A Bond of Three (11 page)

His father met his gaze. “And there is no shame in that, Sorran. But your intended husband is experienced.” He sighed. “If we were home, I would send you to our teachers. It makes more sense to keep you here and give you two time to get to know each other’s ways.”

Sorran nodded. “I agree, but things are done very differently here. The Terunans do not share the same view of their teachers as we do.” He relayed what Tanish had told him of the
Seruani
.

His father opened his eyes wide. “I had no idea.” He sighed once more. “Sorran, what happens in the bedchamber is of equal importance as what happens out of it. Indeed, on occasion it is more important. So go into this instruction determined to learn all you can.” He smirked. “You have always shown yourself to be a diligent student. This should be no different.” He patted Sorran on the cheek and left the chamber.

Sorran sank into his chair and stared around at the empty room. Tanish’s cool departure stung him deeply and did not bode well for the start of their married life together. His mind was a mass of confusion. What he needed was time to reflect, to be quiet and let his senses direct him.

He left the room and made his way through the palace to the peaceful enclosed garden, with its trickling fountain and the heady perfume of its fragrant flowers. There was no one present. He sat on a stone bench where he could stare into the sparkling waters of the pond, the sunlight casting colored prisms over the walls surrounding the garden. The tranquility of the place drew him.

Sorran closed his eyes, allowing the peace and serenity of his environment to wash over him. He breathed in the sweet perfumes and let his body relax. He was conscious of his breathing, slow and measured, sending calm surging through him.

For the first time in his life, Sorran wished for a vision, something to guide him, to provide him with greater understanding.

Anything that will show me the way to Tanish’s heart.

F
EYAR
STARED
in horror. “I will refuse.”

Tanish shook his head. “This is my father’s command. You cannot.” His throat tightened at the thought of Feyar being intimate with Sorran.

Feyar groaned. “Why me? Surely he can choose any
Seruan
for this task.” He scowled. “And you will accept this?” He paced up and down Tanish’s bedchamber.

Tanish barked out a bitter laugh. “What would you have me do? He is my father, but first and foremost, he is the king. What reason could I give? ‘You cannot allow this because Feyar is the man I love’?”

Feyar stopped pacing. “Then I will do as he orders, but know that each time I touch your prince, I will be wishing him ill.” He stiffened. “While he remains here, will he share your bed?”

Tanish wanted to weep at the pain in Feyar’s voice. He had left the audience chamber and sent for Feyar at once, his head still reeling from his father’s decision. Feyar’s ashen face would forever be burned into his memory….

Tanish took a deep breath. “I had intended to speak with Sorran once the betrothal had been announced. I was going to tell him of my love for you and inform him that he would be my husband in name only. And then you and I would carry on as before.”

Feyar sank onto his knees before Tanish, his face strained. “I have never hated another soul as much as I hate this prince, a man I have yet to meet. He comes between us, and that is reason enough to hate him. But to learn that I must also teach him how to make love to you, to bring you pleasure, to make your body sing in ecstasy….” He bowed his head. “Oh, my
corishan
, it hurts.” His voice cracked. “Please, I beg you. Do not make me do this.”

Tanish could not hold back the tears any longer. He threw his arms around Feyar and pulled him close, sobbing into Feyar’s hair. “If it were in my power to refuse, you know I would.”

They held each other, weeping. Tanish had never known such misery. In the space of one morning, his father had ruined his life.

Through the open window came the sound of many horns.

Tanish broke free of the embrace and wiped his eyes. “They call the people to the palace to hear the announcement.”

Feyar stared at him, red-eyed. “Then you had best ready yourself. Be sure to wear your finest robe.” He sniffed. “I will not be there. I will not stand behind the screen and listen to your father announce your betrothal to another man.”

Tanish stroked Feyar’s beard. “I understand, my
terushan
.” He kissed him tenderly. “It matters not what my father says. I already have a husband. Sorran may share my bed, but he will never have my heart.”

Feyar caught his hand and stared at him. “I know you speak truly, but we cannot avoid this. From this moment, everything changes, no matter how much we wish it otherwise.”

Tanish looked into Feyar’s eyes. As much as it pained him to admit it, Feyar was correct.

And there was nothing they could do about it.

S
ORRAN
GAZED
out over the city from the balcony of his parents’ chamber. There were joyous shouts as he was spotted by the people who congregated below in front of the palace. He waved to them and could not hold back his smile when they returned his greeting, calling out his name. The proclamation had taken place two hours ago, and still they gathered to catch a glimpse of the betrothed couple.

“They have taken you to their hearts, my son.”

Sorran gave a final wave and turned to face his mother. “I cannot believe how happy they were to hear the news.”

She smiled. “A betrothal is always happy news.”

Sorran sighed.
If only everyone was as delighted with the announcement.

Tanish had been so stiff beside him, his smile so forced. They had stood together on the balcony, the air filled with the shouts of acclamation from the people below. Sorran had turned to smile at Tanish, but one look at his face had sent Sorran’s heart sinking. His lips were stretched into a smile, but there was something in Tanish’s eyes that made Sorran catch his breath. And when they had retreated back inside the palace, Tanish had given a brisk bow and walked off, leaving Sorran standing with the two monarchs and their advisers, his stomach churning as he watched Tanish’s departure.

Something was badly wrong.

“Sorran, what ails you?”

The warmth and love in his mother’s voice touched a raw nerve, and Sorran choked back a sob. He looked about him swiftly. The servants had departed with the last of his parents’ baggage. He rushed over to his mother and fell to his knees before her in her chair. He buried his face in her soft robe, breathing in the comforting, familiar scent.

She stroked his hair. “Oh, my son, speak to me. Tell me what lies on your heart so heavily.”

“Must you go?” To his own ears, he sounded like a child, but the thought of being left without her filled him with dread.

Her hand was gentle as she caressed his cheek. “Sorran, you know we cannot stay.” She gave a feeble chuckle. “Vancor will not rule itself.” She lifted his chin to gaze at his face. “Thirty days shall pass very quickly, and then we shall return to see you married.”

Married.
To think he had been filled with joy at the prospect.

His mother sighed. “It is time for you to share truth with me, my son.”

Sorran took a deep, cleansing breath and moved away from her to sit on the pelt of animal fur that lay across the floor. “Did my father tell you of my vision?”

“That you were to marry Prince Tanish? Yes.”

He nodded but then bit his lip. “I… I did not tell him the whole truth. I knew before the vision that Tanish was the one.”

His mother tilted her head. “And yet you said nothing.”

Sorran sighed. “Though everything in me professed Tanish to be my destiny, I doubted the veracity of my senses. But the vision was confirmation.”

“And yet here you sit, plainly unhappy.”

He lowered his gaze. “He does not want me as his husband, Mother.”

He heard the catch in her breathing. “How can you know what is in his heart, Sorran?”

“Oh, Mother. That first day when we rode together, I was so happy. My heart was at peace. But something changed, and I have not the skill to divine what lies at the root of it.” Sorran could not rid himself of the feeling that something hid itself from his sight. His meditation had brought him renewed peace but no answers.

“Time is on your side, Sorran. It may be that as the day of your wedding draws nearer, more things will become clear to you.” She rose up from her chair and held out her arms. “But for now I would embrace my son before I take my leave of him.”

Sorran got to his feet and threw his arms around her, burying his face in her long hair, inhaling its sweet perfume. She held him close and brought her lips to his ear.

“If you have need of me, send an envoy and I will come. Your father may complain, but after all these years, it is astonishing how swiftly I develop a sudden case of deafness.” He felt her chuckle tickle his neck, and his heart swelled with love for her.

The door to the chamber swung open and his father entered, already dressed in his traveling robes. He smiled indulgently to see Sorran in his mother’s arms. “It is time, my son. Bid your mother farewell and walk with me. I would speak with you before we leave.”

Sorran gave his mother one last squeeze and then released her with reluctance. He followed his father from the bedchamber along the quiet corridor, and together they descended the wide staircase that led to the enclosed garden. Once outside, Sorran breathed in the fragrant air and listened to the birds that sang their hearts out.

King Beron placed his hand upon Sorran’s shoulder. “Is there aught you would share with me before I leave?”

Sorran shook his head. “I have nothing more to impart, Father.” He was not about to share his misgivings.

His father stared at him in silence for a moment. “I know I do not enjoy the same rapport that you share with your mother, but know this, Sorran. I am very, very proud of you. This is a good thing that you do for our land.”

Sorran bowed his head. “I will do my duty, Father.”

His father tilted Sorran’s head to look him in the eye. “I do not claim to understand your gifts, my son. Perhaps I have no need of such understanding. I hope and pray that it is enough for you to know that I love you.”

Sorran stared at him, amazed. His father had never spoken thus. Warmth flooded his being. “Your words bring me much joy, Father.” He took a breath and then straightened. “I wish you a journey free of incident.”

King Beron patted his arm. “I pray for the same thing, as I will be leaving my chief guard here for your protection.”

Sorran became still. “Aroman remains here?” Of all the people his father could have chosen….

The king nodded. “He is the most skilled, and while there remains even the merest hint of danger from Kandor, I will not leave you here unprotected. Aroman would lay down his life for you.” When Sorran said nothing, his father sighed. “Put the past behind you, Sorran. As a soldier, Aroman’s first duty is to Vancor, above all else.”

Sorran schooled his expression. Aroman may have convinced the king that he felt no slight at being refused, but Sorran knew better. That night in the encampment proved otherwise.

The king studied his face for a minute and then smiled. “And now your mother and I must leave.” His eyes glittered. “And you have some studying to do.”

Sorran’s cheeks grew hot. He had no idea when he would meet his new teacher, Feyar, but the thought of being instructed in the ways of the flesh sent heat racing through his body.

His father smirked. “I remember my first time.” He lowered his voice. “It is as I said before. Marriage is a balance, Sorran. Developing shared interests, creating memories together, learning to live with one another’s foibles… these are all important things, but what happens in the bedchamber is just as important. Learn how to please him, how to make him soar with pleasure, and in return you shall know to what heights physical love can take you.” Then he smiled. “Enjoy your studies, my son—they are meant to be enjoyed.”

Sorran was truly torn. Only two days ago, the thought of Tanish taking pleasure from Sorran’s body had sent delicious tremors rippling through him. But everything had changed.

No visions brought him enlightenment, no dreams comforted him.

Sorran was in the dark.

S
ORRAN
BADE
the servants leave his chamber. The idea of having someone bathe him was alien to him. He had grown up more simply in Vancor. Although there had always been servants in the palace, Sorran had been left to his own devices, which had pleased him greatly.

He loved the bedchamber allocated to him in Teruna. The window looked out over the garden and opened up onto a balcony that received the sun until late in the day. In the evening, the flowers’ heady perfume wafted into the room, filling Sorran’s senses. But the best part for him was the small tiled room with its deep, sunken bath. Sorran loved to lie with the water up to his shoulders, his head resting against the edge, eyes closed, and let his mind drift where it would. It was a daily ritual that always brought him a measure of peace.

He disrobed and stepped down into the warmed waters, freshly poured by the servants. The air was filled with the fragrance of citrus, the result of some drops of liquid added to the water. Sorran lay back, closed his eyes, and concentrated on breathing evenly. He had need of the bath’s calming qualities. His parents had departed a few hours previously. Sorran had stood on the steps of the palace, watching the carriages disappear into the distance. Since then he had been alone in his chamber, save for a visit from the king’s aged adviser, Malin, who had stopped by to deliver an important message.

It was finally time for Sorran to meet his new teacher, Feyar.

He was intrigued by the prospect of meeting a
Seruan
. That morning, Sorran had glimpsed a figure wearing the red
cashor
, his eyes hidden from view by the hood. Although at the far end of the corridor outside his chamber, he saw enough to know it was undoubtedly a man, and Sorran’s reaction to him had caused him puzzlement. His pulse had sped up, and his senses seemed heightened. He became acutely aware of each little sound carried on the air. The hairs on his arms stood to attention, and his cock began to fill.