Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) (25 page)

Seth

Seth fought hard to contain his body’s urge to have her, his entire body shaking from the effort. He had almost let her reach her intended target, deciding against it at the last second. He wanted them to do the right thing and be joined before he gave in to her. It was hard denying her desires, especially since he desired the same thing. It was now even harder seeing her actually pout over his denial. He felt bad for doing it, but figured it would only be a matter of time before she got what she wanted. If only they could discover another way to share their passion to relieve some tension. Feeling as if he betrayed her, Seth decided to try and redeem himself.

Rolling onto his knees Seth slipped one arm behind Sara’s back where she sat next to him. The other arm he slid beneath her legs. He picked her up and held her to his chest a moment, enjoying the feeling of her warm bare flesh against his. Pivoting on one knee, Seth laid the woman he loved down in the middle of the bed, placing her head upon a pillow. He lifted his own body above hers, and placing one leg between hers he lowered himself to press into her. Beginning at the top of her head, and ending at the bottom of her feet, Seth kissed every inch of the front of her body. Whether exposed or unexposed he left no portion of her untouched by his lips. He too traced her entire body with his fingertips, lightly brushing circles upon her milky skin in no specific pattern. Often goose bumps arose on her flesh. Sometimes, when caressing more sensitive portions of her body she would shudder in delight. When his body got the better of him and sent blood coursing to parts of him he would usually protest against, he let it happen. He did not try to hide it from her, and when it brushed against her body he was not ashamed. He continued showering her with kisses and let his fingers slide upon her skin until she panted loudly and sweat began to bead on her forehead. When he had finished he lay down next to her and pulled her body into his. Hoping he had done enough to redeem himself. Hoping he had given her enough to satiate her for a while so they could do things properly when the time came.

Sara

Sara lay in Seth’s arms her back to him, her bare backside pressed warmly into his lap. She waited until her heart finally slowed, and her breathing returned to normal. When her body finally relaxed she crawled from his arms to the top of the bed and slid beneath the covers. She gestured for Seth to do the same, and hoped he would not deny her. He didn’t, and soon he too was beneath the blankets with her. She reached across the bed and put out the lantern that rested there and Seth did the same on his side of the bed. In the darkness Seth again began to pull her into his arms, but Sara was not yet ready for sleep, and so she decided it was only fair if she could return some of the pleasure he had given to her moments before.

Sara rolled to face Seth. She did not want to upset him by going too far and so decided to take it slow. If he wanted her to relent at any point, she promised to herself she would obey. Sliding her body close to his she pressed his shoulder lightly, asking without words for him to roll onto his back. Seth obeyed her silent command. Again Sara placed her hand upon his chest, and this time traced designs across his body with her fingertips. She let her fingers glide upon his skin up and down his arms and over his shoulders. Across his chest and down his abdomen her fingers slid. She did not move to kiss his body as he had done for her, knowing that he would not allow her near as much leniency as she allowed him. Instead, she continued with her hands tracing every inch of his body. When she thought herself too close to the spot she had previously been stopped at she would veer away and trace elsewhere with her fingers. Several times she approached his manhood with her fingers and Seth made no attempt to stop her, but each time she contained herself and led her hand away. In one such instance she had apparently gone closer than she believed and felt her hand brush against it unintentionally. Sara immediately withdrew her hand and apologized quickly.

Seth then told her he had come to a decision. He had decided so long as they kept their hands above each other’s clothing, they could do as they wished, except that one thing that was permitted only to couples that had been joined. Sara accepted his decision happily, and thanked him for reconsidering. She continued to trace lines across his skin beneath the sheets, and this time when she neared the area where she would have previously changed direction, she continued her path drawing all of her fingers down the length of him, smiling to herself in the darkness.

Long hours passed in the room Seth and Sara shared. They spent the time taking turns in exploring each other’s body in new and exciting ways. Eventually, however, they grew tired. Sara allowed herself to be pulled into his arms again and eventually they went to sleep.

Garret

Morning came quickly, though inside the city’s immense walls light did not readily come with it. Garret awoke early feeling more rested than he had for many days, and quickly awoke Ashton as well. They decided to not disturb their companions, and instead would go get some breakfast, just the two of them. Not knowing how the couple’s first night sharing a bed would go, Garret figured it best to leave them be until they emerged from the suite of their own free will. If they ever emerged at all.

Climbing quickly down the stairs with Ashton behind him, they walked quietly past the room where their companions stayed. Rounding the corner at the end of the hall they entered the dining area which was vacant for all but one table. Seated where Garret and the others had previously sat was Sasha and the inn’s cook. Sasha, wearing an emerald gown, was facing them as they entered. She waved them over to join her and they complied happily. As the boys approached, the man in white turned to see who it was that approached. With recognition upon his face he smiled to them and wished them a good morning. Returning his greeting the boys pulled out chairs from the table and seated themselves amongst familiar faces.

“Did you sleep well?” Sasha asked them.

Both boys nodded in response and Garret elaborated. “I feel better than I have in a week,” he stated.

“Would you care for some breakfast?” This time it was the man in white who spoke.

“That depends,” Ashton replied. “What are you cooking this morning?”

“Ah, you know the rule here. You may have whatever it is you desire,” the man reminded them.

“I know, but I trust your choice of food better than my own,” Ashton smiled.

Garret nodded his agreement as the cook rose from his seat. The man in white was beaming with pride as he took in their words.

“Then it shall be a delicious surprise you will dine upon this morning,” he declared and, bowing to them like some sort of puppet, he turned and sauntered out of the room, his limp more pronounced than the day before.

“Felix seems to like you guys,” Sasha told them as the man rounded the corner and left the room.

“He is an exceptional cook. The duck last night was unbelievable.” Garret’s mouth began to water at the thought.

“Yes he is. He is a good man as well,” Sasha said, her eyes dwelling as some event from the past playing out before her, unseen to the others.

“Have you already eaten?” Ashton asked. “Or will you be joining us for breakfast?”

“I have been awake for some time now, so unfortunately I have already eaten. There is a lot of preparation to do for the festivities, as well as for the inn. Our rooms will probably be near capacity tonight. But perhaps I can put off breakfast tomorrow and we could all eat together then,” Sasha told them, obviously running through her to-do list in her head.

“That would be nice,” Garret stated honestly.

“So what are your plans for today, master Garret?” Sasha asked, one of her eyebrows rising.

“Well, we had discussed visiting the knight’s training grounds, but I get the feeling I may be seeing them a lot in the near future, so instead I was thinking about a visit to the local temples, to get a feel for the different gods and goddesses.”

“That should make for an interesting day indeed. The temples are some of the oldest buildings in the city. Most of them are both magnificent and ancient. They are certainly a sight to see,” Sasha said excitedly. “You know, though, you don’t have to spend too much time now learning about the gods. If you are chosen for any position within the army, or with the mages for that matter, most of your first lessons will be about the gods.”

“That is good to know,” Garret exclaimed. “I was beginning to wonder how I would choose a deity without a proper education about them.”

“So Ashton, I assume you hope to be chosen into the ranks of the white-robed healers. Am I correct?” Sasha now turned her gaze to Ashton, waiting for his response.

“That’s my plan. I really can’t see my future played out any other way,” Ashton admitted honestly.

“And you, Garret, what are your hopes?” Sasha continued her questioning.

“I had hoped to join the army, but I think the knighthood would be much more exciting.” Garret too answered with complete honesty.

“I am unable to guarantee you anything, but if my husband has his way, I think the knighthood is where you will find yourself in the days to come,” Sasha told him, watching the smile spread across his face as she did. “What of your brother then? Does he too hope to join the knighthood?” Sasha’s curiosity got the better of her.

“I honestly don’t know,” Garret shrugged. “He really isn’t into the whole ‘live by the sword’ glory bit. However, since he and Sara met I have not yet seen him back down from a challenge. He even used his own body to protect her from the goblin.” Garret stopped before he revealed anything more of the subject, afraid it might upset his twin.

“So that is how he had been injured, protecting young Sara? That makes sense, it is so obvious how much he cares for her. So you know nothing for his hopes about The Choosing ceremony then?” she asked again, still curious.

“No not really, it’s hard to say. I think he would make a great fighter, he is fast and strong. Honestly, though I’m not sure. At this point I think he would be happy hand-scrubbing latrines so long as he could stay with Sara, but I hope he gets something worthwhile,” Garret told her.

“What of Sara then? Does she have any hopes about the ceremony or does she too just wish to stay by his side?” Sasha asked, promising herself she would stop prying for information as soon as she got this answer.

“I don’t think that she cares or has really put any thought into it. As long as she is with Seth, though, she will be happy, Seth will see to that. I’m just afraid how it might affect them if they are separated,” Garret said, relieved to finally speak the fear that had been hanging around his neck like a weight. “I really hope they get to stay together.”

This time it was Sasha who nodded her understanding, and with a sad and knowing smile she ceased her questions.

“I hope the ceremony goes well for all of you,” Sasha said earnestly. “I have to admit, from my experience it seems everything happens for a reason, though we may not realize it for many years. I think it will all turn out just fine,” she added, almost as if to reassure them.

They sat silently for a while, all of them caught up in their own thoughts of their pasts or futures. Felix returned, carrying with him two plates and a triumphant smile. As he approached, the trio at the table stirred from their thoughts and one by one greeted the man, eyeing the food he carried. Setting a plate in front of both Ashton and Garret, Felix asked if he might join them for a while. They happily accepted his company and he quickly seated himself.

Felix

Felix knew he had a talent for food. He enjoyed preparing it. No matter how many thousands of meals he had created, he enjoyed making each one as if it were his first. But what he enjoyed even more than cooking was watching the reaction people had to his food. This was the reason he actually asked to join the boys this morning, though he did also find the group intriguing. It was odd to Felix how all four of the companions had quickly decided to let him make their meal choices for them. He enjoyed being able to choose what he would prepare, since more often than not he ended up cooking the same things again and again. Yet this group had seen to it that he could prepare whatever he liked for them, and he appreciated the kindness they had shared with him in letting him do so.

Ashton

Ashton looked to his plate in anticipation, watching Garret smile as his plate was lowered first. Upon each was a steaming pile of some sort of golden flat bread. Several of the round pieces were stacked one upon the other, and drizzled across the top and down the sides was thick honey-brown syrup. They each thanked Felix for the meal, which he told them was named pancakes. He also told them that each subsequent layer was cooked with a different fruit mixed in the batter. Felix and Sasha watched the boys’ faces as they took their first bites, and couldn’t help but smile at their reactions to the medley of flavors.

Like an explosion of flavor went off in his mouth, Ashton closed his eyes with an appreciative moan, tilting back his head as he chewed. Looking to Felix, before even his second bite, he assured the man it was the best breakfast he had ever eaten. Felix took the compliment with grace, and continued to smile as the boys devoured their food. Devour it they did. It was only a few moments until both boys were scraping the last remaining crumbs from their plates, wiping their mouths and patting their full bellies.

“Don’t even give Seth and Sara an option when they come for breakfast,” Garret told Felix. “Just make them some pancakes. That truly is something they need to experience.”

“You are truly kind, Master Garret. I will see your will done when at last they awake,” Felix replied smiling.