Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
TYOS
I eventually encouraged Arlen back into the wagon to escape the sun’s rays.
With his pale skin, it was better for him to remain out of direct sunlight until he became more used to it.
This was told to us before we left, to prepare us for our return.
Townsfolk should be covered until they can acclimate to the heat, and we should not travel during the height of the sun.
We were given a map with marked locations where towns could be found, or spots of water if necessary.
We aimed for one, reaching it before the sun had risen too high and the heat would become unbearable.
There were a few tents near the water, housing a few Al Nuzem soldiers who greeted us with friendly waves and chin lifts.
One came to speak with Dras, who had been in front when we arrived and was best at the Al Nuzem tongue compared to the rest of us.
They spoke in low tones, the soldier's smile warm as he gestured to the water with a nod.
Jumping from Ghaevek’s back, I led him to where the soldier’s horses were drinking from the water, letting him have his fill and patting his neck. He’d had little sleep and had worked hard to get us this far. He deserved the rest he would get here.
“Brother,” Dras called, waving me over. He tipped his head to his companion, who clasped my arm in a warrior’s greeting while Dras introduced us. “This is Rayaan, head soldier for this outpost. He welcomes us and is happy to share food and drink while we rest.”
My grasp of the Al Nuzem language was worse than even my common tongue, but I did my best to thank him for his hospitality, my words unbalanced and likely unclear based on the amusement on his face. When he spoke again, he used the common tongue, his words much more fluid than mine.
“Nice to meet you. Our king alerted all outposts of your travel. We will assist in whatever way we can. Is anyone injured? We have a healer and one of the soldiers was raised by a horse breeder, so can help with your mounts if needed.”
Thankfully, Dras answered instead of forcing me to use the limited skills I had to answer him.
“None injured. We were lucky to escape unseen. A few were sick on the journey because of the pace we traveled, but we moved them to horseback to ease the strain, and they seem to be doing well.” He gestured to the wagon, where the townsfolk were slowly spilling out.
“There are ten from the towns, five of my fellow clan brothers. Six horses.”
The soldier nodded, waving over more soldiers to assist the townsfolk and check on those who had been ill during the journey.
A muscle ticked in my jaw when one took Arlen’s hand to help him down, but he didn’t linger, moving to the next person without giving him much thought.
I relaxed when Arlen immediately turned to look for me, giving me a shy smile when he saw me watching him already.
“You are going to claim him, aren’t you?” Dras asked.
The question surprised me, I had thought my brother was still talking to the solider, but when I turned, the man had moved on to calling orders to his men and setting up a shaded area under some trees for our company to rest. Dras watched me with curiosity, smirking when Arlen headed in my direction instead of following the others to the shade.
I switched to our mother tongue to not be overheard, scrubbing the back of my neck awkwardly.
“Should he wish it, I would be happy to do so. But he has been through much since we rescued him from his town. I do not wish to rush him.”
Dras nodded solemnly. “This is a good plan. Show him Al Nuzem, get to know each other more. He will travel with us to the settlement location. You have time.”
The reminder made me release a long breath.
Now that we were in Al Nuzem and Arlen was safe from those who would cause him harm, I had more time to spend with him without him being at risk.
After we arrived at the clan, we wouldn’t have to sneak trysts either.
I should use it to my advantage and woo him properly.
If he chose me in the end, I would only be happy to accept.
He was a sweet man, and I loved the feel of him in my arms as we slept.
Slender fingers touched my arm, and when I smiled down at Arlen, he shyly took my hand, giving me a soft smile. “You’ve been up a while. Do you want to rest in the shade? I’m sure we’re safe enough here for some decent rest.”
I hummed, putting my arm around his shoulders without releasing his hand.
It pulled him close to my side and made his cheeks turn a pretty pink color as he ducked his head to hide his smile.
I didn’t draw attention to it, instead leading him over to the shade, where the soldiers were setting up a canopy of sorts to create a bigger space to rest. Faldar and Rukon were already laying out rolls so they could get some rest. They would get the first sleep, since they had to ride hard to meet us and hadn’t had much of a break before we were on the move again. After they woke, I would take my turn.
That was too complicated to explain with my limited grasp of the common tongue, so instead I told Arlen, “I wish washing first. It has been many days.”
He groaned, making my head snap to him hearing such a sultry sound from his lips. “Goddess, I’d love a bath. After riding for days, my muscles are sore.”
Shaking my head, I accepted a pot from one of the soldiers after requesting one, filling it and leading Arlen to a shaded area farther from where the others rested. “No bath water. Keep water clean, bath separate.”
“Oh…” He looked back at the small lake of water, nowhere near large enough to bathe in when it was also used for drinking and not flowing like the river next to our camp from before.
He looked a little disappointed, but nodded in understanding.
“I get that. I wouldn’t want to drink water that someone else bathed in. ”
Tipping my head, I told him, “Bath in big town. Big bath, hot water.”
“Big town? You mean–”
His words cut off suddenly as I stripped off my clothes and boots.
The legwear I would use again, but the tunic would only be needed once the sun had set, so I would put it away for the time being.
I glanced over at Arlen, only to find him gaping at my cock with a hungry expression that made me wish for more privacy.
The hungry looks he gave me from time to time made my blood boil with lust and it took all of my self-control not to drag him to the sand to ravish him, audience be damned.
“Arlen,” I half-growled, feeling myself swell at his avid attention. Nudity around my brothers was common, as we often bathed together. Being seen with an erection would get me teased for weeks.
“Huh? Oh!” His eyes ripped from my cock, and he slapped his hands over them, spinning around for good measure. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to stare!”
I didn’t want him thinking I didn't want him to look at me, especially not in that way, so I wrapped my arms around him, murmuring in his ear while pressing my cock to his ass to emphasize my point.
“When we alone, you can have me. I am yours, velren. I only wait for less people around.”
He nodded rapidly, but didn’t remove his hands from his eyes. “O-Okay. Sounds good. I– I’ll give you privacy and–”
My grip tightened to keep him close, a smile pulling at my lips at the way he shivered in my hold despite the heat. That was not a shiver of cold. That was want. Something I very much wished to explore once we had privacy.
“Stay. You get clean, too.”
He shook his head vehemently, dropping his hands to clutch at his clothes instead. “I can’t. Everyone will see.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that until I turned him around and saw his erection straining against his legwear.
Had he removed his clothes, he’d have the same issue I was already fighting against. It was wrong that I felt smug about that.
I jerked my chin toward where the rest of our company was resting. “Go rest. I return you in a moment.”
His face twitched, and I knew without asking that the sentence was wrong, but I chose not to ask for clarification.
His eyes kept flicking down to glance at my cock, and his face was turning scarlet.
Had we been in the forest where we could find a private moment, he knew I wouldn’t hesitate, which likely only added to his struggle.
I didn’t wish to cause him embarrassment by keeping him here.
“Go.”
He nodded and spun on his heel, fleeing to the safety of the shade while I quickly scrubbed down with one of the few bars of soap we had left. We’d thought we’d brought enough for the journey, but hadn’t expected the delay in the forest. It was good we would be home soon.
Dras took the pot once I was finished so he could refill it and take his own turn to wash, and when I returned to the group, Arlen had his head buried in his arms, his knees tucked against his chest.
Frowning, I sat beside him, putting my hand on his back. “Arlen?”
“Y-Yes?” he asked without lifting his face.
“What’s wrong? Did I upset you?”
Arlen was still red in the face when he looked up, but he leaned into my embrace, shaking his head with a pained smile.
“No, it’s not that. I just…” He trailed off, looking over his shoulders at the others, most of which were napping or talking amongst themselves.
Putting my arm around his shoulders, I pulled him close, leaning so I could hear him without the others hearing as well.
“I’ve never dealt with this before. Being this…
aroused in public,” he whispered, his cheeks turning even darker pink as he explained.
“I just can’t seem to help myself around you. I’m embarrassed.”
“No, velren. No embarrass.” Leaning closer so my lips brushed his ear, I murmured, “I want you, too. Soon we will be at clan. Until then, I wish only hold you.”
He turned his face to look at me, our lips brushing lightly in a soft kiss.
His smile was pleased and sweet, and when I stood to join Dras in making a meal with food provided from the soldiers, he followed, helping in little ways that he could.
Like he didn’t wish to part from me. It gave me hope for the future. Perhaps he felt the same way I did.
By the time we finished, he seemed more relaxed, though his skin was still pink. I frowned at him, touching the pink on his cheeks.
Blinking up at me, he cocked his head curiously. “What is it?”
“You petal color. Why?”
“Pale skin in the sun turns pink,” one of the soldiers explained as he came to join us, handing out flasks of water to those who were still awake. “Many Eldarans turn this color while visiting Al Nuzem. He needs shade and proper clothing until his skin is used to the bite of the sun.”
“Is it injury?” I asked, concerned.
The man shook his head. “Not if he returns to the shade. If he stays longer out it will get worse and blister. Shade is best.”
Scooping Arlen off his feet, I hurried him to the shaded area, plopping him on the cushions the soldiers had provided. Putting my hands up, I implored him, “Stay. I bring food here. No moving.”