by M. D. Grimm
Jeth didn’t know what he felt. Anger? Pride? Resentment? All of it and more. It was hard not to believe Jethron’s words since he said them so calmly, almost coldly. Like he really couldn’t be bothered to lie, so why not tell the truth?
“How did you save him?”
“My blood.”
Jeth jerked. “Y-you gave him your blood?”
“Once he consumed a small amount, he rapidly improved. I believe I scared your little healer, however. She came upon us as I was hunched over your human. I admire her courage as she tried to hack me with her sword. Not much good it did against my hide. I shoved her aside, and I suppose I pushed too hard. She hit her head or something. Does she still live?”
Nadya.
“Aye.”
“Good. I like humans with spirit.”
“Is that why you chose my mother?”
For the first time real emotion entered Jethron’s eyes and he quickly looked away. “She chose me. She was special among humans. I heard she died.”
The grief was still raw and overwhelming even after all these years. “Aye. Years ago.”
“Murdered.”
“Aye.”
Jethron looked back, his expression schooled once again. “Do you have it?”
Jeth knew what he meant. “I didn’t know until that day.”
“How did you break free of it? It’s not an easy thing to accomplish.”
“Kodie.”
Jethron blinked and tilted his head the other way. “Your human?”
Jeth nodded.
“Then the debt I owed him has been paid.”
“What debt?”
“If you had continued in that rage you would have died. Either by the humans’ hands or it would have burned you up inside. Mixed creatures like us don’t process the rage like full giants do. They eventually shake it off, given time. But you and me? It consumes us and burns us from the inside out. Kodie saved your life.”
Jeth looked at the ground, consciously steadying his breathing. The lack of emotion in Jethron’s voice added more impact to the knowledge he could have died at thirteen years of age. From the start Kodie had truly been his miracle.
“Now I saved his,” Jethron said. “My debt is paid. Keeping him alive will repay your debt.”
“That is my plan.”
“Good.” Jethron looked at the sky. “I have to leave. It was good to see how your fare, my son. I am proud of you.”
Jeth’s throat threatened to close. Jethron stood and turned to leave.
“I need help.”
Jethron stopped and looked back over his shoulder.
“This war is never-ending. It needs to stop. Kodie will die on this mountain if we don’t leave. And I will die with him. We need something that will turn the tide.”
Jethron grunted. “I don’t become involved in human affairs.”
“Where are the other giants?”
Fear flashed in Jethron’s eyes. “They have no love of humans, Jeth, and even less love for mixed breeds like you and me. They will crush you. Don’t pursue them. You will live longer in the standstill than in a confrontation with them.”
Then he was gone, long strides taking him far away in the blink of an eye. Jeth stood there, overwhelmed and emotional. He scrubbed his hands over his face and huffed out a frustrated breath before making his way down to Kodie.
Chapter Seven
Two more days passed before Kodie was able to convince Jeth he was well enough to travel. He was still weak, but soldiers needed their general. More supplies arrived after Jeth sent a scout back to the main camp. He also requested more troops, and they came, ready to secure the post and the pass.
Kodie knew Jeth had spoken to his father but had yet to say anything about it. Kodie let it be. It wasn’t his business. While he was curious to know how the giant cured him of the poison, he was also hesitant to ask. He wasn’t sure if the answer would be worth it. He hadn’t died, that was enough right now.
Jeth helped him up on Thunder, and Kodie let his hand linger on Jeth’s cheek. He could do that now, touch and kiss. Jeth smiled and secured him on the horse. Jeth was in love with him. It wasn’t a request for a one-time tryst Jeth asked over a week earlier. Kodie was thrilled to have that misunderstanding cleared up.
“Jeth.” Kodie grabbed Jeth’s hand where it rested on the pommel.
Jeth met his eyes.
“I want you to know... I’ve been in love with you since I was thirteen. You’re not allowed to change your mind later. I will make your life utterly miserable if you do. I promise.”
Jeth grinned, his eyes bright. “I believe you. You’re mine forever, Kodie. I promise.”
Everything inside Kodie eased, and he trusted Jeth’s word. He never had reason not to trust his friend. Kodie straightened in the saddle, and Jeth took the reins, easily guiding Thunder. The horse always liked Jeth and followed happily, occasionally bumping his arm in affection.
They traveled a fair distance before resting under a small overhang. Jeth tossed a blanket over Thunder before settling down and once more pulling Kodie into his lap. Kodie hardly minded. He snuggled close and let Jeth’s heat seep into him. Needing more, Kodie shifted on Jeth’s lap, soon straddling him.
“Kodie.”
“Hush.” Kodie smiled. “Let me do this for you.” He pushed his cold hands into Jeth’s coat and snuck them under his kilt. It wasn’t hard to find what he sought.
Jeth sucked in a sharp breath when cold flesh met heated hardness. Kodie had felt Jeth’s hardened cock under his ass, and it was more distracting than anything. His hands soon heated as he encircled Jeth’s girth, needing both to get a good grip. Jeth panted and cupped Kodie’s face, staring wide-eyed at him. Kodie flashed a grin before kissing him with all the strength he could muster. He stroked sure and steady, drawing out Jeth’s pleasure as well as his own. He could touch Jeth any way he wanted. Any place he wanted. He had free rein over that amazing body, and he was going to savor it.
Jeth grunted and groaned, pushing his tongue into Kodie’s mouth, claiming him. Jeth’s hands were large enough to capture Kodie’s entire face. Instead of being intimidated or nervous, it thrilled to have someone so powerful devoted to him and only him.
He squeezed tighter and stroked faster, paying attention to Jeth’s sensitive tip every other pass. Jeth trembled against him, and his kiss never flagged or failed. When Kodie’s full strength returned he was going to put that mouth to good use all over his body. He wasn’t going to allow Jeth to leave the bed until he was fully and utterly satisfied.
Jeth pulled away. “Kodie.”
Kodie sped up his strokes and watched with aching love as Jeth found his release. Those black eyes went large and blind, and his breath caught in his throat. Kodie grinned and sat back. He grabbed a corner of one of the blankets and wiped off his hands and Jeth’s cock. Kodie’d seen it before. They’d had to get naked in front of each other on numerous occasions, either swimming as lads in local rivers and lakes or during training in the army, but he’d never seen Jeth fully aroused. It was certainly a sight to behold.
Jeth rubbed his knuckles over Kodie’s cheek, panting. “Thank you.”
Kodie smiled. “You needed that.”
“Oh, aye, I did indeed. Let me return the favor.”
“No.” Kodie gripped Jeth’s hand.
Jeth frowned, heavy brows bunching over his eyes.
Kodie blushed slightly. “I’m not well enough, yet, Jeth. I don’t think I could. Just hold me?”
“When you’re well enough you’re mine.” His tone was a warning.
Kodie grinned and snuggled close. “I look forward to it.”
***
Jeth knew Kodie was growing frustrated with his slow recovery. They were at a standstill, both in the war and their personal relationship. Not a peep from the Dathians for a solid week. No activity on the mountain near the Belshen post or any of the other smaller posts surrounding the main camp, and only minor movements at the Dathian
base camp. They were planning something, Jeth knew it in his gut. Kodie sensed it as well, and they would often exchange silent, wary looks. Nothing could be done except observe and keep up training. The few messages Jeth sent to Master General Cord, the leader of both the sea and mountain branches of the army, about taking preemptive strikes, were met with stony refusal. She only answered to the king himself, and Jeth couldn’t budge her. He’d met her once and though he towered over her short form, she’d intimidated him. The sharp, hard glint in her eyes caused him to wonder if she didn’t have ice giant blood in her veins from ancestors past.
Apparently the sea battles were growing fiercer, and they were struggling to block the ports from invasion. As a result, most new recruits were sent to the sea front, not the mountain pass. Essentially, Jeth and his troops were on their own, and left to ready their weapons and wait for an attack. It was hard not to resent not having the master general’s focus.
“If you take matters into your own hands,” Kodie said after Jeth finally confessed his unease and bitterness, “make sure you return triumphant. Reckless disobedience is only forgiven if you are the victor.”
Jeth snorted. “I know.”
“I’m sure you also know that I’m behind you all the way. So is every soldier in this gods’ forsaken wasteland. We follow you, Jeth, not the master general.”
Jeth met Kodie’s eyes and saw the truth in them. “How are you faring, Kodie?”
Kodie unsheathed his sword and didn’t wince. He swung it around in the air, his arm muscles bunching and stretching, but he didn’t list to one side as he’d done only days before. His stance was steady, the color in his cheeks high, and he didn’t seem to fatigue as easily.
“Close.” Kodie sheathed his sword. “But Nadya’s right—I’m not fully back. I wouldn’t be much help in battle. I hate feeling so helpless. If Dathians attack right now, I’m a burden not an asset.”
Jeth stepped over and gripped Kodie’s shoulders. They stood in Jeth’s tent, the sounds of soldiers beyond the thin flaps, the cold as bitter and relentless as ever.
“You’ll never be a burden. Not to me.”
Kodie smiled. “That’s nice to hear. But be practical, Jeth.”
“Practical? Practical would have been hauling your ass down the mountain and letting you recover at base camp.”
Kodie cocked his head to one side. “Why didn’t you?”
“I knew you wouldn’t go, and I would have had to force you, which would hurt you more in the long run.” He shrugged.
“You think you know me so well.”
Jeth smiled and tugged Kodie’s beard. “I do know you.”
“Not as well as you’d like to,” Kodie said with a gleam in his eye.
Jeth groaned. “Don’t tease me. I might forget you’re still recovering and hurt you when I pin you down.”
“I’m not made of glass,” Kodie said and rose on his toes, slipping his arms around Jeth’s neck. “You won’t break me if you’re a little rough. I might like it.”
Jeth slipped his hands around Kodie’s waist, then down, cupping his firm ass, squeezing. “Don’t talk like that if you’re going to step away.”
“Do you see me stepping away?” Kodie ran his nose along Jeth’s jaw, rubbing it along his bushy beard, then those teeth scraped at his skin. The sensations were raw and just a little mean.
Jeth’s groin tightened and hardened, his breath coming in pants. He was desperate with need, and he trembled as he held himself back, as he ordered himself to go slow. Kodie finally captured his mouth and cupped the back of his head, kissing and demanding more. His other hand raced down and cupped Jeth’s bulge through his coat and kilt. Jeth’s breath hitched and, reaching a decision, he boosted Kodie up. Kodie wrapped his legs around his waist, a muffled sound of surprise escaping him. Jeth carried him to the pile of furs and lowered to his knees, then bent forward, letting Kodie drop lightly to the ground.
Kodie grinned, freely, playfully, and the open and needy look banished the memory of what happened the last time Kodie was in his bed. They both understood each other now. They both knew what the other needed.
Jeth straightened and pulled off his coat. Kodie sat up slightly and slipped his hands up Jeth’s hairy thighs, under his kilt, until he unerringly found what he sought. Jeth caught his breath and cupped Kodie’s answering groin, thick inside his breeches. Kodie stroked him with both callused hands, watching him, that playful glint in his eyes. This was the first time they’d intimately touched since Kodie had given him that unexpected hand-job on the journey back to camp. This time, however, Jeth knew he could touch Kodie in the same way. As Kodie tormented him, he shoved up Kodie’s tunic and unlaced his breeches, taking his time, watching that pleasant flush color Kodie’s face. Anticipation hung in the air until, finally, Jeth pulled open Kodie’s breeches and gripped his cock one-handed. Kodie’s head fell back and his hands went lax for a moment.
Jeth leaned forward and claimed a quick kiss. “You really are beautiful.”
Kodie snorted, then groaned when Jeth touched his lips to the swollen tip of his cock. He tortured Kodie with lips and tongue for a solid moment before slipping him fully into his mouth. Kodie gasped and gripped his hair, fingers tangling and tugging. Jeth chuckled even as he never stopped or paused. Kodie’s taste and scent filled him, surrounded him, and he knew he could spend a lifetime worshiping his friend and it would never be enough. Not for either of them.
Jeth never stopped, simply drank in all of Kodie’s sounds. Then drank in the evidence of Kodie’s pleasure. He lifted his head and wiped his mouth, proud at being the cause for Kodie’s blissed look. He kissed him gently. Kodie opened his eyes, blinked slightly to focus them.
“That was...” He simply shook his head, apparently unable to find words. Jeth smiled smugly. “Now it’s your turn.”
Kodie pushed and Jeth let him roll them over. Kodie now lay completely on top of him and Jeth was quite happy about it. It was exactly where he was supposed to be. Wrapping his arms around his friend and lover, Jeth claimed his mouth again, tongue diving, weaving, mating. He stroked, rubbed, petted, and learned every curve and angle, the few things he’d never known before. His fingertips drifted over a few scars he hadn’t been aware of, and he realized only then how much weight Kodie had lost. Was it only from the poison and recovery, or was it from being posted on this damn mountain?
Would his worries prove true and would Kodie die on this mountain?
Kodie pulled away and frowned at him. “I don’t know what’s buzzing around in that brain, but you need to stop it. Set it aside. This is just us, right now. Nothing and no one else.”
Jeth rubbed his knuckles over Kodie’s cheek. “I’m sorry. You’re right. Just us.”
Kodie leaned into his touch before descending. He pulled off Jeth’s tunic and let his mouth roam, kissing and licking. Jeth was a hairy man and some seemed put-off by it. Not Kodie. He rubbed and stroked his hairy chest with hands and cheek, loving everything he was, the good and the bad. Loving the giant spawn.
When Kodie finally reached his aching cock, Jeth was more than ready. What a sight it was to watch Kodie lift his solid length with both hands, then with only a brief glance at him, swallow his tip whole. Jeth grunted and gripped the furs, bunching them, knuckles white. It was a struggle to keep from moving, to stop himself from shoving his length into Kodie’s mouth. He’d only done such things to practiced whores, considering his length and width. So he remained still as Kodie, without any skill but with great enthusiasm, brought him to climax with hands and mouth.
Jeth exhaled loudly and Kodie chuckled. Jeth glanced down and snorted out a laugh. Kodie’s face was covered in Jeth’s release, and he was currently wiping it away without much luck. It appeared to be caught in his beard. Jeth sat up and grabbed a blanket at random, then used it to clean Kodie. After he was sure he’d caught every speck, he kissed Kodie thoroughly and indulgently. Kodie let himself be rolled and Jeth pinned him.
“You�
��re so warm,” Kodie murmured and snuggled in close. “You’re always so warm.”
“I love you.”
Kodie kissed his neck. “I love you, giant man.”
Jeth grinned, swearing to himself that he would keep his miracle safe. He wouldn’t lose Kodie like he had his mother. His mother had been his first foundation, and his world shattered with her death. Then he made Kodie his foundation, unaware he did so until it was too late. He swore to himself he wouldn’t allow his foundation to shatter again. Never again.
Chapter Eight
Kodie was ready. So completely ready to be one with Jeth. It was now two days since their extremely pleasurable tryst in Jeth’s tent. Kodie craved more. They kept up appearances in front of the soldiers, though Kodie was certain many, if not all, knew about their intimate relationship. Many probably suspected something when nothing was going on. It pleased him, though, to see not an ounce of respect was lost in their eyes. He’d caught a few wistful glances at Jeth, and didn’t even bother to wonder if those glances were from former lovers or wannabe lovers. He’d purposely ignored Jeth’s trysts with soldiers and whores for fear of doing something dangerous in the heat of passion, envy, or heartache.
Despite the glances, camp ran just as it always had. Kodie oversaw the training, still unwilling to show any weakness in front of the soldiers. Though he managed a bout with Jeth the night before, and it tired him quicker than usual, he managed to hold his own. He knew Jeth only held back a little. It was encouraging. Yet he would still be a burden in a real battle.
They were all growing antsy. No word had reached them of what the Dathians were planning and dread gnawed at all their guts.
Kodie observed the training, shouting out suggestions and encouragements with a healthy mix of challenge and derision. Whatever motivated them, he’d dish out. His gaze flicked to Jeth’s tent for the hundredth time that day, and he wondered what supplies they would need to complete what Kodie considered his mission. He didn’t really care if Jeth wanted to fuck him or if Jeth wanted to be fucked by him. He just wanted that connection. He doubted even Jeth knew he was a virgin, and he desperately wanted his first time to be... special.
