A Bond of Three (28 page)

Deron appeared at the entrance to the tent. “Aroman says he drugged him, once when he took him from the palace and again a few hours ago. He should regain consciousness soon.” He watched Tanish, his eyes anxious. “Has he been harmed?”

Tanish looked over Sorran with a careful eye. “It seems not.”

Deron approached. “I will stay with Prince Sorran until he awakens. Go speak with Aroman before the men grow impatient. None of them will touch him, but they want answers.”

“As do I,” Tanish said grimly. He placed Sorran on the furs with great care before turning to Deron. “Call me the moment he awakens.”

Deron nodded. “I swear it.”

Tanish got to his feet and strode out of the tent. Aroman was on his knees, ropes binding him, head bowed. He looked up and shivered when Tanish approached. The warriors gathered around him drew back and stood in a circle, swords in hand. Unhappy murmurings rippled through them.

Tanish sat on the stony ground and warmed his hands by the fire. He said nothing, and he could feel Aroman’s tension increasing as each minute passed. Finally he looked Aroman in the eye. “Why?”

Aroman was shaking. “I… I was paid to take him from the palace so that the wedding would not take place.” His voice quavered.

“Paid by whom?” Tanish fought hard to keep calm.

“King Ceros of Kandor.”

The guards around the fire growled at his words.

“
Filthy Kandoran spy.
”

“
Kill him, Tanish
.
He does not deserve to live.
”

“
He betrayed his own prince. Scum.
”

Tanish held up his hand and silence fell immediately. He stared at Aroman. “But you were not traveling to Kandor. Where were you taking him?”

Aroman gulped. “I was taking him away, far away from Teruna and Vancor.”

“For what purpose?” Tanish pressed him. When Aroman did not answer, Tanish got to his feet and advanced on Aroman, sword in hand. He placed the tip of the blade against Aroman’s throat and pressed until it drew blood. “I repeat: for what purpose?” He withdrew the sword and waited.

Aroman swallowed. “I wanted him. I have always wanted him. I-I love him.”

Shock pulsed through Tanish. “He would never have accepted your love. What then would you have done? Taken him by force?” He nudged the sword once more toward Aroman’s throat.

“I thought that in time he would grow to love me,” Aroman said quickly.

Tanish laughed bitterly. “How little you know of your prince.” He drew closer. “Give me one reason why I should not slit your throat here and now for your treachery.”

“Because he must go back to Vancor.”

Tanish whirled around at the sound of that beloved voice. Sorran stood by the tent, Deron’s arm supporting him. He was pale and trembling.

Tanish dropped his sword and ran to Sorran, pulling him into his arms. “Oh, my
terushan
.” He buried his face in Sorran’s dark curls and breathed him in. Sorran threw his arms around Tanish’s neck and clung to him, and Deron withdrew respectfully.

“Tanish,” Sorran whispered. “You are really here.”

Tanish kissed him, not caring that the warriors around them saw. He pressed his lips to Sorran’s ear. “I love you.”

Sorran trembled in his arms. “How I have longed to hear those words.”

Tanish felt hot tears soak into his robe. “Weep not, my love. You are safe. I have you.”

Sorran stirred in his arms. “I love you, Tanish. Take me home.”

“Home? To Vancor?”

Sorran turned his face upward to regard Tanish with shining eyes. “To Feyar. You and Feyar are my home now.”

His words brought a lump to Tanish’s throat. “Then we shall go home.”

Chapter 20

“I
AM
quite capable of riding a horse unaided,” Sorran said. Yet in spite of his words, he leaned into Tanish, his head against Tanish’s shoulder. Tanish had seated Sorran in front of him on Nerita, content that the mare could carry both their weight.

“I could not bear to let you out of my sight,” Tanish admitted in a low voice. Sorran’s sigh of contentment told him how well his confession had been received.

Aroman had been slung across the back of a horse on his belly, his fellow riders demanding he not be afforded the luxury of riding upright, and two soldiers flanked him on their journey back to Teruna. Deron had protested that they could make camp and travel home when it was light, but all Tanish could see in his mind was Feyar, keeping a vigil as he scanned the landscape, watching for them. To his relief, Sorran was of the same mind.

They had been riding at a moderate pace, for fear of overtiring the horses, and it was now the middle of the night. The only light to show the way was that of the moon, but Tanish soon recognized the familiar landscape that told him they had not far to go. He called to Deron. “Have Petar ride ahead to alert the city that we draw near, and that Prince Sorran is safe.”

Deron nodded and trotted back to send Petar on his task.

Sorran nuzzled under Tanish’s chin. “I must confess, to ride cradled in your arms feels wonderful.” He inhaled deeply, and then his breathing hitched. “He is awake.”

Tanish had no need to ask of whom Sorran spoke. “He said he would not sleep until I brought you back to us.” He shivered. “But I feel his fear, even across these miles.” He tightened his arm around Sorran. “He bade me use our bond to find you.”

Sorran nodded against his chest. “I dreamed of you. I was calling to you both, reaching out for you.”

Tanish kissed the top of his head. “And we heard you, my
corishan
. You were like a light guiding my way.” Then he remembered. “And someone else heard you. Erinor.”

Sorran craned his neck to look at Tanish. “Erinor is gifted?” Even in the moonlight, Tanish could make out Sorran’s smile.

He nodded. “It is thanks to Erinor that we knew Aroman had taken you.” He shivered. “He did not harm you?”

Sorran reached up to cup his cheek tenderly. “
Terushan
, you have asked me this three times. Believe me, he did not hurt me. The drug was painless and quick, and when I awoke from it and cried out, he administered it again.” He pressed his body against Tanish’s and sighed. “Aroman will face my father’s wrath tomorrow.”

Tanish chuckled. “Beloved, it is already tomorrow. Your parents will be here within hours. You need to sleep before they arrive.”

“I have slept enough.” Tanish could hear the resolve in Sorran’s voice. “And when we reach the palace, there are things I would do before I sleep.” He moved his hand from Tanish’s cheek and slid it under his robe, stroking his chest, his fingers straying to play with Tanish’s nipple. Tanish fought hard to bite back the moan that so badly wanted to escape. His cock twitched, and Sorran chuckled. “I think part of you agrees with me.”

Tanish lowered his voice. “You are wicked.”

Sorran let out a light gasp. “I? You forget, my husband-to-be, that I
know
you. Tell me you are not aching to be inside me, to claim me, to mark me as yours.” He looked up, his beautiful eyes glinting in the light. “This is what I wish, with all my heart.”

Tanish could not hold back. He halted Nerita, let go of the reins, and kissed Sorran thoroughly, Sorran’s arms coming up to wind around his neck, pulling him closer. Tanish’s heart soared with relief.
This
was his love, his Sorran. Tanish melted into the kiss, barely aware of the silence that grew around them.

Until Deron cleared his throat. “At least let us reach the palace before you start making love to him, Tanish.”

Tanish could hear the amusement in his voice. He became aware that the riders had halted and were staring at him with unconcealed mirth. Sorran’s body shook as he tried to suppress his laughter. “Let us ride on,” Tanish said gruffly. He estimated they were less than an hour away.

His fellow riders laughed, and they all set off once more at an even pace. Sorran kept his arms around Tanish’s neck as Tanish held Nerita’s reins one-handed.

“Then both Feyar and I shall claim you as ours,
terushan
,” he whispered.

Sorran did not reply but pressed more tightly against him, sharing his warmth.

They rode in a comfortable silence, no banter taking place between the soldiers. Tanish knew if it had not been for Sorran stating that Aroman must return to Vancor, his troops would gladly have executed him there and then, such was their outrage.

“Tanish! Look!” Deron pointed off into the distance.

Tanish scanned the horizon and caught his breath. Even at this distance he could see Teruna, for it was ablaze with light. Sorran turned his head to look and gasped.

Gerovan drew up beside them. “They have lit every street lamp in the city, by the look of it,” he said with a grin. “Prince Sorran, it seems all of Teruna is awake to welcome you home.”

Sorran’s look of shock was adorable.

Tanish tightened his arm around Sorran. “My people love you,
corishan
.” He gazed in wonder as they drew nearer. Now he could make out figures outside the city walls, holding aloft torches that burned brightly in the darkness, reflecting the whiteness of the stone. From the tops of the walls, more torches burned.

“They see us, Tanish!” Deron exclaimed. “Listen!”

Tanish could hear excited shouts and cries, and from the palace, the faint sound of horns. He nudged Nerita and picked up speed, his soldiers keeping pace. By the time they reached the walls, the archway through the walls into the city was crowded with people, all cheering and waving. Deron and Gerovan led the way, Tanish following behind, Sorran still in his arms.

Sorran straightened and gazed at the crowds. “By the heavens, I had not expected this.” His face was alight with joy as he heard the words of the people who lined the cobbled streets.

“
May the Maker bless you both.
”

“
Heaven’s blessings on you, Prince Sorran.
”

“
Teruna rejoices at your safe return, Your Highness.
”

Tanish saw the glint of tears in Sorran’s eyes. He kissed his cheek, which drew a cheer from the people who saw. As they rode along, he caught sight of a familiar face. Erinor stood by his house, his face wreathed in a huge smile. Tanish knew the instant Sorran saw the young
Seruan
. He stiffened and then turned to Tanish.

“Oh, please, stop!”

Tanish halted Nerita, and Erinor approached them, his hands held high. Sorran clutched them and squeezed. “Thank you, Erinor.” He bent low and kissed Erinor on the cheek, causing him to blush.

“My thanks, also,” Tanish added. Around him he heard gasps and murmurs from the crowd, and his stomach twisted.
If they only knew how Erinor aided us in our quest to find Sorran, they would not react in such a manner.
Then he reconsidered his thought. Prejudice against the
Seruani
was so deep-rooted it would require a monumental shift to alter the people’s misconceptions.

Erinor noted the rumblings from the crowd. He bowed his head and stepped back. “I am happy to serve you, Your Highness, and happier still to help my friend, Prince Sorran.”

Sorran beamed at him, seemingly unaware of what was happening around him, and Tanish gave a nod in his direction as he nudged Nerita forward. The streets widened as they drew closer to the palace, and the air was filled with joyous shouts and cheers, while horns were blown from atop the palace walls.

The group came to a halt in front of the palace before the steps that led up to the main door. Deron called back to Tanish above the noise of the crowd. “We shall see to Aroman. Take your prince and get some sleep. And welcome home, Prince Sorran.”

“Thank you,” Sorran replied. “And my thanks for coming for me.”

Deron waved his hand. “No gratitude required, Your Highness. Every man here would do anything for Tanish. He is one of us.” He led the others toward the stable courtyard at the rear of the palace, Aroman still lying across his horse, bound and gagged.

Gerovan stayed behind to hold Nerita while Tanish and Sorran dismounted. Around them, people waved and shouted, their faces lit by the street lights that burned above their heads. It was impossible to ignore the jubilant mood.

Tanish patted the horse’s neck. “Thank you, faithful Nerita.” He stroked the mare’s mane, and Nerita tossed her head back, whinnying. Sorran pressed his face to Nerita’s neck and whispered his thanks. Gerovan led the horse away, and Tanish held out his hand to Sorran. “I would utter the same words. Welcome home, Prince Sorran.”

Their hands entwined, he led Sorran up the steps to the door, where Malin awaited them, his wrinkled face stretched into a wide smile.

“Thank the Maker, you found him.”

Behind them arose a loud cheer from the people gathered in front of the palace. Tanish turned, his arm around Sorran’s waist, and they both waved. The cheer grew louder, and amid the tumult, Tanish and Sorran entered the palace. The heavy doors closed behind them.

Tanish turned to Malin immediately. “How is my father?”

Malin’s face fell. “Much weakened, Your Highness. He bade me send you to him on your return.” He laid a wrinkled hand on Tanish’s arm. “There is not much time left to him, I fear. This dreadful episode weakened him.”