by Lexi Ander
“Nay, Roi.” Ewen’s visage crumpled with sorrow, his skin blanched a startling colour.
Roi forged on. “I am a seer of the Temple of Cerridwen. Do ye know how oft ye stole into my dreams unbidden? Afore, in Renfrewshire, I were enamoured with merely being nigh to ye, awash in joy simply to stand next to the man I espied in my dreams every wretched day of my miserable existence. The shadow dreams whispered my death would surely come by yer hand, Ewen. Yet that fate would be more desirable than a life devoid of yer affections. I would have accepted both ye and Bear, yet ye trusted me not with all that ye be, not knowing I would take yer secrets unto me and guard them well.”
“Roi.” Ewen sounded desperate, but Roi needed to say all he had held tight to his breast afore he thought better of it.
“Why did my goddess allow me to be plagued every single night of my life with glimpses of ye if there were nary a chance ye be mine? I do not understand!” Roi shouted, confounded and pained to the core.
“I have watched ye grow from a lad to the man ye now be. I know yer visage so well I could fashion yer likeness in clay with my eyes closed. Over the past sennight, I oft wondered why fate spared me, handing me over to the only one I had yearned for in my life, only to be dropped into a life of despair. As harsh as it may be, I would have rather spent a short and painful lifetime in the bowels of the King of the Isles’ dungeon than live a natural life within arm’s reach of my heart’s desire unable to touch ye. I deserve more than scraps of yer affection. I had almost believed that be all I be worthy of, blinded by the stations we be born to, ye a noble and me a pagan commoner. Tell me now, Ewen, do ye want me for yerself as much as for Bear, or is it just Bear that wants me so?” The walls seemed to close in, causing Roi to labour to breathe, yet he refused to move from the stool. Never again would he turn away from the issues that faced him and Ewen.
“Aye, Bear chose you, but for all that, do you not see? I would you be mine as well. I have been trying to understand why I feel as if I know you. Since the first time I laid eyes upon you, you were familiar to me. I knew not why then, yet now I do. You watched over me, all this time you have stood beside me, guarding me. I hold to all I have vowed you these past days. When I look upon you I do not see a commoner, I see the one I trust to hold my fate in the palms of his hands. I beg of you—stand steadfast at my side. I need you. Methinks I always have.”
Relieved, Roi closed his eyes and took a long, steadying breath before he opened them again. Staunch, Ewen held his gaze as he awaited Roi’s reply. Lust swelling within Roi once more, he peeled away the final remnants of his doubt and cast them aside.
Going to his knees upon the cold stone floor betwixt Ewen’s knees, Roi cupped his face in his palms. Ewen made a rough noise when he brushed his lips against Ewen’s. Strong fingers threaded through his damp hair as Ewen stole control of the kiss, using his grip to turn Roi’s head so he could better plunder the depths of Roi’s mouth. Roi yielded utterly, gasping out Ewen’s name when Ewen broke away to urge Roi to his feet.
Whatever words were perched upon Ewen’s tongue seemed to die as he stared at Roi’s lips. Roi licked them, tasting traces of Ewen. Without warning, Ewen attacked Roi’s mouth once again. He opened, tasting the flavour of Ewen, richer than afore. Ewen drank down Roi’s moans as if they were nectar from the gods, his warm tongue lapping at, then tangling with Roi’s until Roi became giddy and breathless.
When Roi broke away the second time they both gasped for air. Roi shivered with need, his groin heavy and aching. Ewen’s growl turned Roi’s skin to goose-flesh, but instead of flipping Roi’s stomach with fright, the noise intoxicated him, emboldened him. He ran his hands over Ewen’s body, touching Ewen in the ways he had wanted to the other day when he watched Ewen clean off at the stream, when he had wished to have the brazen courage to step into the water and replace Ewen’s hands with his own.
“Shall you give me your oath? Stay with me?” Ewen’s warm breath crossed his cheek. His liege moved down to suck upon the cord of Roi’s neck, Ewen’s hand remaining fisted in his hair whilst the other pressed at the small of his back, bringing him flush against Ewen from chest to knee. The heat of every inch of Ewen branded his skin. Ewen’s manhood pressed into the flat of his stomach was heady proof of Ewen’s desire.
“Ewen,” he breathed, no other words coming to mind.
“Promise,” Ewen snarled.
Roi could not think to form a coherent reply, instead offering up the words that sat heavy upon his heart. “Only death shall keep me from ye.”
“Oh, thank the gods.” Ewen’s words came out choked, barely heard above the pounding of the heavy rain. This time, when Ewen brushed his lips against Roi’s, the tenderness lacked the burning demand Ewen’s kisses had formerly held. Instead, Ewen drugged Roi with soft brushes, a breath of a touch, as he grasped Ewen’s arms for balance. His gut wrenched with the pleasure of each sweep until he utterly lost his mind and claimed Ewen’s mouth for his own, taking what he wanted from the moment, Ewen moving from a wistful dream to a virile man of flesh and blood.
~ : § : ~
ONCE AGAIN PULLING away from the kiss for much needed air, Ewen stared down into Roi’s flushed visage. Eyes closed, nostrils flaring with each breath, lips swollen and red as if begging Ewen to return and taste them once more. “You tempt me overmuch.”
Roi opened his eyes at Ewen’s words, the corners of his mouth rising in a shy grin causing a flare of heat in Ewen’s belly. “What would ye have me do?” The rough quality of Roi’s voice— Ewen could listen to him speak of aught or naught, and he would be satisfied.
Ewen’s kinsmen did not urge their youths against learning and examining their sensuality as long as they crossed no line into something dishonourable. Maidenhead, lost through piercing of the body of either the girl or boy, was kept intact if they wished not to be handfasted at once. The mathans could sniff out such deeds, and no amount of excuses would save the youths a quick trip to the closest elder or kirk.
It had been many years since Ewen had lain with a male. They had been eager youths with merely one goal in common, to empty their stones as oft as they could. Then he met Caitriona and fell in love, dedicating his life to her happiness.
Not all things about Roi brought to mind those youthful trysts, for his body was the same only in the most basic of ways—that of being male—and there the likeness ended. Roi’s mature form was full and strong, not the harsh lines of a growing lad. What Ewen felt when he touched Roi made him think back upon the hushed wonder of a new thing discovered. Mayhap Ewen had uncovered something novel about Roi, or even about himself. Possibly, with this union, both would be reborn anew.
Stepping back, Ewen slid his hands down to the hem of Roi’s tunic, removing the garment with gentle care as his gaze took in the planes and valleys of Roi’s fair skin. The taut flesh beckoned Ewen’s touch, Roi’s manhood betwixt his legs standing bold and proud. But afore Ewen could grasp him, Roi pushed at the linen wrapped about Ewen’s waist. His small noises of impatience stirred Ewen’s lust.
Roi’s hand snaked around the nape of his neck, and Ewen was kissed as if Roi was starved and Ewen the only one able to sate his hunger. Walking Roi towards the bed he had arranged, Ewen laid him down upon the fresh linens. Roi’s hair spread out under him like spun gold, the strands still slightly damp. Neither one of them would be leaving the cottage until he ravished Roi senseless.
Ewen buried his nose in the crook of Roi’s neck and breathed in deeply afore he licked across the base of Roi’s neck to his shoulder. The new growth upon Ewen’s chin rasped against Roi’s skin, leaving a pink blush behind as he kissed down Roi’s body. Golden, almost colourless hairs covered Roi’s upper chest, though not his stomach. A thin trail ran within the hollowed valley of Roi’s belly to his groin. Ewen brushed a thumb over Roi’s nipple, causing him to gasp, Ewen’s name falling from Roi’s lips. When he pressed the flat of his tongue over the pink nub, suckling gently, Roi writhed under him.
; Roi’s form was lean yet strong. This was not the body of a priest but that of a warrior. For certes not the shape of a woman, with its plentiful mounds and soft curves. Slowly Ewen learned Roi’s body, seeking what caused Roi to demand more or made his breath shudder when he breathed out. Roi laughed when Ewen’s tongue dipped down into his navel. Joy mixed with desire suited him, making his pale blue eyes glow with life.
Ewen settled betwixt his legs, gazing intently at Roi’s cock and thinking the endowments of the boys from his youth had never been so generous.
“Ewen?”
Roi’s visage appeared pinched and uneasy. Ewen bestowed upon him a soft smile, attempting to allay his fears. “It be a long while since I took a male into my mouth, much less had a man to occupy my bed.” Ewen glanced back at Roi’s straining manhood. “Not counting our first encounter. Waking with your scent filling my nose, I were half asleep when I shamelessly rutted against you, striving to drive you even half as senseless as you made me. And I have been dying for your touch ever since.”
“Why do ye falter now?” Roi seemed unsure whether he wanted to know the answer.
“The difference be that I want to make you forget all who came afore me. I want to be the only man you take to your bed from now on. I want to bestow upon you more pleasure than you have ever known.” Ewen rubbed the stiff hair of his chin against the inside of Roi’s thigh. Roi bit his lip, moaning softly. “Afeard if I fail, I shall lose you.”
Afore Roi responded to Ewen’s confession, Ewen banished his uncertainties and grasped Roi’s thick flesh in his hand, the skin so very soft against Ewen’s fingers. He pressed the flat of his tongue at the base of Roi’s shaft to lick up to the prepuce, pulling the skin back to reveal the flared tip of the head. The scent of Roi’s musk filled Ewen’s nostrils, causing Bear to shift and roll within him. Bear’s desire to possess Roi felt like a shove.
Suckling the head, he teased Roi with his tongue about the ridge and was rewarded with a bit of sweet essence. Roi’s shallow breaths and sharp gasps made Ewen bold enough to discover more of what would cause Roi to fill the air with the stormy sound of his voice. Roi’s hips thrust until he took the whole of Roi into his mouth. Never had Ewen’s blood burned as it did now. His manhood ached to the point he rutted against the linen, finding little to ease his need. Yet he savoured Roi’s firmness down to the hilt afore drawing up with fervour.
Roi’s hands clutched the sheets when Ewen took his stones in hand, rubbing and rolling the lightly-furred sack as he lost himself in the taste upon his tongue, the whole of Roi filling his mouth, the way Roi’s manhood pulsed with pent-up need. Ewen laboured to bring him pleasure until Roi made broken sounds of impatience.
“Ewen.” Warm palms caught Ewen’s face, and he rolled his eyes to gaze up Roi’s body to behold Roi’s pale blue eyes, stormy and so dark with desire they were nearly black. “If ye do not stop, I shall spill my seed. I want… I want…”
With slow torture, he sucked up Roi’s length until he let Roi’s weight fall from his tongue. Roi’s eyes fluttered closed, and his neck arched. With a final swirl, Ewen pressed his lips to the tip. “You want what, Roi? Tell me,” Ewen rasped, his throat sore.
Roi’s gaze held Ewen’s steadfast, his laboured, soft pants making Ewen yearn to crush those full lips under his. “I would entreat ye to spill whilst ye— I want ye to breach me.” Roi’s shy countenance was one Ewen had not seen upon him afore now. “Some prefer not to do such acts. I understand if ye wish to do aught else.”
Ewen’s mouth went dry. “You would play the sheath? As a lad, I bedded others, but without taking their maidenhead.” Roi’s gaze slid away, his struggle to be content plain upon his visage. Ewen would abate his torment. “Show me what to do, for I have no desire to harm you.”
Roi’s gaze returned to Ewen rife with hope and desire. “Wait here.” He slithered out from under Ewen and dashed to the hearth.
He returned carrying a small clay pot that he secured in the corner of the wooden bed frame. Silently, Roi bade Ewen lie upon his back. The way Roi’s gaze roved over his body, the shy touches as Roi ran his fingertips through the spattering of hair upon Ewen’s chest, caused his nipples to tighten. Roi’s heated gaze rested upon Ewen’s groin, causing him to pant with growing need.
Roi sat astride Ewen’s hips, and he gripped Roi’s strong thighs, more nervous than he could remember afore a coupling. Roi leaned over him, their faces almost touching. The golden curtain of Roi’s hair spilled like a waterfall about Ewen. When Ewen licked his lips, Roi’s gaze followed his tongue afore Roi dipped down to steal a tender kiss, and then another, and another. Ewen would bestow upon Roi scores of kisses with nary a beseeching word needed.
Roi swallowed the low noise Ewen made when Roi gripped his straining hardness in a slick hand, Ewen’s hips bucking into Roi’s firm hold. When Roi tore his mouth from Ewen’s, Ewen gave a piteous cry and would have been ashamed, save the smile Roi gave, making him forget why. Roi moved until Ewen’s cock slipped into the cleft betwixt his buttocks. Heat and nigh unbearable tightness unlike aught that came ere now slowly engulfed Ewen’s manhood. His fingers gripped Roi’s hips in a bruising crush as Ewen fought the sharp, growing need to thrust.
Leashing himself lest he rut mindlessly into Roi, Ewen beheld Roi’s tender, almost adoring countenance and lay very still, appalled at the thought of harming him. Roi bore down slowly, his hand guiding the shaft, urging Ewen into the headlong push of rigid flesh deep into his body. Roi’s eyes squeezed shut, his face twisting into a grimace as he shivered and panted, the sound low and harsh to Ewen’s ears as sweat formed upon Roi’s brow.
Ewen cupped Roi’s firm buttocks, holding him firmly in place. “Nay. Cease, Roi, it be overmuch.”
Roi opened his eyes and gazed intently down at Ewen, blinking a few times. “It be scarcely a bite of pain that shall leave quickly. A lengthy span of time has lapsed since I last had a lover of any—” Ewen’s churlish growl halted Roi’s words, a slight smile playing upon his lips instead.
Roi’s body eased under Ewen’s hands and he slid, slow and sure, down Ewen’s length again. This time Roi’s mouth sagged open, his eyelids fluttering closed as his breech rested against Ewen’s hips. Roi’s palms rested against Ewen’s upper chest. His body gripped Ewen’s shaft like a glove of the softest leather, so taut, so utterly perfect. Overcome with all that he felt, he was stricken dumb, the breath burning in Ewen’s throat. He stilled, watching keenly as Roi took his pleasure, the warmth of Roi’s body becoming a delicious torment. Ewen yearned for more. More of Roi. More of them. More of the touch that caused the growing fire to burn his blood. He wanted to thrust, to take Roi, possess him, yet he worried his lust and eagerness would harm Roi. Never would he forgive himself if such were to happen.
Roi’s name spilled from his lips as Roi moved, swivelling his hips, his fevered stare pinning Ewen in place as he wantonly rode Ewen’s shaft. He ran his palms along Roi’s thighs, revelling in the play of muscle under the skin, the hint of power, of strength, that prodded Ewen’s lust.
“Tell me, Ewen, to whom do I belong?”
“Me,” Ewen ground out, his restraint weakened by the sly glint in Roi’s eyes.
“Am I yers?”
“Yea,” Ewen snarled.
Roi leaned in close and whispered into Ewen’s ear, “Then prove it.”
Those very words unleashed him. Growling, Ewen loosed the firm hold over himself, clutching Roi as he rolled them and plunged in to the hilt of his manhood. Roi’s fingertips dug into his shoulders as Roi’s legs wrapped about Ewen’s waist, his body lifting to meet the quick, forward lurch of Ewen’s hips. Roi’s delighted laughter turned to gasping moans as Ewen repeatedly filled him with the quickening thrusts, their bodies working in accord.
Never had Ewen felt anything like this wild, consuming heat. No matter what he did, Roi matched and met every move. They fit together, so well in fact that Ewen wondered how he had lived for so long and not known he was but half
of himself. Roi grasped his shaft, eyes glazed as he stroked. Ewen’s stones drew up, cleaving to his body, the warning heat gathering in his loins a portent of the coming release.
He gasped, Roi’s name rolling from his tongue, low and harsh. He needed Roi to spill, to watch as Roi split asunder. For him, only for him.
Roi’s head slammed back into the bedding, the cords of his neck drawn tight as he arched. His mouth formed a quiet O as his arse clamped down upon Ewen’s rigid shaft. He rasped out Ewen’s name, the last of Roi’s spend painting their bodies, his hold upon Ewen hot and tight as if he were trying to bind their bodies together. Ewen drove in hard and deep, gasping harshly as he spilled, pulled asunder from the inside out. Marking Roi. Claiming him. Bear and Ewen snarled, grasping Roi as his hips jerked, Roi’s name a litany that fell from his lips over and over as Roi stroked his sweat-slick back.
Bear hummed with bone-deep happiness. Ewen could not call back to a time when Bear seemed this overjoyed.
They lay entwined for several heartbeats. Eventually, rising upon his elbows, Ewen gazed down at Roi’s flushed and damp face. His skin held a healthy, rosy glow, and his visage of open tenderness caused warmth to bloom in Ewen’s chest and a riot of spring butterflies to flutter about in his stomach.
With tender care, Ewen uncoupled. The fear of loss had changed to the dread of Roi eschewing Ewen to return to his temple and his goddess. “Never have I been jealous of a deity ere now.”
Ewen’s confession lit Roi’s features with delight. The scar hindered the lift of his lips, causing the right side to slump compared to the left, yet Roi could not be more appealing.
