By Chance Met (25 page)

At a gesture from Reijir, he poured wine for them then fetched a tray of savory snacks to go with the libation. After serving them, he sat himself at the card table and awaited further instructions. Nonetheless, he could hear their conversation, and it soon dawned on him that they were talking about the Hamir’s homeland.

Naeth frowned at the unfamiliar names and the strange references, each making him

further aware of the foreignness of the Arthannas’ kin on their birthing father’s side. He stifled a sigh of frustration. His curiosity had been stoked, but his general ignorance about Khitaira made it difficult for him to fathom much beyond the superficial descriptions of the continent and its peoples.

He resigned himself to being at sea for most of the discussion and just tried to understand what he could, which was much less than he could hope for. Until the unexpected happened.

As he listened to their talk, it seemed to Naeth that images formed in his mind. He suddenly saw Khitaira as clearly as if he roamed its many lands.

The dark-tressed ivory-skinned denizens in the colder north contrasting vividly with the lighter-haired, golden-complexioned folk of the balmy south but marked as one people by their beauteous almond-shaped eyes.

Busy highways leading to resplendent walled cities robed in gold, crimson and purple. Sprawling towns bustling with traders and travelers. Sleepy rustic villages nestled in quiet valleys amidst fields of grain and vegetables.

Majestic snow-capped Mount Seleya, its nigh perfect cone shape reflected in the pristine lake at its base. In the middle of the lake stood a serene monastery upon a tall promontory accessible only by boat or barge.

Dazed by the images that flooded his mind, he looked in Reijir’s direction and realized the Herun was looking at him as well. Reijir’s green eyes glittered with a strange light, and Naeth suddenly and vividly pictured a group of Deira gathered in an expansive garden of unfamiliar blossoms, most attired similarly to the Hamir, all bearing the facial characteristics of northern Khitairans. Children laughed and shrieked as they ran and frolicked while liveried attendants followed them about, keeping them out of harm’s way while permitting them their carefree antics.

Naeth realized then that the images he had previously seen had been provided by Reijir.

The Herun had ensured he would not be lost as the conversation centered on faraway places and distant events Naeth knew little of and therefore would not have been able to comprehend in full. His kindness served to further strengthen the already adamantine conviction Naeth held that Reijir Arthanna was the only Deir he could ever love with all his heart and soul and body, the consequences of such relentless wanting be damned.

He became aware that the topic of the conversation had changed. The Hamir was relating something that had to do with the brethren’s Shiron relations. Naeth turned his attention to the noble with interest.

“Jomir has just begotten a pair of breeder sons,” Lihom said. “There has been a deluge of betrothal offers for either. And then there is Thalin’s two-year-old, a beauteous and very biddable child. As for myself, if all goes well, Mivar will present me with a third grandson before the year ends.”

He paused, smiling a little ruefully as a scowl burgeoned on Reijir’s face. “You have likely guessed the main reason for my visit.” He leaned back and eyed Reijir searchingly.

“There have been questions as to when you will produce an heir to fulfill your sire’s part of the contract.”

“When I wed,” Reijir curtly said.

“Naturally. But that begs another question.
When
will you wed, Rei-
min
?” When Reijir did not answer, Lihom added, “You are of a good age to take a mate. Indeed, well

past the age in Qindala, but I have assured them that customs are not the same in Ylandre.

Nonetheless, there is some worry—”

“That I might renege on
Aba
’s promise?” Reijir scowled. “I’m not like him in the least, Uncle.”

“I know you are not,” Lihom agreed. “You have spent your life diverging as much as possible from his path. I will not deny that pleases the family. Rodeth was, to put it mildly, a most intemperate Deir. Only Liande was able to control him somewhat.”

“Only because of the contract.”

“For the most part. But I think Rodeth also esteemed him as much as he could esteem anyone.”

“There was gratitude as well,” Keiran wryly said. “
Adda
did spare him a painful and ignoble demise.”

“That, too,” Lihom agreed. “A pity his restraint did not extend to the two of you. We were always relieved whenever Liande brought you to Dyare to visit.”

“Yet you took no steps to keep
Aba
from venting his anger on
us
,” Keiran said, his voice a shade bitter.

Lihom shook his head. “Who do you think encouraged Liande to often bring you to Qindala? Your grandsire knew full well what Rodeth was capable of and that separating both of you from him was the best way to keep him from hurting you overmuch. But so many years have passed since. I warrant you have forgotten the respite your sojourns in Dyare afforded you.”

Keiran sighed. “Nay, I haven’t forgotten. But each time I recall his treatment of us, all I know is that Rei and I felt so helpless. It’s not a feeling I ever want to experience again.”

“Understood,” Lihom said. “It was no surprise at all that neither of you shed tears when he died. I imagine it was a vast relief to be finally free of him.”

“But I am
not
free of him,” Reijir flatly retorted. “Not completely.”

“You are not,” Lihom agreed. “And you will just have to make the best of the situation. Your son’s choices may be limited, but whoever he selects will still be
his
choice. Which is far more than Rodeth had planned for Kei had he not died then.” He glanced at Keiran. “Though the provisions Liande made for you would have enabled you to escape that cage almost at once.”

“You weren’t exactly pleased that he did,” Keiran remarked.

“Our sire was not,” the Hamir readily admitted. “He worried Liande had become imprudent with his wealth. When it turned out he was only protecting you,
Aba
ceased to object.” He turned his attention back to Reijir and looked keenly at him. “The majority of bluebloods in every continent seldom wed for love alone, Rei-
min
. Surely you expected even yourself to be bartered away in wedlock for political or financial gain had Rodeth lived longer. Or that he would at least make the attempt. Why then are you so against the practice for your son?”

Reijir pursed his lips. “I’m not completely against it,” he reluctantly admitted. “Some of the strongest marriages I know of were arranged. But it galls me that, due to my benighted sire’s capriciousness, my firstborn and I will have no say in the manner of his mate’s selection, only which one of the few presented to him will suit him best.
Aba
’s actions have robbed my eldest and his heir’s eldest of the chance to bind themselves out of true affection if they so desire.”

“But what of you?” Lihom curiously asked. “Will you bind for love or for duty?”

Naeth could not help flinching when Lihom gave him a speculative look. Reijir did not however follow his uncle’s lead but only shrugged and kept his eyes on Lihom. Naeth did not quite know whether he was relieved or disappointed by the Herun’s lack of reaction.

“The hour is late, and I’ve had a long day,” Reijir said and stood up. “We can continue this discussion tomorrow.”

Lihom likewise rose to his feet. “I bid you both goodnight then.” He glanced at Naeth as he passed him on the way to the door. “I trust my nephew takes good care of you,” he murmured. “Or is it the other way around?”

Warmth flooded Naeth’s cheeks, much to his dismay. Lihom nodded and walked out of the room followed by Keiran. Naeth looked up at Reijir as the Herun regarded him somewhat sympathetically.

“I’m sorry,” he contritely said. “I didn’t mean to reveal our, um, arrangement.”

Reijir shook his head. “You only confirmed what he already knew even before he arrived.”

“What do you mean?”

“Think you he would travel all the way here just to remind me of my duty?” Reijir ushered Naeth out of the parlor. “He came to discover the exact nature of our liaison and whether wedlock is finally in the offing for me.”

Naeth’s blush deepened. “I see,” he whispered. A sharp pang resonated within him, but he struggled to ignore it. “He’s probably relieved that isn’t so,” he gamely said.

“Or disappointed,” Reijir countered. “He would have preferred to return to Dyare with the news of a betrothal or, even better, an imminent wedding.”

His curiosity sweeping aside some of his sadness, Naeth asked, “Why is it so important to them that you marry? Is it part of that contract he mentioned?”

“A vital part.”

“Can you tell me? Or is it confidential?”

“It’s no secret though it isn’t well-known either.”

They stopped at Naeth’s door. Reijir brushed a kiss against Naeth’s mouth then proceeded to his own apartment.

“Don’t take too long,” he said as he walked off.

Chapter Sixteen

Naeth pressed a clenched fist against his mouth to stifle his cries, the tight coil of maddening pleasurable sensation in his belly loosening with every slide of hot hard flesh up his backside. He groaned when Reijir pulled his fist away and forced it above his head to join his other hand.

“Don’t hold back,” he told Naeth. “Don’t ever hold back.”

A particularly deep thrust tore a sob from Naeth. “Please, please,” he hoarsely whispered. “I can’t take anymore. Saints above, I’ll scream if you don’t—if you don’t—“

“Scream then.”

“But-but your uncle—He’ll hear—”

“Let him.”

“Nay, I don’t want him to—”

Naeth cried out when his shaft was firmly gripped then relentlessly stroked. The coil unraveled more swiftly, giving him no time to think between one breath and the next, much less find the wherewithal to smother the sounds that escaped him. Pure reaction took over, and he gave audible vent to his pleasure, harsh sobs alternating with loud moans. And still Reijir cleaved him, seducing him into enjoying his body’s extended ravishment.

When completion came, Naeth thought he would faint, so strong and almost savage was his undoing. He lay quite helplessly as Reijir continued to pound into him, the struggle to slow his heart’s hammering hindered by the sensual piercing of his arse.

He felt Reijir tense against him, the Herun biting back a groan as he pushed deep into Naeth one last time. Naeth moaned at the familiar sensation of warm semen filling him.

He would never tire of the feeling, he deliriously thought.

Some heartbeats later, Reijir carefully withdrew from him. He snatched up a shirt from the foot of the bed and used it to wipe Naeth’s abdomen and the back of his thighs.

As he threw the shirt aside, Naeth impulsively sat up and wrapped his arms around him from behind, pressing kisses to the Herun’s wide shoulders and sleek back. Reijir chuckled and looked over his shoulder at him, a warning gleam in his eyes.

“You had best desist if you wish to give your arse a bit of rest,” he said.

Naeth laughed and lay down again, turning to face Reijir.

“You’re indefatigable,” he mildly accused.

Reijir partially reclined on his side. “And what about you, risking another taking so soon?” he pointed out.

Naeth blushed, but he smiled nonetheless. “I thought you were as done in as I,” he admitted.

“And therefore would be in no state to bugger you again just yet.” Reijir pushed strands of hair from Naeth’s forehead. “Well, I should be. Done in, I mean. But you’re much too delectable to resist for too long. I find myself surging back into readiness with an ease and speed I didn’t think possible.”

He seemed to regret his openness for he frowned and abruptly looked away. Thrilled by the unexpected confession, Naeth tried to smooth over the sudden tension between them.

“It only goes to show how potent you are,” he murmured in as sultry a voice as he could muster. “Small wonder I enjoy your attention, a sore bottom notwithstanding.”

Reijir glanced at him, his frown fading to be replaced by a fond smile.

“Flatterer,” he retorted.

“Is it flattery to state a simple truth?” Naeth lightly challenged. He ran a hand down Reijir chest to his taut stomach. “Or to show my appreciation of you? I count myself lucky a hundredfold over to have learned my bed lessons from one as beauteous as you.”

“Enough,” Reijir roughly said, softening the bite of his tone with a gentle stroke of his knuckles on Naeth’s cheek. He reached down and squeezed Naeth’s buttocks. “Do yourself a favor and don’t provoke me overmuch. I won’t have you tottering around the house tomorrow.”

Naeth sighed. “Very well,” he said with spurious meekness.

Reijir grinned and, lying back, drew Naeth partly atop him so that Naeth rested his head on his chest.

“I understand Keiran told you how our parents’ marriage came about,” he said.

Naeth lifted his head and looked at him. “He said your sire took your
adda
against his will.”

“But did he tell you
Adda
was a temple acolyte at the time?” At Naeth’s horrified gasp, Reijir said, “Obviously not.
Adda
was midway through his ten-year of service in the temple of Dyare when it happened. He was actually contemplating becoming a priest when his service ended. So you can imagine the Shirons’ outrage. It wasn’t just
Adda
’s virtue or their trust that had been violated. Rohyr’s sire, the Ardan Keldon, had to intervene to keep the peace. The Shirons are very close to the royal family of Qindala—

Uncle Lihom’s
adda
, my grandfather, was the younger brother of the Mikhar.”

Impressed, Naeth asked, “So you and Keiran are cousins to the current king?”

“Yes. In any case,
Aba
’s crime could have plunged Ylandre into war with Qindala had Uncle Keldon not been related to the Shirons as well. He brokered the marriage between my parents and forced
Aba
to sign a nuptial contract that heavily benefited
Adda
and the Shirons. To protect Ylandre, it was essential that the price for
Aba
’s crime be paid by Ilmaren. Our grandsire was forced to dower large tracts of land to
Adda
—nearly a fifth of Ilmaren’s total area. Those holdings were entailed in such a way that
Aba
had to fulfill a stipulation in the nuptial contract if he didn’t wish to forfeit them to the Shirons.