Chapter 12 Loves Redefined
"Shalafi?.." Dalamar spoke up in his soft, cooing voice.
This made Raistlin wish that the Elven boy would call him by his name again, as he had not done so since the other day when he had revealed who he was to the Silvanesti male Mage.
The two of them were working in the shop together while Caramon worked and tended to Ulin upstairs. Currently there were no customers in the shop, which was why their hoods were lowered and Dalamar was humming to himself happily as he cleaned and reorganized the shop. He was wriggling his slim black robed hips provocatively to the tune that only he knew without realizing it as he did so.
"Yes, apprentice?"
"What is it.." Dalamar asked him softly as he fiddled around with a display of mystical, shining crystals on a nearby gleaming oak table that Caramon had made for Raistlin for the shop. "I mean.. What does it feel like.. to be in love?.."
"It is.. Well, I.." Raistlin actually stammered, looking confused for a moment or two before asking the young man. "Have you never been in love?"
"I thought that I was, once," Dalamar replied, turning to face him now, his almond-shaped gray eyes looking somewhat forlorn. "My best friend. But when I told him that I cared for him, as more then a friend, he rejected me. He did not want to see me anymore, and began avoiding me whenever possible. After a while, I just gave up. It only got worse when he found out that I wanted to become a Mage.."
"I am sorry, Dalamar," Raistlin said softly, his golden-hourglass eyes sympathetic. Dalamar was obviously surprised to see the pain in his Shalafi's eyes on his behalf. "It is not exactly easy for me to explain my feelings for Caramon.. Not even to myself. I have always loved him, he is my brother. My twin, another part of my soul. He took care of me when we were young. When I was sick, or in pain. He still does it, even now. You are very beautiful, Dalamar. You deserve to be loved. Not for your beauty, but for your kindness. I.. I wish that you could be mine.."
Dalamar's gray eyes widened, but then he smiled up at Raistlin shyly, his alabaster cheeks obviously pink with pleasure as he asked him softly, "Why can I not be yours?.."
"What?" the red robed Mage asked in stunned surprise, the tones of his voice implying that it was obvious. "But, Caramon and I.."
"I do not mind sharing if he does not."
"What are you saying, Dalamar? You would lie with both of us?"
"If it was what you wanted, and if you could both love me without hurting your own relationship."
"I know that I could love you," Raistlin said firmly in reply. "But I will not until I know that it is what Caramon and you want. Is it what you want, Dalamar? What you truly want? Can you love me as a man who wants to love you, and not as a story, a legend?"
"I-I do not understand," Dalamar stammered in clear confusion, looking up at him from beneath his long beautiful black lashes.
"Can you love me for me?" Raistlin pressed him more urgently now, suddenly needing to know his answer desperately. "Not the things that I have done? Can you want me? Raistlin, just Raistlin? Until you can honestly answer me yes, then there is no point in mentioning this discussion to Caramon. Do you understand, Dalamar, what I am asking you?"
"I.. I am.. Not sure. Maybe," the Elven Mage stammered, blushing deeper this time. His creamy complexion turned red instead of pink. "I have so little real experience that I.."
"Dalamar.." Raistlin murmured in his soft and raspy voice.
"Yes, Shalafi?.."
"Come here, please?"
Dalamar nodded, shuffling closer to the red robed Mage now as the red in his cheeks faded back to a light pink dusting quickly now that he was no longer embarrassed.
Raistlin lifted his arms to reach out to him, and Dalamar trembled as he slipped them around his slim waist, drawing him close against his chest tenderly. He looked down into Dalamar's almond-shaped gray eyes, the golden color of Raistlin's own hourglass shaped pupils burning with obvious affection.
Dalamar gasped softly, his eyes widening again, plump pink lips parting slightly as Raistlin lifted a golden skinned hand to press the tips of his fingers gently to those same parted lips. The red robed Mage only lowered them to rest lightly on Dalamar's collarbone after a moment when he started to slowly move his head closer. Raistlin moved his left hand to the right side of Dalamar's neck now, his touch firm and commanding. But he was also gentle as he used his thumb to guide Dalamar's head back further, finally lowering his lips down to rest on his lightly.
The Silvanesti Elf's lips parted further still, opening for him so sweetly. Raistlin shuddered as a soft moan escaped Dalamar against his lips, his gray eyes darkening from dove-feather to steel as he melted against his Master. Dalamar's heart felt suddenly light with happiness, his slender body warm with desire, hot and burning where he was pressed close to Raistlin.
Raistlin pulled back slightly when Dalamar whimpered quietly. He stared up at him with dark, needy eyes, whispering on a sigh, "Shalafi, please.."
"Please what, Dalamar, my beautiful dove?" Raistlin rasped inquiringly. The fingers of his left hand moved to take hold of Dalamar's chin firmly, though not tight enough to hurt. Raistlin smiled when the dark Elf's cheeks colored, obviously blushing in response to his endearment in a way that he found innocent and enchanting.
"I need you!"
"Who do you need?" Raistlin crooned seductively, his left hand moving to cradle the right side of Dalamar's face, obviously trying to coax him into saying his name.
"Raistlin," the Elven Mage moaned obediently, arching his back slightly in response as the other man's right hand moved to rest at the base of his spine just above his ass. Though it was atop his black robes, for now. "I need you, Raistlin! Please!"
"Relax, apprentice.." the red robed Mage whispered huskily now as he pulled the young Elven boy even tighter against himself. "Let me take care of you.. Give everything to me.."
"Yes, Shalafi, yes!" Dalamar panted heavily, feeling weakness fill his slender limbs even as the rush of desire, of passion that he felt heated his blood, warming his heart and soul.
*Caramon, can you hear me?* Raistlin called out magically to his brother upstairs.
*Yes, Raist. I hear you* his older twin responded quickly. *What is it?*
*Is Ulin asleep, my brother?*
*I just put him down, yes. Why? Is something wrong?*
*No, something is right. Very right* Raistlin said with a smile. *Come as quickly as you can, Caramon. Dalamar wants us, now*
*I will be right there*
Raistlin tugged Dalamar closer still impossibly, kissing him hard on the mouth. He was pleased once again when another low moan vibrated from the Dark Elf's slender alabaster throat. Dalamar relaxed even further against his chest and into his hold just as Caramon came down the stairs and into the shop, coming over to his twin and the other man quickly.
Raistlin pulled back with some reluctance from the kiss, turning his head to look at Caramon with hot golden-hourglass eyes, his voice low and soft as he spoke to Dalamar. "May Caramon kiss you, little dove?"
Dalamar's lips parted with his surprise as he stared up at Raistlin, nodding slowly, a slight shiver traveling through his body when the larger of the twin's stepped even closer. Caramon stood at his back now as he lowered his golden haired head, pressing his lips to the Elf's lightly and with clear tenderness.
Dalamar moaned softly into his mouth, arching his back in response as Raistlin watched them with rapt eyes. His slender golden skinned hands were moving over the dark robes of the man between them, almost petting his slim body through the soft fabric.
Dalamar shuddered helplessly in response to the touch, pulling back from the kiss with a whimpered plea of clear desperation. "Raistlin, please!" the Elven male moaned where he stood between them. "I need you inside me, my Shalafi!"
The red robed Mage actually growled softly, placing his right hand on Dalamar's left hip, surprised when he found a long slit in the folds of dark fabric that he had not even known was there. The opening extended all the way from his hipbone to his ankle, so he was easily able to slip his hand inside the robes. Raistlin gasped, his golden-hourglass eyes widening, then narrowing as his fingertips encountered soft, silken bare flesh. His palm was suddenly cupping the left cheek of the young male's backside gently, causing Dalamar to moan again helplessly in reaction.
Caramon handed Raistlin oil from somewhere, and he smiled at his brother briefly before withdrawing his hand to dip his fingers in the small jar and then returning it to his twin and slipping his hand back beneath Dalamar's robes.
Dalamar let out a small gasp, his slim body visibly quivering as he arched his back. He was obviously pushing into the touch unconsciously when the tip of one of Raistlin's oil-slick fingers swirled over his tight little hole. Caramon caught his soft dove-like cry in his mouth when his brother slipped that same finger into Dalamar's body slowly.
Dalamar went limp, melting between the two brother's sheltering bodies and sighing softly with pleasure against Caramon's mouth when Raistlin slid a second finger into him gently, preparing him to accept his love. By the time that Raistlin could wriggle a third finger inside the other Mage, Dalamar was panting and shaking, sweat-soaked and even more desperate for him.
He begged him in a needy, broken sounding voice, "Sh-Shalafi, please! I can not wait any longer! I need to feel you in me! I beg you, take me!"
Raistlin nodded, his golden-hourglass eyes dark as he slipped his fingers out of his body with some reluctance before instructing Caramon in his soft, slightly raspy voice, "Pick him up, my brother."
"Yes, Raist."
Caramon lifted Dalamar up against his chest, holding him there with his back pressed securely to his front, watching over the Elven Mage's right shoulder with riveted eyes as Raistlin's hands moved to push Dalamar's robes up around his hips quickly.
Dalamar spread his legs now, revealing his oil-wet entrance to their gazes. The twins both licked their lips without realizing it as the tight pink pucker glistened in the light. The Elf then hooked his arms beneath his own knees, pulling his legs up tight against his body, but spread open wide out to either side of Raistlin's hips, exposing himself to his Shalafi completely and without any reservation.
Raistlin stepped closer to them both, slipping his hands beneath his own red robes, pushing down his undergarments so that they pooled around his red leather booted ankles. He then lifted up the front of his robes to reveal his hard length to the other two men, reaching out to gather some of the slick-oil in his left palm, holding his robes up as he coated himself with it thoroughly.
Caramon watched expectantly, his eyes focused on his brother and the other Mage as Raistlin took his own cock in his left hand, letting go of it after it was resting securely against the opening to Dalamar's body. Caramon pushed down his own pants and undergarments now with one hand, one strong arm slung across Dalamar's slender chest, holding him in place securely so that he would not fall.
The soft black fabric of Dalamar's robes teased the sensitive skin of Caramon's hips and hard cock, causing a low groan to escape his throat just as Raistlin began to slowly and carefully push himself into Dalamar's body.
The Elven Mage cried out, his voice piercing and sharp, like the call of a loon over a lake. It was beautiful and wild, clearly greatly desiring this as he was taken for the first time in his life. He somehow managed to keep hold of his legs, leaving them held up and spread as Raistlin slowly filled him to the hilt.
"Shalafi!" the Silvanesti Elf moaned, his glossy black haired head lolling back onto Caramon's shoulder. His almond-shaped gray eyes were wide and staring, hazy with need and lust. "Raistlin, please!"
"Patience, little dove.." Raistlin murmured softly with a brief smile. "I do not wish to ever hurt you."
Dalamar shuddered at his words, obviously pleased with his thoughtfulness. A soft whimper of pleasure escaped him when Raistlin began to move slowly, pulling back and then pushing forward within him, setting a rhythm now.
Caramon groaned as he watched his brother take the freely offered innocence of the delicate, beautiful male between them. A hard shudder wracked his large, muscular body as the movements of his twin caused the soft fabric of the back of Dalamar's robes to rub his length repeatedly. The sensation teased him, but never truly satisfied the need that the movement sparked throughout his body.
Caramon growled low, taking hold of Raistlin's right arm with his free left hand, gently tugging him along. He made sure that he would not slip out of Dalamar's gorgeous body as he backed up slowly along the smooth, hardwood floors. The large warrior then set Dalamar down carefully in the middle of the small gleaming oak table amidst the shining crystals that he had organized earlier. Purple, white and pink tones accented the Elven Mage's bare alabaster skin beautifully.
Raistlin glanced at him for a second with a smile, obviously sensing his brother's intentions. Then he started to move into Dalamar again when he cried out once more, the sound broken and lost with longing as Caramon stepped closer to them both now. The larger twin reached out to lightly touch Dalamar's front with his right hand.
The Elven Mage cried out softly, his hips bucking upward slightly in unconscious response where he lay on his back on the shining tabletop amidst the crystals. His legs spread open wider still as Raistlin moved inside him and Caramon touched and played with his small, tight pink nipples, causing quiet whimpers to escape his throat as his body shuddered atop the table. He was trembling in response to the attentions of the brother's warm bodies moving against his own, touching him, loving him.
Raistlin and Caramon were both surprised when, without any urging on their part, Dalamar reached out to them. His right hand took hold of the sleeve of Raistlin's left arm, his left hand taking hold of Caramon's hard cock gently, as though he was seeking anchors in this storm of passion between them. This caused the large warrior to groan and push himself closer into his touch without realizing it.
Caramon leaned down to kiss Dalamar's parted lips tenderly just as Raistlin started to move into him faster, both of them relishing Dalamar's soft cries of pleasure as he shuddered. The Elven Mage's hand tightened slightly on Raistlin's sleeve and Caramon's hard cock, causing the larger man to moan and buck his hips helplessly as he started to stroke his length with careful, but rapid strokes of his small and delicate fist.
It did not take long before they were all coming, Raistlin deep inside Dalamar's quivering body, Dalamar over his own and Raistlin's lower belly and Caramon over Dalamar's fine boned hand. The slender Elf's almond-shaped gray eyes closed then as his dark haired head lolled slightly toward Caramon on the table with clear exhaustion. His face was so beautiful as his black clothed slender chest rose and fell with his slow breaths.
Dalamar's bright red lips parted on a soft murmur, though clearly not of protest, but of pleasure, when he felt Raistlin's hands on him. His Shalafi murmured a soft spell to clean Dalamar's belly, his hand, and the loosened entrance of his body of seed. He then pulled his soft black robes back down over his legs for modesty.
Raistlin cleaned himself and his twin of seed as well, making a gesture toward Dalamar with his left hand, causing Caramon to nod. He moved to lift the much smaller Elven man into his strong arms, following after Raistlin without question as he made his way carefully up the stairs and into their bedroom.
He did, however, look toward Raistlin inquiringly, only laying Dalamar down in the middle of their bed when his brother nodded with a slight curve of his lips. Together they removed Dalamar's robes, boots and socks together before Caramon covered him with the blankets with obvious gentleness. The twins removed their own clothing and climbed into bed on either side of him, Raistlin on the left, Caramon on the right.
Dalamar's eyes were still closed, but he sighed softly with obvious happiness and contentment when Raistlin pulled him close against his hot skinned nakedness. Caramon moved up close to spoon his small and gorgeous naked body, and Dalamar relaxed between the brothers happily.
"Dalamar?" Raistlin whispered softly in his left ear.
"Yes, Shalafi?.."
"You are not to go back to the storage room," the red robed Mage said firmly, his golden skinned right hand stroking repeatedly over the beautiful, glossy black hair on the left side of Dalamar's head gently as he smiled across him at Caramon. "Your place is with us now. In our life, and in our bed."
"Yes, Shalafi."
Kitiara Uth Matar slipped into the forest that contained the Elven city of Qualinost under cover of darkness. Her hand was on the hilt of her sword, though she did not really think that it would be necessary to use it.
The warrior woman crept through the trees to the small clearing that was near the home where Tanis was staying with Gilthanas and Laurana. The slight breeze ruffled her short black and curly hair as a crooked smile curved her lips.
She waited there patiently, her dark eyes intent. It was not long before the ornate door to the house opened quietly, almost as though one occupant at least sensed her presence there. Thankfully it was the one that she wanted to speak with. Gilthanas stepped out through the door and shut it behind himself softly.
The Elven lord was garbed in green and brown, his silky, soft looking hair flowing down his back. It was golden, long and unbound to his waist, and his green eyes were dark in the light of evening as he walked towards her, his steps smooth and gliding over the grass.
"What brings you here, Miss Kitiara?" Gilthanas asked of her politely, inclining his head toward her for a brief moment.
"I am here for Tanis," Kit stated firmly in answer, her dark eyes looking back at the Elven prince unflinchingly.
Sturm stared in shock at the sight before him. Moonsong was standing beside him holding his left hand, and the tiny sleeping Brightdawn was held close to his side with his other arm tenderly.
Derek Crownguard, Solamanic Knight, stood there with wide eyes and mouth agape. He was obviously just as shocked at the sight of him. "Sturm? Sturm Brightblade?"
Sturm turned to look down at Moonsong, releasing her small hand as he carefully lowered her sleeping baby sister into her arms, speaking to her softly, "Moonsong, take your sister back to our tent."
Moonsong's golden haired head tilted, cocking to the side as she looked up at him while holding Brightdawn gently. Then she turned her piercing blue eyes onto Derek. Her expression was actually unnerving him a little, as though she studied him within, and, despite her tender age, seemed to find him lacking somehow.
"But, daddy-"
"Please, Moonsong," Sturm said firmly now, gesturing her with his left hand back to the nearby village and the tent that was their home. "Take Brightdawn back home. I will be alright."
"Are you sure, daddy?"
"Yes, my daughter. Please."
"Alright," Moonsong finally said with a nod of agreement. She did glance back at Sturm's face once, obviously still concerned for her adopted parent as she carried her baby sister back home with her carefully.
Sturm turned back to Derek as soon as Moonsong and Brightdawn were safe and out of sight among the tents of the village, his expression more resigned then anything else as he spoke quietly in reply finally, "Derek Crownguard."
"What are you doing here?" Derek asked him, his tone now holding his usual attitude and pride. He always had thought that he was better then Sturm. Apparently that fact had not changed even a small increment. "Are you lost among the Plains people?"
"Lost?" Sturm inquired, his brown eyes and his voice surprisingly steady as he looked back at the other man. "No, not lost. This is where I stay now. This is my home. Those two little girls and their older brother are my children. I have taken a lover among the people here, and so have become a part of the people."
"You ally yourself with these people?" Derek said in disbelief. "These.. Savages? What would Angriff and Ilys think of you now from beyond the grave?"
Sturm's face went white, the muscles visibly tightening as he clenched his jaw, his brown eyes darkening with anger at the other man's words. Sturm clearly surprised Derek immensely when he began to advance on him with determination visibly glinting in those same eyes. Obviously Sturm had changed, if the old insults and arguments between them no longer worked.
"How dare you?!" Strum growled as he moved toward him. "You can insult my parents, my lineage, my knighthood, such as it was, but do not ever insult my family! You have never understood me! Though I have always tried to understand you, despite your cruel taunts towards me! But now you have gone too far, Derek!"
"Sturm, I-"
"No! I do not want to hear it any longer! It is my life, my choice, my hus-"
"You do not understand, Sturm!" Derek cried out, his voice rising over the other male's now with his anguish, oddly stretching his arms out toward Sturm suddenly. "I love you!"
Sturm's face went slack, his brown eyes going wide in response to his words. Shock filled every line of his tense body now as he looked back at the other man for so long that he finally lowered his arms slowly and with obvious reluctance. "You.. love me? You have some nerve coming here, insulting me and my family, then declaring your love for me! Just what do you want, Derek?"
"I want you, Sturm.." Derek said, lifting his hands into the air in front of himself, helplessness obvious in his aura and posture as he answered him softly. "I want to hold you in my arms, to kiss you, touch you, love you.."
"That will never be happening," Riverwind said in his strong voice. The plainsman came toward them, slipping his right arm over Sturm's shoulders. Not with possession, which was a weak and feeble thing depending on the other person's acceptance, but with the obvious authority of the rights that Sturm had already given him by laying with him and sharing his heart and bed. "Sturm is mine, and I his."
Riverwind was shocked, and hurt, when Sturm pulled away from his touch. Until he saw that his lover's face was ashen, his eyes wide and dilated as he shuddered, his lips trembling visibly beneath his mustache as his body quivered with tension. He was clearly gasping for breath as his hands moved up to fist in the long strands of his own hair, tugging on them harshly as he looked down at the ground.
"What is it, my love?.." Riverwind asked him softly, reaching out toward him with his right hand hesitantly. Though he stopped it before making contact, not used to feeling uncertain of his reception. "What is wrong?.."
"I.. can not.. breathe.." Sturm managed to gasp out, his breath decidedly harsh and labored, rough with his tension. "Can not think.. It is too much.. Riverwind.."
"Yes, my Sweet Sturm?.."
"Please.. hold me?.."
"Yes."
The warrior Chieftain immediately stepped closer to the other man, pulling his slightly larger lover into his strong arms. He cradled him tight against himself tenderly, visibly relieved when Sturm's trembling and panting began to subside, instantly relaxing against his strong muscled chest with a barely audible sigh. "Riverwind?.."
"Yes, my love?" he murmured quietly, stroking Sturm's dark hair with his right hand and kissing his brow with tender lips and briefly closed eyes.
"I love you.."
"As I love you."
"Riverwind?.."
"Yes?"
"Please.. Do not hurt.. do not hurt Derek.."
"You care for him?.." Riverwind asked him, obviously startled, his eyes wide and slightly hurt as he briefly glanced over at a frozen Derek Crownguard, then back to the man that he held in his arms tightly.
"Yes," Sturm admitted, a slight blush tinting his cheeks in response to his own words as he continued in answer softly. "I always have. But nothing more then that, I promise you. We have never been.. close. He was always so.. cruel to me.."
"Because I was ashamed!" Derek finally spoke, interrupting Sturm now, tears visibly filling his eyes. "I was ashamed of how I felt for you, of what my feelings for you made me. I did not know what else to do.. How to react to the feelings within me.. I was scared, Sturm, and so I pushed you away, and now it is too late.. You will never love me the way that I love you. Never touch me, never kiss me.."
"Derek.." Sturm began in a soft voice.
"No.. It is alright. It is no more then I deserved. I deserve to lose you, before I ever knew how it felt to love you.."
"Come, Sturm," Riverwind said firmly, slipping his hand into Sturm's now. He linked their fingers together intimately and tried to tug his lover back to the tent that was their home. "Let us go."
"But, River.." Sturm protested, obviously surprising the Chieftain with his uncharacteristic resistance.
"What, Sturm?"
"We can not just leave him here. ..Alone. Not like this. ..It would not be right."
"Well, then," Riverwind bit out somewhat harshly between clenched teeth. "What do you propose we do, Sturm? Let him stay the night with us? In our blankets?"
"Why not?.."
"What?!" Riverwind gasped, his eyes darkening with his anger at his lover's answer. His anger caused Sturm to recoil from him, which just made him angrier. Riverwind reached out before Sturm had realized it, pulling him close. He held him tight against his tense body roughly as he growled softly against his hair, "I do not share!"
Sturm flinched in his arms; jerking away from him a little, though not out of his arms completely. "River.. You are hurting me. Please.."
Riverwind's arms loosened quickly with his shock, but Sturm did not back away from him, merely stood beside him as he spoke softly, "I love you, Riverwind, very much. I know now that I always have. I admire you very much as well. But I am not your possession, Chieftain. I support, and love, both sides of you, but Chieftain does not have the right to order me about like an ogre. I make my own choices about my life. I love you, River, and I will be loyal to you, as long as you want me here, but Derek.. He does not have anyone to love him. He is lonely, River.. Do you not see it?.. How can we just decide to deny him the love that we share? Even if all that we do is give him a place to sleep for one night?.."
"Does it really matter that much to you, Sturm?"
"Yes, River, it does," Sturm said truthfully, leaning closer to him to press his lips to his. He placed a gentle kiss there before pulling back to smile at him with soft eyes.
"But.. What about Wanderer, Moonsong and Brightdawn? What will we tell them?"
"The truth, of course. That Derek is a friend of mine who will be staying with us indefinitely. We do not have to decide tonight, my love. We should just sleep on it, alright?"
"Alright, Sturm. Let us all go home."
"Wanderer!" Swiftraven gasped as the Chieftain's son's hands moved over the bare skin of his chest and lower abdomen.
A soft whimper escaped Swiftraven's slightly parted lips as Wanderer's lips moved over his chest, back and forth between his passion tight, dusky pink nipples. He was sucking and licking at the sensitive fleshy little nubs with a hunger so passionate that it threatened to set them both aflame in the scorching, desperate heat of desire and fevered-dreams of lovers that are true and steadfast.
"Oh, Wanderer.. By the names of all the True Gods, I love you!"
Wanderer smiled, his eyes filled with happiness and contentment as he lifted his head to kiss the lips of the other young man tenderly where he lay beneath his only slightly larger body. He then pulled back with obvious reluctance to whisper to him softly, "I love you, too, sweetheart. I always have. Even before we grew old enough to truly come to define ourselves and our roles among the people. Back when we were still just boys."
"Really?" Swiftraven said with some puzzlement, though he smiled up at him with obvious love in his eyes. His hands reached up to touch and caress Wanderer's upper back gently. "Why then, did you never tell me this?"
"I told you that you were my friend, and that I loved you, repeatedly. I thought that you understood my meaning.. I am sorry that I did not make my feelings more clear to you, my darling."
"I see no reason why you should apologize. I am sure that it was not for lack of trying on your part, Wanderer. I can be pretty star struck even now. A hopeless dreamer, even at my age, it seems."
Wanderer laughed at that, unable to prevent it, ruffling his lover's dark golden hair with obvious affection before kissing him again briefly. He whispered huskily while staring deeply into his lover's eyes now, "Oh, Swiftraven, you are only seventeen, and I fifteen. But, by the True Gods, it does not matter nor make any difference, for I love that about you, my heart. That, and everything else. I love you so.. my Sweet `Raven.."
"I love you, too, Wanderer.." Swiftraven said softly, pressing his slender, half clothed body closer to his unexpectedly, requesting of him with clear longing, "I want to feel you within me. ..Please?.."
Wanderer drew in a sharp breath, obviously shocked, though not dismayed, by the words of the other warrior. He lifted up his right hand to caress the left cheek of his lover's face tenderly as he spoke to him quietly while staring down into his eyes, "Are you sure? You have never. I have never. We have never. I thought that you wanted to wait until our joining night to.. join."
"I do," Swiftraven said, biting his lower lip between his teeth briefly before continuing softly, "I know that you are right.. that it is the right thing to do. It is just.. I love you, and.. that, more then anything else, makes it so hard to wait.."
"Oh, `Raven.." Wanderer whispered, not at all embarrassed or ashamed as his dark eyes welled up with moisture, leaning closer yet to kiss him on the forehead, then the lips. "I do understand, believe me.. But, is it not worth the wait? You are.. everything to me. My world. Do you not deserve that honor? The honor of waiting `till you be mine in Law of our people, as well as in heart? I want, more then anything but your love and continued well regard, to honor you. Before the True Gods, before our people, and before our parents, our family."
"Yes.. Yes, my love, we shall wait. But.."
"Yes, my `Raven?"
"Do not stop touching me?.."
"Never.." Wanderer grinned. Lowering his lips once more he returned to worshipping his Mate's small, perky little nipples lovingly, eagerly.
Gilthanas stared at Kitiara Uth Matar with wide, shocked eyes. The Elf prince inquired of her softly, "What exactly do you mean when you say that you are here for Tanis?"
"I mean here to speak for Tanis," she clarified, her lips thinning slightly on her beautiful face as she spoke somewhat sharply. "If you hurt him, your title here will mean nothing! Mark my words now, I will hunt you down!"
"Are you threatening me?" Gilthas inquired mildly, no sign of offense or aggravation on his countenance.
"For Tanis? You bet I am, princey boy! He deserves the best. And if I can not have him, then you had damn well better give it to him!"
"You love him," Gilthanas said, his pointed ears visibly twitching as awe filled his eyes at his sudden thought.
"Which is something that you will be keeping to yourself," Kitiara said through clenched teeth, her dark eyes steady and strong as she looked back at him. "I do not love anyone, except my brothers. Am I clear?"
"Yes. Of course. I shall not say a word, Miss Kitiara. I can not speak for my sister. Though I know, or believe at least, that Tanis does not love Laurana as much as he loves me. But I will never tell him, or her, thus, I swear it. And I will strive always to give him my best. I know that I have made many mistakes with my behavior toward my cousin in the past, but, from now on I promise that I will give him all of my love and support, because you are right. He does deserve it. He deserves everything, all the love that I can give him. He is the most beautiful, most loving man that I have ever known. I truly regret everything that I have ever put him through in our lives."
Kit looked taken aback, but only for a moment before holding her sword hand out to him with her familiar crooked smile, saying to him unexpectedly, "Then do we have an accord?"
"Yes, Miss Kitiara," he replied. The Elven prince smiled slightly in return as he held out his hand to her, pressing his soft, calloused palm to hers and shaking her hand before releasing it. "I believe that we do."
Kit grinned, nodding her head. Her dark eyes were stern, though somehow also mischievous as she said calmly before slipping away into the dark tree line behind herself, "Good. Let us both hope that it stays that way, prince."