Guardians of the Gray Tower 6
Guardian’s King
As ruler of Emryn, Kelan Rei has sacrificed much in the name of
duty. He even gave up a life with the man he loved in order to
provide the kingdom with an heir. Now his queen is dead, and he
has the chance to finally be with the one man he has never
forgotten, his wife’s brother, Teris Bas Rillian.
Teris loved his sister and would never have done anything to hurt
her, but now she is gone, and he begins to hope that his dream to
be with Kelan might have a chance to come true. Kelan has more
to worry about than his relationship with Teris. Tiring of the
Angkeshi problem, he has decided that a face-to-face meeting
with their queen is needed. Is Queen Kalandra behind all the
recent troubles in Emryn, or was it someone else? Kelan and Teris
must discover the truth, but at what cost?
Genre: Alternative (M/M or F/F), Fantasy, Historical
Length: 25,972 words
GUARDIAN’S KING
Guardians of the Gray Tower 6
Britt Kenley
EROTIC ROMANCE
MANLOVE
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IMPRINT: Erotic Romance ManLove
GUARDIAN’S KING
Copyright © 2012 by Britt Kenley
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-250-1
First E-book Publication: September 2012
Cover design by Harris Channing
All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
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GUARDIAN’S KING
Guardians of the Gray Tower 6
BRITT KENLEY
Copyright © 2012
Prologue
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.
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Britt Kenley
Chapter One
Kelan Rei, king of Emryn and lord of the Seral Domes, stood at
the window of his private bedchamber and stared out over the capital
city of Winterreach. His gaze was captured by the slow drift of flakes
as they fell, dancing before his eyes like mystical faeries come to lure
him to their hidden kingdom. If only he could follow them and leave
all the troubles and betrayals behind that seemed to beset him at every
turn these days. It hadn’t yet been a full week since his cousin,
Fenworth Rei, had been tried and executed for conspiring with the
Angkeshi to assassinate Kelan’s wife, Lyra, and he was still coming
to grips with that fact.
Poor Lyra, she’d gotten a raw deal all around. Oh, he’d tried to be
a good husband, but she had known from the very beginning that he
didn’t love her, couldn’t love her. He wasn’t sure if she’d known
exactly where his heart resided, but she had been more than aware
that it wasn’t with her. They’d married for reasons of state, of course.
She was the daughter of a duke, niece of a marquis. Her bloodline was
pure and unbroken for generations, the perfect wife for a king.
She had been a wonderful queen, too, dedicated to her people, and
a loving and caring mother to their only son, Aric. It had not seemed
to bother her that Kelan felt nothing more than a kind of distant
affection for her, at least, not on the surface. What she thought of,
dreamed of, in the dark reaches of the night, no one knew, certainly
not her husband. And now she was gone. He still couldn’t believe it.
“Are you all right?” The voice coming out of the darkness behind
him startled him, though he immediately recognized it. He turned,
taking in the sight of his brother-in-law hovering in the doorway.
Guardian’s King
9
Teris Bas Rillian was Lyra’s older brother, and the man that Kelan
had fallen in love with the first time he’d laid eyes on him.
Unfortunately, that had also been the day he’d become formally
betrothed to Teris’s sister. Had there ever been a more ironic or
pathetic fate? Not that that had really been a consideration. A king
had to produce heirs, and that couldn’t be done if he was bonded to
another male.
He managed a slight smile at Teris’s question before turning his
gaze back to the snow-covered city that lay stretched out beneath him.
“Yes. I’m fine.” He heard Teris’s footsteps growing closer. The man
came to a halt beside him, and Kelan could feel Teris’s eyes on him.
He knew Teris was studying him to see how he was holding up under
all of the strain. He ignored the look, as he had been doing for the past
several days. It seemed as if someone was always hovering nearby,
watching to see if their king would collapse beneath the blows that
just kept raining down on his head. But Kelan Rei had the blood of
warrior kings in his veins. He would not bend, and he would not
break. But he would mourn. Goddess, yes, he would mourn for so
many things he’d lost, not least being his trust in the basic goodness
of his fellow man.
“I know how much it disturbed you to discover that Fenworth
betrayed you,” Teris said softly.
Kelan let out a short laugh, but there was no humor in the sound.
“Yes, well, I’ve learned to deal with these disturbances. They seem to
be happening with stunning regularity these days.”
“You’ve lost your wife, the mother of your son, and been betrayed
by a family member. It’s okay that it has affected you. It’s okay to be
angry. It’s more than okay to be sad.”
“I’m fine.”
“You know you don’t have to pretend with me, Kelan. I know
you. This wasn’t just some soldier or servant. It was your cousin. It’s
right and normal that you should be hurt by what he did. You’ve
known him since you were children, played with him, had lessons
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Britt Kenley
with him.” Teris’s hand came to rest on his shoulder, and its warmth
helped thaw some of the ice that had taken hold of him since he’d
learned the truth about Lyra’s death. His shoulders slumped forward.
“I just feel so numb right now,” Kelan confessed. “I think, no, I
know I should feel rage and a need for revenge, but I don’t seem to
feel much of anything.”
Teris stepped nearer, and more of the heat from his body seeped
into Kelan’s. His own body responded, betraying him as always when
he was in the presence of this man. He hadn’t acted upon it yet, but
the desire to turn to Teris for comfort had become harder and harder
to resist. When Lyra had been alive, both he and Teris had done
nothing that would have hurt her or betrayed their bonding vows,
though the need had been there. It had shone in Teris’s eyes when
they had met Kelan’s in unguarded moments. It had shimmered in the
air whenever the two men found themselves alone with one another. It
had invaded Kelan’s dreams, erotic scenes of the two men bathing
together in a hidden stream, lying together on a bank of sweet-
smelling grass, kissing passionately between the widespread arms of a
shimmering oak. And now that Lyra was gone, it was more difficult
than ever to keep his distance from Teris.
Clenching his hands against the temptation, he forced himself to
turn away and stride across the room to the table that held several tall
bottles of an amber-colored liquid. He reached for a glass and poured
himself a healthy measure of Isterian brandy. Tilting the glass to his
lips, he took a long swallow, relishing the feel of the spreading
warmth as the alcohol hit his stomach.
“I want to help you, Kelan. Why won’t you let me?” Teris
pleaded.
Kelan turned to meet the other man’s eyes. He knew what must be
clear in his own gaze. “Because I’m afraid,” he confessed frankly.
“Afraid?” Teris looked stunned. “Why would you be afraid of
me? Surely you know that I would never hurt you, never betray you?”
“No. I know of your loyalty, Teris. That’s not what I fear.”
Guardian’s King
11
Kelan saw understanding light Teris’s features. He met Kelan’s
gaze with a look of outrage. “I would never do anything that would
jeopardize you or the kingdom of Emryn. Nothing,” he repeated, his
chin tilting up at a proud angle.
“You don’t have to do anything, Teris,” Kelan told him grimly.
“All you have to do is exist.”
Teris took a step forward, his eyes pleading. “Would it be so
terrible a thing, Kelan? For us to be together?”
Kelan had to clench his fists against the urge to reach out and
soothe Teris’s obvious distress. “Yes.” Giving in to his feelings for
Teris was something he feared might fracture the kingdom, make
them question his judgment as king. It would be bad enough should
Kelan take a lover so soon after his wife’s death, but for that person to
be her brother? He could just imagine the reaction of the Royal
Council to that news. The questions and the probing into his personal
life would be unbearable and could possibly distract them from the
threat that Emryn was now facing from Queen Kalandra. “It’s
impossible, Teris.”
“I loved my sister, Kelan. I would have never done anything that
would cause her the slightest pain or confusion. I’m not ashamed of
my feelings for you, though I can understand how it might look to
others. But I want to be with you, to hold you. No one would have to
know. We could keep things private, just between us, at least for
now.” The other man was gazing at him, the longing openly there for
anyone to see.
“Don’t do this to me, Teris. Please. Not now. I don’t think I have
the strength to resist you, even though I know it’s what I should do. If
you press me now, I’ll let you have your way because it’s what I want
as well. But I fear that we would regret it. You and I both know that
nothing is secret in the palace. Someone would know. We would
betray ourselves in some way, and the secret would be no secret at all.
Then what?”
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Britt Kenley
* * * *
The question hung in the air between the two men. Teris had no
answer. He wanted to pound his fists on the wall and scream out his
sorrow and his frustration. Bad enough that he’d had to watch for
years as the man he loved built a life with Teris’s own sister and had a
child with her. Oh, he’d known from the beginning how it would be.
They had never had a chance, he and Kelan. Fate had worked against
them then, and now Lyra was dead. Fate was a cruel master.
He could still remember the day he had first met Kelan Rei. It had
been an unseasonably warm day, and he had ridden out to meet the
royal entourage when they had been spotted by the guards that had
been posted as lookouts. Having never before met the crown prince,
he’d been eager to see the man his younger sister was going to marry.
The family had been all ablaze at the news of the coming betrothal.
He’d been flummoxed by the idea that his sister would one day be
queen of Emryn. It had boggled his mind. It had seemed to Teris that
Lyra was only just out of toddling clothes, and here she was, soon to
be a wife.
It was a bit unusual that he’d never met the prince before, but he
tended to avoid trips to the capital whenever possible. Teris loved his
home province. He was a studious young man who had no use at all
for the gallivanting and partying that went on in the city and much
preferred the quiet, rural life he had at Hawksworth. He was a
conscientious
landowner,
having
learned
much
about
his
responsibilities from his father. Eron Bas Rillian was getting older, so
he had turned much of the running of the estates over to his only son.
Between his obligations to Hawksworth and his studies of everything
from animal husbandry to the occult, his fascinating hobby, Teris had
little time or desire for what he considered the frivolity of court.
The last time he’d been at court had been for his official
introduction to the king, six years previously. He’d been only
eighteen and more annoyed than anything else at having to take time
Guardian’s King
13
from his studies. Still, he always did his duty. He’d endured the whole
thing with stoicism and a wry sense of humor at the ridiculous pomp
and circumstance. The crown prince, Kelan, at only twelve years old,
had not made an appearance. He’d been relieved when the whole
ordeal had ended, and they’d been able to return to Hawksworth.
He’d spotted the line of riders along with the accompanying
wagons, an inordinately large number it had seemed to Teris. When
he’d ridden closer, he’d seen a young man astride a glorious pure
white stallion. His heart had stuttered in his chest. The young man
was stunningly beautiful, and Teris had known at that moment that he
had just seen the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. It all
seemed so foolish now, but he had never doubted it for a second. His
gaze had taken in every detail of that slender young figure seated so
confidently astride his horse. He’d had short, curly brown hair and a
strong-jawed face that had seemed sculpted by a master hand. He’d
ridden forward, eager to meet this beautiful young man.
“Hello,” he’d called as he’d gotten closer. “Welcome to
Hawksworth.” He’d spoken to the older man riding out front, but his
eyes had never left the young man’s face.
He’d pulled up next to the two riders, who halted as he reached
them.
“Thank you, young man. And whom do I have the pleasure of
addressing?” The older man smiled warmly.
“I’m Teris Bas Rillian, son of the duke. I’m glad to see that you
made it safely here without mishap. We’ve been expecting you for the
past two days.”
“Yes, I’m afraid we had some trouble with one of the wagons and
had to stop to get it repaired. It delayed us a bit.” The man paused.
“I’m Alton Crane, Baron Ellimore.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
“And of course, this is Prince Kelan.”
The young man’s light brown eyes met his, and Kelan had smiled
at him, and Teris’s heart had nearly stopped at the shock. It wasn’t
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Britt Kenley
possible. This couldn’t been the prince, his sister’s soon-to-be-
betrothed. But it had been. Teris still didn’t know how he’d managed
to get through the next few minutes of that meeting. Over the course
of the several days that followed, he’d fallen deeper and deeper in
love with Kelan. The worst thing was, he had suspected that Kelan
felt the same, but neither of them could do a single thing about it.
Now, looking at the man he’d loved for so long, he knew that he
could not live the way he’d lived for the past ten years, keeping his
distance, hiding his feelings. He’d lost almost everyone he loved. Not
long after his sister’s wedding, his father had taken a bad fall down a
flight of stairs and had died shortly after that. His mother had died
when he was a babe, and now his sister had been killed. All he had
left, all he cared about, was Kelan and his nephew, Aric.
“I don’t believe that it would be as bad as you think, Kelan. The
people of Emryn love you. They would want for you to be happy.”
Kelan smiled, but shook his head. “They loved Lyra as well.”
“So did I,” Teris reminded the king. “But I know that she would
want you to find happiness. She would want us to comfort one
another in the face of this tragedy.”
“Teris, you know that my feelings for you are strong, and it would
be easy—”
“Easy?” Teris burst out. “Nothing in this whole mess has been
easy. But I love you, and you love me.” There. He’d said it, finally.
For the first time, he uttered the words that he’d been keeping bottled
up like a shameful secret for ten long years.
Kelan was shaking his head. “No, Teris. I can’t—”
Teris couldn’t take it. When Kelan tried to deny his feelings, it
was the last straw. He sprang forward and gripped Kelan’s shoulders,
pulling him against him and sealing that lying mouth with his own.
For a moment Kelan was completely still, as though he couldn’t
believe what was happening. Teris took advantage of Kelan’s obvious
shock to deepen the kiss. Forcefully he parted Kelan’s lips with his
tongue, sending it deep into the warm recesses of Kelan’s mouth.
Guardian’s King
15
He gave Kelan no opportunity to resist. Taking the kiss even
deeper, he plunged his fingers into Kelan’s hair, holding him tight and
sealing their mouths together with heart-stopping need. His other
hand pulled Kelan closer, his arm an unmovable band across the other
man’s back. He felt it the moment Kelan relaxed into the kiss. Kelan’s
tongue began to move against Teris’s, and his hands, which had come
up to grip Teris’s shoulders, relaxed and slid up to curve around his
neck.
Teris forced his own hands to loosen their grip as he became
aware that Kelan was not struggling to get away, that he was, in fact,
pulling Teris even closer. He released his hold on Kelan’s hair and let
his hand trail down to cup over the other man’s neck, stroking his
thumb gently across the pulse that was pounding out a hard rhythm
against the sensitive skin.
Teris couldn’t believe it was finally happening. For so long he’d
dreamed of the moment when they would exchange their first kiss. He
had longed for it as a freezing man longs for fire, though he’d thought
it would never happen. It was even better than he’d imagined. Kelan’s
mouth was sweet and spicy, his lips soft pillows that tempted Teris to
do more, take more. He could feel his cock hardening and pressed it
closer against Kelan, rubbing against him with unhidden need. Kelan
responded with a faint moan that Teris caught in his own mouth.
His hand moved lower, pushing aside the neckline of Kelan’s
tunic to tunnel underneath and claim the warm flesh hidden there. He
rubbed a puckered nipple, drawing another moan from Kelan. He
released Kelan’s mouth, his lips trailing down to place burning kisses
across the other man’s face and neck. He bit down lightly on the skin
at the base of Kelan’s neck before sucking it into his mouth, needing
to leave his mark on Kelan’s body.
Kelan groaned. “Teris. Goddess, Teris, I want you so much.”
Teris moved back up to capture Kelan’s lips again. This kiss was
long and hot, their need for one another undeniable. Teris raised his
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Britt Kenley
head, his mouth hovering over Kelan’s. “Come with me to my rooms,
Kelan. I want to make love to you.”
At Teris’s whisper, Kelan froze. Then he tore himself out of
Teris’s arms, moving to put a nearby table between them. Teris’s
hands clenched at his sides at the sudden loss of Kelan’s body.
“No,” Kelan barked out the word, his breath coming in harsh
gasps. “We can’t do this, Teris. Never touch me again.”
Teris, his own breathing ragged, jerked back at the blow those
words delivered. He didn’t say anything else. With a frigid glare at
Kelan, he turned and quickly left the room, slamming the door behind
him.
Guardian’s King
17
Chapter Two
The next morning, Kelan met with the Royal Council of Emryn.
Composed of his most trusted advisers, the council was designed to
assist Kelan in making decisions on policies of state that would have
significant impact on the country. Kelan had called the council
meeting to discuss the situation with Queen Kalandra of Angkesh. He
had hardly slept at all the night before, his mind full of the memories
of what had happened between himself and Teris. It had been hard, so
hard, to tear himself out of that embrace and to reject the man he had
loved for so long. He knew he had hurt Teris, and it had killed him to
do it. But he couldn’t allow his personal problems to prevent him
from seeing to the security of his country. That must take top priority.
Something had to be done about Kalandra, and soon.
He sat at the head of a long table and looked down at the rows of
men seated there. These were the men he trusted more than any
others. He knew that they would do whatever was necessary to keep
Emryn, and himself, safe, even if it cost them their lives.
There was Rom, seated at his right hand, with his strong sense of
right and wrong. He knew his duty and would see it done no matter
the price he had to pay. And beside him sat Brax, whose easygoing,
lighthearted manner on the surface hid a relentless and deadly fighter
underneath. Next, lounging back in his seat in a loose sprawl, was
Pike, the partier. He could spend all night drinking and chasing a
bedmate and in the morning plan a cunning raid on the enemy that
would leave them baffled and broken. After Pike was Sayer, who was
known to be one of the quietest and most introverted of the
Guardians, but he noticed everything. When he finally did speak, one
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Britt Kenley
was wise to listen. Commander Lorn sat at the opposite end of the
table flanked by his aides. Lorn was a lean-faced man with iron-gray
hair. He had ice-blue eyes that could cut through a man and size him
up from one heartbeat to the next, and what he didn’t know about
military strategy hadn’t been thought of yet. His two aides were cut
from the same mold, broad-shoulder warriors with stern faces and
deadly eyes. To Kelan’s left was Lord Javan of Westmarch,
spymaster and bondmate of Rom. Next to Javan sat Lords Edgely and
Rossdale, both good men with years of wisdom and experience in
matters of diplomacy. Finally, there was Sir Wilsin Dervis, his private
secretary, an expert on matters of constitutionality and politics. He
always knew what Kelan could legally do as king and how the king’s
decisions would affect the country at large.
A good group, Kelan thought to himself. They were strong and
smart, loyal and dedicated. As he studied each face, he wondered how
they were going to react to what he was about to tell them.
“Gentlemen.” Kelan leaned forward and all conversation stopped.
“I believe that it is time we did something about this situation with
Kalandra. For too long now we have played a defensive game, and it
has not worked in our favor. We need to become more proactive.”
“I agree, sire,” Rom spoke. “We’re spending our time chasing
after her pawns rather than eliminating the problem, Kalandra
herself.”
“Exactly.” Kelan nodded in agreement.
“What are you proposing? That we send someone into Angkesh to
assassinate her?” Pike asked.
“Not yet. I’d like to try something else first.” He paused for a
second, knowing that what he was about to propose was not going to
be popular and bracing himself for the fight he was going to have on
his hands. “I want to set up a meeting with Queen Kalandra. I want to
talk to her face-to-face and try to seek a diplomatic solution.”
As soon as he said it, loud voices of denial and objection broke
out in the room. Everyone, it seemed, had an opinion on the idea, and
Guardian’s King
19
few of them favorable from what he could glean from the cacophony
of suggestions, arguments, and dire warnings that filled the air. After
a few moments, he held up his hand, and silence fell again.
“I want to try,” Kelan stated firmly, knowing that to show any
sign of weakness would be a mistake, especially with this group.
“But, Your Majesty, everyone knows that one cannot reason with
the Angkeshi. It would be a pointless waste of time,” Brax stated, and
several others nodded their heads in agreement.
“I don’t trust her,” Rom added. “If we let her get close enough to
you, who knows what she will do? She’s already managed to take our
queen. She surely won’t stop at trying to kill you as well.”
“I’ll have my Guardians to keep me safe,” Kelan responded and
smiled at the look of exasperation on Rom’s face at that statement.
“We’d have better luck planning a military invasion, sire,” Lorn
said. “The Angkeshi understand nothing except superior strength.
They will see any attempt at a peaceful resolution as a sign of
weakness.”
Kelan turned to his commander. “The Mountains of the Gloam
make any head-on attack a nightmare in logistics, Commander. You
know that. Though I am not averse to doing just that if I need to, the
cost to us in the lives of our men would be too great for that to be our
first choice in eliminating this threat. However,” he spoke quickly to
forestall any additional comment, “I would like to try a diplomatic
solution first. If that doesn’t work, then I will, of course, have to
consider other options.”
“I think it’s an excellent idea,” Lord Edgely commented. “If we
can get some kind of agreement with her that doesn’t require any
more bloodshed, I say that’s what we need to do.”
“But could we trust her to any agreement?” asked Rossdale.
“She’s already proven that she has no moral code. Why would she
keep to any treaty we might persuade her to sign?” He shook his head.
“I am not fond of warfare, but we’ve had treaties with the Angkeshi
before. And look where we are now.”
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Britt Kenley
“I’m not saying that I believe she would hold to her word. What
I’m saying is that if I don’t at least try, I could not in good conscience
mount an attack against Angkesh.” Kelan glanced at Javan and saw
the dawning light of comprehension.
“You want to use the opportunity to spy on Kalandra,” the
spymaster commented and grinned. Kelan should have known Javan
would be the first to perceive his plan. The man’s brain was as wily as
a snake.
Kelan smiled. “The thought had crossed my mind. I know, Javan,
that you have men in Angkesh who are doing a good job ferreting out
information, but nothing would tell us as much as a face-to-face
confrontation with their queen.” He leaned forward, setting his elbows
on the table and giving each man a hard look. “I understand there
would be great risk, but with great risk goes great reward. I want to
know what she’s thinking. I want to look into her eyes and judge for
myself what moves she is likely to make next. To figure out what
motivates her actions. I think we would be indeed foolish to not at
least make the attempt.”
He saw Rom nodding slowly. “Perhaps you are right, Kelan. As
long as we are prepared for treachery, we can minimize the risk. I still
don’t like it,” he added, shooting Kelan a sharp glare. “You would
still be in danger, but I agree that it would be a valuable opportunity
to study her up close.”
“I think you are all overreacting. There is still no proof that the
queen was even aware of what was done. Why, Queen Kalandra
would have no need of such underhanded methods. We all know of
her powers,” interjected Sir Wilsin. “I think she would leap at the idea
of a diplomatic arrangement with Emryn.”
Kelan leaned back and stroked a hand down his chin. “I hope that
is true, Sir Wilsin, but we must be prepared for anything. Don’t you
agree?”
“Well, yes, of course,” he muttered.
Guardian’s King
21
“I’m glad you brought up the rumors of her magical abilities,
though. That is something else I would like to discover. All these
stories of her powers certainly must have some source. I want to know
if there is any truth to them.”
“You mean we should find out if she really can turn into a cat?”
Rom’s eyes widened.
Kelan laughed at the expression on his captain’s face. Everyone
was well aware of Rom’s thoughts on shape-shifting and such. He
believed it to be a lot superstitious nonsense. “Perhaps.”
Rom studied him for a moment before nodding. “All right. Let’s
confront the monster and see what we shall see.”
Lorn agreed. “As long as we’re all clear on what we expect.”
“I’d like to set up a meeting somewhere near Angkesh.
Commander, I want you to begin moving some of your troops into
place at various spots along the border. But do it as surreptitiously as
you can. If Kalandra tries anything, and I expect she will, I want our
men ready to move into Angkesh if the need should arise.”
Lorn agreed.
Kelan turned to his more elderly advisers. “Lord Rossdale and
Lord Edgely, I’d like for at least one of you to consider going to the
meeting with me. It will support the idea that we are interested in a
diplomatic solution. Which we are. I just don’t believe for one second
that she will agree to one.”
“That raises the question, why would she see even agree to a
meeting, Your Majesty?” Sayer spoke at last. “What would be the
benefit to the Angkeshi?”
“Why for the same reason I just gave you. She’s going to want to
see exactly what kind of opponent I am. And I’m sure that the idea of
sliding a knife into my ribs if she can get close enough would be
another incentive.” Kelan smiled. “So gentlemen, I’d like to meet
separately with each of you over the next several days so we may
begin formulating a plan.”
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Kelan signaled his dismissal, and everyone stood to begin making
their way to the doors. Kelan watched as they grouped together in
twos or threes, heads close as they discussed the ramification of his
proposal. That had gone better than he’d hoped.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Sir Wilsin was still
sitting at the table. When their gazes met, Sir Wilsin rose and made
his way around the table toward Kelan. Kelan could see from the
expression on Sir Wilsin’s face that he had something on his mind. He
smiled as the man reached him, quirking on eyebrow in question as he
asked, “Did you need to speak to me, Sir Wilsin?”
* * * *
While Kelan met with his council, Teris sat at a table in his
apartments reading through his latest batch of communications from
Hawksworth. He really needed to be home tending to his estates. He’d
already been gone much longer than he had meant to, but somehow he
couldn’t make himself leave with things between himself and Kelan
so unresolved.
Sighing, he tossed down a page containing a detailed accounting
of the coins his manager had spent the last quarter on purchasing
grain and other supplies for the horses and cattle. He couldn’t
concentrate, which was a cause for concern. Normally he would have
been eating up the information contained in the document, comparing
his figures to last years, working on a plan to save money, considering
possible new feeding mixes. But all he could think about was that
kiss.
For so long he’d fantasized about it, imagined how it would feel.
And it had been so much more than anything he could have dreamed
of. He touched his mouth, still feeling the press of Kelan’s lips against
his, still tasting the sweet passion of Kelan’s brief surrender. He knew
that it had meant just as much to the king as it had to him. That’s what
made the whole situation so frustrating.
Guardian’s King
23
Damn the man. If he weren’t so farking noble, they would
probably have ended the night before wrapped in one another’s arms.
Instead, Teris had lain alone in his bed, tossing and turning until late
into the night, his imagination running wild with pictures of himself
and Kelan together. His erection had been a hard, throbbing rod of
need pulsing between his legs. Finally, he’d been unable to stand it
any longer. Reaching for the bottle of tunis oil he kept nearby, he’d
coated his hands with the slippery liquid and then reached for his
cock.
For too many years he’d pleasured himself while visions of Kelan
played out erotic scenarios in his brain. As he stroked slowly up and
down, he closed his eyes and let his imagination run wild once again.
He pictured himself stretched out on a huge mattress with solid
white sheets of finest cotton. Kelan lay beside him, his hand wrapped
around Teris’s cock. With each tug and pull, Teris moved closer to
orgasm. He’d played with his own balls, touching them lightly before
rolling them around in his fingers, wishing it was the real Kelan there
with him instead of just a fantasy figure. It hadn’t taken him too long
before he was shooting his cum all over his hand. He’d cleaned
himself up with quiet efficiency and lay back down, finally relaxed
enough to fall to sleep.
This morn, when he and Kelan had met to break their fast, Kelan
had acted as though nothing had happened, as though the kiss had
never occurred. Teris had gone along with the king’s obvious desire
to ignore the whole incident, not knowing what else to do or say. But
inside he’d been both hurt and angered by Kelan’s attitude. Didn’t
Kelan care at all about what this was doing to Teris? Teris knew that
Kelan was probably right about how it would be perceived by the
general populace if it became known that he and Kelan were in love.
And he had no problem keeping things private, temporarily. But
surely as time passed, they could become more open about their
relationship. The people of Emryn wouldn’t expect Kelan to mourn
for his queen forever. And what would be more natural than that the
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two men who had loved Lyra the most would turn to one another for
comfort, which could grow to something more?
It all seemed so simple to Teris. For too long he’d been without
hope, and now, through a horrible tragedy, there was a slim
possibility that he and Kelan could be together after all. Why couldn’t
Kelan see that? He thought of his sister. Lyra had been all that was
sweet and good and kind. Teris knew that she would want for him and
Kelan to be happy.
At that moment, his door flew open with a loud crashing noise,
and Kelan strode in. His face was set in a tight grimace. He stomped
forward into the room, slamming the door closed behind him.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Teris was alarmed by the way the
king looked. His face was flushed with his anger, and his eyes blazed.
Kelan just shook his head, his mouth working but nothing coming
out, as though he were too angry to speak. Teris didn’t know what to
do.
“Come. Sit down and calm yourself before you have an apoplexy.
I’ll get you some tea.” He reached out a hand to guide Kelan to a
nearby chair and was startled by the tense hardness of the arm in
beneath his touch.
“I don’t want any tea,” Kelan bit out, but he did as Teris suggested
and dropped down into the chair with careless disregard for the fine
quality of the seat’s workmanship. Teris sat also, taking a chair
directly opposite Kelan’s. “I just need a moment to calm down.”
Teris nodded and sat back. For a while neither spoke, and, as they
sat there in complete silence, Teris could see Kelan’s anger gradually
fading, until finally he sat relaxed with some appearance of normality.
When he thought Kelan had settled down enough, he ventured the
question again. “What happened? Did things not go well at the
meeting you had with the Royal Council?” Teris had known that
Kelan had scheduled the meeting, though he was unaware of any of
the particulars.
Guardian’s King
25
Kelan paused a moment before he let out a deep breath and
rubbed his eyes. He said, “Oh, the meeting went fine. About as I
expected. There were some who were vehemently opposed to my
having a face-to-face meeting with Kalandra, but I think by the end,
they all understood my motivation and had started to see the
advantages of my proposal.”
Teris was shocked. “Meet with Kalandra? Have you lost your
mind? That woman cannot be trusted within ten miles of you, Kelan.
What are you thinking?”
Kelan shot him a small grin. “I’m thinking it’s time to take the
fight to her instead of vice versa. Oh, she’s had us on our toes for the
last few months, but that is about to change.”
“And the council agreed with this plan?”
Kelan nodded. “Eventually.” His grin became broader.
“Then what has you so riled up?”
Kelan’s grin disappeared, and instead, a scowl creased his
forehead. “It’s that fool Dervis.”
“Sir Wilsin?” Teris asked, surprised. The man was a quiet and
unassuming member of Kelan’s court.
“Yes. That fool.”
“What did he do?”
“He asked to speak to me on a private matter after the meeting
was over.”
There was a pause.
“And?” Teris prodded.
“He wanted to talk about putting together a list of prospective
women to fill the new vacancy.”
“What vacancy?” Teris felt completely confused.
“Why, the spot of queen, of course. It has recently become open,”
Kelan spoke sarcastically, his mouth a firm line of disgust.
Teris couldn’t move. His breath had become trapped within his
chest. At last he managed to string together some words that he
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thought would make at least some sense. “He wants you to remarry?
But Lyra hasn’t been dead a month yet.”
Kelan nodded. “You think I’m unaware of that information?
That’s exactly what I said to the fool. But he explained in ever so
reasonable tones that he wasn’t expecting me to wed yet. After all,
there is an official six months of mourning still to get through. He
merely thought we should begin scouting around, so to speak, for my
next wife.”
“That’s absurd.”
“Indeed, that’s what I thought myself.” Kelan shot him a look of
amused outrage. “But he pointed out that I have only one son, and if
anything should happen to Aric, the kingdom would be without an
heir. Then he said that I had an opportunity to make a match that
would be of great benefit to Emryn. After all, if I wed someone from
Isteria or another powerful country, it would be an important alliance
for us. We could call on the Isterian troops to aid us against Kalandra
if it became necessary.” Isteria was a neighboring kingdom, to the
southwest of Emryn. The two kingdoms were friendly and had
formalized their ties on more than one occasion, but if Kelan were to
marry one of the royal princesses, it would be a real coup for Emryn.
“And then, he actually hinted around that offering marriage to the
Angkeshi queen might be just the thing to bring peace to our two
countries. Can you imagine? Me married to Kalandra?” Teris could
see the pure outrage that Kelan was feeling. Teris felt the same. Make
a queen of the woman everyone knew was responsible for the death of
the previous one? Incredible.
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him now was not the time to think about such things.”
Kelan ran a hand over his face wearily before looking up to meet
Teris’s eyes. Teris could see the sad acceptance in Kelan’s face. “But
that I would think about his suggestions for the future. Oh, not about
marrying Kalandra. That would be insane. But he’s right about the
other. It just enrages me that he would bring this up right now, with so
Guardian’s King
27
many more important issues for me to deal with, but I knew that it
would come eventually.”
“What?” Teris felt as if his heart were stone in his chest. If Kelan
was serious, if he were considering remarrying, even the tiny sliver of
hope that Teris had cherished that he and Kelan could one day be
together would be lost. “But what about us?”
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Chapter Three
Kelan couldn’t meet Teris’s eyes. He turned and began pacing
back and forth in front of the window.
“What about us, Kelan?” Teris repeated his question.
Finally Kelan stopped, gazing out at the city, a mimicry of the last
time he had stood here talking to Teris. With his back to the other
man, he said, “You know there can be no us, Teris.”
The man behind him was silent, and Kelan closed his eyes against
the agonizing pain of loss. He would leave now, Kelan thought. And
that would be that.
He heard soft footsteps approaching, and then strong hands
reached out to turn him around. Teris’s eyes were a stormy gray. “I
refuse to accept that, Kelan.”
“I have a duty to my people—”
“A duty you have more than fulfilled. For the Goddess’s sake,
Kelan, you married once out of your duty to your people. You have
given them an heir. Isn’t that enough?”
Kelan just shook his head.
Teris’s hands tightened on his shoulders, and he gave Kelan a
hard shake. “When is it time for you to be happy? For someone to
consider you for a change?” He just shook his head. Teris’s hard grip
eased, and his eyes grew very serious. “Do you think Lyra was happy,
Kelan? Did you ever wonder that if you had followed your heart ten
years ago, she might have met a man she loved and wed him instead?
Instead of you both being sacrificed on the great altar of duty?”
“Lyra never said she was unhappy,” Kelan muttered, his mind
turning to his deceased wife. “She seemed content.”
Guardian’s King
29
Teris laughed bitterly. “There’s a world of difference between
being content and being happy.”
“Perhaps.”
“So you’re now going to find another woman who will be content
being your queen?” Teris asked sarcastically. “She’ll be content.
You’ll be content. Won’t we all just be so farking content with our
lives? Is that truly what you want, Kelan?”
Kelan wanted to shout, “No!” That was not what he wanted. What
he wanted was Teris. Instead he said, “It isn’t always possible to have
what you want, Teris.”
“Isn’t it, Kelan? Isn’t it?” Kelan noticed a change in Teris’s tone,
and his own gaze sharpened. He met Teris’s stormy eyes a moment
before Teris’s caught his lips in a passionate kiss. Just as it had the
night before, the need exploded between them, making a mockery of
the logic and reason of Kelan’s arguments. Nothing existed but Teris.
Nothing mattered but the way Teris made him feel.
He had been trying so hard to do the right thing for Emryn. But
with Teris so warm and close, his own desires would not let him turn
him away. He loved Teris. There. He’d finally admitted to himself
just how deep his own feelings ran. Oh, he’d known he cared about
Teris, and that he’d desired him. But it was more, so much more.
What he felt for the other man filled him, defined him. And Teris was
right. He had cheated Lyra out of the life she could have had with
someone who loved her. She had deserved that, and didn’t he deserve
it, too? That was the last thought he had before the passion and hot
blazing need burned away his ability to think at all and left him with
only the ability to feel. And Goddess, did he feel.
Giving in to the temptation, he wound his arms around Teris’s
neck just as Teris changed the tenor of the kiss, softening the hard
pressure and moving his mouth delicately over Kelan’s. The tip of
Teris’s tongue came out to trace a wet trail around the outline of
Kelan’s lips. Then he nibbled gently on his lower lip, biting down
with a soft claiming, and sending a shiver of need through Kelan’s
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body. He tightened his hold, leaning closer in an effort to feel the hard
strength of Teris’s chest against his own. Teris slowly took the kiss
deeper, pushing his tongue between Kelan’s parted lips to gently
stroke before pulling back again.
Kelan’s hand moved up into Teris’s hair, tunneling through the
short brown locks to tug impatiently, letting Teris know he needed
more. Teris ignored the pressure to deepen the kiss, and Kelan grew
even more needy. Taking his time, Teris explored Kelan’s mouth with
long, leisurely skill. His slow deliberation stoked the fires of passion
inside Kelan. Kelan moaned. At the sound, Teris pulled back, gazing
down into Kelan’s eyes. Kelan knew that Teris could see the hunger
there.
“I want you so much,” Teris murmured against his mouth. “Let
me in.” His tongue thrust inside with a greedy demand, and then
pulled back and thrust in again. Kelan responded eagerly, feeling the
blood rush to his cock, which became engorged with need. Teris
pressed closer, rubbing against Kelan’s hardness, and his mouth
became suddenly hard and demanding. Gone was the gentle stroking,
and in its place was a fierce, shattering desire.
They were both trembling with the passion they’d ignited. Kelan
could no longer think at all, only respond to the devastating carnality
streaking through him. His fingers grasped Teris’s head, pulling him
even closer. Their mouths slanted against one another over and over
as their passion drove them higher. Passion turned to heated demand
as Teris took his mouth with raw possession.
Teris broke the kiss, stepping back to pin Kelan with a hard stare.
He held out his hand and, after a brief hesitation, Kelan took it. Teris
led him into the adjoining bed chamber. He halted beside the bed and
turned to face Kelan. Wordlessly, he began stripping Kelan quickly
and efficiently, dropping each garment into a growing pile on the
floor beside them.
When Kelan was completely nude, Teris stepped back, his gaze
moving over Kelan’s body with a look of primal ownership and naked
Guardian’s King
31
eroticism. Kelan shivered as Teris looked at him, feeling that gaze
like a physical touch as it brushed across his nipples and down across
his abdomen to linger at the swollen hardness of Kelan’s cock, proof
of his desire and need.
Then Teris began removing his own clothing, tossing them over to
join Kelan’s in a discarded heap. At last he was done, and he reached
for Kelan’s hand to pull him with gentle but urgent pressure to the
large bed. He climbed on the bed and then pulled Kelan down on top
of him.
Kelan felt Teris’s hands move up and down his body, gently
exploring. Their eyes locked together. Then Kelan bent down to press
a kiss on Teris’s full lips. Kelan kept his eyes open, wanting to see his
lover’s reaction to his touch. As if sensing his need, Teris met his
gaze with his own. They moved against one another as the kiss went
deeper. Kelan nudged Teris’s knees apart, settling his thigh in the
space he’d made. His leg pressed against Teris’s erection, stroking
over the hard rod as their tongues swirled and danced together in an
age-old duel of desire.
* * * *
Teris was in heaven. He couldn’t believe that it was finally
happening. Kelan was in is bed, naked, and responding to Teris with
all the passion and ardor he’d dreamed of for so long. Kelan’s body
was warm and hard as it pressed in to his own, and his mouth was the
sweetest thing Teris had ever tasted.
Impatient for more, he rolled, so that he was on top and Kelan’s
body was stretched out beneath him. His mouth moved, grazing down
Kelan’s face and neck and dropping hot little kisses and bites across
the expanse of Kelan’s chest and abdomen. He had one goal in mind,
and he was eager to reach it. He scooted down lower on the bed, until
his face was directly above Kelan’s cock. Goddess, it was a stirring
sight. Hard and long, it had a slight bend to it that Teris found
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intriguing. The shaft was pale, but the head darkened to a deeper,
purplish color. The nest of curls that surrounded the base was a deep
brown and felt silky soft when he moved his hand to curl around the
base of the shaft.
He stroked up, slowly, watching closely as his hand reached the
plum-shaped head. His thumb stroked across the underside, and Kelan
groaned and arched up. “Goddess, that feels good, Teris. Do it again.”
Teris eagerly complied, watching as the shaft hardened even more and
a small pearl of cum glistened in the slit at the top. Bending his head,
he stuck out his tongue and delicately lapped up the salty-sweet
offering.
Kelan moaned, and Teris paused to gaze up into Kelan’s face. His
eyes were closed, and his teeth had caught his bottom lip in a tight
clasp as though trying to hold back the betraying sounds of pleasure.
He rose up to kneel between Kelan’s legs, wanting to see his lover,
needing to study and learn every fraction of skin, every line of muscle
and sinew. Kelan was gorgeous. Deceptively slender when clothed, in
his glorious nudity, Kelan’s body gave proof that this was a king who
did more than sit on a throne and dictate to his subjects.
Kelan’s body was hard and well-muscled, though not the bulky
muscle of the warriors and Guardians. Rather it was the slender,
sinewy build of a runner or an acrobat. He was strong, but not overtly
so. His chest and belly were hairless, with nothing to hinder the
viewer from tracing every muscled line. Teris’s gaze moved lower,
taking in each molded curve of thigh and calf. Then he looked back at
Kelan’s cock, still surrounded by his own hand. He was darker than
Kelan, and the contrast between the paleness of Kelan’s shaft and his
fingers was erotically enthralling.
Teris tightened his hand and pulled upward, drawing another
ragged moan from Kelan’s lips. He smiled and did it again, watching
as the muscles in Kelan’s stomach tightened with each tug. He leaned
forward to catch another bead of cum that leaked from the shaft head,
drawing it into his mouth to savor its flavor. Then he bent and
Guardian’s King
33
engulfed the head of the cock in his mouth, sucking on it and relishing
Kelan’s harshly indrawn gasp. He spent several minutes devoted to
learning what Kelan liked. He wanted to taste everything, to touch
everywhere. He licked and kissed his way down the hard rod, burying
his face in the curls at the base and inhaling, taking in the musky odor
of Kelan’s arousal. His mouth traveled lower, exploring the wrinkled
sac, pulling the balls into his mouth and suckling them, enjoying the
gasps and moans coming from above him.
He teased and tormented Kelan over and over, bringing him to the
brink of orgasm several times before backing off. Soon Kelan was
begging and pleading, crying for release. Teris could stand it no
longer. He flipped Kelan over and reached over to grab the bottle of
tunis oil. When he’d coated his hands and cock with the slick liquid,
he rubbed his fingers between the rounded curves of Kelan’s ass,
seeking and finding his anal opening. He pressed inside, his finger
sliding into the tight channel. He paused to make sure Kelan was all
right.
“Farking hell, don’t stop,” gasped the king.
Reassured, Teris added a second finger to the first, moving both
deeper into Kelan’s body. He stroked in and out several times,
widening the tight hole to make it easier to get his cock inside. Kelan
responded to the touch, pressing his ass back against Teris’s hand
each time he stroked inside. At last Teris could stand it no longer.
“I have to fuck you,” he whispered.
“Yes. Do it, Teris,” came the heated response.
Teris lay down and pulled Kelan’s body to him so that the two
men were spooned together on the bed. He lifted Kelan’s leg up and
draped it over his own. Then Teris began pressing his cock to Kelan’s
hole. When the head passed the tight sphincter muscle, he paused,
relishing the hot clasp of Kelan’s body on his rod. “Is it okay?” he
gasped out, needing to know if he was hurting the other man, who
trembled beside him.
“Don’t farking stop,” Kelan answered.
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Reassured, he pressed deeper, trying to keep the pressure slow and
steady and to resist the urgent need to push hard and deep. At last he
was buried to the hilt in the warm paradise of Kelan’s ass. He could
feel Kelan’s body pulse around his cock. His head dropped forward to
rest on Kelan’s shoulder, and he could feel the other man’s shivering
response.
He place a burning kiss on the side of Kelan’s neck, and the other
man reached back to wrap one arm around Teris’s head, clutching a
handful of hair in his hand. Kelan turned his own head slightly,
pulling Teris’s face down and offering his lips. Teris eagerly
complied, covering Kelan’s mouth with his own, spearing his tongue
into the delicious heat. Then he began moving his hips, drawing his
cock from Kelan’s body with a long glide before pushing back inside
with barely restrained force.
Their mouths parted. “Harder,” Kelan gasped out.
Teris’s hand moved to Kelan’s hip. Grasping it firmly, he began to
rock in and out of the tight channel. He released Kelan’s hip and
moved his hand to wrap around the other man’s shaft, stroking it in
rhythm with his own cock’s motions. Faster and faster he moved. He
knew he wouldn’t last long.
“I’ve needed this for so long, Kel. So farking long.”
“I know. I have, too,” Kelan whispered.
“You’re so tight, so beautiful. I want to fuck you all night. I want
to shoot my cum in you and on you. I want you to swallow it down.
Goddess, I’d love to coat you in my seed.”
Whether it was Teris’s heated words or the feel of the hand on his
cock, Teris didn’t know, but it was only moments later when the
king’s body became rigid and hot spurts of his cum shot from the
head of his cock landed in ropey trails across Teris’s hand and the
bedding. He groaned out his pleasure, and Teris paused, holding
himself still as he relished every moment of Kelan’s climax. He
stroked Kelan’s cock until the last spurt of cum trickled from the slit.
Guardian’s King
35
“That was beautiful, Kelan. Goddess’s truth, it was the most
beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“I love you, Teris,” Kelan gasped, and Teris lost control.
He began shafting Kelan harder. “You belong to me, do you
understand, Kelan? You’re mine now,” Teris told the other man.
“Farking hell, yes, Teris. Yes, I’m yours.”
“I love you, Kel.”
“I love you, too, Teris.”
At those words, Teris lost it. He came, shooting his cum deep into
the cavern of Kelan’s ass. He buried his face against Kelan’s neck as
his body was wracked with the trembling aftershocks of his release.
At last he was still.
His hands relaxed, softening into gentle caresses as they smoothed
over the limp body that lay against him. They lay there together for a
long time, until Teris’s softening cock slid from Kelan’s ass. Teris
rose, moving across the room to grab a cloth and dampen it in the
bowl he used to wash his face and hands. He brought it back to the
bed and tenderly cleansed Kelan’s body of his fluids. He pushed
Kelan so that he lay flat on his back and cleaned the cum from his
penis. Kelan’s eyes were dark as they watched him.
Neither man spoke. When Teris was finished, he took the soiled
sheets and tossed them to the floor. Then he grabbed a blanket and,
crawling back in beside Kelan, he covered them both. His hands
reached out to pull Kelan against him, and they snuggled close. After
a while, Kelan murmured, “I have to go. I imagine everyone is
wondering where I disappeared to.”
Teris said, “I know. Will I see you tonight?”
Kelan moved, turning so that they were face-to-face. “You know
this is still a bad idea.”
Teris didn’t say anything.
Finally Kelan sighed. “Yes, I’ll join you for the evening meal.”
“And after?” Teris asked.
Kelan tensed slightly and then relaxed. “Yes. And after.”
Teris closed his eyes in relief.
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Chapter Four
Kelan sat at his desk gazing down at the pile of scrolls and
parchments he was supposed to be reading over, but he could not
concentrate. His mind kept being pulled to the way Teris had looked
that morn when Kelan had left his bed. They had just made love, and
Teris’s mouth was swollen from their kisses. His eyes held a sleepy,
slumberous sensuality that had beckoned Kelan to stay. He had to
admit that he had been more than tempted to do just that, but he knew
that if he didn’t leave then, he probably would end up staying in bed
with Teris the rest of the day. It had happened before.
Since they had become lovers, he’d had trouble keeping his hands
off Teris. And the other man was just as bad. It was as though they
were making up for lost time. In the past week, their affair had
become an open secret among his personal staff. No one had said
anything, but Kelan knew they must be aware of the fact that the king
seldom slept in his own bed these days. He tried to remember why he
had been so concerned before, but the reasons for staying away from
Teris paled into comparison next to the heady feeling of being in love
and finally being able to express that love.
A knock at his door had his head coming up. “Come in,” he
called.
The door opened, and Sir Wilsin stuck his head in. Kelan stiffened
for a moment before forcing himself to relax. The man hadn’t
mentioned marriage again, and Kelan told himself that he couldn’t be
forced to do anything he didn’t want to.
“Are you busy, Your Majesty?” Sir Wilsin asked.
Guardian’s King
37
Kelan made himself smile and beckon the man inside. “I’m just
going over some troop reports. It’s nothing that couldn’t stand an
interruption. What can I do for you, Sir Wilsin?”
“I just wanted to bring you this list so that you can start
considering your options.”
Kelan’s smile froze on his lips. “List?”
“Yes, of course. The list of possible brides, sire. I know there’s
plenty of time yet, but it wouldn’t hurt to get an early start. There are
only five months left before your period of mourning will be over,
and it would be wise to have the list narrowed down to just a few
names by then. It will make it so much easier to arrange meetings.”
Kelan took a deep breath. “I’m sure that I told you that I don’t
intend to take a bride any time soon.”
Sir Wilsin looked surprised. “Well, yes, sire, but I just assumed
that was the grief talking. The country will need a queen, and so will
you. And the sooner the better.”
“Perhaps I should have been clearer,” Kelan said. “I’m not sure
that I will ever remarry.”
Sir Wilsin appeared shocked. “But, Your Majesty, you must.”
Kelan stood and paced over to the fireplace, suddenly feeling the
chill seeping into his bones. “Why must I?” He stretched his hands
out to the blazing warmth, not looking at the fussy man who had
become one of his most unwanted counselors.
Sir Wilsin sputtered, “Because it is your duty, of course. You need
more heirs.”
“What if I marry a woman, and she is barren? What then? Or we
have only daughters? Just because I marry again, there is no guarantee
of an heir. And besides, I have plenty of cousins who could inherit the
crown if, Goddess forbid, something should happen to my son.”
“There are other considerations, as well. You need someone to act
as hostess. Someone to direct your staff.”
“There are ample people around to fill those roles. No, I am
unconvinced and prefer not to speak further on this matter.” He gave
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Sir Wilsin a sharp look. “Now, if there is nothing further, I really
must get back to these papers. Captain Rom will be arriving shortly,
and so I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Sir Wilsin’s face was a study in outrage. “Very well, Your
Majesty,” he said with cool disdain. He stood and gathered his robes
around him. “Since you obviously do not value my advice, I’ll bid
you good day.” With a lifted chin and haughty nod, Sir Wilsin left.
Kelan’s chin dropped, and he rubbed both hands over his face.
That hadn’t been pleasant. But he refused to be railroaded into
another marriage he did not want. He could not betray Teris that way.
Teris had shown him the true meaning of a loving, committed
partnership. It was nothing at all like the friendly yet distant marriage
he had had with Lyra. They had lived separate lives, coming together
only for the purpose of raising their son and attempting to provide
more heirs for the kingdom. Though he knew it would be difficult
when it finally became public knowledge, he realized that he could
never again be willing to return to that same kind of bonding.
He wanted Teris. As they had spent more and more time together,
in and out of the bedchamber, he’d discovered how valuable it was to
have someone with whom he could discuss the more difficult
decisions that he had to make as monarch. Teris didn’t judge. And he
didn’t always agree with Kelan, but he always listened with interest
and concern. He helped to ease Kelan when the responsibilities of his
office seemed overwhelming.
Another knock on the door interrupted his musings. When the
door opened and Teris appeared, he almost sighed in relief. Thank the
Goddess Sir Wilsin had not decided to return. He smiled widely.
“Teris. Come in.”
Teris looked hesitant as his eyes took in the pile of papers on
Kelan’s desk. “I don’t want to interrupt anything.”
“You’re not, believe me.” He crossed to give his lover a brief kiss.
“Come and sit down. I could use a break.”
Guardian’s King
39
Once Teris was seated next to him on a sofa near the fire, Kelan
asked, “Now, what brings you to my office?”
“Nothing special. I just wanted to see if you could join me for the
noon meal.”
Kelan smiled. “I’d love to, but Rom should be here any minute for
a meeting. If you wouldn’t mind waiting until after that, we could
have a light meal sent up.”
“Of course. That would be perfect.”
“What have you been doing this morn?” Kelan moved so that his
hand was draped across the back of the sofa, his fingers just grazing
Teris’s shoulder.
He saw Teris’s eye darken slightly at the contact. The other man
shrugged. “I went for a ride shortly after you left. Then I spent some
time looking over some new racing stock that had been delivered to
the stables.”
“I wish I could have gone with you. Maybe we could arrange to
ride together tomorrow.”
“I would love to.” Teris smiled, his gray eyes soft and warm, and
Kelan could not resist leaning forward to steal another kiss.
He’d intended the caress to be no more than a quick press of lip to
lip, but he became distracted by the sweet warmth of Teris’s mouth.
He deepened the kiss, pressing his tongue inside and sliding it
sensuously against the other man’s. When he pulled back, they were
both breathing harshly. Gazing down into his lover’s face, he said, “I
just can’t seem to get enough of you.”
Teris smiled. “Good.”
He had just bent his head for another taste of Teris’s sweetness,
when a sharp rap on the door interrupted them. Jerking back, he
frowned. “Farking hell.”
He stood and wiped his hand across his mouth to remove any
trace of the kiss before calling out, “Enter.”
Rom Dartel, captain of the Gray, walked into the room. His sharp-
eyed gaze took in the room at a glance, lingering for a moment on
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Teris. At last his eyes settled on Kelan, a knowing glint in their
golden-brown depths. “Are you ready for our meeting, or should I
come back later?” he asked.
Kelan shot a quick look at Teris, who had stood. He made a
sudden decision. “No. Now is fine. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like
for Teris to sit in on our meeting. I think he could provide a new
perspective and offer some valuable advice and insight into the
situation.” He saw the way Teris’s eyes widened and the flush of
pleasure that slid over his face at Kelan’s statement.
Rom’s eyes moved from Teris and back to Kelan. “Not at all. I
think that is an excellent idea, sire.”
Kelan sighed. “When will you remember to call me Kelan, Rom?”
Rom gave a lopsided grin. “You’ll just have to keep reminding
me, Kelan.”
“Come. Let’s all sit down and talk.”
* * * *
Teris was bemused. He’d had no inkling that Kelan was going to
ask him to participate in the meeting with Rom. He suspected it had
been a spur-of-the-moment decision, but he couldn’t stop the feeling
of warmth that filled him at the gesture. He saw Rom take in the sight
of Kelan and himself as they sat next to one another on the small sofa.
When Rom caught Teris’s eye, he offered a warm smile and a small
nod. It was obvious that Rom knew of the king’s relationship with
Teris and was giving them his tacit approval. Since Teris knew how
much Kelan respected and admired the captain of the Gray, he felt a
spurt of relief. He and Kelan still had a long way to go before things
were settled between them. It was a relief to know that a battle with
Rom was not going to be on the agenda.
Once three of them had settled, he asked, “Have you met with
Commander Lorn?”
Guardian’s King
41
Rom gave a short nod. “He’s dispatched several units to various
spots along the border with orders that they are to keep out of sight as
much as possible. I believe the excuse, if they are spotted, is that they
are on training maneuvers.”
“Excellent. And what of the meeting with Kalandra? Has that
been arranged?” Kelan wanted to know.
Rom grimaced. “Yes. It’s all in order. She has agreed to a meeting
and has suggested that it take place at Hammerstone.”
Teris knew that Hammerstone was located at the base of the
Mountains of the Gloam in the southeastern tip of Feresa. It had often
been used as a neutral meeting place between the two countries during
more peaceful times. Hammerstone was a huge rock that lay at the
base of one of the mountains. It looked as though it had been sheered
from a mountain peak and dropped by the negligent hand of a giant.
There were no nearby towns. A narrow passage led through the
mountains just north of Hammerstone. It was closely guarded by the
Emrynian patrols on the western side and by the Angkeshi on the
eastern end.
“That will do perfectly. Make sure that you send a pair of the
Gray to scout out the area just to make sure that Kalandra doesn’t
have some unpleasant surprises waiting for us.”
Rom agreed. “I’ve already assigned two men to that task, Grayden
Cath and Quinlan Sanderling. They’re on their way as we speak.”
“Good. Good. I want to make sure that we leave nothing to
chance.”
“I agree. You can rest assured that my men will be on the alert for
anything suspicious.”
Teris listened as the two men discussed different various plans
that were being put into place to ensure the king’s safety, but he
noticed that something was suspiciously lacking from all of their
scenarios. When it appeared that they weren’t going to speak of
something that he considered of great concern, he could not hold his
peace. As soon as there was a brief lull in the conversation, he asked,
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“But what of the queen’s magical abilities? Her shape-shifting
powers? Surely you must have some plan to prevent her from using
those? A way of guarding the king against that?”
Rom looked at him, and he could see the look of startlement on
his face? “Shape-shifting powers?” He shook his head and grimaced.
“Old wives’ tales. Surely you don’t believe in such nonsense, Your
Grace?”
“Please call me Teris. And yes, as a matter of fact, I do. I can’t
believe you would completely discount the possibility.”
“It’s pure superstition.”
Kelan laughed. “As you can see, Teris, my captain has no time for
such outlandish stories. He’s quite the pragmatist.”
Teris became slightly alarmed at the captain’s hardheadedness. “I
beg your pardon, Rom, but I’ve seen evidence of such powers with
my own eyes. I think you are making a grave mistake and putting
your king’s safety in jeopardy if you do not at least prepare for the
possibility.”
He could see that Rom was surprised and perhaps even a little
insulted at the suggestion that he wouldn’t do everything in his power
to protect Kelan.
“I assure you, Teris, no one will get to the king. They’ll have to go
through my men and me in order to do so.”
“Yes, but if you aren’t expecting the queen to, say, change into a
large cat, you might not be able to stop her.”
Rom laughed. “That’s not going to happen.”
Teris turned to Kelan, who was watching the debate between the
two men with interest. “I beg of you to listen to me. I know what I’m
talking about. I’ve spent many years studying stories of the occult. It
is a hobby of mine. The things I have learned would make your hair
stand on end. Trust me, Kelan. You must take precautions against the
queen’s powers. At the very least, let me come with you. I know a
few ways to guard against such devices.” He tried to portray to Kelan
his sincerity, meeting his eyes head-on and speaking with assurance.
Guardian’s King
43
He could tell Kelan was surprised by his request. “I don’t know.
I’ve never been sure what I believed about the rumors surrounding the
queen of Angkesh.” He turned to Rom. “Surely it wouldn’t hurt to
take a few safety measures. I know how you feel about the subject,
but what if you’re wrong?”
“Fine. We’ll take precautions.” Rom looked annoyed but resigned.
“Though I still think it’s a waste of time.” He looked at Teris. “So
what would you suggest we do to protect the king from Kalandra’s
so-called abilities?”
Teris thought quickly. “I know a man. He’s called Old Marton. He
lives in Averin Procince, not far from Hawksworth. He’s very
knowledgeable about such powers as the queen is said to exhibit. He
possesses some measure of power himself. I think we should take him
with us. It wouldn’t be too far out of the way to pick him up on our
journey to Hammerstone.”
“You say he has powers of his own?” Kelan asked.
Teris nodded. “Some. I’m not sure if they would be enough to
defeat Kalandra if it came down to it. He was reluctant to talk to me
as he’d been subjected to a lot of skepticism and ridicule and outright
fear because of his abilities. He doesn’t trust many. He’s practically a
hermit, living all alone deep in a wooded glade. It took me many
weeks to get him to show me as much as he did.” He shot an accusing
glance at Rom. “The people of Emryn are not always the most
accepting when it comes to things they do not understand.”
Rom grinned wryly in acknowledgment but said nothing.
“But I saw enough to know that he could be helpful to us, if
nothing more than giving us an idea of what we might expect
Kalandra to try.”
“Would he even be willing to aid us if, as you say, he is
distrusting and reluctant to speak to anyone he doesn’t know?” Rom
wanted to know.
“I’m not sure.” Teris shrugged. “All we can do is ask. He knows
me, of course. And I think that during the time we spent together he
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came to like and respect me. Perhaps if I asked him, he would agree
to go with us and to do whatever he could.”
“I think it would be worth our while to at least talk to the man,
Rom,” Kelan said. “You say he’s in Averin Province?”
“His home is a few miles from Barrowshire, a small village. There
are a few villagers who seek him out for healing potions and such as
he’s a master of herb lore. But by and large, he is alone. He has no
family that I am aware of. In the time I spent with him, we saw no one
at all for days at a time.”
“I know where Barrowshire is. You’re right, it won’t be much of a
detour for us. I suppose we can at least stop and talk to the old man on
our way to Hammerstone. But we’ll have to leave a day or so earlier
than I had originally planned if we are to keep our rendezvous with
Kalandra.”
“I see no problem with that. Rom, make the arrangements as you
see fit.”
“Yes, sire,” the captain of the Gray replied.
“Is there anything else we need to discuss?” Kelan asked Rom.
The captain shook his head. “No, I believe that is all for now.” He
stood. “I need to get back to the Tower if you have no objection.”
The king and Teris rose as well.
Teris met Rom’s gaze. “I appreciate your humoring me in this
matter, Rom. I understand your feelings, but I would not feel
comfortable if my concerns had gone unaddressed.”
Rom nodded. “The king’s safety is my primary concern. Whatever
it takes to make him comfortable with my ability to protect him is all
that matters to me.”
A moment later he took his leave.
Teris turned to Kelan, who was looking at him with a small smile
on his face.
“What?”
Kelan shrugged. “I’m just pleased that you are so concerned for
my welfare.”
Guardian’s King
45
Teris rolled his eyes. “Well, of course I’m concerned. I love you.”
Kelan sighed and reached out to pull Teris close. “Show me,” he
whispered before his lips claimed Teris’s.
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Chapter Five
The next several days were spent preparing for the journey to
Hammerstone. It seemed to Kelan that a million myriad details
awaited his attention, but at last the day dawned that signaled the start
of their journey. Luckily, the weather had decided to cooperate. The
sun shone brightly down on the procession as it moved through the
streets of Winterreach and then out the southern gates and beyond.
Twenty members of the Gray accompanied Kelan and Teris as
protection, including Rom who rode at the head of the line. Kelan and
Teris were sandwiched in the middle of the group, surrounded on all
sides by their heavily armed guard. Also accompanying them was
Lord Edgely, who rode toward the end of the line accompanied only
by one assistant. Two wagons holding supplies brought up the rear.
As they moved farther and farther into the countryside, Kelan drew a
deep breath, relishing the crisp morning air, untainted by the scents of
a large, well-populated city.
Teris rode beside him, sitting loose and at ease in the saddle.
Kelan cast a quick glance at the man, admiring his tall, lean figure.
“You look quite at home on horseback,” Kelan commented.
Teris tossed him a grin. “I should. I spend a lot of time riding
around Hawksworth, partly for pleasure, but chiefly because it’s the
easiest way to inspect my land and visit the various tenants on the
estate.”
“You’re obviously very involved in the workings of your
holding.”
Guardian’s King
47
“I am. My father taught me from a young age the responsibilities
of my station and my people. It’s a lesson I’ve never forgotten. I quite
enjoy it, as well.”
“So you’re a farmer at heart, then?”
Teris laughed. “A farmer and a student.”
“Ah, yes, your studies of the supernatural. It seems quite an
unusual hobby. How did that start?”
Teris grew serious. “When I was young, around ten I suppose, I
snuck out of the house one night. There had been rumors of a small
band of travelers from a distant land in the south crossing through
Averin. Like so many boys of that age, I was eager to get a look at
these strangers. Not much exciting ever happened at Hawksworth, so
I couldn’t resist the temptation.”
“What boy could?” Kelan smiled understandingly.
“Exactly. The travelers had camped near a stream that cut through
the very southern tip of Hawksworth. I found them easily enough
simply because I knew those woods very well. I crept as close as I
could, not wanting them to see me. There were only three men and a
few of women and children. For a while, I lay there, just watching.
Nothing much happened at first. Oh, I could tell they were strangers.
They had hair dark as night, and it reached down past their backs. I
noticed right away the graceful, sinuous way they moved, tending to
their animals and cooking their meal. It was almost inhuman.
Anyway, some troublemakers from the village apparently had decided
that the strangers would be easy pickings. They rode in, intending to
rob them. There must have been a dozen men, armed to the teeth.”
“What happened?” Kelan had turned in his saddle so he could
watch Teris’s face as he told his story.
Teris shook his head. “It was a massacre.”
“The travelers were killed?”
Teris met his eyes with a bleak stare. “Not a single one of the
travelers was hurt, but the villagers were cut down like bothersome
flies. The strangers moved so quickly, it was difficult to follow. And
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one of them—” He stopped and bit his lip, as though reluctant to
continue.
“Tell me,” Kelan urged, eager to hear the end of the tale. He was
fascinated with this story of Teris’s.
Teris looked away for a moment. When he turned back to Kelan,
he shrugged and his mouth curled up into a little half smile. “You’ll
think me mad.”
“I swear I won’t.”
“All right.” He took a deep breath before blurting out, “One of
them changed into a large cat.”
Kelan let out a bark of laughter. “You’re joking.”
“I knew you’d think I was lying.”
“Not lying. But you were a young boy with a fertile imagination.
I’m sure it seemed to happen the way you remember.”
“I know what I saw. My father didn’t believe me either. I got out
of there as fast as I could and ran all the way home. I woke my father
and made him come back with me.”
“And?” Kelan prodded when Teris fell silent.
“And there was nothing there. No bodies. No travelers. No camp.
Nothing.”
“You have to admit the tale is rather unbelievable, Teris.”
“I’m telling you the truth, Kelan. It happened just as I said. No
one would believe me, but I knew what I saw. I began studying,
researching. For the next several years, I read every book, parchment,
or scroll I could get my hands on. I talked to other people who had
reported similar experiences. I became more and more convinced that
what I saw was not a hallucination or a dream. It was real.”
Kelan considered what Teris had told him. He knew that the other
man was not prone to hysterics or wild imaginings. If anything, he’d
always found Teris to be very pragmatic and logical. He had a calm,
easygoing manner. He frequently had his nose in a book on some
subject or other. That he would tale such an outlandish tale seemed to
go against what Kelan knew of the man.
Guardian’s King
49
“It’s hard to give credence to such a tale.”
“I understand that. There are some things that must be seen to be
believed. I’m just asking you to keep an open mind. My studies have
taken me to some strange places, and I’ve met some very unusual
people. I’ve seen things that defy logic and reason, Kelan.”
Kelan studied the earnest face of his lover. Finally he nodded. “I
will reserve judgment, I promise. Unlike Rom, I have always been
willing to keep an open mind on the subject, though I have personally
never had any experiences such as you speak of.”
“That’s all I ask, Kelan.”
A comfortable silence fell between them as they continued on
their journey. When darkness began to fall, the company began
looking for a place to camp for the night. It didn’t take them long to
set up camp near a small stream. The night passed uneventfully, and
the next morning dawned bright and clear. By the end of the third day,
they had passed into Averin Province. When they halted that night,
Rom approached Teris and Kelan where they sat eating their evening
meal.
He greeted his king, and then turned to Teris. “How much farther
is it to Old Marton’s home?” he asked.
Kelan listened idly as Teris and Rom discussed which would be
the easiest and quickest route to take to their destination. He’d been
thinking about the story Teris had told him on and off as they’d ridden
along, and he couldn’t get the sincerity and earnestness on his lover’s
face out of his mind. He’d been telling Teris the truth when he’d told
him that he’d never experienced anything supernatural himself, but
he’d heard the tales and stories all his life. One of his nurses when he
was young had been from Feresa, and she’d filled the young prince’s
ears with tales of her own unexplainable experiences.
No, unlike Rom and most of the other Guardians, Kelan did not
completely discount the stories he’d heard. Oh, he was sure that
plenty of it was made up stories and exaggerated claims by drunkards
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and tale spinners. But he’d always believed that there was usually an
element of truth in even the most outlandish claims.
He studied Teris’s face as he bent to draw a rough map on the
ground. The Duke of Hawksworth had always been a trustworthy
man, and the more he’d thought about Teris’s story, the more he’d
believed him. He was glad that he’d decided to bring Teris on this
journey and was eager to meet and talk to this Old Marton that Teris
was taking them to see. He had a feeling that his meeting with
Kalandra might be more eye-opening than even he had thought. And
perhaps his stoic captain of the Gray might be in for the shock of his
life. That thought lifted his spirits no end.
Whatever the coming days might bring, though, Kelan knew
beyond a shadow of a doubt that he could want no finer group of men
with him. He trusted them to protect him against any physical threat
and hoped that they would be prepared for whatever else Kalandra
might have up her sleeve.
* * * *
They rode as quietly as possible through the woods, the air
oppressive and heavy. The thick canopy of trees overhead blocked
much of the light. The members of the Gray were strangely subdued,
speaking only in soft whispers. Teris had moved to the head of the
procession, riding beside Rom, while Kelan remained in his protected
position directly in the middle of a phalanx of Guardians. The
surrounding trees and brush became more difficult to maneuver
through. The trail they had been following narrowed until it was
barely discernible. When Teris pulled his horse to a halt, the others
did as well. Rom cast him a questioning look.
Teris explained, “I think it would be best if I go ahead by myself
from here. Old Marton isn’t the most hospitable of people. I’m not
exactly sure how he would react to the sight of so many warriors
invading his privacy.”
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51
Rom frowned. “I’ll go with you. I don’t like the idea of your
meeting with this man alone.”
“He wouldn’t harm me, I assure you. We got along together quite
well when I was here before. In fact, we’ve visited together several
times.”
“Nevertheless, I think it best that we go together. Surely one more
person won’t upset this old man too much.”
Teris eyed the intimidating figure of the captain of the Gray for a
moment. “You’re not exactly just another person, Rom. Still, I
suppose it will be all right.”
Rom nodded and then turned to speak to Brax, who was just
behind him. Teris saw the other man nod and then give the others the
order to dismount. Rom turned back to Teris. “They’ll wait for us
here. Shall we?” he asked.
With a quick look back at Kelan, Teris urged his mount forward.
With Rom behind him, he wove his way through the thick
undergrowth several more feet before the path began opening up
again. In a few moments they were completely out of the trees and in
a small clearing in the middle of which sat a rough-built cottage. As
they approached closer to the cottage, a voice yelled out, “Halt. That’s
close enough. State your business.”
Teris got down from his horse and walked forward a few feet.
“Marton? It is Teris Bas Rillian. I’ve brought someone with me. I’d
like to speak with you, if I may.”
There was silence for a moment, before the voice came again. “I
recognize you, Teris, but not the other. I’m not sure I like the looks of
him.”
“His name is Rom Dartel, and he is Captain of the Guardians of
the Gray Tower. He’s here on important business for the king,
Marton. May we approach?”
There was another long pause. At last the door opened, and the
old man stepped out on the ramshackle porch. Though the man’s hair
was almost white with age, he still moved with surprising agility.
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Teris caught a quick glimpse of the dagger he held in his hand before
it disappeared into a fold of his cloak. When Marton gestured for
them to come forward, he did so immediately. Rom followed behind.
Marton continued to eye Rom with suspicion for a moment or two
when the men stopped before him, but finally turned to Teris, and his
face lightened with welcome. “I swear, ’tis good to see you, my boy.
I’ve missed our talks. I have some wonderful new stories to tell you
about my vegetable garden and some new seedlings I’ve developed.”
“I, too, have missed our talks, Marton. But right now, I have a
great need of your expert guidance on a matter of some urgency.”
Old Marton’s face creased in concern. “For the king, you say? Is
he having trouble with his vegetables?”
Teris laughed. “Not exactly. King Kelan awaits for us in the wood
just beyond. I thought it best that I come ahead to prepare you. We are
a large group, and I didn’t want to alarm you.”
“The king, you say? Here? At my humble home?” Teris could tell
Marton was surprised. “But I don’t have any red tea made.”
“He won’t care about that, Marton. Shall I send for him to come
and join us?”
“Of course. Of course. The king shouldn’t be kept waiting, my
boy.”
“Rom, would you please tell the king that Marton would be
honored if he would join us?” Teris told Rom. Teris knew that Rom
had been studying Marton and the surrounding area with great
intensity. Apparently satisfied that there was no threat to Kelan, he
gave a brief nod to signal his agreement before turning and striding
off back the way they had come.
Teris turned to smile at Marton, who was eyeing him sharply.
“What’s going on, Teris?” Gone was the somewhat befuddled old
man and in his place was the keen-eyed elder who had forgotten more
than Teris had ever learned.
“The king will explain. I beg of you to hear him out, Marton. He
could be in great danger. We all could.”
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53
Marton studied his face closely. Whatever he saw there must have
convinced him because he nodded his head. “All right.”
It was only moments later that the others began riding into the
clearing. As more and more horsemen came into sight, Old Marton’s
eyes became wider and wider. “By Salara’s bones, did you bring the
whole garrison?”
Teris smiled. “Not quite.”
Kelan had dismounted and was approaching. When he halted,
Teris introduced him to his host. “Sire, this is Marton Stronghold, the
man I was telling you about. Marton, His Majesty, King Kelan.”
Marton bowed.
“I am pleased to meet you, Marton Stronghold,” Kelan greeted the
man once he’d risen.
“It is an honor, Your Majesty, truly an honor. Won’t you come
inside.”
Kelan nodded and proceeded up the steps. Rom and Lord Edgely
followed with Teris and Marton bringing up the rear. Before he
stepped inside, he cast a glance over his shoulder to see the rest of the
company had dismounted and were beginning to set up a rough camp.
Once they had all gotten comfortable inside and the pleasantries
were done, Teris leaned forward from where he sat at a rough-hewn
table. “Marton, King Kelan is planning on meeting with Queen
Kalandra in the next few days. As you can see, he is well guarded by
the Gray, but I have persuaded him that the queen may have some
tricks up her sleeve that the warriors are ill prepared to combat. We
seek your help.”
Marton completely dispensed with his old-man façade and looked
at the king with a discerning stare. “You worry about the queen’s
sorcery? I didn’t know the king of Emryn even believed in such
things.”
“I don’t know if I do,” Kelan told Marton. “Then again, I don’t
know if I don’t, either. Teris has convinced me that the possibility
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exists. I’m not such a fool that I would ignore sage advice. He
believes you might be able to help. Can you?”
Teris was proud of the way Kelan was handling the old man.
Marton was a recluse, it was true, but he was also a proud man. And a
smart one, as well. It was good that Kelan didn’t attempt to lie or
dissemble.
“Quite possibly, sire. Quite possibly.” Marton smiled. Then with a
flick of his wrist, the fire, which had been smoldering, burst into
flame. “I shall fix us some red tea, and then we shall talk.”
Teris could see the look of stunned surprise on the other men’s
faces and hid his smile. He heard Rom mutter, “Parlor trick.”
“Quite possibly, Captain.” Marton moved to fix the pot of tea.
“And then again, possibly not.”
Silence stretched in the room as Marton puttered around getting
the tea ready. When it was at last sitting on the grate, he poured them
each a mug and joined them at the table.
“What can you tell us of Queen Kalandra, Marton?” Teris asked.
“I have heard many rumors of her powers. Are they true?”
“I, too, have heard the rumors.” Marton spoke quietly, gazing
down into his tea. “As for their truth, that I do now know. I’ve never
seen the queen myself.”
“So you don’t know if she can really shift into a cat beast?” Rom
asked snidely.
Marton met his gaze squarely. “I don’t know if she can, but I have
seen those who have that ability with my own eyes.”
“Why should we believe you?” Rom wanted to know.
Old Marton shrugged. “I don’t care if you believe me or not. It
was you who came to me seeking help. If you choose to leave this
place and never return, I shall not be disappointed.”
That shut Rom up, Teris saw.
Kelan leaned forward. “How did you make the fire blaze up? Was
it a parlor trick as my captain suggests?”
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55
In answer, Marton held out his hand, palm up. “Give me your
hand.” After a moment’s hesitation, Kelan placed his own on top.
Nothing happened for a moment, and then Kelan rapidly jerked his
hand back. Eyes wide, he looked at each of the men before turning
back to Marton. “Goddess, that was amazing.”
“What happened, sire?” Lord Edgely looked down at Kelan’s
hand. It appeared unharmed.
“Heat. His hand became so hot it felt as if I’d held mine over a
flame.”
The others looked astonished.
Kelan turned back to Marton. “How did you do that?”
“I don’t know. At least, I know that I’ve always had the power.
It’s not much, as powers go. I can light a fire in a grate or heat a
king’s palm. Not an amazingly terrifying power. I can’t stop a sword
or heal a sickness.”
“Still, it’s amazing to me. Do you know others who have powers
like yours? Can you teach others to do the same thing?”
Marton held up his hand and shot an amused look at Teris. “Good
Goddess, he’s full of questions, isn’t he? Reminds me of someone
else I once knew.” He winked at Teris.
“I’m afraid so.” Teris grinned in reply. “But be patient with him.
He has a good heart.”
Marton leaned forward to whisper quietly in Teris’s ear, “And is
dear to you, is that not so?”
Unwilling to lie to his old friend, he whispered back, “Indeed.”
Marton grunted and sat back. “I’ll answer your questions, Your
Majesty, all in due time. But I’ve a question of my own. Why do you
wish to meet with the queen of the Angkesh?”
For the next hour Kelan, with help from the others, told Marton
about the events of the past several months, beginning with the traitor
Nysan, who had been somehow controlled and manipulated by
Kalandra into spying on the Gray, and ending with the death of
Fenworth Rei, the king’s cousin, who had confessed to being in
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collusion with Kalandra and participating in the assassination of
Kelan’s wife, Lyra.
The whole time they were speaking, Teris could see Marton
listening intently. He would nod occasionally at some piece of
information that he found interesting. By the time they were finished,
Marton looked serious indeed.
Kelan added, “We must stop her at all costs. I have decided it is
time to go on the offensive. For too long we have just tried to guard
against her next maneuver. But that time is over.”
“And you believe she will try to kill you?”
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised. In fact, I’m planning on it. It is all
the excuse I will need to invade Angkesh.”
Marton nodded. “I will go with you to meet Queen Kalandra, and
I will do all that is in my power to stop her should she try something
your Guardians are unprepared to face.”
Teris asked, “Do you think you can stop her from using her
powers against the king?”
Marton shrugged. “I have read and studied many things in my life,
Teris. Some I have shared with you. Some I have not. Whether or not
I can defeat the evil queen’s powers remains to be seen, but I feel that
I am your king’s best chance. So I will go.”
“Thank you, Marton. I am grateful.” Kelan smiled.
Rom and the other Guardians still looked skeptical, but Teris felt
relieved. Whatever it took to keep Kelan safe, that is what he would
do. There was nothing more important.
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Chapter Six
Kelan lay on the thin mattress in the tent the Guardians had
erected for him at their base camp at Hammerstone. It wasn’t exactly
luxurious, but it was surprisingly cozy. Though not enormous, it was
big enough to accommodate the mattress, a small collapsible table
with two small stools, and a trunk containing some clothing and
important documents. A rug had been placed on the ground for
warmth, and the tough tarn hide of the tent was airtight and
waterproof. A small brazier sat in the center of the tent, heating the
space nicely.
So far they had seen no sign of Kalandra or her entourage. The
scouts Rom had sent ahead had reported nothing out of the ordinary,
so Kelan was trying to rest while he had the opportunity. He knew
that once the queen of Angkesh arrived, he would have to be on his
toes every second. Even now, his Guardians were busy patrolling the
surrounding area for any sign of spies or possible ambush. Kelan
doubted the queen would try anything yet, but he was still uneasy,
which made it difficult to relax.
He hoped his decision to meet with Kalandra was the correct one,
but it was so hard to know the right choice sometimes. One of the
perils of ruling was that so many depended on one man, and
ultimately all final decisions had to be made by the king. Oh, he could
listen
to
his
advisers
and
consider
their
opinions
and
recommendations, but that didn’t ease the pressure any.
The turmoil of the last several months coupled with the death of
Lyra had him on edge. The only time he really relaxed was when he
was spending time with his son or alone with Teris. Then he could
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forget that he was the king and just remember that he was a man.
Neither Aric nor Teris made him feel apart or different. He smiled as
he thought of his son and his lover. Of course Aric loved Teris
already. He was his uncle, after all. The easy affection between the
two was a joy to see, and he knew that he had Teris to thank for
keeping Aric occupied and helping keep his mind off of the loss of his
mother in the days and weeks following the funeral. If he hadn’t loved
Teris for anything else, he would have loved him for the way he cared
for Aric.
As if the thought conjured the man, Teris himself strode into the
tent.
“Did you get Old Marton all settled?” Kelan asked.
Teris nodded and began removing his outerwear, tossing it
negligently across the small chest. Then he sat on one of the stools
and removed his boots before rising to look down at Kelan. “Yes,”
Teris replied. “He’s happily regaling the Gray with some of his
fantastical tales. I didn’t think he would miss me. Are you all right?
You were very quiet at supper.”
Kelan managed a shrug, though he couldn’t quite hide the wince
as he did so. His shoulders and back were tight and sore from tension.
“I’m all right.”
Obviously Teris noticed that he was in some pain because a
knowing look entered his eyes. “I don’t think so. Roll over.” Teris
dropped down onto the mattress beside Kelan, giving him no choice
but to scoot to the center. After Kelan had turned onto his stomach, he
felt Teris’s hands on his shoulders. Teris began massaging the knotted
muscles, drawing a groan of pleasure from Kelan.
“Feels good?” he heard the other man ask.
“Uh-huh,” Kelan mumbled in reply.
“Here. Lift up.” He felt Teris pulling on his arm, and he rose up
enough for the other man to slide his shirt up and over his head. He
lay back down, wanting Teris to continue his massage.
“Where’s the tunis oil?” Teris asked.
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59
He managed to gesture to the chest.
A moment later he felt the trickle of a warm liquid over his
shoulders and upper back, and then Teris was once again working the
knots with firm strokes.
“Goddess, your back is tight. I don’t know how you managed to
ride all the way from Winterreach if it was this bad the whole way.”
“It wasn’t this bad at the beginning.” Kelan spoke slowly, his
mind barely on the conversation. Instead, most of his concentration
was focused on the two hands that continued to stroke and prod up
and down his back. Kelan relaxed more and more as Teris managed to
loosen his tight muscles, and his mind moved from the soreness of his
muscles to another muscle, the one between his legs, that wasn’t sore
but was definitely starting to ache.
He began arching up into Teris’s touch. The other man must have
sensed what was happening because his strokes became longer and
slower, no longer rubbing in firm circular motions but now sliding
caressingly across Kelan’s skin.
“Raise your hips,” Teris whispered softly in his ear, and Kelan did
as he was asked. He felt Teris’s hands moving to untie the belt of his
breeches, and then Teris was sliding them down his legs and off along
with Kelan’s undergarment. Teris began stroking up his calves and
thighs, spreading more of the tunis oil, massaging it gently. Slick
hands slid over him, moving closer and closer to the apex of his
thighs.
“Goddess, that feels good, but we really shouldn’t be doing this.
What if someone should come in?” Kelan tried to think, to remember
where he was, to focus on his responsibilities, but it was impossible.
All he could think about was how good Teris was making him feel.
Teris’s hands paused for a moment before they continued, and he
said, “They won’t. I told them that I needed to speak to you privately
about something important. I’m not sure if they believed me or not,
but I’m pretty certain no one would dare interrupt.”
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Kelan pressed his head down more firmly into the mattress. “They
know there’s something between us, don’t they?”
“I think so, yes.” Teris spoke noncommittally.
“I knew it would be practically impossible to keep our
relationship a secret for very long.” Kelan sighed with the knowledge.
There was silence for a moment. Then Teris asked, “Are you
sorry?”
Kelan rolled onto his back and peered up at Teris, who had lifted
his slick hands from Kelan’s body at the movement and was gazing
down at him with an unreadable expression in his gray eyes.
Kelan cast a rueful glance down at his obvious erection. “Does it
look as if I’m sorry?”
Teris dropped his hands into his lap and shrugged. “I know you
didn’t want anyone to find out about us, Kelan. You have to be
somewhat upset that it has happened so soon. I promised we’d keep it
just between us.”
Kelan could see from the guilty look in Teris’s eyes that he was
blaming himself. He sat up and cupped his hand around Teris’s face.
“Deep down I knew that would not happen, Teris. I can’t keep my
hands off you, and it’s pretty apparent you feel the same. I love you.
Everyone who is around us any length of time is bound to notice. And
if the people of Emryn cannot accept that, then we’ll meet that
challenge together.”
“Do you mean it, Kelan?”
Kelan nodded. “There is no other choice, Teris. You were right
when you said that I’d already sacrificed enough for the good of the
kingdom. I want something for myself. I want you.”
* * * *
When Teris felt Kelan’s hand drawing him closer, he did not
resist. Their mouths met in a soft kiss. Kelan’s lips moved gently
against his, opening slightly to allow the press of Teris’s tongue into
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61
the moist cavern. He tasted the now-familiar flavor of hot male that
was Kelan’s own. He still had difficulty believing sometimes that he
and Kelan were together. After years and years of yearning for it,
dreaming of it, the reality was even better than anything he could have
imagined.
Pulling his mouth from Kelan’s, he skimmed his lips across the
other man’s jawline and down the arched column of his throat. He
inhaled the scent of his lover, drawing the spicy smell deep into his
lungs. He nibbled his way up to catch the lobe of Kelan’s ear between
his teeth, biting down gently and drawing a soft moan of appreciation.
He laved the spot with his tongue and then blew softly. Kelan
shivered.
“Make love to me,” whispered the king of Emryn.
“Gladly,” Teris whispered back.
They kissed again, the kiss long and wet, holding a good measure
of the passion that was always there, just beneath the surface,
whenever they were together. Then Teris rose, standing to gaze down
at Kelan while he stripped himself of every stitch of clothing as
quickly as he could.
When he rejoined Kelan on the low mattress, the other man
wrapped his arm around Teris, pulling him close. “I want you so
much, Teris. I tried so hard to make it work with Lyra, but I just
couldn’t feel for her what I felt for you. I need you. So much.”
“I know, Kel. I know. I feel the same.” Their mouths met, this
time with hot, piercing need. Teris’s hands slid down Kelan’s body,
molding him close to his own hard frame. He could feel the hardness
of Kelan’s cock as it pressed into his stomach, and he moved his body
seductively, stroking against the other man in a deliberately arousing
motion. His cock was swollen and tight with need where it rested
alongside Kelan’s.
Kelan sighed as Teris released his lips and moved his mouth lower
to explore the expanse of his chest and the tender points of his
hardened nipples. He suckled one and heard Kelan give a low growl
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of pleasure. Kelan’s hand came up to curl around the back of his neck,
rubbing gentle circles as Teris nibbled and licked his way from one
sensitive nipple to the other and then lower. He spent some time
exploring the tender skin of Kelan’s abdomen, covering it in hot
kisses, taking small stinging bites here and there as he played. His
hands were also busy, stroking and caressing their way down the
length of Kelan’s legs and back up again, always careful to avoid the
blatant fullness of his erection.
“Goddess, Teris, I want to feel your touch on my cock. Quit
teasing me,” Kelan demanded harshly, his hands tightening in Teris’s
hair and pressing down in an attempt, Teris knew, to get his mouth
where Kelan wanted it. With no reason to deny the other man’s
pleading request, he did as Kelan asked, wrapping his hand around the
base of Kelan’s cock and watching in fascination as a bead of pre-
cum seeped from the opening in the plum-shaped head.
Bending his head, he licked the very top, scooping up that pearly
fluid and drawing it into his mouth to savor its salty-sweet taste. He
heard Kelan grunt, and his cock twitched in Teris’s hand. Then he
bent his head and took the tip into his mouth, suckling gently for a
few moments, before abruptly sliding down to take the whole shaft
into his mouth until he felt it brush the back of his throat. Relaxing, he
took even more, until his face was buried in the soft curls surrounding
Kelan’s cock. He felt Kelan’s hand pull at his hair and heard the other
man’s strangled gasp. He pulled back and began to suck carefully. He
used his tongue, swirling it around the head and delving into the small
slit and rubbing the underside in a gentle stroke that drew another
muffled plea from Kelan.
“Oh, Goddess. Yes. Yes. Farking hell, do that again.”
Teris complied, using all his skills to stroke Kelan’s arousal
higher and higher. Moving up and down, he tasted the heated pulse of
another burst of pre-cum and knew that Kelan’s climax was not far
off. Quickening his pace, he used his hand and mouth to push him
over the edge. With a gasping cry, Kelan came, the splash of cum
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63
hitting the back of Teris’s throat in a heated rush, and he swallowed
down every drop. At last, when the final pulse had faded away, he
pulled his mouth free, licking his lips to savor his lover’s flavor one
last time.
Then he was moving up Kelan’s body, shoving his legs wide. His
hand reached for the bottle of tunis oil he’d recently set aside. Quickly
dumping a dollop of the fluid into his palm, he slicked up his cock
and then was pressing it firmly against Kelan’s asshole. Kelan lifted
his hips, giving him a better angle. In moments his cock was buried
completely inside, and he was once again claiming that tight channel
for his own.
He paused only a moment to give Kelan time to adjust to the feel
of his cock. Then he began to move. He’d used up all his patience and
slow seduction skills, and now he wanted nothing more than to pound
himself into the willing body that was stretched so enticingly beneath
his own. He felt Kelan’s hands clasping his hips in a tight grip when
he pulled back as though to hold him inside. Teris grinned down at his
lover and then began shafting him with hard, deep strokes over and
over again. He pumped into Kelan’s tight body, relishing the eager
acceptance as he stretched and filled his lover again and again.
Kelan moaned, lifting himself up for each downward stroke, his
hands running up and down Teris’s back as though relishing the feel
of the straining muscles. He gazed into Teris’s eyes, almost black now
with passion and need. The expression on Kelan’s face was fierce, his
mouth a tight line and his jaw clenched against the rigorous strokes.
Teris saw the love blazing out at him as he froze, his whole body
tightening, and then shot his cum into the welcoming warmth of his
lover. He groaned as his cock pulsed again and again, and then he
took Kelan’s mouth in a deep, satisfying kiss that melded their
mouths together until his orgasm ended.
He buried his face against the side of Kelan’s neck and inhaled
again that sweet scent that was a combination of sweat and sex and
something that was uniquely Kelan. When his cock had softened and
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slid gently from Kelan’s body, Teris rolled to the side, feeling as limp
and worn as an old rag.
He felt Kelan stir, moving to curl up against him, and he reached
out an arm to pull him close. For a long time, they lay there silently,
and Teris thought that Kelan had drifted to sleep. But when he made
to move from the mattress, he felt Kelan’s arms tighten around him.
“Don’t go yet. Just lay here with me for a little longer.”
He smiled and dropped a soft kiss on Kelan’s head. “I was just
going to find something wet so that I can clean us up. You don’t want
to sleep like this all night.”
“I don’t mind. I just need to feel you close to me right now.”
“Worried about tomorrow?”
He felt Kelan’s nod against his neck. “I know it’s ridiculous at this
late date, but I’m hoping that I haven’t made a foolish decision by
suggesting this meeting.”
“It’s not a foolish decision. And we’re ready for anything the
queen might throw at us. I swear to you, nothing is going to happen to
you tomorrow. If the queen thinks she’s going to surprise us by
attacking you, she’s the one who’s going to be in for a surprise.”
“Do you really believe that?”
“Absolutely.” Teris tried to make his voice sound firm and
confident, and at last Kelan relaxed enough to allow him to get up. As
he looked for a cloth to dampen, he just hoped that he was right.
Because whatever happened, he knew tomorrow was going to be a
bitch.
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Chapter Seven
Kelan watched as the queen of the Angkesh rode toward him,
mounted on a pure-black stallion. He had to give it to her, she
certainly had a flair for the dramatic. Against the backdrop of the
fading sunlight, her hair was a chaste near-white beacon and flew in a
silken banner behind her. Her cloak was bloodred. Yes, indeed, she
knew how to create an entrance. The closer she rode, the more
defined her features became. Kelan watched closely, wanting, needing
to get this first glimpse of the face of his enemy. She was
heartbreakingly lovely. That became more apparent with each
galloping stride of the stallion. He wasn’t sure why that shocked him,
but it did. An evil heart didn’t always manifest itself in the features of
its owner, but her beauty was such a delicate and fragile brand that he
almost, just almost, found it impossible to believe that she was the
source of all of the horrible things that had occurred in Emryn over
the past few months.
She was flanked on either side by some of the biggest men he’d
ever seen, a startling contrast to the slim beauty they protected. Their
faces were covered by half shields, but the four-pointed stars that
were displayed on their bare thighs revealed by the slit down the front
of their wide-legged pants identified them as faithful followers of
Queen Kalandra. Behind them rode about twenty or thirty more
warriors. These others were unvisored and were easily recognizable
as Angkeshi with their golden skin tones and unusual facial tattoos.
Kelan knew the men must be cold, yet they wore no cloaks, probably
a well-thought-out ruse to instill awe and fear in the enemy.
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His own guards sat still and wary on either side of him, their
hands on their sword hilts and their eyes constantly moving, seeking
any possible danger. Behind him, he knew, Lord Edgely waited
beside Old Marton, who kept his eyes on Kalandra, ready to defend
against any threat of a magical nature. He cast a quick glance at Rom,
directly to his right. His face was granite, giving no indication of his
thoughts or feelings but never taking his eyes off the queen.
At last Queen Kalandra pulled her stallion to a halt directly in
front of Kelan, though several feet still separated them. She inclined
her head. “King Kelan, at last. I’m so sorry that we have arrived so
late. Unfortunately, our path was blocked by fallen debris from a rock
slide, and we had to detour around. It delayed our arrival by several
hours, but we are here now. I am pleased that I finally can put a face
to your name. It is surprising that we haven’t met before now.” The
queen’s speech was charmingly accented, sounding vaguely similar to
the people from Feresa Province, which was not surprising since the
province was closest to Angkesh.
Kelan mimicked her slight bow. “Indeed, Your Majesty. I feel
exactly the same. I want to thank you for agreeing to meet with me.”
“I couldn’t resist your invitation. It intrigued me with its hint of
traitors and assassination.” Her eyes roved over the men surrounding
Kelan. “I see you’ve brought some of your famous Guardians of the
Gray Tower. Their signature cloaks are hard to miss. They are quite
an impressive sight. Are they as well trained and loyal as I’ve heard?”
Kelan allowed a slight smile to curve his lips. “Extremely,” he
told her. “Your own men are equally formidable.” He nodded toward
the area his men had set up for the meeting, an open-fronted tent in
his royal colors of blue and gray. “Shall we make ourselves more
comfortable before we begin our meeting, Your Majesty?”
“Estre. Please, you must call me Kalandra.”
“And I insist you call me Kelan.”
She smiled. “Kelan and Kalandra. It’s almost as if we were fated
to meet, don’t you think?”
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He heard Rom clear his throat at the comment. He just smiled
again. “Yes. Very amusing.” He dismounted and walked over to hold
his hand up toward the queen. With a graceful gesture, she placed her
small, fine-boned hand in his and slid easily from the saddle. As he
helped her down, he noticed that, instead of the more usual split-
skirted riding dress typical of aristocratic women, she wore wide
black breeches tucked into boots, not unlike those worn by her guards,
though hers did not contain the split. When she reached the ground,
she threw back her cloak, and he saw that a jeweled dagger was struck
through the belted sash at her waist. Her pure-white shirt was tucked
in tightly, though it was unbuttoned enough to reveal the long, slender
line of her neck and the beginning swell of her small breasts.
Drawing her hand to his arm, he led her to the meeting area,
followed closely by their guards. Teris and Lord Edgely awaited
them, and Kalandra’s brows rose as she shot Kelan a questioning
glance.
“Kalandra, please allow me to introduce one of my most trusted
advisors, Lord Rubert Edgely. Lord Edgely, may I present Queen
Kalandra of Angkesh.”
Lord Edgely stepped forward to bow. “Your Majesty.”
“My lord,” Kalandra said with a smile.
“And this is my brother-in-law, Teris Bas Rillian, Duke of
Hawksworth.”
“How nice to meet you, Teris. I may call you Teris?” She smiled
graciously to Teris and extended her hand for Teris to kiss, which he
did with graceful expertise.
“Of course.”
“And you both must call me Kalandra. There, we are just like
family now, det?” She smiled sweetly, but Kelan was conscious of a
hard-edged sharpness to her words. Kelan’s hand clenched for a
moment, but he forced himself to relax. It was going to be harder than
he had thought not to throttle the woman where she stood after all the
pain and anguish she had caused. Luckily Teris covered any
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momentary lapse, escorting the queen to a chair and offering her
refreshments.
When she accepted his offer of a glass of mulled wine, Teris
moved to open a bottle. While he poured them all a glass, Kelan
seated himself opposite her in one of the quite comfortable chairs his
men had managed to carry with them in the single wagon that had
brought. Lord Edgely took seat to Kelan’s right. Teris brought four
glasses forward on a tray, offering the selection to Kalandra first to
prove that the wine was untainted.
Kelan watched closely as she chose one and smiled at Teris. He
moved to offer Kelan and Lord Edgely a glass. He took the remaining
one for himself and then sat down. Before lifting the glass to her lips
for a small sip, she waited for the other men to take a drink, her eyes
watching them closely. Once she was apparently satisfied that the
wine was not poisoned, she smiled and took a sip from her own glass.
“Ame alona. Very good.”
Kelan smiled. “It’s from my private winery in Vensor Province.”
Kalandra sighed. “It is so hard to get good wine in Angkesh.”
The three of them made small talk as they sipped the wine and
went through the tedious formality of host and guest. Kelan was
conscious all the while of the location of several of the Gray, who had
taken up positions around the tent, and of Old Marton, who tried to
stay inconspicuously out of the way but close enough to act if
necessary. Kalandra’s own guards hovered behind her seat.
At last he broached the subject that had brought them together.
“Kalandra, I asked you here because I wanted to speak with you about
some unsettling incidents that have been occurring in Emryn.”
“Incidents?” Kalandra smiled and tilted her head to one side.
“What kind of incidents?”
Kelan explained all of the events which had begun with the
discovery of the traitor within the ranks of the Gray and concluding
with the death of his cousin, Fenworth Rei. The queen sat quietly, her
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69
lips pursing as he reached the end of his tale, a look of grave concern
on her face.
“Why, that is just horrible, Kelan. Horrible. But I can assure you,
despite what these liars have told you, I had nothing to do with any of
this. I know who it must be, however. Dissidents who ignore my
orders to leave Emryn in peace have obviously decided to act
completely without my knowledge or approval.” She looked him
straight in the eye, lips pouting. “You must know what I speak of. I’m
sure you yourself have factions of your own who don’t always have
the most intelligent or enlightened view of things. Do not fear,
however. I will take care of everything.”
“So you’re saying that these men were acting without your
approval and that you have no desire or plans to eliminate me and
take over rule of Emryn.”
“Det. Absolutely.” Her eyes widened. “I would never wish to
harm you, Kelan. In fact, I have a proposal for you. I think that we
should consider marrying. A bonding between us would certainly take
care of any lingering perception of animosity between our two
countries.”
Kelan barely stopped himself from gawking at Kalandra, at first
uncertain that he had actually heard her correctly. Marriage? Good
Goddess, he’d rather be married to a viper. “Surely you heard me tell
you that my wife was recently murdered. I am still in mourning.”
“Yes, of course. And I am deeply sorry for your loss. However,
I’m sure you know as well as I do that sometimes duty requires us to
do things that we might not otherwise consider. I believe a marriage
between us would benefit us both greatly.” She waved an airy hand.
“And a royal wedding would take at least a year to plan, plenty of
time for you to complete your mourning.”
Kelan was unsure how to respond. He couldn’t tell if she was
serious or not, but he didn’t want to chance offending her. At least not
yet. “You know that I have a son and heir already? Aric will inherit
Emryn when I am gone.”
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“Oh, of course, of course. That goes without saying. I’ve always
wanted a son. Just think of what fun we could have as a family.”
Kelan could just imagine. Kalandra probably wouldn’t wait an
hour after the bonding was official to eliminate both Aric and himself,
leaving her to rule both countries alone. What fun, indeed.
“I would need time to consider the ramifications of this offer,
Kalandra.”
She pouted prettily. “Could you not at least pretend to find the
idea appealing, Kelan? I’ve been told that I’m not unattractive.”
He forced a smile. “You must know that you are incredibly
beautiful, my dear. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were fishing
for compliments.”
“Even a queen longs to be told she is lovely occasionally.” She
rose, and Kelan did as well. “Well, I will leave you. It is getting late,
and I am quite tired. We journeyed far today. My men have made
camp for me across the way. Think about my offer, Kelan.”
“Believe me, I’ll think of little else, Kalandra.”
“Good. We’ll talk again in the morning. Nomes. Good night.”
With another brief nod, she strode off to where her stallion stood, the
reins held by one of her visored guards. In a quick move, she leapt
into the saddle and took off, the guards who had remained behind
with her, following in a cloud of dust and shadow.
“Well, that was interesting.” Kelan heard Teris’s voice coming
from directly behind him.
* * * *
Teris was relieved Kalandra was out of their camp again. As he
and Kelan stood gazing off in the direction she had ridden, he felt like
a jarker hare who had just managed to avoid the snapping jaws of a
wolf.
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Kelan laughed, but it lacked humor. “Interesting isn’t quite the
word I would use. I felt like I was a member of a troupe of performing
actors, only I didn’t know my lines.”
Rom strode over to stand with them. “Did I hear correctly? Is she
angling for a marriage between the two of you?” he asked Kelan, who
just shrugged.
“Surely she’s trying to throw us off guard. I figured she would
deny everything, but I wanted to see what else she would do. Now I
know.” He paused. “I have to admit, she’s very clever. Not at all what
I was expecting.”
Teris agreed. “She looks like some farking snow faerie.”
“It’s hard to believe that she’s the evil villain of the piece,” Rom
said.
“I must confess her incredible beauty had me speechless.” Lord
Edgely shook his head.
“Don’t be fooled by the way she looks, gentlemen.” Old Marton
had joined them. “She uses it as she uses her other powers, to
eliminate any resistance to her single-minded goal. She wants power,
and lots of it.”
“Don’t worry, Marton. I think we all caught on to her game
quickly enough.” Kelan spoke easily. “I guess I just expected her to
have more hardness to her.”
“She’s hard enough where it counts, don’t you doubt it,” the old
man told them.
“Why do you suppose she arrived so late? Do you believe her tale
about the blocked path?” Teris asked Kelan.
“I don’t know. But I don’t believe she does much of anything
without a well-thought-out plan.”
“I agree. She has something up her sleeve,” Rom said
suspiciously. “I’ll post extra guards tonight.”
“All right.”
The men went to get something to eat and then spent a few hours
discussing strategies for the next day. Everyone was convinced that
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the queen would try something the next day, but no one was quite
sure what that would be. Would she make an attempt on Kelan’s life?
Could she possibly be that foolhardy? And if so, what form would
that attempt take? Or would she try something more subtle? Perhaps
she would look for some way of destroying the confidence of the
Guardians? Maybe it would be some mind-control attempt, as her
puppets had used on Nysan and Vivie Palmor. There were so many
possibilities, and the Gray had to be on guard against each and every
one. Then there was the added danger of Kalandra’s powers. Of
course not everyone was convinced that was a legitimate threat, but
Kelan was adamant that precautions be taken on that front as well.
It was late when Kelan retired. He hadn’t been in his tent long
before Teris joined him. Though a tent had been brought along for
Teris, he had given it to Old Marton for his use. Since most of the
Gray were aware of the situation with him and Kelan, it seemed
pointless to even pretend that they weren’t sleeping together.
Kelan smiled as he entered. Teris crossed over and closed his
arms around the other man. He saw the flash of surprise on Kelan’s
face just before he took his mouth with desperate need. He didn’t
want a lot of preliminaries tonight. There was too much stirring inside
him. Fear and love and worry all combined together to ratchet his
arousal to a point that was nearly uncontrollable. He had held it inside
all day, but now that they were alone, there was no longer any need to
hide the way he was feeling.
He began pulling Kelan’s clothes off, throwing each garment
aside with careless disregard to where it landed. Kelan seemed to get
caught up in his urgency. It didn’t take him long to tear Teris’s
clothes off also, and in a short time they were both naked. He drew
Kelan down to the mattress and wrapped his hands around his
semierect cock, pumping it in his hand as he took Kelan’s mouth in
another deep and fervent kiss. As soon as Kelan’s cock was hard, he
turned him over and positioned him on his knees, legs spread wide.
He reached for the tunis oil. In seconds he’d slathered his cock with
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the oil, and was pressing into Kelan’s tight ass. He stroked in deep,
over and over, his balls slapping out a loud rhythm in the stillness of
the tent.
“Farking hell, that feels good. Touch yourself, Kelan,” Teris
whispered in his lover’s ear, and he saw the other man’s arm move to
do exactly that. He moved his hands to grip Kelan’s hips tightly and
sped up his strokes. It wasn’t long before he was climaxing, shooting
his cum into Kelan’s ass with a low moan of completion.
He pulled out, and Kelan rolled over, his rampant cock bobbing in
the air. Kelan began to reach for his cock, but Teris brushed Kelan’s
hand out of the way and bent, his mouth engulfing Kelan’s cock in
one swift move.
Kelan moaned. Teris drew him deep, bobbing his head up and
down and using his hand to cup his balls, tugging and rolling the
sensitive orbs until, with a harsh groan, Kelan erupted into his mouth.
He swallowed every drop before releasing Kelan’s cock and moving
up to pull him close.
“Wow!” Kelan gasped out, chuckling softly.
“I agree.” Teris nuzzled his face into Kelan’s neck. The fire
dimmed to a mere flicker, and they were just drifting to sleep when
Teris heard the door flap to the tent rustle and footsteps approach the
bed. Kelan tensed, and in seconds, Teris had rolled to one side and
grabbed his sword from where it lay on the floor next to the mattress.
Kelan had also moved quickly, jumping to his feet, the dagger that he
always kept beneath his pillow in his hand
“Freeze!” Teris spat out, moving quickly to stoke the fire higher
so that they could see the face of their intruder.
Kalandra stood there, her nearly nude body wrapped in a gauzy
robe that revealed more than it concealed and a startled expression on
her face as her eyes took in the two naked men before her.
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Chapter Eight
When Kelan recognized the queen of Angkesh, he was stunned.
What for the Goddess’s sake was she doing here? She didn’t look
dressed for an assassination attempt. In fact, she looked like she was
ready for a seduction.
As he crouched there, braced for a possible attack, he heard Teris
shout for the guards. Kalandra didn’t move. They rushed into the
room and, seeing the queen standing there, quickly moved to grab
Kalandra’s arms. Ignoring the guards, she stood there her wide green
eyes flickering between the two men. A dawning light of
understanding lit her eyes as she stared at them. She began laughing,
great peals of laughter that echoed off the tent’s walls and held a
slight edge of anger, and he glanced over at Teris, meeting his gaze
and spotting the same puzzled confusion in his face that Kelan was
feeling.
Seeing that the guards had her firmly in hand and becoming more
conscious of his own and Teris’s nudity by the second, Kelan told
them, “Take her outside.” As soon as they had pulled her unresisting
body from the room, Kelan reached for his discarded pants, pulling
them on quickly. Glancing over, he saw Teris doing the same.
After he was somewhat dressed, he asked, “What in farking hell
do you think she was doing?”
“I have no idea. But she almost scared ten years off me when I
heard her come in. How did she get past the guards?”
Kelan shook his head. He was as confused and curious as Teris
sounded.
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“I guess there’s no question that everyone in camp is now aware
beyond a doubt that there’s something going on between us,” Teris
added drolly.
Kelan managed a small smile. “No. I’m pretty sure it was hard to
miss the fact that it was the middle of the night, and we were both
stark naked in my tent.”
When they were dressed, they left the tent. Kelan saw Kalandra,
surrounded by several men, including Rom and Old Marton, standing
near the fire in the center of the camp. They had lit several torches to
drive back the darkness. Someone must have given Kalandra a cloak
because she was wrapped snugly in one, concealing the flimsy
nightgown she was wearing. Kelan walked over to her, and she
watched his approach with narrowed eyes.
He stopped several feet from her, knowing that though she seemed
nonthreatening, he still didn’t trust her. For several moments the two
of them just stared at one another. Finally Kelan asked the question
that was surely on everyone’s mind. “What the blazes are you doing
here in the middle of the night, Kalandra?”
She smiled slowly, one eyebrow lifting, and shook her head. In
her slightly accented voice, she told him, “I planned to persuade you
that a marriage between us would be beneficial to you in many, many
ways. More than the ones I had spoken of earlier. I did not know that
your preferences lay in a different direction altogether.” Her gaze
flickered to Teris and then back to Kelan. “After all, you were
married. You have a child. It never occurred to me that you would not
want me.”
Kelan tried to comprehend what she was telling him. “You
thought to seduce me into a marriage?”
She just shrugged. “It seemed like a good idea at the time. And so
much simpler.”
Simpler than what, he wanted to ask, but Rom interjected, “Why
weren’t you stopped by the guards? They’re posted around the entire
camp. There’s no way they didn’t see you.”
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She tossed her head back, her hair a pale waterfall down her back.
“Your pitiful guards could never stop me. Don’t you know that? Can’t
you understand? I’m much too strong for their silly minds.”
“Silly minds?” Rom asked, looking toward Kelan and lifting a
brow.
Kelan took a few steps forward, so that he could see into her eyes.
“And your own guards? You foolishly came here without them.
What’s to prevent us from killing you now and eliminating any threat
to Emryn?” he asked, keeping his face a blank canvas so she couldn’t
tell what he was thinking.
She laughed again. “You can’t kill me, silly man. Don’t you know
my power? It would take more than you and your pack of hounds to
take me down. I have the strength of a goddess.” She held out her
hands dramatically.
Kelan exchanged looks with Teris and Rom and knew that all
three of them were thinking the same thing. The queen of Angkesh
wasn’t completely sane.
Kelan kept his tone calm and soothing as he told her, “Kalandra,
my men will take you back to your own camp. Tomorrow—”
“Tomorrow? What will we do tomorrow, Your Majesty?” She
took a step toward Kelan. And then another. “Perhaps tomorrow we
can get to know one another better? Det? Yes.”
Kelan nodded, keeping his eyes on her the way he would a rabid
dog. “Yes, of course. And we can discuss a peace treaty between our
two countries.”
“Peace treaty? We’re not at war,” she practically purred. She took
another step, allowing the cloak to part, revealing once more the near-
transparent garment she wore. Her breasts were high, the nipples hard
and pressing into the fabric. The gown molded to her as she moved. If
Kelan were to reach out a hand, he could touch her face, to discover if
her skin was as soft as it looked.
She was incredibly beautiful with her golden skin and pale hair.
Her eyes seemed to glow like fire emeralds as they gazed into his, and
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her mouth was full and temptingly moist. “I had thought we were
friends. Maybe even more. Forget about that foolish man you were
with. He could never give you what I can. Perhaps a wedding isn’t out
of the question after all.” Her eyes slid down his body to see its
reaction to her. Helplessly, he felt himself responding, his cock
hardening. She took another step forward, reaching out her hand, and
Kelan lifted his.
Suddenly Teris shouted, “No! Back up, Kelan. Now. Don’t let her
get any closer. She’s playing with your mind.”
His lover’s voice seemed to shock him out of the almost trancelike
state he’d been in. He stepped back, shaking his head in an effort to
clear it. As soon as he had moved out of the reach of the unpredictable
queen, she shot a look of fury at Teris.
“Assanto! Fool!” she screamed at him, and then she turned back to
smile at Kelan. “Don’t listen to them. They are jealous of us. Think of
what we could do together. We could rule side by side. Both Emryn
and Angkesh. And we could love each other. Passionately. You would
enjoy it. I know you would.”
But Kelan shook his head. He knew this was not right. He didn’t
love Kalandra. He loved Teris.
“Kelan, look at me,” Teris’s voice drew his attention, and his eyes
met the familiar gray gaze so dear to him. As soon as he focused on
Teris, he could feel the fog that had been clouding his mind disappear.
He looked back at Kalandra, and he knew she realized that she
had lost as soon as their eyes met. Her expression changed in a flash.
The smile disappeared, and her eyes narrowed. “You are a fool as
well, Kelan.” She spat the words out and her gaze swung to the rest.
“All of you are fools,” she screamed.
“It really was you behind all those attacks, wasn’t it?” Kelan cried
out, stepping back even farther.
Her beautiful face not so beautiful now, twisted with rage. “You
have ruined it all with your stupid male lover.” She lunged forward,
hands outstretched to claw at Kelan’s face.
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Rom rushed forward, putting himself between Kelan and the
queen, and caught her hands. She twisted and fought against his hold,
twisting and turning. When she finally quit struggling, he spoke over
his shoulder. “Kelan, I think you should return to your tent and let us
handle Kalandra.”
“I agree, Your Majesty. You can see she’s quite unstable. There’s
no telling what she might do.” Old Marton had moved beside him and
whispered in his ear.
She let out a trill of laughter, attempting to jerk her wrists from
Rom’s grip. “Handle me? You can’t handle me. You haven’t the
power.”
Teris reached out a hand and wrapped it around Kelan’s waist,
pulling him tightly against him. “Come, Kelan, let’s go.”
“I—” Kelan had started to speak when suddenly there was a shock
of white light that seemed to emanate from Kalandra, and Rom
screamed, falling to his knees and rubbing his eyes.
The other guardians fell back, stunned and blinded. Kelan saw
Kalandra’s eyes darting around until they settled on him. She held out
her hands toward Kelan and started speaking in a language he’d never
heard before. Her hair rose into a halo around her head, as though
charged with some bizarre power. A low hum started, barely
discernible above the sound of Kalandra’s voice, and then it slowly
grew louder and louder until that is all he could hear. Kelan began to
feel strange, his body heavy and his mind sluggish, not quite able to
wrap around what was happening. His breath became short, and he
struggled for air.
Suddenly Teris was speaking as well, in that same unfamiliar
language as the Angkeshi queen. His voice penetrated the spell that
Kalandra had woven. Teris released his grip on Kelan and stepped in
front of him, as though to protect him. He continued to speak, and
with each word Kelan could breathe a little easier. Teris’s words were
a counterpoint to Kalandra’s, as though the sounds were battling one
another. Teris raised his hands, and Kelan saw that his fingertips
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glowed with that strange white light that emanated from Kalandra.
The hair on Kelan’s neck stood up, and the air smelled like it did after
a lightning storm. There was power here.
Old Marton stood beside him, joining his words to Teris’s. Their
combined voices seemed to be dimming the sound of the Angkeshi
queen’s voice. In response, Kalandra raised her hands high over her
head and laughed again, screaming out the words now. Kelan reached
up to cover his ears with his hands, trying to shut out the cacophony
of sounds. Briefly he wondered if the Guardians had been caught in
the same trap that he had been.
Teris swayed, and Kelan turned to look at him. He was alarmed at
the paleness of his lover and the wide dilation of his pupils. He threw
his arm around Teris’s shoulder and pulled him close, bracing him as
the strength seemed to leave the other man’s legs. Teris tried to
continue speaking, but his voice began to fade. Kelan looked at Old
Marton and saw that he, too, was getting weak.
He tried to step back, to pull Teris away from Kalandra, but his
feet wouldn’t move. What the farking hell was happening? He risked
a glance at the queen and saw the look of triumphant madness on her
face. Her eyes caught his and held them. Her voice became louder in
his ears. Without conscious thought, he released Teris, who slumped
to the ground, weakly calling Kelan’s name. Kelan ignored him and
began to walk toward Kalandra, drawn by some unknown force.
Though he tried to tell himself he should be resisting the spell or
whatever it was that Kalandra was doing, it was impossible. He took
another step, and another. Closer and closer, he moved to the queen.
He was almost there, almost within her embrace. Her hands
stretched out to him. Then Rom was there, rising from where he’d
fallen earlier. His eyes were swollen and red, tears streaming down
his cheeks and a trickle of blood dripping from his nose, but a look of
determination filled his face. He lifted his sword, and Kelan saw
alarm flare in Kalandra’s eyes. Rom brought the blade down in a swift
slice that had Kalandra leaping out of the way in a blur of movement,
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almost faster than Kelan could see. The other Guardians had
obviously recovered somewhat, because they moved to surround the
queen, blades drawn, but they, too, seemed disconcerted by the speed
with which she was moving.
She spun around and around, seeking a way out, but there was
none. She halted, looking once more toward Kelan. “This isn’t over,
Kelan. You’ll never be able to stop me.” She spoke passionately, her
words ringing out in the night. Then she spoke again, in that strange
tongue she’d used earlier.
Her body rippled, a long slow undulation, and suddenly, instead of
a beautiful woman standing before him, a large catlike creature
crouched, its head nearly to Kelan’s shoulders. Its green eyes glowed
in its pale white face. If Kelan hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he’d
never have believed it. With a loud growl, it crouched and sprang
toward Kelan. The Guardians, stunned by the unbelievable turn of
events, were slow to react. Kelan saw the beast’s sharp claws moving
toward his face and knew there would be no time to avoid them. Then
from out of nowhere, a wall of flames blazed up, scorching the animal
as it tried to reach the king. It screamed with pain, and then it was
gone, turning to run and disappear into the darkness. The flames
disappeared as well.
Rom barked out orders to his men, who shook off the shock of
what they had just seen. Some turned to follow the animal where it
had disappeared. Others took up positions around the camp, building
a human shield around Kelan. Old Marton collapsed to the ground, his
breath coming in harsh gasps. Teris wasn’t in much better shape.
“Get a healer!” Kelan barked out as he moved to kneel beside his
lover.
Kelan stroked Teri’s face gently, noting the horrible paleness.
“Goddess’s bones, Teris, you’d better be all right.”
“I must obey my king,” Teris whispered. Then the healer was
there, and Kelan moved aside to give him room. Standing, he looked
over to where another healer was tending to Old Marton. He hoped
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the old man would be all right. If Old Marton hadn’t been with them,
the night would have had a much more tragic ending, Kelan knew.
Kelan walked over to crouch beside the old man, who smiled up at
him. “I guess that fire trick came in handy after all, huh, Your
Majesty.”
“Indeed, sirrah, it surely did. I want to offer my thanks to you,
Marton. You saved my life. You and Teris.”
“He’s a good boy. Remembered everything I taught him.” It was
obviously difficult for the old man to speak.
“You rest and let the healer take care of you. We’ll talk more
later.”
Kelan stood and gazed around, thinking about what had happened
and how close they had come to catastrophe. They had been lucky,
very lucky. It could have been so much worse. He was still having
trouble wrapping his mind around everything that had happened.
“Sire, Kalandra has escaped. My men couldn’t find a trace of her.
Her camp is empty, and her men are gone as well.” Rom stood next to
his shoulder.
Kelan rubbed his neck tiredly. “I’m not surprised. Obviously they
were aware of what she was up to and were prepared.” He glanced at
his captain. “I guess we all learned more than we were bargaining for
this night, didn’t we?”
Rom shook his head and choked out, “Farking hell, Kelan, did
you see what the witch did?”
Kelan laughed tiredly. “I most assuredly did, my friend. I guess
that answers our questions about Kalandra’s power, doesn’t it?”
“Javan won’t let me hear the end of this. It’s going to take some
time to get used to the idea.”
The healer who was working on Teris called him over. When
Kelan reached the man, he nodded reassuringly. “He’ll be fine, sire.
He’s just very tired. It’s like he’s been drained of energy, but he
assures me a few days’ rest, and he’ll be back to normal.”
“Thank you.”
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The healer left, and Kelan knelt beside Teris, who was watching
him closely.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Kelan asked after a few seconds.
* * * *
Teris closed his eyes against the look of confusion on Kelan’s
face. He had known that Kelan would be hurt that he hadn’t confessed
this secret to him. How to explain? Teris knew the truth was the best
choice, so he simply said, “I was afraid.”
He saw Kelan frown. “Afraid? Of what?”
“Of how you might react. I know you were trying to be open-
minded about Old Marton, but I think deep down you thought it was
all just a foolish waste of effort. I didn’t want you to think I was some
crazy idiot who thought he had magic powers.”
“How long have you been able to do that—whatever it was?”
Teris managed a slight smile. “A while. I’ve been working with
Old Marton to strengthen my powers. I can’t do much, and I wasn’t
really sure that I would be much help against Kalandra.”
Kelan nodded.
“Does it matter?” Teris whispered.
“What?”
“Does it change how you feel about me?” Teris hated the
hesitation and helplessness he heard in his own voice, but he couldn’t
have stopped the question if his life had depended on it. He’d worried
so much that Kelan might be frightened or disgusted by his powers.
He’d had both of those reactions and worse from others who’d
learned the truth. He didn’t think he could bear it to see revulsion on
Kelan’s face when he looked at him.
Kelan’s face crumpled, and tears welled in his eyes. “For the
sweet Goddess’s sake, how can you ask me such a ridiculous
question?” Kelan bent down and cupped Teris’s cheek with his hand.
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“I love you. Nothing is going to change that. Nothing. But I am hurt
that you felt like you couldn’t trust me with this, Teris.”
Teris felt tears begin to trickle down his own face. “I’m so sorry,
Kelan. I was just so scared. Things between us haven’t been exactly
settled, you know? I didn’t know what effect my telling you about my
powers might possibly have on things.” He shook his head weakly.
“Can you forgive me?”
In answer, Kelan bent down to kiss Teris gently on the lips. He
rested his forehead on Teris’s. “I would forgive you anything. Don’t
you know that?”
Teris grinned. “I do now.”
“I have to go. Rom is waiting for me. You rest and regain your
strength. When we get back to Winterreach, I’ll have to punish you
for your lack of trust in me.”
Teris saw the wicked gleam in Kelan’s eyes and shivered. “I can’t
wait.”
* * * *
Several days later, the group was back in the capital city. Kelan
sat in a meeting with his Royal Council. He had just finished
informing those who had not been present about the events that had
taken place at Hammerstone. Some were shocked, and all were
furious.
Kelan raised his hand to quiet the group, which had been getting
louder and louder as they had discussed what had occurred. Once
everyone was silent, he said, “We went to the meeting hoping to learn
more about Kalandra. For too long, we relied upon rumors and
secondhand gossip. I believe what we gained from this experience far
outweighs any danger. Now we truly know what we face in Angkesh.
Before we discuss that further, however, there is something else I’d
like to address.” He gave each face a good long look.
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“We were very lucky at Hammerstone, but we would have been in
dire straits had it not been for two men. Teris Bas Rillian, the Duke of
Hawksworth, and Marton Stronghold. We have been blindly ignorant
of powers out there that are outside of our experience. We know now
that that ignorance can no longer be tolerated. Teris and Marton have
knowledge that we need. I would like to bring them in now and add
them as permanent members to this council. Does anyone have an
objection?”
There were some surprised faces, but no one objected. Kelan rose
as Teris and Marton were brought in. The two men were seated at the
table. Once they were settled, Kelan said, “First, I want to welcome
our newest council members. I think that you both will add much to
our discussions and decisions.” Kelan smiled at Marton and Teris, and
the other council members joined him in welcoming the two men.
When that was done, Kelan continued. “Second, I’d like to ask Teris
to join me up here for a few moments.”
Teris rose and walked to the head of the table, stopping beside
Kelan. Kelan smiled at Teris, seeing a hint of trepidation but mostly
love and pride resonating from Teris’s face. He took Teris’s hand and
turned to the rest of the council.
“I know that this announcement will be a big shock to some of
you and not so big to others. The death of my wife was a tragedy, and
I will never forget her. I loved her deeply, though not perhaps as I
should have. I married out of duty to Emryn, and I can’t regret that
decision because it gave me my son. However, I have realized that I
cannot continue to deny my true feelings. I have asked Teris Bas
Rillian, Duke of Hawksworth, to bond with me. I hope that you
understand and are happy for us, but I will not be swayed if you are
not.”
The room was silent for several long, agonizing moments before
Rom stood. “Sire, I would like to say that Javan and I are very happy
for you. You have always put the kingdom first, and it is about time
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85
that you did something for yourself.” He smiled. “Congratulations to
you both.”
Several others echoed Rom’s sentiment, but Kelan’s eyes were on
Sir Wilsin Dervis. His face had paled at Kelan’s announcement but
had gotten redder and redder with each word of congratulations and
encouragement.
He burst out, “You cannot do this, Your Majesty.”
Everyone turned to look at the man in shock.
Kelan, unsurprised at the outburst, simply asked, “Why not, Sir
Wilsin?”
“You know very well why not. It is unacceptable.” The poor man
looked as if he were about to have a fit.
“You know, Sir Wilsin, it occurred to me that it was very strange
that Kalandra would believe I might be interested in marrying again. I
was struck by the fact that I had heard something similar from a
member of my own Council. From you, in fact.”
“Well, I—”
“I began to wonder where she would even get such an idea, and
do you know what I began to think?”
The man clamped his lips together, but his eyes widened and
began darting to the side as if seeking an exit.
“I began to think that someone had planted the idea in her head.”
Sir Wilsin stood. “I find this whole conversation highly insulting.
I refuse to listen further.”
He strode to the door. When he pulled it open, a member of the
Gray stood there blocking his exit. Sir Wilsin halted and spun to face
Kelan. He sputtered, “What is the meaning of this outrage?”
Kelan shook his head. “I think you know, Sir Wilsin. You’re
being taken into custody for conspiring with the queen of Angkesh.”
“You’ll never prove it,” Sir Wilsin snarled. “You can’t touch me
without proof.”
86
Britt Kenley
“You might be surprised what your chancellor has been telling me
over the past hours since I’ve been back in Winterreach. You should
have been more careful in whom you confide your plans, Sir Wilsin.”
The man clenched his hands but said nothing, and Kelan could tell
that the man would admit to nothing.
Kelan looked at the Guardian. “Take him away.”
As the door shut behind the departing pair, Kelan felt a hand on
his shoulder and turned to see Teris standing there.
“I’m sorry, Kelan. I know how upsetting this whole thing has been
for you. For another person close to you to have betrayed you must be
horrible.”
“Sometimes it seems that everywhere I turn there’s another person
who is conspiring against me. I don’t know if I can take much more,
Teris.”
“You’re not alone, Kelan. I’m here. Rom and Javan. The others.
Trust us. Lean on us. We will overcome all of this. I swear to you, we
will defeat Kalandra.”
Javan must have overheard what Teris said, because he also came
to stand beside Kelan. “Yes, sire. We are here for you. We will stand
by your side, and together we will be victorious over our enemy.”
“You know you have my loyalty, Kelan.” Rom spoke next.
Soon everyone was joining in, to reaffirm their allegiance to
Kelan and the country of Emryn. Kelan was almost overwhelmed
with the outpouring of love and faith from the men who surrounded
him. His hand clasped tightly in Teris’s he faced his Royal Council.
“Forgive me for my temporary loss of faith, gentlemen. You are
right. Together we will conquer Kalandra and keep Emryn safe from
her enemies.” He smiled, a feeling of strength and pride growing
within him. “I believe the time has come to take the fight to Angkesh.
The queen must die.”
A cry of battle filled the room, and Kelan knew that his decision
was the right one. Kalandra had sealed her own fate.
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87
THE END
WWW.BRITTKENLEY.BLOGSPOST.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.
For all titles by Britt Kenley, please visit
http://www.bookstrand.com/britt-kenley
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com