“I will not make you stay.” Sevaleth was glad it was still pretty dark because he didn’t want Jodi to see how much saying that hurt. It was true, but still, it pained him deep inside to release Jodi completely.
“Thank you.”
Sevaleth nodded.
“What would it be like if I stayed?”
Sevaleth’s heart beat faster. Was Jodi asking because he wanted to stay? Or, more likely, he was waiting for Sevaleth to make staying with him seem like a good idea. Dathar’s notion of teasing returned. He couldn’t make Jodi stay by force, but he could offer him things that would make staying seem worthwhile. However, when Sevaleth thought about that, he didn’t know what would work. And then the solution hit him. It was against everything that had been drilled into him his entire life, but that was okay because it was only the two of them in the room. Still, before he enacted his radical plan, he looked around to make sure they were alone.
“What would you like our life together to be like?” It felt very strange to deliberately ask a question, and as soon as he did, Sevaleth felt he’d somehow emasculated himself. He was on the verge of taking it back when he realized the expression on Jodi’s face was one of hope.
Hope.
Such a little thing, but to see that lift his features and brighten his beautiful eyes made Sevaleth happier than he had ever been.
Jodi rose from bed and came over to the pool, slipping in beside Sevaleth.
“I would like something to do with myself. Beyond enjoying the pool, playing with Raptor, or going to the hero’s hall.”
Sevaleth realized the power of asking, because Jodi said things in answer that Sevaleth himself had been thinking. “I would like that, too.”
“You would?”
“I would. The thought of going to the hall night after night…” Sevaleth trailed off then shook his head. “I wish to celebrate my fellow heroes, but I do not want only that in my life. And here”—he lifted his hand to encompass his room—“is very soothing in comparison to the hall, but there is little to do in here.” Sevaleth considered. “Sex is very good, and I would like to do much more of that, but I would think that would get dull if that was all we did.”
Jodi grinned as he nodded. “I would like to see more of Girakor.”
“You would?” Sevaleth turned and took Jodi’s hands in his, leaning into him. “I, too, would like to do that. I was told of the place where Raptor comes from. I have been many places in the galaxy, but I have only been in the palace on Girakor.”
“Do you have to stay here?”
“When I was active as a hero, yes. I had to be ready to go whenever they called upon me.”
“But now you don’t have to do that?”
“Not now that I am old.”
Jodi cupped his chin. “You’re not old.”
“To my king and queen I am.” Sevaleth pondered Jodi’s expression. “There is no shame in this. Being old as a hero is a very rare thing on Girakor.”
“Most of you don’t live to retire?”
Sevaleth shook his head. “It is strange, but there is more glory for us in dying while being a hero than living to be an old man.”
“That’s sad.”
“I think so. But I’m not shamed because I found you.”
Rather than answer, Jodi pulled close and kissed him, which was better than any words he could have said. Somehow, a kiss said much more. Sevaleth thought that his life was pretty much over when he returned from his last campaign, but now, he realized there was an entire new life just waiting for him. With Jodi by his side, they could shape that life into anything they wanted. The urge to ask Jodi again if he would stay was strong, but Sevaleth resisted. Pushing wouldn’t make Jodi agree to be with him. Each day Sevaleth would be respectful of his right to choose, and he would do what he could to ensure Jodi always wished to stay.
After kissing and talking quietly in the pool for a long time, they washed up, got out, dried off, and returned to bed. This time, Sevaleth was asleep within only a few breaths. He woke up with Jodi pressed against him. Both of them had smiles on their faces. Today he would make Jodi happy by giving him clothing that he would enjoy wearing and would look good on him. Loincloths were the norm for retired heroes, but if they were to travel around Girakor, they would need suitable outfits for the different terrains.
A momentary panic hit him when he realized he didn’t know what he would need. When he went to wage war, his commander had already assessed the land and ensured each hero had the equipment he needed. Again, Sevaleth was frustrated that he knew so much of other lands but nothing of his own. Then again, nothing had bonded him to his fellow heroes like learning things together. He and Jodi wouldn’t be waging war, but they would bond over discovering unique and interesting things. Moreover, as a hero, wherever he went, Sevaleth would be welcomed. It was a great point of honor to have a hero enter one of the villages, or so he’d been told. Sevaleth had heard his king and queen often sent heroes out among the people to tell of their glories so that the people would feel a sense of one with the kingdom.
“Morning.” Jodi leaned up and kissed Sevaleth’s cheek. When he yawned and snuggled closer, Sevaleth realized Jodi was hard because his cock was pressing into Sevaleth’s hip. “Sorry. I always wake up with wood.”
When Jodi tried to roll away, Sevaleth grasped his shoulder and rolled him back. “Wood?” He found asking questions became easier when Jodi didn’t seem to think less of him. His only concern was not being inquisitive around others. If his fellow heroes heard him talk this way, they would take issue with him.
“A hard-on. Boner. Stiffy. Doesn’t your land have any good slang for a hard cock?”
“Why call it anything other than what it is?” Rather than wait for an answer, Sevaleth kissed his way down Jodi’s body and took his hard cock into his mouth. His texture was interesting in that his skin was soft but below he was hard.
Jodi made that wonderful whimpering sound that told Sevaleth he was excited. As he continued to work his cock in his mouth, he reached back with his hand and pressed against his secret spot. This increased the noise Jodi uttered. Sevaleth realized he could become quite addicted to that noise. Something about the sound shivered through him, making him glad he was alive. When Jodi bucked his hips wildly, Sevaleth knew he was close to finding release. He sucked and pressed harder, loving the gasping cry Jodi made right as he erupted. After drinking his pleasure, Sevaleth climbed back up only to have Jodi hungrily working his way down. With just as much determination, Jodi returned the pleasure to Sevaleth. He climaxed and then pulled Jodi up into his arms.
They spent the rest of the dry season together, poring over maps and making plans. It was exciting to see Jodi come alive. He said he’d never really been much of an explorer on Earth, but now that he didn’t have to worry about school, a job—all the normal issues on his home planet—he felt free to really be who he wanted to be.
“And I get to do it all with you.”
Sevaleth shared his joy.
“But do we really have to take an entire army of slaves with us?”
“You propose we travel this distance alone?”
“Yes. Just you and me. On foot.”
Sevaleth was so stunned by the notion he couldn’t even formulate a question to ask. But rather than outright dismiss his idea as preposterous, Sevaleth considered. He was learning that sometimes, what looked impossible on the surface, was actually very possible. And might be fun as well.
“Think of just the two of us, walking across Girakor, carrying what we need and getting the rest from the villagers.”
“What if they don’t have what we need?”
“Then we improvise. I can fish, and I’m sure we could learn to hunt.”
“Food is not an issue.”
“What is an issue?”
“Shelter. The hot season follows the dry season. It is brutal.”
“How brutal?”
It took some time and effort, but eventually, Seval
eth was able to convey to Jodi the relative temperature.
“When you’ve waged war, have you survived worse?”
“Yes. But you are more tender.” Sevaleth stroked his finger down Jodi’s shoulder, enjoying the way he shivered. “I do not want you to be hurt.”
“I lived in Scottsdale, Arizona. During the summers I mowed lawns for extra money. One ten in the shade. No humidity. If I can survive that, then I can survive Girakor.”
“You are very brave.”
“I am?”
“Yes.” Sevaleth pulled him close. Their kisses turned to more so quickly it was almost like magic that he was in his bed, on his back, with Jodi riding atop him. After their mutual climaxes, they were back planning their great campaign. What excited Sevaleth was that this time he would not be making war, but telling tales of his past glories and spending time with Jodi.
The Delutian slave, De’tambo, helped fashion clothing that could be modified to work in a variety of environments. Girakor’s hot season invariably turned cool at night. Jodi said the same thing happened in the desert, so he knew how to prepare for that. De’tambo’s long, dexterous fingers were very skilled as he had to work with different fabrics and form the garments to fit two differently shaped men. But while he worked, he seemed happy, which in turn made Jodi happy.
The Xearzan, Quiddle, was instrumental in designing and creating luggage to hold all of their items. Since they would be traveling by foot most of the way, they had to be careful to take only what was essential. All their items also had to be things they could carry. There was a tremendous amount of discussion, but they eventually settled on the most-needed items.
“Besides, if something doesn’t work, we can improvise, or get it from one of the villages along the way.”
Sevaleth was amazed at Jodi’s ability to trust in people he had never met. Sevaleth would have tried to bring everything he could possibly need. He would have been overburdened and very miserable. There was fear in trusting others, but there was something liberating about it, too.
“But how will we carry what we do intend to bring?”
When Jodi explained what a backpack was, Quiddle was able to make the item and with De’tambo’s help, fit one to each of them. In this way, they could carry their own gear and split their common gear. Sevaleth could not remember a time when he’d derived so much pleasure from such a simple thing. Part of it was his own need to explore his world, but the other part was seeing his excitement reflected in Jodi’s eyes.
Each night they went to the hero’s hall, but they went very early, gave a toast to the returning heroes, then left. Jodi was the one to point out that Sevaleth’s chair in his cell was collecting dust. He didn’t mind. Once they were done with the niceties, as Jodi called them, they returned to their rooms and played various games, worked on their expedition, or made love.
That had been the most startling revelation to Sevaleth.
Sex was fun and pleasurable, but once the rawness of their coming together wore off, his feelings deepened. He loved to see that look, the one that had so intrigued him to see on Dathar’s slave’s face, come over Jodi’s face. But after time, Jodi’s look was different because it seemed to Sevaleth that Jodi’s feelings were deepening, too.
Again, Sevaleth wanted to ask, but chose not to. There was no need to speak when things were so very clear between them. Jodi no longer talked about going home, and Sevaleth was content with that. His plan to live each day by doing his best to make Jodi happy had a curious kind of reaction. Jodi seemed to be doing the same thing. Without saying a word or coming to an agreement, they were living and giving to one another with the ultimate goal the other’s happiness. By doing so, they gave themselves tremendous bliss.
“There is one last thing I must do.”
“You mean besides kiss me?”
After kissing him, Sevaleth explained he had to go to court. Since he wished to leave the palace, he had to have his king’s permission. Jodi was very nervous, but Sevaleth wasn’t. He asked and received an audience, dressed in his best battle gear, then stated his wish to his king without asking. Permission was granted practically before he could finish. The king encouraged his heroes to travel the land, telling their glorious tales to the villagers. It was an excellent way to get young men of stout heart to participate in their local protective force, of which the best and strongest were selected to come to the palace and venture forth into the galaxy.
Everything was coming together so effortlessly that Sevaleth was almost worried.
“You worry that things are too easy?” Jodi asked as he slathered oil on Sevaleth’s cock. They were in bed during the middle of the day, but neither had wanted to nap.
“I worry that something will come and make a mess of our plans.” Sevaleth helped Jodi to center his cock then slide down, making both of them groan. That moment right before he penetrated Jodi always enchanted him. Jodi called it the magic of anticipation, but all Sevaleth knew was that it sparked such longing in him he almost became frantic. “But that is the burden I have always carried.”
“Worry?”
Sevaleth nodded then arched up when Jodi circled his hips. It was a seductive dance that he had gotten very good at doing. “When I would go to war, there was always excitement, but there was concern, too, because we didn’t know as much as we wanted to know. I got better at anticipating my needs and those of the men with me.”
“You’re worried about me.”
“I am.”
“I’m not a delicate child.”
“No. But you are not war hardened, either. If you are ever unhappy, or uncomfortable, you should say.”
“That really matters to you. That I’m happy.”
“Yes.”
“Your happiness matters to me, too.”
“I am almost sick with happiness.”
Jodi tossed back his head and laughed.
Sevaleth grasped his hips, pulled him tight, then rolled so that he was now on top. He was careful to keep his weight off Jodi, but he discovered that Jodi liked for him to press down on him. Being pinned by Sevaleth’s bigger body excited him. He showed this by squirming and whimpering. His animal cries brought out the beast in Sevaleth. Sometimes their encounters were languid like the sea lapping against the shore, but tonight it was wild like a sudden storm. Sevaleth thrust hard, loving the way Jodi parted his legs wider, wrapping them around his hips and tightening them. When he lifted his head and bit the side of Sevaleth’s neck, he urged him to move deeper and faster until it felt like he was running toward climax. Jodi found his satisfaction first, but Sevaleth was quick to follow.
Gasping, he rolled to his back, staring at the ceiling.
“You are so incredibly good at that.” Jodi grasped his hand, kissed the back, but didn’t let go. “You’re like a machine.”
“A sex machine.”
Jodi chuckled. “I should teach you that song.”
“There is such a thing in the palace.”
Jodi sat up and peered curiously at Sevaleth’s face. “There’s a sex machine in the palace?”
“The king had it built to please his queen.”
“Are you serious?”
Sevaleth nodded solemnly. “But it is gone now. Along with the queen for whom it was built.”
“What happened?”
“She grew to love the machine more than her husband.” Sevaleth had been a very young hero when the incident occurred, but he’d always remembered the tale. As Jodi settled on his chest, arms cushioning his head so he could look at Sevaleth while they spoke, he told him about the sounds of pleasure that would echo throughout the palace. “The king was pleased at first, because he enjoyed watching her use the device, but he grew weary of that being all she liked to do.”
“And he didn’t kill her?”
“Kill her?” Sevaleth was truly shocked. “Do humans kill their companion when they are not happy?”
“No. But back in our history there were some pretty bloodthirsty kings.
Henry the Eighth went through about half a dozen wives, I think. He didn’t kill all of them, but there was one he turned on.”
Sevaleth listened with rapt attention to the woebegone tale of Anne Boleyn. Then he told Jodi about the king who liked his mount better than his wife. They ended up not going to the hero’s hall that night because they were too busy talking and putting the finishing touches on their gear.
“Come the break of day, we go.”
“I’m excited.”
“So am I.” Sleep eluded him even after another rousing climax with his companion, but when slumber finally came, terrifying dreams came with it. He kept losing Jodi in the unfamiliar terrain. No matter what he did to hang onto him, he kept slipping away. When he woke, he almost called a halt to their grand journey, but in the end, he dismissed the dreams as nothing more than normal fears. Jodi was precious to him. The idea of losing him was painful, but that didn’t mean since he dreamed it the event was destined to occur.
Chapter 9
“And then, the Cagorians rose up in far greater numbers than we.”
“What did you do?” a young man asked. He was leaning over so far he was in danger of tumbling into the fire.
“Each man swung his blade in a circle, taking out three of them at a time.”
Just like the villagers, Jodi was rapt with attention. Sevaleth was a natural storyteller. He knew when to pause and just what details to share. What impressed Jodi and lightened his heart was that before, Sevaleth had despaired about his scars. When first seen, they were terrifying, but the people would ask, and that was how he would start to tell his heroic tales. In the end, all the people saw his marks as visual reminders of where he’d been and what he’d done for them. Now, after entering dozens of villages and telling the tales, he wasn’t so worried about his scars anymore.
Jodi hardly noticed them. He saw Sevaleth so differently now than he had two months or so ago when he’d come to Girakor. Jodi had thought Sevaleth would be brutal, cruel, even hateful, but he was gentle, kind, and deeply emotional. Each day they spent together showed Jodi a life he never would have had if he hadn’t somehow ended up with Sevaleth. Once, a very long time ago, Jodi had heard a man talking about finding the right place in the universe for him. He said it was different for each person, but when this place was found, the person would know right down to their very soul.
Enslaved By a Hero [Sold! 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 8