Loyalty and War

by Devon Vesper

  Valis perked up with a gasp. “Oh, I didn’t tell you! I know the location of the missing god jar. It’s in the enemy monastery’s reliquary vault on a pedestal. I saw it in the vision.”

  Thyran gave a sharp nod. “Good work. But I must insist you do not enter that room, or the temple, for that matter. Not during a dreamwalk, at any rate. It is too dangerous, and may be warded against such a trespass.”

  “I promise.”

  Now that everyone was quiet, Valis let himself relax in small increments as his muscles protested. “Now, I’d like to relax for a while before bed and this dreamwalk.”

  “You do realize you’ll be practically useless come morning if you dreamwalk for more than an hour,” Thyran warned. “Make your journey as swift as possible.”

  Tavros made a wounded sound beside Valis, and he squeezed Valis’s shoulder with almost bruising intensity. “How do you think to get to the monastery? This isn’t like traveling from your room to the prison in Avristin. You will be traveling leagues away.”

  Valis finally stood up and faced his husband, drawing him into a loose, comforting hug. “I hate hearing the worry in your voice,” he murmured into Tavros’s neck. “When I dreamwalked back in Avristin, I just had to think of my destination. I have a feeling this will be much the same. If not, I’ll try following the directions we uncovered, which would be worth the try, anyway. And if I could catch someone entering or exiting the mountain entrance, that will help immensely when the army arrives. But trust that I will find a way, and if not, I’ll return within the hour, or I won’t fight you when you call me back.”

  “I trust you.” Tavros breathed the words into Valis’s hair. “I’m still going to worry.”

  Snorting a laugh, Valis hugged his husband tight and turned back around to address those in the room. “Go about your business. After, we need to get packed and ready for morning. Right now, I need to get rid of some tension, or I’ll never get to sleep, let alone be able to slip into a dreamwalk. Tavros or someone will fetch you when it’s time to assemble in the receiving room.”

  “Yes, Grand Master,” came the unanimous response.

  As they left, Valis sat back down to stare into the scrying bowl. To his surprise, Thyran was still there, waiting on him. “My boy,” he said, “please be careful. What you are undertaking is more dangerous than even the reliquary guards know since none of those who were present have ever dreamwalked, themselves. I kept my objections mild for their sakes, but you must know the danger you will be facing.”

  Valis smiled down at his friend and mentor with a good measure of fondness. “I promise you I will be as careful as possible. I can’t rescue my father if I die in a dreamwalk before even making it to the mountain. Trust in me, Thyran. I won’t fail you. Not in this. I know I can do this.”

  “I do not doubt your abilities,” Thyran said. “My only worry is that you are caught unawares and hurt or killed before you can get back.”

  “Thyran…” Valis sighed and drew closer to the scrying bowl, wishing he could touch or hug his mentor to ease some of his distress. “Thyran, I promise you I’ll be careful, and I will contact you via scry as soon as I’m back no matter how tired I am. Okay?”

  Some of the distress eased from Thyran’s eyes, and he glanced away before replying, “See that you do, Grand Master. I will be waiting.”

  Chapter Three

  “I can’t talk you out of this, can I?” Tavros asked.

  Valis sighed and shook his head. “No, love. I’ve got to do this.”

  Tavros glanced away, his jaw muscles jumping as he clenched his teeth. Then he let out an explosive breath and his shoulders sagged. “You always were a stubborn shit.”

  Roba chuckled in Valis’s mind. He has no idea.

  Tavros turned back to him. His normally clear gray eyes were stormy with worry. Valis tugged him close, rested their foreheads together, and whispered, “I’m trusting you to pull me back. You have my permission to do whatever it takes.”

  “I promise,” Tavros replied hoarsely.

  “Then it’s settled,” Valis said. “Now,” he pressed a chaste kiss to his husband’s lips and rubbed his nose softly against Tavros’s before pulling away. “I have to go see if I can heal Cass before I do anything else.”

  Tavros relaxed and offered a nod. “I’ll be in our room.” Tavros followed him to the study door and up the grand staircase with its royal blue carpet and ornate railings. They walked hand-in-hand under the high, arched ceiling with stunning filigree and a beautiful, vibrant mural of dragons and other mythical beasts. Then they split up, Valis going left and Tavros right, their fingers clinging before slipping apart.

  When Valis found the right room, he knocked and said just loudly enough that the occupants could hear him. “It’s Valis. May I see Cass?”

  Nevesar only took a moment before answering and bowed her head as she stood aside and pulled the door open to let him in, just as she would when opening the reliquary doors for Thyran. “Of course, Grand Master.”

  “This isn’t formal, Nev. You aren’t going to be reprimanded for being overprotective of your wife.” When Nevesar relaxed, Valis gave her a small smile. “Now… how is she,” he asked. “I’ve been worried.”

  He stood in the doorway to the room Nevesar had chosen for herself and her wife, Cassavin. They had to move out come morning, and it would be rather hard with Cassavin still unconscious.

  Nevesar glared at Valis, then sagged and turned to brush auburn hair away from her wife’s face. In a show of love, Nevesar had coiled Cassavin’s waist-length hair onto the pillow next to her, where the lamplight made it shine.

  Cassavin’s oval face lay slack and slightly gray, and Valis wanted to know why.

  “I’m sorry, Grand Master,” Nevesar whispered. “I’m just…”

  When she didn’t finish her sentence, Valis entered the room, closed the door behind him, and offered, “Scared? Unsure? Protective of your wife?” He squeezed her shoulder in a brotherly show of support. “You are allowed to be all of the above. But please, let me try to help. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, you should know I would never hurt her.”

  “I know.” Nevesar let out an explosive sigh and got up. She walked around the bed and climbed up beside Cassavin, got settled, and held her limp hand. “Just…”

  “I know, Nev,” Valis said. “I know.”

  For as sturdy as she was—bulked up with defined muscles much like the men were—and with the severe black bob style of her hair, the way she stood, short and stocky, Nevesar never looked as scared, small, and vulnerable as she did now. She usually kept her emotions close to her breast, only really sharing them with her wife. Now, though, her eyes shone with tears, her lower lip trembled, and she clutched Cassavin’s hand with all that she had. “Okay.”

  Nodding, Valis sat on the edge of the bed, pressed his hand to Cassavin’s solar plexus, and pulsed energy into her core until he felt the wellspring of her magic accept what he gave. After five minutes, the gray pallor of Cassavin’s skin gave way to her natural lightly tanned complexion. Ten minutes after that, her breathing regulated to where she seemed like she was asleep instead of in the coma-like state she had been in earlier.

  About five minutes after that, Cassavin whimpered and reached up to rub her eyes. “Where are we?”

  Valis patted her solar plexus. “You’re safe. I’m restoring some of your magic, so it may feel strange, okay?”

  “Braywar is dead?” She shuddered and reached for him. Valis guided her hand away until her palm met Nevesar’s cheek. “Oh… Nev!”

  “Yes,” Valis said. “Braywar is dead, and the nest has been cleared. We’re all safe, and we head out in the morning.”

  “I’m going with you,” Cassavin demanded. “Nev and I are going.”

  Valis groaned. “I knew you would say that.” He patted her solar plexus again and smirked. “Let’s see how good of a healer and magical storage receptacle I am first. Otherwise, if I find you unable to function
correctly after I’m finished, you and a team are going home.”

  She growled and narrowed her eyes at him. “I am going with you.”

  With a shrug, Valis sat back and kept up the power bursts into her core. At the same time, he separated a thread of magic from his current task and sent it to her injuries, healing her body at the same time as he healed her magic center.

  When her face relaxed from the lack of pain, Valis smiled and moved his hand to his lap. “I’ve done all I really can. Sleep and eating good food will help with the rest. There are leftovers from dinner that I’m sure someone can heat up for you.”

  She finally looked around. “We’re not in an inn?”

  “No, love,” Nevesar said softly. “We’re in Braywar’s estate. Valis sold it, and we have to get out by morning.”

  Cassavin shuddered and clutched her wife’s hand. “I don’t want to be here,” she whispered hoarsely. “Not here…”

  Valis got up and backed away. “I’ll leave you two to talk. If you need anything, Nev, you know where to find me. And Cass? I would never let any harm come to you in our camp. Do you understand?”

  “Yeah.” Her voice held a tremor that broke Valis’s heart. “I understand.”

  “He’s the new Grand Master Aesriphos,” Nevesar said softly. “Try to be more respectful.”

  Cassavin’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, Grand Master.”

  Valis held up both hands. “You’re fine. If the situation isn’t serious or formal, just treat me as you always have. My title doesn’t mean we aren’t friends anymore.

  “Now, you two rest. I’ll send someone in with food for you both. And Nev… If you can’t trust me, I’d rather you go home. I need people I can trust to do their duty at all times and to trust in my judgment.”

  She gave him a short, sharp nod. “Yes, Grand Master. I apologize.”

  Valis gave her a small smile before heading for the door. “Rest. Someone will be around with food.”

  Gods, this was tedious. As he left Cassavin and Nevesar’s room, Valis let out a long, slow breath. So many duties surrounded him. All he wanted to do was go cuddle his husband and sleep. Was this what being a leader meant? Missing out on the tender things so he could keep everything moving like the gears in his pocket watch? Did he want to stay as the Grand Master Aesriphos?

  As he walked, his ire started to rise, and he didn’t know why. When he made it to the room he shared with Tavros, his husband took one look at him and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  Valis groaned, and when Tavros stood up, Valis leaned against him and tucked his face into the curve of his husband’s neck and shoulder. “I just have a lot to do. And all I want to do is spend quiet time with you. It feels like the last time we’ll be able to have a moment to ourselves other than in a freezing tent, huddled together for warmth.”

  Tavros hugged him tight and kissed his temple. “Soon, love. As soon as we reach Avristin with your father, we’ll take a year off to just be, you and me, and be with your fathers.”

  Valis smiled, then it fell away as he thought of all they had to do. Tavros tapped Valis’s chin with a knuckle and urged him to meet his gaze. “What else is wrong?”

  Valis ducked his head and whispered, “I just want you… I want to feel safe and alive. I want to get lost in the feel of your skin against mine, but we don’t have time.”

  His husband chuckled and kissed his forehead. “You do realize we just made love a few hours ago. You’re insatiable.”

  Valis shook his head. “No. My dick is still interested from that damned kiss, and I’m being petulant because I want you to fuck me instead of going to a meeting with our army. We can’t just leave them waiting.”

  Tavros shrugged and drew Valis into his arms. He licked his lips before nuzzling the side of Valis’s jaw. The gravel in his voice had Valis’s knees quaking when he said, “It will take a while to get everyone gathered.” He nipped the tender skin of Valis’s neck, just below his ear. “I doubt they’re going to form a search party. Besides…” He licked a stripe from Valis’s shoulder to his ear and breathed into his ear just the way Valis loved. He said, “Do you really think we’re the only ones taking full advantage of having a warm bed and safe location? Untangling lovers is going to take time, Valis.”

  Valis shook with lust and clung to Tavros, fingers digging into his husband’s hips, his voice a breathy whisper. “Good point.”

  Tavros palmed Valis’s cock, licked the shell of Valis’s ear, and murmured into it, “So, let’s go while we still can.”

  Valis tried a half-hearted argument as he ground his dick into his husband’s hand for more attention and friction, “But—”

  Tavros shut him up with a kiss that stole Valis’s breath and made his resolve crumble into nothing. His husband’s hands roamed Valis’s back, stroking down from his shoulders to his ass, grabbing each cheek and squeezing. He pulled their groins together, rubbing his rigid dick against Valis’s hip. Valis straddled his husband’s thigh and ground down, humping until he was breathless and needy.

  Tavros pulled back with a smirk, his pupils blown wide, and his breaths heavy with desire. “Get undressed and get on that bed.”

  Valis, dazed, swayed where he was. Then Tavros’s order sank in, and he scrambled to get his uniform off, almost tearing his tunic in the process. Tavros’s dark chuckle chased him across the room until he crawled up the bed and positioned himself in the center. He watched avidly as Tavros took his time. His cock twitched, and Valis gave it a firm stroke, his back arching at the contact. Valis closed his eyes, and only a few seconds later, Tavros gently slapped Valis’s hand.

  “Eyes on me, love. Show me those beautiful blues and get your hand off that dick. I want to see you come undone, untouched.”

  Valis sucked in a staggered breath and released his erection. “We don’t have time…”

  Tavros only grinned as he neared the bed and took up the enormous jar of lubricant they’d conveniently left on the bedside table. “You don’t think I can make you come untouched in under ten minutes?”

  Gods, Valis couldn’t handle much more. His stomach swooped with delicious intensity at the proprietary way his husband stared at him, the way he licked his lips as if staring at a buffet of all his favorite foods.

  As if he couldn’t help himself, Tavros leaned over the bed and nipped the muscle over Valis’s hip and trailed his tongue up and over Valis’s ribs and around to his nipple. The sharp bite forced Valis’s back to bow and his throat to constrict around a deep, guttural moan.

  “Fuck! Tav… Tav, please.”

  Tavros’s only answer was an almost sinister chuckle as he flipped the latch on the jar of lubricant and set it on the bed. The metallic ring as the latch released echoed in the room, melding with Valis’s panting breaths. “If you don’t hurry, Tav, I’m going to lose my mind.”

  “Patience,” Tavros whispered. He climbed onto the bed, steadied the open jar, and stole Valis’s mouth in a kiss that lit a fire in his veins and made his dick throb. And in the next moment, fingers coated in cool, slick lubricant toyed with Valis’s ass, teasing him open with skilled, firm touches that had Valis spreading his legs wide and lifting his hips, trying to fuck himself on those questing fingers.

  It was rare that Valis got this needy this fast. As Tavros took his time stretching and playing with Valis’s asshole, Valis tried to stay still, tried to obey his husband’s command. But after several fast heartbeats and panting so hard he might as well take a job at a blacksmith as their bellows, Valis grabbed Tavros and flipped him. With Tavros on his back, Valis reached behind him, grabbed his lover’s cock, and sank down on it with a long, loud, relieved groan.

  Once he bottomed out, he relaxed for a moment then stared down at Tavros, who had a shit-eating grin in place like he’d planned this all along.

  Knowing Tavros, he probably had.

  With a groan, Valis rose and sank back down. He built up a rhythm that had his breath hitching every time Tavros’s cock
rubbed against his prostate. Then, without warning, Tavros sat up, wrapped his arms around Valis, and flipped them over again. Laughing, Valis wiggled his ass, but the mischief that darkened Tavros’s eyes brought back the ardor, flooding his veins with lust so powerful that Valis rolled them over again, somehow with Tavros’s dick still lodged deep in his ass.

  Sometime during the scuffle, they had knocked over the jar of lubricant. It splashed on the bed before rolling off and landing on the floor. As they rolled around, the pool of lube on the bed coated them in slickness that made grappling and wrestling both interesting and fun.

  Valis got hold of Tavros again and flipped him over, but they kept rolling, Tavros clinging to Valis like his life depended on it.

  When he hit the floor, Tavros let out a loud “Oof! …Ow.” Valis landed on top, but he kept going. He slid right off his husband, and as slick as he was, he slid across the polished hardwood floor and hit the opposite wall head-first.

  “I did not think this through,” Valis said as he tried to stand without doing a split. “You okay?”

  Tavros burst into loud laughter and pointed at Valis’s face. “Better than you. I think you broke your nose.”

  Valis touched his nose and let out a hushed curse as he drew back and found his hand covered in blood. “Fuck.”

  “Yeah, I think we’re done with that for the day,” Tavros retorted between chuckles. “Or you could slide over here and sit on my dick again. Heal your fucking nose, love. That blood belongs in your cock, not down your front.”

  It only took a moment to heal his nose and a bruise on his eyebrow. He slid back to his lover, and foregoing the bed, he laid down on Tavros, chest to chest, dick to dick, and thrust his hips. The lubricant that coated both of them from neck to feet slicked the way. And when Tavros reached between their bodies and grabbed both cocks in his fist, Valis growled and thrust up harder.

  He straddled Tavros’s hips, rocking his own back and forth, building up friction, building up his desire. Their smiles melted away as their breaths came faster and faster, panting hard between sultry kisses that inflamed them further.