Guardians of the Gray Tower 1

Guardian’s Pride

Can the son of a peasant farmer and the cousin of a king ever find

true happiness together? Rom Dartel, Captain of the Guardians of

the Gray Tower, does not believe so, and that is why he ended his

relationship with Lord Javan of Westmarch.

Two years later, Rom and Javan are brought together by King

Kelan, ruler of Emryn. A traitor working for the enemy queen of

Angkesh has infiltrated the ranks of the Gray, as the Guardians

are called. Rom and Javan are chosen by the king to discover the

identity of this traitor.

Javan has never given up on the idea of changing Rom’s mind. He

doesn’t care that Rom is a commoner. He loves Rom and is

convinced that Rom loves him. Javan will use the hunt for the

traitor to get close to Rom again and to prove that they belong

together—forever.

Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Fantasy, Historical
Length: 25,163 words

GUARDIAN’S PRIDE

Guardians of the Gray Tower 1

Britt Kenley

EROTIC ROMANCE

MANLOVE

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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove

GUARDIAN’S PRIDE
Copyright © 2012 by Britt Kenley
E-book ISBN: 978-1-61926-736-7

First E-book Publication: June 2012

Cover design by Harris Channing
All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

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In a medieval world, very similar to our own, lies the rich and

prosperous kingdom of Emryn. Emryn is located in the FarNorth and
is ruled by King Kelan the Wise. Enemies of the kingdom are many,
but most threatening is the neighboring country of Angkesh, whose
queen will stop at nothing to wrest control of Emryn for herself. The
king and the rest of the royal family are guarded by an elite group of
soldiers known as the Guardians of the Gray Tower. Called simply
the Gray by the citizens of Emryn, it is their sworn duty to protect,
with their last breath, the kingdom of Emryn and its royal family.
Their strength is unyielding. Their loyalty is unquestioning. Their
dedication unswerving.

Britt Kenley

GUARDIAN’S PRIDE

Guardians of the Gray Tower 1

BRITT KENLEY

Chapter One

Rom stood watching as his lieutenants took the new recruits

through their paces on the training ground below, his breath emerging
from his mouth in small puffs in the frigid morning air. As captain of
the Guardians of the Gray Tower, everything that occurred within the
company’s ranks was ultimately his responsibility, and he took that
responsibility very seriously, even on days as cold as this one. Most
days were cold in Winterreach.

The Gray, as they were called by the general populace, were the

last defense of the royal palace and were personally responsible in
ensuring the safety of the royal family of the kingdom of Emryn. He
could still remember his own first day as a recruit. It seemed like it
had been forever ago, though in reality it had only been twenty years.
A lifetime. He’d just turned sixteen with big dreams of leaving behind
the hard life of a farmer that had been his father’s and his father’s
father’s before him. He had yearned for the glory of battle, the
admiration of the masses. He shook his head at the ignorance of the
young boy he’d been back then. When he’d left his small village and
headed toward Winterreach, the capital city of Emryn, he’d had no
idea what he was getting himself into. Becoming a member of the
Gray had been the hardest yet the most rewarding experience of his

Guardian’s Pride

life, and it had molded him into the man he was today. He had risen in
the ranks to his position through sweat and hard work and a steadfast
loyalty to the rulers of the country of Emryn.

The soldiers he looked out on were just like he had been. Oh, not

in looks. Some were tall and brawny. Others were slender and quick.
Most still didn’t even have a hint of a beard on their chins, but all had
the same light in their eyes, the same determined tilt to their heads. A
few would prove themselves worthy. They were the ones who had the
grit, skills, and courage to stick it out and succeed in entering the elite
company of men loyal to crown and country. They were willing to
sacrifice life and limb to protect that country and its leaders. Most
would not.

A voice from behind interrupted his thoughts. “Captain?”
He turned and recognized the young man wreathed in a heavy

cloak. He was a palace servant. “Yes, Daylin? What is it?” Most of
the servants knew not to disturb him when he was viewing training
exercises. That meant that it was something important for Daylin to
risk his wrath.

“Your pardon, Captain, but His Majesty has requested your

presence in his private chambers. As soon as possible, he said.” The
young servant’s blue eyes glowed with hero worship and a bit of
innocent lust as he gazed up at Rom. That was not an uncommon
occurrence. The captain of the Guardians of the Gray Tower was
universally admired. He was tall and muscular, with shaggy brown
hair that just brushed his shoulders. His face was not handsome in the
common sense but held a rough-hewn masculinity that appealed to
both the males and females in the king’s court. His features were
sharply drawn, his mouth firm but with a sensual bottom lip that drew
the eye, and his eyes a warm golden brown. Many had attempted to
earn a place in his bed and his life. Most knew his preference for
males, however, and females bemoaned the fact that such a prime
specimen should be denied them. The few males who had been so
lucky as to have been invited to his private rooms never forgot the

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experience and always prayed for a second invitation. It was never
forthcoming. Rom did not have relationships. He had encounters.
Except for once. But that had been a mistake, never to be repeated.

Rom acknowledged the message and dismissed the young man.

His eyes followed the slight sway of the boy’s hips beneath his cloak,
and he felt a brief twinge of temptation but quickly brushed it aside.
Though he found Daylin very attractive, the man was way too young
and inexperienced. No, Rom’s taste ran to more mature fare, someone
nearer to his own age of six and thirty. Briefly, a pair of sea-green
eyes and a wicked smile flashed into his mind, but he ignored it. That
was an episode of his life that was over and done. There was no going
back to what might have been if circumstances hadn’t dictated
otherwise.

He gestured for Pike, one of his lieutenants, to take his place on

the observation post. After telling the man where he would be if he
should be needed, he climbed down the ladder and made for the
nearest door into the palace.

The king’s rooms were located on the second floor, and Rom

traversed the area quickly, his ground-eating stride making short work
of the climb. After knocking briefly on the door and hearing the
summons to enter, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. His
Majesty, Kelan, King of Emryn, was seated at his desk, reading over a
parchment that was spread out before him. A warm fire blazed in the
fireplace, its heat a welcome respite from the chill of the outdoors.
The king looked up and gave Rom a small smile of greeting.

“Ah, Rom. Thank you for coming so quickly.”
Rom bowed. “Your Majesty. How may I serve you?”
“Please, old friend. Let’s not stand on ceremony. I’ve asked you

before to call me Kelan when we’re alone.”

Rom nodded. “Very well then, Kelan, what can I do for you?”
“Always so helpful and loyal, isn’t he, Cousin? Quite impressive.”

This comment came from across the room.

Guardian’s Pride

Rom tried not to betray the shock he felt at hearing that voice

again. He turned slightly and saw the man sprawled carelessly on a
brocade sofa that sat near the window.

“Oh, Rom. I believe you’re already acquainted with my cousin,

Lord Javan of Westmarch.”

“My lord.” Rom inclined his head toward the man he’d once

known so intimately.

“Now, now, if you’re going to call the king by his first name, you

must do the same for me, don’t you think?” Those sea-green eyes
narrowed as they gazed into Rom’s.

“Very well. Javan. It’s been a while.” Rom kept his voice neutral,

not wanting the king to hear his dismay over seeing again the man
who had once meant everything to him.

“Indeed it has, Rom. Indeed it has. I hope you have been well.”
“Very well, thank you. And yourself?”
“Oh, I get by, as you well know.”
Javan flashed him a smile that held a hint of irony. Considering

the circumstances of their last encounter, he wasn’t surprised. They
hadn’t seen one another in over two years, surprising considering the
fact that Javan was one of the king’s favorite relatives and had been a
frequent visitor to Winterreach, capital city of Emryn, in the years
past. Rom could only assume that Javan had been avoiding coming to
the capital because of Rom’s own presence there. Perhaps he had
thought it would be too hard to see his former lover again. Obviously
that was no longer the case, and Rom couldn’t deny the pang of regret
that he felt at knowing that Javan’s feelings for him had changed so
much. He knew it was a foolish thought and crushed it as soon as it
appeared.

“You two will have plenty of time to get reacquainted later.” The

king’s voice interrupted Rom’s thoughts. “Right now, Rom, I need to
speak to you about a matter of some urgency.”

“What seems to be the problem, Kelan?”

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“As you are probably aware, Javan has been running quite an

efficient network of spies for me for the past several years. He has
recently come upon some information that I think you’re going to
want to hear.”

Rom raised his brow as he glanced at Javan. “What kind of

information?”

Javan shifted from his negligent pose to sit upright, the expression

on his face transforming from mocking to serious in seconds.
“Information about a traitor. A traitor who has apparently infiltrated
the ranks of the Gray.”

Rom felt the impact of the stunning news all the way down to his

gut. Javan couldn’t have said anything that would have disturbed him
more. The Gray were his. He had poured all his blood and sweat and
hopes and dreams into them, sacrificed so much. To think that
someone had slipped through all the protocols and training and
managed to fool him was more than disturbing. It was infuriating.

It was also quite dangerous. The Gray were privy to some of the

most delicate secrets in the kingdom. If that information got into the
wrong hands, there could be a catastrophe. And worst of all, the Gray
had unlimited access to the palace and the king. An assassination
attempt by a member of the Gray would be almost impossible to
protect against.

His gaze bore into Javan’s. “You’re certain of this information?”
He nodded. “It comes from one of my most trusted spies.”
“As you can see, Rom, we must take immediate steps to ferret out

this traitor and eliminate him.” The king leaned back in his seat and
sent Rom a piercing look. “We cannot afford to take this information
lightly.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I agree completely.” Rom’s mind was

already racing with possible ways they could identify the man and
protect the royal family at the same time.

He looked back at Javan. “Did your spy give you any other

information so that we can narrow our search?”

Guardian’s Pride

Javan and the king exchanged a glance before Javan spoke.

“Some. Apparently the man is a pretty recent addition to the Gray.
Probably no more than a one- or two-year man. We also believe the
man to be from one of the outlying provinces, close to the border with
Angkesh.”

“Yes,” the king put in. “Someone with close ties to that country,

possibly even related to an Angkeshi.”

Rom understood. “You think he could be from Feresa.” That was

Rom’s own province. It was located in the most eastern border of
Emryn. Angkesh, the country immediately to Emryn’s east, was one
of the country’s most powerful and dangerous enemies. If it weren’t
for Emryn’s natural protection, the Mountains of the Gloam, Angkesh
would have invaded long ago.

“I’m afraid that is a real possibility.” The king’s eyes looked

kindly at him. “I’m sorry, Rom.”

“I’ll find this man for you, sire.” The fact that the man came from

Rom’s home province would not save the traitor once he was found.

“I know you will. And you won’t have to work alone. I’ve asked

my cousin to assist you in this mission.”

“What?” Rom was hoping he’d misunderstood.
“Yes, Rom. We’ll be working closely together for the next few

weeks. It’ll give us a chance to get reacquainted,” Javan clarified.

* * * *

Javan wanted to grin at the look of stunned disbelief in Rom’s

golden-brown eyes.

“But my responsibilities to the Gray, sire, perhaps it would be

better if one of my lieutenants—” Rom began to protest.

“Nonsense. This is a matter of utmost urgency. I need my best

man on the job, and that is you, Rom. Besides, you will still be able to
fulfill most of your normal responsibilities. No, one of your
lieutenants can take over the instruction of the recruits for a short

Britt Kenley

while, I’m sure, and some of the other day-to-day duties of your
office. You have them well trained. And you will still be available to
them if they need to speak to you or if anything important comes up.”
The king was firm, and Javan wondered how Rom would counter that
argument.

He watched as his former lover stood before the king, obviously

trying to come up with something, anything, that would excuse him
from working so closely with Javan. When his shoulders slumped
slightly in resignation and he nodded his head toward the king, Javan
wanted to cheer. He was determined to take full advantage of this
situation and rekindle their relationship. For two long years, he had
suffered, and he was sure that Rom had as well. Rom’s misplaced
pride and irrational, stubborn sense of right had ended their affair two
years before. But Javan was in love with the hardheaded man, and he
was determined that enough was enough. He would use every means
at his disposal to persuade Rom that they were meant to be together,
despite the fact that Rom was from peasant stock, and Javan was of
royal blood.

Javan had backed off the last time because Rom had hurt him with

his refusal to make their bond permanent. He had had time to think in
the long years while he had forced himself to stay away from the man
that he loved. His arguments were firm and sound, and he had the
complete support of the king, his secret accomplice. Rom would not
get away so easily this time. Javan had prepared his assault well. Rom
might be the soldier, but Javan was fighting for his life.

“Kelan, perhaps Rom and I should go somewhere that we may

confer together and decide the best course of action in identifying and
capturing this traitor.”

His cousin agreed, a sly twinkle in his eye that luckily Rom

missed, or he might have become suspicious of the king’s decision.
Not that there wasn’t a real threat to the crown. The traitor did exist,
and when Javan had learned of his existence, it had occurred to him
that it would be the perfect opportunity to coerce Rom into spending

Guardian’s Pride

time with him. When he had broached the subject with his cousin,
Kelan had been more than eager to assist, with the understanding that
their first priority would be finding the traitor.

The king spoke. “Yes. Rom, why don’t you take Javan to your

rooms in the tower so you can speak privately on this matter. I think,
for convenience, I will put him into one of the apartments near you
rather than here in his usual chambers. That way you won’t have to
waste your time traveling back and forth between the palace and the
tower.”

“But, sire,” Rom protested, “there are no servants to tend to his

needs, no chefs to prepare his favorite dishes. Our fires don’t burn as
warmly as the fires of the palace. I’m sure Lord Javan would be more
comfortable here.”

“Don’t worry about me, Rom,” Javan inserted, enjoying watching

the man squirm. “I am quite able to take care of myself. And I will
enjoy taking my meals with your men in the Great Hall. It will be a
unique experience, and you know how I love unique experiences.”
That was a sly jab at the adventurous sexual practices he had indulged
in with Rom during their time together, and he could see from the
look in the man’s eyes that he knew exactly what Javan was referring
to.

“Excellent,” Kelan heartily approved. “I am confident that, with

the two of you working together, this situation will be resolved in no
time at all. Make sure that you keep me informed of your progress.”

Javan stood and walked over to join Rom in front of the king’s

desk. “Of course, sire.” He looked at Rom and gestured toward the
door. “Shall we?”

Rom cast him a blank look. “You’ll need a cloak. It’s quite cold

outside.” Rom himself was wearing the trademark gray cloak worn by
all of the Guardians of the Gray. Javan grabbed his warm, fur cloak
from where he had tossed it over a chair and slung it about his
shoulders. He sent a glance toward Rom, who bowed to the king and
preceded him out the door. Javan followed, casting a quick, smiling

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glance over his shoulder at his cousin. Kelan winked, and then turned
his attention to the other work which awaited him on his desk.

Javan closed the door and turned to Rom. The man’s jaw was

clenched so tightly that Javan feared he would crack a tooth, but Rom
just nodded his head. “This way.” He indicated a corridor leading to
the left, and the two men walked down the hallway without speaking.
Javan knew he’d already pushed Rom about as far as was safe for the
moment, so he allowed the man to maintain a rigid silence, sure that it
wouldn’t last.

Javan observed the respect shown to the man beside him as they

walked through the halls of the palace and out a side door. Not just
respect, Javan made note, but also desire. It was easy to spot when it
was something he felt every moment he was in the man’s presence.
Rom exuded a raw sexuality that was irresistible, and Javan felt a
pang at the knowledge that there were bound to have been others
filling the man’s bed in the years since they were last together. God
knows, he himself had not been celibate. But none of the men, and
even a few women, he’d known so intimately had been able to fill the
great void created when Rom had left him.

“This is impossible.” Rom finally broke the silence, his tone low

and hushed to prevent them from being overheard. “How could you
agree to such a plan?”

Javan shrugged, knowing the casual gesture would only anger

Rom more. “You know the king makes his own mind up about these
things. Besides, surely two old friends such as ourselves can work
together on an important project like this without it creating any
problems. We are old friends, right? Isn’t that what you said right
before you left me in the rooms we had rented on Breklast Island?
That we would always be friends,” Javan said, the mocking sarcasm
in his voice impossible to miss.

Rom threw him a disgruntled look. “You haven’t changed at all,

have you, Javan? Still the same irritating fool as always.”

Guardian’s Pride

“Rom, I’m hurt. I thought you liked my foolish ways. In fact, if I

recall correctly, you once whispered to me in the throes of passion
that it was one of the things that you loved best about me.” Javan tried
to hide his hurt behind a light, bantering manner. Once upon a time,
Rom had taken the time to see below the surface impression to
discover the real man beneath. Hopefully, he hadn’t completely
forgotten what he had once known about the truth of who Javan really
was.

They had arrived at the Tower, and Rom didn’t speak as they

made their way through the Great Hall where some of the Gray who
were on free time lounged around, playing cards and relaxing. Several
of them called out a greeting to their captain. He waved in response
but didn’t stop to talk. Together they climbed the stairs to the second
floor where Javan knew the private apartments of the captains and
lieutenants were located. Rom led him left at the top of the staircase.

Rom opened the first door they came to and stood aside for Javan

to enter. Javan moved into the room, looking around curiously and
noting the spare furnishings and neat and tidy appearance. When they
had been together before, they’d kept to Javan’s own lush apartments
in the palace. He’d never actually been in the tower itself. After a few
moments, he turned to look at Rom. The man was staring at him with
what could only be described as a fierce yearning. It was gone a
second later, and if Javan hadn’t known better, he would have thought
he had imagined it. Instead he felt such relief he almost collapsed with
it. Rom still loved him. Still wanted him.

Rom removed his cloak and held out his hand for Javan’s. After

he’d hung them both on a nearby peg, he tended to the fire smoldering
in the grate until it blazed up. At last he turned and looked at Javan.

“Yes, it was,” Rom spoke quietly.
For a moment Javan didn’t know what he was talking about. Then

he recalled his earlier remark and knew that Rom was acknowledging
the fact that they had once been an important part of each other’s

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lives. Now, Javan knew, all he had to do was convince him that they
still were.

Guardian’s Pride

Chapter Two

“Well, well, is the great captain of the Gray admitting that he

actually once had feelings for me, a member of the royal family? I’m
shocked. What would people say?” Javan mockingly drawled, and
Rom’s hands clenched.

Damn the man. He knew just the right buttons to push to get a

reaction from Rom. He always had. Walking over to stand next to
Javan, he glared down at him, hoping to intimidate him. He wasn’t
more than an inch or two taller than Javan, but his body was much
more muscular, especially when compared to Javan’s own slender
wiriness. “What the seven hells do you want from me, Javan? You
know there is no point in doing this. Everything that needed to be said
was said two years ago, and nothing you say now is going to change
that. It’s over.”

“Is it really?” Javan reached out and stroked a hand down Rom’s

face. Rom felt that touch all the way to his gut, and it incensed him. It
had always been this way between them. From the moment he had
first seen the other man with his flashing green eyes and coal-black
hair, he had been lost. Javan’s wicked mouth surrounded by a neat
moustache and goatee had drawn Rom’s eye and made his mouth
water. It still did. No one had ever stirred him as quickly or as easily,
made him want to feel that touch everywhere. Would it never end,
this need for Javan that overpowered his common sense and destroyed
his restraint? He reached up and grabbed Javan’s hand as the man
reached out to touch him again.

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“Don’t. For the Goddess’s sake, just stop. This is insane,” he said

gruffly. He wanted so badly to cover Javan’s mouth with his own, to
stop his words by plunging his tongue deep.

“What if I don’t want to stop, Rom? What if I want to be a little

insane? To do what feels right and damn the consequences?” Javan
stepped closer, his body brushing against Rom’s and setting off sparks
of arousal everywhere they touched. “What if I want you to do to me
all the things I’ve been dreaming of for the past two years? What if I
don’t care about what’s smart or right?”

Rom turned and took several steps away from Javan, needing to

block out the sound of those words that were chipping away at the
control he’d spent so long in constructing. He took a few deep breaths
and was about to turn around, his desire wrestled back down, when he
felt Javan’s warmth against his back and his hands sliding around
Rom’s waist. Rom tensed, knowing he should pull away but not able
to force himself to take the steps that would end this sweet torture.
Javan’s breath heated the skin of his neck, and he was certain that he
felt the tentative brush of masculine lips against his nape.

“Don’t push me away, Rom.” Javan’s voice was a sweet seduction

that he couldn’t resist.

“Javan.” His voice was so hoarse he could barely get the word

out. The arms around him tightened, and Javan’s body pressed against
his more firmly, so firmly that he could feel Javan’s erection nestling
between the cheeks of his buttocks, and his own cock became heavy
and full with arousal.

“Goddess, do you know how much I’ve needed you?” Javan’s

hands moved upward, brushing aside the loose tunic to stroke over the
heated skin of his abdomen.

“We shouldn’t do this, Javan. It’s not going to change anything.”

Rom forced the words out, knowing that he was going to regret his
actions and trying one last time to make the other man see reason.

Rom felt the sharp edge of teeth as Javan lightly bit down on the

sensitive skin where neck joined shoulder, and he couldn’t stop the

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shudder of arousal that passed through him. “At this moment, I don’t
really care. Do you?”

“No,” Rom groaned out the word and turned around so that he and

Javan were face-to-face. “At this moment, I don’t care either.” His
mouth lowered to close over the lips so close to his own, and he
shivered in relief at the touch he’d craved like a darkleaf addict
craved his next pipe.

Goddess, the man’s mouth was still as spicy-sweet as ever, and

Rom spent several moments just relishing the taste and feel against
his own. Their tongues slid together in a silent duel, wet, sensuous,
and hungry. He had missed this. Goddess, yes, more even than he’d
realized until that very second. He knew that giving in would make
their inevitable parting even more difficult than it had been the last
time, but he could not find the strength in him to end it. If he had to
say good-bye to Javan again, at least they could have this one last
encounter.

When he pulled back from the kiss, they were both breathing

heavily. Without another word, Rom took Javan’s hand and led him
back into his sleeping quarters. As captain of the Gray, Rom had been
given a double bed, a rare luxury in a soldier’s barracks. Right at this
moment, Rom had never been gladder of that fact.

Turning to face Javan, Rom began to strip off his own clothing.

He removed his tunic and tossed it carelessly aside before bending
down to unlace and remove his boots. The blazing heat in Javan’s
eyes told him that he liked what he was seeing. Rom’s hands went to
the waist of his breeches. Halting his movements, he met Javan’s
eyes. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

His soon-to-be lover smile lazily. “In a minute. I’m enjoying the

show. After all, it’s been too long since I’ve been able to enjoy this
very stimulating view.”

Rom shrugged and proceeded to push the breeches down his legs

and stepped out of them. The room was still cool, but he was hot. His
cock rose boldly between his thighs, and Javan’s eyes fastened

Britt Kenley

hungrily on it. He licked his lips as Rom reached down to clasp his
hand around his erection and tug on it lightly.

Javan took the few steps that would bring him directly in front of

Rom. As Rom watched, he dropped to his knees, his eyes focused on
the hard rod in front of him. Rom released his grip on his cock and let
Javan’s hands replace his own. He closed his eyes, the feel of those
hands a pleasure he hadn’t known in too long. It wasn’t just any man
touching him. It was Javan. And that knowledge added to his desire
tenfold. Then he felt a soft wetness stroke across the head of his shaft,
and he opened his eyes to watch eagerly as Javan’s mouth worked
over every inch of his aching hardness. Javan’s pink tongue snaked
out to lightly lick over the crown of Rom’s cock and trace the vein
that throbbed in rhythm with his pounding heart. When Javan took
him into his mouth and began to suck, Rom felt his vision blur.
“Goddess, that feels good.”

Javan’s eyes gazed up at him as he took his cock deeper, bobbing

his head up and down in a slow, steady rhythm that Rom knew would
trigger his climax in short order if he allowed it to continue. He
grabbed hold of Javan’s hair and pulled him off his cock. “I need to
fuck you, Javan. I don’t want to spew in your mouth, not this first
time.”

Javan nodded, licking his lips as though relishing the flavor of his

lover. “Where do you want me?” he asked, his voice husky with
desire.

“I want you naked and on the bed.”
Javan quickly stripped and crawled to the bed, belly down.
“No. On your back. I want us face-to-face.”
When Javan flipped over, Rom reached to the shelf near the bed

and grabbed a bottle of tunis oil. Turning back to Javan, he let his
gaze wander over the long, lean body in an admiring glance. “Reach
up and grab the rails,” he muttered. Javan immediately complied,
wrapping his hands around the iron bars that formed the headboard
while Rom dumped a small amount of oil into the palm of his hand.

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Setting the bottle aside, he climbed onto the bed and straddled Javan’s
waist. Their eyes met, and Rom saw the fierce desire that he knew
was reflected in his own.

He ran his hand over Javan’s chest, the oil coating his hands

making the skin slide slickly beneath his touch. He encircled the
nipples, giving each a slight pinch, and felt the tremble that went
through Javan at the erotic stimulation. His hands slid lower,
spreading the oil across the flat plane of Javan’s stomach. He scooted
back until he could reach his lover’s cock, his own erection sliding
against Javan’s and making both men groan. Taking Javan’s cock in
his hands, he gave it a small squeeze, and Javan’s body arched up in
eager welcome. He coated the rod with the oil, doing the same with
his own until they both glistened in the dim light that managed to
trickle past the dark window covering.

“You like this.” It was a statement, not a question, but Javan

answered anyway.

“Yes. Goddess, yes. I love it.”

* * * *

Javan felt as if his head was about to explode from so much

pleasure. The feel of Rom’s hands on him was making him crazy.
He’d wanted this for so damned long, and now he knew he wouldn’t
last long. Rom’s hands began moving faster, stroking up and down his
shaft, creating an erotic friction. Then one of Rom’s hands lowered to
his balls, rolling them between his fingers and making Javan arch
helplessly into each motion.

“You’re making me crazy, Rom.” He groaned out the words.
Rom stopped his stroking and smiled. “Good. I like you crazy

almost as much as I like you foolish.” His eyes darkened. “I need to
fuck you, Jav.”

Javan swallowed hard and nodded. He watched as Rom swung off

his body and moved between his legs, shoving them wide apart and

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bending them at the knee so that Javan’s feet were flat on the bed.
Grabbing two pillows, Rom shoved them beneath Javan’s hips before
he reached over for the oil again, spilling more into his hand. He
touched his fingers to the oil and then slid them down between
Javan’s buttocks, and Javan felt him seeking and finding the dark anal
rose that was hidden there.

Rom’s eyes met Javan’s as he pressed against that pucker and his

finger breached the tight channel. Javan gasped at the penetration,
unable to do anything but lose himself in the pleasure of Rom’s
experienced hands. Rom worked another finger in, scissoring them
wide, twisting and turning, pumping in and out to prepare him, Javan
knew, for the larger penetration of his cock. Soon Javan was rocking
against the rhythmic strokes, his balls tightening with his approaching
climax. Then Rom’s fingers found that magic spot inside, and Javan
cried out with pleasure as his cock exploded, sending cum shooting in
milky-white streams over his own belly.

As soon as Javan’s climax began to fade, he felt Rom’s cock

pressing against his body’s rear entrance. He relished the burning
sting of the invasion as Rom slid inside.

“Seven hells, you’re tight, Jav. You feel so farking good.” Javan

heard Rom’s words growled out in a passionate voice as he was
finally seated to the hilt in Javan’s ass. Rom leaned forward so that he
was gazing down into Javan’s face, and Javan reached around to hold
his lover tightly. He relished the feel of Rom inside him, his harsh
breathing a testament to his need, the air scenting of their desire. They
lay there, unmoving, for several minutes. Finally Javan reached up
and pulled Rom down, needing to feel his lips on his. The roughness
of Rom’s beard-stubbled cheeks rubbing against his own smoothly
shaven face added an intimacy as their kiss deepened. Teeth clashed
and tongues entwined. Javan felt Rom’s hands come up to clasp his
face, his thumb stroking over his jaw and then tunneling up into his
hair.

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They explored each other with a familiar passion that brought

tears to Javan’s eyes. He loved this man so much. Surely now Rom
would see that they were meant to be together. Passion such as they
shared was rare, and if a man was lucky enough to find it, he had to
hold on tight and never let go.

Rom’s mouth left his and spread hot, stinging kisses across his

face and down his throat. He took Javan’s earlobe into his mouth and
bit, sending a stinging shaft of heat to his loins and reigniting his need
and hardening his cock once again. Javan reached up to hold Rom
closer, his hardness pressed beautifully between their straining bodies.
Rom lifted up onto his elbows and began a slow-rocking motion that
teased Javan’s senses. His ass was clenched tightly around Rom’s
cock, and his own erection pulsed between them, sliding slickly in the
oil that coated his abdomen. The shallow strokes inflamed Javan, who
craved a harder, more complete possession from this man.

“Please, Rom. More. I need more.”
Rom raised up, his face a study in erotic intensity. Abruptly, he

withdrew and, before Javan knew what was happening, had flipped
him over and pulled him up onto his knees. Rom nudged Javan’s legs
apart and thrust back in until his balls bounced against Javan’s ass.
“Goddess.” Javan couldn’t stop the exclamation from bursting from
his lips.

“Yes.” Dimly Javan heard Rom’s affirmation. Then Rom began to

move, the friction of his thrusts stealing Javan’s last grasp on sanity.
He was mindless, pushing back into each of Rom’s strokes with a
single-minded need. Their two bodies melded together, straining
toward the ultimate goal. Javan felt Rom’s hands move to grasp his
shoulders, forcing his cock that much deeper and stroking over his
prostate with each pass. Rom’s hips pounded into Javan with a furious
passion. Javan’s world had narrowed down to Rom’s cock in his ass
and the pleasure it brought him. His own rod was hard again,
bouncing against his belly with each movement.

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Suddenly, Rom released his shoulder and, reaching around,

wrapped his fingers around Javan’s cock. One stroke was all it took,
and Javan exploded once more, his release splattering the bed linens.
He heard a shout and felt the spurt of Rom’s climax coating his rear
tunnel as Rom reached his own rapture.

Javan collapsed onto the bed, feeling Rom’s cock slip from him as

his lover fell to the side and lay sprawled and unmoving. When Javan
could finally open his eyes, he could see Rom’s chest, gleaming wetly
from sweat and oil, rising with each harsh breath. As Javan struggled
to get his own breathing under control, he smiled inwardly at the sight
of his lover’s obvious exhaustion. It had always been this way
between them, this almost-violent passion they brought to one
another.

When he felt some of his energy returning, he rose up onto his

elbows and looked down at the man he loved beyond reason. Rom
must have sensed or felt his movement, because he opened his eyes
and turned his gaze to meet Javan’s. Rom’s emotions were blazing
from his dark eyes, and Javan couldn’t resist bending down to cover
Rom’s lips with his own. This kiss was slow and languid, a long,
thorough tasting. After the kiss ended, Javan snuggled up close
against Rom’s side, letting his hand rest on his lover’s chest. Rom’s
own hand came up to feather over Javan’s arm in soft, intimate
strokes.

For a long time, the room was filled with the comfortable silence

of two souls so closely attuned that no words were necessary. Javan’s
heart was filled to overflowing. Surely now Rom would not be able to
deny what was between them. He had to recognize what they were to
one another.

“I’ve missed you,” he softly uttered, his breath stirring the damp

hair that lay against Rom’s temple.

Rom sighed and sat up, his eyes avoiding Javan’s. “You know this

was a bad idea, Jav.”

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Javan’s heart stuttered. “What do you mean? It was amazing, and

you know it.”

Finally Rom turned to meet his gaze head on. As Javan watched,

Rom shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. This…” He gestured
between the two of them. “It doesn’t change anything.”

“The hells it doesn’t.” Javan was getting angry. “It proves that we

belong together.”

Rom stood and began tugging on his clothing. “The sex was never

the problem, Javan. We were always good in bed.”

Javan stood and grabbed the shirt that Rom had picked up. He

slung it across the room. “This wasn’t just about sex, and you know it,
you stubborn ass. It was about love. I love you. I always have since
the first moment I saw you. And I know that you love me. Doesn’t
that mean anything to you at all?”

Rom’s face blanked out, which made Javan even angrier. Then

Rom walked over to pick up the shirt that Javan had tossed aside,
silently pulling it over his head.

Javan wanted to kick and scream like an infant. “Don’t you do

that, Rom. Don’t you shut me out, damn you.”

Rom’s hand came up to rub across his face. “I don’t know what

you want me to say, Javan. Nothing’s changed since the last time we
had this discussion.”

“You mean I’m still the king’s cousin, and you’re still the son of a

peasant farmer? No. You’re right, that hasn’t changed.” Javan picked
up his own clothes and began dressing. “And it never will. It doesn’t
matter. No one cares about that fact but you. You and your stubborn
farking pride.”

“It would never work.”
Javan wanted to yell in frustration. “Seven hells, you’re the

captain of the Guardians of the Gray Tower, not some poor, starving
dirt farmer. And I know for a fact that Kelan has offered to entitle you
twice. Both times for saving his life. Right now you could be Sir Rom
if titles mean so farking much to you.”

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Rom pulled his shirt over his head. “That wouldn’t change who I

really am.”

Javan gave a laugh, brief and bitter. He reached for his own

clothes and pulled them on angrily. “That’s the first sensible thing
I’ve heard you say. You are who you’ve made yourself, not
whoever’s blood runs through your veins. No one cares about this but
you. You’re letting your own ridiculous beliefs destroy what is
between us. Well, you know what? That’s fine. I’m tired of beating
my head against a stone wall. If that’s the way you want it, then that’s
how it will be. I’m sure I can find another man who isn’t quite so
unwilling to set aside his sense of honor to give me what I need.”

With that, Javan grabbed his cloak and stomped out of the room.

Guardian’s Pride

Chapter Three

Rom spun, the sword passing through the air right where he had

stood mere moments before. Continuing the turn, he brought his own
sword up, only to find it blocked by his opponent’s blade. They
grappled together for several moments before Rom broke away. They
circled one another, blades testing with tentative jabs. Rom gripped
the hilt of his weapon, never lowering his guard, his eyes constantly
seeking a weakness in his opponent’s defenses. Seeing an opening,
Rom rushed forward. The metallic clang of sword against sword filled
the cool air. His opponent was forced back by the continuous rain of
blows as Rom pressed his advantage ruthlessly. Several hard-fought
minutes later, his opponent lay sprawled in the hard-packed dirt,
Rom’s blade not quite touching his exposed throat.

“Nice blade work, Captain,” came a familiar drawl from behind

him. Rom glanced up to see the man who had spoken. Masun, the
Gray’s armorer and Rom’s good friend, grinned at him from where he
sat perched on a low wall. Rom raised a brow in greeting and then
lifted his blade and tossed it to one of the young squires who had
observed the match. “Make sure you clean that well before you put it
up.” He issued the order before holding out a hand to help his
opponent up. “Good bout, Brax.” He nodded to his first lieutenant,
who shook his head and playfully rubbed his buttocks.

“You could let me win now and again, Rom. It’s damned hard on

my ego to keep losing bouts to you. Or at the very least, you could
refrain from dumping me on my ass. I’ll be bruised for a week.”

Rom just laughed and shook the proffered hand. “I’m sure you’ll

find someone willing to give you a little tender care.” Brax just

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laughed and walked over to talk to one of the observers. Rom caught
the cloak that was flung toward him. After draping it around his
shoulders, he walked over to greet his friend.

“Well, Masun, what brings you to the training yard? Not enough

work in the armory?” Masun passed him a jug of water, and he took a
long drink.

“I wish to the Goddess that was truth. I’ve more work than I can

get to in a month of Feast Days. You’ve got to tell your men to take it
a bit easier on their weapons else I’ll never get them all repaired.”

Rom laughed. “It’s hard to think about how much work we’re

causing for the armory when we’re in the midst of battle, but I’ll see
what I can do.”

Masun stood and the two men began strolling toward the Tower.

“So what really brings you by?” Rom asked.

“I just heard a disturbing rumor and thought maybe you needed a

friendly ear.” Rom saw Masun send a glance toward him.

“A rumor?” He nodded to a group of soldiers who saluted him as

they passed, his thoughts distracted. “What kind of rumor?”

“Word is that Lord Javan of Westmarch is staying in the tower

and that the two of you are working together on some project for the
king.”

Rom stopped and turned to face his friend, making sure his face

was carefully expressionless. “And?”

“Don’t try that farking shit with me, Rom. I was there, remember?

I know how you felt about him and why you left. I just wanted to
make sure you were all right.”

“Seven hells, Masun, I’m not a baby that needs to be coddled and

pampered. It’s been two years. It’s over and done. We’ve both moved
on.”

His friend’s eyes studied his face for a long moment before he

shook his head. “Now why don’t I believe that?”

Rom started walking again, his face turned straight ahead. “I don’t

know. It’s the truth. I can’t help what you do or don’t believe.”

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“You know I never did agree with your decision to part with

Javan. He was good for you. You were good together.”

Rom nodded his head. “I know. You made no secret of your

opinion at the time, Masun. In fact, if I remember correctly, you
called me a stubborn son of a cottage rat and suggested that someone
ought to beat some sense into me. I believe you even volunteered to
be that person.”

“I should have done it, too. Then maybe you wouldn’t have spent

the last two years trying to pretend that everything was fine when
both you and I know that it wasn’t. That it isn’t.”

“This is none of your business, Masun.”
“Maybe it is, and maybe it isn’t, Rom. But I’m thinking that that

black-haired devil still has you in his sights. I just want you to know
that if you need to talk or, hells, just go get stinking drunk, I’m your
man.”

They had reached the door into the tower, and Masun stopped.

Rom was touched at the man’s words, though he tried to hide it. He
reached out and clasped the other man on the shoulder. “I don’t need
to talk, Masun, but I appreciate the offer. And we don’t need any
excuse to go out and get stinking drunk. Just name the time, and I’m
there with you. I’ll even drink you under the table and live to tell the
tale.”

“Ha! In your dreams, you stubborn fool.”
Rom managed a grin. “You want to come in and share the midday

meal with us? You know you’re more than welcome.”

“No. I need to get back to the armory. Just keep in mind what I

said, all right?”

“We’ll get together soon, my friend.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” He reached to pull his coat more closely

around him. “Damned cold is going to be the death of me, I swear.”

Rom laughed and shook his head, and the two men parted ways.

By the time he’d reached his apartments, he was bone tired, both
physically and mentally. He quickly stripped out of his dirty clothes

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and managed a quick wash using the basin that stood on the table near
his bed. Once he’d dressed again in clean clothing, he sat down on the
bed and stared at the mirrored disc that hung over his clothing chest,
thinking about the events of the day before and regretting the
necessity for what he had done. He never wanted to hurt Javan, yet
somehow he always managed to do exactly that.

A knocking on the door jerked his attention from the dark

thoughts that were playing across his mind, and he eagerly rose to
answer it, needing something to take his mind off his problems.

Javan stood in the hallway, his expression stiff with discomfort.

“May I come in?”

Without speaking, Rom stood back, and Javan walked past him

and into the room. After shutting the door, Rom leaned back against it
and studied Javan as he paced across the floor to the far wall. When
Javan turned to face him, Rom could see from the paleness of his
features and the dark circles under his eyes that Javan had had a
difficult night. Rom had as well. He couldn’t stand seeing Javan
looking so ill and searched his mind for something to say that would
alleviate some of the tension, but Javan beat him to it.

“I thought we should begin working on locating our traitor. After

all, the sooner this is done, the sooner I can get back to my estates and
leave you in peace.”

Rom wanted to protest Javan’s choice of words, but knew it was

pointless. He nodded. “Where should we start?”

The tense set of Javan’s shoulders eased somewhat. “I thought the

first thing we should do is look over a list of the Gray and identify all
of the men who are Feresan or have close ties to Feresa.”

Rom agreed. “We can work in my office. It’s just down the hall.”
When they reached his office, Rom indicated that Javan should sit

at a long table opposite his desk that was surrounded by several
chairs. While he searched through his records and located the list of
men they would need, he could feel Javan’s eyes on him and

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unwittingly felt his blood stir. He shoved the feelings aside. It was
over between the two of them, and he had to remember that fact.

Finally finding the papers, he moved to join Javan at the table. He

laid the papers down and spread them out. Then he grabbed some
extra parchment along with a quill and ink and handed them to Javan.
“I’ll go through the names and find everyone from Feresa, and you
write down the ones that I tell you to. Then we’ll go over the list and
see what we have.”

Javan took the writing materials, and soon they were working

companionably. It took a while, but at last they had a list of twenty
names. Rom studied the list. “We have to find some way to narrow
this list down further. This is too many men to investigate quickly.”

Javan agreed. His eyes grew thoughtful. “According to my source,

the traitor has made several trips to Feresa over the past six months. It
is believed that he sneaks across the border into Angkesh in order to
meet with his partners.”

Rom nodded. “That will certainly help. I know for a fact several

of the men on this list have not left Winterreach in that time frame.”
Rom used the quill to cross out twelve of the names.

Javan looked consideringly at the list. “Much more manageable.”

He cast a questioning look at Rom. “I’ve heard that the queen of
Angkesh is a shape-shifting sorceress who brands all her followers
with the Dark Mark of Ang, a four-pointed star.”

Rom grimaced. “I know nothing of sorcery or shape-shifting.

Such tales are for children and old men. I have seen Queen Kalandra,
and she seems much as other people. However”—he leaned back and
rubbed a hand thoughtfully over his chin—“I do recall hearing about
such a mark. Our village was attack by Angkeshi raiders when I was a
child. This was before the border patrols were established, and the
outlying provinces were much more vulnerable. Our men captured
several of the attackers, and when they searched them, they found
each bore the mark you speak of on their upper right thigh. The
captives told our men that the queen had given them the mark as a

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sign of her favor.” He shrugged. “I have seen the mark myself on
Angkeshi that we have killed in battle.”

Rom watched as Javan stood and began to pace back and forth in

the confines of the small room. Rom stayed quiet. Knowing Javan as
he did, he realized the man was deep in thought, sifting through the
information with his keen intellect. At last he stopped and nodded, as
if coming to a conclusion.

* * * *

“We need to have each of the remaining eight men searched for

the mark.” Javan saw Rom’s mouth open as if to speak, but he raised
his hand to stop him. “I know we cannot rely on the presence of this
mark, but it won’t hurt to check. In the meantime, each of the suspects
will have to be watched carefully while we look more closely into
their affairs.”

“Agreed.” An uncomfortable silence fell over the room, and Javan

knew he had to leave before he said something he shouldn’t. “Well, I
guess that’s it for now. I’ll go tell Kelan what we’ve learned and how
we plan to proceed. You can arrange for your men to be searched for
the mark.”

He nodded briefly at Rom and headed for the door. As his hand

touched the knob, Rom spoke behind him. “Javan, I just wanted to say
that what happened yesterday…”

Javan turned, anger rising in him like a tide. “Stop, Rom. There’s

no need to rehash what has been said and done more times than I care
to remember. It’s over. You’re right. It was foolish in the extreme for
me to ever believe that you would realize your own utter stupidity on
this subject. I’ve wasted the past two years believing that you would
eventually come to your senses and realize that it is what’s inside a
man’s heart that matters, not his bloodstream. I see now how
hopelessly optimistic I was. I won’t bother you again, Captain, except
on official business for King Kelan.” He felt a pang of remorse at the

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look of defeat on Rom’s face but quickly smothered the feeling. This
was what Rom wanted. Well, he would give it to him.

“Can’t we at least be friends, Javan?” Rom’s voice held a plea for

understanding, but Javan dismissed it.

He laughed bitterly. “I don’t think so, Rom. Why would a cousin

of the king wish to be friends with someone of such inferior
bloodlines as yourself? I’ve never heard of anything more ridiculous.”
With his cruel words echoing in the room, he turned abruptly and left,
drawing the door shut with a loud thud behind him.

Out in the hallway he took a deep breath, leaning against the wall

as a brace against the pain of loss. He was giving Rom what he
wanted, but it was going to kill Javan. The two years he’d spent away
from Rom had been hard, but he’d always known in the back of his
mind that it wasn’t over between the two of them. He’d believed with
all his heart that the man would come to his senses if he was given
enough time and distance to realize just what they meant to one
another. Now, that hope was fading. Not completely gone. Not yet.
But soon, Javan feared, soon it would be, and he didn’t think he could
survive it.

Forcing himself to stand, he continued down the corridor. He had

a job to do, and he would not let his own personal drama interfere
with that job. He needed to see Kelan and tell him what they’d
decided to do.

In short order, he was knocking on the door to his cousin’s private

apartments. When he was bade to enter, he did so, striding over to
where Kelan sat in a low chair, a sleek, black cat stretched out in his
lap. His cousin’s wife, Queen Lyra, sat on a small sofa working on
her embroidery. He bowed to the queen, who paused in her work.
“Good morning, Lord Javan.”

“Your Majesty. You’re looking well,” Javan replied, giving the

queen a warm smile before turning to Kelan. “Sire, I’ve come to give
you a report on that matter you asked me to look into for you.”

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Kelan quirked a brow at him before he nodded. “Would you

excuse us, my dear?”

The queen began gathering up her sewing paraphernalia. “Of

course. I was about to return to my apartments anyway. I need some
more green thread. You will excuse me, gentlemen?”

Kelan stood as his wife rose and walked her to the door. When he

returned to his seat, he gestured for Javan to take the seat his wife had
deserted. “So tell me what you’ve learned,” Kelan ordered.

Javan complied, telling the king about the list and how they had

narrowed the number down to only eight names.

“A good beginning. And you believe that our traitor bears this

Mark of Ang?” The king sounded intrigued.

“I believe it is a good possibility, Kelan.” Javan leaned forward to

rest his elbows on his knees. “However, we are going to look closely
at each man. See if we can identify definitively those men who
traveled to Feresa recently, or if any of them seem to have more ready
coins available than seems reasonable for a member of the Gray. I’d
also like to talk to some of their friends and fellow soldiers. Oft times,
that is where the best information will come from.”

The king nodded thoughtfully. “It sounds as though you and my

captain have things well in hand. Rom has arranged for only his most
trusted men to stand guard within the palace for the time being just as
an extra precaution.”

Javan agreed with the plan. “That’s a good idea. We have no idea

what this traitor’s mission is. It could be just to gather information,
but it could have a darker purpose. An assassination attempt is not
beyond the realm of possibility.”

“I agree. Which is why I’ve doubled the guard on the queen and

my heir.” He paused. “Now, tell me how things are going between
you and Rom. Are you advancing your suit at all?”

Javan tried not to flinch at the question. He knew his frustration

and sorrow were apparent when he looked at Kelan and saw concern
darkening his eyes. “Things are not going well, I’m afraid. He hasn’t

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changed in his thinking at all. He still believes that he is unworthy to
be bonded to a member of the royal family. If I could, I would beat
some sense into him. Instead, I fear I’m going to have to give him
what he wants and leave him alone.”

Kelan’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Javan

the Bold, giving up after losing one skirmish? Every warrior knows
the battle is not won so easily, but only those who persevere will
know the sweetness of victory.”

Javan smiled weakly. “I’m not much of a soldier, but even I know

that when one leads with one’s best troops and they are cut down
ruthlessly, one must know when to surrender or else risk utter
devastation.”

Kelan shook his head. “Javan, you love him. He loves you. Do not

give in yet. Surely you have a couple of weapons still at your
disposal?”

Javan felt a stirring of the hope he thought all but gone. “Perhaps.

He didn’t look too pleased when I told him that if he didn’t want me, I
could easily find someone who did.”

“Ah, jealousy. Always a risky blade, but effective if used

correctly.”

“Do you really think Rom would be so easily fooled into believing

my affections had turned that quickly to another?”

“It is not your affections he would see you giving, but your

attention. And your lust. Surely he realizes you have not been celibate
these past years. Of course, knowing it and actually seeing it with his
own eyes is something else again. Why should you not seek comfort
in the arms of another when he has turned you away so heartlessly?”

Javan allowed himself a small smile of appreciation. “Kelan, you

sly dog. I never would have thought you’d suggest such an
underhanded trick on your most trusted warrior.”

“My most trusted warrior deserves happiness, as does every man.”

Javan saw Kelan’s eyes darken with what seemed to be remembered
pain for a moment then it was gone, and his cousin was smiling at him

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again. “Tomorrow night is the Feast of Salara, our blessed Goddess.
There will be an abundance of courtiers there. I’m sure you could find
one or two on whom to fix your interest. When he sees you paying
attention to another man, perhaps slipping into the gardens for a
private moment, I promise you, Rom won’t be able to stand it. Then
we shall see just how resolute he really is.”

Guardian’s Pride

Chapter Four

Rom entered the palace’s grand dining hall and looked around,

trying without success to pretend to himself that he wasn’t searching
for a dark head and a pair of heavy-lidded, sea-green eyes. Not seeing
any sign of Javan, he moved toward the king where he stood at the
center of a cluster of distinguished noblemen.

“Ah, Rom. I’m glad you were able to come and that your duties

with the Gray didn’t keep you from our celebration.”

“Of course, sire.”
“Have a drink.” The king gestured, and a servant quickly stepped

forward to offer Rom a glass of dark-red wine. He took a sip and
listened as Kelan spoke again. “I was just telling these gentlemen
about the newest bunch of recruits you’ve been training.”

“Yes, Captain. How does the newest crop look?” This question

came from a tall, slender man with a head full of shocking-red hair.

“My Lord Edgely.” Rom nodded a greeting. “From my

observations, I’d say we have several excellent prospects for the Gray
this season.”

“Excellent. We must keep the ranks filled. There are a few recruits

from my province, Narda, and I hope that at least one or two find their
way into the Gray.” The respect in the elderly earl’s eyes was
unmistakable. “You have a way of turning raw material into gold.”

Rom felt a rush of pleasure. “Thank you, my lord. I do my best.”
“Indeed, my boy. Even those you reject return better for the

experience. You’re a miracle worker of sorts,” a rotund, bespectacled
man standing next to Lord Edgely added. “If you ever decide you’re

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tired of being a soldier, I’d be glad to introduce you to my youngest
daughter. She needs a firm hand. Child is totally wild.”

Kelan laughed. “Are you trying to steal my captain, Rossdale?

Shame on you.”

Lord Rossdale just laughed gruffly. “Of course I am, sire.”
Rom felt a shock of realization. These men, these noblemen, were

treating him as if he were one of them. Was Javan correct? Had he
been blinded by his own pride, been too focused on his common
bloodlines to realize that he’d moved past them? He managed to reply
to Lord Rossdale, but all the while his mind was racing. “Thank you
for the offer, my lord, but my current position satisfies me quite well.”

“There.” Kelan nodded, obviously pleased. “You have your

answer, Rossdale.”

“That doesn’t mean I won’t ask again.” The old lord winked at

Rom. “The offer is always open, sir. Fresh blood in the family would
be just the thing. I’m sure you’d give me fine grandsons.”

Before he could reply, he felt a shiver of sensation and looked up

and straight into Javan’s green eyes. Instinctively he took a step
forward and then halted as he saw that his lover was not alone. A
blond head bent close to Javan’s and whispered something in his ear
that caused Javan to grin broadly and turn from Rom to say something
back to the man beside him. Then the two men disappeared from
view.

Everything within Rom screamed at him to follow them. He

needed time to reassess. His gut was churning, his mind racing. But
he didn’t have any time. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I see someone I
need to speak to.”

He nodded to the king, who gave him a gentle smile. “Of course,

Captain.”

Rom headed to the spot he’d last seen Javan, his eyes

continuously scanning the crowd. His ear caught the sound of a
familiar laugh, and he turned his head, his eyes quickly focusing on
the man he’d been searching for just as he and his blond companion

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slid out a side door. Rom followed and spotted the two men walking
down the corridor and entering another room a few doors down.

He halted, hands clenched at his sides. What was Javan doing?

Had he meant what he said? Was he moving on? Rom felt like he was
being torn in two. He’d thought he was doing the right thing. All this
time, he’d discounted the things Javan had told him. Had he been that
blind, that focused on his own beliefs that he’d completely ignored
the reality? And could he stand aside and watch as Javan found
consolation in the arms of another man? Just the thought of what
might be going on behind that closed door was enough to make him
insane. Was Javan kissing the other man? Touching him? Was he
letting that blond idiot put his hands on him?

Unable to stand it another moment, he strode forward and pushed

the door wide. The two men looked up from where they were seated
closely together on a small sofa. A quick glance revealed to Rom the
intimacy of the scene he’d interrupted. The blond man’s hand was
resting lightly against Javan’s shoulder, and Javan was leaning
slightly forward.

Rom saw Javan’s eyes flare with an emotion he couldn’t

recognize. It was quickly hidden, and a look of annoyance covered his
features.

“Yes, Captain? Is there something I can do for you?”
Rom thought quickly. “Yes, Lord Javan. I need to speak with you

about an important matter.”

“Now?” Rom saw Javan’s eyes narrow. “Can’t this wait until after

the feast? I’m a little busy right now.” Rom watched as Javan
exchanged knowing glances with the blond.

“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Rom walked over to stand in front of

the blond man, who he could now see was strikingly handsome in the
way of the nobility, his body slender, his coloring pale.

The man stood and inclined his head slightly. “Edrick Valemont,

younger son of the Count d’Estro. And of course, I know who you

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are, Captain. I don’t believe there’s anyone in Emryn unaware of Rom
Dartel, the captain of the Gray Guardians.”

“Sir Edrick.” Rom bowed back. “You don’t mind if I steal Lord

Javan from you, do you? I wouldn’t interrupt if it weren’t a matter of
some urgency.”

Rom saw reluctance on the face of the nobleman, but he finally

acquiesced. “Of course not. I would not dream of keeping you from
discussing your important business.” He turned to look down at
Javan, a warm smile curving his lips. “Perhaps we can meet again
later, Javan. Our discussion was proving quite…interesting.”

Rom watched as Javan looked up at the man. “I look forward to it,

Edrick.”

Sir Edrick gave them each a perfunctory bow before he moved to

the door. When it shut behind him, Rom walked over and turned the
key, locking them in, and then turned to face a furious Javan.

“What the hells are you trying to pull, Captain,” Javan sneered.

He stood and stamped forward angrily. “What is this matter of such
great urgency that it could not wait a few hours?”

Forcing himself to remain calm, he shrugged. “I thought you’d

want to know that we searched the men for the Mark of Ang, and
none of them bore it. However, two men are not in the city currently,
so they still have to be searched. One has gone to visit his ill father in
Feresa, and the other is carrying a message to Commander Lorn at
Redrock.”

“That’s interesting, Rom, but surely you could have waited until

tomorrow to tell me this.”

“Perhaps. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I would be interrupting such

an intimate discussion. For some reason, I thought that perhaps your
profession of love for me would have kept you from seeking another
man to warm your bed, at least for a day or two.”

He saw Javan flush. “It’s none of your business what I do, Rom.

You made the choice to sever our connection. I am free to see
whomever I choose. And to bed whomever I wish.”

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Rom felt his control begin to fray at the edges. Javan was correct.

He had no right to question Javan’s movements. Yet in his heart, he
felt like he did have that right. His conversation earlier with Lords
Rossdale and Edgely had made him doubt what he had believed for so
long. And now an overpowering jealousy was spurring him to do
what he’d longed to do for years.

* * * *

Javan wanted to crow with triumph. Kelan was right. Rom was so

jealous it was practically oozing out of his ears. But he had to move
carefully. Rom might be jealous, but that didn’t mean he’d changed
his mind about their being together.

He decided to play it low-key. Turning around, he walked back to

the sofa and sat, leaning back with one knee casually crossed over the
other. “All right. You wanted to talk about the Mark of Ang. So none
of the men had it on them? You know that doesn’t clear them. Just
because they don’t bear the Mark, they could still be in league with
someone in Angkesh.”

He saw Rom’s hands clench and then unclench slowly. Then Rom

took a deep breath and crossed to lean against the mantle of the
fireplace that burned merrily in the corner, and Javan knew that the
man was exerting amazing control over his emotions. Finally he
spoke. “Yes. I understand that. You’re having them watched,
correct?”

“My men haven’t let them out of their sight. So far there’s been

no suspicious activity. No one seems to be spending an unusual
amount of money or hanging out with strange characters. They’ve
talked to the friends and companions of our suspects, but no one
stands out.”

“So we’re getting nowhere?”
“I wouldn’t say that. We’re eliminating possibilities. And you say

that there are two men who are out of the city?”

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Rom nodded. “Gibor Vane has returned to Feresa to visit his

father who is gravely ill. And Nysan Markelich has been sent to
Redrock with an important message for Commander Lorn.”

“When will they return?” Javan tried to keep his attention on the

discussion, but he couldn’t keep himself from hungrily watching
Rom’s every move. He’d never been as conscious of another person
as he was of this man who meant the world to him.

“Nysan should return in a few days. Gibor”—Rom shook his

head—“I don’t know. He’s on compassionate leave. His father is not
expected to make it much longer. I don’t expect him to return for two
weeks or more.”

“We may have to send someone to Feresa. He could be our man.”
He saw Rom grimace. “I realize that. He’s made several trips to

Feresa over the past several months, ostensibly to be with his father
who has been ill for quite some time. I believe this places him at the
top of our list.”

Javan could tell that didn’t sit well with Rom. “The idea bothers

you?”

“I know Gibor. He joined two summers ago, and I helped in his

training. I also know his mother. She was a friend of my older sister’s.
We are all from the same small town in Feresa. The thought that he
might have betrayed my trust, might have turned traitor…” Rom
shook his head. “Yes, it bothers me.”

Javan met Rom’s gaze. “We don’t know that it’s him.”
“So far. Anyway, what should we do next?”
“All we can do is continue as we have and make sure that the king

and his wife and heir are protected.” Rom nodded in agreement.
When he didn’t say anything else, Javan knew it was time he returned
to the dining hall. “Well, if that’s all, I do have someone waiting for
me.” He stood and moved toward the door.

As he reached out to turn the key to unlock the door, Rom spoke,

his voice quiet but firm. “Would it make any difference if I said that

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I’ve learned some things tonight that have made me rethink my
previous decision?”

Javan froze but didn’t turn around, hardly daring to breathe.

“About what exactly?”

“I might have overexaggerated the difference in our bloodlines.

Maybe it doesn’t matter that you are of royal blood and I am not.
Perhaps we could be together…like you want.”

Javan could tell from the tone of Rom’s voice just what it had

taken for the man to say what he had. And it was damned hard not to
turn around and go to him. To hope that things would work out this
time. But he didn’t.

He turned slowly and met the eyes of his lover. “Might? Maybe?

I’m sorry, Rom. That’s not enough. Not anymore. When you can tell
me more than just ‘perhaps,’ come find me. Maybe I’ll still be
waiting.” With that, he pulled open the door, and left. It was one of
the hardest things he’d ever done.

He walked down the hall and, instead of turning to go back into

the dining hall, he slipped out a door that lead to a small balcony. The
cold cut through him like a knife, and he regretted that he hadn’t
thought to grab a cloak. Nevertheless, he didn’t return inside but stood
there for several minutes, allowing the chill air to fill his lungs and
fighting back the need he had to return to Rom and to the seven hells
with the consequences.

But he wasn’t willing to settle for half measures. Once, he might

have. Once, he would have taken Rom’s maybe and believed that it
was enough. Not anymore. He wanted it all. He needed it all. He
needed for Rom to come to him with a whole heart and no
reservations, believing that their love was enough. He wanted Rom to
fight for them as he fought for the king.

At last he felt calm enough to return to the feast. When he got into

the dining hall, he glanced around but didn’t see Rom. Most everyone
was already seated at the table, and Javan could see the first course

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had already been served. Edrick spotted him and waved him over,
indicating an empty seat beside him.

Moving quickly, he crossed the room to take the seat Edrick had

saved for him. Edrick smiled a greeting. “Get your business all taken
care of?”

Javan nodded and leaned back to allow the server to place a plate

in front of him. He smiled his thanks before turning to Edrick. “For
now. I’m sorry we were interrupted.”

“As am I.” Edrick smiled flirtatiously. “Perhaps we can pick up

where we left off in my apartments. The king has given me rooms
here at the palace for the night.”

Javan managed a smooth grin. “Perhaps.” He felt a bit guilty at

using Edrick to make Rom jealous, but he knew the man to be a
notorious pleasure-seeker who hopped from bed to bed. He took a bite
of the dish, not really tasting anything but determined to appear to be
enjoying himself in case Rom was watching. He made himself smile
and flirt with Edrick and laugh at his ridiculous jokes.

Kelan caught his eye and raised his brows. Javan knew that his

cousin was aware that he and Rom had disappeared together earlier.
Kelan obviously wanted to know how things were proceeding. Javan
just shrugged and shook his head. Disappointment flashed over his
cousin’s face, and he sent Javan a sympathetic smile before his
attention was captured by the queen.

The feast seemed interminable. About halfway through, he finally

caught sight of Rom returning to the room and finding a seat farther
down the table. Once Rom was seated, Javan could no longer see him.
At last the meal ended.

The king signaled that it was time for the entertainment portion of

the evening to begin. As the crowd began moving to a nearby room,
Javan rose, deciding that he’d had enough. He needed to get away
from the milling people and do some thinking. As he started to move
away, a hand caught his arm.

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He turned to meet Edrick’s warm gaze. “Are you leaving so soon,

Javan?”

He shrugged. “I’m afraid I’m not feeling well. My head is

pounding. I thought I’d return to my chambers and lie down.”

Edrick’s face fell. “Are you sure? Perhaps I could join you. We

could share a glass of wine, and I could massage your shoulders. I
imagine you would feel better in no time.”

Shaking his head, Javan pulled his arm free of Edrick’s loose

clasp. “Not tonight, Edrick. I’m sorry. I don’t believe I would be very
good company. But I’m sure it won’t take you long to find someone
to take my place.”

Edrick’s gaze narrowed, and he shot Javan a knowing look. “I

guess the rumors about you and our handsome captain of the Gray
must be right on target.”

Javan just shook his head and shrugged.
Edrick grinned. “Well, if that doesn’t work out for you two, look

me up. I think you and I could have a very good time together.”

Javan gave Edrick a reluctant smile. “No doubt.”
“I’ll walk out with you. This place is getting a bit dull. Think I’ll

try my luck at Madame Lingo’s.”

Javan laughed. “All right.”
They strolled together toward the door. A shiver of sensation

made him turn around just before he reached the exit. Looking
around, his eyes clashed with Rom’s furious brown ones. He saw
Rom’s gaze move to Edrick and then back to Javan. Javan just raised
his brows and turned to follow Edrick from the hall.

Stopping by the cloak room, he had a servant bring him his fur-

lined jacket. After parting ways with Edrick, he headed to his room in
the Gray Tower. Most of the men who were off duty had gone to
celebrate the feast in a nearby tavern, and the few who remained were
sitting around the Great Hall, playing cards and talking desultorily.
They barely spared him a glance as he crossed the room and began
climbing the stairs. Once he’d reached his apartments, he stripped off

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his clothes and threw on a lounging robe. Then he moved to stoke the
fire in an attempt to drive the chill from the room. Once that was
done, he poured himself a glass of wine and sat down in the room’s
only chair. He stared into the fire, his thoughts a confused mire of the
events from earlier in the evening.

He wondered if he had made the right decision with Rom. He

hated second-guessing himself, but so much was at stake. An hour or
more passed as he reviewed everything that had occurred and all that
had been said. He’d gone back and forth so many times on his
decision to the point that he was exhausted. Had he done the right
thing? Should he have spent more time talking to Rom, trying to
figure out the right thing to say?

Deciding that more thinking was pointless, he rose. He took a last

drink of wine and set the glass aside, shaking his head at the sight of
the empty bottle. He swayed slightly, and realized he was more than a
little drunk. It was definitely time to head to bed. He’d look at things
again in the morning when he was fresh and his thoughts weren’t so
jumbled.

He’d taken two steps toward his bedroom when a knock at the

door halted him in his tracks. Had Edrick decided to try his luck
again? Maybe he’d not found anything to his liking at Madame
Lingo’s. Javan shook his head and moved to the door. The man
obviously didn’t know how to take no for an answer. Well, Javan
would just have to straighten him out. Edrick was too damn handsome
for his own good. A rejection was probably just what he needed to
bring him down a peg or two. He summoned a grin to his lips and
pulled the door open before coming to a complete stop, stunned. Rom
stood in the hall, a look of angry resolution on his face.

Guardian’s Pride

Chapter Five

Rom brushed past Javan, his eyes scouring the room in search of

that effeminate fool that Javan had left the feast with. When he didn’t
spot the blond man, he barked out, “Where is he? In the bedroom?”

“Who?” Javan stood near the door, a teasing smile on his face that

made Rom even angrier. He knew he was acting like an idiot, but he
couldn’t seem to stop himself. When he’d seen Javan leave with that
other man, he’d wanted to kill someone. Rage and jealousy had filled
him at the thought of what the two men were doing together. He’d
started drinking, trying to drown out the picture of Javan in the other
man’s arms, kissing him and touching him the way he’d touched
Rom. The more he’d drunk, the angrier he’d become, until he finally
couldn’t stand it any longer.

He flung open the door to the bedroom, but it was empty. He

stalked inside, bending down to look under the bed and looking inside
the trunk that stood in the corner. There was no sign of the other man.
When he turned around, Javan was leaning against the doorjamb,
staring at him like he’d lost his mind. “Who are you looking for?”

Rom strode over to Javan, stopping mere inches from the man.

“You know damn well who. Where is that blond idiot that you left the
feast with? Or have you two already finished? That didn’t take long,
did it? Maybe he wasn’t quite as good as you thought he’d be.”

He saw realization dawn on Javan’s face and briefly wondered at

his lover’s slow perception. Usually Javan was two steps ahead of
everyone else. But he didn’t wonder long, because Javan shrugged.
“What do you care, Rom? Isn’t he the type of man you seem to think I
need? His bloodlines are quite acceptable, I assure you.”

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Rom exploded. He grabbed Javan by the shoulders and shoved his

back against the wall beside the door, leaning in so that his body
pressed solidly against the other man’s more slender frame. “Don’t lie
to me, Javan. Did you fuck him? Did you let him paw you like some
cheap whore in some back-alley tavern? Did you?”

Rom knew he’d lost it, but he was just drunk enough not to care.

The images that kept running through his mind of Javan with another
man were torturing him. He needed to imprint himself on the other
man so deeply that Javan could never stand to have anyone else touch
him but Rom.

His lips closed over Javan’s in a hard, rough kiss. He forced his

way into Javan’s mouth, his tongue delving deep and claiming what
he considered his. Vaguely he felt the other man’s hands on his waist,
whether pulling him closer or pushing him away, he couldn’t tell. All
he knew was that Javan’s mouth was as sweet tasting as honey, and
Rom couldn’t get enough. He moved his hands up to slide through
Javan’s hair, slanting his head to get a better angle as he took the the
kiss even deeper.

He released Javan’s mouth and kissed down his neck, his tongue

flicking out to lick over the tender skin, even as his hands shoved
aside the loose robe to reach the hot, soft skin beneath. Javan moaned,
spurring Rom’s passion higher. He slid his mouth lower, across
Javan’s collarbone and down, to lick over one hard male nipple.
Javan’s chest was smooth and hairless, and Rom’s hands explored it
eagerly, remapping familiar territory, claiming what he knew without
a doubt was his. He bit lightly on Javan’s nipple and felt Javan arch
into him.

Reaching down, he closed his hand around Javan’s erection,

tugging on it lightly. His mouth moved to the other nipple to give it
the same attention as the first. He could hear his lover muttering softly
under his breath, but Rom couldn’t make out the words. He rose up to
cover Javan’s mouth again with his own. This time there was no
doubt of his reception. Javan’s lips parted eagerly for the domination

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of Rom’s mouth. Rom felt Javan’s lips close around his tongue,
suckling on it and driving Rom crazy with need.

His fingers released Javan’s cock to move lower, cupping his balls

in one hot hand, caressing and rubbing the tight flesh. His mouth ate
at Javan’s, leaving no crevice or crease untouched. When he pulled
back, they were both breathing heavily. Javan’s eyes opened slowly to
meet his. There was hardly any green left in them, the dark pupils
huge with desire and need. Rom continued to caress Javan’s balls,
rolling them between his fingers, before releasing them to take hold
again of his lover’s straining erection. He stroked that heated rod, his
eyes never leaving Javan’s, needing to see the man lose all control.

“Farking hells, Rom, I’m going to explode.”
Rom leaned down so that his forehead touched Javan’s, his eyes

gazing deeply into those green-rimmed pools of black. “I want you to,
Jav. I want you to come all over my hand. Give me your seed.”

With those words, Javan climaxed, spewing his fluids over Rom’s

fingers just as he’d requested. Rom continued to pump Javan’s cock
until the last spurt fell from the erupting tip. Then he lifted his hand
and licked each drop from his skin, his eyes holding Javan’s as he
relished the taste of this man’s juices.

“G–Goddess, that’s sexy,” Javan stuttered, and Rom grinned,

covering the man’s mouth and sharing the salty-sweet flavor with
him.

When Rom pulled back, Javan’s eyes followed him eagerly. He

pushed Javan’s robe to the floor and pulled him away from the wall.
Scanning the room quickly, he saw what he was looking for, a bottle
of body oils sitting on the shelf above the trunk.

He grabbed the bottle and returned to where Javan stood next to

the bed. Rom pushed him forward so that his hands were flat on the
mattress. Using his feet, he kicked Javan’s legs wide so that his ass
was open and vulnerable to whatever Rom wanted to do to it. He
opened the bottle of oil and dribbled it over Javan’s ass so that it
trickled down into the crevice where his anal bud lay. After pouring

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some of the oil over his own straining erection, he closed the bottle
and tossed it onto the bed. He rubbed the oil over his cock before
using both hands to massage the slick liquid over Javan’s ass cheeks
and into the tight opening. He pushed a finger inside, stroking deep
and adding a second finger. His other hand reached between Javan’s
legs to finger his balls, coating them with the oil as well. Then he
leaned forward and rubbed his hardness against Javan’s ass, not
penetrating, just allowing himself to slide into the slight cavern
created by the plump mounds of flesh.

He leaned down, burying his face against his lover’s neck and

pumping himself against Javan. The friction was delicious, and he had
to force himself not to come all over Javan’s back. He could hear
Javan’s harsh breathing, loud in the small room. “You’re mine, Javan.
You belong to me, and after tonight, there will be no question of other
men, other lovers. Do you understand?” He ground out the words
against Javan’s ear, and he saw the man’s head nod. “Good. Now, I’m
going to fuck your ass because it’s mine. I own it.” With that he lifted
himself up. He grasped his cock in his hand and directed it to that
puckered hole. Pressing firmly, he breached the tight anal ring and
sank slowly into that clasping tunnel. He heard Javan’s keening moan
as he took him completely.

“Farking hells, Javan. You have the tightest ass. I love it. I love

fucking you, feeling you close like a fist around me.” With that, Rom
pulled out almost completely, until nothing but the tip of his erection
remained within Javan’s body. He thrust forward again, sinking once
more balls-deep into his lover. Then Rom started to move in a slow
but steady rhythm. He felt Javan push back against him with each
stroke. The two men moved in a synchronous cadence, both striving
toward the same goal. Their moans and whimpers filled the room.
Rom whispered his delight in Javan’s response, showering him with
words of love as his thrusts gradually sped up faster and faster. At last
Rom’s patience was exhausted, and he thrust harder until he felt his

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balls draw up into tight sacs against his body. Then he was coming,
his loud cry of release filling his own ears.

He remained buried in Javan for several long moments, leaning

his head against the man’s sweat-soaked shoulder and attempting to
get his breathing under control. Javan was trembling, and Rom knew
his lover was about to collapse. His own legs trembled from his
exertions. He withdrew his cock and found Javan’s washing rag
draped over the side of his water basin. Dipping it into the tepid
water, he efficiently cleaned them both up before helping his lover
under the covers. In short order, he joined him, pulling Javan close.
Then he surrendered to sleep.

* * * *

Javan awakened to the feel of a hard, warm body pressed firmly

against his own. He lifted his head and discovered that he was
cuddled close against Rom, his head had been resting on Rom’s broad
shoulder, and his right leg was flung over the man’s thighs. The wine-
befuddled confusion in his brain had left him, and he couldn’t stop
himself from wondering what had driven Rom into his arms. Was it
merely jealousy at the thought of another man, or had Rom actually
decided to surrender to the feelings that he and Javan had for one
another? He had smelled the liquor on Rom’s breath, tasted it when
they kissed. Perhaps Rom was just too drunk to know what he was
doing. Goddess knew, Javan hadn’t exactly been sober himself.

Whatever the reason, he was here, warm and beautiful in Javan’s

bed, and Javan couldn’t resist the temptation to sample more of his
lover’s masculine treasures. As he looked up into Rom’s slumbering
features, he smiled wickedly. Easing away from Rom’s body, he sat
up and found the discarded bottle of oil that was lying on the floor
beside the bed. He poured a dollop into his palm and then began
spreading it over Rom’s chest, his fingers lingering over the muscled
wall with its light dusting of dark hair. He followed that trail down

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over a firm stomach, each defined ridge indicating the time Rom
spent in physical training. Javan had never seen such a beautiful,
strong body, and it fascinated him, so different from his own wiry
slenderness. Rom’s skin was dark against his own fairness, and that
emphasized even more Rom’s physicality, speaking of the hours the
man spent outdoors.

His hand traced back up to circle the male nipples. Fascinated, he

watched as they firmed into hard tips. Unable to resist, he bent to let
his tongue flick over each point, coating them with his saliva and then
suckling them lightly. He moved down, his mouth following the path
his hands had taken earlier, until he reached Rom’s cock. The large
rod had lain limp against Rom’s thigh when Javan began his
explorations but was beginning to stir and harden with each new
caress from Javan’s fingers and lips. Resisting the desire to cover that
hardness with his mouth, he bypassed it, trailing down Rom’s hard
thighs, dropping kisses and sly licks whenever a particular spot caught
his fancy. He pushed Rom’s legs apart and gazed at his ball sac. A
sound drew his eyes up, and he met Rom’s golden-brown gaze.

“Don’t stop, Jav,” he uttered in a harsh growl, and Javan smiled.
“Never,” he whispered in answer before opening his mouth and

engulfing the head of Rom’s cock.

“Farking hells,” Rom barked as Javan began sucking lightly,

letting his tongue delve into the narrow slit and then stroking across
the sensitive spot beneath the head. His hands weren’t still, sliding up
and down Rom’s legs, urging them to part further. Rom’s hands came
up to spear through his hair, urging him to take more of that straining
rod. Javan allowed Rom to guide him, swallowing more and more of
Rom’s cock. When the tip hit the back of his throat, he paused a
moment to overcome the gag reflex, then he swallowed, feeling the
shaft slide down his throat until his face was buried into the curls that
surrounded the base of Rom’s erection. He heard Rom groan.

He backed off before taking him deep once more. Javan held Rom

inside his mouth, swallowing several times. Finally he eased Rom’s

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cock from his throat and began using his hands and mouth to bring
Rom closer and closer to climax, his movements shorter now, but fast.
It didn’t take long before he felt the first spasms of Rom’s climax
hitting the back of his throat, and he swallowed each spurt down
eagerly, relishing his lover’s taste and moans of pleasure.

When he sat up, he saw that Rom was lying limply on the bed, his

eyes closed and hands splayed wide. He loved seeing him like this,
totally and completely at Javan’s mercy. He slid up his lover’s body
and nuzzled against the man’s throat, licking a stroke over the pulse
that was jumping wildly against his skin.

Lifting up, he gazed down into Rom’s face. Rom’s eyes flickered

open. “Turn over,” Javan whispered.

Rom stiffened slightly. Javan knew why. In all the times they

were together, Rom had always been the dominant partner. He’d been
the one to take his pleasure in Javan’s rear tunnel, never the other way
around. Javan had been content to allow it, knowing it was difficult
for Rom to give up that control. But now Javan wanted more. He
wanted to conquer his lover as he himself had been conquered.

“I want you, Rom. I love you. I need to have you in every way

possible. Turn over.” Javan was adamant. At last, he felt Rom’s
movement as he complied with Javan’s request. Javan rubbed his
hand down Rom’s back and across the mounds of his ass. His ass
cheeks clenched against Javan’s touch, protecting the vulnerable flesh
beneath. Javan leaned down to whisper into Rom’s ear. “Relax. You
know I would never hurt you. Give me this.”

Gradually Rom’s muscles unclenched, and Javan spent a few

minutes just petting the man, soothing his nerves. Then he moved to
grab the bottle of oil again, pouring more into his hand. He began
massaging Rom’s stiff shoulders, using his fingers to ease the knots of
tension. Moving lower, he kept his motions steady and slow, and he
felt Rom’s body relaxing into the strokes. When he reached his
buttocks, he didn’t alter his pace, just continued the same rhythmic
pace. His fingers delved into the crevice, stroking over Rom’s anal

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ring. He poured more oil and coated his fingers well, before pressing
against that tight circle. One finger eased inside, just breaching the
entrance. He felt Rom’s shudder.

“You okay?” He needed to know his lover was enjoying this as

much as he was.

Rom nodded, and Javan smiled. “Good.” He pressed harder, and

his finger slid in all the way. Rom exhaled heavily. “You are so
amazing, Rom. So hot and sweet.” He slid another finger in to join the
first, using them to open Rom for the possession of his cock.

When he pulled his fingers free, he poured another dollop of oil

into his hands and quickly coated his cock, which was so swollen with
need, he was afraid that he would go off like a callow youth before
he’d even breached Rom’s tunnel. Then he was pressing against that
ring. He felt Rom tense again and backed off. “Relax. Breathe out and
press down. Come on, Rom. You know how to do this. Goddess
knows, you’ve instructed me often enough.”

He gripped Rom’s hip and urged him to his knees. He felt the

tight barrier to his entrance ease somewhat and, taking advantage,
pushed forward. A heartbeat later, he’d breached the barrier and was
sliding deep. He heard Rom’s husky growl and paused, but then Rom
muttered, “For the Goddess’s sake, don’t stop, Jav.” With those
words, Javan pressed all the way in.

Javan was buried deep into his lover for the first time. Rom’s huge

body was trembling beneath his, Javan knew, from the pleasure of
possession. Giving Rom a moment to become accustomed to the rod
invading his rear entrance, he leaned down and dropped a kiss on
Rom’s shoulder. When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he began to
move, slowly at first, but gradually building up speed. Rom thrust
back against him, letting Javan know without words just how much
the man was enjoying the experience.

Javan knew he wouldn’t last long. His hands clenched on Rom’s

hips as he began thrusting harder, reaching for that ultimate peak. He
felt Rom’s muscles clench around him, and that was all it took to

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trigger his climax. He exploded, sending spurt after spurt of his seed
into Rom’s welcoming body. He stayed there until he was empty, then
he pulled his cock free and fell in an exhausted heap to one side. Rom
collapsed to the bed beside him.

When he felt steady enough, he reached over to pull Rom’s head

toward him. Their lips met in a sweet tangle of tongues. “Thank you,”
Javan whispered against Rom’s mouth.

Rom pulled back and grinned lazily. “No, thank you.” His face

grew serious. “It’s been a long time since I allowed myself to be that
vulnerable to another person, Javan. I want you to know, you’re the
only one I could ever be that way with now. I love you. I haven’t said
it in a long time, but it’s the truth. You’re my heart. My life. I can’t let
you go again.”

Javan took a deep breath, afraid to believe what Rom was saying

because he wanted it so badly. “Are you sure it’s not just the liquor
talking, Rom?”

Rom shook his head. “When I saw you with that other man

tonight, Jav, it almost killed me. I knew then that I could never let you
go. I just had a hard time admitting it to myself. But I’m finished
fighting what I feel for you. If you still want me, I’m yours.”

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Chapter Six

Rom looked into Javan’s face and saw tears brimming in his eyes.

The joy and happiness he saw there brought home to him exactly
what his rejection had done to Javan all these years. He’d been trying
to protect the man he loved, but instead, he’d hurt him, and that was
something it would take him a long time to forgive himself for.

He pulled Javan close, kissing him deeply, trying to show him just

how much he loved him and wanted to be with him. His eyes had
been opened, not only by the comments at the feast the night before,
but also by his own reaction to seeing Javan with someone else.
Edrick was a man of Javan’s own class, but Rom knew that Edrick or
someone like him would never care for Javan as Rom himself did.
Rom would protect Javan with his life and do anything in his power to
make him happy. But most of all, Javan’s own determination to be
with him had shown him that what they had was worth fighting for.

It hadn’t been easy to change his way of thinking, Goddess knew.

Events in his past, he realized now, had dictated his perception of the
future. Pushing himself up, he used the pillow to prop himself against
the headboard. He reached out a hand and ran a caressing stroke
across Javan’s cheek. Javan leaned his head into that touch, somehow
sensing that Rom needed his comfort and support. He searched for a
way to explain to Javan why he had been so determined to keep them
apart. At last he spoke. “I know you never understood my reservations
to our being together. You were always so damned certain that I was
wrong and that everything would work out. I need to explain to you
why I did what I did.” He paused.

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“You told me that it was because people would never accept us as

a couple.” Rom shook his head, but Javan continued. “What made me
so angry and hurt was that you wouldn’t even give us a chance.”

Rom nodded. “It was never my intention to hurt you. I thought

that what I was doing was the best thing for you. I never wanted you
to regret our being together, to be ashamed to be with me once you
saw the way your friends and relatives reacted.”

Javan turned to him. “I would never be ashamed of you. What did

I ever do to give you that impression? I’ve never cared what anyone
else thought. All I cared about was you.”

Rom reached for Javan’s hand and wove his fingers through it.

“It’s not anything you did or said. It’s something that happened to me
a long time ago, when I was very young and naive.”

He saw the surprise come over Javan’s face at that piece of

information. It was something he’d never shared with anyone else. He
didn’t like to think about the period of his life just before he became a
member of the Gray, or what had truly motivated him to join that
company, but he needed for Javan to understand the reason he’d been
so adamant that things between them were hopeless. “When I was
fifteen years old, I fell in love with the son of a local baron. Ozias was
two years older than I was. Very handsome and outgoing. He was
everything I thought I’d ever want in a lover. I thought we were
meant to be together always.”

He saw the surprise on Javan’s face at the direction the

conversation was taking before a look of slow understanding began to
dawn. “He was your first?”

Rom nodded. “It’s hard to imagine how innocent I was back then,

but I truly thought he loved me. That it was just a matter of time
before we bonded. We met in secret, of course. The son of a baron
and the son of a peasant farmer had few opportunities to socialize
together. I thought it was all very romantic. A forbidden love. We had
a special place on his father’s property, a little cabin, where we would
meet whenever we could. He gave me gifts, made me feel like the

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most special person in the world. He told me he loved me.” He shook
his head at his own blindness. “I wanted to be with him forever. I had
visions of us buying a little house and living happily ever after.” Rom
laughed harshly at his own gullibility. “I was aware of the difference
in our station, but I was certain that obstacle could be overcome.
When the recruiter came for the Guardians of the Gray, I thought that
was the answer. That if I became a member of such an elite squad,
there would be no obstacles to our being together. His family would
have to accept me then. Without telling anyone what I planned, I
signed on with the recruiter and left the next day.”

“What happened?” Javan asked softly.
Rom had to swallow against the emotions that were tightening his

throat as the memories crowded into his head. “I wasn’t prepared for
how hard the training would be or how long it would take. I returned
home a year later finally a full-fledged member of the company. That
was the earliest I could get leave from the Gray. I’d written several
letters to Ozias in that time, but he hadn’t replied. I thought he was
probably angry with me for leaving without telling him, and that once
I returned, everything would be fine.” He cleared his throat.

“Go on.”
Rom felt the waves of empathy coming from Javan, and it helped

him continue. “When I arrived back in my village, all dressed in my
company regalia, my family was glad to see me even though I had
disappointed my father with my decision. I’d never really expressed
any desire to be a soldier. It had always been sort of understood that I
would continue to help him and my brothers on the farm. He felt as if
I’d rejected his life and the farm that had been in our family for
generations. It was…difficult, but I thought it all worth it because I
could go to Ozias on a more equal footing, be someone he could
introduce to his family without shame. But when I went to see him, it
didn’t turn out at all like I had imagined it would. When I told him
what I had done and why, he basically laughed in my face. He told me
that it didn’t matter that I was now in the Gray. I would always have

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peasant blood in my veins, and that wouldn’t change no matter what I
did. He said that he’d enjoyed our time together, but it wasn’t serious.
He’d gotten a thrill initiating me into a sexual relationship, but it was
over. He’d moved on.”

“What a farking asshole.”
Rom laughed. That was such a typically Javan response. “Yes, he

is.”

“He also informed me that he was betrothed to the daughter of a

neighboring baron, and that they were going to be married within the
year. She would bring a lot of land and coin to his family coffers and
give him sons to carry on his father’s title. But he did say that he
wouldn’t be averse to our getting together occasionally whenever I
returned home because he had enjoyed our lovemaking. I had been an
apt student.”

Javan lay his head down against Rom’s shoulder. “What did you

do?”

“What could I do? I told him that there was no way in seven hells

that I would ever consider such a thing. Then I stormed out. I left my
village the next day and didn’t return for years. My family didn’t
understand what had happened, and it created a distance with them
that it has taken me a long time to overcome.”

Rom felt Javan’s arms curl around his waist. “Rom, I’m so sorry

that you had to experience that, but I’m not sorry that Ozias rejected
you.”

Rom turned to look at Javan, stunned that he would say such a

thing. “For the Goddess’s sake, why?”

“Because if he had accepted you, had been the man he should

have been, then you wouldn’t be here with me now.”

Rom’s heart melted. “Jav, I love you so much.”
“I assure you, Captain, the feeling is entirely mutual.”
“You’re worth a hundred of Oziases. Hells, a thousand. I’ve never

looked at that experience as anything positive, but you’re right. I’d
much rather have you now than to have had him then. What I thought

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I felt for Ozias is nothing compared to my feelings for you. I thought I
was in love then, but it was just a boy’s dream of love. The man I am
now knows what it is to truly love someone, and that someone is you,
Lord Javan of Westmarch. Will you bond with me?”

Rom could see the joy that filled Javan’s eyes, and he knew the

same was reflected in his own.

“Just name the day for the bonding ceremony, and I’m there,

Rom. It’s all I’ve wanted, all I’ve planned for. I love you.” Their lips
met in a kiss that was a pledge for their future together and a
reaffirmation of their love.

* * * *

Javan got up early the next morning to meet with one of the spies

he had looking into the finances of the men they suspected might be
the traitor. Shon told Javan what he had learned, and Javan knew that
Rom was going to be upset by the news. He returned back to his
rooms and found Rom awake and getting dressed.

He walked over and slid his arms around Rom’s waist, nuzzling

the side of his neck. “Good morning.”

Rom turned around and smiled, dropping a light kiss on Javan’s

mouth. “Good morning to you, too. I was disappointed when I woke
this morning, and you weren’t here.”

“Believe me, I hated to leave you sleeping so soundly, but I had to

meet with one of my men. He sent me a message that he had news.”

Rom quirked a brow in question. “News about the traitor?”
Javan nodded. “You’re not going to like it, Rom, but apparently

Gibor has been flashing around quite a bit of extra coin lately. He
claims that his father gave him the money as part of his inheritance.”

“Seven hells, I was afraid you were going to bring me news I

didn’t want to hear.”

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“I am sorry, Rom.” Javan reached out a hand to clasp Rom’s

shoulder. “I know you have a connection to Gibor, but it’s looking
more and more like he’s the one we’ve been searching for.”

Rom shook his head. “It’s not your fault, Jav. I’ve known that

there was a strong possibility that Gibor was the traitor. I don’t know
what this will do to his family. They are good people. And if it’s true
that Gibor’s father is dying, then this will just add to their sorrow. I
can’t understand what would make someone like Gibor betray his
own people.”

“Sometimes it’s hard to know what motivates people to act as they

do. And even those from the best families don’t always do what is
right and honorable.”

“I know.” His jaw firmed. “If it is him, I want to be the one to tell

his family. It’s the least I can do for them.”

Javan nodded, understanding the honor and integrity that drove

Rom. It was one of the things that had made him fall in love with the
man. “Of course.”

Rom finished dressing and looked over at Javan. “Well, there’s

nothing else to be done. I’ll send one of my men to Feresa to bring
Gibor back. We need to search him for the mark.”

Javan nodded then, wanting to take Rom’s mind from the painful

news, he linked his arm through Rom’s. “Have you eaten? Because
I’m hungry as a wild Westmarch boar.”

Rom smiled, though his eyes still held a shadow, and agreed.

“Let’s go down and join the men for breakfast. You’d best be getting
used to soldiers’ table manners.”

Javan laughed.
When Javan and Rom went downstairs hand in hand to join the

men for breakfast, there were more than a few raised brows and sly
grins exchanged. They joined Rom’s lieutenants and senior men at the
head table. After they’d been served and had begun eating, Rom’s
men started teasing their captain on his newfound happiness.

“Seven hells, Rom, you need to tone it down.”

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Rom looked at the man questioningly. “Tone what down,

Varian?”

“That glow of happiness. It’s blinding me.”
All the men laughed, and Rom blushed and then grinned.

“Jealous, Varian?”

“Absolutely, Captain.”
Rom and Javan exchanged smiles. The man sitting directly across

from Rom gagged. “Goddess’s sakes, Captain, you’re going to make
me lose my appetite with all your cooing and billing.”

Rom shot him a look. “Well, Lael, perhaps that means you should

pull recruit training duty today. I believe it’s a ten-mile hike to
Halsin’s Creek and back carrying a loaded pack.”

The man looked thunderstruck. “Never mind. I think my

appetite’s come back.” With that he began wolfing down his lanis
bread and cheese as the other men roared with laughter. Javan saw
Rom smile, but then his face grew serious.

“Actually, Lael, I have another assignment for you.”
Lael quickly registered his captain’s change of tone, and his brows

lowered. “Yes, Captain?”

“I need you to travel to Feresa and bring back Gibor Vane.”
“Sir?”
Javan could tell the man was surprised. He and Rom exchanged

glances. Javan knew that Rom was silently asking his permission to
tell his senior men what was going on. Nodding his agreement, Javan
sat back to observe the reactions of the soldiers as Rom detailed the
threat to the throne and the presence of a traitor in their midst. He saw
nothing suspicious in the reactions of Rom’s most trusted men. Their
faces held shock, anger, and determination by the time Rom was
finished.

Lael shook his head. “I can’t believe it, Captain. Gibor is a loyal

Emrynian. I’ve spent time with the boy, and I know that you’re wrong
about him.”

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Javan watched as Rom nodded grimly. “That’s why I want you to

go after him. I know that you will want to discover the truth as much
as I do. We need him here, whether he’s guilty or innocent.”

Lael agreed. “I’ll bring him back for you. My vow as a Guardian.

But it will take a while. It’s a four-day ride there and then another
four back, at the very least. And the weather conditions are not the
best for traveling right now.”

Javan added. “It will be difficult to get him to return because of

his father’s illness, but you need to make sure that he comes right
away. The sooner we resolve this, the better off we’ll all be.”

Rom spoke again. “You’ll leave today. Take the fastest horse the

stables have.”

Lael nodded his head. “Yes, sir.”
Conversation at the table continued around them as everyone

finished their breakfast. Lael departed as soon as he was finished to
go pack for his journey. Rom and Javan left to tell the king what new
information they had discovered. As they walked to the palace, Javan
felt Rom’s gaze on him. He looked up and noticed the look of
trepidation on Rom’s face. “What?”

“Are you going to tell Kelan about us?”
“Of course. He’ll be pleased that his plan worked.”
Javan smiled at the look of surprise Rom shot him. “Plan?”
“Who do you think told me I should try to make you jealous?”
Rom’s brows lifted almost into his hairline. “You did that on

purpose?”

Javan laughed. “Damned right. I knew I had to do something to

get you to admit to yourself that we belonged together.”

“And Kelan was in on it?”
Javan could see that Rom was having difficulty assimilating the

fact that his king had plotted his downfall.

“The whole thing was his idea. He’s known practically from the

beginning how I felt about you, but he didn’t want to interfere. When

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he saw how determined I was to make you change your mind, he was
glad to help.”

“The king doesn’t mind?”
Javan realized then why Rom was so stunned. He stopped walking

and laid his hand on Rom’s arm. “He loves you, you great fool. Truth
is, he’s not sure that I’m worthy of you.”

Rom just shook his head, and Javan couldn’t resist leaning

forward and planting a quick but thorough kiss on his parted lips, in
front of the Goddess and everybody.

Rom seemed to realize where they were because he shot a glance

around, looking dazed and uncomfortable at the amused attention they
were getting from passersby.

“Seven hells, Javan,” he muttered, his face flushing a dull red.
Javan chuckled and pulled him forward so that they continued into

the palace. When they arrived at the king’s private chambers, Javan
knocked a couple of times on the door. Kelan’s command to enter
came quickly. Javan linked his fingers through Rom’s and pulled him
through the door.

The king’s face lit up as they walked into the room. With a quick

glance, he took in their linked hands and the smiles on their faces and
gave them both a huge grin. “Well, it’s about farking time,” said the
king of the realm.

Guardian’s Pride

Chapter Seven

Rom lay in his warm bed, the feel of Javan curved against him

making him reluctant to rise and dress as he knew he would soon have
to. The past several days had flown by. The first thing Rom had done
was arrange for Javan’s things to be moved into his apartments. It
marked the beginning of their life together, and Rom couldn’t believe
how pleased he was to see their clothing trunks side by side in the
bedroom and Javan’s books and toiletries next to his on the shelf.
He’d been concerned that Javan would balk at living in the Tower. It
was not luxurious accommodations by any stretch of the imagination.

Though the captain’s apartments were larger than any others in

the Tower, consisting of a large bedroom, a living and eating area, a
second bedroom, and a small study, they still weren’t even close to
what Javan must be used to as a son of one of the wealthiest families
in the kingdom. But Javan had just laughed when Rom raised the
issue of their living in the palace instead. He said that the Tower was
perfect, and if he found himself needing a bit of luxury, he could
always go visit his cousin, the king, who lived right next door.
Besides, living in the Tower there was always someone to talk to and
spend time with when Rom was busy with his duties. Rom had
assigned Javan one of the offices near his own so that Javan would be
able to continue to manage the spy network he had created and was
pleased when Javan announced himself quite content with the
arrangement.

They’d made plans for their bonding ceremony, which would be

delayed until Rom’s and Javan’s families could join them in
Winterreach in a few weeks. Winter storms had made the roads

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difficult, so Rom had a little more time to prepare himself to meet
Javan’s relatives, something he was dreading. Even though Kelan had
offered to perform the ceremony, and Rom had been very honored
and touched, Rom was still nervous about how the rest of Javan’s
family was going to react to finding out about his own family line.
Javan had assured him that they would welcome him with open arms,
and Kelan had given them his full support, which was bound to carry
a great deal of influence, but Rom was still nervous.

On the brighter side, he and Javan were able to spend a lot of time

together, rebuilding the closeness they had once known, and he knew
that his men had seen a huge change in him and in his attitude. They’d
teased him unmercifully for a day or two, but he could see that they
were happy for him and had easily accepted Javan into their circle.
Rom found himself smiling more often and taking time for himself
where, before, his whole focus had been his work. He still put in long
hours, but he was learning to delegate more to his lieutenants, who
seemed to be reveling in their new responsibilities.

In addition to getting their personal issues resolved, Rom and

Javan were kept busy gathering information on the suspected traitor.
As Javan’s spy network discovered more facts, they were able to
definitely eliminate most of the men and were finally left with the
same two men, Gibor and Nysan, who had been their prime suspects
practically from the beginning. As they learned more details, Rom
was disappointed to realize that it looked like Gibor was, in fact, the
man they were looking for. Of course, Nysan hadn’t been completely
eliminated yet, but Rom believed it was only a matter of time. Nysan
was still at Redrock, and they hadn’t been able to talk with him yet or
examine him for the mark, but Rom was afraid that was an exercise in
futility. Everything he’d learned pointed to Gibor as the guilty party.

Rom finally forced himself to rise from the warm nest of his bed

and into the chill morning air, leaning down to drop a kiss on Javan’s
forehead. The other man stirred slightly but quickly settled back down
into sleep. Fondly, Rom watched him for a moment before turning to

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gather his clothing. He dressed warmly and left the apartments,
heading downstairs to grab a loaf of bread and wedge of cheese for a
quick breakfast. He was expected on the training grounds for some
early sword practice this morning, and so he didn’t sit down with the
others but merely waved to them as he passed through on his way out
the door.

The training session went well. He spent an hour leading the

recruits through a series of maneuvers, demonstrating when needed
and pairing up with them so that he was better able to judge their
abilities. It was tiring but exhilarating as well, and he quite enjoyed
himself. When he finally turned them over to one of the other trainers,
he was breathing hard and a sheen of sweat covered his forehead,
even in the cold morning air.

He was just crossing past the stable, headed back to the Tower,

when he heard someone calling his name. He turned and saw Lord
Rossdale moving to intercept him. He stopped and waited for the
nobleman to reach him.

“Captain, it’s good to see you this morn.” Lord Rossdale’s plump

figure was enveloped in an expensive, fox-pelt cloak.

“My lord.” He bowed slightly in greeting. “You’re up early.”
“Yes, yes. I bought a new stallion to breed with my favorite mare,

and he just arrived this morning. I couldn’t wait to check on him and
see how he handled the journey. Even skipped my breakfast I was so
eager.”

“A new stallion?” Rom’s interest was piqued.
The earl nodded. “A prime specimen from Tiverna. Would you

like to see him?”

Rom couldn’t resist taking a look. Tiverna was a province well

known for its unparalleled horseflesh. Together the two men strolled
to the stable and down the row of stalls until they reached the one that
held the earl’s new purchase. Rom was impressed when he saw the
chestnut stallion, and he told Lord Rossdale so.

“Thank you, my boy.” The man puffed up with pride.

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The stallion walked over to the stall door and nudged against Lord

Rossdale’s shoulder. The earl laughed. “Eh…he’s already learned I
always have a treat in my pocket.” The man’s hand went beneath his
cloak and came out with two sugar cubes, which he held out. The
horse delicately lipped the cubes from the earl’s hand, and the earl
stroked a fond hand over the white blaze that streaked its face.

Tentatively Rom broached a subject that he’d been wondering

about. “My lord, the night of the Feast of Salara, you mentioned
something about my marrying one of your daughters.”

Lord Rossdale grinned. “You don’t need to worry, my boy. I

know quite well where you true interest lies. Though it’s a shame. I
don’t suppose you have any unattached brothers like yourself, do
you?”

Rom shook his head. “All my brothers are wed, I’m afraid.” He

hesitated a moment. “My lord, you do realize that my family are
tenant farmers in Feresa, don’t you?”

The earl was rubbing the horse’s ears and turned to him

distractedly. “Hmmm? Oh, yes. I was aware of that fact.”

“And you wouldn’t have a problem marrying one of your

daughters to a peasant?” Rom waited on tenterhooks as the man took
his time answering.

At last he turned to cast a shrewd glance at Rom. “I wouldn’t

mind in the least, Captain. Oh, I know there’s some who are very
conscious of bloodlines. Highfalutin, I call them. Got their noses
stuck so far up in the air they can’t see themselves tripping in a rabbit
hole. Their lines are drying up, too. Bunch of inbred fools. No, fresh
blood is the answer. Got to keep the lines strong.” His face grew
serious. “I know why you’re asking, and I’ll tell you this. Most will
accept the bond between you and the king’s cousin without a qualm.
There’ll be some who won’t.” He shrugged. “You just have to decide
if it’s worth worrying about the opinions of a few fools when weighed
against everything else. There will always be someone who doesn’t
like the decisions that you make, take it from someone with enough

Guardian’s Pride

years to know. You can’t please everyone, and you’ll drive yourself
crazy if you try. But the people who matter to you, they’re the ones
who are important.” He patted Rom on the shoulder. “You’re a good
man, Rom Dartel. I’d have been proud to call you son-in-law, if
things had worked out differently.”

Rom was surprisingly touched. “Thank you, sir. That means a lot

to me.”

Lord Rossdale smiled, and then his attention was captured by

something over Rom’s shoulder. “What’s this? Now that is a prime
piece of horseflesh.”

Rom turned and saw a beautiful gray gelding being led into a stall

by one of the stable hands. He and Lord Rossdale moved forward to
get a better look at the beast. The stable hand had begun removing the
horse’s tack.

“She’s a beauty,” Lord Rossdale remarked. “I’ve never seen her

before. Who’s the lucky owner?” he asked the stable hand.

“It’s one of the Gray, Nysan Markelich, my lord. He just bought

her last week.”

Rom’s eyes narrowed. “Seems an expensive horse for such a

young man. Is his family wealthy?”

The stable hand shook his head. “No, sir. I said the same thing to

him. Said he’d had a lucky streak at the gaming tables and used his
winnings to buy her. He’s had the devil’s own luck lately, sir.”

“What do you mean?”
“Well, sir, just that he’s purchased a new saddle and tack for the

horse as well as some new sets of clothing for himself.”

“I hadn’t heard anything.” Rom was surprised Javan’s spies

hadn’t discovered the information.

“No, sir, you wouldn’t have, begging your pardon. He’s made all

his purchases in Laverton.”

“And how is it that you have this information, son?”
The stable hand shrugged. “I have a cousin who lives there. He

knows I work around the Gray, and he was bragging about this soldier

Britt Kenley

who’d spent a lot of coins in his shop. And when Nysan came in with
his horse this morn, I noticed he had a new ring on his finger, too.
Looked like it was real everstone. And that ain’t cheap, that’s for
certain.”

Rom had a bad feeling. “I thought Nysan was still in Redrock.”
“He just got back.” The stable hand grew thoughtful. “Actually,

Captain, he said he was on his way to see you. One of the senior men
saw him arrive and told Nysan that you needed to speak with him. He
told Nysan that you’d just returned to your apartments a little while
ago, and he would probably be able to find you there.”

Rom turned to Lord Rossdale. “If you’ll excuse me, my lord, I

really need to go and speak to this man.”

“Of course. It was good to see you. And be sure and tell Javan that

I wished you both the best and that I expect an invitation to the
bonding ceremony.”

Rom smiled and nodded. “I’ll be sure to do so.” With a final short

bow for the earl, he left the stables quickly and rushed toward the
tower. He had a bad feeling in his gut. Had Nysan really won the
money to purchase the horse gambling, or could there possibly be
another source for his newfound wealth? Was Nysan the traitor after
all?

* * * *

Javan had just risen and pulled on a lounging robe when he heard

the knock. When he opened the door, a young soldier stood before
him, looking surprised to see Javan.

“Yes? Can I help you?” Javan asked.
“Your pardon, sir, I was looking for Captain Rom. I thought these

were his apartments.” The young man seemed confused.

Javan smiled. “You’re in the right place, Soldier. This is Captain

Rom’s place. I’m Lord Javan. The captain isn’t here right now. Can I
help you?”

Guardian’s Pride

The man grinned in relief. “I was told to report to the captain as

soon as I arrived. My name is Nysan Markelich.”

Javan recognized the name. “Of course. Please come in. I’m

expecting the captain back momentarily. He had to go to an early
training session, but he shouldn’t be much longer. You can wait for
him here.”

The young man stepped tentatively into the room, looking around

as Javan closed the door. Javan gestured to one of the chairs near the
fire. “Have a seat and warm yourself up. It’s cold as Clyneman’s Peak
out there.”

“Thank you.” The soldier moved to the chair Javan had indicated

and sat, looking slightly nervous and uncomfortable.

Javan tried to set him at ease. “Would you like some hot red tea to

knock out some of that chill?”

The man shook his head. “No, thank you.” He hesitated a

moment. “Would you know why the captain wants to see me?”

Javan met the young man’s gaze head on. “I believe I do. He

wants to search you to see if you have a certain mark on your right
thigh.”

The young man tensed and laughed, but to Javan’s ears, the laugh

rang hollow. His thoughts began to swirl. He knew that Rom was
almost convinced that the traitor was Gibor Vane, but Javan began to
doubt it. He narrowed his gaze on the young soldier, carefully
studying the man’s demeanor. His whole body was tense, as though
preparing for a blow. His eyes shifted away from Javan’s and instead
studied the wall behind him. His features were pale, and his hands
were trembling. Something was definitely not right. Was this their
traitor?

“Since the captain isn’t here, Nysan, would you mind if I looked

for the mark? It will only take a second, and then you can go.”

The young man stiffened even more if possible. “I don’t think so,

sir.” He stood. “In fact, I just remembered that I need to

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see…someone. It’s very important. I’ll come back when the captain is
here.” He took a step toward the door.

Javan stepped to block his path. “I’m sorry, Nysan. I can’t let you

do that until I check you for the mark.”

“I don’t have the Mark of Ang. Now I really have to leave.” The

young man’s eyes were darting back and forth as if seeking an escape,
and Javan could see the panic in them.

“I don’t believe I said that it was the Mark of Ang,” Javan spoke

softly. He could see the moment Nysan realized he’d completely
given himself away. Nysan’s hand went to his side and pulled his
dagger free of its sheath. Javan stepped back, his gaze searching the
room for a weapon. His own blade was with his clothing in the
bedroom.

“Get out of my way, or I will cut you,” the traitor threatened in a

high-pitched whine.

Javan spread his arms wide. “Now, wait a minute. You don’t want

to do that.”

“I don’t want to, but I will if I have to. Just let me out of here, and

you won’t get hurt.”

Javan measured the boy’s skill with his eyes and felt a shiver of

fear. Javan was not a trained fighter. He’d always depended more on
his wits than his sword arm. And a nervous boy with a sharp weapon
was always unpredictably dangerous, especially one who’d had the
training Nysan had. Truthfully, he’d rather be facing Rom, because
Rom always had control of his fighting. This boy was desperate and
obviously not a seasoned warrior. Javan recalled he’d been in the
Gray only a year. The most important thing was to disarm him, if
possible, without anyone getting hurt. He needed a weapon of his
own.

Again his eyes searched the room and landed on one of the

fireplace irons which rested against the hearth. He eased a step
sideways as he spoke to Nysan. “I don’t want to get hurt, believe me.
Do I look like a threat to you?” He gestured to his body, drawing

Guardian’s Pride

Nysan’s attention to his lounging robe and bare feet. “Just tell me why
you did it. Why betray your king and your country?”

Nysan’s face flushed. “It’s none of your business what my reasons

are. I’m a man, and I make my own decisions. Now move away from
the door.”

Javan nodded. “Of course. Of course. I understand. A man has to

be able to take responsibility for his own actions.”

“Exactly.”
“Still, it must have been a powerful reason for you to sacrifice

your honor and your integrity, to break your vows to the Gray and
your king. Was it money? Power?” Javan took another step to the
side. He was almost close enough to grab the iron. “Or maybe it was a
lover. An exciting lover can be a powerful motivation for a man.”
Javan saw the flicker in the man’s eyes and knew he’d hit on the
answer. He briefly wondered where Rom was. He should have been
back by now. Javan debated whether he should go for the iron or try
to hold out a little longer on the chance that Rom would arrive soon.
He took another step.

“Stop!” Nysan’s voice rang out. “Just stop moving.”
Javan was close now, so close his fingers twitched with the

nearness of the iron rod. “You said to get away from the door.”

Nysan looked momentarily confused.
“So you can leave,” Javan added.
The young soldier nodded, and his eyes flicked to the door. That

was all the opening Javan could hope for. He dove for the iron,
grabbing it in one hand and then twirling to face Nysan.

“No!” When Nysan saw Javan move, he rushed forward, his knife

held out to cut Javan. Javan swung the iron up, but his balance was
off. Instead of knocking the knife from Nysan’s hand, he struck him
in the shoulder. The hand holding the knife flew up in reaction to the
blow, slicing a line across Javan’s upper arm. Surprise streaked
through Javan when he felt a burning pain and knew he’d been cut.
He didn’t know how deep it was, but he knew he had to act quickly

Britt Kenley

before he became weak from blood loss. His arm felt heavy, so he
shifted the iron to his left hand.

He fell back a step to regroup, but Nysan gave him no time,

moving again. Javan tried to block the knife with the iron, but it was
awkwardly held in his left hand and Nysan managed to cut him again,
this time in his side. “Farking hells,” he grunted as another hot jolt of
agony rushed through him. He forced himself to lift the iron. With
supreme effort, he managed to strike Nysan across the thigh. Nysan
yelped in pain and backed up, out of the reach of the makeshift
weapon.

Javan was too wounded to beat Nysan in a hand-to-hand fight.

The other man’s desperation was giving him the advantage, and now
Javan could feel the strength draining from him with each drop of
blood that struck the floor. He had to get help. If he could just reach
the door, a shout for aid would bring any number of soldiers rushing
to his side.

The door seemed so far away. He took a tottering step but lost his

balance. He grabbed for the chair but missed and slid to the floor. He
tried to rise but could not manage it.

A shadow loomed over him. Looking up, he saw Nysan, knife

raised, about to plunge into his chest. He knew he needed to move, to
roll to the side, but he couldn’t.

Guardian’s Pride

Chapter Eight

Rom was rushing up the stairs when he suddenly he heard a loud

crash and a cry of pain. His heart almost stopped. He let out a bellow
of rage, calling for aid, and moved even faster.

When he arrived at his apartments, he burst through the door and

took in the sight before him with one quick glance. Nysan was poised
above Javan, dagger ready to plunge into the other man’s chest.
Without a second to lose, he launched himself across the room, hitting
Nysan in the side and knocking him to the floor. The knife flew out of
his hands, and it took Rom no time at all to subdue the younger man.
Several of his men had heard his shout for help and rushed into the
room. He ordered them to take Nysan into custody and then turned to
kneel beside Javan where he lay on the floor. His eyes were closed
and he looked so pale, and for a moment Rom was afraid he was too
late. Then he saw the slow rise and fall of Javan’s chest, and the relief
he felt was indescribable.

Quickly, he called for a healer, taking off his shirt and tearing it in

half to use to help stop the bleeding in Javan’s arm and side.

“Seven hells, Javan, you better not be dying on me. Not now, you

sorry son of a Nilerian ass.”

Javan’s eyes blinked open and gazed into Rom’s. He let out a

small chuckle. “I love you, too.” He lifted his hand slightly and felt
Rom’s own hand close around it. “Now get me to a farking healer. I
feel like horse shite.”

Several hours later, Rom stood looking through the bars at the

figure huddled on the rough pallet, the picture of utter misery and
defeat. This was the man who had almost killed Javan. Even now, the

Britt Kenley

knowledge of how close Nysan had come to succeeding was enough
to chill Rom’s blood. Yet he still felt a tug of pity at the waste of a
promising life. Punishment for treason to the king was death by
hanging. And attempted murder of a member of the royal family also
carried a sentence of death. Nysan’s life was over unless the king was
given a very good reason to offer clemency. Why the man would
sacrifice everything was the question Rom was there to get answered.

He nodded to the guard, who unlocked the door. As soon as the

door swung outward, Nysan’s head came up. His eyes met Rom’s and
widened in fear. It was easy to see the man had been weeping, and
Rom felt another tug of sympathy as he studied the youthful face.
Seventeen years old. He was barely out of boyhood. That was the age
Nysan had reached. And he would age no more if he did not
cooperate. What a farking tragedy.

“Hello, Nysan.” The man said nothing, just lowered his eyes and

studied the hands clasped together in his lap. Rom stepped inside and
signaled for the guard to shut the door behind him. When he heard the
loud click of the key in the lock, he moved further into the room.

“I thought you might be interested to know that Javan is going to

be fine. He’ll carry scars from his wounds for the rest of his life, but
otherwise he will be none the worse for wear.”

Rom saw Nysan’s eyes slide up to his, and Rom saw a glimmer of

relief at the news.

“I need to understand why you did this, Nysan. Javan said he

thought it was because of a lover. Is that true?”

Nothing. The silence ticked by for several long moments.
“You know what sentence the king will hand down for you?”
That got a response. Rom saw Nysan’s head nod in a short, jerky

movement.

“Whoever persuaded you to do this, he didn’t care about you. He

would not have risked your life as he has if he had any feeling for you
whatsoever.”

Guardian’s Pride

“That’s not true. He loves me.” The young man’s voice had a

hollow sound, as if he were repeating some kind of conditioned
response.

Suspicious, Rom nodded. “I’m sure that’s what he told you. But if

that is the case, where is he now? Shouldn’t he be here, offering you
comfort, begging for your release?”

Rom saw Nysan bite his lower lip as if unsure how to respond,

like he hadn’t been given the correct answer to that question. There
had been rumors about the Angkeshi, that they had powers given
them by their sorceress queen. Some said they had the power to take
control over men, to force them to do things they wouldn’t normally
do. He took a few steps, as much as the small room would allow.
Turning back to Nysan, he squatted down so that he was on eye level
with the former member of the Gray. “Wouldn’t you be there for
him?”

Nysan gave a slight nod, his face wearing a look of puzzlement.
“Perhaps you loved him more than he loved you.”
“No! Tobiah loves me. I know he does.” Again that hollow, sing-

song voice.

Rom tilted his head. “I don’t think so, Nysan. I think he used you

for his own purposes, and now that you’ve been caught, you’re of no
more value to him. He’s turned his back on you and left you here to
die alone.”

Nysan’s face went blank.
Rom continued. “Your family has petitioned the king for

clemency on your behalf. They’ve been here ever since they received
news of your imprisonment. Your mother and sisters weep for you.
Your father and brother beg for your life. But your lover is
conspicuous in his absence.”

“My father is here?” The voice was so young and pathetic it

almost broke Rom’s heart.

“He is.”
“He’s going to be so angry with me.”

Britt Kenley

“Nysan, can you tell me what you were supposed to do? What

your orders were?”

“Orders?” Nysan looked puzzled for a moment and then a glazed

look came over his face.

“Yes. Were you supposed to hurt someone? The king? The young

prince?”

“Hurt someone? No, no. Just listen for information. I would never

hurt anyone. Especially not the king. Just listen. Learn. That’s all.
Listen and learn.”

Rom stood, looking down on the head of the young man, who’d

begun rocking himself back and forth on the pallet, muttering the
same phrase over and over. Something was not right. He could feel it
in his bones. Someone had tampered with this young man’s mind,
lured him with passion and then done something to control him.
Grimly Rom went to the door, knocking to signal the guard to release
him.

He had to see Kelan and tell him what he had learned. He was not

one to believe in stories of the supernatural and sorcery. Rumors of
the sorceress queen and her mysterious powers had circulated for
years, but Rom had always taken those rumors for exaggerated tales
created to frighten the young. He did believe, however, that this queen
might be able to use some kind of drugs or torture, maybe a
combination of both, to gain control over the minds of the weak and
susceptible.

He strode across the courtyard and entered the palace, heading to

Kelan’s apartments. If what Rom suspected was true, they would have
to be even more on guard than ever before.

* * * *

Javan looked up from his bed in the infirmary when Rom walked

in. His eyes met Rom’s concerned gaze, and he lifted his hand. When

Guardian’s Pride

Rom’s hands clasped his, he pulled him down to sit beside him on the
bed.

“How are you feeling?” asked Rom. Javan saw Rom’s eyes sweep

over him before coming back to his face to study it closely.

Javan smiled. “I’m fine. Much better today. The wounds are

healing well, and the healer said that I could probably go home
tomorrow as long as I had someone there who would change the
bandages and help me get around for a few days.”

“And you know you do. I’ll take off a few days. Let Brax take

charge. He can handle things, and he’d probably relish the
experience.”

“That would be wonderful, Rom, if you’re sure. If it would be too

much trouble, you know Kelan would let me stay at the palace.”

Rom shook his head, and Javan was pleased. He hadn’t really

wanted to move to the palace, even for a few days.

“Not unless you want to,” Rom stated firmly. “I’d rather take care

of you myself. I want you in our home, in our bed.”

Javan’s hand tightened on Rom’s. “That’s what I want as well.”
Rom bent down and kissed Javan lightly on the mouth. Javan

knew he was being careful with him because of his wounds, but he
couldn’t resist parting his mouth and teasing Rom’s lips with the
slight brush of his tongue. Immediately Rom’s mouth opened and his
tongue slid against Javan’s. Javan relished the taste of Rom’s mouth
and the sweet warmth of his love.

Rom pulled back, his mouth moist from the kiss, and Javan felt a

rush of need so sharp that it was all he could do not to gasp aloud.
Rom obviously read his feelings on his face because he shook his
head ruefully, a small smile quirking his lips. “Don’t even think about
it, Jav. The doctor said no physical exertion for at least a week.”

“A week? I’ll be bored stiff.” Javan was not happy. What would

he do in bed for a week? Especially if he couldn’t…exert himself.

“You can spend that time finalizing the plans for our bonding

ceremony. I just got the news a short time ago. There’s been a break

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in the weather. Your parents will be here within the next few days and
my family the following week. So I thought we could set the date for
two weeks from today, if that meets with your agreement?”

Javan’s heart leapt at the teasing affection he saw in the big, tough

captain’s eyes. He laughed with happiness. “You know it does. I can’t
believe it’s really happening. That you’re mine. Forever.”

“I feel the same, Javan. I was such a fool.” His face grew serious.

“It’s not all going to be smooth sailing, you know? There are going to
be people who do not like the fact that we’re together.”

Javan shrugged and grinned. “Those people are small-minded

bigots, and I couldn’t care less what they think. I’ve never lived my
life conforming to what other people thought was right. Life is too
short to worry about what people say about you. Especially people
who don’t really matter. All the people who do matter in my life will
support my decision. I’ve always gone my own direction, and they
know it. Why would I stop now?”

“Goddess knows.”
Javan grew serious. “What of Nysan, Rom? Did you talk to him?”
A grim expression wreathed Rom’s features. “I did. The boy

didn’t act of his own volition, I’m convinced of it.”

“Was he being blackmailed?” Javan was startled. The idea hadn’t

even crossed his mind, but he supposed it would offer a possible
explanation for why he had acted in a manner that was so obviously
contrary to his normal self.

But he saw Rom shake his head. “Not blackmail. I believe that he

had some sort of compulsion placed on him so that he was not making
the decisions himself but rather was following the orders that were
given to him.”

“What?” Shocked, Javan waited for Rom to explain.
Rom rose and paced across the room. “If you could have seen him

when I was questioning him, you’d understand. Half the time he was
this young, sad man, and then he’d change into this almost puppetlike

Guardian’s Pride

creature who recited his lessons as if by rote. Then he’d just go
blank.”

“You think he was under a spell?” Javan couldn’t believe that

Rom, of all people, would believe such a thing. He was the last person
in the world who Javan would have thought would make that
suggestion.

But Rom was shaking his head. “No, not a spell. But some sort of

drug or mesmerism. Maybe he was tortured, starved. I’m not sure.
I’ve seen it happen before, though. There are people skilled in such
things. Usually it’s a jester’s trick, used to entertain. And I’ve never
seen it last long. But what if someone very strong and determined had
taken those skills and refined them?”

“You’re thinking of the sorceress queen.”
Rom nodded. “It would explain Nysan’s actions that were so out

of character for him.”

Javan considered what Rom was saying for a long moment. “If

what you are suggesting is true, that would mean that anyone might
be a traitor. We would have to be on constant guard.”

“I believe that it would only work on those whose minds were

easily molded. The young. The depressed. The unhappy. That’s why
Nysan was used and not someone higher up in the Gray. If they could
control anyone they wanted, they wouldn’t have bothered with
someone who had such limited access to information. They would
have targeted one of my lieutenants. Or even me.”

Javan thought about it and realized that Rom was right. “Have you

told Kelan?”

“Yes. I just left him and his advisors. I’ve recommended that

Nysan be kept under close guard and seen by our healers and priests. I
don’t think he acted on his own volition. He shouldn’t be put to death.
I know you might feel differently. After all, he did attack you. I have
to confess, my first reaction was to put him to death. But after I talked
to him, well, I just couldn’t make that suggestion.”

Britt Kenley

Javan nodded. “I agree. I trust your opinion. What did Kelan

say?”

“He said that he would consider it, but he wanted to speak with

his advisers first. And to see what the healers and priests had to say
once they’d examined him.”

“She’ll never stop, will she?” Javan thought about the queen of

the Angkesh.

“No, she won’t. But we’ll be ready for her.”
Javan watched the grim-faced man that he loved with all his heart,

and he knew that Rom would stand against any foe that threatened the
people and land that he loved. And Javan would stand beside him.
Forever.

THE END

WWW.BRITTKENLEY.BLOGSPOT.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am a fantasy author of male-on-male erotic romance. My

favorite books have characters who are strong but vulnerable, so that
is what I try to write. I love happily ever afters and believe that, if you
try hard enough, you can achieve it. I love for my characters to have
integrity and honor, something I’m afraid we see all too little of in
this day and age.

I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing

them.

Siren Publishing, Inc.

www.SirenPublishing.com

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