“You can tell?”
“Yes. It wasn’t that difficult to guess,” Ishwar said. “Lie down on your stomach.”
Ravi did as he said, finding the simple cotton pillow delightfully comfortable after so many nights sleeping on the ground. Ishwar’s hands returned to his skin. A wonderfully cool and sweet-smelling lotion spread across his back. He couldn’t help but moan. This truly was the first time in months that he’d felt so relaxed. Ishwar’s hands worked, his body moved closer to Ravi’s. He couldn’t help but think how little distance separated their skin.
His hands moved lower… lower… Skimming over his underwear. He so desperately wanted Ishwar to rip it off and plunge straight into him. He had gone too long without sex. Yet he remembered that they had close to a month together. Ishwar knew that too, that was why he was taking his time like this. They had plenty of time to form the physical bond they needed for him to see his destiny. He could lie back and enjoy the man’s touch. He could finally allow himself to relax.
A tap to his knee prompted Ravi to raise his leg and Ishwar massaged the tired muscles, which desperately needed the man’s care. He moved down his leg to his red-raw ankles and back again. Then onto the next leg, down and up again. Ravi’s hardness pressed into the mattress. He knew they were going slowly, but he so desperately wanted to be touched more. Just when he feared he would never feel it, there it was, a brief rub over his balls. A startled groan escaped his lips.
All too quickly, the hand left him and Ravi whined from the loss of contact. Instead, Ishwar’s hands finally met his underwear.
“May I?” he husked. No doubt he already knew the answer, but Ravi nodded anyway, prompting him to pull the garment down his slick legs and join the rest in the pile. Ravi’s breath hitched. He was entirely naked on the man’s bed, completely exposed. He’d been naked in front of his lovers plenty of times before, yet something about this seemed all the more intimate and exciting.
“You’re carrying a lot of tension here,” Ishwar said as his skilful hands returned to Ravi’s skin, rubbing over his buttocks in circles.
“Yes. It’s been… very tense,” Ravi said, gripping the pillow a little at Ishwar’s touch. His hands drifted closer and closer to his cleft, diving in, finding the puckered hole. One hand firmly gripped his buttock, the other gently pressed his long fingers inside Ravi, who melted into the bed. Two fingers circled his entrance and his other hand drifted downwards to rub the underside of his balls. Ravi had to mask his cry in the pillow.
“Now for your front,” Ishwar rasped, his fingers leaving. Ravi didn’t mind so much as he turned over, revealing his fully hard cock for his lover to see. He grinned with satisfaction as he oiled up his hands and continued his massage across Ravi’s chest, fingers drifting across his nipples, stroking the hair dusting his chest, and seeking out each of his most sensitive spots. Ravi’s eyes drifted to the loin cloth still covering Ishwar’s groin. He knew they had to go slowly, yet he was desperate to see what it hid.
“Ishwar,” he whispered.
“What is it, my Prince?”
“Ishwar, please…”
He seemed to know what he asked, for he finally removed the loin cloth, letting it drop forgotten to the floor. Ravi gasped. He’d never seen a cock so large and perfectly formed before.
He surprised Ravi further by moving up his body, allowing his cock to rub against the length of his leg as he travelled. Their cocks touched, rubbing together with a delightful friction. Ravi held in his gasp.
“You don’t need to hold back,” Ishwar said as he moved their bodies together, stroking his throat. “It’s just the two of us here. Nobody else is going to here you.”
Ravi had become used to remaining quiet so that nobody would here his trysts in dark corners or underneath sheets. He wasn’t used to letting his cries of passion loose. Ishwar leant down, their chests aligned, and kissed him, deeper and more passionately than before.
“Let me hear you,” he murmured as he slunk his arms underneath Ravi and pulled him even closer, allowing their erections even more contact.
The cry finally escaped him; loud, guttural, and animalistic. It was a sound he’d never even dreamed could escape from his own body. Yet it made Ishwar smile as he leant back down to kiss him, swirling his tongue around his mouth to explore. Ravi gripped the over man’s perfectly hard and round buttocks and gave into his pleasure, grinding their cocks together in a perfect rhythm. This wasn’t like the normal quick and rough encounters with the palace servants. He was so comfortable and relaxed, yet his blood boiled and sweat sheened across his skin. He was finally free to take his time and find his pleasure however he wanted. In this moment, it was only the two of them and their shared joy.
The tiny world they had created for themselves seemed to halt as Ravi broke away from Ishwar’s lips to cry out, thrusting his hips upwards desperately for more contact. Knowing what was coming, Ishwar ground him harder until he let out a final fevered moan and the space between his and Ishwar’s bodies moistened.
Watching him, Ishwar rose himself up slightly and took his own prick in his hand, looking upon Ravi’s messy body as he stroked himself into release, which took only a few long strokes of his magnificent cock. As he lay on the bed and breathed himself back to normality, his gaze held upon Ishwar’s as his own climax hit him and he spent over Ravi’s already stained belly. He too took in several deep breaths before his gaze returned to Ravi’s and he smiled.
“Did that please you, my Prince?” he asked as he moved aside, retrieving a cloth from the side of the bed to clear up the mess they’d both made on Ravi’s body.
“Very much so. Thank you. And you can call me Ravi.”
“Alright, Ravi.”
Nobody but his father and siblings called him by his first name. Yet he found he liked the way it fell from Ishwar’s lips.
“I know it’s early but… was there anything?”
“I told you, it will still take a while,” Ishwar said. He must have noticed Ravi’s distress, for he cupped his cheek and continued. “But don’t worry. As I said, it will take time, but it will happen eventually. It always does. The closer the bond of our bodies, the sooner we will know.”
“That’s good,” Ravi sighed. A sudden exhaustion overcame him. Whether from the long journey, the incredible orgasm, or the stress of the past few weeks, he wasn’t sure. Yet he felt Ishwar pulling a thin cotton blanket over him.
“Sleep now. You need to rest. And for what we shall do, you will need energy,” Ishwar whispered.
Ravi smiled as he settled into the bed, staring up at the stars peeking at them through the canopy. He hadn’t even noticed them until that moment. He’d never slept underneath the stars before, yet he found it oddly comforting. Just as Ishwar’s touch was.
“Sleep well, Ravi,” was the last thing he heard from the man as he drifted into sleep, peaceful and content for the first time in a long time.
Chapter Three
Ravi had no way of telling how much time had passed since he’d awoken. Yet he suspected that he’d been watching Ishwar at work for at least half an hour without the shaman even realising he was awake. It had become a habit during the past fortnight or so that he’d spent in the man’s home. Every time he awoke, he found his lover already at work on his potions. Ravi wasn’t entirely sure when he slept. But he must have at some point, for he made love with such vigour that it always left Ravi ragged.
The past few weeks had been steeped in sensual bliss. Ishwar had brought such pleasure out of him that he’d never felt before. He’d shown him things which he’d never even known were possible for two men to do together. No doubt they were well on their way to building the physical bond Ishwar would need to know his destiny.
Worry for the Kingdom still lingered inside Ravi, yet the more time he spent in Ishwar’s hut, the further away the thoughts were pushed. Living out here in an endless cycle of sex and rest only occasionally broken up with eating, bathing, or helping Ishwar with his c
hores had brought his mind to a peaceful state he’d never known before. His life in the palace had been a tightly scheduled string of duties and ceremonies and endless worry. Now he could barely recall when one day ended and another began. He could see now why Ishwar chose to live in such a way.
Once in a while the thought crossed his mind that this was only temporary and in no time at all it would end and he would be returning to the palace to end the war. But whenever those thoughts came, Ishwar would take him or even just smile at him and he would remember not to worry about them for the time being.
This time, the thought was broken by a loud rumbling from his stomach, so loud that it prompted Ishwar to turn around. The man’s smile warmed him.
“You should have told me you were awake,” he said as he headed to his food supply to fetch his usual breakfast of naan. Ravi still felt a little guilty about using up his food supplies, especially during such a turbulent time. When he’d brought it up, Ishwar had simply shrugged and told him that he always kept extra supplies. Ravi had realised that he would need to, for he always had lovers come to his door to seek their destiny.
“I like watching you work,” Ravi admitted as he rose from the bed and paced across the room to sit across from Ishwar. He didn’t need to worry about strutting around the hut fully nude, not after all the ways they’d touched and licked and kissed every inch of each other’s bodies in barely a few weeks. Ishwar rarely wore more than his own loin cloth. It was oddly liberating for Ravi. More than that, he enjoyed having his lover’s eyes upon him. Even now, he looked upon his body with fascination.
When the man handed him the naan, Ravi grabbed him around the shoulder and pulled him forward for a quick kiss. “Last night was incredible,” he said.
“You were incredible,” Ishwar said, returning a second kiss. The previous night, Ishwar had raised Ravi’s legs up so high and plunged so deeply inside him that he had barely believed that his body was his own. Each time Ravi thought it couldn’t possibly get any better, Ishwar surprised him again. “But you’ll have to wait a while before our next tumble,” Ishwar said, drawing away from Ravi, who found he missed the man’s presence. “I have another delivery to make to the village today.”
“Let me help,” Ravi said, rising to join Ishwar by his side.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I want to help you. Do you mind?”
“Of course not. Could you fetch me some more water?” Ishwar asked, handing Ravi a small bowl, which he filled from his supply on the opposite side of the hut.
“I admire you for being able to make potions. I’ve never done anything with my hands like this before,” Ravi said as he handed over the water and watched him finish his latest batch of medicine.
“I’m sure your responsibilities are far more important.”
“It’s still incredible, what you do. And there are advantages to living out here, too. Like waking up whenever you want to. And staying up all night.” He and Ishwar chuckled together. “Can I ask you, what brought you to live all the way out here?”
“It suits my purposes,” Ishwar replied.
“Don’t you ever feel lonely? Living on your own…”
“It is… lonely sometimes…” Ishwar said, staring at nothing. “But I see the people in the village from time to time. I even tutor them when they ask for it. They respect me and my independence. Living out here keeps me far away from the troubles and strife of the rest of the world. So, I am content.”
“You’re lucky to live this way,” Ravi sighed.
“Most people would say the same thing about your lifestyle.”
“I know. I shouldn’t complain. But… life in the palace isn’t always easy. You wouldn’t believe the years of studies and training I had to go through just to sit in on one of the chamber meetings.”
“I thought my apprenticeship was difficult. I think I’d much prefer it to princely training,” Ishwar laughed again, in the way which made the corners of his eyes light up in a way which Ravi had noticed many times, and had come to like.
“I still don’t know how I will manage when I become King. Deciding whether someone is guilty or innocent. Making decisions for the farmers or builders. One word can unite our Kingdom together or destroy it entirely.”
“I know you have to shoulder many burdens. It can’t be easy to carry the destiny of an entire Kingdom on your shoulders,” Ishwar said. “But still, are you content with your life? Or is there anything else you want?”
“I want…” Ravi began, only to find the words stopping in his throat. “I want…”
“You want what?”
“I don’t know. I’ve… I’ve never had to want anything for myself before. Except for pleasure, which I’d always satisfied, anyway. I’ve always had to accept what is expected of me. I’ve never thought to want for anything else.” He hung his hands, the half-eaten naan forgotten. Only when Ishwar placed his hands on his shoulders did he realise that the man had risen and stepped towards him.
“What about me? Did you not choose me?”
“Yes! I wanted you. I still want you,” Ravi said, placing a hand on the man’s arm.
“Then that is something at least,” Ishwar said, leaning down to kiss Ravi. “I can’t take away these burdens from you, but I can relieve your stress for a short while. If that will help you even a little.”
“It does,” Ravi said, touching Ishwar’s arms. “Destiny aside, I’m glad I came here. I needed this time away to gain some peace of mind. Thank you.” They kissed again, but not the way they usually did in bed. This was soft, almost gentle. Ravi had never known a kiss like this.
When they pulled apart, they gazed into each other’s eyes for a long moment before looking away.
“Well I have to… to deliver these…” Ishwar said, gesturing awkwardly to his medicine bag.
“Do you mind if I join you?” Ravi asked. As much as he enjoyed his time in Ishwar’s bed, he’d barely left the hut for a fortnight, except to bathe or help Ishwar gather nuts or chop wood.
“Of course. I’d be glad for the company,” Ishwar said.
They gathered up his medicines, dressed, and headed out, Ishwar leading the way through the thick jungle with a knowledge Ravi admired and somewhat envied. He lifted low hanging branches out of his way and caught him whenever he tripped on tree roots. Which was often. Eventually he tripped so many times that Ishwar simply offered a hand to him and held it as they walked. This was new to Ravi too, and somehow felt even more intimate than all the things they’d done together in bed.
It only struck him then that he would have to give up sex with men once he was married. And that day would probably come soon. It had supposed to have happened already, truthfully. His father had already been married and had him when he’d been Ravi’s age. Yet with the troubles with the Jade Empire, his nuptials had been forgotten for the time being. He would probably have to marry one of the Emperor’s daughters to seal an alliance between them and stop the war. He had heard that the Emperor had almost as many daughters as Ravi had sisters.
He’d always known that his marriage and need to sire an heir would come eventually. But in his youthful folly, he’d simply decided not to think of it. He’d even been somewhat glad that the war had pushed back his marriage so that he had more time for trysts in dark hallways. But after such a wonderful time with Ishwar, it would be that much more difficult to give up.
He would still do it, though. He had to. It was his responsibility.
His destiny.
“We’re here,” Ishwar said, halting his dismal thoughts.
Ravi looked up to see that they had finally reached the village. He’d seen many peasant villages on his journey to this jungle, yet none of them were quite like this one. The sight of dilapidated houses, skinny children, and pails of water with brown mud floating on top sank his heart. Once the trouble with the Empire was over, he’d need to do something for this village, and others like it, he decided.
“Ishwar!”
a man immediately came forward and greeted the shaman. “So good to see you again. And you as well, Ravi.”
“Abhi!” Ravi said, recognising the greying hair and slightly worn face of the man who had guided him through the jungle to Ishwar’s hut a fortnight ago. “It’s good to see you as well,” he continued, glad to see a familiar face to cheer him up, even just a little.
“Ishwar! Ishwar’s here!” a chorus of children’s voices erupted from the houses as half a dozen children immediately surrounded Ishwar and hugged his legs.
“Hello there, children. How are you all?” Ishwar laughed. The sight sent such a jolt through Ravi that he had to turn away so Abhi couldn’t see how much he was blushing.
“Can you tell us another one of your funny stories?” one of the children asked him.
“No, do your magic trick with the fire again!” another demanded.
“In a moment, I have rounds to make. Do you want your grandfather to have his medicine, Rani?” At Ishwar’s word, the children detangled themselves from him. He turned back to Ravi. “This will take a while. Will you-”
“I’ll be fine. You go ahead,” Ravi said, waving him off as Ishwar went on his round, the children trailing after him.
“They just adore him. He has such a way with children. With anyone, really,” Abhi laughed.
“Yes. Ishwar is wonderful,” Ravi said as he watched him handing a vial of medicine to an old man, whose face lit up as Ishwar spoke to him.
“Thank you again for your generosity,” Abhi inched closer and whispered to Ravi.
“I’ve already told you it was nothing. You did spend three whole days showing me through the jungle. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have been wandering through this jungle for my entire life,” Ravi said with an awkward smile.
“Still, it’s been a huge help for my family and I. It means so much to all of us. Here, let me introduce you,” Abhi said, taking Ravi by the arm and leading him to one of the shambled houses. Ravi secretly wondered how they could possibly live in such a way. And then he remembered why and chastised himself for thinking such a thing.
The Prince's Destiny Page 2