Love and the Stubborn

by Xenia Melzer

  I, Wolf of War to the Mothers, God of the North, bless this union and recognize it as eternal. I welcome my brother’s heart to the family.

  Heralded by the thunderous applause from their fellow warriors, Canubis took the ribbon away and hugged first Renaldo and then Casto before he turned back to the audience.

  Renaldo raised a hand to get everybody’s attention, ready to start with the next part of the ceremony, the presenting of the gifts.

  Casto took a deep breath and touched his mate’s arm. “May I have a word, my lord?”

  Renaldo furrowed his brow in surprise, then nodded almost imperceptibly and retreated a few steps. The interruption wasn’t planned, but he doubted that even his capricious prince would ruin a moment like that.

  For a few heartbeats, Casto contemplated the sea of faces in front of him before he turned to Renaldo, because what he had to say was mainly for him to hear. “As you all know, we didn’t have an easy start.”

  Laughter erupted in the hall, accompanied by whistles and howling. Renaldo smiled lovingly at Casto, who went on.

  “Neither of us is what you might call easygoing—” More comments from the crowd interrupted Casto, only this time he ignored them and kept on talking. “Which is why I’m still surprised that I’m standing here today. Truth be told, I’ve gotten used to our arguments, and no price in the world can tempt me into living even one day without your love. You gave me a home when I was without an anchor, you showed me consistency when all I knew was insecurity and doubt, and you loved me before I even knew I was able to feel so strongly myself. My life truly began when I met you, and I will always be grateful for that. To show my appreciation, I have prepared a gift for you.”

  That was Kalad’s cue to hand Casto the box. Casto gave it to Renaldo, who regarded him with love and a hint of suspicion in his gray eyes. Even though the occasion did call for some pathos and a certain amount of subservience, Casto’s unusually tame statement had alerted Renaldo. Casto’s following words did nothing to ease his doubts.

  “I do hope you are pleased with my gift, my lord.”

  “I’m sure your gift will please me plenty.” Renaldo’s voice was soft, with a barely audible strain in it. He opened the lid.

  His eyes widened. Silently he stared at the content of the box, his jaw muscles clenched visibly. When he looked up, the perfect, impenetrable mask he normally wore was gone. “You shame me, my mate.”

  Casto smiled, satisfied. He enjoyed making the Barbarian uncomfortable in front of all his followers. It was a small revenge for all the things he’d made Casto endure since they met. “It is my gift for you, my lord.”

  Behind Casto, Aegid and Daran brought the brazier. Kalad approached Casto to help him get out of his jerkin and shirt. Renaldo took the iron from the box and buried it under the glowing coals with a rushed gesture. His face betrayed nothing of his feelings.

  When the assembled warriors realized what kind of gift Casto had chosen, they started applauding again. After what seemed like a small eternity to Casto, Canubis made a gesture and absolute silence ensued. Only the sizzling of the iron and the soft crackling of the coals were still audible.

  With his chest naked, Casto knelt in front of his mate with his back to him and swiped his hair over one shoulder. Aegid and Kalad grabbed his upper arms. Renaldo took the iron out, exchanged a glance with the desert warriors who tightened their grip around Casto’s arms so brutally he thought his bones would break any moment. In the audience, the mercenaries started hammering a dark, steadily increasing rhythm on their shields with the hilts of their swords.

  Renaldo hesitated for one more moment, then pressed the glowing red iron between Casto’s shoulder blades. Casto tensed in agony. His body jerked forward and a muffled whimper escaped his lips but was swallowed completely by the noise in the hall. Casto had known he was facing serious pain when he decided to make this move, but he hadn’t anticipated how bad it would be—worse than being whipped in public, a lot worse. Even the broken arm he’d had to endure at his father’s court could not come close to the white-hot agony flashing through his body, assaulting his nerve endings and swamping all his senses with the burning desire to scream and somehow escape the pain. If it hadn’t been for the audience and his own unbreakable pride, Casto would have given in. But he would not scream, not in front of so many witnesses, not after he had forced Renaldo’s hand to get his way. And so he gritted his teeth until he thought they would crack and imagined how good his triumph would feel once the pain subsided.

  Mere agonizing moments that felt like a lifetime later, Renaldo tossed the iron aside and helped Casto to his feet, surreptitiously wiping away the involuntary tears. The warriors started cheering again as Renaldo kissed him.

  His voice was raw, only audible to the young man who was still shivering from the pain he had just endured. “We’re going to talk this out later, O husband mine.”

  Casto’s answer was equally challenging. “I’m counting on it, my lord.”

  Renaldo turned to the mercenaries. “Since my precious mate has gifted me so generously, I can only hope my presents for him are equally suitable.”

  He waved his hand imperiously, at which the great doors swung open and row after row of slaves started carrying heavy wooden trunks into the hall, the lids open so everybody could see the contents. First came twenty chests with clothes: silk and linen, velvet and exquisite leather, everything of the finest quality, all dyed in the dark blue color that was Renaldo’s own. After the clothes had been carried outside again, twenty more chests were brought in, filled with gold and gems; expensive, intricately crafted wine cups; cloak pins, rings, sumptuous necklaces, and other jewelry. Another twenty trunks followed, and those were filled with books, each bound in leather with golden lettering on the cover. Then the slaves brought a complete set of war equipment: several swords, daggers in various lengths, bows and arbalests, an array of spears, chain mail, leather jerkins, and solid leather boots.

  These unbelievable riches were followed by forty slaves, bringing twenty of the best horses Renaldo owned, each with its own saddle, bridle, and several blankets.

  Lysistratos was the last to enter the hall. His majestic appearance was highlighted by the gifts Renaldo had bestowed on him. The stallion wore a saddle made of dark blue chamois leather, one of the rarest and finest in the world. His bridle was of the same material; the headband was pure gold studded with three blue diamonds. The saddle fittings were gold too, and the stirrups were ornamented with lapis lazuli.

  Speechless, Casto took in all the riches spread in front of him. The Barbarian had just made him one of the wealthiest men in the Pack, announcing his status with the highest impact possible. The assembled warriors felt it as well, for the looks they were giving Casto were no longer just admiring. Now they carried a kind of awe that would soon turn into the respect Casto deserved as the mate of their god.

  For once truly overwhelmed by Renaldo’s generosity, Casto knelt in front of him, the gesture less graceful than usual due to the pain in his back. “You’re the one shaming me, my lord. You’re spoiling me.”

  Renaldo helped him up, genuinely pleased with this honest reaction. “I’m only giving you what is rightfully yours, my own.” He smiled radiantly.

  “I think it’s time to declare the feast officially opened.”

  With his arms stretched wide, he turned to his brothers-in-arms. “Let’s celebrate!”

  The invitation was met with frenetic joy. The doors opened once more and this time slaves brought food and wine. Renaldo led his mate to the waiting Emeris, and Noemi was the first to hug Casto. He could feel a soft prickling from her, and the pain in his back subsided into a tolerable throbbing. Noemi couldn’t heal him completely, because then the branding would be gone, but with her power she sped the process along so that it felt as if the wound had already healed for days. He flashed her a grateful smile.

  “I’m so happy for you two, Casto. My best wishes to both of you!”

 
; “I thank you, my lady. As always, you’re as kind as you’re beautiful.”

  Pleased with the answer, Noemi kissed him on the cheek. “You’re so cute! What have we done all these years without you?”

  Hulda pulled Casto into her arms. “We were appalled by our men’s lack of manners. But truth be told, before we met you, we didn’t even know what we were missing.”

  Casto took her hand in his own and kissed the back. He enjoyed this little game immensely. “How can anybody be unruly when confronted with so much grace?”

  Wolfstan stepped up to his wife, smiling broadly. “Casto, stop it already! You make us look bad!”

  “Don’t fret it, darling.” Hulda caressed her husband’s arm lovingly. “You do realize this is all a game, don’t you?”

  “Of course, my precious, but it’s fun to catch you off-balance now and then.”

  On and on it went. Casto drowned in congratulations and good-humored banter. Even Noran added his good wishes, though still rather grumpy, as always. Sic had been allowed to follow the ceremony from the farthest corner of the hall, and he expressed his joy with a nod and a broad smile before he left. Casto was sure the young smith had paid a high price for his participation, but that was a topic he would address once the time was ripe. Until then, Casto maintained a mental list of everything Noran made his slave suffer, so that he would not forget even one insult when he took his revenge.

  The feast quickly turned into an orgy, which was the hallmark of any group activity in the Valley, as Casto had come to accept by now. It was not as bad as during the Spring Ceremony. Most of the warriors stuck to one partner and nobody was completely naked yet, a fact that would change as soon as the alcohol consumption reached a certain level.

  Renaldo, like Casto, let his gaze wander through the hall, touched his hand lightly, and nodded at him reassuringly. There had been a major fight between them about the question of whether they should share intimacies during the feast, something that was considered mandatory for a wedding by many members of the Pack. Casto had finally won the argument by phrasing an ultimatum: should the Barbarian insist on that part of the ceremony, he could go and find himself another fiancé. Knowing there were some lines Casto would not cross, Renaldo had wisely acquiesced to his demand and promised not to lay a finger on him in public.

  Around midnight, Renaldo took his husband’s hand, wished the other warriors a pleasant night, and then retreated to his chambers, where they would be undisturbed for the next three days. The time span was considered sufficiently long for the newlyweds to test their compatibility. Once it was over, the pair was expected to either confirm their union or annul it straightaway.

  That was not an option for Casto, but he and Renaldo would still have their time of retreat.

  The door hadn’t completely closed when Renaldo slung his arms around Casto. His lips closed over Casto’s, and Casto had some trouble evading the sudden assault.

  “What do you think you’re doing, Casto? I want you right now. Ever since you entered the hall this morning, I’ve been craving your body. Waiting this long was torture.”

  Casto couldn’t suppress a smile. Renaldo’s eagerness was a promising start to their wedding night. “I want you too, Barbarian. But before we get down and dirty, I want to give you something.”

  Renaldo glared at him. “I’d say you’ve given me plenty already. And don’t you dare think I don’t know what you’ve done.”

  Casto looked down, slightly flustered. He knew that forcing Renaldo’s hand as he had done was in stark contrast to the vows he’d made. “I had to do it, Barbarian. For myself, for my self-esteem.”

  “Believe it or not, I do understand you. But I warn you, don’t ever push me like that again. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to hurt you in such a brutal way on our wedding day?”

  Casto raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “I’m sorry, really. I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Here, this is for you.”

  “Another present?”

  Renaldo glared at the package in Casto’s hands with open distrust. Finally he took it and opened it. He wasn’t able to hide his surprise. “Are you serious?” Renaldo held up the leather cuffs Casto had sewn for him.

  Casto held his gaze steadily. “I’m deadly serious. We both know why I allowed you to brand me today, and love or subservience has nothing to do with it. But as I said, I do love you, and I want this day to be as perfect for you as it is for me—well, most of it, anyway. We always have fun between the sheets, and I’m aware of how much you have to hold back. Tonight you don’t have to do that. I’m going to do anything you ask of me. I’ll be whoever you want. Tonight, you can let go.”

  Renaldo shook his head as if somebody had hit him. Deep in his eyes, a hunger awoke, so irresistible, so terrible, it aroused Casto immediately and dragged him into depths he’d avoided till now.

  “You’re going to do everything I ask?”

  “Yes. Everything you want. You can do with me as you please. I’ve sworn fealty to you today, and I don’t want anything to stand between us, not even unexplored sexual fantasies.”

  “What about tomorrow night?”

  Renaldo had put his finger on the crucial point. Casto treated him to a lazy, seductive smile. “We’ll see, Barbarian. If I were you, I’d concentrate on the here and now.”

  Snarling, Renaldo pulled his mate closer. There was no doubt about Casto’s sincerity. “I will, my gorgeous victim, you can bet on it.”

  His hands trembling with excitement, Casto helped Renaldo out of his ceremonial clothes and then undressed when Renaldo ordered him to.

  As soon as he was naked, Renaldo fastened the cuffs around Casto’s wrists, put his arms at his back, and locked the iron rings sewn to the leather. “You’re completely helpless now, my own. How does that feel?”

  Casto whimpered. He felt strange and a lot more vulnerable than he’d anticipated. His own strength was no match to Renaldo’s, a fact Casto was always aware of, but it was a huge difference between just knowing and actually experiencing it. The lust Renaldo was practically oozing seemed more intimidating to Casto, more threatening—and also more arousing. Before he knew it, Casto was caught up in the insatiable passion that made his relationship with Renaldo so fulfilling.

  “Please, my lord, don’t torture me.”

  “Oh, but we’re just getting started—slave.”

  Renaldo’s lips caressed Casto’s right cheek, then started wandering down, grazing his neck, pausing for a moment at his throat before Renaldo playfully bit the tight muscles at the junction between neck and shoulder. Casto squirmed in his embrace, trying to rub himself on Renaldo’s thigh.

  Renaldo kept him at a distance. “Don’t rush it, my own. We have all the time in the world. Literally.”

  He started to push Casto toward the bedroom, never stopping with the kisses. Although Renaldo felt as if he were about to explode, he placed his mate gently on the bed and took his time to explore every inch of Casto’s skin until he begged to be taken. With the aid of some cushions, Renaldo lifted Casto’s rear to a height he found appealing. Then he entered him with first one, then two oiled fingers, massaging and teasing Casto until his hips started to buck in helpless pleasure. It was a heady feeling, seeing how the proud young man succumbed to the pleasure only Renaldo could give him—as only Renaldo was allowed to give to him. Moaning, Casto lifted his lower body, presenting it to Renaldo like a gift.

  “Please, my lord, I’m begging you! Stop with the torture. Please!”

  Satisfied, Renaldo withdrew his fingers, knowing from experience that his difficult lover would not refuse him anymore. He nudged Casto’s entrance with his hard cock; his muscles bulged with the strain of holding back, of drawing out the teasing. “Is this what you want?”

  “Yes, please!”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Take me. I’m begging you.”

  Renaldo shook his head. He enjoyed this game immensely. “If you want me, you ha
ve to go into more detail. What do you want me to do?”

  Casto groaned in frustration. He already doubted the wisdom of his actions, but it was too late to back out now. He was too aroused, too eager. With only a hint of resentment in his gaze, he indulged the Barbarian. “I want you to enter me deeply. Take me hard and brutal. I want to feel that I belong to a god. I want to beg for mercy, knowing I won’t get it. Hurt me, be cruel.”

  “As you wish, my delectable property.”

  Renaldo had been determined not to lose control completely, to keep that last strand of restraint, but when he heard Casto begging so deliciously, when his lover welcomed him so willingly, all reason evaporated in a red haze. This was not the ecstasy he’d felt the first time they had sex, and it wasn’t the feeling of happiness, bordering on insanity, that swamped him every time he took Casto. This was a torrent that buried everything underneath, that only knew his hunger, his wish to own Casto, to mark him as his property for all time. Renaldo wasn’t capable of clear thought. All he knew was that Casto was his, and his alone. Laying Casto facedown, with brutal thrusts he took what nobody else was allowed to have. When Casto came for the first time, the fever running through Renaldo’s body increased.

  Renaldo dragged him up, glided his teeth over Casto’s throat, then bit down hard enough to draw blood. Casto yelled and reared up, forcing Renaldo’s cock even deeper into his body as he was overcome by his next orgasm and shook like a tree in a storm.

  When Casto’s muscles tensed again, Renaldo pushed harder, forcing his own rhythm onto the young man as his lips bathed in the delight of Casto’s blood running hotly down his throat. It was the most feral part of him, the beast slumbering deep inside that reveled in this brutal consummation of their marriage.

  It was what they had been made for: Renaldo to possess Casto entirely, Casto to absolutely belong to the demigod.

  Renaldo continued to take Casto with regular movements, subduing him like a young horse that had to learn how to yield to its rider’s will. It was no gentle teaching; for that, their need was too urgent. Renaldo reached his own climax and made Casto drown with him in the void of unrestrained, all-consuming lust.