Torn Between Two

Chapter 30

Eragon had sensed something in the room, leading to his volunteering to take care of the dishes. He could only guess what was happening behind the closed door.

Murtagh won't hurt her. . .he's gentle and won't force her. He never did me. . .he smiled and shifted on the stone steps.

He had just sat on the steps leading to Murtagh's hall, contently waiting and thinking. He was finding that slowly but surely he was getting used to this whole thing, Murtagh loving both of them, he felt no jealousy--only concern for Reilyn.

She has no idea what she's doing. . .but then neither did I when I first met Murtagh. . .I hope she's all right. . .

The sound of footsteps caught his ears and he stood up slowly. As soon as he turned, he was slammed back into the wall and a mouth greedily met his.

"Murtagh?!" he gasped, when the mouth left his to get air.

The older boy nodded, panting heavily, and kissed him again. The pale body pinned him to the wall, pulling a small moan from Eragon. He pushed Murtagh back.

"Murtagh?"

"Shhh! I need you right now Eragon, please!"

The hazel eyes were begging him as the man's chest heaved and hands gripped his hips tightly, almost painfully.

Oh god, he thought, I've seen this look before. . .

Eragon knew Murtagh wasn't lying about needing him. The nineteen-year-old had suffered the same thing when he first started teaching Eragon, he hadn't been willing to force the boy to go any farther than he had been willing to--just as he wasn't with Reilyn, now that he was teaching her--and he used to get testy and mean. Back then, Eragon was only fifteen and didn't understand why, but now, at sixteen, he knew all to well what the pale teen was going through.

He pulled the older boy to him, locking his lips with Murtagh's, and heard the pleased growl that erupted from the pale man. Eragon was kissed and nipped hungrily, at the complete mercy of his older counterpart. The strong hands roamed him, slowly pulling off the tan shirt, and he whimpered as lips touched his chest.

"OW! Murtagh, not so hard!" he yelped when the man sank his teeth in, drawing blood.

Good god! he thought, wincing.

"I'm sorry, Er," the teen panted, "I didn't mean to. . ."

"I know," he smiled. "Allow me."

Eragon reversed the pin, shoving Murtagh to the stone wall, smirking at the growl. He kissed slowly, nipping a little himself, and for once, he took control. The older teen groaned, arching into him as he kissed the pale torso, and allowed himself to be dominated by the younger.

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Eragon looked at Murtagh as they sat, where they had sunk, against the cool stone wall. The older teen breathed deeply, a very pleased smile on his face, and traced the bite mark on Eragon's chest carefully.

"I really didn't mean to be that rough, Eragon," he whispered into an ear.

"I know, Murtagh. I know," he smirked, leaning back to kiss him. "But next time a proper warning would be nice."

The pale teen laughed and hugged Eragon closer, sighing deeply and kissing the neck lightly. Eragon felt the body behind him relax completely, Murtagh nuzzled into his neck and yawned.

"Come on," Eragon whispered, "you can't sleep on the steps."

"Where are we going to go?" he asked sleepily.

"The room, where else?"

"But Reilyn. . ." Murtagh's hazel eyes went alert and his body tensed.

"I'm sure she already knows where you walked to, Murtagh," he laughed, picking up his shirt.

"You really think so?"

"Yes, now quit being stubborn," Eragon commanded, pulling the shirt on.

"Who put you in command, Rider?" Murtagh demanded playfully, getting off the steps and staring at Eragon.

The younger teen looked at the older, eyebrows raised slyly, an evil smirk toying with him. Murtagh backed Eragon into the wall, pretending to be angry.

"That didn't put you in command, Eragon," he whispered, gently pinning the boy. "I'm still in higher rank, you answer to me."

"Yes," Eragon breathed, touching the bare sides, "of course, Murtagh." Laughing, he kissed the older teen, who promptly sank his teeth into the sensitive skin, proving who was in command.

"Mmm!" Eragon winced, smiling at the soft pain.

"Let's go," Murtagh commanded, leading the younger by the hand.

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Reilyn sat, perched on the windowsill. She had somehow managed to find a way to prop it open, the smell of trees and rain blowing in with the breeze. They entered in total silence, not wanting to disturb this moment. Eragon smiled to himself as he pictured her face: smiling, eyes closed as she breathed in the smell of outdoors. The breeze blew her hair back, bringing rain into the room as well. Her ears cocked back, she heard them somehow or had smelled them, her senses were very sensitive, almost animal.

"She's like a goddess. . ." Murtagh breathed into his ear.

Eragon nodded, smiling at how correct the older was. Reilyn's head slowly turned, her brown eyes falling upon them, shrouded by her beautiful hair. She smiled slowly, then her head whipped back to the outside, ears picking up some noise. She sat up straight, searching the grounds alertly.

Lightning flashed suddenly, the feel it put off made Eragon very nervous.

"All right, Rei," he said gently, "back inside."

She swung her legs back into the room, slid off the sill and closed the window without protesting. She latched the window, but continued to stare at the rain that had started to pour down again, beating against the glass.

Eragon walked to her and draped his arms over her shoulders, looking out with her. A steady, anger-filled growl resonated from her throat as she stared, not at the rain, but a black cloaked figure.

"Who is that?" he whispered, hugging closer to Reilyn.

"Lazaar," Murtagh hissed, moving over to the window with them. "He's the king's new Shade. . .he'd be the one to blame for this foul weather."

The growl coming from Reilyn intensified and her body tensed as she stared at the Shade. Eragon gasped as the figure turned, black eyes settled on Reilyn, the smile on the white skin revealing pointed teeth, and his hand flicked up.

"Rei!" he screamed as the girl's body went rigid.

The pale girl let out a retrained shriek of pain as she doubled over, almost collapsing to the floor. Eragon managed to keep her standing, struggling hard to keep a hold on the girl. Another scream broke from the girl's lips and her nails raked his arms, drawing blood. She seemed to be fighting some invisible force.

"Murtagh?!" he gasped, looking to the older man.

The pale teen moved in view of the Shade, glaring at the thing, arms crossed over his chest. As soon as he had moved to the window, Reilyn went lax against him, her eyes squeezed shut in pain as she gasped for air.

"What in the hell was that?!" Eragon demanded.

"He's the one who placed the seal on both of you," Murtagh growled. "He can inflict pain through it anytime the bastard wants. . .Reilyn, are you all right now?"

She shuddered, but nodded. "Yes, I think so. It felt like he was trying to pull my heart out as it was beating. . .still hurts."

"Here," Murtagh whispered, holding his hand, palm down, over her chest.

Blood-red magic flowed from him as he soothed her pain, hazel eyes filled with concern and rage. When Reilyn nodded, he let the magic go.

"Better?" Eragon whimpered.

She nodded eyes still closed, and began shivering violently.

"She'll need to rest," Murtagh said. "That used a lot of her energy and she needs all she can get if the seal is to be removed. . ."

"All right, but we're staying with her right?"

"Of course, Eragon."

The young brunette carefully helped Reilyn to the bed, crawling under the covers with her. He curled to her and smiled weakly as she fell asleep instantly. Soon he joined her in a deep sleep.

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Murtagh eased into the bed, curling on his side, and watched over the sleeping pair protectively. He seethed anger, growling loudly and clenching his jaw.

That maniacal bastard! he fumed. Lazaar, I should have killed you when Father brought you here. . .

"Murtagh?" a weak voice whispered.

"Reilyn? What is it?" he asked, feeling fear rise in him for the girl.

"Will you. . . .k-k-keep the demon away?" she whimpered, reaching blindly for his hand.

He laced their fingers and kissed her hand gently, staring at the closed eyes.

"Yes," he breathed, "always."

"Good," she sighed, relaxing a little.

He leaned in and kissed her lips softly, squeezing her hand in reassurance. When he pulled back, soft brown eyes gazed at him. He smiled at her, trying to offer her strength, and surprisingly she gave him a slight smile in return. Then her eyes slipped back shut and she went back to sleep, still holding his hand in hers.

"Always," he breathed, brushing his mouth to hers once more before dozing off.