by Lynn Lorenz
The young boy nodded, scrunched his face as he thought, then trotted down the wide aisle of the stables toward the rear. The building stretched deep into the keep, but most of the animals here belonged to others. “My master brought six animals for you to pick from, my lord.”
At the end, he took a lantern down from a peg and motioned for them. They followed him. He opened the gate, and they stepped out of the barn into a holding pen, his light illuminating the half-asleep animals that huddled against the railing.
“These are the ones. All well-trained to the wagon and as steeds for the soldiers.”
Peter looked them over with the gaze of a man who’d looked at horseflesh many times and could judge it well.
“What do you think? See any you fancy?”
Caelin walked deeper into the pen, bringing the boy and lantern with him. “What do you think, my lord? This one?” He pointed to a pleasant-looking mare with white socks.
“She’ll do.” Peter nodded.
“She’s a good horse, she is,” added the boy as he approached the animal, took her by the halter, and led her back to the gate. They went inside the barn, and he clipped a leather lead to her halter, then returned to them.
“What about that one, my lord?” The boy pointed to a large gelding, black with a long white blaze.
“He’ll do,” Peter declared.
Caelin’s eyes widened. He’d never had such a fine horse, not even at his father’s keep. There he’d ride whatever animal had been available, unlike his father and older brother, who had their own fine mounts.
“He will indeed. He’s far too fine an animal for the likes of me.” Caelin shook his head, but felt so happy he couldn’t keep the smile from his face.
“Have their tack loaded on the wagon, boy, and have them harnessed at first light.” With a wave of his hand, Peter turned and headed to the front of the barn, with Caelin on his heels.
A quick glance back at the groom leading the black inside the barn, and Caelin couldn’t have been happier.
»»•««
Peter, carrying a bundle of Caelin’s new clothing, accompanied Caelin back to his room in hopes of being invited inside. His pet, also carrying his own load and wearing his new sword, had brushed against him several times as they climbed the stairs to the upper floor. And now, from the pointed glances Caelin cast his way, it seemed as if his pet had the same hopes also.
Caelin opened his door and stepped to the side as Peter entered. “Welcome, my lord.”
Peter strode over to the bed and dropped the clothes on it, then went to the chair by the hearth and sat, his gaze on his pet. What delights would Caelin grace him with?
Caelin shut the door, placed his bundle next to Peter’s, and then removed his belt and sword, hooking it over a peg on the wall. He spun around and faced Peter.
“What is going on, Peter?” Anger suffused his face, turning his eyes dark and his mouth into a hard, straight line.
Peter shifted and ran his hand over his thigh. “What mean you, pet?” Peter’s hopes of spending the better part of the night with Caelin evaporated like drops of water in a fire.
“Don’t ‘pet’ me, my lord.” Caelin advanced and stopped a few feet from Peter. This was a side of Caelin he’d never seen before, but then, he’d never riled the younger man, and he thought it looked well on him.
With a quick flick of his gaze down to his boots, then up to Caelin’s face, Peter shrugged. “What do you want to know?”
“All that equipment.” Caelin pointed in the direction of the bailey. “That can’t be for just you and me.”
Peter rubbed his jaw. The time had come to tell Caelin of the others.
“We won’t be the only ones there.”
Caelin’s eyes widened. “There are other men? Soldiers?”
“Two men, to be exact.”
“Two?” Caelin paced to the bed and halted with his back to Peter. “Then we won’t be alone. We won’t be able to indulge…” He let his words trail off.
“That is not entirely true.” Peter leaned forward, hands clasped between his legs. “At Marden Lodge, there is a caretaker, a young man the duke placed in that position years ago. His name is Arvel. He will continue on as caretaker.”
Caelin nodded.
“The outposts are tended by three men. I will be captain at the lodge.”
“And with me, that makes two. Who is the third, if not this caretaker?”
“Gareth.” Peter sighed. “His name is Gareth. He’s a former mercenary, and Logan has given me the power to take his oath to Marden when we arrive.”
Caelin’s mind seemed to work this over. Then he looked back at Peter. “This lodge, is it large? Where will we all sleep? I saw the framework and mattress for a bed in the back of the wagon.”
“There is only one large room.” Peter cleared his throat. “And only one bed.”
Caelin’s brows furrowed. “One bed? Then where did you sleep?”
Ah, here it was, the moment that would tell all. “We all shared the bed.” He looked hard into Caelin’s eyes, seeking some sign from him.
The younger man paused, mouth open as if to speak, then he closed it, walked to his bed, and sat. He licked his lips, then glanced up into Peter’s face. “Is that all you shared?”
Peter couldn’t tell if excitement or anger glittered in Caelin’s eyes, but at this point it didn’t matter. What was said was said.
“When I first arrived, Arvel was there alone. He offered himself to me, and I took him.”
Caelin’s fingers twisted in the quilts on the bed. “Do you love him?” he whispered. His temerity had returned, and Peter ached to have the new, confident Caelin back.
“No, pet. I don’t love him. But I do care for him deeply. He is a very special person, as you will soon learn.”
Caelin nodded.
Peter continued his story. “Shortly, Gareth returned to the lodge, and I discovered that he and Arvel were lovers also.” He waited to see Caelin’s reaction.
“Did he find out about you and Arvel? Did you fight over him?” Caelin sat up, biting his bottom lip in worry.
“He did find out. And he accepted it.” There, he’d laid it out for Caelin to see.
His pet’s eyes widened. “So you and Arvel continued as lovers? And Gareth and Arvel?” He stood and went to Peter. “Peter, did you and Gareth share Arvel? Together? At the same time?”
Peter pushed out of his chair. Caelin seemed to quiver as tiny tremors shook his hands. His breathing deepened and his lips parted. Even his cheeks flushed. If Peter didn’t know better, he’d have sworn Caelin had become aroused by this news.
“We did.”
Caelin put his hands on Peter’s chest and leaned forward. “And did you and Gareth?” His eyebrow cocked upward.
“Aye.” Peter exhaled. “We have all been lovers, the three of us, together and separately.”
Caelin swayed, and Peter caught him by the arms. “Does that shock you, pet?” Peter pulled Caelin to him and whispered into his hair. “Or does that excite you?”
Caelin wrapped his arms around Peter’s neck and he pressed himself into Peter’s body. A hard, thick rod pushed against Peter’s hip gave him the answer.
“And, my pet, will you share yourself with us?”
Caelin moaned. “Aye, if it is your wish for me to do so.”
“I could command you, pet, but I don’t want you to do anything against your will.”
“I have to confess something.” Caelin pulled away and leaned back to look into Peter’s face.
“Confess what?”
“The real reason the abbot put me out of the order.”
“I assumed you’d been involved with one of the clerics.”
“It wasn’t one. There were two men. Both wanted me. I wanted both of them. They demanded I choose between them, and I refused.” Caelin’s eyes gleamed.
“Oh.” Peter smiled and ran his hand over the scarred cheek of his lover. “Does that mean you are amiabl
e to our situation?”
“I think you will find me more than amiable.” Caelin rose up on his toes to kiss Peter, just brushing his lips in a light tease.
Peter jerked him hard against his chest. “Caelin, you imp. You delightful, delicious, devilish imp. I’ll wager those men didn’t know how good their situation was, did they?”
“Nay, they were fools.” Caelin laughed and pressed his mouth to Peter’s neck and licked him. Peter moaned, grabbed Caelin’s ass, and thrust against him.
“I am no such fool, pet. And neither is Gareth nor Arvel.”
Caelin gasped. “Peter?”
“Aye.” Peter nuzzled his throat.
“Will I still be your pet?” Peter looked down into Caelin’s worried eyes, and the urge to sweep him up in his arms, to cover his face in kisses, to make Caelin understand how much he wanted him, filled Peter until he almost burst.
He took Caelin’s head in his hands and rested his forehead against Caelin’s. “Oh aye. Just as Gareth is Arvel’s first and dearest love, you shall be mine. If that’s what you wish.”
Peter’s lover melted against him, pulling him down to the bed. He wrapped his arms around Peter’s back, his legs around Peter’s waist, and with a few quick thrusts encouraged Peter to take him.
“I wish. No matter with whom I share my body, you are my first and best love.”
Peter sighed as he looked down into Caelin’s eyes. “Caelin, my pet.”
He rolled over, bringing Caelin on top of him. Laughing, the younger man scrambled off, removed the clothing they’d placed there as fast as possible, then attacked Peter and stripped him bare. At last, Peter lay on the bed, naked, his manhood at full length, its thick head dripping, for Caelin’s pleasure.
Caelin undressed and climbed up to sit next to Peter. “So the new bed, is that for you and me?”
“Aye. We will not all four fit in one bed.” Peter laughed. “I think both Gareth and I would prefer to share our nights’ sleep with our own lovers.”
“Good.” Caelin nodded. “I will spend every night in your bed and wake each morn in your arms.”
“Except when either you or I are on patrol. Don’t forget we have an outpost to run. This will not be all pleasure and games, pet.”
“I understand. We must earn our wages.” He nodded. “But when we’re not on duty?” That devilish gleam sparkled in Caelin’s eyes, and Peter’s cock ached from it.
“Then what we do with each other and to each other is our own business.”
“Well, then, my lord, let us get down to business.” Caelin’s grin left Peter with no doubts as to what the younger man planned.
“I’m ready.” Peter took his cock in hand and gave it a stroke. “Are you?”
“More than ready.” Caelin took over the stroke, and Peter let go, watching as his pet pumped his hand up and down over Peter’s hard rod.
Caelin, on his knees, spread his legs wide. His heavy sac hung almost to the bed, and his cock stood up to his belly. With one hand he stroked Peter and with the other he reached down and fondled his stones, moaning as he did.
It excited Peter, and he could contain his desire no longer. “Turn around.”
Caelin let go of Peter’s hot flesh, spun on his knees, and bent over, displaying himself for his lover. He reached behind, took a cheek in each hand, and spread himself open for Peter’s gaze.
“Fuck, Caelin.” Peter groaned. His rod leaked like a sieve, so ready it was to sink home into a tight tunnel.
Peter rose to his knees, held his staff ready, and spit into his hand, smearing it over the fat head. Then he spit on Caelin’s hole and spread it around with his fingers. “At the lodge, Gareth keeps oil for this, pet.”
“Oil is best. Makes the entry easier and the fucking most satisfying.”
“Does this hurt? Like this?” Peter didn’t want to cause Caelin any harm.
“Nay. I’m used to it.” He shrugged. “Most men don’t care enough to ask, my lord.”
Peter cringed at the thought that his lover had been treated poorly by the men who’d taken him before. “I promise you neither I nor Gareth is such a selfish lover. We would want only your pleasure.” He ran his hand over Caelin’s back to soothe him.
“Well, if it’s pleasure you wish to give, then let your staff find its home in me.” Caelin pushed back, urging Peter to claim him.
Peter gave up all thoughts of more than being inside his lover and thrust in, pushing until he had seated himself deep inside Caelin’s tunnel.
God, it was hot and tight and slick. Peter marveled at how he craved this joining with another man. Had he had this urge all along? Had Drake’s harsh looks and muscled body awakened these thoughts, these desires?
If they had, then he’d found everything he’d dreamed of in Caelin. And in Gareth and Arvel, his lovers also.
How had he moved from a man with a wife, living a normal life as a soldier, to this? To having not just one man as a lover but contemplating having three male lovers?
He could call it many things. Depravity would be one, but to Peter that had never been what had taken him over. There had been only emotion, love, feeling connected to his lovers, from Logan and Drake to Arvel, Gareth, and now, sweetest of all, Caelin.
He closed his eyes and thrust, loving the way it felt to slide in and out of Caelin, how his lover’s sighs and purrs and moans made him even harder, how the air changed, became scented with their sweat and their drippings.
Peter’s stones gathered close, and his groin caught fire. Beneath him, Caelin’s harsh panting, the sweat on his tensed back, his muscled arms holding him up against the furor of Peter’s fucking, all drove Peter to the very edge of a chasm.
Caelin cried out, and his release rippled around Peter’s cock. “So sweet,” he whispered, and his own exploded from him, filling his lover to overflowing.
Caelin collapsed, and Peter fell to the side, pulling his shrinking member from its home with a sigh of regret.
“I can’t stay.” Peter ran his hand over Caelin’s shoulder, then kissed the smooth flesh.
“I know.” Caelin rolled over to face him.
Peter stroked his knuckles down the three scars. “If I ever meet your father, I’m going to pay him back for what he did to you.”
Caelin placed his hand over Peter’s and pressed it to his face. “Forget him. It’s done and over. Besides, as a soldier, I think it makes me look dangerous.” He winked.
“I think it makes you look…well, I get hard each time I gaze on them.”
His lover laughed. “You do? How odd.”
“Not really. Don’t you find that great scar on Drake’s face arousing?”
Caelin smiled. “I didn’t know you noticed Lord Drake. Logan is by far the more handsome of the two.”
“Indeed he is, but for me, it’s Drake’s looks. His scar, his body.” Peter shrugged. “Who can explain what draws one man to another? Or how one heart yearns for another?”
“Does your heart yearn for me?” Caelin gave him a shy smile.
“Oh Caelin. My heart has yearned for you for so long.” He rubbed his forehead against his lover’s. “And now it’s at peace.”
“Was it not at peace at the lodge?”
Peter sighed. “Not completely. There I began to heal from my loss, but here, now with you, I feel whole again. Complete.”
“I never thought I’d find a man who’d give me what I needed. Strength, control, and freedom.”
Peter sat up, kissed his lover’s upturned lips, and dressed. “I’ll be at your door at first light. Be packed and ready. We leave then.”
Caelin lay back and wrapped his body in the quilt. Peter took one last gaze at him, hair rumpled, lips red and kiss swollen, and thought he’d never seen anything or anyone more beautiful.
“In the morn.” Peter slipped out the door and closed it behind him.
Chapter Thirty
Peter rode ahead of the wagon as they passed through the little village near the lodge. Cael
in sat on the bench, holding the reins of the team, taking in everything around him. Not too small, the village teemed with life, people coming and going in and out of shops, buying and selling, just living their lives.
They had both dressed that morning in their Marden liveries. Caelin thought Peter looked quite dashing in his blue tabard, sword at his side, and shining black leather boots. He glanced down to his own new boots. They were a little large for his feet, but he’d worn a second pair of woolen socks and made do. And the deep blue, the duke of Marden’s color, looked well on him.
The pennant that flew from the pole rising above the wagon told everyone they belonged to the duke, and as such, they were treated with respect. The duke was well-loved in his lands, and Caelin felt proud to serve such a great duke. And a handsome one as well.
The duke had certainly turned Caelin’s head when he’d first been dragged to the castle by his father. Once he’d met Peter, all his affections had been lost to the man who rode alongside the wagon.
“Is it much farther?” Caelin asked, not for the first or third or even fifth time. He couldn’t help it if he was anxious to arrive at the lodge and meet the other men.
“Very soon now.”
“That’s what you said an hour ago.” Caelin’s ass hurt as he’d bounced along the road. They’d spent almost two days getting there due to the wagon’s slower pace. This morning, Caelin had padded the seat with a quilt, but now, late in the afternoon, the thick pad had worn down to no more than a thin defense against the wooden seat.
“You’re worse than the boys,” Peter grumbled but shot him an affectionate smile.
Caelin’s heart warmed, and he grinned at the truth. His lover knew just how to charm him into silence.
They rode on, leaving the village behind them, and came to a fork in the road. Peter pointed to the left, and Caelin reined the team to take that road as it wrapped around the woods.
Peter halted, and Caelin pulled on the reins to stop the wagon. He looked around, but woods surrounded them. “Where’s the lodge?”
