“I don’t need this.” Darin set the weapon down and advanced on Nemro. “I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”
Nemro seemed to be debating whether or not Darin was serious.
“You didn’t help save him and here you are gloating that he’s injured.”
Each step Darin took forward pushed Nemro back.
“Fucking coward.”
“Leave him,” Sieg said coldly. He picked up Axoev’s weapon and strapped it to his own back. “I am leader. Do you wish to challenge me?” Sieg looked around at the group. Everyone shook their heads. “We will now attend to Axoev.”
Once they had Axoev laid out flat, Darin was able to see what was wrong. “I think you dislocated both arms.”
“I don’t know what that means.” Axoev was in so much pain he could barely speak.
“It means I’m going to have to hurt you a little to heal you a lot.” Darin flashed Axoev a miserable look. What stunned Darin was that he only knew what to do because he’d once called bullshit on a movie character. In the film, the hero had dislocated his arm to escape a trap then popped the bone back into the socket by slamming his shoulder into a wall. Darin said no way was that right while his friends took the hero’s side. Smartphones were whipped out and Googling began. Just as Darin predicted, it was done for dramatic effect. The truth was that it took a much gentler touch. “I need you to relax.”
The look Axoev gave him was so laced with incredulousness that Darin almost laughed.
“Okay, try to relax. Close your eyes and think of something you enjoy.”
A slow, lusty smile transformed Axoev’s features. Without asking, Darin knew he was probably thinking of one of their erotic interludes. Gently, Darin bent Axoev’s arm into a right angle then lifted his forearm. “Don’t resist what I’m doing. Go as limp as you can.”
“It’s difficult to be limp when I’m thinking of your sweet body riding against mine.”
Darin had to appreciate the fact that though he was in terrible pain, Axoev managed to stay lusty. When his shoulder finally popped back into place, Axoev gritted his teeth, but he didn’t cry out. Darin moved to his other side, and after several thwarted attempts, he finally got his other arm back into the socket.
“Did it stop hurting?”
“It is hurting much less.”
But it was clear from his features he was still in pain. “Oh, no. I can see that you’re trying to move your arms. No, no, no.” Darin crossed them over Axoev’s chest. “I’ll make you a sling. You can’t move them for several days.” Back home, he would have gotten Axoev to the hospital for X-rays, but out here he was just going to have to hope he did it right. When he looked at Axoev’s shoulders, they appeared to be fine, but he wouldn’t know until the muscles and tendons had time to heal. Icing both shoulders would have helped, but they had no ice. Worse, they had no ibuprofen or anything else that would lessen the inflammation. The only thing Darin could do was keep him still.
One look at Axoev’s determined face told Darin that was going to be next to impossible.
Chapter 10
“You should have just let me die.” Axoev couldn’t move his arms. He didn’t know what was wrong, but without mobility he was useless as a leader and worthless as a member of the clan. Darin had explained how his arm fit into his shoulder. Now that he’d put the ball back into the socket, his arms would work fine, but only if Axoev gave them time to heal. “I have no value like this.”
“Hush.” Darin ensured that Axoev stayed in the crude basket he’d fashioned with cloth and sticks. He’d called the device a travois, but Axoev’s translator couldn’t find a compatible word in his language. Whatever he called the thing didn’t much matter when to Axoev it was the beginning of the end. He couldn’t do things for himself. Darin didn’t understand how much that mattered in his clan. Worse, Darin didn’t seem to care. While Sieg and Pabb pulled on the long sticks, Darin kept watch over Axoev.
“I said—”
“Hush.”
“Do not hush me.” I am the leader almost tumbled out of his mouth, but Axoev stopped when he recalled that he wasn’t anymore. Now he was nothing. He couldn’t even lift himself into his tree. No, not his tree. Not anymore. Now it was Sieg’s tree. He would be a good leader, but that left Axoev to be nothing but a burden. Once Darin realized this, he would want to go home for certain. “Why did you save me?”
“Because I love you. Don’t you remember me telling you that?”
“You should not have reminded me.”
“Why ever not?”
“Because I might have forgotten and then you would be free.”
“I got news for you, buddy. I don’t want to be free. I’m going to stay right here, and I’m going to make these people like me, so you just stop feeling sorry for yourself like I was. Got it?”
Axoev couldn’t suppress a quick smile. Almost against his will, he had to admire Darin’s feistiness. Over the last few fires it seemed he was steadily getting browner skin and brighter hair but his mood became ever blacker. Today, when he said he wanted to go home, a part of Axoev had curled up and cried like a lost child. He loved Darin. He’d known almost from the moment he’d captured him in the forest. But he’d been reluctant to tell him because his attitude was so bleak. Axoev had hoped the tribe would eventually see Darin for who he was, not his label as faunsha, but they hadn’t bothered. They had someone to dump chores on so they could have more time to play. He understood that. He didn’t like their attitudes, but he understood that they were only treating Darin the way all faunshas were treated since the time of the first sapling. Axoev wished there was a way to elevate Darin’s status, but he didn’t know of any that he could do as the leader. The only thing Axoev knew was that he was not going to tell Darin he loved him because he feared Darin would stay with him to care for him even when he found out that they would both be outcasts.
If he couldn’t hold a weapon, he couldn’t be leader, but if he couldn’t do anything at all, he was worthless to his people. If he were old, they might have taken pity on him, but having to tend to him for such a long time…no. Their kind typically lived long and healthy. Most died peacefully in their sleep, still able to climb their own tree.
Once they got him back to the community clearing, Darin set to work cleaning Axoev up despite his protests. When Darin said Axoev could lose the ability to move his arms permanently if he didn’t rest them, Axoev reluctantly stopped trying to move them. Shame stayed with him as he was cleaned and cared for. All the tribe brought out things that Darin would need to tend to Axoev. Even though the clan wasn’t openly staring at him, Axoev occasionally caught their bleak expressions. They knew what Darin refused to see.
Sieg was there, too, lending a hand with Axoev’s axe gleaming on his back. When Sieg’s gaze strayed to Darin one time too many, Axoev realized what he had to do.
“You must go to Sieg.”
“What?” Darin paused his cleaning cloth in midstroke across Axoev’s chest.
“He is the leader now. It is by ancient rites that he can have you.” Axoev struggled to keep the emotion out of his voice but failed. One of the most difficult aspects of being the leader was doing the right thing even when it felt horribly wrong. He was no longer the ruler of the Clan Shadow, but he would perform the last of his functions with honor.
“Are you out of your mind?” Darin stopped trying to clean Axoev and stood. He was naked and utterly unashamed. In that moment, with his alien eyes blazing almost as brightly as his hair, Axoev swore the man was a warrior. In many ways, Darin had grown into his name of He who Dares, but that didn’t change the fact that Axoev had to let him go.
“It is the way of things.”
“Says who?” Now Darin put his hands on his hips, widening his stance for battle despite the fact that Axoev couldn’t do much against him while flat on his back.
“Please let me finish my time as leader with dignity.” Axoev looked away from Darin to Sieg. “It is your right to claim him as your own.”
>
Sieg stopped what he was doing and his speculative gaze went from Axoev to Darin and back again several times.
“Don’t I get a say in this?” Darin asked.
“No.” Sieg shook his head at Darin then looked down at Axoev. “You always had more honor than brawn.”
Axoev grinned. There was a time where Sieg had wanted to be ruler with the same kind of intensity that Nemro did. The difference was that Sieg was willing to fight for the right where Nemro wanted to simply claim leadership without expending any effort. During one of the challenges, Axoev could have taken advantage and won out over Sieg. No one but the two of them would have known, but Axoev refused. Sieg had emerged the winner, but he’d never forgotten that Axoev declined to cheat even when he could do so without repercussion.
Sieg looked at Darin. Axoev almost winced at the desire in Sieg’s eyes. Darin had told Axoev that when Sieg had carried him in on his kaby that Darin had felt Sieg’s arousal against his butt. He’d been terrified that Axoev would be gigantic and hurt him. He was pleased Axoev was not, but Darin said he would never forget the feel of Sieg. In time, if Sieg was gentle, Darin might come to love him.
“He will stay with you until you are well.” Sieg darted his gaze between Axoev and Darin again. There was less heat in his eyes, but the fire was still there.
“But I might never be well again.”
Sieg considered. Unlike his usual self that was easily distracted by everything around him, Sieg remained fully focused on the situation at hand. Axoev wasn’t certain what had prompted the change in his behavior, but he couldn’t help but think having the axe on his back was part of the transformation. Sieg seemed to be standing taller. His demeanor was more serious. The light in his eyes, always so quick to turn to lust or humor, was muted.
“The fire is tonight. I will decide then.”
Axoev nodded.
Darin protested violently, but Sieg walked away without responding to him.
“You should try harder to gain his favor.”
Darin peered down at Axoev with such fury Axoev was convinced he was going to lift his hands into the air and walk off in an angry way just as he had earlier today. Instead, Darin dropped to his knees. He didn’t pick up the cleaning rag or make any further efforts to assist Axoev.
“You think you can just let me go?” Darin’s voice was very soft but also strong.
“I must.”
“Because that’s the way of your people.”
“Yes.”
“Uh-huh.” Darin sighed. “Fine. I’ll go to Sieg.”
Axoev had gotten his way. Oddly, he wasn’t happy about it. Sensing some kind of trickery or another instance like with the outfit where they weren’t talking of the same thing, Axoev strove to clarify. “You will offer yourself up to him?”
“Yep.” Darin picked up the cleaning cloth and swathed it firmly over Axoev. “I’ll put on my faunsha outfit—well, what’s left of it, and I’ll go to his blanket tonight.”
“There is more than one of them in my—the leader’s tree.” Axoev had to remind himself that right now none of the trees were his. He couldn’t climb up one, so therefore he couldn’t claim it.
“Another skirt thing, you mean?” When Axoev nodded, Darin rinsed out his rag and urged Axoev to sit up so that he could clean his back. “Is there anything else I have to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do I have to suck him off in front of everyone or something like that?” Darin asked this not with his sarcastic voice, which Axoev had gotten used to and sometimes enjoyed, but with his serious voice. He wasn’t being condescending or rude or—
“You want to go to him?” The thought shocked Axoev so much he was barely able to ask the question.
“It’s not a matter of what I want.” Darin removed Axoev’s boots and set them aside. “It’s a matter of what’s right, right?”
“Yes.” Axoev was getting his way but found he didn’t like it. Not at all. He thought Darin would fight or at least argue with him. That he gave in almost immediately was hurtful in some way.
“Well, then that settles it.” Darin sighed as he considered Axoev. “This just isn’t going to work for getting you clean. Can you stand up?”
“I can stand.”
“Without using your arms.”
After some struggling, Axoev was up, and Darin was leading him away from the forest to the nearby stream. There was a sluggish area that Darin called an eddy where he often went to swim when the afternoon got hot. Soon, the days would get very hot and the clan would spend more time in the shadows of the forest. Axoev felt another sting of shame that because of him the clan had not been able to take any animals to add to their meat, leather, or fur supply. Inin said there was plenty of everything, and that he worried too much, but Axoev believed there could never be too much. Now Sieg and the others would have to go hunting without him.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking off your pants so I can clean you in the creek.” Darin looked up at him, his face determined. “Tonight is the fire but it’s also—well, you know what it is, so I’m going to get you all pretty so some woman will come and sit on your blanket.”
“No woman will want me like this.”
“You’d be surprised. And for the last time, you’ll get your arms back. You just need to rest them. Also, soaking in the cool water will help with the inflammation.”
Axoev knew that was a body’s response to an injury. Darin had explained when he’d cut himself with the bread knife. Darin healed quickly, so if anyone should know such things, Darin was the one.
Still, Axoev wasn’t going to get his hopes up. He nodded, but he didn’t believe Darin that he would heal. His arms and shoulders had never hurt like they did today. Even when he only moved his lower body, he felt pain in his shoulders. To climb up the trees, he needed strong shoulders and arms. Soon, he’d dwindle away and look like a child.
“When you do get better, are you going to fight Sieg to be the leader?” Darin pushed Axoev’s pants out of the way as he stepped forward.
“No.”
“Why not?” Darin helped him into the water. It was bracing, but not terribly cold.
Axoev didn’t answer.
“Oh, right, it’s some manly thing. Like you can only be the leader once or you’ll never recover. Yeah. I got it.” Darin urged Axoev to sink down so that the only part of him exposed was his head. He then proceeded to rub Axoev’s arms. It hurt, but it also seemed to be helping. Or perhaps it was the cold of the water easing the swelling of his wounds.
“Are you mocking me?”
“Nope. I’m just wondering how long it will be before you realize you’re behaving like a big baby.”
“I am not a child.”
“No, you’re not. Clearly, with this amazing and oh-so manly body, you are not a child, but you’re certainly acting like one.” Darin came around and settled himself on Axoev’s knees so he could rub the front part of his shoulders. He did this rather perfunctorily, like he was only taking care of Axoev because he said he would. Darin didn’t even get close enough for their cocks to touch.
“I could tell Sieg that I promised to let you go.” Axoev would keep his word to Darin even if it hurt him. In some ways, he’d rather have Darin return to his home out in the stars than to have to watch him with Sieg. One way would be a quick stab to the heart while the other would be like being slowly bled to death.
“That ship has sailed, so to speak. You already told me to go to him. He’s expecting me to join him tonight.”
“No, he said you would stay with me until I was healed.”
“Is that what he said?” Darin frowned as he considered. “It doesn’t matter. I’m sure that when I’m his property he’ll take much better care of me.”
“I haven’t hurt you.”
“No. But you let the others do so because you felt guilty for loving me.”
Axoev wasn’t able to say anything because he was so startled th
at Darin knew that he loved him.
Darin met his gaze. “Of course I knew. You were so happy and yet so ashamed. You are like every other gay man on Earth who’s not real sure what to do about his confusing feelings.”
“I was not confused.”
“Right.” Darin rose off his knees. “Stay here and let the cold soak into your shoulders. I’m going to get you something to dry off with and some fresh clothing.”
“You cannot order me to stay here.”
“I will go and get Sieg and see what he says.”
Darin was off before Axoev could call him back. Rather than make an issue of it, he stayed where he was. But not because Darin had told him to. He kept himself submerged in the water because it was making him feel better. And then, as everything that happened came back to him, Axoev began to cry. He’d never been so scared. He’d faced numerous challenges with a steady hand and firm conviction, but today he’d lain there unable to move, terrified that the beast below would get him. And then when Darin stepped in to save him, all he could think was that he was going to inadvertently kill Darin. It was losing Darin that really scared him.
And here he sat, crying, because he had to give Darin away.
Chapter 11
Darin grabbed everything he would need for Axoev, himself, and the passion fire tonight. Regardless of what anyone said, Darin had his mind made up about what was going to happen. His body ached from rescuing Axoev. Drawing a deep breath, he tried to push his mind past that moment, but it refused to be ignored. He’d almost lost him. When Axoev had fallen into the pit wall, Darin realized he was going to lose him. That knowing had galvanized him and surged so much energy into his body he’d become superhuman for just one instant. He had to have been granted a momentary power because there was no way he was actually strong enough to hold Axoev’s weight and pull him free.
“The power of love gave me the strength.” Darin wiped away a tear. “And now the power of pigheaded male ego is trying to push me away.”
Grimacing, Darin placed a few more items into the box before he slowly lowered it to the forest floor. “Getting Axoev to accept help is going to be difficult, but not impossible.” Darin was equal amounts annoyed and resigned. Axoev simply didn’t know how to be vulnerable. Since he couldn’t move his arms right now without pain, he’d decided he would be that way until the end of time. It wasn’t true, but it gave Axoev another reason to punish himself for being different.
Enslaved by a Barbarian [Sold! 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 10
