Healing Fire (16 page)

“A baby! You must care for her.” She looked pale and sickly. Even Lem knew that children needed love and sustenance. Then it occurred to Lem. “You need your heart healed.”

“Please. She said you could help.”

Before Lem could turn toward the cave and call for Jules, his lover was there, eyes glowing, magic pouring off those open palms.

Lem put his hand on Jules’ arm, halting the headlong rush forward. “Careful!”

The man hit his knees. “Please!”

Jules pulled away from him and wrapped the man and babe in a hug, the rush of healing magic pouring from his prince in a violent rush.

Lem had his heart in this throat, watching with wide eyes. He wanted to grab Jules and pull him away, but he knew Jules would not thank him for it. He knew this was what Jules was meant for.

The man wailed and so did the babe, pouring out their pain, and Lem busied himself looking in the man’s things for a bladder of milk. He found it in a small bundle at the top of the furs. The babe would need it when Jules was finished.

Would Jules need sustenance as well? What was this healing going to cost Jules? When he absorbed the power from Jules, it made him strong, but it also made Jules strong.

He vibrated with worry, with concern. So much power came with a price.

Lem reached out and drew back before touching Jules several times. Then it occurred to him this was the first time Jules had done this. What if he didn’t know how to stop? What if he was hurting himself? With a cry, Lem put his hand on Jules’ shoulder. Jules’ skin was icy cold, his muscles rock hard.

Lem let go of Jules’ shoulder and grabbed Jules around the waist with both hands. He pulled hard. “My heart! Enough!”

Jules separated from the man, who looked sad, but hale, whole.

“He... I owe you much.” The man flung his arm out toward the travois. The child was crying.

Lem grabbed the milk pouch, pushing it into the man’s hand. Then he wrapped his arms around Jules, pulling his frozen lover close. “Jules? Jules!”

“Lem.” The light was gone from Jules’ eyes, but his prince wore a smile. “I did well?”

“Too well.” He picked Jules up. Then turned to the man. “Bring the baby inside out of the cold.” Lem didn’t wait to see if the man obeyed. He simply carried Jules back to the cave.

The man followed, beginning to unload the furs, the grain, bottles of wine, even a tiny package of lemon candies.

Lem’s eyes widened. Those were his heart’s favorite. “Excuse me. Could I have a candy?”

“Of course. They are for you. Gifts in thanks.”

Oh. That hadn’t occurred to him, that people might make offerings for their healings. He took the offered bag of candies and opened one, putting it in his mouth. The flavor exploded in his mouth. Oh. Oh, yes.

He pressed his lips against Jules’, who opened immediately. He pushed the candy into Jules’ mouth, hoping the candy would go a long way to brightening his lover’s spirit. Jules hummed, sucking the sweet, still smiling.

“What do you need, my heart?” He would do anything to make sure Jules was all right.

“Stay with me.”

“Yes.” That had never been in question. He began to rock Jules and to rub the icy skin, trying to warm Jules.

The baby cried, but when the father burped her, she quieted.

“Is she well?” Lem asked, reaching for the cloak from their bed and wrapping Jules in it.

Jules just needed to be warm again. And to rest. Then he would be himself again. Lem silently repeated it to himself so that he might believe it.

“She is. She is beautiful. Would you like to see her? She looks like her mother.” The lad smiled, his whole demeanor changed from when he’d first arrived.

Lem looked at Jules, who nodded, smile increasing.

“Yes.” Lem answered.

The baby was brought over, and Jules beamed. “She’s lovely.”

“And your heart was healed?” Lem asked the man. “You can care for her now?” He knew the answer even as he asked, for he’d seen Jules healing them both.

“I cannot thank you enough, healer.”

“The lemon candies were a good start,” Lem noted. They would have to make the bag last.

“I will tell everyone that comes to bring them.”

“Everyone?” Would there be a lot? Was that a good thing? His Jules was so quiet and still in his arms.

The man nodded. “Think of the good you can do.”

He was thinking more of how much it was going to take out of Jules. What if they came in droves? What if they sucked Jules dry? He would not let that happen. Even if it meant moving again and again. He didn’t even know how long it would take Jules to get better, how best to do that.

“Is he well? How can I help?” the man asked.

Lem shook his head, holding Jules closer. “I will care for him.” He needed privacy before he truly let his worries show. “When will you be returning to your village?”

“I must go soon, I’m afraid, so that we are down before the night is too cold.”

He nodded, refusing to feel bad for not offering the man and his daughter space with them until morning, not if they were willing to go. He was too worried about how lethargic Jules still was. He needed to make his prince whole again.

“You will be warm enough with your furs.”

The man certainly had enough of them, even after he left the lion’s share for Jules. “We will. I thank you. I will bring supplies again, upon the full of the moon.”

Lem had not expected more than the candies, so to have all those furs was wonderful, but he didn’t know if the man needed to bring them more. That seemed selfish. He looked to Jules.

Jules seemed to be thinking the same. “You left grain and wine as well. You do not need to bring more.”

“No, but I wish to, and my friends will as well. It is an honor to have a soul healer among us.”

“It would be nice to see your daughter flourish,” Lem admitted.

“We will return as we can, and I have the farm at the foot of the mountain. I will guard the way,” the man promised.

“Oh, that would be an even bigger boon than anything you could bring.” Lem was all for having extra security.

The man bowed, then cradled the baby close. “I will take my leave. My name is Jonah. This is Gertie.”

“Thank you for your gifts, Jonah,” Lem said.

“I am Jules.” His prince spoke up. “Thank you for the candy.”

Oh, he was supposed to give his name. “I am Lem. The soul-healer’s protector.” He would have this Jonah spread the word that the soul-healer had a very big, very concerned bodyguard.

“My hero. Lem is my hero.” Jules swayed, obviously exhausted.

“It is time for you to go,” Lem told Jonah. He didn’t care if he was being rude.

“Of course. Bright blessings, healer. Thank you.”

As soon as the man was gone, Lem grabbed Jules back up, holding him close. “My heart, does it hurt anywhere?”

“Just cold, very cold, Lem.”

Lem pulled Jules’ clothes off, then his own, holding them together, skin on skin. Jules’ teeth began to chatter, fingers cold as ice. He took Jules’ hand and kissed the palm.

“I did well, Lem?”

“Did you give too much of yourself, Jules? You’re so cold and quiet.”

“I don’t know. I never gave myself to anyone but you. This was different. You always give yourself back.”

Lem took Jules’ hands and placed them against his chest. He felt a light tingle, like the magic was muted, faded, but he could feel it slowly growing stronger. He could feel
Jules
growing stronger.

“My Lem.” Jules hummed softly, skin warming.

“You’re getting better!” More new magic between them.

Jules lifted his head, begging for a kiss. He offered it freely, feeling Jules’ lips warming beneath his own as he slipped his tongue into Jules’ mouth. He could feel the pleasure, the need in his prince. He met it eagerly, holding Jules close and deepening the kisses.

Jules began to sing to him, fingers stroking through his hair. It felt so good, and the pleasure increased, Jules’ touch like lightning. Jules arched against him, his soft moan filling the air like a song. He grabbed Jules’ bottom, tugging Jules close and rubbing them together.

“Magic,” Jules’ whispered. “So much magic, Lem.”

He nodded, kissed Jules harder. “You are the most magic in the world.”

“We. Us. Together. Oh, Lem.”

“Yes, my heart. Together.” He knew they were magic because Jules was, but he was so happy to love Jules and be loved in return.

Jules moved against him, passion making itself known. He brought them both to their bed, lying Jules down and resting against the slender body. He moaned, taking one kiss after another, their lips clinging.

He kept himself up with one hand, the other exploring Jules, from throat to thigh, touching everywhere he could reach. The sweet erection reached for his fingers, begged for connection. He gave it, wrapping his hand around Jules’ heat and stroking.

“Oh...” Jules moaned, the sounds like a song.

Lem stroked faster, wanting more of this lovely magic.

“You’re everywhere. Everywhere.” Jules sang the words, hands on his skin.

“I will always be anywhere you need me to be.”

Jules was his heart.

“This is our home, now? Our palace?” Jules asked.

“Yes. And I will make it perfect for you.” Already they had furs and things the forest couldn’t provide.

“It is perfect. It’s ours.” Jules pressed their lips together, tongue sliding against his.

Lem rocked their bodies together, sliding heat on heat as their tongues played. He could feel the energy between them getting stronger and stronger. Grabbing one of Jules’ hands, he held on tight, the energy between them suddenly right there.

Jules nodded, eyelids heavy. “Yes.”

He moved faster, wanting to make Jules spend. Lem could feel it, the pressure building inside Jules. He reached again for Jules’ swelling, squeezing it tight. Jules nodded, the motion almost desperate. Leaning to Jules’ throat, he bit, wanting to leave his mark on Jules. No, he needed to. Jules was his to love, to protect, to care for. His. He pinched the tip of Jules’ erection. Jules gasped, hips rolling up as if in shock. He loved bringing Jules something new, so he did it again.

“Lem.” The sound of his name was husky, low.

“Spend for me, my heart. Let me feel the heat of your pleasure.”

“Spend...” Jules arched, rubbing against his hands, his skin.

“Yes. Please. Give me your pleasure,” he repeated, his hand moving quickly.

Warm seed coated his hand, the scent heady and right. Jules’ cheeks were full of color again, life in the beautiful eyes.

“My heart.” Jules reached and touched his chest, right where his heart was.

“Yes. Yes. Yours.”

Jules’ heart pounded, his eyes glowing with health.

“Are you feeling better, my heart?” He already knew the answer.

“I feel amazing, Lem. Whole.”

“Then it’s a good thing.”

And it seemed Jules had found his calling. Either way, Lem was here for his heart.

The cave was filled with gifts—coin, food, jewels—so many things, but Jules didn’t care. He was tired.

Lem came back to him. “Jules, there are more. But I want them to go away. It’s too much for you. They’re taking too much.”

Jules stared at Lem, too exhausted to move. To speak. To respond.

“That’s it. I’m making them go.” Lem turned and headed back out of the cave.

Jules heard the roar, shrieks, then Lem came back, looking satisfied.

“They’re gone.”

Oh. Oh, his Lem was clever. “Honestly?”

“Yes.” Lem opened his arms and drew Jules in. “It’s too much. You can’t help so many.”

“I’m sorry. I try.” He didn’t want to turn anyone away, but he was just so tired.

“You give and give, and now you must rest.” Lem drew him in, lending him his dragon’s warmth.

They had a strong bed, the best furs, but he needed nothing but his Lem. Still, the cave was cozy, and when Lem put him on the bed, it was soft beneath him, Lem warm and hard.

“They come and come,” he whispered.

“It’s too much, my heart. We must turn more of them away.”

“How?” How could he choose?

“I don’t know, Jules. I only know it’s taking too much from you.”

Lem hugged him tight, and his dragon’s fire and energy began to fill him. He took a deep breath, gathering the energy close. Lem grabbed his hands and placed them on the broad chest, the magic dancing between them.

Jules yawned, the act surprising him.

“Take what you need from me, my heart.”

“I would take all of you, beloved.” Lem was everything to him.

“You have all of me. Everything I am is yours.” Lem kissed him, breathing right into him as he did so.

A rush of energy filled him, not enough to make him right, but enough to help him breathe. The kisses continued, each one making him feel better. When Lem wrapped their fingers together, energy sparkled between their palms. It made a circle, a connection between them, circling and spinning madly.

Lem rolled them on their bed, teeth tugging at his lower lip.

“Lem!” Now the laughter returned, filling him easily.

“Yes, my heart?” His Lem gave him the most innocent of looks.

“I have a vast love for you.”

Lem beamed at him. “Almost as vast as the love I have for you.”

“Almost.” He dove into another kiss, the freedom to taste and love amazing him.

They didn’t have to worry about anyone discovering their physical celebrations. Nobody could dictate to them at all. In fact, he needed this, Lem’s love and touches rejuvenating him after his healings.

He was free. No war. No cage. No fear. He hardly dared believe it, but the spring suns had melted all the snow. Soon the summer heat would be on them.

All sorts of men and dragons had come for healing, all races, all creeds. There had been no one from the castle, though. And no Graithen. It was a little peculiar.

Still, he was home and safe. The land knew a healer lived here now.

Lem kissed him more deeply, the pleasure spreading through him, pouring energy through him. Magic moved through him, wrapping around his beloved one. Instead of pulling from him as it did with others, with Lem, this always gave him such energy, such strength and pleasure and joy. His happiness soared, his body arched with his desire.