"It's impossible." Saif shrugged it off. "I never touched a woman in my life."
"And you should know, Lalima!" Nimdja teased. "Who knows who this woman slept with!"
Francisca glared at her partner and was about to object when Saif said,"I don't care about anyone's claims. I have more urgent worries right now."
"You're lucky you don't have to deal with fatherhood." Nimdja winked.
"I don't want to know!" Saif held his palms up to stop Francisca. "I have another problem to deal with right now. He isn't my son, but he's young enough to be so. He's twenty-three years younger than me, but I definitely don't have parental urges when it comes to him, and that's not what he wants either."
Nimdja raised his eyebrows. "Would that be Kilig the Sword?"
"Yes! He wants to share my bed! What am I supposed to do?" Saif glanced at the table where the younger members sat. Kilig was bickering with Guisarme, but it looked like a game for them.
Nimdja and Francisca also looked at the other table, then back at him.
"He's become a handsome young man," Francisca said, serious. "I understand you're tempted. Maybe it's time you retire and start a family."
Saif snorted. "I'm not a family man, Lalima! You might have felt a need for maternity and asked your best friend to impregnate you before it was too late, but I'm not like you – never was."
"I know, Rohit." She smiled fondly at him. "I had a crush on you when I joined the guild. It took me years to realize you weren't interested in me only because I didn't have a dick."
"And you couldn't corrupt me like you did with Aditya." Saif glared at Nimdja who smiled at him. They'd been lovers so long ago, it felt almost like another life. They'd split when they'd become assassins, finding other lovers and remaining the best of friends.
"How does he make you feel?" Nimdja asked.
Saif sighed, glancing at Kilig's smile again.
"He makes me feel alive," he whispered, lowering his eyes.
"Uh-oh." Nimdja looked at Francisca. "He's in love."
Saif stared at them, outraged. "I'm not..."
Of course he was. His rage deflated and his shoulders sagged. His best friends were right. Karuna's adoration had wrapped him in a charming net. He knew that when Kilig made his move, he wouldn't be able to resist.
***
Kilig went to knock on Saif's door with only his baggy pants on. Silence and a dark room welcomed him. He looked inside, but Saif wasn't there. Cursing under his breath, Kilig went downstairs through darkened corridors. He found the doorkeeper and asked if he'd seen Saif.
"He left immediately after dinner," the bulky black man answered with a curt nod.
"Thanks," Kilig muttered. He went back to his room. Suddenly the stone floors felt cold under his bare feet.
He went to bed, irritated by Saif's behavior. Is he afraid of me? Or is he putting me to the test? He knew his acharya still needed to be with him for his final exam – his first kill – therefore Saif couldn't avoid him forever.
In spite of the annoyance at sleeping alone for the first time in three years, Kilig managed to get some sleep. But he was grumpy in the morning when he went to the canteen for breakfast.
Nimdja was with his apprentice and Francisca was gone. Talwar was talking with the cook at the kitchen's door. Another couple of assassins sat at the tables, ignoring each other.
And then Saif walked into the room and sat in front of him with a bright smile.
"Good morning, Kilig! Did you sleep well?"
"No," Kilig snapped, glaring at him.
"You'll have to get used to sleeping alone," Saif chided. "Anyway, I hope you're ready for your final exam."
"Of course I am," Kilig said proudly. "But don't think you'll get rid of me that easily afterward."
Saif chuckled and winked. "We'll see. Are you done?"
"Won't you have breakfast?"
"I had it before coming back here. Let's go, Kilig. Today you'll have to prove to me you're an accomplished assassin."
Kilig rose and followed him out of the canteen. He showed Saif his wrist where his noose was wrapped and a couple of hilts of daggers hidden in his clothes. He was dressed like a commoner heading for his daily chores, and Saif nodded his approval.
Both wore turbans when they left the guild's building, with a brass wheel over the fabric that looked like a decoration. Smaller brass wheels that could pass as bracelets were on their wrists.
Kilig was about to ask where they were headed, but decided not to. Saif wouldn't tell him anything about the final exam anyway. He followed the older man, watching his long black hair move in the breeze before him. He must find a way to get intimate with Saif.
And then he realized they had reached the suburb where he was born, a place he'd carefully avoided after his father's death.
"Why are we here?" he blurted out.
Saif turned to look at him. "Maybe your first assignment is to kill Karuna the Sorrowful."
"Karuna is already dead," he snapped. "I'm Kilig now!"
Saif smiled. "In that case, allow Kilig to tell his birth family what happened to Karuna. You were fifth of ten children. How many survived into adulthood?"
Kilig lowered his eyes. "Three," he whispered. Including him.
"That's only two people to visit and then we can move on," Saif said pleasantly. "Come."
Kilig reluctantly followed again. One of his sisters had died in childbirth just before he started training with Saif. Only an older brother and an older sister were left.
"I thought I'm not supposed to tell them I'm an assassin," he told Saif before they reached the first mud-house they were heading for.
"And you shouldn't. Francisca's sister doesn't know what she does, but she knows Francisca isn't married, and that's why she's keeping Sanjana with her children. It's always good not to sever the bonds with your family, you never know when you might need them."
Kilig scoffed. "Or they might need me," he grumbled before knocking on his brother's door.
"Karuna, where have you been? Is that your new pimp?"
"It's my acharya, Rajan, and you don't want to know what he taught me!"
His elder brother was as cocky as ever, showing contempt for him in spite of everything they'd been through together when their father was alive.
"You were always a stray cat, Karuna. It's a wonder you survived," Rajan commented with a snort, not even bothering to letting him into the house.
Kilig clenched his fist, ready to punch, but Saif put a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's go, Karuna. Brotherly love can be tough."
Kilig glared at his brother, who scoffed, and turned his back on the mud-house, unwilling to ask about Rajan's family. Rajan reminded him too much of his father to get along with him.
His sister Gauri brightened at the sight of him, and threw her arms around his neck.
"Karuna, you've grown so tall! Where have you been? I thought you were dead!"
"No, I was... training for my profession," Kilig answered, a little embarrassed by his sister's display of affection.
"Really?" she beamed, letting him go. "Bhikshy said you vanished without a trace... I'm so happy you came! Who is this man?"
"He's my acharya, Saif."
"Pleased to meet you." She bowed at Saif who nodded a greeting, then looked at her brother again. "Forgive me if I don't let you both in, but the house is a mess... Either you come back at another time, or you let me know where you live and I'll visit you!"
"I will come back another day," Kilig assured. "I'd love to see the children... How many do you have now?"
"Three." She blushed with pride. "Two didn't make it, but life is still tough on this side of the town."
"When I start earning money, I will send you what I can," he promised, squeezing her hands.
"Oh, Karuna, you should keep it to buy your bride!" she protested.
"That won't be a problem, since I do not intend to get married," he replied.
She giggled. "Until you
meet her. Thank you, Karuna." She hugged him, dropping the subject – to his relief. "I missed you," she whispered. "Don't vanish again."
"I won't."
He left her house much calmer and feeling warm inside. Yes, having a family was a good thing, but he still didn't want to get married. He had already met the person he wanted to spend his life with – and he was walking by his side right now. He looked forward to getting naked with Saif again. During the training, the sex lessons had been the best, even if Saif had kept his clothes on at all times. Kilig couldn't wait to strip him and explore his body.
Screams caught his attention. In front of a mud-house much similar to his siblings' homes a man was beating a woman, insulting her.
Kilig's blood boiled at the sight. He was very familiar with that kind of abuse and knew the neighbors wouldn't move a finger to help the poor woman. External intervention was her only way out – much like it had been for him when Saif had killed his father.
He marched on the couple. The woman was crying and begging for mercy, and a couple of very small children ogled the scene from the house door. The man turned to them and raised his fist, ready to vent his anger at them as well, but Kilig grabbed his wrist and forced him to face him.
"What do you want?" the man snapped. "Stay out of this!"
"Never hurt a woman or a child," Kilig replied in a low, threatening voice, squeezing the man's wrist.
"Ha!" The other spat. "It's none of your business if my wife is a whore!"
"Then why marry her? It makes you feel powerful to beat her? Try it with me!"
"Stay out of this, boy..."
"I'm not a boy!" Kilig's fist hit the man's face and bones cracked. Kilig shook his hand, regaining control. He was sick of being treated like a piece of shit by older men.
He looked at the woman who was hugging her children – a sobbing bunch of terrified creatures. The man had fallen to the ground, dazed, and Kilig needed to act quickly.
"Would you like me to spare him or would you rather be a widow, free to remarry a better man or raise her children on her own?" he asked. He knew his mother would have asked to spare her violent husband.
"Kill him before he kills us!" the woman begged through her sobs.
Kilig nodded. He took his dagger and knelt, putting his body between the fallen man and the children. The man grunted with anger, ready to hit back in spite of his bleeding nose, but Kilig slashed his throat open. The man collapsed – a quick, painless end for a man who deserved a much worse death.
"Thank you!" The widow grabbed his hand as he rose again and kissed it, wetting it with her tears. "Merciful stranger, may the gods bless you."
Kilig quickly bowed and retreated. He remembered Saif and where he was. The neighbors were staring at him, but they either nodded or averted their eyes.
Kilig met the Genn-green eyes. Saif grinned.
"Congratulations, you're a true assassin," Saif whispered, putting an arm around Kilig's shoulder and guiding him away from the slums. "Merciful Death. That's another name for us."
Kilig felt elated and confused at the same time. He had taken a life. An undeserving husband. Would it be the same thing when he'd have to kill a less wicked victim? Was that his final exam?
"Would you like to talk about it?" Saif asked as they walked back to the seat of the Guild.
"Yes. No." And then words started pouring out of his mouth, unstoppable. His buried sorrow, his sense of justice, excitement, fear, shame, all warred inside him, and stirred the burning passion he felt for Saif.
They entered the Guild's building, still talking, and went upstairs to Saif's room. They sat on the double bed and Saif put his hands on Kilig's shoulders.
"Now take a deep breath and close your eyes."
Kilig obeyed.
"Release the air slowly. Relax."
But Kilig couldn't relax. His hunger grew and he opened his eyes to look into Saif's.
"Are you feeling better?" Saif asked with a worried look on his bearded face. "This is a very strong experience and..."
Kilig threw his arms around Saif's neck and started kissing him hungrily. Saif gasped for breath, but there was no stopping Kilig's passion now.
***
"Kilig..." Saif's resistance was futile. The young man's hungry mouth ravaged his body and he just closed his eyes and went with it. He had adored Kilig's body for so long, not daring to take off his clothes for fear of losing control... it felt good to let go at last.
He'd seen Karuna blossom into the wonderful lover now roaming his body with his hands and lips and it was impossible to lay still. He started returning kisses and caresses, rolling over Kilig to taste him again and take his breath away.
"I love you, Saif." Kilig panted and then moaned with pleasure as their bodies melted against each other and they came together on each other's belly. "Take me, Saif!"
Saif sucked the offered neck but didn't feel like invading that body yet.
"What did I tell you about sex without penetration?" he whispered in Kilig's ear while his hands toyed with Kilig's lower parts.
"Aaah!" Kilig couldn't speak as he came again in Saif's hand. Saif tenderly kissed him, still massaging his asshole with a finger or two. Kilig fiercely hugged him entwining his legs with Saif's.
Then they lay in each other's arms, still sweaty and a little drowsy. Saif felt drunk – Kilig's youth had carried him away in the wildest ride of his life.
He caressed Kilig's shoulder-length hair and rocked him to sleep. What could happen now? Kilig had thoroughly seduced him... But then, Talwar and Khanda had worked as a couple, why shouldn't he?
A couple. Saif had never considered he'd find a life mate. He'd always thought his sexual preferences would make him a loner. But Kilig's love had filled him with so much happiness... He forgot the age gap as sleep won him.
Waking up with a warm naked body against him felt good. He opened his eyes to stare at the sleeping young man by his side. Would he really find him there every morning for the rest of his life?
He sighed. He surely hoped so. Kilig looked determined in his choice...
He felt the young man stir and decided to tickle him awake.
"Ouch, stop," Kilig grumbled, burying his face between Saif's neck and shoulder.
Saif chuckled. "Rise and shine, Kilig the Sword!"
"Not until you fuck me, Acharya Saif!"
"I'm not your acharya anymore, Kilig," Saif chided. "And why should I fuck you? You're already mine..."
"True..." Kilig pulled away to show his grin. "I love you and I belong to you for the rest of my life."
"I love you too, Kilig. I'm glad this is not just a youthful tryst."
"I might be only eighteen, but I've wanted you for five years already. I'm glad you finally surrendered."
"And how can I resist?" Saif asked, amused. "You're a prostitute, Kilig."
"Former prostitute," Kilig corrected. "And I used none of my prostitute tricks with you. I just followed my heart."
"Really? And what tricks do you know, my young friend?" Saif teased.
"You really want to know?" Kilig replied. "I'm sure you had plenty of rent boys before. I want to be different."
"And you are different," Saif held him tighter. "Thank you, Kilig. I'm yours as much as you're mine."
"When did I die and go to heaven?" Kilig asked, his voice shaky with happiness.
Both burst out laughing and then they hugged, listening to each other's heartbeat.
3. Kilig the Sword
Kilig was a little nervous when Saif knocked on Talwar's office door. Who knew if the Head of the Guild would allow them to work together.
He followed Saif inside the small office and stood still as Talwar greeted them. Saif explained how Kilig had passed his final exam, but still wished to work with him.
Kilig blushed under Talwar's amused stare.
"I see." The Head of the Guild cleared his throat as he fumbled with the papers on his desk. "You're lucky, I have a couple of assignments for tw
o or more. I'll let you decide who you want to take with you." He looked Saif in the eyes and Kilig held his breath.
"First, Darantasia. A distress call from the local Assassins' Guild. One of their members is out of control and they can't get rid of him." Talwar held out a parchment to Saif who took it and folded it without looking at it. "Second... where did I put it? Ah, yes, here it is." Talwar triumphantly held up another parchment. "Since you're headed west, when you're done in Darantasia, continue to Jevina. They want advice. Saif, you were alive and old enough when the last king of Godwalkar died, I'm sure you can help them better than myself."
"They asked for you specifically?" Saif asked, taking the second sheet and folding it with the first.
"Yes, they know what part I had in the ensuing feud." Talwar scoffed. "But from what I understand, it's not my advice they need, but to hear from a native. How things changed after the death of the king, and so on. I relocated here, but I wasn't born here. Besides, I'm too old to go all the way to Jevina."
"You're not old," Saif smiled. "But I understand you can't be bothered. I know Kilig wasn't born when the king died, but he spent his first fifteen years as a commoner and can also give his point of view."
"A slum dog point of view," Kilig grumbled, staring at his feet.
"If you don't want to go, I can find you something else," Talwar suggested with a hint of malice.
"No, I will go, it's just that I'm too young to be a consultant, but Acharya Saif can show me off as his best student if he wishes so!" Kilig assured.
Both older men chuckled.
"Very well, then. Off you go." Talwar rose to squeeze Saif's arm. "I'll see you when you're done."
"Might take me a year or two, but at least I won't be training anyone," Saif answered with a grin. "Let's go, Kilig."
Kilig bowed at Talwar and followed Saif outside of the office.
"I hope I didn't say the wrong thing," he said quickly, feeling his cheeks burn.
"No, you are my best student," Saif replied with a smile. "Go get your things. I'll see you in the foyer."
Kilig nodded and quickly obeyed. He hadn't really unpacked when they'd come back from the training, and having slept in Saif's bed the previous night meant his things were almost ready. He stopped in the armory to grab a couple of brass wheels, two spare daggers and a saber, then reached the foyer at the same time Saif did.
Kilig the Sword Page 4
