A Bond of Three (23 page)

Sorran could feel Tanish’s heat against his back. He wanted to see what was taking place behind him, but Tanish kissed his shoulders. “Keep your gaze fixed on Feyar. Watch his face as I penetrate him.”

Sorran’s heart beat faster at the thought of all three of them joined. He knew the instant Tanish was inside Feyar. His face grew tight, the muscles in his abdomen tensed, and he pushed deep into Sorran.

“Now we shall enjoy each other,” Tanish said breathlessly. Sorran could feel him thrusting into Feyar, and each slide pushed a grunt from Feyar’s lips. Tanish kissed down Sorran’s back, his lips warm and soft. Then his breath was once again at Sorran’s ear. “The sight of you two thus makes my cock ache. You shall ride him hard,
dorishan,
and I shall fuck him. Let us bring each other to release.”

The coarse wording sent heat racing through Sorran, and he was only too happy to comply. Desire raged through him, and he started to move faster, taking more and more of Feyar’s shaft into himself. The atmosphere in the room was heady, pervading his senses and heightening everything: Tanish’s breath, hot on his back as he fucked Feyar; the way Feyar rocked up with his hips, penetrating Sorran completely; the smell of sex on the air; Tanish’s lips on his neck, licking and sucking him, making him tremble.

And beneath it all, the inescapable feeling that something was coming. Something momentous.

Sorran abandoned himself to the sensual world in which he found himself and let go of his inhibitions. The feel of their bodies moving together sent him soaring, and he rolled his hips, taking more of Feyar into him. Feyar’s wide-eyed look of surprise delighted him. Tanish played with Sorran’s nipples, and the guttural sounds that issued forth from Sorran’s mouth were unrecognizable to him. He let them play him like a fine instrument, and their movements grew more heated. There were no words, only sounds of pleasure: grunts, moans, low cries that rebounded off the walls of Tanish’s bedchamber.

All too soon Sorran recognized the signs that signaled his orgasm. Tanish panted, rocking against Sorran as he thrust into Feyar, who stiffened, hips bucking hard.

“With me, my
terushani
. Now. Now.” The words were torn from Sorran’s lips. He tried in vain to hold back, but it was too strong. His cock erupted, spattering Feyar’s chin and lips.

“With you,” Tanish cried out hoarsely. He froze, and Feyar groaned. Sorran joined him as Feyar’s shaft swelled within him and heat filled him. They clung to one another, all three crying out through their release. Tanish grabbed Sorran’s head and turned his face toward him, taking his mouth in a brutal, all-consuming kiss. When Tanish pulled away, Sorran groaned. Tanish’s kisses were addictive. Feyar caressed his thighs, maintaining a connection with him.

Then it began. Sorran’s skin tingled and grew hot. His blemish burned like a brand on his chest, as did the other markings on his skin. Strength flooded through him, leaving him feeling so incredibly alive. Nothing he had experienced prepared him for the intensity of this encounter. Sorran shouted his joy to the heavens, his whole body shaking.

Suddenly Feyar grew still. He stared at Sorran, his face white. “By the Maker, what are you?”

Sorran froze, unable to look away.

Behind him, Tanish clutched at his shoulders, his fingers digging into the flesh. “Oh heavens, what is happening?” His body was rigid at Sorran’s back as he fell forward, pushing Sorran down onto Feyar’s chest.

Both men were trembling. Their arms held him tightly, pinning him between them, rendering him incapable of movement. Sorran’s heart pounded.

Something is happening.

For several long seconds they lay thus, their bodies racked by their mutual release. At last the tension in their muscles eased, and Tanish let go of Sorran, only to fall at Feyar’s side, gasping, free of Feyar’s body. Sorran lifted himself off Feyar’s cock and dropped to the bed, exhausted. Feyar’s chest glistened with sweat and his seed. The only sound in the room was their combined breathing, harsh and loud.

Sorran waited for one of them to break the near silence. Tanish lay beside Feyar, eyes closed, his breathing shallow. Feyar too had his eyes closed as he drew in long, deep breaths. Sorran’s body ached, and his stomach churned with apprehension. The burning of his skin abated.

Feyar opened his eyes and stared at Sorran. “It is time for truth between us.” His expression was one of bewilderment.

Sorran swallowed hard. “I do not understand.” His heartbeat raced.

Feyar fixed him with an intense gaze. “When we released, something happened. My skin grew hot, my heart beat faster within me.” He lay so still. “And then I
felt
you, Sorran. I do not have the words to describe this, but it was as if you were a part of me.” He put his hand to his chest and then to his temple. “I felt you
here
. I was aware of you. I felt that if I concentrated, I would have been able to read your thoughts, as if your life source had somehow become entwined with mine.”

Sorran stared at him, aghast.

Tanish regarded them both openmouthed. “Then I too shall demand truth, for I felt as you did, Feyar.” He gazed at Sorran, eyes narrowed. “And you know of what we speak, do you not?”

The world came to a juddering stop.

They shared a little of my gifts. I know not how, but I shared some part of myself with them.

Sorran’s heart sank. They did not appear happy with the experience.

And now I must tell all.

The warm feeling of intimacy between them that had developed during the last two days had lulled Sorran into a false sense of security. He had been prepared to accept sharing Tanish with Feyar. But the thought of telling them about his true nature filled Sorran with dread.

What if… what if they want no more of me? What if they decide I am an obscenity against nature?

And in spite of his earlier acceptance that his visions were true, one final thought made his flesh grow cold.

What if they decide that they cannot love me?

He opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by a loud rapping on the door to the chamber.

“Your Highness, your presence is requested in His Majesty’s bedchamber.” The urgent edge to the servant’s voice had Sorran sitting upright, Tanish joining him.

“I shall be there.” Tanish’s face was pale.

“Your Highness, I was to pass on the same message to Prince Sorran, but he is not to be found in his chamber.”

Tanish gave Sorran a glance before responding. “Prince Sorran is with me, and we shall both attend my father’s chamber imminently.” Even as he spoke, Tanish reached for the soft cloth Feyar had left by the bed and began to wipe himself clean.

Sorran heard the murmured acknowledgment of Tanish’s words, then the sound of retreating footsteps. The guarded expression on Tanish’s face sent his heart dropping like a stone.

Feyar kissed Tanish on the mouth. “Go see to your father, and when you are assured that all is well, send for me and we shall speak more of this.” His gaze met Sorran’s before he grabbed his robe and
cashor
from the floor and pulled them around his body. Feyar’s face was grave as he left the chamber.

Tanish threw the cloth to Sorran. “There is no time for bathing. That can wait until we see why we have been summoned. I pray that my father has not deteriorated while I was… enjoying myself.” He put on his robe and tied it.

Sorran recognized Tanish’s expression immediately. “Do not berate yourself. Until a short time ago, all three of us were sleeping.” He wiped away the evidence of their joining and slipped on his robe. “Let us first see how fares His Majesty.”

Tanish regarded him, his eyes serious. “Very well. But we
shall
speak more of this.”

With a heavy heart, Sorran accompanied Tanish from the chamber, and they went swiftly through the palace to the royal bedchamber.

Malin met them at the door, his forehead furrowed. He heaved a sigh of relief when they approached. “He has been asking for both of you.”

Tanish laid his hand on Malin’s cloaked arm. “It… it is not the end, Malin?” He swallowed.

Malin shook his head. “His Majesty passed a night filled with pain and nightmares, that is all. But his first words on awakening were to summon you.” He bowed to Sorran. “It seems your time with him yesterday greatly comforted him.”

Sorran’s heartache eased a little. “I am glad.”

The three of them entered the chamber, and Sorran had to work hard to stifle a cry when he saw the king. His colors spoke of nothing but pain. Sorran hastened to his bedside, caring naught for protocol, and leaned closer. “How fares Your Majesty?” he asked softly. Behind him, he sensed Tanish move around to the other side of the bed.

King Feolin lay on the bed, covered with fur pelts, his skin ashen. The warm morning light did little to improve his color. He opened his eyes and focused on Sorran. “I fare poorly, Sorran. I have spent the night in an ocean of pain, where wave after wave battered against me. No sooner had I gained some respite than another would arrive. I have prayed for this storm to calm, but to no avail.” He winced, gasping, clearly caught on the crest of another wave of pain.

Something in his words resonated deep with Sorran, stirring the remembrance of a vision. His hands glowed with warmth, and his blemish was once again hot.

And suddenly Sorran knew what he had to do.

“Take my hand, Your Majesty.” He held forth his hand and waited until the king’s frailer one grasped it. Then he laid his other on the king’s forehead and closed his eyes. Breathing deeply, Sorran focused his energy, pouring calm into the prostrate king.

King Feolin’s hand tightened around his and then relaxed. His creased forehead grew smoother, and the tension evident in his body eased perceptibly. Sorran felt the warmth leave his hands and blemish, and he heard the king’s breathing grow more even. The look of peace on the king’s face gave his heart ease.

“He sleeps.” Tanish’s voice was awed. He regarded Sorran with an expression that was sheer gratitude. “Thank you, Sorran,” he said earnestly.

“May I add my thanks.” Malin appeared at his side. “You did not say you were a healer, Your Highness.”

“I-I am not,” Sorran stammered. “This was the first time that I have done such a thing.”

Malin smiled. “Then I am grateful for your presence here, Your Highness.”

“Malin speaks for me too.” Tanish’s eyes shone with unshed tears. He stroked his father’s arm, which lay above the coverings. “Come, let us leave him to sleep without pain.” He gestured for Sorran to join him.

Sorran eased King Feolin’s hand from his and laid it on top of the bed coverings. He stroked the king’s forehead before moving to Tanish’s side. They left the chamber in silence.

“I need some air,” Tanish announced, a quaver in his voice. “Will you join me?” Sorran nodded. Tanish spoke with the servant who waited at his father’s door. “Send for Feyar and have him join us in the garden.”

The servant bowed and left.

Tanish led the way through the cool corridors to the door that opened onto the enclosed garden where Sorran had meditated. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating patterns on the sandy ground, and the air was thick with the heady morning fragrance of flowers. Birdsong filled the air.

Sorran sat upon the stone bench beneath the trees, with Tanish beside him. Sorran closed his eyes and let himself become calm. Inside, his heart raced.

What happened?

His mind was a chaotic mass of tumbling thoughts. He knew his lovers would demand answers from him, but he felt numb at what had passed that morning. Feyar had seemed so… strained when he had left them.

“All will be well, I feel it.” Tanish spoke softly. “I beg you, do not worry. My mind reels still from what I saw in my father’s chamber.” Sorran felt the warm touch of Tanish’s hand on his. “You took away his pain, Sorran. Thank you.”

Sorran opened his eyes and gazed at his lover. Tanish’s eyes glowed. Sorran bowed his head. “I followed my instincts.”

Tanish leaned closer, and Sorran sighed at the feel of soft lips on his cheek.

Approaching footsteps made him look up to find Feyar adorned in his
cashor
, standing before them. He glanced around before speaking, but they were alone in the peaceful garden. “Is all well?” There was a note of anxiety in his voice.

Tanish smiled for the first time since their joining. “It is now.” Quickly he recounted what had passed in the king’s chamber.

Feyar’s pale blue eyes grew large and round. He stared at Sorran. “By the Maker, it seems you have much to tell us,
dorishan
.”

Hearing that word on Feyar’s lips brought such comfort to Sorran that he could not hold back the tears that pricked his eyes. His emotions in turmoil, Sorran wept.

Tanish put his arm around Sorran in an instant and held him. Feyar knelt before him and laid a gentle hand on his robed thigh.

“Be at peace,
dorishan
.” Tanish kissed the top of Sorran’s head. “You shall not speak of this until you are ready.”

Feyar nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on Sorran’s face.

Sorran sagged against Tanish and grasped Feyar’s hand. He took a deep breath and then exhaled, expelling his tension. “I am ready.”

Chapter 17