The Bastard’s Pearl

by Connie Bailey

  “I can see that.” Kashyan took a drink and set his cup down. “By law, you belong to me, which makes you a slave. Slaves cannot carry weapons.”

  “Your law,” Sheyn retorted. “Not mine. I refuse to—” His words broke off as he remembered what Kholya had said to him earlier that day. The full reality of his situation hit him again. He couldn’t send for his parents, or Aeriq, or an agent of Eastern Coach to come and fetch him. And worse, he had no one but himself to blame for his plight.

  Sheyn felt a pang of despair, but instead of fighting it, he let it bloom and fade. When it had passed, he replaced it with renewed resolve. If this was to be his home, he would have to shape it to his liking or let it shape him.

  “Pearl?” Kashyan said softly so as not to startle Sheyn. The look in Sheyn’s dark eyes was enough to spook the battle-hardened warrior.

  “I’m sorry,” Sheyn said as he focused on Kashyan. “Did you ask me something?”

  “Do you know what maddens me? It maddens me that you affect me. I can’t put you out of my mind, no matter how hard I try. You confuse my head, and my body aches for you. If you’re out of my sight, I can barely stand it.”

  “I don’t think that’s my fault.”

  “Why couldn’t you be an ordinary daaksi like Luks? If you were biddable and waited on my pleasure, I could dismiss you, but you put yourself forward at every turn, and you’re smart, so smart you frighten me sometimes. You’re brave as well and unlike anyone I’ve known.”

  “That’s….” Sheyn swallowed. “That’s the most wonderful thing anyone has ever told me.”

  Kashyan widened his eyes at this unexpected response. “I’ll never understand you.”

  “Even so, will you take pleasure with me?”

  Kashyan grinned and lunged over the tray to pounce on Sheyn. “To your heart’s content,” he growled as he crouched over Sheyn.

  Sheyn looked up into Kashyan’s eyes. “You’ve been very good to me, by your lights,” he said.

  “I thought we were done with words.”

  “Then you don’t know me well enough yet.” Sheyn smiled. “Now listen, because I’m trying to thank you.”

  Kashyan let some of his weight rest on Sheyn. “I can think of a way you can thank me.”

  “Easy,” Sheyn said softly. “This isn’t a race.” He reached up to stroke Kashyan’s shaggy hair. “Thank you for being patient with me. I know by your law you can do whatever you like with me, but you endured my insults and outrageous behavior. Never mind that I think your laws and customs are backward and barbaric. You could have had me in chains, or even chopped my head off, but you chose to bear it… for the most part. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “Probably better than you think.” Kashyan rolled his hips, rubbing his hardness against Sheyn’s crotch. “If it makes a difference to you, I don’t think of you as a slave.”

  Sheyn blinked back the tears that filled his eyes. He wanted to be annoyed that the barbarian’s opinion meant so much to him, but his heart didn’t have room for petty emotions right now. He put a hand around the back of Kashyan’s neck and pulled him down into a kiss. He molded his lips to Kashyan’s and did his best to convey the passion he was feeling.

  “No one has ever stirred me the way you do,” Sheyn said breathlessly when the kiss ended.

  Kashyan knelt between Sheyn’s thighs and pushed Sheyn’s legs apart. He was surprised when Sheyn sat up and knocked him over. He was even more surprised when Sheyn removed his belt and his leather kilt. Kashyan collapsed onto his elbows with a long groan of pleasure when Sheyn grasped his jaavi.

  Sheyn gazed on Kashyan’s face, noting the changes of expression as he moved his hand on Kashyan’s reyl and gaerys. Gathering his nerve, he did as Luks had shown him and lowered his head to kiss the tip of the shaft. Encouraged by Kashyan’s response, he enveloped the head in his mouth and tongued it thoroughly, before taking it deeper. Luks had warned Sheyn, so Sheyn wasn’t surprised when hot liquid splashed the back of his throat. He swallowed quickly, as Luks had advised, and was gratified by Kashyan’s unreserved reaction.

  Kashyan wrapped a strand of Sheyn’s hair around his finger and drew Sheyn up to crouch over him. He pulled Sheyn’s head down for a kiss that went on for several heartbeats.

  “Witch,” Kashyan said, his lips moving against Sheyn’s.

  Sheyn smiled. “That’s Luks’s delusion, not mine.”

  “If you aren’t casting a spell on me, how is it I’m still hard?”

  Sheyn flexed his thigh muscles and dragged his hard length over Kashyan’s. Kashyan clamped an arm around Sheyn’s lower back and took hold of his jaavi with the other hand.

  “Wait,” Sheyn said as Kashyan tried blindly to enter him.

  “For what?” Kashyan frowned in puzzlement. “Don’t you want to?”

  “In time.” Sheyn smiled. “First let’s talk about my horse.”

  Kashyan laughed and rolled Sheyn over. “A sword. A horse. What else do you want, Pearl?”

  “I want to be loved.”

  Such sweet yearning was in Sheyn’s gaze that Kashyan nearly confessed his love. But the bitterness in him whispered that deception was part of a daaksi’s nature and pretending to be in love was what they did best.

  “You’re mine.” Kashyan contented himself with these words as he claimed Sheyn’s mouth again. Rolling onto his side, he pinned Sheyn’s thigh with his knee and rested a hand on Sheyn’s chest. As he thrust his tongue into Sheyn’s mouth, he ran his hand slowly down Sheyn’s body, wrapped his fingers around Sheyn’s arousal, and stroked it firmly.

  Sheyn wanted to ask Kashyan to stop, to slow down, to make this wonderful feeling last just a little longer, but it felt so good that he didn’t really want it to stop. And then the escalating feelings of pleasure peaked, and he exploded, thrusting into Kashyan’s fist as he came in several strong spurts.

  “So beautiful,” Kashyan said as he reached up to trace the line of Sheyn’s cheek.

  Sheyn was filled with a sweet languor that made him disinclined to move or speak. He sank into the pillows, his eyelids drooping and his limbs sprawled wide. Supremely relaxed, he looked up at Kashyan from under his lashes and gave him a drowsy smile.

  “You shall have your sword,” Kashyan murmured as he seated the tip of his rod against Sheyn’s dimpled port. “And a horse, even if I have to go raiding for it.” He leaned forward and breached the ring of muscle that guarded Sheyn’s passage. “For good or ill, you also have my love, if a fool’s love is what you want.”

  Sheyn moaned as Kashyan forged ahead, finding the act much more pleasurable since Luks had shown him how to prepare himself. Being oiled and stretched beforehand spared Sheyn the uncomfortable part of being topped and allowed him to enjoy the action from the beginning. He found he enjoyed being taken, as Luks termed it, and his reyl got hard again as Kashyan inched forward.

  “That’s all of me,” Kashyan said. “I’ll give you a moment to catch your—”

  “Move, Bastard!” Sheyn commanded, smacking his palm against the floor. “Let me feel you moving in me.”

  Kashyan obliged, thrusting in long, firm strokes, pulling back to the brink before plunging back in. Cradling Sheyn’s hard shaft in one hand, Kashyan cupped his other hand under Sheyn’s ass and lifted it off the cushion. Rolling his hips and flexing his thighs like a long-distance rider, Kashyan advanced and withdrew to a sweet and steady rhythm.

  Sheyn moaned with pleasure each time the head of Kashyan’s cock rubbed against the front of his passage while Kashyan pumped his arousal. Getting the soles of his feet against the floor, Sheyn gave Kashyan something solid to push against as he tilted his pelvis to a better angle. It seemed impossible that the feelings of pleasure could increase, but they became more intense each time he found joy with the barbarian prince. The more he learned about Kashyan, the more he liked him, and the feelings grew ever stronger.

  “G-great Leynys,” Sheyn stammered. “I didn’t know I could feel this good.�
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  Kashyan’s eyes glowed with pride. “I’m going to make you feel even better,” he said. Doubling his speed, he shuttled his hand up and down Sheyn’s hard length while slowing his hips until just the tip of his jaavi was moving in and out.

  Sheyn’s breath came short and fast as he yearned for release. He thrust in an attempt to take in more of Kashyan’s cock, but Kashyan pulled back and shifted positions. Lifting Sheyn’s calves to his shoulders, Kashyan took hold of Sheyn’s rod again.

  “Come ride with me,” Kashyan said as he stroked Sheyn. A needy little whimper escaped Sheyn’s lips, and Kashyan resumed thrusting.

  “Thank you!” Sheyn said breathlessly and then lost himself in the waves of pleasure that crashed through him each time Kashyan thrust. Caught up in all-consuming bliss, he could almost believe Luks’s babble about mystical power. He couldn’t deny the connection he felt with Kashyan as they moved together toward the same goal. He could feel Kashyan’s excitement climbing higher and higher, matching his own eagerness to reach the summit. Giving his instincts free rein, Sheyn reached another level in which he felt joined to Kashyan in body and spirit, sharing his feelings, his thoughts, and his memories. The communion grew almost too intense to bear, and then Sheyn crested in an explosion of pleasure that overwhelmed him and spilled over into the link. Sheyn felt Kashyan climax a moment later, and Kashyan’s joy crashed into him like a wave on the shore. He felt drained and yet full of fire. He couldn’t move, but if Kashyan asked, he’d stretch out his hand and pluck a star for him. He could do anything, but all he wanted to do was float in this timeless limbo of contentment.

  Kashyan shifted, and Sheyn made a wordless sound of displeasure. “I’m sorry,” Kashyan said. “I don’t want to crush you.”

  Sheyn wrapped his arms and legs around Kashyan and burrowed his face into the crook of Kashyan’s neck. As slowly as ice melting, Kashyan disengaged by tiny increments, placating Sheyn with little pats and strokes when he fidgeted. At last, Kashyan was able to roll onto his back and relax. He gathered Sheyn into his arms and held him close until morning came and a loud bang woke them.

  “What is that noise?” Sheyn mumbled.

  “There’s someone at the door,” Kashyan said.

  “Kill them for me.” Sheyn nestled into the cushions and went back to sleep.

  Kashyan stepped naked into the hall to speak with Kholya’s messenger. After a few words, he sent the man away and went in to get dressed. As he threw his cloak over his shoulders, he felt the unfamiliar weight in the left-hand pouch, and he glanced at Sheyn. The gift would have to wait until later. The Savaanim had visitors.

  Chapter 19

  “WHAT TOOK him so long?” Kashyan said as he and Kholya gazed down on the camp of the Sumadinim just beyond the tree belt.

  “Ognyan must have been delayed trying to get his queen with child,” Kholya answered.

  Kashyan spared a thought for the woman who’d been passed to the man who’d claimed her husband’s throne before it grew cold. He supposed, if she became pregnant, she would fear for the life of her son with the former king. A short time ago, her plight wouldn’t have entered his mind. It would have been simply the natural consequence, but now Kashyan felt pity for the bereaved Sumadi queen. And he felt guilty for killing her husband.

  “Save that scowl for Ognyan,” Kholya said. “What is in your thoughts?”

  “I had to kill Yevdjen.”

  “I know. I’m still not happy you killed him, but I know your honor demanded it.”

  “I did it for our mother.” Kashyan shook his head. “Now I’m not sure it’s what she would have wanted.”

  “It’s done, little brother. Don’t get into a brood.” Kholya slapped Kashyan on the shoulder. “Go back to your daaksi. He always manages to get your blood up.”

  “It’s only one of his many virtues.”

  “Can this be the same man who swore he’d never succumb to daaksim charms?”

  Kashyan grinned. “I’m still a little upset that I’m no stronger than any other man when it comes to resisting a daaksi’s wiles, but I’ll not struggle against it. Because you’re right. Pearl suits me.” He reached under his cloak. “What do you think of this?” he asked as he held out his hand.

  Kholya picked up the old-fashioned hair clasp and held it to the torchlight. It was a simple design of a silver crescent that wrapped around the hair and was secured with a separate wooden pin thrust through it. The pin was ornamented with silver filigree, and a large pearl hung from the knobbed head. “It’s beautiful,” Kholya said. “Pearl will like it.”

  “What a relief.” Kashyan put the clasp away. “Now let’s talk about the lesser problem. What do you want to do about Ognyan?”

  “Frankly, I never thought he’d bother seeking vengeance since you gave him what he wanted when you killed Yevdjen.”

  “Or maybe he just took advantage of the situation to claim the crown.”

  Kholya shook his head. “Ognyan’s seizing of power was quick and smooth, as though it had been planned for years, which I believe it was.”

  “Then why do you think Ognyan came all this way with an army?”

  “I’m sure he’ll tell us when he’s ready.”

  “Did you really call me up here just to look at some Sumadinim scurrying around like ants?”

  “I have a decision to make and I’d like to hear what you think.”

  “I’m not known for my wisdom.”

  “I wanted you to see how far away the Sumadinim are before I asked my question.” Kholya crossed his arms over his chest as he gazed out over the evergreen forest. “Do we go, or do we stand and fight?”

  “I assume you’re talking about organizing the men to slip away in groups over the back of the mountain to meet up with the wagons on the border of Savaan. That would be very risky and the last few might be trapped here. On the other hand, I hate a siege.” Kashyan paused. “I could join the Black Hawks at the cavalry camp, and we could raid the Sumadi army in surprise strikes. We know this ground. It’ll be child’s play to attack them and get away.”

  “I like the idea. It’ll keep you from being penned up here where you’ll be a bigger danger than the army outside.”

  “Make fun of me. I’m used to it.”

  “That reminds me… what will you do with Pearl while you’re off raiding?”

  “Raas blast it!” Kashyan smacked his palm against the parapet wall. “I have no choice. He goes with me.”

  “If you’re taking Pearl with you, promise me one thing.” Kholya smiled. “Save a few Sumadinim for the rest of us.”

  “I’ll see that he spares a few.”

  “Do I have your answer?”

  Kashyan nodded.

  “Then we’re in agreement. I’d rather fight in the open, but there’s a chance this won’t turn into a siege. I think with enough men outside the gates, we can hammer Ognyan like iron on an anvil.” Kholya smiled again. “And besides, I just got comfortable here.”

  “I’m going to get Pearl and leave as soon as I can.”

  Kholya gave Kashyan a hug and let him go. Kashyan left, giving orders to a sergeant to have his gear packed and his horse saddled. After a moment’s thought, he requested a second mount and went to find Sheyn.

  “My lord!” Luks exclaimed when Kashyan strode into the antechamber.

  “Where’s Pearl?”

  “We just returned from the bath.” Luks nodded toward the next room.

  “Who are you talking to?” Sheyn asked as he appeared in the doorway. His gaze went to Kashyan, and he smiled. “Back so soon? People will gossip.”

  “You’re coming with me for a few days,” Kashyan said. “Wear clothing suitable for riding.” He glanced at Luks. “Don’t let Pearl dawdle. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Luks stared at the door that closed behind Kashyan. “Great Goddess!”

  “Was he serious?” Sheyn asked as he drew a comb through his hair.

  “Let’s act like he was.” Luks gave
Sheyn a shove back into the other room. “Find your outdoor boots. You can wear those leather leggings, and I’ll see if I can find….” He began sorting through the chest of clothing Sheyn had collected.

  When Kashyan returned, Sheyn was dressed in a singlet of knitted silk under a thigh-length tunic of thick wool over leather leggings and knee boots. Kashyan approved but took the fur cloak away from him.

  “Wear this,” Kashyan said, handing Sheyn a weatherproof cavalry cloak. “And this.” He held out a sword belt with a slender, curved scabbard.

  Sheyn closed his fingers around the wire-wrapped pommel as though shaking hands with an old friend. He drew the blade smoothly from the sheath and held it at arm’s length as he ran his gaze down the gleaming length of metal. The saber was light, well-balanced, and without blemish. Sheyn flexed his wrist, and the sword did his bidding almost effortlessly. “I like it,” he said.

  “It was made for Kholya when he was sixteen, but he grew so much that year that he switched to the broadsword. It’s a tradition in my family.” Kashyan took the hair clasp from his pocket. “I’m spoiling you, but I see no reason you shouldn’t have this now.”

  “It’s beautiful!” Sheyn took the clasp and went to admire it in the mirror.

  Kashyan turned to Luks. “You did a good job.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  “My brother tells me you treat him well.”

  “I do my best.”

  “My thanks.” Kashyan raised his voice. “Pearl! No time for primping.”

  Luks handed Sheyn a leather pouch with a few items Luks deemed essential, among them a hair comb and a bottle of oil. “Take care,” Luks said.

  “You can be sure of it,” Sheyn said. “Don’t cause trouble while I’m gone.”

  Luks pretended to be offended and turned to Kashyan. “Take care of him, my lord.”

  “I intend to. That’s why he’s going with me.” Kashyan chucked Luks under the chin. “Just take care of Kholya, and Pearl will be back soon.”