None of Essian's clan people were thrilled with him, but a tall, imperious woman, whose skin was covered in beautiful patterns of green and blue, opened the door. Zerek strode inside. The first thing he saw was Essian seated at a table covered in semi-opaque sheet maps. Zerek smiled until he noticed the bed.
Essian's bedchamber. The intimacy of that, even if there was no chance of anything sexual occurring, unsettled and aroused him. The skin on his nape crawled. He and Essian appeared to be the only occupants of the room. Unless Essian intended to seduce him—unlikely—the clans’ people wouldn't leave them unattended.
As much as he hated the thought of surveillance he couldn't spot, a tiny, wicked part of him gloried in the idea of Essian taking him in that sumptuous bed, in front of those unseen observers.
When his cock started to respond, he grimaced. Contrary, troublesome, brainless piece of flesh. Not that he wasn’t pleased he’d rested well enough for his cock to start working again as expected, but he ruthlessly tamped down his desire. He'd be able to fly before he'd be able to fulfill his sexual fantasies.
Zerek cleared his throat, and although Essian's attention appeared to be firmly on the map in front of him, a flicker of tongue and a gesture to a chair said otherwise. He slid into the chair and Essian slid the map around so they could both see it.
"I need to travel to five clan strongholds."
"And what do you need me for? Why not take some of your bodyguards or a small armed force or whatever you've got?"
Essian pointed at five clan lands, all of which bordered Hilruda territory, and suddenly part of this ridiculous scheme made sense. All five lands had regular intrusions from the Hilruda, and Essian needed a way to get there without the Hilruda finding out. They were also the primary clans that Zerek had dealings with, and he didn't think that was coincidental.
"You're very well informed." Which didn't ease his nerves, although he admired Essian's resources and thoroughness.
"I try." If anyone else had said that, they'd have been unbearably smug to the point Zerek would be tempted to punch them, but Essian had already proved he had good reason for his arrogance.
"How come you were able to get into Stony Gate, but not stealth your way into the other clans?" Zerek rubbed the back of his neck, still stiff after a full night's sleep on a proper bed.
"It took months to get the right information for Stony Gate, and the Hilruda have no reason to suspect that I was the one behind your escape. That means whatever conclusion they draw from your absence will not be the correct one."
"And exactly what conclusion..." Nope. He was done with this idiocy. "Essian, if you want my fucking help, just tell me what you need. If we keep dancing around the issue, we're going to be here until we die of old age."
Essian looked up, tongue flickering out again. At least Zerek had managed to say his piece without sounding too antagonistic. No one was springing from secret doorways to arrest him, nor was Essian calling for his guards.
"Are you always this impatient?"
He was going to get a cramp in his face from suppressing the eye rolling. "Are you always this evasive? Because here's the thing. I risk my neck every time I take a job. And now that I'm a fugitive, it's going to be even worse. I need every relevant scrap of information to keep us both out of trouble, and you're not being forthcoming. At all."
There was no reason to tell Essian that he enjoyed the danger almost as much as he enjoyed the sense of rightness about what he did. When he'd awoken with a familiar tingle of excitement in his belly, he knew he'd be pushing to leave as soon as was reasonable.
Silence hung between them, and Zerek took the time to study Essian's features. He'd had more exposure to Kadrussians than most humans, but he still wasn't always able to read their facial expressions. Similar physiology didn't equate to similar mentality, a theory proved out a hundred times over by the Hilruda, but his limited knowledge of the Kadrussians led him to believe that at least some of their goals, morals, and emotions ran in close parallel.
Something about the clan leader made him seem trustworthy. Zerek had made more than his fair share of judgements based on gut feelings, but he never liked to rely on them. In this case, he might not have any choice. If he was smart, he'd find a way out of this, but the adrenaline high of something new, and the odd, compelling pull of Essian's confident aura weighed more heavily in favor of going along with this plan, whatever it was.
"No armed guards. Just you and me. We can't appear to be an invading force. The Hilruda can't know what I'm doing. And if possible, I'd like to avoid the other clanspeople until I've had a chance to meet with the leaders." Essian's golden-eyed gaze flickered over the room, and Zerek knew the glance was not random. Although he didn't know why Essian would hint there were listeners, or rather, confirm the presence Zerek had already intuited, he understood instinctively that getting the whole story would have to wait.
"Tricky. Are you sure you don't want a burglar for this?"
This time, there was no mistaking Essian's expression—mocking disbelief.
Zerek snorted. "Fine, fine. I've done my share of stealing. But sneaking you into a clan leader's bedroom when I've never even scoped out the place? As a human, I'd stand out too much."
Not as much as he would have ten years ago, when he'd started smuggling especially mistreated humans out of Hilruda territory. Most of them lived in Kadrussian territories, but that didn't translate to unlimited human access to all clan properties.
"No, no. That level is not required. We just need to make it to the stronghold of each clan leader unhindered and unknown."
"And, what, you're just going to walk up to the door and ask for entrance?"
"Is that enough detail?" Essian didn't bother answering his question. Guess that was another detail that he'd find out later... if he needed to know.
As long as Essian didn't expect to get skewered by a rival clan leader, then yeah, Zerek probably had enough to go on. For now. He tilted a head toward the large packs sitting on the other side of the bed.
"Those our supplies?"
"Indeed. I took the liberty of having them prepared."
Uh-huh. "I need a complete inventory of what's in them. And I need some time with these maps."
Essian pushed the maps toward him. "I'll get you a list. I have a few things that I need to take care of before we leave. Tell the guard outside when you've decided on a departure time. There are facilities through the second door."
Zerek couldn't help himself. He stared at Essian's strong backside as he strode regally out of his bedroom. Once he'd shut the door behind him, Zerek slumped slightly, the encounter more stressful than he'd realized, primarily because he'd been desperate to control his unruly cock. Essian looked good and smelled even better.
Idly stroking the map, he let his gaze drift around the room, trying to get a sense of who Essian was. How much action the bed got. There wasn't any evidence of a second person occupying the room, but then, the Kadrussians were quite closemouthed about their sexual and mating practices. He'd seen a number of them naked, and was as sure as he could be without intimate inspection that Kadrussian and human parts would fit together just fine.
As a smuggler, there'd never been a good reason to ask for those kinds of details. As a man, he'd wanted to pry, and never so much as since he'd laid eyes on Essian, but he never got any sense the men he came in contact with were interested in him sexually. Not even Essian, much to his dismay.
Being left alone in Essian's bedroom removed any doubt that the room was under surveillance, and discouraged him from getting up to poke around in Essian's things. Test out his bed. Check for evidence of sexual activity.
He shook himself. Finish the job. Then worry about fucking. Mixing the two only led to trouble.
Ignoring a cock that had been semi-aroused the whole morning wasn't easy, but he had a job to plan, one that might be more dangerous than anything he'd done before. He needed all available blood in his brain. After a few minutes of
concentrating on the maps, the lust cleared from his mind and let him do what he did best.
Chapter 3
SWEAT TRICKLED DOWN Zerek's back. The day was unexpectedly hot after spending two days in an underground tunnel leading away from the center of Serpentes territory.
That tunnel had been a real kick in the balls. "If you knew about all these secret tunnels, why am I here again?"
It was the first time since they'd started their journey that either one of them had touched on any of the super-secret things Essian was hiding from him. Under the confines of the tunnel, he'd felt eyes on them, same as those unseen watchers in Essian's bedroom. Presumably Essian would be just as happy to keep those secrets as long as Zerek would let him.
"I only know the tunnels in my territory. If there are secret ways into other clan lands, you would know more than I would."
Mollified, Zerek let them cover a little more ground, the silence broken only by their footfalls, softened by years of vegetation turned to mulch under the canopy of the trees above.
He shifted the bulky pack, wishing for about the millionth time that he'd been given a chance to pick up some of his own equipment. Stories of the Great Journey told how humans desired a world with less technology in it. Closer to nature. A purer existence. Until the Bitter Silence, when the Hilruda outlawed it, most humans retained some technology. Zerek had inherited some of it, hoarded and hidden, and one piece in particular made lengthy journeys such as this quicker and easier than acting as a beast of burden.
There were days of travel ahead of him, and he was just going to have to tough it out. Wouldn't be the first time, but that didn't mean he liked the idea.
The worst part would be finding a way to take care of certain needs without Essian knowing. Watching Essian's muscular ass flex as he walked in front wasn't doing him any favors. At least in the tunnels, the light had been too dim for Zerek to become distracted.
He quickened his pace to draw alongside his companion. As much as he wanted to interrogate Essian, they had another day's travel before they reached the next clan's territory. Half a day from there to the stronghold. Pressuring Essian to talk might only make for an awkward, uncomfortable trip.
Several minutes later, Essian cleared his throat. "Shortly before your people were cut off from the empire, our historians discovered a previously unknown prophecy in documents almost completely deteriorated."
"Prophecy?" Zerek couldn't keep the incredulity from his tone.
"Once, long before humans arrived, clan leaders relied on seers for advice. The seers dreamed of futures, both immutable and mutable. Much to the dishonor of my people, the seers were savagely murdered in an attempt to unite the clans by force. The attempt failed, but it's the reason the clans generally keep to themselves."
Zerek wasn't sure what to make of the whole seer business. Wasn't something he believed in, but Essian's conviction was unmistakable. Instead, he made a murmur of assent. Whether or not this story had any relevance to their journey, Zerek didn't mind. He enjoyed the lyrical way Essian spoke, and there was still plenty of time for information sharing.
"Historians did their best to preserve the documents, but so many of them were dismissed as nonsense. Except, once the humans showed up many of the more unbelievable prophesies made more sense."
An unexpected laugh bubbled up in Zerek's throat. Essian shot him a curious glance.
"Sorry. Just imagining the day we landed and a bunch of your historians collectively saying so that's what falling from the sky meant." After all, humans had now spent more time under Hilruda rule than they had spent on the planet before the Bitter Silence. They were a fairly new addition to the planet.
Much to Zerek's pleasure, Essian gave his hissing version of a laugh. "I assure you, the prophecies aren't usually that straightforward."
Whether he believed or not, Zerek wanted to hear more. "What happened?"
"There was a revised interest in trying to decode the prophesies, another flurry of interest after the Bitter Silence. One of them speaks of—we think—the necessity of joining the clans. Otherwise, we, too, will fall under the control of the Hilruda."
Zerek took a minute to think about that. "You're trying to unite the clans. To go to war."
"Speaking of war is... premature. But yes."
"What the fuck took you so long? The Hilruda have been encroaching on your territory for years. Why wait until now?"
Essian's expression was even more inscrutable, or perhaps he was just harder to read in profile. "My father was one of many who believe uniting the clans will only end in disaster, like when the seers were destroyed."
"That's the reason for all the secrecy. Your father wasn't the only one who was against trying to unite the clans."
"My sources told me you were intelligent. I'm glad to see that proven. Yes, I fear the possibility of someone trying something drastic to stop me. But I'm clan leader now, and I don't think we can wait any longer. Otherwise, there will be no clan for the children to inherit."
Zerek agreed. He didn't give a fluffy fuck what some long dead seer thought about the matter. None of the clans on their own could stand against the concerted efforts of the Hilruda, and it would only be a matter of time before they moved against the Kadrussians in earnest. For the chance to foul up the Hilruda's plans, Zerek would have agreed to do this job for free, despite the increase in danger. But then, people didn't generally trust free, which meant Zerek didn't feel any burning need to renegotiate their agreed upon terms.
"I'm sorry for the loss of your father." Zerek hadn't sensed any real grief, but clan leaders probably weren't allowed that luxury.
"Thank you. We didn't have a lot of common ground, but he was still my father."
That might have been the most personal thing Essian had said. In case it pained Essian, Zerek turned the conversation to less emotionally charged topics.
* * * *
ZEREK FINISHED SETTING up their meager camp. Essian—or his people—had done a good job of estimating what equipment and supplies they'd need. Only a few adjustments and additions had been necessary, but when their only source of transport was their own two feet, sacrifices had to be made. This camp was probably the roughest he'd had to endure in years, but the location more than made up for it.
Prime, prime location. Plenty of greenery for shelter and cover. Wild berries and edible roots abounded, to round out their tasteless, but nutritional staples. A nearby creek for water and bathing. Zerek was getting spoiled in his old age of twenty-nine. These days, he much preferred to be clean, especially when in the company of an attractive man. The heat of the day and Zerek's increased attraction to Essian made him sweat far more than he'd like. Walking in the daylight heated Essian up too, but only to the point of making his spicy scent more noticeable, and more than once, Zerek caught himself inhaling deeply trying to catch a whiff. Essian wasn't cursed with unpleasant body odor—maybe Kadrussians didn't do that.
Several times, Essian's partially split tongue flickered out. Maybe Essian was scenting for threats. Or, maybe it was a body cooling mechanism. Either option was more palatable than checking for Zerek's stink.
"You want to bathe first or second?" Zerek had no problem interpreting the questioning look. "It's one of the reasons I chose this place to stay for the night. We can take turns washing up in the creek."
Zerek half expected him to ask why they'd take turns, but Essian wasn't stupid. He had to know that it was safer if one of them stood guard. Not that Zerek expected trouble this soon, but better to be over vigilant than to get dead or recaptured.
"I will go first."
Stupid to give Essian a choice. Zerek should have gone first, because he had no doubt watching Essian get naked and bathe was only going to make it doubly embarrassing when it came to his turn.
Then again, getting turned on was inevitable, and he'd pretty much resigned himself to several days of traveling while semi-aroused.
Guard duty tested Zerek's self-control like not
hing else. Essian was exactly the type of guy he preferred, and rarely found. Zerek was a big, muscular guy—stronger than most other men he came across. Kadrussians were a bigger, stronger species, and Essian was an elite specimen. His distinct color pattern extended over his whole body, as Zerek discovered from several hopefully surreptitious peeks, including one that gave him a glimpse of a mouth-watering cock. The gold overtones were simply stunning when he moved into the sunlight.
Sinuously, Essian slid into the water, and helplessly, Zerek watched, mesmerized by the water sheeting off that tempting skin, large hands stroking over firm muscles. Cock throbbing mercilessly in his pants, Zerek forced himself to turn away and check the surroundings for any threats. The Serpentes clan would make sure his death was drawn out and painful if he'd let their leader get hurt because he'd been beguiled by Essian's nudity.
After an eternity, Essian arose from the creek. Zerek waited for a moment, but Essian made no move to get dressed.
"What are you waiting for, Zerek?"
So many answers to that question, and not one of them appropriate. "Aren't you getting dressed?"
"No. I prefer to dry before I put my clothes back on. You go ahead though. It will not affect my ability to stand guard."
Sweet mother's milk. Never mind irate clan members, Essian was going to kill him dead right here. If unfulfilled desire didn't get him, Essian might do the job if he realized how turned on Zerek was.
Stepping out of Essian's direct line of sight, he started to strip. Although he kept an eye out, Essian never turned to check out Zerek's bared body. Flaring of Essian's longer, narrower, nostrils were the only sign that he wasn't a lifeless statue. Zerek didn't recall ever seeing a Kadrussian do it before—the slightly different nasal structure made it quite obvious—and had no idea what would cause such a reaction.
Cold water and Essian's painful disinterest quieted his cock, however temporarily, but didn't do a thing to wash away the disappointment. Foolish of him to care, especially when he couldn't quite pinpoint why Essian fascinated him so much.
Come Undone: Romance Stories Inspired by the Music of Duran Duran Page 44