Torn Between Two

Chapter 26

Reilyn tried to control her spinning mind, losing the battle quickly. Her whole figure trembled and she hugged herself. She collapsed on the bed, burying her face in the pillows. Her hand slowly went to her neck, tracing where Murtagh had kissed. Her heart beat in her chest, feeling like a butterfly that was fluttering its wings too fast.

That was, she whispered to herself, nice, new, different. . .He kept his word about stopping. . . He made me feel. . .

Safe? Logic whispered.

Yes, she smiled, curling on her side. Safe.

Murtagh had indeed made her feel very safe, showing a tame side to the monster she never witnessed before. He was gentle, when it seemed doing so would deem him some reward, and he was careful in teaching her.

I have no clue what I'm doing, she snickered. But he seems to enjoy that more.

Reilyn felt a warm tingle spread all over her body, making her smile even more. She had been terrified when he first kissed her neck, Reilyn had seen the bite marks often left on Eragon's neck and, more often than not, the boy's chest. Sighing, she rolled over and closed her eyes. Pushing people away was taxing on her body and she hadn't slept well in days. Closing her eyes, she fell into a blissful and much needed sleep.

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Eragon stood at the bedroom entrance, watching Reilyn sleep. The pale girl looked peaceful, the complete opposite of the last few days. Murtagh had told Eragon what had happened, all of it. Eragon was a bit jealous when he found out, but recovered from it quickly. After all, he had foreseen this coming: Murtagh wasn't the type to merely take half of what he wanted.

At least she seems better, he thought, smiling.

Arms slithered around his waist, causing him to jump, and Murtagh's pleased chuckle floated in his ear. The older gently kissed Eragon's neck, then bit slowly, moving to the shoulder. Eragon's eyes fluttered shut as Murtagh growled and toyed with him and a sigh passed his lips. Just as soon as it started, it stopped. Murtagh rested his head on Eragon's shoulder and nuzzled the neck warmly.

"I told you," the raven haired teen whispered, placing a shiver inducing lick on the boy.

Eragon nodded and slowly reached to his belt. He didn't want to do this to Murtagh, but he felt he had to. Grabbing his dagger he spun and pinned Murtagh to the closed door. Hazel eyes went wide with shock, then filled with anger.

"If," Eragon swallowed, "you hurt her, I swear I'll kill you!" he hissed, pressing the blade to Murtagh's throat for emphasis.

The hazel eyes softened and the pale boy laughed, relieved. He pressed his neck into the sharp edge and kissed Eragon lightly.

"I would be capable of hurting her like I'd be capable of hurting you, Eragon," he whispered.

Eragon knew the boy hadn't meant the words in a rude way, but they crushed his heart a little anyway. He looked at the raven haired teen with caution and sorrow.

"I didn't mean. . ." Murtagh breathed, looking away, full of shame.

"I know," Eragon soothed, replacing the dagger on his belt. "I know what you meant."

"You do?" the question was barely audible.

"Yes you fool," he snickered, hugging the older boy. "You'd never harm her intentionally, just as you've never harmed me."

A slight knock at the door startled him and seemed to annoy Murtagh. The pale teen sighed, letting his head fall back against the door.

"Never a moments peace," he breathed. "yes?"

Eragon stood next to the doorway, out of sight, as the elder opened the door and leaned on its frame.

"Sir Murtagh," a servant girl whispered. "I've been asked to inform you there is a hot bath waiting. We were going to wake Miss Reilyn, but she seemed to need the rest. . ."

"She does," Murtagh interrupted. "She's not been sleeping well lately."

"I see. . .well, we will run two baths in the morning then, for who and who doesn't bathe tonight," the girl said softly.

Eragon looked at Murtagh's stance. He leaned on the door frame, one leg crossed over the other, and his arms folded on his chest.

He seems annoyed by her presence. . .

"Is there anything else?" the elder boy asked, confirming Eragon's thought of annoyance.

"Yes sir. Your father insists that you take the day off tomorrow, catch up on rest, tour the grounds. . .He thinks you've done a fine job so far in their training," she paused. Murtagh nodded his head, signaling her to go on.

"And he wants to have a meeting with the three of you, to discuss a vow and unsealing their magic," she finished in one breath.

Unsealing my magic!? Our magic? Eragon thought excitedly. We'll finally be able to speak to Saphira. . . .

"All right," Murtagh's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Sir Murtagh," the servant said.

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Murtagh shut the door, locking it, and leaned his head against it. He was exhausted and just wished that he could rest, his level of annoyance had skyrocketed when the girl had knocked and Eragon sensed it.

"You can take the bath tonight," he sighed to the young brunette. "I'd most likely fall asleep and drown."

Hands touched his sides and he smiled, turning and leaning his back against the door. Concern masked the young face and questions filled his eyes. Before the lips so much as parted to speak, Murtagh put his hand to them.

"They're running two in the morning, I can take mine after Reilyn has had hers," he ran his hand in the soft brunette hair. "I'm just exhausted, Eragon. I need rest."

The caramel eyes looked him over, slowly and carefully, judging for themselves if this was the truth. Eragon embraced the older boy, resting his head against the pale neck.

"All right," he lightly kissed the skin. "Get some rest."

Murtagh nodded and pressed his lips to the boy's temple. They parted, Eragon moving towards his bath and Murtagh to the wardrobe to change. Just as he was removing his vest, Eragon peeked out the bathroom door.

"Tomorrow we'll all stay in that bed and sleep in!"

Murtagh snickered at the boy's enthusiasm and pulled his undershirt off, rubbing his bands in his hair as he did. He quickly took his boots off and silent pulled on sleep pants.

Shirt or no? he pondered, looking at the sleep shirts. No, he decided, too much energy.

He shuffled to his bed and slipped into it carefully, trying hard not to disturb the sleeping girl. He pulled the blankets up and snuggled in, rolling to face Reilyn. Her face was serene, pale as the moon, and beautiful. He smiled and closed his eyes, sighing.

Just as he had started to drift off, movement woke up. He was going to just roll over and go back to sleep, when he felt someone curl up to him. A face pressed itself into his chest and arms moved, under his own, to encircle his middle, and the legs were just barely touching his.

Eragon, he thought, smiling.

He opened his eyes and his breath was stolen from his lips. It wasn't the brunette who snuggled close, but Reilyn. His smile grew and his heart swelled, hugging closer to the girl, he wrapped a leg over hers and brought them close. He felt a smile against his skin, as the girl allowed him to shift closer.

Careful, Thorn whispered.

I know, Thorn. I'm doing so, believe me.

You make me so proud sometimes. . .

I. . .do?

Yes, very much so. Now, sleep, Young one.

He glanced up when Eragon emerged from the bath, suddenly very uncomfortable. He looked at the boy uneasily and contemplated moving away from the girl. The brunette smiled and shook his head, telling Murtagh that it was all right. He continued to watch the young boy, looking for a sign that this was not really all right.

Be easy, Thorn said quietly. See what he does. . .

Eragon slid into the bed, laying so he faced them, and moved close. The young boy laced fingers with the pale hand and smiled. Murtagh squeezed the hand and smirked in return, watching the caramel eyes close.

Finally, he sighed, closing his own hazel eyes, I seem to have obtained what I coveted most: love.

He fell asleep smiling and holding the tan hand in his own.