[Measure of Devotion 02.0] Measure of Strength
Page 27
“Do you need any help?” Kale stood in Jason’s doorway, watching him pack a valise.
“Sure. Are you ready to go?” Jason glanced over his shoulder and spotted the one bag. “That’s all you have?”
“Well, what else did you expect? I’m leaving all but a few of the books.” They had decided that Jason would send for most of his belongings after they were settled, and the rest of Kale’s books could wait until then.
“It’s just a small bag is all. I feel like I’m over-packing now.” Jason had his valise stuffed to the brim, and another suitcase leaned on the sofa.
“That’s because you are. You can’t take all that on horseback.” Jason was paranoid about taking the train over the border now that he didn’t have proof of ownership of Kale if something should happen. Kale knew it was paranoia—nothing would happen—but he shared enough of Jason’s nerves that he hadn’t protested when Jason insisted they take the train to a border town and then cross on horseback.
“Good point. I can leave the suitcase then. I’ll just take the valise. All I need are clothes, toiletries, and my documents, right?”
“And this.” Kale reached over Jason for the tin of grease on the nightstand and handed it to him.
Jason blushed as Kale knew he would. “Thanks.” He packed it away and closed up the valise. “I guess we’re ready.”
They had said their goodbyes to Sophie and Martin the night before. There had been too many tears for Kale’s comfort, so it was decided that Sophie and Martin would be out when they left. Kale was glad. He found it difficult just making his way downstairs and to the front door for the last time.
When the door closed behind him, he turned to take one last look at the townhouse. This was where he had been reunited with Jason, where he had healed, where he had learned to be free.
“You ready?” Jason laid a hand on his shoulder. Kale could see that he didn’t want to rush him, but they needed to catch their train. Besides, the future waited for them, and this was their past.
“Yeah, I’m ready.” The smile that greeted his answer made Kale think for the hundredth time that day that he was the luckiest man alive.
Jason hailed a cab. When it stopped, the cabbie jumped down and put their bags in the luggage compartment. “We’re headed for the train station,” Jason directed.
“Yes, sir.”
Jason didn’t wait for the cabbie to open the door. He did it himself and climbed in. The sight of that open door waiting for Kale stirred a fresh batch of nerves, and his right hand reached automatically for its familiar place on his pant leg. He caught himself. Instead, he reached into his pocket. It was time to end the nervous tic.
He looked down at the lock of hair as it emerged in his hand. He had put it in his pocket out of force of habit that morning. Closing his eyes, he still remembered the night he had clipped it. He could never have imagined then that he would be standing here, under these circumstances. Freedom hadn’t even been within his realm of imagination. There was no way a slave could ever be this happy. But he wasn’t a slave anymore. He was free. He had traveled so far from that sad night.
Opening his eyes, he saw that Jason watched him from the carriage. Their eyes met, and Kale knew that they never needed to be apart again. With one last glance at the lock of hair, he untied the string that bound it and released it. The breeze played with the hairs as it blew them down the street. Kale watched their journey for a few seconds before he climbed into the cab beside Jason.
“Why’d you do that?” Jason held his hand.
Kale thought a moment. “I don’t need it anymore. That lock of hair was about hope and a dream. Now I have the real thing, and I’m never letting it go again.”
Jason blushed, and Kale wondered how many times a day he could get Jason to do that. It would be fun to find out. He let himself submerge in the happiness he felt and surrendered to a grin that made his cheeks ache. He signaled the cabbie, and the carriage lurched forward. They had a train to catch.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Jason barely noticed the heat of the sun that bore down on them. The only indication of it was the annoying sweat dripping into his eyes. They were almost there.
The train ride had been pleasant enough, but he and Kale hadn’t talked much. It was too big of an occasion, too much loomed in the future, and there was still the fear that something could go wrong. Those fears wouldn’t be settled until they were safely across the border.
“There it is.”
Jason looked to where Kale pointed. In the distance, there was a splash of blue in the sea of green. The river. All they had to do was cross it, and they would be in Naiara. Kale would truly and forever be free. On the other side of that river was a new start for both of them. Without meaning to, he broke his horse into a gallop. Naiara was calling to him with her promise of a future for him and Kale together.
When he pulled his horse up at the bank of the river, Kale was right beside him. “Do you think this is a good place to cross?” Jason deferred to Kale. Nothing but his concern for safety could have stopped him from plunging ahead.
“Yes, it’ll do. Just take it slow. Trust your horse. She knows what she’s doing.”
Jason nodded and nudged his mare into the water. He was surprised at how calm Kale appeared. Of course, he rarely got ruffled. Ever since he had recovered from his experiences at the labor firm, he had gone back to his calm self. Recovered might be too strong a term. There were still nightmares Kale denied remembering and the occasional irrational flash of fear, but those were lessening.
They surpassed the halfway point, and Kale bolted ahead. The look on his face was wild. By the time Jason’s horse was out of the river, Kale was jumping off his. He ran forward a few steps and then stopped, arms outstretched, breathing deeply. Jason tied the reins of both horses to a tree branch and went to stand next to Kale.
“I’m a free man. This is what it feels like to be free.” Kale’s voice was rich and solid. It was the voice Jason had fallen in love with. Except, instead of the undercurrent of tension that had been omnipresent since Kale had returned to him, there was joy. Pure joy. Jason had never heard that before, and he was immediately addicted to the sound.
Jason couldn’t say a thing. All he could do was take in the scene before him. There was nothing more beautiful than the sight of Kale happy.
Suddenly, Kale turned to him and lifted him up in a crushing hug. Jason was aware of the world spinning as Kale’s lips connected with his. It was the most joyful kiss he had ever experienced. The feel of Kale’s tongue, confidently exploring his mouth like he was meant to be there, stamped out the remaining fears Jason harbored about the possibility of Kale’s affections drifting.
Jason felt Kale’s lips flatten into a smile against his and then slowly succumb to laughter. Jason joined him, and Kale stopped spinning. They stood entwined, laughing and drinking up the cheer between them. Jason thought it wasn’t possible to be happier than he was at that moment. He was wrong.
“I love you, Jason.”
Jason sobered. Was it possible? To hear that sweet voice say his name sent Jason to levels of elation he had never before known. He had given up on ever hearing his name on Kale’s lips. He figured if he was going to say it, he would have already, after Jason had given him his title. To hear him say it now, though, Jason understood. Kale had needed to wait until he was truly a free man. It was worth the wait.
“I love you, too, Kale.”
Kale caressed his face and then kissed him again. “Jason. Gods, it feels so good on my lips. Jason, thank you.”
“My pleasure.” They stood in silence for a moment. Then Jason said all he could think to say. “Where to?” Jason stepped back so Kale was free to move. He watched Kale’s back as he surveyed the horizon. Appearing to come to a decision, Kale took the reins and began to walk his horse away from the river. Jason marveled at his confidence. He remembered years ago watching Kale sleep in a carriage on the way to his father’s house and thinking
about what kind of man Kale would be if he were free. He had imagined him as a leader of men, confident and sure. Before him stood that man, and he was in awe of him.
They would have to go to Calea soon to get everything squared away with Kale’s citizenship, but they didn’t have to stay there. They could take their time and explore, see where life took them. Jason was no fool. He suspected they would have problems along the way. Kale was bound to have some issues adjusting. But they would tackle them one at a time. And if the time ever came when Kale didn’t want him anymore, he would deal with it then. For now, he was grateful for the privilege of spending his life with this man.
Jason was so caught up in his thoughts that he just stood holding his horse’s reins, not even following Kale. The figure walking away stopped and came back to him, holding out his hand. Jason looked into Kale’s face, so sure and steady, and took his hand. Together they walked forward into their new life. No matter what lay ahead, right now Jason had everything he had ever wanted.
* * *
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Also by Caethes Faron
Current list of books:
Caethes Faron
Measure of Devotion series:
Measure of Devotion
Measure of Strength
Measure of Peace
In Distress series:
In Distress
In Pain
In Justice
Haunting Echoes series:
Fates Entwined
Haunting Echoes
Immortal Echoes
About the Author
Caethes's writing is influenced by her observations of this imperfect world and the flawed characters who inhabit it. She's lived in seven states and is always looking for the next place to call home with her husband and dogs. She currently resides in Florida.
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Copyright © 2012 by Caethes Faron
Cover by StreetLightGraphics.com
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Contents
About Measure of Strength
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Also by Caethes Faron
About the Author
Copyright