Alarick sat in front of Erriene in their room with his hands joined together on his lap.
Erriene crossed his arms, too nervous by the man’s silence.
“Alarick?” he called tentatively, and Alarick narrowed his eyes, blinking hard, a scowl appearing on his face.
Alarick looked tired. Erriene felt a stab of guilt for troubling him right after such a long travel.
“You say he is alive,” Alarick repeated, looking right into his eyes.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“In the mountains.”
Erriene nodded again, one hand messing up his hair, too agitated to stop himself. He hadn’t managed to sleep the whole night.
Alarick seemed paralyzed for a second, almost as if hit by a spell. But his tone changed.
“We will prepare the journey,” Alarick stopped himself, growling a little. “I should have known. I was stupid and mamkka paid the price for all these ye
Alarick had encircled his little nymph in his arms, one arm around his shoulders and another behind his knees and lifted him up in a bridal carry.Erriene tentatively circled his arms around his neck as Alarick proceededto sit on the bed with the creature on his lap, delicate legs sideways across his thighs.Alarick kissed his forehead when he heard a little sigh. Erriene slowly turned up his head towards his neck and buried it there, bending his knees for him and against his chest.He took Erriene’s slippers away, and took the pale feet in his hand, massaging it for a while. He had already felt better. Despite being already aching, he wanted to be as slow as he could be, to savour it, and to discover Erriene’s body with more care than their first time.He buried his face in Erriene’s hair and relished in the sweet scent he had missed as his free hand continued moving gently over Erriene’s body, his other arm st
The next day, Alarick sent a letter to his father.He rested his elbows on his knees. The thought of his mamkkastill alive in the mountains, alone, probably wounded or suffering,brings a bad taste in his mouth. It had been somehow easier when he thought him dead and at peace.He’d left Erriene alone in the morning, and the prince seemed weirdly distraught by the idea. Erriene asked again and again if he would know where to look for Aefstine, seeming very concerned.If he really had seen what he claimed he have, Alarick couldn't blame him for having nightmares. He had them too. Every time he looked at the mountains, he wondered if one day, those giants would break through and try to claim the land back.Never once had he thought that he would be the one to break the contract. But really, it was the giants who broke the seal. It was them who betrayed his people.Alarick breathed through his nose and rememberedthe
It was the Frost Giant’schief that invited Alarickand Randalinside, and a guard of some kind accompanied them.Alarick and Randal walked among the city towards the hut of the chieftain.Alarick's shoulders were tense. The females were about his size, and the males taller, but their back curved in strange ways. They were far from what he considered human.Yet, he came from one of them.He could not feel any connection to these people.He looked at some females passing through with dead wild pigs on their shoulders, primitive weapons on their hands, and he tried to imagine calling any of them mamkka. But it was the image of Aefstine that fluttered in his mind, and squeezed at his heart.If he didn't know any better, he'd say he came from Aefstine's womb somehow. His first memories of childhood being in his mamkka's lap, grabbing at the jug of hot milk, his mamkka's laughter and kisses and warmth…
Breaking free from the castle was easy.The soldiers were easily swayed by Erriene's act, his weeping cries of how much he missed the warlord. Of how he had visions.“I know he's wounded! I just know it! Bleeding on the snow, no healer around. Oh, please, guide me to him! Take me to the horse so I can go to him! The wolves will keep me safe.”“I do not need company, thank you for your kindness…”“Now look closely into my eyes.”He left them sleeping on the stable, afraid that his magic wouldn't last long.The weeks spent in the castle only honed his healing skills and his knowledge on herbs- because Alarick never failed in returning from hunts and patrols hurt in one way or another- and watching him ignore his wounds was unnerving.Erriene had left any other studies behind, focused on this task and car
Erriene’s head was pounding and he was hearing echoes.The hands cradling his head were warm while everything else was cold. He tried to speak but could only cough violently.Trembling, he tried to calm his heart. He knew it was the panic that was making him confused, and promptly controlled his breathing.“That’s it. You’re doing great… You’re safe now, do not worry,” the voice… Aefstine,said to him quietly.He opened his eyes again, flinching away at the light but it soon made everything become clear.He looked up… and was fascinated.Aefstine looked exactly like the painting back in the castle, but still, it was surreal to see himin person.After so much time hearing descriptions from Alarick, he almost expected to see a god-like creature, but Aefstine was much more simple.Much more gentle…andmuch morebeautiful.
“W- What? Why?” Erriene was more confused than ever.“It is the plan of the giant that took me. I don’t know his name, he never told me. They want to break the cycle; they want Alarick to believe that his blood can’t sire any child. That the god’s power, and blessings ends with him and no more,” Aefstine said, hugging the baby to himself, “And so, when Alarick failed to bring forth an heir, the giant and the one that carried and birthed the boy, they want to make their chieftain take Maud back.”Aefstine’s grey steel eyes looked straight at him, face somber, “Then, they would kill them all.”Erriene’s eyes widen. The whole plan was an act of treason. It was against the god’s design.“That’s ridiculous,” Erriene said. “Alarick is not stupid, by the second time, he’d have the mountains raidedand sacked.”Aefstine
They found the cave quicklywith the help of the shaman’s strong sense in magic and the wolves, under the heavy snow that was now falling down.The wolves were desperate, now fueled with confidence knowing their master was with them. Growling at the mouth of the cave, they challenged whoever dwelled in there to come forth. Their howls and growls echoed against the darkness within.Alarick unmounted, and so did the others. Randal unsheathed his sword, and walked along Alarick towards the entrance of the cave.It was deep and too dark to see, so Thorne provided a torch. They all entered the cavern, which seemed to be empty and abandoned at first, but they kept going, trusting Skadi and Umbrato guide them.Finally, they began to see bones thrown about on the floor and piled against the walls. Some were makeshift weapons, and others still had meat and blood on them.Alarick saw leather and makeshift benches and further, s
Alarick's voice was almost childish and fragile, as if he was afraid to look down and see the worse.Aefstine's voice responded, trembling and small. He was crying."Alarick!" Aefstine called. "It's me, my sweetboy, help us get out.""Quick now!Let's rip that open," it was Randal's voice, and soon they could see him too, looking down. "I'm here, love. It's over now."Aefstine covered his mouth, but still a sob was heard and tears fell down his grey eyes.Both warlords managed to rip the iron bars from its place, and Thorne came through with a rope which he dropped down.It was not such a high ceiling but Erriene was still worried about the child. The boy was now awake, looking up in awe.Aefstine climbed up first, and they manage to get the child up by tying a small branch to the rope, and making a seat. Erriene helped him to hang on to the rope, and performed a small spell so he wouldn't fall. Then, he climb
Aefstine’s breath hitched and his hands trembled as Randal moved towards him.Randal was only in his undershirt, his black hair still wet from bathing. His eyes was full of adoration a few minutes ago, but now… it was mixed with desire.Randal stopped in front of him while he slowly put his pen and paper aside. For a moment, they were just staring in silence, there was nothing but the flow of the river nearby.And their breathing… their pounding heartbeats."Randal…" he whispered in a soft voice.Randal let out a grunt as if something hurt and in a move too fast for such a huge man, he was suddenly in front of Aefstine and lifting him by his waist.He rested his hands on Randal’s shoulders as the man placed him over his lap, his legs automatically went on each side of Randal’s thighs. As he straddled the man, he immediately felt Randal’s arousal beneath him.Randal moved his h
Present Day…Aefstine smiled wide as he stared at the bustling city as the carriage stopped.Another city that he had yet to explore. He can not wait to check the new place out.The hand holding his tightened its hold, making him look to his side where his spouse was sitting. Randal had on an amused expression while staring at him. Aefstine squeezed back on the hand holding his and grinned at Randal.They had left their horses at the border of Maud when they left a few years back- Alarick will take the horses back to the fortress and take good care of them until they return. And from there, they would hire a carriage or hitch a ride from passing carts. It was really fun.Ever since he came back from being captured and detained, five years had gone by and now, Randal had developed the habit of always holding on to him- more than before- and he can’t blame the man for being clingy.He was not complai
Aefstine heard the sound of someone running irregularly along the corridors, and turned around already expecting his brother.He heard the knocking on the door, and called out. A limping Kynanentered his room. He felt a pain in his heart, and was surprised to notice he had missed his older brotherthat much."Kiddo!" Kynancalled, smiling.The guard immediately appeared behind him and shifted, hand going for the sword, looking threateningly at his brother.Kynanlooked at the guard, bemused. Aefstine was surprised too."It's okay. It's just Kynan," he told the guard. "Close the door," he said and the guard namedTyke-he recalled- hesitantly closed it.Kynanshook his head at him."I'm... so sorry, Aefstine. We were staying in another wing of the castle. People here are so nasty, no one speaksour language. I tried to get to you, but a little chubby lady said I wasn't to ‘bo
"You don't know that, you don't know Maudians. You assume that's what they want!" Aefstine cried."And you know them so well, don't you?" Cheanamocked. "Befriending those animals, you deserve to be here," she moved narrowed eyes at him, looking at him from head to foot and back again as if scrutinizing him. “Do you have any idea how insulting this is for me? I am a beautiful lady from the ElsyanneHouse, a noble one, and I get rejected, by a king. All because of you!”She pointed an accusing finger at him, as if it was all his fault. Maybe it was. May be notHe doesn’t know anymore.She took a step towards him, gritting her teeth. “How could he choose you? How could he like you?Over me?!”Aefstine had never seen his sister so angry before- no, she was not angry. He had seen her furious before. When things don’t go her way or there’s something she want but was not able to
In the midst of his tears and dizziness, Aefstine had barely heard the rushed, desperate words the warlord king had said over and over again, barely felt himself being lifted and curled in the naked man's lap.When the tears had dried and the panic gave way to anger, his waist was red and sore from the way Randal's arms clung to himtightly. The king’s worried eyes were searching for a reason, looking around the roomas if the one making him feel this miserable could be found aroundand then back to Aefstine, and he had felt something he never felt before.A deep, mysterious thing that uncurled from his chest like a newborn sparked to life.Aefstine felt a little better by it, a little comforted, and caressed the man's jaw with small trembling fingers in appreciation for something he didn't know how to pronounce yet.But saying ‘I'm okay now’ over and over hadn't quieted the big man down. Aefstine had to spen
The finger went deeper and when it rubbed against something strange inside, Aefstine shivered all over and arched his back like a cat.He spread his legs further apart, bum sticking out and seeming to fit perfectly in the man's big hands."Randal…" he whispered.Mind blanking out, Aefstine wanted it again. He heard the king’s chuckle and felt himself get even hotter with arousal.Randal only held him tighter, and he felt a hardness at his lower back that wasn't there before, but now that the king was closer, Aefstine could feel it. It could only be Randal's cock, and he shivered with the knowledge.It felt really big, and the fact that it was probably going inside him made him shiver in fear and curiosity.Soon,there was another finger joining in, and the burn came back again. He shifted uncomfortably, and Randal growled softly at him, leaning and bending his bodyoverbehind him, tucking his chin i
Finally looking around him after a tense ride, Aefstine could see the woods up ahead, but he wasn't in the forest anymore.Randal had slowed the pacing. This hidden place was full of stones and bushes, nestedon itwas some kind of pond, a lagoon that was surrounded with dark slippery rocks.The lagoon itself was beautiful and he noticed hot steam in the surface. Actually, this place was warmer than the forest. Aefstine could see the shade of the castle in the distance.It must be the hot spring.Still with the arm around him, Randal leaned in to kiss the skin at the back of his ear a few times, which made Aefstine's heart set off again into an unhealthy pace. He tried not to move, and Randal didn't seem to notice.Randal dismounted from the horse and Aefstine saw him carefully take his own cloak, boots, and shirt off. Aefstine, with his head still pounding, managed to take his fill of the muscular chest in front of him.
Aefstine looked closer, walking up to the border of the stream, and saw that small silver fishes were jumping up and down the river.The bigger ones were at the bottom.Randal brought with him a quiver that was as beautiful as the bow, but Aefstine spent less time looking at it, quickly taking an offered arrow.The first arrow went straight into the river, but came floating after some seconds. Aefstine gave Randal an embarrassed smile and the king’s lips twitched again in that almost smile of his.He went to take the arrow back, but looked down at his new clothes and frowned. He didn't want it to get wet. The water was probably really cold too.Randal appeared in his vision with a thin and sharp long lance. He threw it at the river with such an easy, calculated strength that made Aefstine take a step back.The lance went straight into a big one at the bottom. The fish trashed a little but the lance had gone through
Aefstine walked to the dinner table guided by Phye, and was surprised to see his family already there, having an early dinner.He walked up to themand took an apple from the fruit bowl on the table-this freakishly tasty maudian apple - and sat on a chair. There was no sign of Syteiner, nor the WarlordKing.Aefstine nodded to his father, and did a double take when he received a smile back. His mother was also smiling, looking relaxed for a change. Cheanawas a little downcast, but that was to be expected.Kynanlooked at him curiously."Those clothes are strange.""His Highness Randal invited me for a hunt today. He told me to wear these clothes," Aefstine said, picking at the fur and the oversized brown cotton shirt.It looked like it was made for a Maudian but it was pleasantly warm, something that Aefstine was unwillingly starting to associate with the Warlord King.