A Bond of Three (4 page)

Feyar arched his eyebrows. “And where will the two of you live? In a little house, with a garden? Kindly neighbors helping you when you need them?” He laughed bitterly. “You make it sound like such a pleasant prospect, whereas we both know the reality. They will make sure you end up living where you cannot offend the eyes of those around you. Perhaps in some remote corner of the kingdom that is neither picturesque nor sought after, where you can live out the remainder of your days surviving on what little money you can make—
if
you can scrape out a living.”

Tehar’s eyes were wet with tears. “Please, do not speak thus.”

And just like that, Feyar was ashamed of his outburst. He dropped his glass onto the floor, lurched out of his chair, and fell at her feet. He laid his head on her lap. “Forgive me. That was cruel.”

A soft hand stroked his hair. “Oh, Feyar, there is so much anger in you. I hope you are careful to hide it when you share the prince’s bed. His Highness must not learn of your hostility. There is no way of knowing how he would react.”

Feyar hid his face in her soft robe, lest she see his expression. Little did Tehar—or any of the palace
Seruani
—know that Prince Tanish held the same views. Feyar could recall many a night when Tanish had lain in his arms, the two of them talking in whispers of Teruna’s laws and customs. Despite his status, Tanish had no knowledge of how such laws had come into existence.

“Feyar, may I ask you something?”

The tentative note in Tehar’s voice made him raise his chin to peer at her. “Ask.”

She flushed. “You must know I would never betray your confidence.”

Feyar trusted Tehar, but only to a point. Some secrets had to remain just that—secrets. To do otherwise might court disaster. “Go on.”

“You have been the prince’s only
Seruan
for seven years now. How have you managed to keep from becoming too close to him? Surely it cannot be easy, sharing his bed each night. You must know him so well.”

Feyar caught his breath. “Why do you ask this of me?”

Heat bloomed on her cheeks, and she lowered her gaze. “I speak from experience. I came to serve here when His Highness was but four years old. It had been said that the king was still grieving for his dead queen, that he had no need of us in the
Seruanal
. But one night….” Her words trailed off, and she looked toward the window.

Feyar sat up straight, his attention fixed on Tehar. “Tell me.” He laid his hand on her robed knee and patted it. “I can keep a secret.”

Tehar gazed down at him and smiled as she cupped his cheek. “I believe you.” She drew in a deep breath. “One night I was summoned to the king’s bedchamber. He bade me share his bed. He did not take me but simply held me in his arms.” A faraway look came into her eyes. “I was seventeen, and the King of Teruna held me all night long, weeping into my hair.” She swallowed. “For forty nights it was so. He would not talk, but it was clear he gained some comfort from my presence. And I….” She closed her eyes. “I fell in love with him.”

Feyar became still. “Oh, Tehar.” In that instant he felt her pain. To be in love with a member of the royal household, never able to share that with another living soul….

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Be assured, I did not let him see the depth of my feelings for him. But something must have worked its way into his consciousness, for at the end of the fortieth night, he did not send for me. At first I thought him ill. But as one night became two, two became four, four became ten, it was clear that I was not to share his bed again.”

“You have never spoken of this,” Feyar mused.

Tehar sighed. “How could I speak of that which should never be spoken? Maybe the king felt more for me than he should have done. Maybe he sensed my feelings toward him. All I know is that I was lucky to share his bed even for such a short time, and luckier still that my heart did not betray me. For if that had been the case, I would not be here now.”

Feyar knew she spoke the truth. “So you ask me how I keep myself from falling in love with the prince?”

She nodded. “I would not like to see you hurt, physically or emotionally.”

Feyar patted her leg. “Have no fear. I know what I am. I am not about to lose my heart to His Highness.”

No, he had already done that, barely a month after giving himself to Tanish for the first time.

Relief flooded Tehar’s face. “Then you are a stronger person than I,” she acknowledged.

They sat in silence, the only sounds the occasional burst of chatter from within the
Seruanal
, where the rest of the
Seruani
—about six or seven—dwelt. Tehar continued to stroke his hair with a gentle hand. “Be at peace, Feyar,” she whispered. “And have no fear. Surely as the prince’s favorite
Seruan
, the future must be brighter for you.”

Feyar couldn’t think of a future without Tanish. His stomach clenched and his skin went cold when he contemplated the inevitable. Each night he spent in Tanish’s bed was heaven.

But a heaven that wouldn’t last forever.

“M
Y
MOTHER
looked tired, my
corishan
.”

Tanish stroked Feyar’s brow. Feyar was in torment, and seeing him like that caused Tanish physical pain. It was strange that when Feyar suffered, so did he. Tanish’s heart ached for him. He wrapped his arm around Feyar’s waist and snuggled up to his broad back, pressing his cheek against the soft skin. Feyar clasped Tanish’s hand in his and laced their fingers.

“Peace, my
terushan
,” Tanish whispered. “If it helps, then talk to me. Share your pain.”

Feyar pushed back against him. “I have not been able to force her image from my mind all day. All I longed for was the sweet oblivion of your arms, where I could be myself and let out everything I had pushed below the surface, away from prying eyes.”

“I understand.” He spoke the truth. Tanish went through the same torment each day, fearful someone would see past the mask of indifference he wore whenever Feyar was near and others were present.

“And then to see that young girl, selected by whatever lottery exists that decides who should be
Seruan
and who should not.” Feyar sighed. “Her poor parents. I wept in my heart with them.”

Tanish brought his lips to Feyar’s ear. “That is because you are a good man. Many others would have watched the same scene and felt no emotion. In their minds the girl was no longer a person.” He kissed the delicate shell of flesh and noted Feyar’s shiver. Tanish smiled to himself. He knew how he would end their day. It would solve no problems, but a good orgasm would help Feyar drift off to sleep more easily. Him too, for that matter.

But his conversation with his father lay heavy on his heart.

“There is something I must share with you, my
corishan
.”

Something in his voice must have betrayed his emotion. Feyar rolled in his arms to face him, creating a space between them. “Speak.” Feyar’s tone was even.

Tanish told him of his father’s desire to find a consort and the imminent royal visit. When he spoke of King Beron’s daughter, Feyar froze.

“He means to marry you off.” The words came out as a whisper.

Tanish couldn’t reply. To his dismay Feyar moved farther away from him, the distance between them a cold, barren space.

“And when he does, that will be the end of us, yes?” Feyar’s eyes burned with pain. “I cannot see your royal princess liking the idea of her new husband fucking a
Seruan
.”

Tanish flinched at the brutal choice of word. He grasped Feyar’s arms and pulled him back across the chasm between them. “You and I do not fuck.” He bit out the words. “That is what base animals do. They know no better. When
we
join our bodies, we make love. I seek to join myself to the man I love. When you are deep inside me, or I in you, we are so close that sometimes I feel as though our souls touch.” Tanish spoke from the heart.

Feyar closed his eyes and expelled his breath harshly. “Forgive me. For the second time today, I have chosen my words unwisely.” He cupped Tanish’s cheek, leaned in, and kissed him on the mouth, his touch light and tender. When he made to move away, Tanish deepened the kiss and demanded entry with his tongue, Feyar’s mouth swallowing his soft moan of pleasure. Feyar rolled Tanish on top of him and buried his hands in Tanish’s hair as he kissed his face, lips brushing over his cheeks and chin, rough with stubble.

Feyar broke the kiss and stared up at Tanish with half-lidded eyes. “Make love to me, my
terushan
. Take me to that place where all I know is you—your body, your kiss, you inside me.”

Tanish rolled his hips slowly, letting Feyar feel the full weight of his arousal against Feyar’s shaft. “Willingly.”

It was to be hours before he found sleep, but Tanish made sure both of them met its welcome embrace with sated bodies. He curled up around Feyar and pressed his hand against Feyar’s chest, comforted by the reassuring rhythm of his heart.

My heart beats in time with yours, my
corishan, he told Feyar silently.

Feyar lay in his arms, his breathing regular, his body warm from its exertions, his mind hopefully at peace.

Chapter 3

T
HE
ROYAL
audience room buzzed as members of the Great Houses of Teruna gathered, resplendent in their finest apparel. Outside in the courtyard and the streets beyond the palace, the people waited, pressed against each other, their faces turned upward toward the balcony where the king would appear and address them.

Tanish had never seen so many of Teruna’s inhabitants gathered together to hear his father’s words. He stood on the balcony and gazed down at them, enjoying the rich colors of their robes, so bright against the stark white Terunan stone.

“They fear the worst, Your Highness. That is why they gather here in such numbers.”

Tanish turned to face Malin, his face wrinkled and worn, his dark green robe almost hidden by the black cloak covering him. “What do they fear?” he demanded.

Malin frowned. “The streets are alive with rumors that Kandor means to march on Teruna once more. That is why the people gather. They are awaiting your father’s announcement that Teruna goes to war.” He scowled. “And some of them would actually welcome such a proclamation.”

Tanish felt a chill slide down his spine. “Why would any man wish to go to war?”

Malin chuckled. “Oh, Your Highness, forgive me, but you speak with such maturity sometimes that I forget how young you are.” He nodded down toward the waiting throng. “There are those among us who do not like peace, who ache for the thrill and excitement of war.” He shook his head. “They forget that war brings destruction, pain, and death in its wake. Maybe not all in one fell blow either. The havoc of war lingers on.”

With a flash of insight, Tanish knew the source of Malin’s words. “You speak of my father.”

Malin regarded him with approval. “Your instincts serve you well, Tanish.” He opened his eyes wide and then bowed his head. “Forgive me. I should not have addressed you in such a familiar manner.”

Tanish smiled and patted Malin’s arm. “If there is anyone who has the right to call me by my given name, it is you, Malin. My father trusts you in all things, and I know that one day I too will rely on your unfailing loyalty and support.” His heart clenched at the thought.

A flash of pain scrolled across Malin’s face and was gone. “And when that day comes, know that I will be there for you.” He let out a wry chuckle. “If I live that long.”

Tanish faced him fully and lowered his voice. “Speak to me of my father. Do not spare me, I beg you.”

Malin regarded him steadily for a moment. Then he nodded. “His Majesty grows weak, Tanish. There are no more healers to work their magic. I have no way of knowing how many days are left to him, but I am thinking that they number less than a hundred.”

Cold flushed through Tanish. “Surely… surely not.” Even as he uttered the words, he knew in his heart Malin spoke the truth. Tanish had watched his father’s steady deterioration with growing dismay.

Malin didn’t take his eyes off Tanish. “And when the day comes, all those dwelling in Teruna will weep for their loss.”

“I know it.” As much as he did not wish to think on his father’s death, he knew how dearly the king was loved by his subjects. Teruna would be awash with tears.

“And what your father announces today is to be the beginning of his legacy,” Malin said quietly. “He does what he can now to secure peace for our future. A truly great man.” His old eyes shone with unshed tears.

“Pray silence for His Majesty, King Feolin of Teruna.”

Tanish jumped slightly at the announcement. Below, the buzz of chatter quieted.

Malin gave him a brief bow. “My place is at your father’s side.” He turned and walked slowly toward the dais, where a chair awaited him, set back behind the royal throne.

Tanish moved away from the window to stand in front of the throne. He knelt, as did all those present. Tanish flicked a glance to his left to the trellis that hid the
Seruani
from view. They had gathered to hear their king’s proclamation, unseen by those present.