by Alanna Lynd
His fingers loosened their grip on Luiyor's hair, and he pushed him down to the ground with a sound of disgust. "A green recruit? Yes, that is more like it. And I have no patience for those. I did not agree to travel with a child I cannot trust to follow my rules."
"Your rules?" Luiyor winced at the breathless outrage in his voice. "I am not—I am not some child! I am your equal in at least—"
"No." Veregorn shook his head as retreated to where his bedroll was spread out by the embers of their fire. "You are not my equal. Maybe in a thousand years. For now you are little more than a child. I should have made this clearer when I allowed you to travel with me, perhaps. My task is a lonely one. I have neither desire nor need of companionship. If you seek to travel with me, you will not distract me with your complaints. Most of all, you will obey. You will listen, and you will obey."
Luiyor gasped in outrage once more. "What gives you the right to—you are not my king! You have no right to—”
“I have every right,” Veregorn corrected with a small, amused smile. “If you desire to travel with me, you will follow my rules. You never stop pointing out what a loyal servant to your king you are. It should prove no great difficulty to follow my orders then, since clearly I cannot count on you to use what little common sense you have.”
Luiyor's lips parted for a gasp of protest, but before he could make a sound, Veregorn gripped his chin, forcing Luiyor to meet his gaze.
“You talk and talk about how you are no lord anymore but a mere soldier of your king, how you are not prideful but humble enough to accept orders from a superior. Let me make this very clear then. If you travel with me, you accept me as your superior. I am your officer. My orders will be followed. Do you understand?”
Luiyor licked his lips nervously. A part of him hated Veregorn for the way he refused to acknowledge that in truth, they were equals, even though Veregorn had seen more battle. But another part of him quailed at the thought of continuing his lonely journey, with no company save memories of his prince to cling to. How long until he would see his prince again, or his home? Just how was he to single-handedly regain his House's lost honor when his prince had parted ways with him? Luiyor would have gladly given his own life to ensure his safety, but that choice had been taken from him.
Veregorn's company had been a relief. To lose it again, so soon—he hated the thought as much as he hated Veregorn's smug superiority in pointing out his faults. But there was no honor in denying one's faults, and Luiyor knew that he had no right to show pride, not when his own father had died as a coward. No, better to grind his teeth and accept the way Veregorn pointed out his faults. Humbleness and penitence for his mistake would see his House restored again one day, not pride.
"My life belongs to my king and my prince," he finally admitted. "But—I agree that you have greater knowledge journeying in these parts. I will also admit that you have greater experience in the slaying of orcs than our greatest warriors. I will follow, Veregorn. I will not question your orders again." As much as it grated, his pride was ill-placed here. And there was no dishonor for a soldier in following the commands of his superior. He had done well in his youth, after all. Veregorn would soon see his worth.
"Good." Veregorn finally released him with what seemed like a genuine, small smile. "I would not have enjoyed watching you walk off into the wild here. You would not have lived long. And there are too few of us, and too many orcs, to waste a life so needlessly."
Luiyor licked his lips and nodded, relieved to have returned to a normal conversation once more. He could deal with this.
Veregorn returned to his bedroll and sat down, then looked up at Luiyor, eyes calm. "Come here," he said, and watched as Luiyor obediently followed, this time without asking questions.
"How did your superiors in the Emerald Wood deal with recruits who failed to obey simple orders?"
Luiyor pressed his lips together. "More and harder work," he said, with a hint of reluctance in his voice. "Taking the watches in the middle of the night. A whipping if it was a truly severe case."
Veregorn smiled slightly. "I do not think we have harder work available than crossing these mountains already is. And I will not whip you. Not for a first offense, though it might make you remember your promise in the future. But we might have to move swiftly tonight. You would slow us down, were you wounded."
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More M/M Romance by Alanna Lynd:
His Alpha's Bite: An M/M Werewolf Romance
In 18th century France, werewolf Alard sees his heritage as a curse. He has sworn to protect society from the danger of werewolves - until he realizes that the chief of police he admires is also the infamous alpha werewolf Louvel, whom he has hunted for so long. When his overwhelming desire for his alpha interferes with the duty Alard has dedicated his entire life to, it is Louvel who has to teach Alard to trust his instincts. Can Alard overcome his fears and surrender himself to his alpha's passionate dominance which he can't help but crave with all his soul?
Angel Lust (Nephilim Slave #1): An M/M Mpreg Angel/Demon Fantasy Romance
When innocent, young Lerajie, the son of the Prince of the Nephilim, first meets a stranger in his father's forest, he immediately feels the power of the virile man's charisma. The stranger is no other than the angel Ariael, the Lion of God—and greatest enemy of Lerajie's father. Lerajie cannot resist the cruel man's seduction, who shows him ecstasy he has never known before. But Ariael claims more than just the young demon's virginity. Ariael claims his soul. Soon, Lerajie finds that not only has he surrendered to his father's greatest enemy, he now also bears his child and heir.
Angel Heat (Nephilim Slave #2): An M/M Mpreg Angel/Demon Fantasy Romance
After the revelation that innocent Lerajie, the son of the Prince of the Nephilim, is pregnant, he is cast out of his father's kingdom. There is only one place he can turn to: the realm of his father's greatest enemy, and home of Ariael, the charismatic, cruel angel who fathered his child. But in a realm of angels, a demon can be no more than a slave... Will Ariael believe that the young demon who casts himself at his feet in despair is truly carrying his child? And what place can Lerajie find for himself in this city of angels, where it seems like all he can be is a toy to be used for his powerful master's pleasure?
Diplomacy of the Sidhe: An M/M Fantasy Romance
Sanduril is forced to take beautiful, icy Kylorn with him when he rides out to hunt. Court politics of the Sidhe demands that they get to know each other better. But Sanduril can think of only one thing: to break the placid calm of Kylorn, and to set free the passion that he is certain must be hidden beneath Kylorn's iron will. When desire melts the ice between them, can there be a happy ending for two lords of the Sidhe, or will court politics lead to betrayal?
Disciplining his Elf-Lord: An M/M Fantasy Romance
Golden-haired Luiyor, an Elven warrior and former lord from the Emerald Wood, runs into trouble while travelling with the stern Elven warrior Veregorn. Their safety depends on Luiyor overcoming his pride and submitting to Veregorn's experience and his commands. When Luiyor's pride makes him endanger them both, Veregorn has no choice but to discipline him for his wilfulness.
