Romi was slightly startled by that question. He wasn’t sure what...er...contribution he was supposed to make to proceedings. But Mila seemed rather pleased at the suggestion. “Why not? He can sit with Seiki and keep Jes amused, and if you like, you can sleep in our spare room afterwards. Nicer for you both, don’t you think?”
“Romi?”
“Uh, whatever you’re most comfortable with. I’m new to all this, you know.”
Karik grinned. “Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. Mila, let us know when we should come over. Seiki? You can stop hiding now—it’s all sorted out.”
Mila blushed, and then there was a voice in Romi’s head, which made him jump. “Sorry, was I that obvious?”
“Mila’s the actress, not you. Are you happy with Romi being there?”
“Oh yes! I would have felt really odd if he’d not been. Romi, do you mind?”
Romi had no idea where his eyes should be with this disembodied conversation, but he knew what to say. “Not at all. I would be very honoured to help in any way. Jes is a lovely child and a brother or sister can only add to your joy.”
“Thank you. Thank you, Karik.”
A few moments later, Seiki, Kei and Arman came back in and there was much grateful hugging. Kei and Arman were just as delighted at the thought of a sibling for Jes as her parents were, and Romi rather thought it wasn’t just Karik’s mother who would love to have as many youngsters around as she could. Odd, because he wouldn’t have put Arman down as one for children at all.
Seiki made tea and now the subject had been broached and settled, it could be discussed openly. Naturally, with three gifted in the room, the problem of infertility was very much on their minds.
“I’m lucky,” Seiki said, “with my lover being female. If she was male, or I was like you two,” she said, nodding at Kei and Romi, “I can’t imagine any woman going through childbirth and giving the baby away.”
“The problem is that our women find it so hard to conceive,” Kei said. “The Prij have the opposite problem—far too many motherless children, and no one wants them. It’s a dreadful shame. I know three couples who have offered to take Prijian orphans and give them homes, but the Prij refuse to allow it. They would rather the children died on Prijian soil than live raised by heathens.”
“You had a lucky escape, then,” Romi said, smiling at Karik, but his lover frowned slightly, glanced at Arman, and then found something of intense interest in his tea mug. What had he said?
Mila broke the uncomfortable silence. “Is there nothing that can be done, Arman?”
“I think things are slowly changing, though adoptions out of the country are never going to be popular or common. But the prejudice against the Darshianese is very strong, sadly.”
“It’s religious, more than anything,” Romi said. “They think we’re utterly scandalous because we don’t worship our gods. The Andonese think the same, but they’re more polite about it.”
“Don’t see why the gods give a damn, really,” Karik muttered. “If they exist and they’re so powerful, why do they care if we worship them or not? And if they do, then they’re not so wonderful, are they?”
“See, Karik,” Kei said with a smile, “logic like that will get you nowhere when you talk to the Prij. One of the most intelligent people I ever knew—your namesake in fact—was unshakeable in his belief that Lord Niko ruled the hearts and minds of men and that we are all pawns in his hands. It seemed such a hopeless way to live, yet Karus was hardly lacking in energy or creativity.”
Arman cleared his throat. “Speaking from experience, the way it works in practice is that people theoretically believe the gods rule everything, but for day-to-day things, they push it to the backs of their minds. It’s only in times of crisis or celebration that they turn sincerely to their faith.”
“But you can see why they think we’re insane,” Kei said. “And why they honestly believe the souls of their children would be lost if we raised them. It’s one of the reasons that intermarriage is still so uncommon.”
“We want Jes’s sibling to be half Prijian,” Seiki said, Mila nodding as she spoke. “Because they are so rare, and we didn’t want her to feel different.”
“She doesn’t look different,” Romi said.
“Green eyes, and her hair is slightly wavy,” Karik said. “She’ll have a slightly different shape to her nose and eyes as she gets older—my friend Gyo is half-Prijian too, you see.”
“Ah.” There was undoubtedly a story there too.
“I’m glad you came back, nephew, because it saved me from offering to assist,” Arman said. Romi nearly choked on his tea, and Karik stared at his uncle in astonishment. “What? If it’s good enough for you, is it not good enough for me? I fear poor Mila would have found it a tiresome experience though.”
Mila just smiled at her friend. “It would not have been, Arman, and I would have been very grateful to accept. I’m even more grateful Karik came back, but that’s for his sake more than mine.”
“It might have been nice,” Kei said wistfully. “A child of yours, Arman, for us both to be Pa to.” Arman took his hand and kissed his cheek, but then Kei gave him an impish grin. “But I’m glad Mila was spared the experience too.”
“Are you saying I’m incompetent, you damn brat?”
“No...I’m just saying it takes a real man to handle you, that’s all.” Seiki grinned behind her tea mug.
“Hmph. Better go find me one then, you annoying creature.” Kei kissed him again and petted him until the fierce scowl disappeared. Romi didn’t think Arman was actually all that annoyed—it was pretty funny though.
They didn’t stay much longer after that. Romi and Kei might be men of leisure but the others had to rise at dawn like all other working people. They kissed their lovely hosts, and Kei was made to promise he would come again soon before Seiki would let him leave.
Then the four of them walked home in the mild night air, Romi’s fire sprites lighting their path. It had been a sweet and homely evening, and if Karik wanted a store of good memories, then surely this would be one of them.
Kei told them to take the first turn at the bath, and Karik fetched their robes while Romi soaped up. To his surprise, Karik had a razor and shaving brush with him when he returned. “Are you planning to use that tonight?”
“Mmmm. I thought it was time I did.”
Romi came up behind him and looked at the two of them in the polished metal mirror. “Because of me?”
“I said I would shave when I have a lover. So I will.”
There was a slightly mulish quality to his words as if this had been a contentious point. Romi made him turn. “You don’t need to change yourself to suit me.”
Karik’s expression became shuttered and he wouldn’t meet Romi’s eyes. “You mean, don’t bother changing for me because I’m not hanging around.”
Romi sighed and made Karik look at him. “No, I mean, I like your beard, so don’t think you have to shave it off for me. Are we going to fight non-stop for three months? That’s not the kind of memory I was hoping to leave you.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t...you really like my beard?”
Romi rubbed his fingers along it. “I love your beard. It feels nice, and it suits you.”
“I don’t like it myself. It’s just practical.” Karik turned around to face him. “But I’ll keep it if you like it.”
“It makes no difference to me. I’m sure you look just as handsome without a beard as with one. If you want to shave, go ahead.”
Karik frowned. “Now I don’t know what to do!”
Romi laughed and kissed him. “Poor little man.” That got him a mean poke in the ribs. “Horrible brat.”
“Arse. Just for that, I won’t shave at all.”
Romi snorted. “That’ll certainly teach me a lesson. Not sure what, but it will. Now come on, I want that bath.”
Staying Power: 49
Karik suppressed a sigh of regret. Bathing with Romi
was already one of his greatest pleasures in life and would be just one more thing he would miss dreadfully if...when...Romi left. He had to face it—Romi was right, there wasn’t an alternative unless Karik followed him. Romi wouldn’t allow it anyway.
He hid his gloomy feelings, allowing himself to enjoy being held by Romi, his long-limbed body and fine skin feeling so good against his own. He wondered if they would do...more...tonight. Even if thinking about ‘more’ still made his stomach flip flop.
“Karik, what did I say wrong about you being adopted? I didn’t mean to cause offence.”
Karik roused himself. “Uh, it wasn’t offensive...it’s just a bit sensitive. See, Arman’s my father.”
“What?” Romi’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. “Are you serious?”
“Well, in one sense, yes. I guess I should tell you about my parents, since parenthood seems to be on everyone’s mind.” He extracted himself from Romi’s arms and moved to the other side of the tub. “You know I told you my real mother lives in Utuk?”
“Yes, and you told me you don’t know who your real father is. Was that a lie?”
“No, not really. See—my mother, Sei Mayl, was Arman’s wife. I was born while they were still married.”
“I take it,” Romi said, eyes narrowed, “that there’s a reason for that careful phrasing.”
“Yes. My mother was having an affair with a senator, and Arman assumed I was that man’s child, not his own. For reasons I won’t go into, when he divorced her, he took me away, and gave me to Ma to raise. But legally, Arman’s my father, and he even had to swear on oath that he believed that in a court case—which I also won’t go into because it’s all over with.”
Romi still looked confused. “So, your father is a senator?”
“Well, he might be, but he’s not that senator. See...Arman now believes I can’t be that man’s son, because he married my mother after the divorce and she never had another child. I don’t look a bit like him either, fortunately.”
“So....”
Karik sighed. “You can’t say anything about this to anyone, all right? Arman thinks that I think he’s my real father. That’s what he allowed me to believe, and so far as he’s concerned, that’s what I do believe. But I know Arman knows I’m not his son...because if I was his son, he would acknowledge that. You saw him with Jes—the man wants a child of his own, and so does Kei. If there was even the slightest possibility I was really Arman’s child, he and Kei would find a way to share things with Ma and Pa. Or something. He’d just be very different. It’s not that he’s mean or cold to me—but he treats me as a nephew and a friend. Not his boy.”
Romi nodded. “I think I understand. But who’s your father?”
“I have no idea. Apparently my mother was a complete slut. No one’s actually ever said it, but it’s pretty obvious that’s what they think. My father could have been her gardener for all I know.”
Romi moved across the tub to take him into his arms. “I’m sorry.”
“Why? It’s not your fault my mother’s a slut.”
Romi winced at his words. “I’m sorry this hurts, and that you feel so harshly about her. You can’t want to feel that way, I’m sure.”
“No, I don’t. But the only contact I had with her didn’t exactly show her in a good light, and she’s never made the slightest attempt to get in touch with me since, although now that would be rather difficult anyway. Her husband is Senator Mekus.”
“What? You mean your mother...pissing hells, Karik!”
It wasn’t a funny subject, but Romi’s reaction raised a smile anyway. “Yes, I know. I’m related to some pretty strange people. I’m really glad Mekus isn’t my father—I’d rather have a gardener than him any day.”
“I don’t suppose she’d tell you if you asked.”
“First, I’d have to get a letter to the Welensi Islands and delivered to them, which as you know is almost impossible, and second—I don’t trust her not to lie to me anyway. She told me Arman was my father. I’m afraid she doesn’t value the truth much.”
Romi kissed him. “Then fortunately you don’t take after her at all. Do you?”
“Arman and Kei say I look a lot like her. I guess that was another reason for the beard—I look like a girl without one.”
“Ah, now if you’d told me that....” Romi grinned as Karik poked him for his cheekiness. “At least I know why Arman’s a bit touchy about it. I won’t ever mention it. Who your parents are, is of no interest to me. But it’s interesting that Soza knew about it....” He frowned. “Is what you’ve told me common knowledge?”
“Most of it’s on public record in Kuprij, so I suppose he might have heard from one of the Prijian scholars.” Karik looked at Romi. “He was never interested in me for myself, was he? It was all Arman, and my mother.”
“And the fact you’re a hundred times better than him,” Romi added. “He did seem a bit too interested in rank to sit well with me. I’m sorry—it’s not much set against everything else, but I know he was a friend once.”
Karik had been through too much for that to sting any more. “The man I was friends with never existed. I was pretty naïve, wasn’t I?”
“You were away from home, he was friendly, he taught you what you wanted to know.” Romi leaned his forehead against Karik’s. “I don’t think you need to blame yourself over that—your loyalty to him was admirable, even though it drove me insane.” Romi kissed him, and then his expression changed subtly, his eyes narrowing, his nostrils flaring a little. “But I don’t want to talk about Soza anymore,” he said in a low growl.
The change in Romi’s voice went straight to Karik’s cock, making him erect in an instant, frying his brain and startling him into stuttering. “Uh...wuh-what you wuh-want to talk about?”
“You. And all the things I’d like to do to you tonight.”
“Th-things?” He squeaked a little as Romi’s hand slid behind him and cupped his buttocks. “Romi?”
“I want you, in bed, now.”
Karik’s face burned hot, which was appropriate because his brain felt like it was melting. “N-Now?”
“Hmmm mmmm. So get out of the bath and let me see you drying off. I like looking at you.”
Now how was he supposed to make his legs work? A little nudge and he remembered what to do, although he was hardly a picture of grace as he clambered out, and it was incredibly embarrassing to dry himself off as Romi lounged in the bath watching, frankly assessing and admiring him. It was also incredibly arousing—by the time he was done, his erection was as hard as his face was red. He didn’t know what to do when he was finished. He had the feeling he ought to wait until Romi told him.
“You’re a damn good-looking man. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“No?”
“Shame.”
“Um, do you want me to do something now?”
“Just wait for me.”
Unlike him, Romi was as elegant as a hunting carcho as he got out of the tub, and though he was still too lean, there was much to admire in his long legs. He carried himself with such confidence, it was easy to overlook the signs of his illness and the journey’s deprivations. He was hard as Karik, his erection like a challenge, a promise of...things. He seemed utterly unconcerned by Karik’s scrutiny—he even seemed to enjoy being watched, taking his time drying himself and making sure Karik got a good look. How had he learned to be so easy about it?
At last, Romi handed Karik his robe. “Now, I believe your uncle said there was a good supply of tido oil cream in his workroom. I want you to fetch it.”
Karik’s hand actually shook as he took the robe and put it on, though whether from nervousness or excitement, even he couldn’t tell. Part of his mind felt he ought to be outraged at being ordered about like one of Romi’s soldiers—but the rest of his mind told the other part to just shut up and enjoy it. Were they really going to...have full sex? And would he collapse at the crucial moment?
Now he really was nervous,
even as he hastened to do as he’d been told. Romi lay on the bed when Karik got back, slightly out of breath from being so worked up. The sight before him took the rest of his breath away—Romi had set a beautiful spiral of fire sprites over the bed, and his skin glowed in the golden light. One leg was bent, and he was propped up on pillows, one hand on his cock, lazily stroking it, his eyes heavy-lidded with lust. Karik felt his mouth go dry. “Beautiful,” he croaked.
“Like what you see?”
Karik nodded, coming over to the bed to sit down—but Romi stopped him. “Undress, please.”
“Oh.” He’d forgotten he still had the robe on—Romi had been quite the distraction. He slipped it off and hung it up, then stood, uncertain what to do. Romi crooked a finger and beckoned him over, and when Karik got close, he was pulled in for a gentle, tender kiss, reminding him that Romi was only playing, and this was a game for both of them. “Wuh-what do I do now?”
“What would you like to do? I want you to tell me exactly what you’d like to do to me.”
Gods, it was hard to form words with Romi’s arms around him and his hands roving over Karik’s bottom, long fingers cupping and squeezing. “I’d l-like to kiss you and touch you.”
“Then why don’t you?” Karik grinned, and leaned in to kiss Romi again, running his fingers up Romi’s chest and stroking his face. Romi returned the gesture, rubbing his fingers in Karik’s beard. “It must be a strange thing to have. What does it feel like?”
“No different from having hair anywhere else. I only notice it when I touch it—or you do. Do that again.” Romi obediently scritched his fingernails in Karik’s beard again, and Karik closed his eyes in pleasure. “Like that.”
“Good. Open your eyes, love. I want you to look at me.”
Karik did and found Romi looking back, eyes full of tender warmth. “Are we...are you going to...why do we need the cream, Romi?”
“Hmmm, maybe I want to treat some chafing.” Romi grinned. “Or do you have a better idea?”
Karik took his hands. “Are you going to make love to me?”
Staying Power (Darshian Tales #3) Page 61