorry he did that to you. I'm sorry he hurt you so badly and I don't want to do the same."
Kell let out a shocked gasp and looked at Will, his eyes dark brown again. "No." He shook his head. "You never hurt me. You could never do that, Will. I love you."
"Then don't force yourself to do such things that make you feel bad!" His hands were back around Kell's neck and shoulders, pulling him closer. "Love isn't about force, it's about mutual pleasure and if you don't enjoy what we do, how can I?"
Kell stared at him for a long moment, then said softly, "I do enjoy it. It's just so new, all this… All the need I have for you. I don't…" He couldn't find the words to describe it, all the feelings vying for space in his heart just at the thought of Will, they were likely to burst him wide open if he didn't find an outlet. "It's like you've put a spell on me. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you."
Will stared at him for a long moment, making Kell wonder if he'd said something wrong, almost regretting his forthright words. He opened his mouth to take them back, but Will shook his head with a soft exclamation and pulled him close enough to kiss him. A groan slipped out between the sorcerer's lips when he tasted himself in Kell's mouth, and the kiss deepened. Kell tangled his hands in Will's hair and didn't want to let go, glad for the excuse to not have to try to explain how much he wanted to give to Will.
"Don't force yourself again," Will demanded when they broke for air, both of them panting a little.
"I won't," he promised softly, readily agreeing.
Will kissed his forehead to seal the vow. "Lie back," he said and put a gentle hand to Kell's chest. "Relax," he added when Kell seemed hesitant. After a long, loving look into his eyes Will lowered his head and kissed his way down Kell's neck, nibbled along the curve of his shoulder and dipped the tip of his tongue in the hollow between his collarbones. Kell let out a long held breath and shuddered under the sorcerer's gentle ministrations. But the best was yet to come, he was sure of it.
Will didn't disappoint him. A smile passed over his lips as he felt a hand on the lacings of his breeches, swiftly undoing them and then slipping inside. "Oh, yes. Please." To his relief he hardened again under the touch.
Will let out a warm breath over his skin and then moved to kneel between his legs, all the time rubbing his face against Kell's tunic, deeply inhaling his scent, until he pulled up the clothes to get at the skin underneath. He left a moist trail as he kissed his way down the belly, freeing Kell's erection, and then placing the first of many kisses to its tip. Kell's hips bucked and he lifted his head to see Will do it again.
Kell understood then what Will had meant when he made him promise not to force himself. The expression on Will's face was utter pleasure, the look in his eyes heated lust. Will enjoyed giving him this just as much as Kell enjoyed receiving it.
"Will," he choked out and put trembling fingers in his dark hair. Then he had to bite his lip and keep still to just watch, as Will slid his lips down around his length.
He wanted to watch some more, see how gently, lovingly, he was swayed closer and closer to his climax. But the effort of holding his head up and his eyes open was too much. Warm, moist heat surrounded him, took him in deeper and a velvet tongue caressed just so, driving him closer to the edge. Will's fingers fluttered lower, cupped his balls and pushed gently at the tight opening behind. He couldn't hold himself back much longer, he began to roll his hips and Will answered by beginning to suck, the finger to his hole a bit more insistent. Then it slipped just inside and Kell came with a startled cry and his cock erupting inside Will's mouth.
He was barely aware of Will licking him clean and easing him back inside the warmth of his breeches, a bit more aware of the warm body that laid down close beside him, and glad for the arms that wrapped around him and held him close. Will lay quiet next to him, gently nuzzling the tip of his nose around his ear and inhaling his scent, while Kell slowly came back to awareness.
He sighed, tired now and bereft of all the tension he'd previously felt. How easily Will could calm him, make him relent. He was utterly under the spell of the sorcerer and he couldn't care less. It didn't upset him or alarm him, as maybe it should. Instead he was content.
"See?" Will murmured in his ear. "I'm not angry."
Kell snorted and then laughed shortly. "I told you I'd make sure you weren't."
"And you did." Will traced a fingertip along Kell's jaw line, across his forehead and down his nose. When he reached the lips he replaced the finger with his mouth and gave Kell a soft kiss. "You should get into bed, my prince. You could catch a cold lying on the ground like this."
Kell grasped the arm curled across his chest. "Stay with me?" Will propped himself up on an elbow and looked down at him, silent and thoughtful. "Please, Will. I don't care what they think."
"You will when they crown you king, it won't be easy to dismiss rumors then. In this, at least, lord Calon was right," he added with a mutter.
Kell frowned at the mention of the lord and sat up. "All that is years away still. Am I not entitled to live my life as I please?"
v"As the heir to the throne? Ask your father."
"I just might," Kell snapped, tiring of this stupid arguing. "And have you disbanded from the army as well," he added, annoyed, as he rose on not so steady feet. He heard Will snort and rise as well.
"Watch your temper, my prince. It's likely to get you into trouble one day." He slid his arms around Kell's waist and molded his body against Kell's backside. Then he sighed, Kell felt the warm breath against his neck, and murmured, "If you don't get yourself ready for bed now, you'll spend the night alone."
Kell stifled his breath of relief and just nodded, unwilling to let Will know just how grateful he was not to have to sleep alone.
* * * * * * * *
Will still couldn't sleep, even though his body was heavy and his mind tired enough, rest just wouldn't come. He lay in the narrow bunk with the prince's arm across his chest, a golden head on his shoulder, and a heavy thigh over his own. A very effective strategy to keep him in bed. Though he wouldn't leave now even if he could.
~This is our last night together, isn't it?~
~What makes you say that?~ Ashiná murmured quietly.
~A feeling I have, like all the world is moving closer, faster, pushing us to the edge.~
Ashiná didn't answer immediately and Will swallowed back the lump growing in his throat. ~You needn't worry, Will. You'll be fine. You'll both be fine.~
~And you know this? Without doubt, you know this?~
~There is always doubt, Will. But I know you will do your utmost to help him. That is all it takes to make it right.~
Will hugged the body next to him closer. ~He's so afraid to be left alone. Did I create that fear in him?~
~No, Will. It was already there, you merely let him express it. He feels stronger for doing so.~
Will turned his face into the hair spilling from Kell's head. "You are strong," he whispered through tears he hadn't noticed running down his cheeks. "I'll come for you." He held Kell closer, and the prince sighed and mumbled restlessly in his sleep.
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