Guardians of a Giant's Treasure

by M. D. Grimm

  Jeth finally rolled off Kodie and onto his back, gasping for air. Sated and smug about it, Jeth smiled at the roof of the tent, thrilled to think he could have Kodie like this for the rest of their lives. Kodie grunted and rolled into Jeth’s side, draping an arm across his chest. Jeth tucked an arm under his own head and turned his gaze to Kodie, overwhelming tenderness washing over him. Now he understood where that came from. It was the giant part of him. He stroked Kodie’s hair as he felt him gradually fall asleep. Jeth returned his gaze to the roof of the tent and was impatient to end this damn war. It didn’t matter if the king and the master general agreed to the giants’ terms, this was going to happen. This was all going to end one way or another.

  Chapter Eleven

  Half Jeth’s clan traveled to the giant clan south while the rest went to work. Kodie didn’t know the politics of giant society, and as long as they held up their end of the deal, he didn’t need to. They received a message from Master General Cord the day the giants arrived to force the Dathians to retreat and end their siege.

  The king agreed to the terms of the alliance and named Jeth the official ambassador between the Senica kingdom and the giant clan. His giant clan. Kodie considered this discovery an act of the gods and made an extra sacrifice in their name. Jeth finally knew where he came from, whose blood flowed in his veins. Kodie was immensely thankful it had been a positive experience, a hopeful one.

  Jeth couldn’t speak for a long moment after Kodie read the king’s declaration. Then he simply nodded and readied for battle.

  The giants led the charge down the mountain, Dathian soldiers scattered like leaves in the wind. There wasn’t much for the Senician soldiers to do except cut down a few stragglers. Hundreds of giants roared into the Dathian base camp and routed the general and his soldiers, and they didn’t stop there. Fendra soldiers fired arrows that merely glanced off the giants’ thick hides.

  Kodie directed the soldiers as Jeth raced after General Hadic, the king’s most trusted and ruthless counselor. Kodie had no doubt Jeth would catch up to him.

  Green-feathered arrows flew through the air toward the soldiers.

  “Shields!”

  Dropping to their knees, the soldiers held up the shields. Most arrows glanced off, though a few found entry points. Kodie unsheathed his sword, about to lead his soldiers into the fendra ranks where they crouched upon a rocky ledge. Before he could give the command, a large giantess stomped over and, with a club the size of her head, bashed the fendras off their ledge to the ground. Then she proceeded to smash them to bits.

  Kodie gaped.

  She tossed her hair behind her back, blonde and braided, and briefly met his gaze with her steely blue one. She smiled and winked before turning and holding the club in front of her, ready for more. The Dathian soldiers wanted no part in a battle with giants, especially if they didn’t have any of their own. They fled before her and her brethren.

  Thunder shied under Kodie when he tried to get closer to her. He was forced to dismount and approach on foot. She glanced down at him again. Kodie had to crane his neck back to see her face. By the gods!

  Heart trembling with primal fear, Kodie lifted his hand in a gesture of peace. “Th-thank you.”

  She cocked her head at him before crouching. She was still much taller than him, but he didn’t have to crane his neck as much.

  “You are the mate of my Jeth.”

  Kodie blinked. “Oh. Um. You’re Jethryn?”

  She nodded.

  “N-nice to meet you.”

  She snorted and he felt the air brush over his face. “If you weren’t so pale, I would believe you. Though I do not blame you for your fear. You should fear us.”

  “I would rather respect you than fear you.”

  She cocked her head to the other side, regarding him with a steady gaze. “It can be both.”

  “Aye. I suppose.”

  She scanned the battlefield. Kodie turned to do the same. He hoped it would be a long while before the Dathian king managed to rebuild his resources for another attack. Or, better yet, that he would die and a new king take his place. Something had to change.

  “Where is Jeth?” she asked.

  “He chased after General Hadic. Without him the king is powerless. Hadic is his right hand and carries out his commands swiftly without question. I personally hope there will be a coup and new leadership will take charge. That should keep the Dathians busy for a while.”

  Jethryn nodded.

  Kodie squinted into the distance and could only make out the shapes of giants. Worry began to bloom in his stomach.

  Where was Jeth?

  ***

  Jeth caught up with Hadic even as the general urged his horse faster. Jeth pumped his legs, judged the distance, then leapt. He caught Hadic and knocked him off the horse, which promptly sped away. Rolling over the unforgiving ground jarred them both, and Jeth had to let go of Hadic or risk breaking something. He rolled to his feet the instant Hadic charged, sword in hand. Jeth dodged and unsheathed his own blade. Steel clashed as they fought fiercely over the dry, lifeless land, picked clean of all vegetation and nutrients.

  Hadic was a big man and managed to hold his own against Jeth. At first. Jeth wore him down, his stamina and strength long returned after his frozen battle with the Lash Mountains. Hadic was the last piece. The last card the king had to play. Eliminate him, cripple the king. Stop the war.

  Kodie and he could then live a life off the mountains. Away from bloodshed and loss. Kodie could be warm, he could see the grass and trees and pastures of his youth. After this one last mission, Jeth could finally give Kodie the life he deserved.

  Jeth knocked Hadic’s sword from his hand before kicking out and slamming his foot into his legs. Hadic howled as bones snapped and he fell to the ground. Jeth panted as he held his blade against Hadic’s throat.

  “It ends now.”

  Hadic snarled at him with murderous eyes. “Aye, it does, giant spawn.”

  For the first time in his life, the words didn’t insult him. They complimented him. He was of giant’s blood and damn proud of it.

  Whistling met his ears an instant before white hot pain punctured his arms and legs. He stumbled forward and turned his head to see green-feathered arrows sticking out of any piece of exposed skin. The breast plate and helmet protected his vital areas but if the arrowheads were dipped in poison... Ah gods, they are.

  Jeth trembled as his extremities numbed. He fell to one knee, the sword slipping from his grasp. Gritting his teeth, he fought against the poison, knowing it was useless. He had too much human in him to be completely immune like his giant kin. This time, there was more than one arrow.

  “Again!” Hadic bellowed. “Hit him again!”

  Jeth looked over his shoulder to see a line of five fendra drawing back their bows. He also saw the large figure of his father racing toward them from behind, a massive club in his hands, bigger than his own head.

  “Behind you!” Hadic said.

  Too late.

  Jethron plowed into the fendra and crushed them with his brutal swings. With eyes alight with thirst for blood and mayhem, Jethron turned from the remains of the fendra to eye Hadic.

  “Stay away from me, monster!”

  Not saying a word, Jethron strode up, lifted his club, and brought it down on Hadic’s head. Jeth turned his face away to avoid the worst of the vile splatter and gore. His breathing grew shallow, and he fell on his side.

  “Jeth!”

  “Papa,” he said, realizing this might be the one and only time he could say the word.

  Jethron dropped his club and pulled Jeth into his arms. “I’m not losing you this way. Neither is your human.”

  With little grace or mercy, Jethron tore out the arrows. Jeth gasped and groaned as paralysis took over his body. Jethron lifted his own hand and bit into the fleshy part of his palm. Then he pressed it to Jeth’s mouth.

  Jeth met his father’s eyes.

  “You simply need mor
e giant in you this time,” Jethron said.

  Jeth had no choice but to drink the thick, salty liquid. It wasn’t long before Jethron pulled his hand away and smeared his blood on Jeth’s wounds. Then he laid Jeth on the ground and stood.

  “I doubt this will be our last meeting.” Then he was gone.

  Jeth trembled as he felt his father’s blood attack the poison, counteracting it. His muscles spasmed and jerked, his throat burned, and his head throbbed. It was almost worse than what the poison did to him by itself all those years ago.

  Through the agony, as he hovered between life and death, he heard Kodie’s voice. Whether imaginary or real, he wasn’t sure, but it made him fight harder for life. He managed to open his eyes and meet Kodie’s bright blue ones. Then the pain became too much, and he sank into nothing.

  ***

  Kodie watched the soldiers pack up their camp. The pass would belong to the giants. That was the agreement. The mountains were theirs, had always been theirs. Kodie couldn’t blame them for wanting humans off their mountains. The Dathians would think twice before trying to route a large clan of giants, and without Hadic, the king had no authority. Even now there were rumors of a coup, and Kodie was satisfied with that. Let the war be internal for a while, and leave Senica alone.

  “How are things progressing?”

  Kodie swung around and glared. “Jeth, you idiot! Get back in that tent, lay down, and don’t move.”

  Jeth scowled as he stood by his tent. “I am well enough, for the gods’ sake. I am no puny human. You seem to forget that.”

  Kodie stomped over to him and shoved him back inside. It was easier than it should have been. “You’re going to listen to me this time, giant man. Stay in bed until we are ready to move out.”

  Jeth caught Kodie’s hands and swung him around, shoving him on top of the table. He pinned Kodie’s hands to the wood and stared down at him with an amused expression.

  “Even sick you’re still no match for me.”

  It was Kodie’s turn to scowl. “Stop being so difficult. You nearly died. Again. We’re nearly off this mountain, and I won’t lose you now.”

  Jeth’s expression softened and leaned down to nuzzle Kodie’s chin, lips slipping over his neck.

  “I really hate you sometimes.”

  Jeth chuckled. “That is an absolute lie.”

  Kodie sighed deeply and shook his head. “You don’t make it easy for me.”

  “I know.” Jeth lifted his head and stole a kiss. “I am who I am, and I am what I am. I won’t change, and you don’t want me to change.”

  Kodie smiled. “No, I don’t. Just take it easy, please. You scared the spirit out of me. I’m still recovering.”

  Jeth nodded and stroked Kodie’s head. “I will. Truly, Kodie, I am well. I can help get us off this gods’ forsaken mountain.”

  Kodie smiled. “Fine. But I’ll be watching you.”

  “I get all tingly when you threaten me like that.”

  Kodie couldn’t help himself. He laughed.

  Chapter Twelve

  Six months later

  Jeth stomped into the manor, knocking snow off his boots. He didn’t mind being the ambassador to his own clan, but gods. He was tired of being the middle-man between the Senica king and his clan’s council. He enjoyed visiting his grandmother, and occasionally running into his father, but there were times he just wanted to stay home.

  To stay with Kodie.

  He took off his cloak and hung it on the peg by the front door. The manor felt empty. He suspected Kodie was with his parents. Jeth had been gone nearly a week so he wasn’t surprised Kodie sought family, not liking the solitude. After climbing down the mountain, there’d been endless amounts of celebration and speeches, and his army unit had even been invited to the palace so the king could thank them personally. Even Master General Cord had cracked a smile and glanced at Kodie and him with approval.

  Then they were stationed at the foot of the Lash Mountain Range in a grand manor formerly owned by another general who had perished in the war. Fields and pastures spread as far as the eye could see, and the locals were friendly enough. Kodie’s family relocated to be near their son, and things seemed to be settling somewhat. Except for his all-too frequent trips to his kin. He was tired of being the messenger boy.

  There were once servants in the manor but Kodie and Jeth were so used to doing everything themselves, there hadn’t been a point to keeping them. It also made Jeth feel awkward to have others wait on him, especially when they continued to look at him with awe or fear.

  He wanted Kodie. Yet a bath sounded good as well. It would relax and revitalize him for the seductive evening he had planned. He heated the water at the fireplace in the kitchen before dumping it into the luxurious bathing tub. A gift from the king, in fact. One specially made for him, big enough for Jeth’s frame.

  He sank into the hot water and winced slightly before relaxing. He scrubbed himself clean with soap and a washcloth before sitting back. He closed his eyes and indulged himself. Though the mountains were his, as Jethryn told him so long ago, he couldn’t deny the simple pleasure of living in moderate temperatures, without snow, and mild wind.

  He must have drifted deeper than he intended, because he woke to find Kodie stripping next to the tub. Jeth smiled.

  “How is your family?”

  “Well and happy.” Kodie slipped into the tub, straddling Jeth’s lap. Wrapping his arms around Jeth’s neck, he kissed him passionately, hungrily. Jeth gripped Kodie’s taunt ass, fingers brushing his intimate hole. Kodie shivered and pressed closer, tighter.

  They’d both cut their beards, looking less like wildmen. It felt strange at first, but now Jeth liked the feel of it, and liked the way the blond curly hair defined Kodie’s jawline and chin. Without the beard, Kodie would look ten years younger, only if one didn’t look into his eyes. His eyes showed his years and what he’d experienced. Both of theirs did.

  “I want you to have me,” Kodie said as he pulled back slightly.

  “I do have you.”

  “No, I mean—” Kodie reached behind and grabbed Jeth’s hard cock to slide it between his ass cheeks, against his hole. He stared into Jeth’s eyes the entire time.

  “Oh,” Jeth whispered. “Yes, I want that. But I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t.”

  They did prepare him, with oil, usually reserved for cooking. This wasn’t the first time Jeth had claimed a man, but he knew it was the first time for Kodie. When Kodie confessed months ago he’d never had any other lover besides Jeth, Jeth had been stunned and proud and terrified. He worked slowly with Kodie lying on his stomach on their bed, legs spread. Jeth continued to stroke Kodie’s cock as he pushed his fingers into Kodie. Kodie moaned and twitched, and never asked him to stop.

  Jeth leaned over him and kissed his neck, his shoulders, dragging his tongue over several old scars. Kodie shuddered out a breath.

  “Please, now,” Kodie whispered.

  Jeth had been waiting for those words. He used more oil on his cock and held his control on a firm leash. He would rather saw off his dick than harm Kodie in any way. He pushed in slowly, and Kodie’s long moan nearly undid his resolve. He held on and continued, stroking Kodie’s cock through the entire event. When he was halfway in, he pulled out, then pushed back. Again and again, he found an easy rhythm. Kodie gasped and moaned and started to move with him. Jeth continued to stroke, to kiss, to hold on tightly to his control. He was inside his one and only mate, and it was beautiful and felt so right.

  When he felt himself close to coming, Jeth pulled all the way out. Kodie made a sound of annoyance. Jeth grinned and rolled Kodie over. His face was flushed, his eyes bright with need, his cock thick and hard.

  “Trust me,” Jeth said on a grunt. He draped Kodie’s legs over his arms and gripped his hips before pushing in again.

  Kodie’s breath caught, and he grabbed his own cock, stroking in time with Jeth’s thrusts. Their gazes met and held as ple
asure overtook them both. Jeth watched Kodie come, semen splashing over his stomach and chest, and the sight of that pushed Jeth over the edge. He pulled out just before he found release and his semen mixed with Kodie’s, painting his lover and friend white.

  Then he simply braced his hands on the bed and gasped, heart racing and thudding against his ribs.

  “Would you,” Kodie said, gasping, “let me inside you?”

  Jeth huffed out a laugh. “Whatever you want.”

  “Seriously?”

  Jeth met his gaze. “You’re my life, Kodie. If you want something, just ask.”

  Kodie grinned. “As soon as I get my breath back, I’m holding you to that.”

  “I live to serve.”

  Kodie yanked Jeth close, making a sticky mess between them, his laughter filling the room. Jeth closed his eyes, thinking it the most beautiful sound in the world.

  ###

  About M.D. Grimm

  M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!). Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!). After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process.

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