Krase was different in that much of the business in the universe took place on their planet. From what Jodi had told him, Krase was where he’d been auctioned off. Sevaleth felt a surge of hope. That was when the Krase warrior had seen Jodi and desired to possess him! Now he had an even better chance of finding Jodi. The one who took him must have been at the auction. If so, he had left a trail. Too, Sevaleth realized that lust might not be what had inspired the warrior but profit.
How much had Jodi been sold for?
Sevaleth had to talk to the men who had given Jodi to him as a gift. If he were very expensive, that would explain why a Krase warrior would take such a huge risk to steal him. To Sevaleth, Jodi was priceless, but the Krase were infamous for putting a price on everything. If money was the object, then all Sevaleth had to do was take what he had earned as a hero over the course of his life and trade it for Jodi. He wouldn’t care if he had to give everything he had. He would do so gladly. And then he and Jodi could continue their journey living on the largesse of others while entertaining them. There was no doubt in Sevaleth’s mind that he could be happy with that life.
“And Jodi would be happy, too.”
Sevaleth rose and felt very strange. His chest hurt, but when he tried to reach up and touch the wounded area, he wasn’t able to lift his right hand higher than to his belly. No matter how hard he tried he simply couldn’t lift his arm. Panic settled in, causing his heart to pound and his breath to become gasping. How could he be a hero if he couldn’t lift a weapon?
“Oh, great master! You are awake!” Barely had his houseboy entered his rooms before he was off again, presumably to get the healer.
For the first time ever, Sevaleth was despairing that he didn’t have a mirror in his room. He wanted to see what was wrong with him. When he tried to look down, his neck hurt, preventing him from getting a good look at the damage. Not that it mattered. He would still find Jodi. If he couldn’t heft a weapon, he would strap one to his forehead if he had to. Just like Jodi had said, he would improvise. Nothing was going to stop him from getting his companion back.
The healer came and explained what was wrong with him. He used many technical terms that Sevaleth didn’t understand. When he asked him to simply state the problem, the healer actually moved back a few steps before informing him that the blaster shot had caused so much damage to his chest and shoulder that he couldn’t lift his arm or make a tight fist.
“You will never be able to hold a weapon again.” The healer took another step back. Clearly, he feared that Sevaleth would go on a rampage. A season ago he might have, but he had learned many things from his companion, and one of them was the art of being flexible.
“I still have another hand.”
The healer frowned for a moment then nodded vigorously. “Yes, great hero, you do.”
Sevaleth sensed he was agreeing with him simply because everyone always did, but that didn’t matter, either. He had a plan and he would see it through. One way or another he was going to rescue Jodi.
“You should rest now.” The healer nodded to his bed.
“I have work to do.” Sevaleth pushed through the pain. There were herbs and potions that he could take to lessen the hurt, but they would dull his mind, and he needed to be focused. He called for his houseboy, had him bring food, then Sevaleth sat down to eat while he planned his strategy.
As he worked, he remembered his dream while he lay in the forest on his back, where Jodi whispered “soon we will be alone.” Each time he became overwhelmed or despaired that finding him would be difficult, he remembered that and gained hope. He would find him. While he contemplated what he would need to go to Krase, he also noted that he had not handled the niceties, as Jodi called them. So Sevaleth called for his houseboy and had a letter drafted to the villagers who had saved his life. He would be forever in their debt. While he and Jodi had been there, he noted that they had to bring water from the stream that was quite a distance away. He would give them the necessary funds and slaves to build a system that would bring water to them. Once he was finished with that, he returned to his plans.
When his houseboy rushed in, breathlessly gushing that Sevaleth’s presence was requested, he wondered if the king and queen would eject him from the hero’s hall. He would not be angry if they did. In time, he would learn to fight with his left hand, but they wouldn’t want a man so disgraced to welcome back true heroes.
He dressed in his battle gear with his groomer’s help. Since he could not lift his blade, he left that off. Again, he longed for a mirror to see what he looked like, but he supposed his appearance didn’t much matter.
Normally, he would stride quickly to an audience with the king and queen, but his body ached too much for him to move fast. He marched with purpose and kept his head down. He’d failed in his duty to himself, but he’d also failed them. If nothing else, he should have wounded the invader. He realized then that he might be going to his execution. Not protecting the realm was the most egregious error any hero could commit. For all he knew, the Krase warrior had caused other, far greater damage than simply stealing a citizen.
Just as his fear was getting the better of him, he remembered something else Jodi had told him and that was that he shouldn’t borrow trouble. Since he couldn’t do anything about the situation until he knew the details, speculating was only going to waste his time and energy. There was no doubt in Sevaleth’s mind that Jodi would want him to put all his focus on healing and finding him.
When Sevaleth entered the court, he thought he was dreaming. Jodi was there. He was wearing the most curious outfit, but he was alive, and well, and standing next to a Krase warrior.
Automatically, Sevaleth reached for his sword and came up empty. He berated himself for not putting it on the other side because in his fury he would have no trouble killing that beast with his left hand. Then he realized he could kill him bare handed. Bellowing with rage, he charged right at him.
“No!” Jodi lifted both his hands, warding Sevaleth off. “It’s not him! He’s not the one who stole me!”
Sevaleth stopped charging and realized this wasn’t the same Krase. This one had a tattoo on his face of a curve with four dots when the one who took Jodi had nothing. It was said the mark was one of honor that symbolized how many worlds the Krase officer had conquered. Whoever he was, he was of a very high rank.
But then Sevaleth’s attention turned to Jodi, and he was on the verge of tears he was so grateful to have him back. He realized Jodi was crying and running to him, his arms open. When he grew near, Sevaleth embraced him gently, afraid that in his joy he would crush him so hard he would hurt him.
“I thought you were dead. I thought he’d killed you.”
“I thought I failed you.”
“You saved me.”
Their words overlapped between frantic hugs and passionate kisses.
When he calmed, Sevaleth set Jodi down and winced as he looked at his eye. “Did he hit you?” Sevaleth’s gaze darted to the Krase warrior who was standing beside his king.
“No. The one who took me did because I attacked him.”
“You attacked a Krase warrior?” Sevaleth was so shocked he dared to ask a question in full view and hearing of his rulers. Hopefully, they would forgive him due to the circumstances.
“I thought he killed you.” Jodi touched Sevaleth’s chest. “Are you in pain?”
“I am fine.” He looked over at the Krase officer again. “Tell me what happened.”
Briefly, Jodi explained how he’d been stolen, sold, and could never return to his home because of the time-space issue. Sevaleth’s heart broke for him. He knew how much Jodi loved his family, but Jodi was simply grateful to be alive.
“The warrior who came after me wasn’t supposed to hurt me, but he was zealous to earn the glory of having located one of the Earthlings.” Jodi looked back at the Krase officer. “Honor said it won’t happen again. Only trusted officers will be allowed to retrieve my kind.”
“
Honor?”
“Honor Vengeance. That’s his name. Cool, right?”
Sevaleth cared nothing for the naming peculiarities of the Krase. “Tell me why they wanted you back.” Sevaleth’s joy evaporated. Had he only been given this one quick encounter with his companion? It wasn’t enough. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough. “Tell me that this does not mean you have to go away with him again.”
“They wanted me back to free me and give me citizenship.”
“I do not understand.”
“It means I’m a Krase citizen and I can go pretty much anywhere I want.” Jodi moved close. “And I want to be with you.”
Relief poured through him, making Sevaleth grin. “I want to be with you, too.”
They parted when his king cleared his throat. “We are pleased to have all restored.”
Sevaleth bowed to him and his queen.
“Honor Vengeance has assured us that the rogue Krase warrior will be suitably reprimanded for violating our treaty, harming our hero’s companion, and almost killing one of our mightiest heroes.”
Sevaleth straightened. He was proud to be considered so highly by his king. Apparently, now that he was no longer called upon to wage war, he would not be unduly punished for his failure.
“What will happen to the one who hurt me?” Jodi asked Honor.
“He will be stripped of all his worldly possessions, and those things will be given to Sevaleth in compensation.”
“That’s all?”
“There is more, but I do not think you should know.”
“I have a right to know. He hurt me and Sevaleth.”
“Once his possessions have been rendered to you, he will be skinned alive.”
Sevaleth nodded, glad that the creature would be dealt with so brutally, but Jodi looked positively ill and whispered, “I don’t want that on my conscience.”
“I would ask that he be allowed to live so that he may suffer for what he has done. Death would be a blessing.” When Sevaleth suggested that, Jodi squeezed his hand, showing his agreement. Since the Krase did not believe in an ever after, dying, even by such a horrific manner, wouldn’t be as devastating as being forced to live without hope.
“We deal with our own in our own way.” Honor spoke as gently as he could, but it was clear he wouldn’t let outsiders dictate how the Krase would handle one of their own. “I came here only to return Jodi to you and to apologize on behalf of my government.”
Sevaleth looked to Jodi who slumped his shoulders. “At least we tried.”
“You are more merciful than I.” Sevaleth kissed him then nodded to the officer. “I thank you for returning him to me.”
Honor bowed, and then he was gone.
Sevaleth noticed that the queen, who had been very tensely sitting on the edge of her throne, relaxed and moved back once the Krase officer was gone. His king seemed less tense as well. Sevaleth wasn’t surprised. He was big, but a Krase officer was taller and broader than even the biggest man on Girakor. That Jodi had attacked one was almost unfathomable. It also showed the depth of his love. In many ways, Jodi was the bravest hero Sevaleth had ever known.
Chapter 13
That night there was a huge celebration in the hero’s hall. Jodi and Sevaleth went early and stayed for a good portion of it, but eventually, the merriment became too much for Sevaleth. He would never admit he was in pain, but Jodi saw him wince as he lifted the same cup of grog at least ten times without drinking any. Rather than shame him, Jodi yawned and begged to go to their rooms. Sevaleth was practically there before Jodi could finish suggesting they retire for the night.
“I’m sorry that I kept touching you while we were there.”
“And you think that makes me mad?” Jodi undressed Sevaleth without waiting to be asked because he knew he wasn’t going to ask for help. What amazed Jodi was that he wasn’t angry. Sevaleth was about as macho and posturing as any male he’d ever met, but he also possessed a tender side that had impressed Jodi. Rather than point out his foibles, Jodi embraced them.
“I just wish to remind myself that you are here and I am awake.”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to remind you.” Once Jodi got him naked, he undressed himself then got Sevaleth into bed on his back.
“Wait.”
“What?” Jodi didn’t stop slicking up Sevaleth’s cock. They hadn’t been parted long, but that didn’t mean Jodi wasn’t jonesing for him like crazy.
“I have to tell you the truth.”
“Okay.” Jodi slung his leg over Sevaleth then settled on the upper part of his thighs. While he listened, he stroked his hands up and down his cock.
“The healer said I will never be able to lift my arm very high or clench my hand into a fist.”
“I’m sorry.” Jodi looked at the bandage on Sevaleth’s shoulder and chest. “Are you in pain?”
“No. You don’t understand.” Sevaleth drew a deep breath, looked away, then looked back. “I can’t hold a weapon.”
Before, Jodi wouldn’t have understood how devastating that was. Now, he knew that to a man like Sevaleth, it wasn’t about waging war but being able to defend the man he loved. Softly, Jodi asked, “Can you still hold me?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s all that really matters then, isn’t it?”
“But I am no longer able to fight for you.”
“You don’t need to fight for me.”
“I failed you when both of my arms worked.”
“Do you think I’m with you because you can protect me?”
Sevaleth opened his mouth then closed it slowly. “No.”
“Right. I’m with you because I love you. Being with you and the journey we made together—I fell in love with you every day.”
Sevaleth cupped his hands to Jodi’s hips, lifting him up and centering his cock.
“And we’re going to go right back to what we were doing.”
Sevaleth hesitated, frowning.
As Jodi sank down, taking Sevaleth’s cock inside, he said, “We’re going to explore the sea shore and learn to sail.”
“With only my one good arm?”
“With only that.” Jodi closed his eyes as he sank all the way down. Nothing in the world felt as good as that.
“But what if there is another who tries to take you?”
“There will be no more Krase warriors.”
“But you are very becoming. Certainly, others will want you.”
“You are a great hero. None would dare to steal your companion.”
“But—but—”
“Hush. I won’t let fear dictate to me what I will do. I won’t let you do that, either.” Rolling his hips in a circle, he opened his eyes when Sevaleth growled. “What was that for?”
“A noise of praise. You are truly sent from the gods.”
“See? I’m your reward.”
Sevaleth’s smile was turned into a lusty snarl when Jodi tightened his rectum around his cock.
“They must think much of me to send you.”
“They do.” Jodi kept right on tensing and releasing, enjoying Sevaleth’s reactions.
“And you’re willing?”
“I am.” Jodi circled and rocked until Sevaleth climaxed so hard he would have bucked him off but for the hold he had on his hips. Within seconds, he lifted Jodi up, cupped his bottom with his left hand, and drew him upward. “What are you doing?”
“Now I am showing gratitude to you.”
Working his mouth over his cock and his hand against the sweet spot, Sevaleth quickly brought Jodi to the peak of pleasure. When he released him, Jodi sunk down by his side, placed his head gently on his chest, and then they talked until they fell asleep.
In the morning, Jodi was happily humming to himself as he mapped out plans for their sea shore expedition. Soon, Sevaleth joined him.
In the seasons that followed, they journeyed back to the village to thank those who had saved Sevaleth and to see the new water project that had transformed their tiny
economy into one that was far more robust. Jodi was pleased to discover that the cooing ferret animals, creedles, were actually sold as pets because they hunted rodents. It was the Girakor version of a domesticated cat.
During their absence, Raptor had escaped their rooms and somehow found his way to the queen, who begged to keep the animal. Since they would be traveling, they agreed. When they next saw him, Raptor was easily twice his previous size and three times as lazy. He was very spoiled and very happy. Quiddle and De’tambo stayed behind to tend to their rooms and enjoyed being semiretired servants since Jodi and Sevaleth were so rarely in attendance.
“Have I told you what my greatest victory was?” Sevaleth asked as they washed up in his fancy pool during one of their pit stops at the palace.
“No, my love, you have not.” Jodi set aside the soap.
“Having you beg me with your eyes and lips for my cock.”
“That’s it?”
“It is the one conquest that fills me with the most pride.”
“Wait. When have I ever begged for your cock?”
“You always ask for more in a begging tone.”
Looking up at him with big eyes, Jodi softly whispered, “More.”
Very quickly he found himself impaled on Sevaleth, begging for even more.
When they were finished, Jodi traced over the blaster scar. “Do you know what my greatest victory is?”
“Conquering me?”
“Well, that is one. But also, I am not afraid anymore.”
“What were you afraid of?”
“I used to worry about so many things that were out of my control. Like the future and getting a job and where I would live and how the hell I’d ever get a boyfriend when I was timid about my own sexuality. Now I know that with you by my side, I can face anything.”
“I feel that way, too.”
Jodi kissed Sevaleth, and soon they were making love again, this time slower, with much more gratitude. As long as they put one another first, there was nothing they couldn’t do.
Enslaved By a Hero [Sold! 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 11