A Bond of Three (10 page)

“Sorran?
Sorran
!”

Sorran gazed up at his father and smiled. “Be at peace, father. I am well.” He had never felt such calm, such peace. Everything made sense.

King Beron let out a long, shuddering breath. “Oh my son, you scared me.” He helped Sorran to his feet and eased him into his chair. “You saw something, did you not?” He sat beside Sorran, his gaze never leaving him.

Sorran nodded. “I know how you can unite Vancor and Teruna.”

His father became still. “You saw this?”

Sorran beamed. “Oh yes.”

That part had been crystal clear, even without the aid of someone gifted in Dreamspeak. One image did not make sense, but he assumed all would become clear. He could see the path that should be taken.

Now all he had to do was convince his father.

F
EYAR
COULDN
’
T
sleep. Something was gnawing at him, preventing him from relaxing. He’d lain in bed, staring at the ceiling, waiting for his eyelids to grow heavy, but the slumber he sought eluded him. Tanish stirred fitfully beside him, letting out a low moan.

As carefully as he could, Feyar drew back the coverings and eased himself from the bed. He walked naked to the window and out onto the balcony. The cool night air fanned his heated skin.

What is it that troubles me?

It had been so for the last two days. There was an undercurrent of…
something
that pervaded the entire palace. King Feolin, King Beron, and their advisers had been talking behind closed doors for the entire time, during which Tanish was nowhere to be found. There were whispered conversations around the
Seruanal
that stopped whenever Feyar drew near, and it was driving him mad. Tehar regarded him with something akin to pity, and he was at a loss to understand why. But when he tried to speak of it, the words would not come.

“What troubles you, my
corishan
?” Tanish appeared at his side, hand stroking up and down his back.

Feyar let out his breath in a long, drawn-out sigh. “That feels good.”

Tanish kissed across his shoulders. “Come back to bed.”

Feyar nodded and allowed Tanish to lead him into the chamber and over to the bed. Tanish slid beneath the covers and held his arms wide. Feyar lay down beside him and placed his head against Tanish’s chest. So often between them it was Tanish who relied on Feyar’s strength, who nestled in his arms each night. It soothed him to be on the receiving end of Tanish’s attentions.

Tanish stroked his cheek. “Can you tell me what is on your mind?”

Feyar struggled to put his feelings into words, to find one thing that went to the heart of the matter.

And then he found it.

“What is Prince Sorran like?” He kept his tone light.

It was Tanish’s turn to sigh. “He acts nothing like a prince. He has no airs, he says what is in his heart, and he seems to live life to the full.” He lifted Feyar’s chin with his fingers. “Have you not seen him?”

Feyar shook his head. “Is he your age?”

“No, he is younger, although there are moments when his utterances seem to be from one much older.” Tanish fell silent for a moment, and then he sighed once again. “There is something in the air.”

Feyar stared at him. “You feel it too.”

Tanish nodded. “My father wishes me to be present tomorrow morning when he and King Beron meet.”

“Has His Majesty given you any indication as to why you must attend?”

“No.” Tanish tilted his head until their foreheads touched. “Why should he want me present for their deliberations?”

Feyar kissed him softly. “It makes sense. Surely whatever they discuss will have implications for the future of Teruna. You are the future king, after all.” He snuggled up against Tanish’s body, closing his eyes and breathing in the scent of his lover. “And I shall always be yours, my
terushan
. Though they find you a bride, you will always have me. None other shall know me, I swear it.” Since that first day when the young Prince had laid eyes on him and taken him to his bed, Feyar had refused to service another man or woman. He belonged to Tanish, heart, body, and soul.

Tanish kissed his hair and temples. “I know it, my
corishan
. Your love is my strength.”

It wasn’t long before lassitude spread throughout Feyar’s body and he stumbled into the welcoming arms of sleep, his lover curled around him, blanketing him with his warmth.

T
ANISH
GLANCED
around his father’s private audience chamber at the assembly. Malin was studying parchments, his brow creased in concentration, but every now and then he would look up and smile at Tanish. King Beron’s adviser was seated at the other end of the table. The two monarchs had yet to make their entrance. Sorran sat next to Tanish, deep in thought. He’d given Tanish a warm smile upon his entrance into the chamber but had become quiet and withdrawn, almost as if he meditated.

Something is coming.
Tanish tried to repress his shiver.

The doors swung open, and his father and King Beron entered, both smiling.

The mood in the chamber changed immediately as the tension eased. Malin rose from his chair and bowed as the two kings came to sit at the table. Tanish and Sorran were on their feet, facing them.

His father waved a hand. “Sit, both of you. We have much to discuss.”

Tanish and Sorran retook their seats.

King Feolin beamed. “Today marks an historic occasion. Today the two great kingdoms of Teruna and Vancor will announce an alliance, one which will last for many years to come. As the future monarchs of these two lands, it is right that we share with you how this will be accomplished.”

King Beron chuckled. “Well, my royal cousin, seeing as our sons are to play such a vital part, it is fitting that we reveal their roles as soon as possible.”

Tanish straightened.
Sorran and I are to play a part?
He glanced at the prince sitting next to him. Sorran seemed completely at peace with this statement.

His father looked him in the eye. “We have discussed the deployment of Vancoran troops here in Teruna. Vancor cannot be reached but by Terunan soil, so our border with Kandor will be our first and strongest line of defense.”

Tanish nodded, although he failed to see how this would involve himself and Sorran.

“What we strive to achieve is a way to forge links between our two lands, to bind us together as brothers in the face of a common enemy,” King Feolin continued.

“Links that will bind us together by blood,” King Beron added, smiling.

King Feolin nodded in agreement.

The skin prickled all the way up Tanish’s arms and across his back.
Blood
?

King Feolin gazed at him directly. “This day I shall announce to our people the betrothal between Prince Tanish and Prince Sorran, with the wedding to take place within thirty days, here in Teruna.”

Tanish could not move. He could not tear his gaze away from his father.
Marriage. To Sorran.
The words hammered into his brain.

Beside him, Sorran stirred. He reached across to take hold of Tanish’s icy hand. “I will do my utmost to please my husband, Your Majesty.”

Tanish turned to look at him. Sorran regarded him with calm eyes, a gentle smile playing about his lips.

Inside, Tanish was anything but calm.

When his father had spoken of an heir, Sorran’s arrival had convinced Tanish he was safe, for the time being, from being married off to a royal consort. Never had he dreamed his father would consent to such an undertaking.

“I… I do not understand,” he said at last, when he found his voice.

Silence fell. His father frowned. “What is there to understand, my son? It is my wish that you and Prince Sorran should marry. Such a joining will bring our people closer together.” His brows knitted further and his jaw set. “Do you find fault with our decision?”

His stomach clenched. He forced himself to be calm. There was little else he could do. “No, Your Majesty.” He bowed his head. “I am your obedient son.”

King Feolin regarded him intently. “I am relieved to hear it.” Then he relaxed. “This is a day of great rejoicing. A royal wedding, our two lands united…. Yes, the betrothal shall be announced today, and the wedding plans put into place immediately.”

Sorran tightened his hand around Tanish’s. “It will be well, Your Highness.” His calm acceptance began to ease Tanish’s disquiet, and with that came logic.

Even if he is to be my husband, nothing will change. I will make sure he knows that someone else has my heart. This is a political wedding, a marriage of convenience, when all is said and done.

Tanish breathed easier. He would ensure his new husband entered their marriage fully aware of the situation. Tanish was not a cruel man. He would give Sorran plenty of time to accept how things would be between them.

And I need to make sure Feyar knows this prince will never have my love.

He would speak with Feyar as soon as the opportunity afforded itself.

King Beron cleared his throat. “Queen Vasha and I have discussed this situation, and she wished me to share her delight in this betrothal, but….” His cheeks flushed. “She desired me to speak of a delicate matter, one which I hesitate to discuss here, for fear of bringing a blush to my son’s cheeks.”

Beside him, Sorran released Tanish’s hand and sat upright, gaze trained on his father.

King Feolin snorted. “If he is old enough to marry, he can deal with a few blushes.”

King Beron laughed. “Wisely said. My son has but nineteen years. He has had a sheltered upbringing, living in the palace. His teachers inform me that he has a sharp mind, but all his knowledge has been gleaned from books. He has little experience of the world beyond the palace walls.” He glanced at Sorran before continuing. “Sorran has known neither man nor woman. In Vancor there are those skilled in such things who could instruct him.”

King Feolin nodded. “As we have here also.”

King Beron smiled. “So I believed. It is therefore our wish that Sorran remain in Teruna until the wedding, to become acquainted with Prince Tanish and to use the time to receive instruction on how to please his husband-to-be.”

Sorran stared at his father, openmouthed, his cheeks flushed.

Tanish’s skin began to crawl. He had no intention of sharing his body with Sorran. He awaited his father’s decision with bated breath.

King Feolin pursed his lips, deep in thought. “Your request has value. If this union is to be long-lasting, to secure the future of our two nations, then every effort should be made to ensure our offspring’s compatibility.”

Tanish held his breath.

Suddenly his father broke into a smile, making Tanish shiver.
Something is coming.

King Feolin beamed. “I have it. Who better to instruct Sorran than the one who first taught his future husband? Someone who knows him intimately and can provide detailed instruction.”

Cold spread throughout Tanish’s body. His hands were like ice.

His father met his stricken gaze. “You will arrange for Prince Sorran to receive instruction from Feyar.” His eyes glinted. “To begin immediately.”

Chapter 8

S
HOCK
THRUMMED
through Sorran. This was something he had not foreseen.

His parents had not seen fit to share their discussion of Sorran’s lack of experience with him, so this turn of events was as much a surprise to him as it was to Tanish. He had expected Tanish to be shocked by the idea of their betrothal, but his heart sank when Tanish paled.

Is it so horrible a prospect, becoming my husband?

Once again, it made him question his vision. If Tanish was meant to be his, then his reluctance was all the more confusing. Sorran had taken King Feolin’s agreement as a further sign that this was indeed the path to follow. And when Tanish appeared to accept the decision with good grace, Sorran had felt relief flood through him.

Such relief was short-lived.

There was no mistaking Tanish’s reaction to the idea of Sorran receiving instruction. Tanish was horrified.

Before he had time to ascertain why this should be, his father and King Feolin declared the meeting over. All bowed as King Feolin left the chamber, the advisers trailing behind him.

Sorran turned to address Tanish. “We should talk more of—”

“Forgive me, but I must go,” Tanish said coolly, and with that he departed the chamber. Sorran stared after him in dismay. Where had the prince who had ridden with him only two days previous gone? It was as if Tanish had suddenly become a different person.

His father approached him and patted his arm. “I should have spoken of our concerns before this meeting, my son.” He gave a half smile. “Your mother gave me strict instructions that I was to mention it.”

In spite of his mood, Sorran could not contain his smile. “It was good of you to spare a thought for my embarrassment, Father. After all, you have informed everyone present that your son is a virgin.” His cheeks grew hot.